PricePlease.com is an online service that monitors price changes on specified products and alerts consumers of these changes where online shoppers can choose from two different ways to save.

Two types of Alerts:

1. Price Drop Alert monitors desired products for you in advance before any major purchases.  It will send you a price change notification via email so that you are not attached to the computer.  It does the work for you which makes it a lot easier for you to continue with your day-to-day activities without interruption.  The alerts only last 30 days, however, you can always start your price alert all over again.
2. Refund Alert allows you to track items recently purchased and request a refund.  This is called the refund alert which monitors the price reduction.  Some retailers have their own price protection policy which automatically refunds the customer the monetary difference of your purchase price and the reduced price.
   

E-mail Alerts

You can set up a valid email address to receive price changes alert of desired items purchased or for future purchases. You also have the option to decline email alerts if you wish.  This is a very user friendly site which allows you to change or edit your account.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

According to Yahoo News, as of late fall the stimulus program is offering anywhere between $50 to $200 to anyone who purchases high-efficiency household appliances.  This money is from President Obama’s economic stimulus bill passed this February.   According to the article, the details of the program vary from state to state.   With these new high-efficient appliances, not only can families expect to get great discounts, they can expect to save on the cost of energy which will in turn help stimulate the economy.  The best part is, there is direct NO TRADE-IN with appliances.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

Ask for One Month’s Rent Free:

It is difficult for landlords to find great tenants to fill vacancies.  If you are a reliable and good tenant any landlord today would be willing to accomodate you.  You can either ask for a break or try extending the lease.  By extending the lease you can make a deal to pay less on your rent for agreeing to stay longer.  Think about it, both sides wins.

Get a Free Workout with a Trainer:

Stop by your local gym and tell them you are new in the area and  you are looking to find the right gym or studio to join.  You’d be surprise of the complimentary class or free trial period offered to you.

Free Night Out:

Look in your newspaper and check out the culture section that has information about openings at art galleries and various cultural events.  Also, check out metromix.com.  You can go to events that offer free wine, cheese and entertainment or “visual stimulation.”

Free Hotel Upgrade:

Just ask for it.  Many hotels carry empty rooms.  Say to the receptionist or manager, “can I get an upgrade for my stay here?”  Most likely, you’ll be happy you asked.

Free Shopping Spree:

Join freecycle.org for e-mail alerts about clothes, appliances, housewares, electronics and other items that locas are giving away.  If you are looking for a specific item, don’t be afraid to post it.  You might just get what you request.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

Make Your Own Coffee (Save between $540 to $1,500 annually)

Negotiate lower Credit Card Rates

Compare major services such as phone, cable, cell phone service

Monitor Accounts

Change filter on Air Conditioner (Conserve Energy and Save Money)

Join an online DVD rental service.  If you’ve already tried you library, check out Blockbuster or Netflix (netflix.com)

Adjust your Insurance policies and save between 15 to 30%

Get more out of Banking: Try internet banks such as, ingdirect.com, etrade.com, hsbcdirect.com and make your money work your by yielding more interest on every penny you save.

Conserve energy and money by using less energy.  Consider fluorescent light bulbs and changing the filter on  your air-conditioning and heating system.

Cut back on personal costs.  Consider beauty schools to get your spa treatments, nails and hair care.  Also, consider dental schools to get your cleaning and annual checkups if you do not have any insurance.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

“If you don’t have time to save, you haven’t been broke enough.”  Great Quote from the Coupon Diva

Check out her tips on The Today Show–April 9, 2009

Learn how to use your consumer power to save money and get what you need.

Enjoy!

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

Many stores are now allowing you to return items you’ve purchased online back to their physical store for immediate credit. So for example, if you buy an item such as shoes or clothing that you do not like, instead of returning it in the mail, you can go their physical store and return the items. This is a major plus for many of us because ordering clothing and shoes online can be a little scary. And honestly, many times the physical stores do not have a great selection as the online store. “The online has options galore,” as my friend Javoni says. She also said, now she won’t hesitate to buy when the online stores have free shipping and coupons cause she doesn’t like the fit she can get her money back at the store.

