Archive for May, 2011

If you were out and about this weekend you already know that Atlanta has hit that muggy turning point: temperatures in the 90s.

Beginning Wednesday, Spice Market is offering a sweet way to cool down during the hot summer months in the South — “The 90 Degree Freeze.” The restaurant will give away complimentary ice cream with a $5 purchase when temperatures reach or exceed 90 degrees during June, July and August.

Spice Market’s ice cream flavors change frequently, but popular flavors include green tea, Vietnamese coffee, banana cashew, fresh mint, and caramel. Sorbet flavors include mango, passion fruit and coconut.

The approved weather gauge for “The 90 Degree Freeze” is The Weather Channel. For weather reports, check www.weather.com or The Weather Channel’s television broadcasts.

This offer applies to dine-in guests only and is not valid with any other offers. Only one ice cream per person. Spice Market is located in the W Atlanta-Midtown at 188 14th St. NE, …

Continue reading Free ice cream at Spice Market »

Even bargain hunters sometimes find they’re wasting money – me included.

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but I have been checking my bag every time I take a weekend plane trip.

It was originally not a question of money but of convenience. It seems the TSA guidelines change so frequently that you have to review them almost every time you fly. I’ve had three pairs of “dangerous” hygiene scissors confiscated in the past, but now they’re permitted in a carry-on. Plus, I don’t keep on hand those travel-size bottles of shampoo that meet the 3 oz. regulations for carry-on.

This week, however, I ran the numbers. Delta charges $46 round-trip to check a bag online, $50 at the airport. That means a $200 carry-on, as expensive as it seems, will pay off in about four trips. And I can keep a pack of ready-to-go, travel-sized products to throw in.

Thus began my search for the carry-ons with the best value. No matter how much or how little you travel, there’s a bag for you …

Continue reading My search for the cheapest carry-on »

Certified financial planner Wes Moss provides personal finance advice and accessible investment strategies. His guest post appears here Monday mornings.

Congratulations on graduating. Now comes responsibility.

Good news for this year’s college graduating class: Corporations will reportedly hire 19 percent more graduates than in 2010. Not bad considering that just two years ago companies were laying off 25-year veterans.

So congrats in advance on that first job. Now comes the hard part: Learning to manage and maximize the money you will earn in the coming years. Here’s some advice to get you started:

Make a Budget. It’s a simple but powerful way to make sure that you control your money — and not the other way around. Here’s how:

1. Determine your bi-weekly take-home pay – that’s the after-taxes amount deposited in your bank account.

2. Multiply this number by 2 to determine your monthly take-home pay.

3. Subtract the following expenses:

• Rent
• Car payment
• Car …

Continue reading Wes Moss: Financial advice for college graduates »

It can be difficult to find new ways to entertain kids — and even more difficult for you to find a way to exercise while taking care of them all day.

Enter the Baby Loves Disco event Saturday at Cumberland Mall. You and your kids can burn off some energy by shaking your booty at the best family disco around. Other activities include face painting, tattoos, mini manis and craft activities.

1 – 4 p.m. Entrance 1 seating event area. Admission is free with wristbands from the Cumberland Mall H&M (you may want to pick yours up now). Maximum of four per person; all attendees must have a wristband to gain entry.

– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter

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Continue reading Free family event: Baby Loves Disco »

Best Buy: Save 15 to 30 percent off major appliances beginning Sunday through June 4 in stores and online. Appliances include washers and dryers, refrigerators, freezers, ranges and ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, countertop appliances, personal care products, vacuums and floor care. Plus, get free delivery on appliance purchases $429 and more; free shipping on appliances, personal care, small appliances, and floor care purchases of $429 and more online; and free haul-away and recycle of old appliances.

The Body Shop: Buy two, get one free or buy three, get 2 free online. Plus, you’ll get free shipping with any purchase. Through Monday.

Coture Brands: Many items are discounted up to 65 percent off on this site that sells eyeglasses holders, interior car accessories and more. Enter promo code USA2011 to receive an extra 20 percent off at checkout.

