October 2007 Archives
The Bargain Hunter column in the LA Daily News that has been running every Thursday is moving to Monday. So there will not be a column tomorrow, Nov 1, but I have lots of goodies for Monday's column. Thanks for being patient and sticking with me during this change!
The Budget Fashionista has some clever last minute Halloween costumes, like being the Ipod Commercial: "Cost: $0-$5, if you have the iPod. How to do it...The costume is very simple- just wear black from head to toe, add your add iPod, and bust a move." Or there's always the Devil in a Blue Dress option. "Cost: $5-$10, if you have a blue dress. How to do it: Pick up devil horns, a tail and pitchfork in the Halloween clearance section at your favorite discount department mecca, and wear them with that blue dress for a different twist on the traditional “devil” look." Check out the BF for cheap ideas on how to be leftovers, June Cleaver, the Devil Wears Prada, or Dirty Laundry.
TODAY ONLY! Avon has slashed their online makeup prices by up to 50%. Plus get free shipping on tabs of $10 or more with coupon code BEWITCHED. Beyond Color Lash Fortifying mascara is $3 (orig $7.50). Paired lip colors and moisturizers, above, are $3 (orig $6) and a Glazewear Lipstick with gloss and color combined is $4 (orig $8). 
Emery boards are 69-cents (orig $1) and precise satin lipcolors, below, are $2 (orig $8). Search all the makeup sales here.
The online upscale clothier YOOX.com has a few sale pages of items marked off up to 80%. With such deep discounts sizes are limited, although their Web site makes it easy on you by noting what sizes are left next to a thumbnail picture of the item. For most items the sale ends today, Halloween!
This Philosophy short dress, in pink size 8 or black size 6 and 8 is $99 (orig $330). 
I also like this mini-skirt in white (size 4 and 6) or redish-orange (size 2, 4 and 6) with lax pleats for $48 (orig $158). This Prada sports jacket in Army green in size 10 is $84 (orig $418). Men's sale items here. Their return policy gives you 15 days to return an item.
Sign up for the Bargain Hunter Daily Digest and get all the day's new deals and discounts emailed to you. I send it once a day. To join email me at julia.scott@dailynews.com
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Best Buy's Wednesday hot deals have some decent prices on a limited number of items. A DVD of X-Men: The Last Stand is $7.50 (orig $20). The System Mechanic 7Professional for Windows is $10 (orig $70). The Targus Blacktop Standard Notebook case in blue/black is $40 (orig $52). See all the deals here.
Get a free meal at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants on Veteran's Day Sun Nov 11 during their annual Veterans Appreciation Event. Not sure if they have a standard meal or if you get to eat lobster and steak free! Bring your VA card, VFW card, American Legion card, discharge papers, DD214, or other veterans ID to show to your server.
Visit them at 3500 West Olive Avenue in Burbank (818) 260-0505; at 111 North Los Robles in Pasadena (626) 405-0064; at Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills (310) 859-0434; at Hope and Fourth in Downtown Los Angeles (213) 629-1929; at 2101 Rosecrans Avenue in El Segundo (310) 416-1123; at 2000 Main Street in Irvine 949-756-0505; at 2791 N Main St. in Santa Ana (714) 558-1963. Find a participating restaurant near you.
My Little Pretty is not a line of jewelry I am familiar with, however the stuff on their Web site looks great, and much of it is 40% off! They are taking the brand "in a new and exciting direction" and are clearing out all their old stock. So the sale is only while supplies last. I am really tempted by these Fire Agate earrings with Sterling silver that hang down about an inch for $18 (orig $30). I also like these Gold Stone and Coral Mother of Pearl earrings for $27 (orig $45). 
Check out their bracelets here and their necklaces here. Use coupon code MLP_2007CloseOut during checkout.
You can also shop in person when they are at the Fashion Co-Op at the Santa Monica Civic Center December 7th and 8th. SMCC is at 1855 Main St. Santa Monica. Hours are Fri 8pm-11pm - VIP, Sat 10am-4pm - Gen Adm.
