Wednesday, July 10, 2013

FREE Slurpee on 7/11!

7-Eleven is celebrating its 86th birthday tomorrow, July 11 (7/11) by giving away a free small Slurpee drink at participating stores nationwide! The offer is good from 11 to 7p, while supplies last.  And, just in case you were wondering, the free birthday Slurpee is a genuine small-size Slurpee drink size, almost double the size of the 7.11-ounce promotional size from previous birthday giveaways

Click here to find a participating location near you!  If you are a Plink user, don't forget to use the card associated with your account so you can get points if you purchase a snack to go with your FREE Slurpee.


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Frugals summer publication!

It’s finally SUMMER! Granted, with all the crazy weather we’ve been having lately, it feels a little more like spring, but school is out & there are SO many different things going on all around the Eastern Shore that there’s bound to be something you’ll find interesting. The Summer edition of Frugals was recently published, and you can use it as a directory to find the many events and even use it to save a few bucks!

I have to share with you my recent savings using Frugals: Our AC unit stopped cooling one night, and of course it was the beginning of a “heat wave” so I knew I needed to have it looked at quickly. I flipped through my Frugals until I found an ad for Hickman Heating, Plumbing & Air. I called the number listed, and believe it or not, they were able to come to my house the very same day! I mentioned the ad, and saved $20 off my service call bill. I was very pleased with their friendliness, professionalism and promptness, so I would recommend them to anyone who was looking for a reliable heating/air company. On page 18, there’s a new business called Above & Beyond Services, who focus on heating & cooling sales, service & installation. They’re licensed and insured, and offer 24 hours service 365 days a year. You can save $20 off any service call or $200 off a replacement system.

How many times have you had a small chip in your vehicle windshield and ignored it, thinking it would be okay until you saved up the money for your insurance deductible, yet walked out to the car on a hot day to find that the small chip had become a travelling crack? Mr Go Glass now offers the “Unbreakable windshield guarantee” which means that if for any reason, your replacement windshield breaks within 1 full year from the date of purchase, they will replace it absolutely FREE! But, Mr Go Glass isn’t just for auto glass, they do residential glass (windows, shower doors, etc) and also commercial glass & glazing. With locations in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, there’s a location near you.

One of the new events I’m looking forward to this year is the Delmarva Sportsmen’s Expo benefitting the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company, to be held at the Wicomico Civic Center on September 20-22. There’s going to be vendors available for fishing tackle, decoys & calls, campers, golf carts, lodges & resorts, and even a LIVE fishing pond for kids stocked with 600 pounds of hungry fish!

Who remembers The Dukes of Hazzard? I’m a little young, but have seen re-runs on TV and the movie. The Millsboro Chamber is hosting The Dukes Festival on Saturday, September 21, which features a parade, food, music, “Chickin’ Pickin” and more! Another fundraiser in September is the Humane Society of Wicomico County’s golf tournament on September 28. Cost is $225/4 person team, which includes your cart and lunch. Hospitality tickets for non-golfers can be purchased for $25, which includes lunch & other events. Registration for this event ends on August 30th at 5pm.

Looking for something fun for the kids to do in a place with the comfort of air conditioning? Check out Aerosports Trampoline Arena in Delmar. There’s a BOGO FREE admission coupon on page 14. Not just for kids, but fun & fitness for all ages! Not to mention they should sleep well that night! Eastern Shore Soccer Company (serving DE, MD & VA) is offering $5 off registration using their coupon found on page 19. The Dance Loft in Pocomoke (page 34), is offering 1 month FREE with 2 months paid enrollment for new clients. With 30+ years of experience and new classes beginning Sept 3, now is the time to register for ballet, tap and/or jazz from ages 3 through teen!

Not into jumping…water more your thing? Check out West OC Watersports on page 41. They have pontoon rentals, 2 hour bay fishing trips, and even a booze cruise for the adults for up to as many as 16 passengers. No fishing license is required, and price includes rods & bait, with beer/soda/snacks available. Always wanted to see some of the islands the way the “locals” do? Check out Assateague Adventure in Chincoteague for scenic day cruises starting at just $25! Rates/departure times may vary and reservations are suggested.