Coupon Sherpa: Check here for deals this weekend including a free AAA “tipsy tow” if you can’t drive yourself home.

Nearly …

Continue reading Memorial Day deals »

Big on style, sizes

Kiyonna.com: The women’s clothing website has a great offer for all Jessica Shops readers — get $15 off orders of $100 or more. Use coupon code CURVY at checkout; the deal expires June 15. The website has sophisticated styles for sizes 10 and up, with new styles added every week.

Let the savings go to your head

Eyes Lips Face: The makeup seller is a cheap alternative to expensive cosmetics. Many items are similar to popular department stores brands and the best part is the $1 price tag. Sign up for the Eyes Lips Face mailing list to receive special offers and coupons, often up to 50 percent off. A few exceptions to the $1 rule are the makeup kits and brush kits, still a great price at less than $20.

The full Jessica Shops column appears in the Deal Spotter section of the AJC on Thursdays. Visit the Jessica Shops website for more great finds.

– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter

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Continue reading Jessica Shops: Plus-size style, inexpensive makeup »

Rejoice, little monsters.

If you missed out on the 99-cent Lady Gaga album “Born This Way“ on Amazon Monday, you’ve been granted a reprise.

Overloaded servers Monday caused consumers to experience difficulties downloading the pop star’s new digital album, which retails for $11.99 on iTunes, flooding Amazon with complaints.

According to a CNET article:

“Clearly customers are really excited for Lady Gaga’s new album–we saw extraordinary response to Monday’s promotion–far above what we expected–she definitely melted some servers,” Craig Pape, director of music for Amazon, said in a statement today. “So we’re doing it again, and this time we’re ready.”

Additionally, when you download the album you’ll receive 20 GB of Amazon Cloud Drive storage for free — a crafty way to entice us all to give the Amazon Cloud Player a try.

Did you have problems downloading the album the first time?

– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter

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This week there are several good deals using automatic drugstore rebate programs, no coupons required. Stock up on products for your medicine cabinet even if you don’t need them yet. When you do run out of these items, you’ll be able to shop from your own supply of bargains rather than having to pay full price then.

Rewards pay off for contact lens solution

Walgreens: Get Complete Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution (12 ounce) free at Walgreens, no coupon required. Pay $7.99 at the register and receive a $7.99 Register Reward to use on your next order.

Free hair elastics

Walgreens: Pay $2 for Scunci no-damage hair elastics (18 count) at Walgreens and get a $2 Register Reward for your next order. Your net cost is zero.

89-cent Gillette razor

Walgreens: Get the Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor for 89 cents at Walgreens. On sale for $9.89, you’ll pay $5.89 at the register after using the $4 coupon from the May 1 Procter & Gamble circular. You’ll get a $5 Register Reward for …

Continue reading Coupon Mom: Free contact lens solution, toothpaste, shampoo »

Consumer expert Clark Howard’s column appears here each Thursday in conjunction with Deal Spotter, a weekly print section in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Remember the Yugo? This much-maligned vehicle made in former Yugoslavia had a base price of $3,990 in 1985 and was just about the worst car ever in the history of the automotive industry. Consumer Reports once famously said a consumer would be “better off buying a good used car than a new Yugo.”

Still, the quest for a good cheap automobile goes on. USA Today reports a new era of value vehicles will be coming to the United States with prices starting at just north of $10,000. I’m talking $10,000 for a fully equipped vehicle that’s actually fun to drive.

The 2012 Nissan Versa will be $10,990 plus destination charges. Power steering, electronic stability control, electronic power steering and radio all come standard. (Air conditioning is still optional.) Combined city/highway mileage is expected to be somewhere …

Continue reading Clark Howard: Don’t dismiss ‘value’ vehicles »

Having trouble squeezing your kids into their shorts and tank tops from last year?

Consignkidz, a consignment store for children and maternity, will hold its annual “Kickoff to summer” sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The entire store will be on sale for 50 percent off — making it a perfect time to stock up on children’s summer clothing.

Toco Hill shopping center. 2205 Lavista Road, Atlanta. 404-929-0222.

– By Lauren Davidson, Atlanta Bargain Hunter

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