Friday, January 28, 2011

Retail Bootcamp: Save Money by Creating a Gift Giving Budget

Retail Bootcamp is a new series that will teach you step-by-step basics to saving money on Retail for yourself, home, gifts, holidays, etc... and will show you opportunities to Pay it Forward. 
  


Do you often find yourself strapped for money whenever you have an occassion that requires a gift? Believe me, we've all been there. In this next Retail Bootcamp article we'll be talking about creating a Gift Giving Budget to help you save money down the road.


(Courtesy of knabe.com)

1) Just do it. Sit down and make a Gift Giving Budget. Plan ahead for all your Birthdays and Holidays. If you take a few minutes now, when an occasion arrives, you're not caught off guard. My husband and I take part of our tax refund each year and set it aside for Christmas. Now I can rest easy because we've planned ahead. And I can use that money to get great deals throughout the year).


2) Use Cash. Cash is powerful! It's also easier to keep track of what you spend. Plus, you're more likely to spend 10-15% more if you use a Credit/Debit Card.

3) Start a Gift Giving envelope. We're big Dave Ramsey fans (creator of Financial Peace University). He advocates an envelope system. Each pay period/month, put a set amount of money in your Gift Giving Envelope. When you get a bonus or extra money, add to your envelope. This will help you from over spending on your Gifts. It's also important to keep track of what you spend.

4) Start a Gift Reserve or Stockpile. When you find great deals at rock bottom prices that will make perfect gifts, and you already have the money set aside, buy it! Create a gift box or bag in a closet, under the bed, etc... for all these gifts. Then you can go "shopping" from your own stockpile while saving time, money AND gas.

5) Don't shop last minute. You'll spend more money than you had intended.


6) If it's not in the budget, DON'T buy it. A hot deal is NOT a hot deal if you can't afford it, no matter how big the discount. Use discretion and stay on track with your budget.


CHALLENGE
Your challenge for this week, is to set aside some money for your Gift Giving. Even if it's only $5-$10. Put it an envelope and keep track of what you spend. Add to your Envelope each pay period or when you're able to stash away some extra money. If you're unable to start an envelope, create a glass jar and start putting your change there. You'll be surprised how fast it grows.


REMINDER
Check back every Thursday afternoon for our Retail Round Up, which is a huge list of printable mall and store coupons you'll need for your weekend shopping!



Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Gap 30% Off Sale Items + Free Shipping Offer Exp 1/30


Use Coupon Code GAPSALE30 to get an extra 30% off Sale items at Gap. This offer expires 1/30. Shipping is also Free on orders over $50.

This Tiered Tulle Top would be only $5.59 (Reg $19.95).




Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Party Cake Plate for $16.99 (Reg $45 ) + Extra $10 off $30 Exp 1/31

Hosting a party soon? This Party Cake Plate from tag for Birthday Parties on Zulily is on sale for $16.99 (Reg $45). It can be used as a cake plate or it can hold ice cream cones or cupcakes. Offer expires 2/1 at 6 am PST.

Plus you can get an extra $10 off a $30 purchase from Zulily with Coupon Code BABIES10 Exp 1/31 (Thanks Money Saving Mom). Zulily is a Daily Deals site for Moms and Kids.


Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Sign Up with KGB Deals for Daily Deals on Spas, Restaurants + More


Get 50-90% Off Spas, Restaurants, Events & More In Your City! Click Here

Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Kohl's Extra 20% Off Friday & Saturday Only - Cupcake Cookbook for $4 Exp 1/29

Friday and Saturday only, you can get 20% off your online purchase with Coupon Code WINTERSHOP at Kohl's Exp 1/29. Shipping is Free on $75+ orders.

I found this Kohl's Cares® "Crazy About Cupcakes" Cookbook by Krystina Castella  on sale. It would be only $4 after discount.

Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Old Navy Item of the Week - Women's Women's Ruffle-Trim Slub-Knit Henleys $12.50 (Reg $16.50) + Extra 20% Off Exp 2/3

Old Navy's Item of the Week...
Women's Ruffle-Trim Slub-Knit Henleys

(Click on "Stores & More" on the Top Right Hand Header Bar)

$12.50 (Reg $16.50)
They come in 12 different colors/styles.
In-store & Online January 28th - February 3rd

Sometimes the Item of the Week is only available in-store, but this week you can also get it online. Plus take an extra 20% off your order with Coupon Code ONGET20 Exp 1/31. Shipping is Free on orders over $50.

