These deals are now live!
Buy 1, Get Unlimited for up to 50% off Calendars from Shutterfly.com! Offer valid 11/26-11/28
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Now Valid: Cyber Monday Online Savings
November 26, 2012 by
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Shutterfly Shopping Deals Happening NOW!! (Pre-Black Friday)
November 21, 2012 by
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I have TONS of Black Friday deals sitting in my inbox and now seems like as good a time as any to get them out to you. 
I hope you enjoy these great Shutterfly specials!
30% off 1 or 40% off 2 or more Calendars from Shutterfly.com! Offer valid 11/20-11/25
1 FREE card from Shutterlfy.com– use coupon code CARD4U. Offer valid 11/20-11/21
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5 Christmas Gifts That Are Inexpensive
December 14, 2011 by
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As the Christmas season approaches, we start to think about what to give our loved ones and where to get those gifts. Shopping for Christmas gifts can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful, especially if you do not have much money to spend. However, there are five items you can purchase that are inexpensive.
Most everyone, regardless of age and socioeconomic status, loves to spend some free time engaged in a good book. What makes books great gifts is that they are very accessible. You can find a book in just about every category and genre. You can purchase a book in a bookstore, online and in any format; paperback, electronic, audio.
DVDs
DVDs are like books in that they offer home entertainment for a low cost. They are also accessible in that you can purchase them online or in stores.
Home Accessories
Home accessories are those little trinkets that we cannot live without. They are what gives our homes extra personality. Basic home accessories like candles, sconces, picture frames, small gemstones, knick knacks and small house plants do not cost much. You can purchase all of these items in large retailers near you. You can even purchase most of these items at smaller, independently owned stores for a reasonable price.
Toys
Toys are excellent Christmas gifts for children, especially for younger ones. The wonderful thing about toys is that they allow children to use their imaginations. They also provide children with the opportunity to learn practical skills. Since toys are inexpensive, you can purchase more than one item.
If you are stuck for ideas as to what to give your loved one for Christmas, you can give him or her a gift card. Gift cards range do range in price from less expensive to more expensive which gives you the opportunity to spend less or more depending on your finances. All stores offer gift cards, giving you the option to purchase one at your loved one’s favorite store.
Prior to Christmas, stores will often mark certain items on a discounted rate. Most retailers–online and brick-and-mortar–will even offer coupons to returning customers. It is best that, when searching for items to purchase, you look for the best deal. However, if the product you intend to purchase is not on sale for a discounted price, it will not harm you financially to purchase that product.
Guest article written by Deanna Proach who is the author of two novels, Day of Revenge (Inkwater Press) and To be Maria (not yet published).When not writing she edits the laptop deals section of discounts.ca.
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Holiday Budgeting 101: Tips to Keep Over-spending at Bay
November 24, 2011 by
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It’s time to pull back the spending reigns and prepare for holiday gift expenses. During a time when most shoppers are reducing their spending altogether, it’s especially important to make a realistic budget for your gift list.
While the following tips are intended to help you manage holiday spending, many are applicable to saving money all year ’round.
1. Make a budget!
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey reported that holiday shoppers plan to spend an average of $704.18 on gifts this season, representing a slight decrease over last year. Making a budget is a no-brainer, but challenge yourself to go under budget this year. Track your spending using the Toshl app to keep tabs on what you’re shelling out and how much you have left.
2. Cut down on dining expenses.
‘Tis the season for holiday dinners at expensive restaurants, but this expenditure is the last thing your budget needs. Replace the annual white-tablecloth celebration with an intimate gathering at home. Guests can bring a dish to share and everyone can comfortably converse without interruption from servers or obnoxious patrons.
3. Refrain from personal purchases.
This one is tough during a time when bargains abound, but it’s especially important to avoid making purchases for yourself when you still have people on your gift list. That same NRF study reported the average consumer will spend approximately $130 on gifts for themselves. Imagine the dent you could make in your recipient list using that cash.
4. Reduce everyday costs with resourcefulness.
The toughest part of budgeting for holiday gifts is not letting it eat into the money required for everyday items, including food. Consider developing a menu for the week to reduce unnecessary food purchases, and use websites like Gojee.com to develop dishes around what you already have in your pantry. When you do head to the store to stock up on provisions, arm yourself with printable grocery coupons from such sites as CouponSherpa.
5. Trim your gift list.
The spirit of the season often yields never-ending gift lists, especially when you’re surprised by presents from people who didn’t make the cut. Trim your gift list to essential recipients and come up with inexpensive tokens for everyone else. Homemade goodies, cards with heartfelt wishes and offers of service (babysitting, for example) are great options for neighbors and coworkers and can be produced last-minute.
6. Research gifts to find best bargain.
Santa never misses the mark by making a list and checking it twice, so take a hint from the jolly man in red and do the same. Once you develop a list of essential recipients, bargain shop for gifts before making your final purchase. It’s tempting to get all your shopping done over a weekend just to get it out of the way, but doing so means missing out on bargain-rich opportunities.
7. Know return policies.
Retailers tighten return policies around the holidays, so be sure you read the fine print before making a purchase. Price matching is all the rage these days, too, so it pays (literally) to know a store’s policy on compensating shoppers who find better deals elsewhere. Walmart recently announced it will provide gift cards in the amount of the price difference, and Bed Bath and Beyond will even price match items found on Amazon.com.
