Tag Archives: online polling

Best Deals for May

135 Comments

may dealsWhat are your best buys for the month of May? Well, not only does May include Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, but May 4th is also Star Wars Day (“May the 4th be With You!”) So there are plenty of shopping – and saving opportunities to be had! Which of these items will be on the agenda?

  • Kitchen Appliances
  • Star Wars stuff
  • Memorial Day-related military discounts
  • Menswear
  • Fresh corn (Silver Queen for me!)
  • Peaches, apricots, cherries and nectarines
  • Melons
  • Grilling supplies
  • Handbags
  • Swimsuits
  • Sandals and Spring Clothing
  • Tires
  • Linens and Mattresses
  • Jewelry and watches

BUT…Hold off on PCs and laptops: Back to school sales start in June!

Here are some links to help you compile your May shopping list!

Are any of these items on your to-do list for May? They say you could save up to 75%! What are you in the market for? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page!

 

Earth Day and the Consumer

 

ecoWay back in 1970, when Earth Day began, it’s fair to say that many environmentalists and many business owners saw each other as enemies. And to the extent that businesses embraced Going Green, many saw it as a necessary evil, the cost of doing business, But today…

…the majority of CEOs say that environmental and social responsibility is critical to competitive advantage. They embed sustainability into their supply chains, conserving energy and cutting waste to save costs and increase customer appeal. They promote products that are less harmful to our communities and to the environment.  GreenBiz.com

So, on this 46th anniversary of Earth Day, let’s take a politics-free look at links describing some of the creative ways companies promote Sustainability…

In other Earth Day news…

So there’s your Earth Day links roundup. And we kept it politics-free (you’re welcome.) Have you seen any interesting or creative ways that corporations are Going Green? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page, and have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Your Best Deals for February

february dealsJanuary is certainly one of the big “best-buy” months, but there are still good deals to be found in cold, boring February. The post-holiday “everything must go” still lingers. The big Consumer Electronics Show has transpired in Vegas, which immediately determines what’s hot (and not) for the techies. And, of course, the price of anything romantic will drop after Valentine’s Day. In general, winter items are a good deal, and timely: you still need them, yet the retailers are trying to make room for the spring stuff!

So, what’s hot – and NOT – in February deals? Here are the bullet points, followed by some helpful links. Check ‘em out!

Get it!

  • Winter Clothing
  • Jewelry, Flowers, Perfume (AFTER Valentines Day, of course!)
  • Mattresses
  • Humidifiers
  • Indoor Furniture
  • Wedding Supplies
  • Travel
  • Tax Software
  • Presidents Day Sales
  • Broadway Tickets
  • Skis and Snowboards

Forget it!

  • Mattresses
  • Smartphones
  • Eyeglasses
  • Suitcases
  • Refrigerators

Link it!

One more possible deal for February: Chipotle! Apparently, the health scares are over, and they want you back. There will be good deals, even freebies, at Chipotle in February, including Super Bowl deals. So, if you are feeling adventurous…

So, what’s on your spending agenda for February? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page!

Drugstore Deals

drugstoreDo you look to your drugstore for deals? I admit that I don’t. My drug store, which I won’t name, spits out half a dead tree in coupons every time I pick up my prescriptions. They know who they are dealing with, so they tell me “Give these to your wife!” So I bring them home, all excited, thinking I have done something swell. And she tells me that they are so full of restrictions and exclusions that they are hardly worth the effort.

Oh well… it’s a place where I get my pills and, occasionally, an emergency or convenience item. No big deal.

Apparently, though, if you aren’t a big lazy quitter like me, you CAN get good deals at the drug store. According to DailyFinance.com, it takes a lot of elbow grease; you have to read the circulars, cut coupons and join the loyalty clubs. If you do the work, you can often find deals on the following:

  • Cereal
  • Dairy   
  • Eggs
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Makeup
  • Personal care items
  • Store-brand garbage bags
  • Drugstore-brand diapers
  • Hair color

There is plenty of detail at the original article, along with a couple of links to saver sites that concentrate on specific drug stores, so check it out!

