November 6th, 2009
Before we get to the good stuff (i.e. shopping), I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. I’m Kate, a stay at home mom to two young kids and the proud wife of an Air Force pilot. When I’m not pretending to be a dinosaur with my son or helping my daughter learn to walk, I’m blogging about products, toys and services that make parents’ lives easier at The Shopping Mama. I’m always posting new product reviews and offering amazing giveaways so stop by and visit.
The holidays are rapidly approaching and you probably have a kiddo or two on your shopping list. (And, because both my little ones have the misfortune of being born near the holidays, I have some major gift shopping and preparing to do.) Here are some suggestions to help you think outside the toy box when shopping for little ones this year.
1. Less is More
A toy doesn’t have to make noise, having flashing lights or dance to be a hit. I’m sure all parents can relate to the desire for games and toys that spark quiet play, but kids enjoy them, too. Puzzles are a great option – they engage kids, are creative and there’s an enormous variety out there. I love Melissa and Doug puzzles and wooden play toys because they’re well made, colorful and help foster a little one’s imagination. You can find a great selection of Melissa and Doug on Target.com.
2. Remember the Batteries
If you do get a toy that requires batteries – BUY the BATTERIES. Seriously, if you want to see a kid cry, ask him to spend 20 minutes watching you struggle to cut, unscrew and pry a shiny new toy from a box and then tell him you don’t have the batteries to make it work. Trust me, that’s not fun. I’ve found that many toy boxes are not explicit about requiring batteries so read carefully to be sure to get them if they are necessary.
3. Get Creative
Put together a fun and personalized box of art supplies by decorating a clear kitchen storage container (unused!) or an old shoe box and fill it with markers, stickers, crayons and colored pencils. If you’re not up for the challenge, Land Of Nod has an amazing selection of arts supplies and crafting projects . My favorites are I’m Not Bored Any More Art Jar, In Stitches Embroidery Kit and Make Your Own Flip Book Kit.
4. Dress Up
I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “Clothes? What kid wants clothes?” But, put a kid’s name on a shirt and it’s suddenly more than boring clothes. The same applies to something featuring a favorite TV character or, for older kids, a band or tween heartthrob. I can tell you my son will love you forever if you get him a shirt with Nemo or his first initial on it. And I could go on and on about dress up clothes! A princess crown or superhero cape are relatively inexpensive and guarantee tons of fun.
The most important thing to remember when buying clothes for any child is to check with the parents ahead of time to make sure you buy the right size. You should also consider the season. We live in Florida, so a 6 month size sweater (no matter how beautiful) didn’t do us any good this past summer when my daughter was wearing that size
5. Age Appropriate
When buying toys or games, pay attention to the suggested age. We all think our own children are geniuses – and they are, of course – but a toy or game designed for an older age, skill level or milestone will do nothing but frustrate and bore a child. The folks designing and creating toys know what they’re doing so trust the guidelines and shop age and skill-level appropriate.
I realize my suggestions and tips are pretty toddler and baby-centric, but hey that’s my life. What are some things to remember when shopping for older kids?
Tags: family, gifts, holidays, kids, shopping, theshoppingmama
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November 5th, 2009
The quest for the best discounts online is finally over. Online coupons and online shopping are both big money saving tools that help you save time, too. But, what happens when a site with already fabulous prices meets Cash Back Rebates and free coupons?
You end up with amazing savings that are better than ever before! The best example of this is the fabulous double-up of deals at Walmart and ShopAtHome.com. Everyone already knows that some of the best prices on your everyday items are at Wal-Mart. But, have you been to Walmart.com yet? The same awesome prices from the brands you love that you get from going to the store but without the crowds… and you can make your trip even better by using the best Walmart coupons available online through ShopAtHome.com.
Whether you’re preparing for a huge get-together with 150 of your closest friends, or you just want to grab a Blu-ray for a fun night in, you’ll find the best prices and a stellar selection at Wal-Mart.com. What makes this even better than regular online shopping? Instead of dragging the kids with you to the store (after fighting with them to get dressed, telling them to behave and trying not to scream in the aisles after getting frustrated with them), you can get all your shopping done quickly and easily, all while getting Cash Back. Talk about a great bonus!
