Atlanta Bargain Hunter

There’s a new kind of Black Friday shopper, a person who knows what the deals will be and where to find them. If a competitor catches wind of one store’s discount and counters with one slightly better, this shopper knows about it an instant.

It’s not someone crazed as much as efficient. The new age shopper utilizes every tool available — mobile phone applications, Facebook, Twitter, bargain Web sites, electronic coupons, promotional codes and the printed circulars stuffing the Thursday morning newspaper.

“I enjoy new technology,” said 31-year-old Kelly Lucas of Atlanta. “I see how I can use it to my advantage.”

And she does. Lucas’ primary full-retail price weapons are her apps, including Yowza!!, which uses the GPS technology on her iPhone to alert her to retailers with the best coupons within a 15-mile radius. Then, it brings up the coupon’s bar code that can be scanned at the store. Other online coupon favorites: mobiQpons, Valpak and Coupon Sherpa.

Many retailers are …

Continue reading Maximize your Black Friday shopping with these online tools »

Free Desserts

Before you read this, I must ask: Do you have an exercise plan? If not, move on to the next item. It’s the time of the year when desserts, all kinds and all delicious, find their way onto our plates. Pot luck dinners at work, holiday parties and yes, dessert giveaways. I’d like to indulge — and likely will — but I know I’ll have to work even harder to burn all of the extra calories. Here’s a mouth-watering deal: Piece of Cake bakery in Roswell is holding an open house from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, where there will be plenty of delightful goodies to sample including layer cakes in flavors such as red velvet, white chocolate and caramel. I’m told there will also be cupcakes, cookies and brownies to taste. While you’re there, keep in mind there is a one-day only 20 percent discount on all purchases at the Roswell location. The bakery is located at 10971 Crabapple Rd., Suite 1300, Roswell.

3-day sale on “Young Frankenstein”

In honor of the 35th …

Continue reading Free desserts | New deal-saving site | 3-day sale on “Young Frankenstein” »

The are a number of special ads and coupons coming in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday, in addition to the great savings you get every week. Here are a few to be sure you check out:

• Kohl’s is offering up to 50 percent off home items (bedding ensembles, towels and etc.), outerwear, fine and sterling silver jewelry, tops, collections and active wear on Sunday, Nov. 22 only.
• Macy’s has storewide savings, from 25 to 50 percent off items. In addition, there’s a bonus 15 percent coupon off your purchase (sale and clearance apparel are eligible for discount) Valid Sunday, Nov. 22 and Monday, Nov. 23 only.
• Sports Authority has a $10 off coupon for purchases more than $50, and a $25 off coupon for purchases over $100. In addition, you can save up to $600 on fitness equipment include treadmills and ellipticals. Valid until Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Continue reading Coupons and deals to look out for in Sunday’s AJC »

The news this week was again, sobering. As reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Michael Kanell, the state’s jobless rate increased slightly in October to 10.2 percent, according to the Labor Department. It was the fifth consecutive month that the jobless figure has been in double-digits, but the first time the rate was not higher than the national average.

Indeed, these are difficult times. Finding a job is incredibly tough. That’s why I thought this blog would be helpful. Blogger Jim Wang from Bargaineering ran a series of posts that he called Career Week 2009. It touched on everything from how to dress for an interview to preparing you for common interview questions. The series concludes today with readers submitting their best career tips.

There are also tips on how to use a headhunter, and the site points you to some of the most popular job search sites. Locally, this is also a good place to turn in your job search. Here on ajcjobs.com, you’ll also find a wealth …

Continue reading Tons of tips to help you find a job »

Half-off tickets to American Adventures Park

Maybe it’s the kid in me, but I love Go Karts. It’s good family fun, too. I found a deal this morning on Groupon that puts a day at American Adventures Park in Marietta on my mind. Here’s the deal: Purchase a $14 pass good for rides, games and food — with a value of $28 — within the next two days. Go here to buy your ticket.

A Barrel of Laughs

I’m looking forward to making my way to the Punchline Comedy Club. I hear it’s a riot and there a nights when there is free admission. This is a great deal, too, particularly for nights when big headliners come to town. Halfoffdepot’s deal of the day is a $20 card valued at $50, and can be used for admission and food. The deal is available until 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 23. The discount will be issued in the form of a plastic debit card and the best part is that it has no expiration date. You do have to mention Halfoffdepot when you book your reservation.

$10 tickets for ‘A Christmas …

Continue reading 50% off American Adventures | $15 off Mary Poppins | $30 Punchline discount | Package deal for PBR | Free tree lighting »

The holiday season is a time of great joy for many families. However, there are many who are dreading it this year. Those who traditionally celebrate with gift giving and are now unemployed or have depleted savings likely do not have money available for gifts.