8. Shop early…and late.
With all the advice circulating about when to land the best deal, it ultimately pays to shop throughout the holiday season. Make a game plan for Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases with these do’s and dont’s, and don’t forget about Free Shipping Day for last-minute items. The one-day online event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16 and features free shipping offers from over 2,000 merchants with delivery by Christmas Eve.
9. Pay with cash.
It’s not easy sticking to a budget and the holidays make the task even more challenging. Paying for purchases with credit cards is risky since the “I’ll pay for it later” mentality breeds over-spending. Opt to pay with cash and experience your hard-earned money disappear from your finger tips. This sight alone will make you think twice about unnecessary or overpriced purchases, and help you stick to your budget.
Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more.
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A Roundup of Holiday E-return Policies
November 23, 2011 by
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Holiday e-shopping has begun, and with it the potential for gift returns. Because online merchants have different policies, it pays to read the fine print before you buy.
Some stores only give 30-days leeway, which means recipients can’t return purchases after Christmas. Happily, some merchants are changing these deadlines for the holidays but, because there are websites who truly believe “fineprint” means “itsy bitsy print in a very pale pastel,” FreeShipping.org compiled a list of major e-retailers and their return policies for 2011.
Ann Taylor
You’ve got 60 days to return Ann Taylor purchases but, if you don’t have the receipt, only a store credit is issued. Gifts returned online will result in an e-gift certificate, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the return receipt. An in-store gift return yields a hardcopy gift certificate in the amount paid by the sender.
Bath & Body Works
Because Bath and Body Works believes “no sale is ever final,” they don’t need to extend their holiday deadline. You don’t need a sales receipt or shipping invoice for gifts, but they can only be returned to brick-and-mortar Bath and Body Works stores.
Cabela’s
You’ve got 90 days to return a Cabela’s purchase, which makes everything nice and easy, until you learn you only receive a store credit or gift card when you don’t have a receipt. If you need to return a gift, print a return form and send it to Cabela’s customer service address or bring it in to any of their retail stores.
Coldwater Creek
There’s no deadline for Coldwater Creek returns by mail or to a retail outlet. If you’re sending it back and don’t have a receipt or packing slip, make sure you include your name and address on a note enclosed with the package.
Best Buy
Enjoy Best Buy free shipping now through Dec. 27, and return gift purchases — with no exclusions — from Nov. 13 through Jan. 4. The electronics behemoth is spreading the holiday cheer even further by removing restocking fees for all products, including special orders, within this timeframe.
Costco
Costco’s standard return policy is a liberal 365 days, so there’s no need to extend their deadline for the holidays. In addition, Costco refunds membership fees if a customer isn’t satisfied. Refunds for Internet purchases include shipping and handling charges.
endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant provides a generous 365 days for returns with guaranteed free shipping. Use the Endless online returns center for proper processing.
JCPenney
The best part of JCPenney’s online returns is they pay for shipping and handling, no matter what your reason for returning the product. You have up to 90 days and, with a gift receipt, will receive a JCPenney gift card in the amount of purchase.
Kmart
You’ll need an original receipt or email confirmation dated within 90 days of the original date of purchase. No exceptions, apparently.
Kohl’s
Return any item, anytime, for any reason. Have your receipt? You’ll get a full refund or even exchange. No receipt? No problem. Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit.
Lands’ End
Now through Nov. 15, enjoy Lands’ End free shipping plus take 25% off your purchase. For returns without an exchange, use the return label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. You also can return your order to any Sears or Lands’ End store and entirely avoid shipping costs.
L.L.Bean
The sky’s the limit with L.L. Bean, which has no return deadline and doesn’t require authorization before you ship your gift back to them. Just download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on the packing slip.
Macy’s
The return deadline for Macy’s is a generous 180 days and you don’t need a receipt because they have a program that identifies products in their system. Too cool! Gifts will receive a store credit or exchange. Please note the deadline for jewelry purchases is only 30 days.
Mainline Menswear
Basically, you can return any Christmas gifts ordered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 up to 14 days after Christmas, which only gives you until Jan. 7.
Sears
Return the gift in its original packaging, with the original receipt or email confirmation, within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange. Alternately, you can return a purchase from Sears.com to one of their stores.
Shoebacca.com
As with Endless, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange unwanted gifts.
Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post makes it easy. You have up to six months and will receive instant credit plus $2.95 shipping on your next order. If you prefer, STP will give you a refund.
Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us
Online purchases returned by mail within 90 days to their online Returns Center by mail are refunded to the original form of payment, which means the gift giver will know your dirty little secret and you’ll come up empty handed. Instead, make returns to a Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store for a merchandise credit.
Victoria’s Secret
Now through Nov. 16, you can enjoy Victoria’s Secret free shipping, but you’ve got 90 days to return that lacy tidbit for cash. After that deadline, Victoria’s Secret will only provide store credit. To return gifts, check the box on the Return/Exchange Form attached to the original invoice indicating you’re returning a gift and provide your shipping information. If you don’t have the original invoice, use their printable return and exchange form.
Walmart
You can return or exchange most store items with a receipt within 90 days of purchase. Visit walmartstores.com to see exceptions for electronic and regulated items. You can return online purchases to any Walmart store.
Zappos
Another great shoe deal: Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. You’ll need the original packaging, however, to make the return.
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Guest article provided by FreeShipping.org which is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants.
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