But, there’s even more than that. Because ShopAtHome.com has so many free Walmart coupons available on their website, you don’t need to use three different sites to try to find the best one. You can head over to ShopAtHome.com, find the coupon that is best for you, and click-through to the Wal-Mart website. Plus, you can get cash back in your pocket with every purchase you make on Walmart.com, which gives a whole new meaning to a great deal – getting what you need, and getting paid for it – while still being easier and more fun than heading out to the store.
And, as an added bonus, ShopAtHome.com collects reviews on their Walmart page of users’ experiences at the store and site for you to read, making sure that you’re getting the right product at the right price. There will never be a reason to shop anywhere else again!
Still wondering if using ShopAtHome.com for Walmart coupons is the best thing for you to do? Here’s a little nudge in the right direction: after you sign up for your ShopAtHome.com account, you get a bonus $5 in your account! Sounds like some fabulous incentive if you ask me, but there’s more: Extra Cash Back events, Tell a Friend promotions and so much more make it easy to make money without ever getting out of those comfy pajamas you love.
Tags: coupons, deals, holidays, shopping, walmart
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November 4th, 2009
My name is Karen and I am a mom to two girls ages 4 and 2 and married to a wonderful man who totally supports my blogging and saving habit. I blog at Frugal RI Mama and I have fun finding and sharing good deals especially at the Drug Stores. Did you know that you can get Health & Beauty items that you use everyday like soap, shampoo, deodorant, razors, lotions and more for FREE at the drug stores! Yup, you read that right I said for FREE!!! Now I don’t just mean the travel sizes, I mean full size, name brand products.
Unless you’ve done this in the past, your probably wondering how this can be possible and what do you have to do in order to get this stuff for free. I can tell you this, you don’t have to jump through hoops but you will need to do just a little bit of planning ahead of time to organize yourself and if you read my blog each week, I’ll tell you exactly how to do it.
Have I caught your interest? I hope so! Here is how this works. Pretty much every week CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid will offer you something for free and here is how they do it. Since each store does it differently I’m going to briefly explain how CVS works.
CVS has a program called Extra Care Bucks. Basically it’s like an instant rebate that you can apply to your next purchase. They will put an item on sale and then give you Extra Care Bucks if you purchase that item and you can then use it to either purchase another product or hold onto it and roll it into another product. And the best part is you use coupons to maximize your savings. Here is an example. Colgate Total toothpaste is on sale for $2.49 and when you purchase it you will receive $2.49 Extra Care Bucks. You find a coupon in the Sunday paper or a printable coupon for $1.00 off any Colgate Total toothpaste. Here is what the transaction would look like:
Colgate Total, On Sale $2.49
Use $1.00 coupon
Total Out Of Pocket = $1.49
You get $2.49 ECB’s for your next purchase or next week’s sale
What I like to do is roll this into another sale so I don’t have to pay much or even anything out of pocket and here is how I do this. Next week Pantene Shampoo is on sale for $3.99 and you find a $1.00 off any Pantene product coupon in the Sunday paper or a printable coupon and when you purchase the shampoo you will receive $3.99 in Extra Care bucks. Now you have $2.49 ECB’s from last week. Here is what the transaction would look like:
Pantene, On Sale $3.99
Use $1.00 coupon
Use $2.49 ECB’s from last week
Total Out Of Pocket = $.50
You receive $3.99 ECB’s for your next purchase, or next week’s sale.
Then the following week Speed Stick Deodorant is on sale for $2.99 and you find a coupon for $1.00/2 in the Sunday paper or a printable coupon and you will receive $2.99 in ECB’s. The limit is 1 so you will only receive the ECB’s once. If you want to use the coupon and buy 2 that’s ok. Sometimes I will do this and sometimes I will just forget about using the coupon and only buy 1. It depends on what I need/want or how many ECB’s I have. For this example I will buy the 2. Here is what the transaction would look like:
(2) Speed Stick Deodorant, On Sale $2.99
Use $1.00/2 coupon
Use $3.99 ECB’s from last week
Total Out Of Pocket” $.99
You will receive $2.99 ECB’s for your next purchase or next week’s sale.