This week’s Voice of the Expert,  psychologist Nadine Kaslow advises against succumbing to the stress related to feelings of inadequacy. Kaslow is an Emory University professor and chief psychologist at Grady Health System. I spoke to her this week about avoiding depression during the holidays.

Q: If you’re used to giving, or being able to give, during the holidays, how do you avoid feeling inadequate?

A: First of all, you have to really appreciate that you’re not alone. Lots of people are in a similar boat. Rather than feeling badly about yourself and isolated, appreciate that you have company.

Q: We often think about material items when it comes to giving, but if you don’t have money, how else can you give?

A: Giving …

Continue reading Voice of the Expert: Holiday gifts aren’t all material »

Most retailers aren’t waiting on shoppers to ask. They are revealing their Black Friday plans now. That strategy is designed to build momentum for the big day and increase sales in the run-up to Nov. 27 as well.

For example, we know now that:

– Kohl’s will post its deals on its Web site on Nov. 22. to help those “planning their shopping strategy.” The store will be open from 4 a.m. until midnight, and will have more than 300 early bird specials.

– Toys “R” Us will open at midnight on Thursday, Nov. 26, five hours earlier than the store has opened in the past. More than 70 doorbusters will be offered between midnight and 5 a.m., just as many shoppers used to last year’s routine are rolling out of bed. More doorbusters will be available after 5 a.m. and on Wednesday, Nov. 25, there will be a preview of more than 100 unadvertised “Mystery Deals” available in-store on Black Friday between midnight and 1 p.m.

Tucked in its new release is this gem: “Tens of thousands Zhu Zhu Pet …

Continue reading Black Friday sales: Tens of thousands Zhu Zhu Pets available, store says, and other insiders’ news »

Save $5 on Guy Fieri Roadshow

I personally cannot get enough of the Food Network. There isn’t a show I haven’t seen, and one I’m fond of is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with host Guy Fieri. The rocking cook brings his show to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Monday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m. It will feature chef Robert Irvine from the Food Network’s Dinner Impossible, as well as local guest chefs Gus Tselios and Marcos Louissant from the Marietta Diner and Marietta Fish Market. Tickets start at $23, and you can save $5 using promo code “Dives.”

Kelly Clarkson to perform at free concert

Free Kelly Clarkson concert

Radio and TV blogger Rodney Ho has the news on Kelly Clarkson’s free concert as part of Q100s annual concert at the Loft.

Here’s the deal:

Q100 is hosting its annual free concert for its listeners at the Loft (capacity 650 people) with headliners Kelly Clarkson and Jay Sean (No. 1 song “Down”). Two things to note: only way to get in (besides connections) is to …

Continue reading Free Kelly Clarkson concert | Save $5 on Guy Fieri Roadshow | Restaurant coupons galore | Zoo Atlanta 50% off »

College students leave school today hopeful for any job. If they are lucky, their new employer will pay them well. Most likely, the young person will be met with an entry-level salary that may not mesh well with the longing for luxuries afforded to their parents — parents  with a pretty handsome financial head start.

For those graduating this semester or next, making ends meet  may not be easy. Having leaned on their parents throughout college, and perhaps piecing things together with a part-time job, these young people now have all of life’s burdens upon them — rent, car payments, health insurance, groceries, utilities and yes, student loans.

Still, it is not impossible to begin saving money, even with a minimal salary. Here’s how to get started:

1. Get a roommate: I was one of the rarities in college because I lived in a college dormitory for four years, always with at least one roommate. The last thing I wanted when I graduated was the continuation of sharing living space …

Continue reading 10 tips to save money with an entry-level salary »

Among the most sought after Black Friday shopping ads are Walmart’s and Target’s, but there are a slew of retailers whose ads have leaked, taking some of the mystery out of the biggest shopping day of the year. Dealnews.com, one of the simpler Web sites to navigate, has a page full of leaked Black Friday ads, including:

Costco

Best Buy

Home Depot

GameStop

JCPenney

Macys

According to CNNMoney.com, the deepest Walmart discounts will be found in high-definition TVs, laptops and Blu-ray players, as well as toys and DVDs. Items to look out for include a Sanyo 50-inch plasma 720p HDTV for $598, a Magnavox Blu-ray player for $78, a Tom Tom GPS for $59, select children’s clothing for as low as $3, a $7 reversible fleece jacket for kids and adults, and the Barbie Power Wheels Ride-On, a toy Jeep, for $88.

Additionally, the store has reduced prices as much as 50 percent on items beginning Saturday. Popular dolls, activity toys,a 26-inch Vizio HDTV, and gaming packages from Guitar Hero, …

Continue reading Black Friday ads: Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, Macys, JCPenney, and more »