Many stores honor these online returns, such as, DSW, Target, Express and lots more. So if you are shopping at an online store that also has a physical store and you are weary about whether you should go for it in case of a bad fit, call your local/physical store and find out if they will accept returned items from their online store.

Also, let’s say the online store offers free shipping if you purchase a certain amount. Please take advantage. Also, if there is one undesirable items you want to return, you can return it at the store and still take advantage of the free shipping at a lower purchase threshold (warning: this may not work at all stores).

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

{Directly excerpted from DonateMyDress.org}

[This site] is the first national campaign designed to encourage girls around the country to donate their prom and special occasion dresses to those who cannot afford to finance the costly experience of going to their prom, sweet 16, quinceañera or formal on their own. The site features a directory of local dress drive organizations across the U.S. that will enable girls to easily find out where in their local markets they can donate a dress or [RECEIVE ONE]. In addition, DonateMyDress.org contains information on upcoming local events, a photo gallery of real girls donating and receiving dresses, as well as links to content on prom and quinceañera planning, hair and makeup tips, and other worthy causes.

DonateMyDress.org is part of the Hearst Teen Network, which includes the industry’s leading teen brands — CosmoGIRL!, Seventeen and TEEN — as well as MisQuinceMag.com, MyPromStyle.com, eCRUSH.com and eSPIN.com. With more than three million monthly unique visitors, the Hearst Teen Network is one of the top 10 ranked entertainment news web sites, according to ComScore Media Metrix.

UPCOMING EVENT:

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE NATIONAL DRESS DRIVE
March 14th-March 31st
Drop off a dress at any Saks location to receive a 20% discount on a new dress.
*Meet Ashley Greene at the kick-off in NYC on Saturday, March 14 in NYC, 1pm-4pm!

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

Forwarded by Javoni.  Thanks Sis! ;0)

While at www.textbooks.com I found the following information:  Although the initial cost of the book wasn’t very competitive ($91) the guarantee buyback price ($53) actually gave me a net price of $38, I guess you can look at it as a “rebate check”   :  )  Here is the info:

Guaranteed Buyback
Guaranteed Buyback is yet another way Textbooks.com saves you cash. Here’s how it works.
1. Look for books labeled “Guaranteed Buyback” (or the icon, )
2. Look for the Guaranteed Buyback price.
3. Return your book in good condition at the end of the semester, and we’ll give you that amount of cash back… guaranteed!

Buy used or buy new. Either way, you get the same amount of cash back. Get at least 50% of the purchase price guaranteed!

Books purchased between June 1 and November 30 must be received back at our warehouse by December 31 of the same year. Books purchased between December 1 and May 31 must be received back at our warehouse by the following June 30.

To sell back Guaranteed Buyback books back, simply log in to “My Account.” We’ll provide you with a shipping label to send us the good condition book back free of charge. You can also sell back other good condition books and see if your books qualify for our 10% Bonus Buyback program.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

According to Womansday November 2008 issue, you can find huge savings on prescription drugs by comparing prices online at pharmacychecker.com or drx.com.  They recommend Edward Jardini, MD’s book, How to Save on Prescription Drugs.  Pharmacy Checker promises that you can “find the best from verified online pharmacies.”  I say, check to make sure the site you are ordering from is a licensed and accredited Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPP).  Look for the acronym VIPP to be on the safe side.  Not only are the prices lower but you get convenience and access to more generic drugs.

You can also receive financial assistance if you have difficulty affording health care or your prescriptions.  Partnership for Prescription Assistance pparx.org is a means based program and qualifications varies by program and state.  This program helps with Insurance Premiums and Co-pays. It helps qualifying patients who lacks prescription coverages get affordable prescription drugs that are sometimes “free or nearly free.”  The partnership is enrolled in more than 475 patient assistant programs and have access to over 2,500 medicines.  rxoutreach.com is a similar site.  It even has a chart that outlines your income eligibility per household.

Financial blessings,

Nisha E.