Flashbacks

This will definitely be a random musing post....

Its been more than 2 years since I was a reporter, being paid to find the news and hopefully scoop others. Some days I did, some days I didn't. I loved my job, all aspects of it, and this was just one of the many ways I would fill my days.

Writing this blog in many ways is similar, especially since I have found other similar blogs. I readily acknowledge I get some tips from them. I have and will post links giving them credit. So its understandable that today, when I saw another blog that I had forwarded my scoop to (in hopes they would give me credit like I have done with them) tell the news on Facebook and not give me credit, that I would be a little bit mad. Ok, a lot mad. Luckily for you, I made this discovery about 6 hours ago, so the anger has subsided and I don't have the energy to vent as I would have this afternoon if I were not running after an 18 month old.

Something else, that is of a more pertinent nature for you, the reader, is this. As I have said before, I am not here to be paid by others to direct you to certain websites. If Amazon wants to give me money, great, but if their deals are in the terlit, I am going to say so. I stumbled across a blog today that was pushing amazon, and then at the bottom she had a disclaimer. Kudos for having the disclaimer in the first place, but since when is saving money and encouraging others to do so, incompatible with being honest?

Thats my two cents. Hope you had success on Cyber Monday, I didn't buy a thing. And thanks to everyone who has joined the FB group. I appreciate your reading and sharing the news about money saving ideas.

Cyber Monday

In a little more than 3 hours the computer "savings" are likely to appear. I know I am already signed up on Facebook for at least one savings event come midnight, and I am sure many other sites and stores will start offering great "deals" just for you as you sit at desk at work, possibly trying to stay awake after a hellish drive home from where-ever you were for Turkey.

Be careful though, make sure you are really getting a sale, or else your "savings" are not real. Like everything else, you have to know what you are looking for and read the fine print.

I was reading a blog yesterday where a buyer wondered why a particular site seemed to be changing the List Price, making it higher, so it appeared to be offering greater savings when the "NEW" price was introduced. I have often wondered this myself but could never prove it -- unless I knew what I was looking for and specifically how much it cost.

For example, if tomorrow I see a 5 Q Kitchen Aid Mixer in Red for $100, I will buy in a heartbeat. I know this particular item is at least $250, and usually closer to $350. I will own this one day, but that day is not likely tomorrow or anytime soon...unless it goes on crazy sale. Now, if I see Madden NFL 10 as $39.99 and its advertised as a sale, close to half off...check out first. Regular price for this game on PS2 is $39.99, so if you are buying for a PS2, no savings. But if it actually for a PS3 or Xbox, there could be some serious saving!

Happy shopping and savings!

Restaurant savings

Last night I saw a deal from Restaurant.com that gives me a $25 gift certificate and I wound up paying $2 for it. I'll admit right away I am skeptical. BUT...several of my friends from all across the country have said they had positive experiences, so I am trusting them.

First the deal. If you go to Restaurant.com and enter the passcode SAVE when you check out, you save 80%!

The fine print is important, a bunch of places have restrictions on when you can use or how much you need to purchase for credit to count. One friend said he knew his card wasn't good for when he was coming in, so he called ahead and spoke to manager. Said he wouldn't come with his group of 8 UNLESS they honored card. In this economy it was a no brainer for manager and his card was accepted.

I'll let you know how our deal plays out when we use it (it was for Ted's Montana Grill, one of my hubby's favorites).

Safe travels to all those on the road today.

Free photocards from Vista Prints

Go to Vistaprint.com Look to tab on left under holiday & family, and click Free items. Then follow to free photocards. You design it the same way you do at other sites. You get 10 free, and then after that they charge you. If you get the 10 free you still pay shipping, which varies depending on how soon you want them.

UPDATE>>> From reader JCM: Check out this blog which is offering readers a great deal from SeeHere (Fuji Film site) on photocards. Not free anymore, but 50 is better than 10 and the shipping is not that bad.

Free 11 oz photo coffee mug from Snapfish

Buy one get one free. Offer expires Dec. 4, 2009
Enter code DEC3 at checkout to get rebate.

Free photobook from Shutterfly

Offer good thru Sunday. Spend $50 on pix, photocards or whatever, and get a free photobook. We made our son a photobook from them a few months ago so he would know his family, especially those he doesn't see all the time, and were very impressed with Shutterfly's quality.

Just enter PASSALONG a checkout to get rebate.

Toys R Us Saturday 11/28

According to the ad in my email, these are all in-store sales. Click here for printable coupon.

- Buy one, get one 50% off lego sets
- $50 gift card when you buy any Band Hero Super Bundle or or Wii DJ Hero Bundle
- 20% off all guitars
- FREE Toy Story Backpack, CARS Backpack or Bakugan “Become a Master Brawler” DVD with ANY purchase of $25 or more