Valpak.com Shopper & Coupon Blog: July 2006

Upscale Outlet Shopping

I love shopping. I also love getting a bargain so I can shop more. Outlet stores allow me that opportunity. This site, premiumoutlets.com is a great place to start your outlet shopping.

This is what the site says about their chain of outlet stores...
"Upscale, fashion conscious shoppers who prefer designer labels have found that all outlet centers are not all the same. Outlet shopping centers that are owned and operated by Chelsea Property Group are where shoppers can expect the largest collection of designer brands. Chelsea Premium Outlets brings together the finest brands, unique outdoor settings, and savings of 25 to 65 percent every day."

You'll find stores like Barney's, Armani, Coach, Burberry and many more. The stores do vary by location. There are 38 locations across the US. Check out the site to see if there is one near you. premiumoutlets.com

Also, while you are on the site, why not join the VIP club. premiumoutlets.com/vip Joining is free to this online VIP savings club. Benefits include a VIP Coupon Book, exclusive online coupons and much more.

10 Ways to Save $500 or More

Following any one of the tips listed below can save you as much as $500 per year. Some of them can save you more. If you do all 10, you'll save at least $5,000 a year. With the way expenses are on the rise everyday, it doesn’t hurt to try and save a little here and there, especially if it can make a difference in your bank account.

10 suggestions for painless frugality
1. Drive less - With gas prices averaging around $3 per gallon, you don't have to cut back on much mileage to save $500 in a year. You'll save that much in gas alone if you drive a car that gets 15 miles per gallon just 50 fewer miles per week.
2. Bring your own stimulant - Stop buying coffee at the chichi coffee joint down the street from work. Bringing coffee from home in a thermos or brewing it in the break room will actually improve the quality of your morning shot of energy, as well as cut its cost dramatically.
3. Conserve energy - Turn off the TV when you leave the room. Using less energy is a painless way to save. Heat and air conditioning are the largest home-energy hogs
4. Dig gardening - Not only does gardening burn lots of calories, but a nice yard adds value to the house. If you do it all yourself, it's pure profit.
5. Go small or pet-free - The difference between a large dog and a small one is $720 per year -– and that's a lot of kibble.
6. Don't flush money down the commode - No-name-brand toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, paper cups, plastic wrap, plastic bags, etc., are all available at half the price of similar name-brand products when you buy them in bulk.
7. Limit media - Look hard at what you are spending for television, phone and Internet. If you are like the rest of us, cutting $50 a month out of this category is a slam dunk
8. Sign up for tax-advantaged plans at work - The possibilities include education, health, transportation and child-care savings accounts.
9. Eat in - Replace one $20 trip per week to McDonald's with a large $7 carryout pizza from any of the billions of cheap pizza places in every city.
10. Don't bank on it - The real savings can be had by avoiding credit-card debt and paying off what you've accumulated as quickly as possible.

To read more visit 10 Ways to Save $500 or More

Deals For Back To School

It's almost that time again... the first day of school.

About.com has put together a nice list of great backpacks that are on sale.

OldNavy.com is offering 20% off your online order today.

Finally, if you are a college student in need of a new computer, check out Dell.com. They are offering special deals just for college and university students.

FREE MOVIE TICKET

From now through JULY 25 in any American Eagle Outfitter Store, every customer who tries on a pair of AE Jeans from the new collection will receive a free movie ticket from AMC Theaters. You can also visit http://www.ae.com/ to enter a national online sweepstakes for a chance to win a lifetime supply of AE jeans and AMC movie tickets.

2006 Sales Tax Holiday For Florida

2006 Tax Free Days for Sales Tax will begin at 12:01 a.m., July 22, 2006, and end at midnight, July 30, 2006.

Under the sales-tax holiday law, no state or local sales tax will be charged on clothes, footwear, books, and certain accessories selling for $50 or less. School supplies selling for $10 or less will be tax-exempt as well during this sales tax holiday period.

Savings include:

Ø Shoppers will pay no state or local option sales tax when buying books with a sales price of $50 or less.

Ø Shoppers will pay no state or local option sales taxes on purchases of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories with a sales price of $50 or less per item.

Ø Shoppers will pay no state or local option sales tax on purchases of certain school supplies with a sales price of $10 or less per item.

For general questions and answers on 2006 Sale Holiday Click Here

Inside the Home Savings

Go to Linens 'n Things and pay only $9.99 for select Black and Decker appliances.
Target is having an Internet exclusive sale for select items. You can save 10%-20%.
Save up to 50% through July 16 on select home furnishings at Pier 1 Imports.
Get 20%-50% off during the home sale at JC Penney.

Hurry while the sales last!

Tips for Eating on the Cheap

These days most of us are on some kind of budget. During your travel, you’ll want to be able to take in some of the local flavors without spending a fortune. Since food is a major expense when it comes to traveling, here are some tips to help out:

If you will want to go all out on an expensive meal, do it at lunch. Same great tastes, just a little cheaper.

If staying in a hotel, take advantage of the breakfast that are being offered, most of the time they are included in the price.

Eat were the locals eat. Get a great tasting meal for a coffee shop price

Be sure to bring some handy snacks along. That will help cut of over spending.

When driving around stock up on bottled water or other drinks from a discount store. What you would spend to by a single bottle from a convenient store, you could possibly get a few more bottles from a discount store.

For more Eating on the Cheap, click here.

Also be sure to visit Valpak.com for local dining savings when you are traveling or staying home.