The Black Friday madness is starting particularly early this year, thanks in part to BFads.net, a Web site that is advance publishing what sales major retailers will be offering on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving and one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Nearly everybody has the day off (I'm one of the unlucky few :( ) so stores encourage people to jump start their holiday shopping early with sales. Shoppers can save big but they also have to deal with endless lines and mobbed stores. So far they only have the ads for Macys, Sears, Ace Hardware and Harbor Freight, but I expect many more to be coming so check back. With the lists you can compare prices and streamline your shopping waaaaaay ahead of time.
Costco recently started a trade-in program for PCs, LCD monitors, digital cameras, camcorders, game systems and MP3 players. They give you a Costco gift card for the value of the trade in. If your old crap ain't worth nothin' they will recycle it for free. Yay! I tried it with my old school 20G iPod, not that I want to trade it in, and the site estimated the value was $56. My Mac laptop, which I DO want to get rid of, apparently has a value of $40. Not exactly a downpayment on a new one. Sigh.
Check how much your old stuff is worth here.
It may already be too late to get a relatively decent price at the gas pump because prices started to creep up last week. But analysts say we should be prepared to see another bump, according to a story today in the LA Times. (Basically a weak dollar is driving the cost of crude up yada yada yada.) So fill up...10 minutes ago! LosAngelesGasPrices.com lists $3.05 at the Valero (cash only) at Sherman Way and Tampa, $2.99 at the Costco (membership required) at Sepulveda and Erwin. You can't find anything better when paying by credit card so for the rest of us, there's $3.09 at the Chevron on Woodman and Sherman Way or $3.07 at the Shell on Sherman Way and White Oak. Check the map for best prices near you, and note the time and day the price was reported. If it's not from today, it has probably already gone up.
Get a free beef taco at Taco Bell TODAY only between 2 and 5 pm. It's some promotion they are doing connected to the World Series wherein everytime a base is stolen they give away tacos. The series ended Sunday night with the Red Sox sweeping the Colorado Rockies in case you are *really* out of the loop (like me). But it doesn't matter if you even like baseball, you can still get a free taco. Read the fine print here. Find a Taco Bell near you.
Buy.com is selling the 6-DVD set of Sex in the City for $180, about $20 bucks less than the nearest competitior, plus free shipping. Amazon has it for $198, Shopping.com lists one independent seller (like on eBay) for $172 but the seller says the case is cracked. DeepDiscount.com has it for $194. Now you can watch hours and hours of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte tripping their way thru Manhattan wearing fabulous clothes and having great sex with gorgeous men. Oh, how I miss those girls.
A friendly bargain hunter who lives behind the Orange Curtain brought me a copy of the Sunday OC Register, where I found a glossy pullout ad full of color from Ulta Beauty. The deals seemed amazing, $1 off here, 50% off there! I checked the Web site's prices on a few items I buy and the dream seems to be true. Prices are very good. For ex, Ulta sells an 8-ounce container of the facial cleanser Cetaphil for $5.39, which I paid $7 for at Rite Aid. They sell a 12.6-ounce bottle of href="http://www.ulta.com/control/product/~product_id=2146071">Pantene shampoo for $3.39, which sells for $3.50 to $4 at most drugstores.
So now onto the makeup. They have two kits that seem like a great deal. For $25 you can get a Holiday Blockbuster pullout kit that includes 28 eye shadows, 12 lip colors, 4 lipsticks, 4 nail polishes, 2 lip glosses, 2 concealers, 2 pencil liners, 2 shimmer powders, applicators, and it all comes in a shiny gold or black case. Use code 90890 and get it for $20! The value, according to Ulta, is $195.
If that's just way too much makeup for you, I like the Smashbox Try Me Set for $29 (value of $98, site says). It includes a sample size foundation primer, lip closs in crystal, under eye brightener tube, a brow and eye liner palette with 10 colors, two brushes, and an instructional DVD with makeup tips.
