Great Offer: Kraft First Taste (Win $100 in Groceries)

I'm a member of the Kraft First Taste Club. It's great! I get to help them form and shape their products. I try a product (for Free), and then I fill out a survey about that product.

Anyway, for the month of August, Kraft is giving away $100 worth of groceries...every day! How can you get in on this awesome contest? Become a First Taste Member.



Oh...and be sure to check back next week when I share with you what I thought about my first offer.

Great Offer: Carter's 3-day Only Coupon

Carter's has a coupon that is only good from August 21 -23. It will give you an additional 25% off purchases of $50 or more.

Great Offer: OshKosh 3-day 25% Off Coupon

OshKosh has a coupon that is only good from August 21 -23. It will give you an additional 25% off purchases of $50 or more.

Travel Tips: 3 Days in Dallas

Sightseeing in Dallas (A Sample 3-Day Itinerary)

Dallas...home of the Cowboys, the place where Kennedy was shot, and home of the original Neiman Marcus! If you've only got three days to spend in Dallas, you are going to be busy! Be prepared to SHOP, EAT, and GO, GO, GO!

Day 1

Start your day, fueling up at Breadwinners on McKinney (the Uptown location). This is a popular local hangout so get there early or be prepared to wait. After breakfast, head over to Delany Plaza...this is where John F. Kennedy was shot. While there, tour the 6th Floor Museum. Delany Plaza is in the Historic West End area of Dallas, so spend some time walking around. If you're hungry, grab a quick bite to eat.

Next stop...the Dallas World Aquarium. Spend the heat of the afternoon exploring marine (and various other wildlife) from around the world.

Are you tired yet? Return to your hotel and freshen up for dinner. Enjoy dinner at Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck. It is in the Reunion Tower (You know, the iconic-ball that lights up the Dallas skyline). I highly recommend making reservations.

Day 2

Shop 'til you drop! Start at the original Neiman's in Downtown. I personally never buy anything here, but it is always fun to window shop here. You'll get the "Pretty Woman" shopping experience (the second one)...without the sugar daddy to bank roll you.

Then trek up to North Dallas and visit the Galleria. Peruse the specialty boutiques, grab a bite to eat, and twirl around on the skating rink.

Freshen up at your hotel for diner and set out for dinner. Plan to dine at one of my favorite places...Patrizio's. It's located in Highland Park Village. They have a fantastic patio and great Italian food. Not in the mood for Italian? Try Mi Cocina...just across the way. They have some of the best Tex-Mex.

Day 3

Spend the day at a slower pace and experience life in Dallas during the late-1800's at Dallas Heritage Village. If that isn't your thing...well perhaps a leisurely day at Southfork Ranch...yes, the legendary Dallas Ranch where the 1980's TV show "Dallas" was filmed. The first time I toured Southfork, I was amazed at all the "Camera tricks."

No trip to Dallas is complete without eating at a Steakhouse. If you visit the Heritage Village, go to Bob's Steak and Chop House on Lemmon Avenue. If you go to Southfork, then dine at III Forks on the way home.

Visiting Dallas in the summer? Check out whether Shakepseare in the Park coincides with your trip, and make sure to squeeze it in somewhere.

Great Offer: Carter's Coupon for August 20-26

Carters just announced a 50% off sale and released a 20% off coupon for August. No word on when the sale ends (Carters almost always has something on Sale), but the coupon is good through August 25.




Like Oshkosh, Carters has their own version of the Play Card. They give you "Gift Checks" It works the same way as the Oshkosh Play Card. More details about Carters Version of this saving opportunity (or perhaps it's really a wolf in sheep's clothes, making it a spending opportunity...you decide) can be found here.

Great Offer: Oshkosh Coupon for August 20-26

Were you able to take advantage of the Oshkosh Coupon I posted earlier in August? If not, don't fret...Oshkosh just announced a 60% off Back-to School sale and released another fantastic coupon. The sale is from August 20th to September 13th, but the coupon is good from August 20-26. To maximize your savings...make sure to shop in the next week!


Oh yea, and one other thing Oshkosh has going on to help you save (or to use a a hook to get you back again) is a Play Card. The way it works is for a limited time (August 20-September 13) for every $25 you spend, you get a $10 Play Card that can be redeemed at another time (September 14-27). The hook is that you have to spend at least $35 to redeem each $10 Play Card. More details can be found here.

Rave Reviews: Gillette Venus Spa Breeze

About 6 weeks ago, we were on vacation on Lake Erie, and I forgot my razor. The day after we got there, I woke up and rushed to the drug store. I normally buy cheap disposable razors for traveling and go without shaving cream (no space in the luggage).

Well, at the drugstore I notice a pink box that had the Gillette® Venus logo on it. I normally use the Gillette Venus at home, so I was motivated to find out how this razor was different from the one I had at home.