After these 3 transactions you have :
Colgate Total
Pantene Shampoo
(2) Speed Stick Deodorants
And for all of this you paid only $2.98 (+ tax) and you still have $2.99 in ECB’s that you can keep to roll into another deal or grab something you need that may not be on sale. You can’t beat that deal!
Tags: coupons, deals, drugstore, frugalrimama, shopathome, shopping
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November 3rd, 2009
Here are some of our favorite shots from Friday’s Halloween Party. We had some magical entertainment, amazing food and a great time! There pretty much isn’t anything more you could ask for.
So, which outfit is your favorite?
Tags: fun, halloween, magic, photos, shopathome
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November 3rd, 2009
Welcome to the first edition of ShopAtHome.com Blog’s Dreamy Deals. Each Tuesday, we’ll be picking out the cream of the crop when it comes to Daily Deals, huge bargains and more! Keep your eyes open this week: a lot of companies are starting their big sales this month, so you can save huge and still get everyone what they want for Christmas. It’s a win-win!
Great Daily Deals:
Wednesday, November 4: 18% Cash Back Rebate at Avon.com (usually 9%)
Sunday, November 8: 16% Cash Back Rebate at Gap.com (usually 8%)
For the rest of the upcoming daily deals, head over to our Daily Deals page.
Huge Discounts:
Hammacher Schlemmer’s Deal of the Week: 70% Off The USB Remote Controlled Race Car. Now only $14.95. While supplies last.
Crazy Coupons:
Save an additional 20% off everything at ShoeSteal.com with code FALL20. Valid until 11/16/09.
Get a FREE Philosophy Body Wash with any Sephora purchase when you use the code BUFFING.
Free Shipping on all orders at Nikestore.com. Enter promo code GIFT at checkout.
$15 Off $100+ at VictoriasSecret.com. Use offer code FALL09.
Fabulous Freebies:
Get a free sample of Dove’s Heat Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner!
Grab your free Holiday Recipe Guide from Carnation.
Try Cloud9’s Homemade Soap today for free!
Going WILD:
Save big on today’s WILD deal: Save 38% on a Cozy Zip Fleece Hoodie from Old Navy. Now only $12!
Make sure to check back daily on the upcoming WILD deals… they get better every day!
Tags: coupons, dreamy deals, freebies, sales, shopping
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November 2nd, 2009
Everyone knows that it’s more fun to shop at home in your pajamas, coffee in one hand and mouse in the other. But that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice savings! One of the best places to go for great prices and amazing fashion is Kohl’s. From their new LC by Lauren Conrad line, or the Simply Vera by Vera Wang collection, there’s an outfit available for every figure, size and style.
But, where do you go when you need to find the best Kohl’s coupons for free? ShopAtHome.com, of course… they make Kohl’s already great prices even better! ShopAtHome.com’s Cash Back program puts free money into your account for every purchase you make at Kohl’s, whether you’re busy buying baby clothes, back-to-school needs or the latest must-have fashion accessories, keeping you in style without breaking the bank.
And since your budget is so important these days, incorporating online shopping tools and great savings can help you make the most of your money. Sites like ShopAtHome.com make it easier to find everything you need all in one place. Being a “recessionista” is something to be proud of; it shows that smart shopping and saving money are not only something you like doing (because let’s be honest, bargain shopping is fun!) but something you’re good at. Finding the best Kohl’s coupons at ShopAtHome.com can help promote the recessionista lifestyle by getting you the best coupon codes for all of your favorite items.
A hot discount is something that you should never turn away from, and that’s why so many shoppers love heading to Kohls.com and ShopAtHome.com. Kohl’s offers the items they want at great prices, and ShopAtHome.com makes those prices even more amazing! Get access to amazing time and money-savers like the Free Shopping Toolbar, Online Free Coupons, Cash Back and so much more, making every trip to your favorite website become a profitable endeavor!