They also have a buy 2 get one free on OPI nailpolish and L'oreal skincare OR cosmetics (but they can't be combined). Nearest store seems to be in Burbank, but a lot of the deals are online only.
Borders has a 30% off printable coupon good for members today and tomorrow, Halloween. Membership is free but you have to sign up in the store, not online. Minimum purchase of $10 required. Print the coupon. Also good at Waldenbooks and Borders Express. Find a store near you.
Caveats: not good on online purchases, gift cards, periodicals, comics, non-stock special orders, coupon books, digital downloads, Rosetta Stone® software, all electronics, including the Sony® Reader and the Zune™, and shipping.
If you still don't have a Halloween costume for your tot or yourself, don't fret. CityMommy had a great post today about a 25% off sale on EVERYTHING at buycostumes.com. Use coupon code sweep25 to get the discount. Get the costumes on Halloween with express shipping ($9 when you spend up to $60 and $6 over $60) or Oct 30 when you pay for premium shippping ($18 on any order up to $60 and $12 on all orders over $60). That *would* eat up the 25% off, but if it works for you, kudos. Discount expires Nov 2.
Get 15% off soaps at Crabtree and Evelyn when shopping online. Enter coupon code SOAP15 when checking out, below credit card info. This avocado soap sounds really creamy, but three bars are $13.6 with the coupon (orig $16). This Nadira soap is on sale for $8.50 (orig $17) and still gets your three bars. It is made of shea butter, oils of grapeseed, sweet almond and sesame. Here's a vegetable glycerin soap that is the same price ($8.50). Search all their soaps. Unclear when the sale ends.
This deal will either make you squeal with delight or groan very loudly. If you are like me your blended reaction will sound something like this: Eeeeeaaahhhoooooowwwwgrrrr$!@*. It's a great deal, but unfortunately it's also that time of year when everyone wants you to spend money on needless holiday crap. Be your own judge of where this 6-CD set of Christmas music falls on that spectrum. Graveyard mall is selling it for $6 plus there is $5 shipping on the deal of the day. Does that mean shipping goes up to the normal $7 rate tomorrow? Dunno. The set includes 100 holiday favorites from Ben E. King, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Mahalia Jackson, Jose Feliciano, Kenny Rogers, and The Fireside Singers.
Acapulco restaurants has a coupon for a $3.50 entree when you buy one at full price. Their prices are high to start with ($11 for a burrito?) but if you like going there this is a good deal. Expires Nov 23, 2007. Find a location near you.
Toy 's Us is giving away $10 off cards when you spend $75 or more until Nov 21, 2007. There are lots of caveats though. The gift card expires Dec 31, 2007 and diapers, formula, video game hardware, phone orders, or gift cards do not count towards the original $75 purchase. If you are getting a head start on your holiday shopping $75 is not hard to spend. Find a store near you.
Michael's has a 40% off coupon for one full priced item that unfortunately does not include faux Christmas trees 4 feet and taller. But they do have a lot of other holiday decorations on sale. Good thru Nov 3, 2007. Find a store near you.
Get a $10 off coupon at Sur la Table and combine that with their ongoing $5 off deal to get $15 off a purchase of $15. Wahoo! Free stuff. Use coupon code 113007 but make sure your bill equals at least $15 or it won't work. I like this honey pumpkin serving bowl that has lots of matching plates and tureens, for $25. The $5 off shows up in your shopping cart and you enter the coupon code on the same page as your credit card info (at the bottom of the page). Unclear when it expires but great deals like this do not last long! If you don't need anything think about checking an item off your Christmas list!
Free shipping on all cookware sets, knife block sets, coffee makers and espresso makers thru Dec 31, 2007. Thanks SlickDeals.
UPDATE: So many people used this coupon that Sur la Table killed it. It's not good any longer. Thanks, Earl!