Greenbrier Self Storage in Delmar is offering 25% off a storage rental unit for new customers through the end of September (page 10), so if you have a student headed to college, and want to transform their “old” room into your new office, exercise room, etc, check it out. Coupon is applied to total rental time up to 1 year.

Doing some travelling this summer and can’t take your precious pet with you? Maryland Shore Pet Resort in Vienna is offering 20% off base lodging with the coupon located on page 25. They also offer grooming, training, day camps & spas for your pet.

It’s summer, and it’s hot…which means cooking makes it even hotter! So why not go out to eat? There are plenty of restaurants in the Frugals publication offering awesome coupons for their establishments. Saladworks (page 14) offers 10% off an entrée, Paul’s Pizza (page 23), an authentic New York pizza parlor in Salisbury, offers a FREE topping on any size pizza, Mister Paul’s Legacy in Salisbury (location for previous coupon classes) now features “Two Wheel Tuesdays” featuring live music, food & drink specials, and even a bike contest. There’s also a BOGO half off entrée coupon on page 25.

Crafting is a unique way to stay cool during these hot summer months. The Pincushion in Pocomoke is offering 20% off full yards of fabric (page 32). They also offer quilting classes & kits, as well as alterations and custom quilts. Heart N Home is just down the street from The Pincushion and offers a wide variety of items, including Willow Tree angels, Yankee candles, Tervis tumblers, and other inspirational gifts. Use the 20% coupon on page 34 to save even more! Designer Discounts in Parksley, VA offers 35% off your purchase of $20 or more (excluding jewelry). They have top name brands, new & used, shoes, clothing, handbags, and even formal wear.

One of the local festivals that kind of wraps up the summer is the 66th National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, to be held August 29-September 1 at Somers Cove Marina. Just a few of the features are a carnival, parade, concerts, fireworks and the famous boat docking contest! You can save $2 off a concert ticket with the coupon located on the back cover of the publication.

Did you get to the spring Cash Mob at Seasons Best Antiques? I didn’t, but I read where it was an absolute HIT, so I’m hoping to get to the fall even to see for myself. The next Cash Mob is scheduled for Sunday, October 6 from noon until 5pm, so mark your calendar now!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Guest Post: Taking Advantage of the Internet to Save Money (Donald Phillips)

The state of the economy and rising costs has hit most of us square in the pocketbook, and people are looking for more and more ways to pinch pennies.  Luckily, we have a fabulous resource directly at our fingertips; the internet.  Here are five simple ways you can use the internet to save money.

1.      Comparison Sites
Comparison sites such as Bizrate and Nextag allow users to compare the price of a single product across many different retailers.  Be sure to watch out for shipping costs as they may vary from seller to seller.

2.      Deal & Coupon Sites
From Coupons.com to Living Social, there are many different ways to get a discount on products and services. 
       ·         Printable and E-coupons – Coupons you can print out and take to the store with you.  Some stores will even scan coupons directly from your smartphone.
       ·        
Promotional Codes – A code used to get a discount.  Usually issued directly by the retailer.          
       ·        
One Day Sales – Deals offered for one day only.
       ·        
Email offers – Coupons, rebates, sales and codes sent directly to your email.
Suggestions: Retail Me Not, Current Codes, Woot and Groupon. 

3.      Do It Yourself
The rise of Pinterest has led to an insanely huge database of DIY projects that can save you money.  From cleaning products to pet food, there is a seemingly endless supply of ideas!

4.      Auction Sites
On auction sites like eBay, users compete for savings by bidding on products.  The recent emergence of penny auctions  has allowed bidders to save even more money by bidding in small increments.  Used correctly, auction sites can be a fabulous money saving tool.

5.      Rebate Programs
Sites like Ebates and Mr. Rebates offer cash back on thousands of products.  Combined with online coupons, cash back programs can save some serious dough.  Be sure to check out the major retailers you purchase from as well.  Costco, Staples, Lowe’s and many others offer easy rebates online!
The internet has revolutionized shopping; making it an easier, hassle-free process.  It’s also given us an amazing opportunity to save money and become smarter shoppers.  Combining these five tools with a little common sense can take you a long way in the war on overspending. 

Donald Phillips is a fervent bargain hunter and rabid coupon clipper.  He has recently teamed up with HappyBidDay to offer shoppers ideas on how to save money by shopping online.