Just picture this: you’re in the market for a new, fabulous necklace to wear for next week’s Girl’s Night… but you don’t have a ton of money to spend. You know that your girlfriends are going to look amazing (they always do, that’s why they’re your best friends!), so you have to bring out your A-game. What’s a girl to do? Head over to ShopAtHome.com, hit up the Kohl’s coupons, find that super coupon code for an extra discount and head over to Kohls.com. There you can take your pick of the latest styles at amazingly low prices, find the right necklace for you, use the coupon AND get cash back! It’s so easy; you could do it in your sleep!
But don’t take my word for it. Head over to the Kohl’s coupons page on ShopAtHome.com and try it out for yourself. There are tons of things on the site that you’re bound to love. Don’t settle for retail prices when you can pay less with ShopAtHome.com.
Tags: coupons, deals, fashion, kohls, shopathome, shopping
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October 30th, 2009
These days, no one has time to head over to their nearest rental store, spend time wandering through the aisles to pick a movie (one that is probably WAY overpriced anyways) and then return their DVDs back to the store the next day; there are too many other things to get done. But the fees for not returning a movie on time are so high, and the selection is so limited. What’s a busy family to do? Get Netflix, of course! Never tried Netflix before, and looking for some great coupons to use? Look no further than ShopAtHome.com.
It’s so easy to use – simply point and click to add movies & TV episodes to your list. Once you’ve made your selections online and put them into your Netflix “queue”, Netflix will send out your top one, two, three, even eight DVDs… and before you know it, you’ve got a new movie waiting at your doorstep (since they have 100 shipping points across the country, 95% of users get their DVDs in about one business day). From documentaries to drama, comedy to classics, finding a movie you want to watch will be as easy as clicking your mouse.
But before you head over to the site to nab that copy of Gran Torino, or start picking up the latest additions to the House television series, make sure to get the latest Netflix coupons from ShopAtHome.com. They collect the latest and greatest promotional codes, coupons, deals, cash back and more so that you don’t have to search for them yourself, saving you time and money.
Still not sure you should try out Netflix? Too impatient to wait a day for the movie you’re dying to see? Netflix has you covered: over 17,000 different television shows, movies, documentaries and more are available to stream online 24/7. Watch these anywhere you have an internet connection. With ten million members and 2.2 million DVDs shipped out everyday, don’t be left in the dark! Join the world’s largest online movie rental service, and get the best deals, thanks to ShopAtHome.com.
So, whether you want to watch the award-winning Slumdog Millionaire, the cute and quirky Mamma Mia, the deep drama of Gran Torino or any of the other more than 100,000 titles they have available, make sure to head over to ShopAtHome.com first to get the best discounts with Netflix coupons.
Tags: coupons, entertainment, movies, netflix, shopping
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October 29th, 2009
I would like to begin by introducing myself, since this is my first Shop at Home blog post.
My name is Carrie and I a wife and stay at home mother of my three children. I have a 7 year old son, 5 years old daughter and 2 year old boy. They keep me busy! Besides being a mommy, I also have been writing at my own blog, Money Saving Methods, for over a year and a half. And, I am absolutely thrilled to have been invited to write for the Shop at Home blog.
From the time I was young, I always found ways to save and make extra money. And, when I quit my job to stay home, I began looking into new and legitimate ways to make and save a little bit extra. And, that is how I began Mystery Shopping four years ago.
Since you are a Shop At Home reader, I think it is safe to admit you enjoy saving and/or earning a little extra money when you shop. There is nothing quite like receiving something in return for doing something you were going to do anyway…shop online!
And, Mystery Shopping is another fun and exciting way just to do that! You can earn or receive items/services for free when visiting establishments in your area.
Do you enjoy going out to eat with your family? What about shopping at retail stores? Do you need your taxes done? Would you like an evening out at the movies?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you will enjoy the benefits of Mystery Shopping.
So, let me share some quick tips/tricks to get you started:
-Never pay for a list of Mystery Shopping companies! This information is available for free online.
- Signing up with more companies will allow you to have more opportunities. Each company has their own specialty and establishments that they work with daily. If you want a wider variety of “shops”, you want to be working with as many as possible.
- Open a free email account specifically for Mystery Shops. This allows all your daily opportunities to come into one location and not interfere with your personal email account. You can then check it multiple times daily to find out what companies have openings.