How about you? What’s your fave drug store? Do you find deals there? What kind? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page!

Preparing for Winter Storm Jonas

iciclesAccording to the Weather Channel, “more than 85 million people – or roughly one in every four Americans – were covered by either a blizzard watch, blizzard warning, winter storm watch, winter storm warning, winter weather advisory, or freezing rain advisory from eastern Kansas to the Carolinas to the New York City area.”

Even here in not-a-chance-of-snow Charleston SC, people are freaking out. But I’m not going to make any jokes about “OMG! Snow-pocalypse 2016!” Not this time, because this sounds like the real deal.

Preparedness for you and your family is key. So, as a public service, here are some useful links on winter storm preparedness.

Well, there’s some winter reading for you. Though, chances are, you’ll be reading it by candlelight! From MindField Online, we hope everybody stays safe and warm!

A Fast 50 Bucks?

job adsHappy Friday MindField-ers! How are your new year’s finances? What does this next year look like for your pocketbook? About this time of year, I start adding up all the potential projects that are rumored to be coming my way. I have come to realize that if my year EVER matched my rosy January predictions, I could have retired years ago.

So, in the meantime, you look for ways to make more money. Maybe a big new job. Maybe a part-time thing to help pay the bills. Maybe it is a lot of little things, which is today’s topic.

MoneyTalksNews.com has compiled a list of “50 Ways to Make a Fast Fifty Bucks.” You will find a lot of the usual things (have a garage sale!) but there are some unusual ideas, as well – many of which relate to opportunities you can find on the web. Here are some highlights…

  • Performing tasks: Lists about ten websites you can visit to pick up odd jobs
  • Sitting: House, pet, baby, etc. Includes links
  • Selling: Garage sales, Craigslist and more. Lots of links.
  • Renting: Airbnb, etc.
  • Crafts: From swap meets to Etsy.com, sell your crafts! Links aplenty!
  • Claim lost money: I have done this. It can be a hassle but, if the money’s big enough, it’s worth it!
  • Medical Research: Like those two dum dums on the old Drew Carey show!
  • Manual Labor
  • Using your talents: Be a math tutor, teach piano, etc.

I don’t know about you, but I have stumbled onto this article at just the right time. I will be looking into this for sure. Here’s that link again. How about you? Could you use a few extra bucks to help pay off those holiday bills? Have you tried any of these ways? How did it work out? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page, and have a great weekend!

Veterans Day Freebies 2015

VA 15poster_lowresFirst off, a big thanks to our veterans, active military and their families! Now, go out and enjoy your freebies, such as a free haircut at Great Clips, a free Bloomin’ Onion from Outback, or a car wash at Sheetz! The list of participating retailers is long, and these are just the big national chains. There are likely many smaller retailers in your locale showing their appreciation. And you will probably want to call ahead to make sure.

Here’s a link roundup of the bigger deals, along with some links for further information. Enjoy… and be sure to thank a veteran today!

2015 Free Veterans Day Freebies!

  • Applebee’s: Free meal
  • Bob Evans: Free all you can eat hotcakes.
  • Carraba’s: Free appetizer all week
  • Chili’s: Free meal
  • City Barbeque: Free sandwich platter
  • Denny’s: Free Grand Slam
  • Fatz Eatz & Drinkz: Free Calabash Chicken
  • Friendly’s: Free breakfast, lunch, or dinner
  • Golden Corral: Free meal
  • IHOP: Free meal
  • Little Caesars® Pizza: Free pizza or $5 Lunch Combo
  • LongHorn Steakhouse: Free onion and drink
  • Max & Erma’s: Free Cheeseburger Combo
  • Olive Garden: Free entrée
  • On The Border: Free “Create Your Own Combo”
  • Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage.
  • Red Lobster: Free Appetizer or Dessert, Mon-Thurs
  • Red Robin: Free Double and Fries
  • Shoney’s: Free All-American Burger
  • Sizzler Restaurants: Free lunch
  • Smokey Bones: Free meal
  • Starbucks: Free tall brewed coffee
  • Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch event
  • T.G.I. Friday’s: Free lunch
  • Tony Roma’s: Free half rack Baby Back Ribs
  • Uno Chicago Grill: Free individual pizza or entrée with purchase

And here are your links. Enjoy!