There's a sWEateR sale at dELiAs, with knits starting at $24. 50. I like this button down cardigan with a little puff in the shoulders. Girly, but something you could totally wear to work and not so heavy as to over do our mild winters here in LA. It comes in all sizes in burgundy and navy and is $29.50 (orig $32.50). I also like this hoodie sweater that is great for layering, for $34.50 (orig $39.50). In blue, light blue, pink, and oatmeal. No stores in Cali so ya gotta shop online.
Unclear how long the sale lasts. Shipping is free when your tab is $75 or more until Oct 30. Otherwise shipping is based on how much you spend, for $0-$25.00 it's $5.95, for $25.01-$50.00 it's $7.95, for $50.01-$75.00 it's $9.95. Read their return policy here.
UPDATE: Get free shipping on a tab of $25 or more with coupon code DTQW25. Thanks Bargain Buddy!
Free shipping on furniture this weekend only at Overstock.com. I have been wanting to buy matching bedroom furniture or at least a nice wood bed frame for awhile. I like this dark wood modern look for $1,950 (orig $5,500). But I am a little wary of making such a big purchase online. The set includes a dresser, mirror, two nightstands and queen size bed that would allow hubby can hang his feet off the edge when sleeping (necessary). This set for $1900 (orig $3,800) is similar but the lines are even cleaner. 
The craftman mission style also has got me excited, for $3,100 (orig $3,900).
Read their return policy for general items. For bulky items like furniture their return policy is that once you sign for the delivery you pay for any return shipping charges. So you have to inspect really carefully and refuse it if it is damaged. Shipping charges are normally $100 to $700 so take your time.
Get free ground shipping on tabs of $25 and up at PetSmart (normally you have to spend $50 for free shipping) with code FALLFS. Expires Nov 7, 2007. I like this set of doggie bones and treats for $38 to $48. Or these Piggy Twists for $7 to $20 seem like they would make any pooch happy. Oink oink!
Get an extra 20% off of sale items at Espirit. Use code YAW24. This white top is super cute with bunching around the waist, shoulders and scoop neck. For $12 (orig $40) but in L only. Would go perfectly with this black pleated skirt for $18 (orig $60), in 6, 8, and 14. Lots of other cute stuff, but limited sizes so check before you get your heart set. 
And shoes, how could I forget the shoes? There is only one pair but it is fab.
The blog Free Money Finance has an interesting take on a Newsweek article about whether money can buy happiness, to which my reponse is: Ditto. The post goes: "Here's round 372 (or at least it feels that way) of the "does money buy happiness?" debate. I don't think I've ever seen anything reliable that says the more money you have, the happier you are. But I have seen studies saying that the more money you have up to a point, the happier you are. After that, more money doesn't bring more happiness. This article from Newsweek details this money/happiness relationship:
Wealth increases human happiness when it lifts people out of abject poverty and into the middle class but that it does little to increase happiness thereafter.
That's at the beginning of the piece. Throughout the rest of the article, Newsweek argues that there is no relationship between money and happiness. I'll let you read through their various arguments yourself, but the title of the piece is "Why Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness," so you can guess where they end up.
I'm with the former idea myself. I think money does make people happier up to a point and after that, it doesn't do much to make them any happier. What's your take on the issue?"
If I have any uber-rich readers out there, do you think you are happier than your less moneyed friends and relatives? Certainly plenty of folks think having more money would solve a lot of their problems. But does it make you happy and truly satisfied with life? Sometimes the only that can bring that is a good pillow fight. Just kidding (sorta).
Get an extra 20% off at the Children's Place with this printable coupon. If you shop online use coupon code %20CLUBEAGML98A7. Expires Halloween. Shipping is $5. Find a store near you.
Road Runner Sports is having a big sale on running shoes and apparrel. These men's Addidas Supernova Control 9 sneaks are $70 (orig $90). Don't fall for the VIP prices, though. You have to pay $40 to join the VIP club, so unless you buy an awful lot of tennies it probably does not make sense. Plenty of women's apparel and running shoes on sale too. Sale ends Oct 29, 2007.