The razor was called Gillette Venus Spa Breeze™ to my surprise it was both disposable, and it had shaving cream built right into its design. I was a bit skeptical, but decided that since I was on vacation, and considering a cheap razor with no shaving cream, why not try out this disposable razor. Boy was I proven wrong! With 3 razors, I was able to get a super-close shave, and my legs were silky-smooth. The shaving cream saved me from getting unsightly razor burn. And the biggest benefit...it saved me time since I didn't have to lather up my legs with shaving cream (This mom of an active 15-month old looks for every time saver she can find!)

I highly recommend the Venus Spa Breeze because:

• the disposables travel well
• it saves time
• the end result is silky-smooth legs

Next time, you're shopping for a razor, give the Venus Spa Breeze a serious consideration!

Great Offer: United Airlines Labor Day Airfare Sale

United Airlines lowered their airfare for Labor Day Weekend! Purchase your tickets by August 21.

Ticket prices start as low as $47 each way.

Some sample fares from Denver (each way) are:

- Albuquerque ... $47
- Salt Lake City ... $47
- Kansas City ... $57
- Phoenix ... $57
- San Francisco ... $64
- San Jose ... $69
- Minneapolis ... $76
- Los Angeles... $80
- New Orleans ... $95
- Orlando ... $95
- Philadelphia ... $95
- Washington, D.C. ... $95

Sample fares for other cities are:


Baltimore - Chicago $73
Boston - Chicago $76
Chicago - Kansas City $47
Chicago - New York City $89
Chicago - Pittsburgh $47
Chicago - San Antonio $85
Chicago - St. Louis $59
Las Vegas - San Francisco $57
Los Angeles - Orlando $99
Los Angeles - Pittsburgh $133
Los Angeles - San Francisco $47
Miami - Washington Dulles $66
Pittsburgh - San Francisco $133
San Diego - San Francisco $47
San Francisco - Seattle $47

Don't forget to book your flight by August 21!

Great Offer: Buy One Get One 50% Off at Borders

Do you love to read? Borders has a great coupon for their Rewards members. Buy one book, get the second 50% off. It's good for 2 days only--Tuesday and Wednesday, August 18 and 19.

Note: If you aren't a Borders Reward member, sign up. You get great offers like this delivered to you inbox almost every week!

Great offer: Coldwater Creek FREE Shipping Plus $25 off

Coldwater Creek Online Offer


Free Shipping plus $25 off your purchase of $100, is valid through Saturday, August 22, 2009, online only.

At coldwatercreek.com: enter Offer Code WKH7602 in Offer Code box at checkout, or shop directly from this page.

$25 savings offer is not valid for the purchase of gift cards.
Offer is valid on your merchandise purchase of $100 or more. One offer per customer, valid for one time use only; not valid on Spa services. May not be combined with any other Offer Code or discount. In the event of a return or exchange, discount will be forfeited and may not be reused. The amount refunded will equal the actual merchandise purchase price paid. No cash value. Not valid on previous purchases.

Free Standard Shipping with no minimum purchase delivery guarantee covers all in-stock items, shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states. May not be combined with any other Offer Code. In the event of a return or exchange, Free Standard Shipping will be forfeited and may not be reused. No cash value. Not valid on previous purchases.

How To...Negotiate a New Car

In the market to buy a new car? Car buying should never be a whimsical decision. There are several things that you should do before starting the negotiation process.



1. Do your homework.

• Plan when to buy. In September, the next year's models start coming out on the lot, so dealers are anxious to get rid of any of the current year models as soon as possible, so there is some real potential for good deals out there.
• Figure out what you can afford to pay. If you have saved up cash, then make sure you hold enough back to cover insurance, taxes, and gas. If you are going to be taking out a loan, then consider insurance, taxes and gas as part of your monthly payment.
  
• Test drive several cars that you are considering to see which one is the best fit for you.
• Visit Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) to compare all the specs for the model you wish to buy. Keep a copy close on hand for your own personal reference during the negotiation process.
  

2. Guesstimate the lowest amount the dealer can take and still make money.

• Visit Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) to find out the dealer invoice. Keep a copy close on hand for your own personal reference during the negotiation process.
• Don't forget about the hold back price (the amount the dealer gets from the manufacturer for every car they sell), which is usually around 3%.
• Ask the dealer to see his copy of the invoice (each car has its own invoice, so Kelley and Edmunds may not be exact).
  

3. Begin the Negotiation process.

• Get an offer on the new car from the dealer.
  
• Counter the offer. Be honest with the dealer, tell him, that price is to high. That you want to work to make sure both parties benefit from the deal.
  
• Be patience and stay firm in your offer. The dealer is going to try and get as much as he can.
• Walk away, if necessary. If you feel you are being fair by the dealer, and he won't budge, walk away and go to another dealer. As you walk away, make sure that you leave the door open for them to contact you should they change their mind.
• While paying cash is preferable, it doesn't work our for in all circumstances. Once the dealer accepts your offer, start negotiating the interest rate (if it isn't a zero % financing offer).
• Negotiate any extras you may want, like tinted window's or car alarm.
  
• Finally negotiate the price of your trade-in car.

4. Drive your sweet new ride home.

Great Offer: 50% off Bass, Izod, VanHeusen

50% off the entire store; plus an additional 10-40% off selected styles! Sale is happening August 20-26.