Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category

Do you know a good price on produce when you see it?  Maybe this list will help. 

NOTE: These prices are the lowest prices I have found when shopping for produce along the northern Gulf Coast.  Best prices may vary by region.  To print this list, click HERE.

You can find advertisements for local produce stands in Thursday’s newspaper.

See a lower price?  Have a best price for an item not listed?  Please leave us a comment.

Are you striving to make a little extra money around the holidays and have something creative you are making to sell? Are you looking for a unique gift ideas for family, friends, co-workers, teachers, or just about anyone?

Penny’s Holiday Exchange is for YOU!

~ Sellers ~
Leave a comment on this post with the following information:

1. Your first name (required)
2. Your email address (required)
3. A description of the item or service you are offering with prices including any other charges such as delivery charges (required)
4. A link to where potential customers can find more information or pictures of your work

You may leave more than one comment if you have different items or services available. Please delete any comment if you should become overbooked or sold-out.

~ Buyers ~
Browse the comments and contact the seller directly for more information or to place an order.

DISCLOSURES:

I, nor anyone associated with this site, receive any compensation for these services.  We will not be held responsible for any disputes.  Please practice your utmost business sense and manners.  Anyone found to be misrepresenting themselves will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

I hear a lot of good things about Ebates. You do any shopping that you normally would and then get a rebate back off that shopping. And, with all the internet shopping you will be doing soon, it might be a great time to sign up.

Get Up to 25% Cash Back at Over 1200 Stores – Sign-up Free at Ebates.com!
Click Here

This is a great Christmas idea. Get the movies for a great price, fulfill the membership details and then cancel if you want. Disney movies make great gifts for just about anyone!

My first job was in 1992 at a department store which is no longer in business named Gayfers.  If you are not a native Mobilian, you will not have a clue what I am talking about but trust me, it was the place to shop.  Deals galore.  Everything you need.  All in one place. Two stories of fantastic displays, enticing aromas, and brightly-colored sales stickers.

I was pleased to work in one of the more exclusive parts of the store, an area dedicated to designer fashions for ladies.  That was when I first set my eyes on labels like Liz Claiborne and Karen Kane.  During the slow season when you could not beg a shopper into the store, I would browse the clearance racks and score great buys made even greater by my employee discount.  It was among those racks that I got to know one of the store’s personal shoppers.  She was friendly and very encouraging.  She was so encouraging that through my relationship with her I opened my first Visa account, a Discover account and two Gayfers accounts.  At the height of my credit card frenzy, I had eight cards… totally maxed out.

Yeah, never recommend a retail job as a FIRST job.

Hopefully, you are nothing like I was but the majority of Americans are exactly like that.  Using one credit card to pay down another.  Signing up for credit before they are even legal to make other life-altering decisions.

And the companies make it so tempting…  “Apply today and save 20% on your purchase!”  “Pay no interest until 2011.”  “Blah, blah, blah.”  Lies, misconceptions, and traps.

Let’s look at the first promise: “Apply today and save 20% on your purchase!”

“Wow.  Sounds great.  I was going to have to pay $150 for these items but with that offer, I will only have to pay $120.  Score.  Penny will be proud.”

Think again.

You saved $30.  In 30 days, you will get your first bill which can boast an interest rate as high as 36%… legally.  For the sake of this argument, let’s assume this new card carries the median rate of 22% and it is figured on the average daily balance.

You went shopping on the 15th.  For 14 days, your balance was $0.  For the rest of the month (16 days), your balance was $120.  The average daily balance would be $64. ($0 x 14 + $120 x 16 / 30 days)

Your 22% interest rate applied to your average daily balance would be $14.08. ($64 x 22%)

How much did you save?  $30…  minus your interest payment of $14.08…  You only saved $15.92. IF, if, if, if if… you pay the balance in full before the due date.

Just because I feel argumentative, let’s say that you pay the minimum balance due of $20 and plan to pay it off in full at the end of the next billing cycle.  You are REALLY good and do not use the card again that month so your balance maintains at $114.08.  Your average daily balance is $114.08.  Your interest fee at the end of the month will be $25.09.

You have now spent an additional $39.17 on your purchase which is $9.17 more than you saved in the first place!!!

Do you still think that is a deal?

And, let’s be honest… will you pay off that credit card and never use the account again? Or, will you be like I was and have the best of intentions blow up in your face to the tune of a 28% interest rate?

We will talk about the “no interest” trap next week.

137 Days Until Christmas

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140 Days Until Christmas

I love personalized gifts and my kids got the biggest kick out of the personalized books they received from my inlaws a few years ago. These books are very cherished possessions and I highly recommend them. The illustrations are incredible. The price might seem a bit high but I think it is worth it considering the love of reading that these books can help develop. Go take a peak and see what you think.

PLUS, you can score FREE shipping on all books with Coupon Code FSW715!

Just FYI: My children have My Very Own Name and My Very Own Fairy Tale.  Priceless!

141 Days Until Christmas

Shame, shame, shame on me. Last year, we bought each of our children a plastic shoebox and let them run wild through Target packing it with gadgets and toiletries for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. We spent over $50 on three shoeboxes. Now, I am not regretful that we were able to bless three children with gifts which they otherwise might not have received. What I DO regret is that we could have helped so many more with that same amount of money.

Watch this video and you can see what I mean. (NOTE: The distortion only lasts a few seconds.)

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thredUP – Kids Clothing Swap
Join America’s #1 online kids clothingexchange for 20% off all swaps in August! Swap outgrown children’s clothing for back-to-school gear that fits. Start saving timeandmoney today. Click Here

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Order today and save 20% when you use coupon code NC20. Just click HERE to start browsing.