The home improvement store Lowe's is giving a $10 gift card (good towards any purchase of $25 or more) when you sign up on their site. Requires name, address, dob, ph number, and email, but opting in for news of their sales is optional and you can always fudge some of the other numbers. I use my work address so junk mail doesn't drown me at home. Find a Lowe's near you.
Urban Outfitters is having an online sale with everything already marked down is an additional 15% off thru Sun, Oct 28. A lot of really cute dresses, cotton tops, T-shirts, and nighties and bras are marked down. I haven't shopped at Urban Outfitters in a long time, but now I'm reminded how girly and fun their clothes are. Men's clothes are on sale too.
I like this black Kimono dress with a attention-getting white belt for $34 (orig $58). This black and white Houndstooth tank is $13 (orig $25) and is perfect for going out for a drink. I also love this Little Miss Sunshine T-shirt (large only) for $17 (orig $28). The 15% off discount does not show up until you put something in the cart.
The United Colors of Benetton at the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park is going out of business and everything is 30% off. A few items at the back right of the store are 50% off, including a beautiful refined wool coat in grey for $130 (orig $260). Very stylish with a belt and smooth lines. An Armani lookalike, the saleswoman said. I couldn't resist two chenile knit scarves, one in red hues for my sister and another in light blue hues for a good friend, for $27 each (orig $39).
They are in the corridor on the western most side of the mall that runs north south, across from the old Crate and Barrel store. Park near Sears. The Topanga mall is at 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Under G's Lingerie is having a sale on bras, slinky sleepwear, and kids clothes, which they also sell (interesting combo). Much of the store is 30% to 50% off until tomorrow. A white nighty with red and pink hearts was $33, a green terry dress for a lil tot was $41, and a black bra with red polka dots was $53. A ton of kids clothes are 50% off. For lingerie they carry Cosabella, Elle MacPherson, Le Mystere, Ritratti, Woldford, and Lise Charmel.
Visit them at the Westfield Topanga mall, 6600 Topanga Canyon. They are right next to Nordstrom's kind of hidden behind the escalator. (818) 716-1218. They also have a store in Beverly Hills at 417-419 Bedford Dr, but I don't know if the sale is also happening there. (310) 273-9333.
Buy.com has Kensington noise canceling headphones for $17.34 after a $10 mail-in rebate. Free shipping! That's much below the $60 list price. These won't last so don't delay if you are interested. They are $35 at Target and $30 at Amazon.
Reviews are very positive.
The North Holly wood resale boutique Lucky You is having a 40% off sale this Thursday from 5 to 9 only. There will also be wine and treats, according to BargainsLA. The store sells used clothes with many name brands, I'm told.
Visit them at 12441 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA. (818) 985-1115.
UPDATE: this coupon has expired, unfortunately.
When 20% off just isn't good enough at Linens -n- Things, get 25% off with coupon code FFOCT07. It's good on online purchases until Nov 28, 2007. Normally competitor Bed Bath and Beyond will accept LNT coupons, but since this is an online code I doubt it will work. This Calphalon turkey roasting pan is $30 (orig $40), and DOES NOT come with a lid (the chili pot does, though) and is non stick for easy cleaning. After the coupon it's $22.50.
Get 25% off at Borders with this printable coupon, good thru Oct. 28, 2007. You have to be a member of Borders Rewards, which is free to join. Gotta join in Borders or Waldenbooks stores, not online. Perhaps you will join and use the coupon to buy Steve Martin's new children's book "The Alphabet From A to Y, With Bonus Letter Z," illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast. The story behind Martin's book is here.
Find a store near you.
Caveats: Not good on online purchases, gift cards, periodicals, comics, non-stock special orders, all electronics, including the Sony® Reader and the Zune™, Rosetta Stone®, coupon books, digital downloads, eBooks, and shipping.
DSW is having a big boot sale, with some up to 50% off. Unclear how long the sale lasts. Their Web site sucks - it doesn't allow you to look at the shoes they have in stores or shop online. You'll just have to go in person. FInd a store near you.