Retail Winners and Losers

we are openIt’s a mixed economy, of course. There are winners and losers in the retail world. How can you tell which is which? According to National Real Estate Investor, it’s a matter of which retailers are opening stores, and which are closing them.

It’s a mixed bag in 2015. The number of big national retailers planning to expand their operations and open new stores in the next year or two is pretty encouraging. At the same time, there are also big bankruptcies and store closings.

Winners:

  • Craft stores, specialty apparel sellers and salons/spas.
  • Bed Bath & Beyond will open 140 stores in the next 2 years.
  • Urban Outfitters will open 120 stores.
  • Cosmetics…Sephora will open 100 new stores, Merle Norman opens 300
  • Furniture… Aaron’s will open 300 new stores. Isn’t that one of those Rent-to-Own places?
  • Fast food and dollar stores

Losers:

  • Toy stores and book stores
  • A&P Supermarkets (bankruptcy)

Any of your favorites on the list? Do you see the economy improving or still struggling? Probably a little of both. Anyway, drop us a line at our Facebook page, and have a great weekend MindField-ers!

MORE Money Saving Tips!

changeLet’s check back in with that helpful article at The Simple Dollar entitled “How to Save Money: 100 Great Tips to Get You Started.” They’re not all gems, and not all will apply to you, but you’re sure to find a few that hit you right in the pocketbook. Last time we hit the top 20, now it’s the next 20…with bonus dumb commentary!

21. Install CFLs or LEDs wherever it makes sense. Once I got over my resentment of the government cramming these down our throats, I actually saw savings!

22. Install a programmable thermostat. And make sure somebody knows how to use it. In our house, it’s my wife!

23. Buy quality appliances that will last. We bought a “floor model” washer and dryer, and saved a bunch!

24. Clean or change out your car’s air filter. That’s a thing?

25. Quit using credit cards.

26. Plan your meals around your grocery store’s flyer.

27. Do a price comparison – and find a cheaper grocery store. I won’t name names, but the cheapest store is also the one that drives me insane.

28. Make your own when you can. I’ve never made bread, but it looks like fun.

29. Avoid stress-spending. “Retail Therapy” can get out of hand!

30. Share your dreams with people you love. If you’re BOTH dreaming of that big vacation, it will be easier to achieve!

31. Do a “maintenance run” on your appliances.

32. Cancel unused club memberships.

33. Buy used when you can.

34. Keep your hands clean.

35. Remove your credit card numbers from your online accounts. “One-click” buying can get you in hot water.

36. Give the gift of labor.

37. Do holiday shopping right after the holidays. Yeah, you don’t want to come between my wife and the wrapping paper on Dec 26th!

38. Join up with a volunteer program.

39. Declutter to save your sanity and some cash.

40. Try generic brands of items you buy regularly. They’re not all created equal, but I have had great luck with generics.

…and 60 more! We might have to revisit this one at a future date.  Did you see any savings tips that spoke to you? Ones that you are already doing? Do they work? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page!

Fixing Bad Credit

good bad creditThe old used car commercial goes…“Bad credit? Slow credit? No credit? NO PROBLEM!” But we know that’s not the case. Today, it’s YES problem, because it not only can it keep you from getting a loan, it can keep you from getting a job!

Money guy Clark Howard has some advice, in the form of “8 Ways to Rebound from a Credit Setback.” Here are the bullets…

  1. Be patient: it takes time
  2. Check your credit: you can do it for free
  3. Review and rework your budget
  4. Prioritize your payments: do the worst first
  5. Move fast if you are behind on payments
  6. Avoid the ‘quick fix’: are credit repair companies worth it?
  7. Ask for help: negotiate with your creditors
  8. Be persistent

If you’re in a bad or slow credit situation, you are not alone. It’s stressful. It’s embarrassing. But one way to get past that is to start doing the work to repair your situation! Be sure to read the whole piece, because there is much more info to get you ahead of being behind! And, have a great weekend!