  • If you're shopping in-store, visit Old Navy's Barker's Bones Coupon Hunt on Facebook for In-Store Coupons (i.e. $10 off $50). The coupons are reset every Thursday night.
  • Click here to sign up for Old Navy's email offers (bottom of the page).

Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Crocs Kids' Athens for $9.99 (Reg $24.99) + Lily II for $19.99 (Reg $39.99) + Free Shipping

Check out the great deals in the Croc's Outlet.
These Kids' Athens in Size 3 are only $9.99 (Reg $29.99).
Use Coupon Code FALLSHIP for Free Shipping.

Plus the Croc's Deal of the Week is their Lily II 
for only $19.99 (Reg $39.99).

Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Old Navy Up to 90% Off Clearance + 30% Off Store wide Exp 1/30

Old Navy has 30% off store wide (excluding Jeans) this weekend January 28th -30th in-store only. Plus their Clearance is marked down up to 90% off.

Make sure you to to Old Navy's Coupon Hunt on Facebook for In-Store Coupons (i.e. $10 off $50). The coupons are reset every Thursday night.

Click here to sign up for Old Navy's email offers (bottom of the page).



Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Sears Extra 20% Off Clothes Clearance + Free Site-to-Store Shipping Expires Today 1/28

Today only, you can get an additional 20% off Clothes Clearance from Sears with Coupon Code SEARSTWENTY Exp 1/28.

This Dockers Regular Black Boy's 4-7 Short Sleeve Uniform Polo would be only $2.79 after discount (Reg $16.50).

  • Get $5 off $50 with Coupon Code SEARS5OFF50 Exp 1/31/11
  • You can also get FREE Shipping at Sears. Some items indicate they are available for store pick up. Buy  online, wait for your confirmation email and then go to your local Sears store to pick up your item at the curb. They guarantee it will be ready in 5 minutes or they'll give you a $5 store coupon.
Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Pay $15 for a $30 Gift Card from Shoebuy.com + Free Shipping

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Marc Jacobs, Steve Madden, BCBG, just pay $15 for a $30 gift card and Free Shipping on footwear at Shoebuy.com. 
  • Choose from a selection of over 1,100 brands of shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories
  • Top-name brands include Bandolino, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and Steve Madden
  • Shoebuy.com offers Free Shipping both ways
You may purchase 1 "Save". One coupon code per purchase. Go here to get your shoes.

Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Sears Hot Deal Today Only: Thomas Water Tower Figure Set & 3 Pc Luggage Set + Extra $5 off $50


Check out these Hot Deals that are good today only, January 28th from Sears.
  • Get $5 off $50 with Coupon Code SEARS5OFF50 Exp 1/31/11
  • You can also get FREE Shipping at Sears. Some items indicate they are available for store pick up. Buy  online, wait for your confirmation email and then go to your local Sears store to pick up your item at the curb. They guarantee it will be ready in 5 minutes or they'll give you a $5 store coupon.
Don’t want to miss a single deal? Go here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

Target Daily Deals January 28th + FREE Shipping + 3% Back

Target Daily Deals for January 28th, 2011!


Burt's Bees Classic Lip Stash - 4 Pack
$5.99 (Reg $9.99)
 
 
California Baby SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
$12 (Reg $21.99)


Use Coupon Code H6GUONV5 for an extra $5 off $50.

Here's how you can save even more on Target Daily Deals:
  1. Go  to Ebates, which is a Cash Back program. (Click here to learn more about Ebates.) You'll get $5 for just signing up.
  2. Search for Target on  Ebates. Click on Target and then shop as you normally would.
  3. Search for the Daily Deal you want to purchase.
  4. You'll earn 3% back on every purchase. That amount will accumulate with Ebates and they'll send you a check! It's that easy.
Don’t want to miss a single deal? Click here to get Hot Deals sent directly to your Inbox! Thanks for joining Your Retail Helper, part of the Helping the Mommas network.

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