Now, when you begin, you will notice that you will receive multiple emails from many companies each day. This does not mean you have been assigned a shop. You will need to open each email, see if it interests you, and then click to apply for the shop. Within a few days, you will then be notified if they accepted you as the shopper for that specific job or not. So, just because you sign up as with the Mystery Shopping companies does not mean you are required to shop for them. You can apply for as many jobs within that company as you want or as few.
You will also notice that there are shops that will not allow you to bring children and some that will. But, they are available either way. Don’t let the fact that you may have young children at home deter you from signing up with companies. My family loves joining me on my shops, especially when we get a nice dinner out.
What else should you pay attention to when applying for shops? Each job will have their specific guidelines on payment. For many shops, you will need to pay upfront and you will then be reimbursed and paid later. This is often the case with restaurant shops. But, with other establishments, you won’t need to spend any money and will simply be compensated for your work after your report is completed. Always make sure to read all instructions before starting, so you know what to expect monetarily.
Finally, what skills do you need to be a successful secret shopper?
You must be able to follow directions specifically, be detail-oriented and observant.
If you are interested in registering for Mystery Shopping companies, I do have a database of legit companies I personally am registered with and/or have worked for in the past. You can go here to access over 25 companies.
Have fun shopping and earning!
Tags: deals, guest blog, money saving methods, mystery shopping, shopathome, shopping
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October 28th, 2009
Covering everything from fashion, beauty and accessories to appliances and home furnishings, JCPenney has everything you need to make your home a beautiful place. As one of America’s leading retailers, operating throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, JCPenney has the largest apparel and home furnishing site on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation’s largest general merchandise catalog business. What does that mean for you?
Shopping at JCPenney means that you can get great quality without a huge price tag. And ShopAtHome.com is here to make an already amazing price even better. Discover great JCPenney coupons that offer deals on clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, appliances, electrical, baby items and more.
Picture this: you’ve got your first date with the guy you’ve been drooling over at the office, and it’s this Friday. You’ve got the outfit; you have some amazing accessories. But what about the shoes? You’re going to need a new pair, and fast! What should you do?
Head over to ShopAtHome.com and set up an account. Head over to the store page devoted to JCPenney coupons, grab the one that’s right for you, and head on over to the site. Whether you choose a pair from their A.N.A brand, East 5th, Fergalicious by Fergie or one of myriad others, you’ll be able to get the right size, shipped to the store of your choice or directly to your home, and you’ll be ready to look amazing!
Plus, if you have the Free Shopping Toolbar, you won’t have to worry about forgetting to head to ShopAtHome.com; the Toolbar lets you automatically get Cash Back on any qualifying purchase you make, even those with huge JCPenney coupons attached!
Make your money last, and join the millions of smart shoppers who head over to ShopAtHome.com every day!
What’s our favorite JCPenney coupon code right now? Get $10 off any $10 purchase with code SWEETS4U… it even works for clearance items!
Tags: coupon codes, coupons, deals, ecommerce, jcpenney, jcpenney coupons, shopathome, shopping
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October 27th, 2009
We love huge deals here at ShopAtHome.com, and this one is no exception! Hammacher Schlemmer, a site that provides “high quality, functional products-products that are unique and innovative, that solve everyday problems and further the lifestyle of our customers,” has decided to offer a special weekly deal that’s only available through their affiliates.
What does this mean for you? Even bigger savings when you shop at Hammacher Schlemmer through ShopAtHome.com!
This week’s deal: Save $30 on the Carnival Duck Shooting Game. Originally $49.99, now only $19.99, PLUS get a 9% Cash Back rebate by purchasing the game from ShopAtHome.com! That makes the price a cool $18.20 (and if you’re a new member of ShopAtHome.com, you’re getting an extra $5 back, too!)
Wouldn’t this make such a fun Christmas gift?
Each week, Hammacher Schlemmer will add a different deal… and we’ll keep you updated on ShopAtHome.com!
Tags: deal of the week, deals, hammacher schlemmer, holiday gifts, shopathome, shopping
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