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Get $7 flat shipping when you shop at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Piperlime online. The stores, which are owned by the same company, recently combined their Web sites so that when you shop at their online stores all your purchases go into one checkout cart. Shipping is $7 even if you buy from more than one of them.

Everything is shipped in one box, except for Piperlime items. Returns are free but read up on each store's return policy for details.

If you only buy stuff from Piperlime your shipping is free. $7 is a little more than you will see elsewhere, but the idea of a flat shipping rate is appealing because going into it you know your costs. And it is definitely cheaper than buying individually from each store.

Here's a tip that just about made me pee in my cheap ass pants. If you are shopping in a store and want to check the price of an item you are considering buying, text Google. The little elves at the behemoth Internet company will text you back what other retailers are selling the item for.

Send a text to 466453 (I still can't get over texting to a short number like that - shouldn't it be seven or ten digits, like a phone number?) with the word "price" and the item name. If you don't know how to text, learn.

I tested the number with "price Gap trouser" and got back two messages within 30 seconds. The good news is a lot of other folks are selling Gap pants for $10, which is a lot less than the $49.50 Gap is selling them for.

The bad news is the texts had insufficient information about where these alternative retailers are. They were identified only by name - fashionboulevard - without any address, city, Web site or phone number. Googling "fashion boulevard" led me to a site that sells clothes for adult dolls. None of the other retailers were mainstream enough that I recognized their names.

I tried it again and tacked my zip code on to the end of the message. No luck. My Google elf did not understand 91367 was my location and said my search did not return any product results. Oh well, I guess nobody is perfect, and that includes Google too. Perhaps the company is not quite ready to take over the world.

Note: there is a ton of other info you can get by texting Google, including weather, stock quotes, and movie times.

PlasticJungle.com is a site that lets you buy, sell, or trade unwanted gift cards - but watch out, they charge a 10% transaction fee when you sell or trade a card. Listing a card is free. On the other hand, the site guarantees the value of every card bought on the site.

"...any person who receives a card that is invalid or less than the amount indicated will be reimbursed by Plastic Jungle. The new policy takes effect immediately and applies to all gift cards posted on www.plasticjungle.com," the site says.

You can search for a card by merchant, discount, amount or store type. The site did not have any cards for Anthropologie, one of my favorite stores, but had five for Macy's. For each card for sale, the site lists its value, sale price, and percentage discount.

A note to sellers, most of the gift cards are sold for less than their value and you lose 10% of the sale price to Plastic Jungle. You may want to try Craigslist first.

Get 20% off full priced items and get free shipping when you order $150 or more at Ann Taylor. Deal lasts until July 31. Use code 104025007 when checking out. If your order has sale or clearance items but totals $150 or more, get free shipping with code FREESHIP, which expires July 31.

At Ann Taylor Loft get 20% off any full price item and get free shipping on orders over $100. Use code 104016307 during checkout. Good until July 31.

Before the discount, a black dress with a solid red band, above, with two buttons is $148 at Ann Taylor. A white blouse with black buttons and a slim belt high-waisted belt is $44 at Ann Taylor Loft.

Get 99-cent shipping on clearance items at Macys now until Sunday, July 20. Eligible items are marked as such after you click on them. Use promo code 99CENTS when checking out.

Clearance items fall in many categories - clothing, shoes, housewares, jewelry, bedding and more. Make sure to stay on the clearance pages if you want the cheap shipping.

A Giani Bernini tobacco satchel, above, is $56 (orig $75) and has 99-cent shipping. Hand-painted square ceramic dinner plates are $4.50 each (orig $10) and qualify for 99-cent shipping.

Caveats: Good for shipping to one address. Alaska, Hawaii, US Territories or APO/FPO addresses excluded. Discount does not apply to Coach, area rugs, furniture, mattresses, gift cards, purchases on macysweddingchannel.com, purchases in Macy's stores or prior purchases. Big or heavy items may have a shipping surcharge.

Rumor Summer Sale
Up and coming designers of fashion-forward styles at 30 to 70% off
Thursday to Sunday 10 to 7
13325 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. (818) 981-4762‎

Sassy Chics (children's) anniversary sale
Get 25% off all clothing with code 25OFF through July 20
PPB Bags and Lipstik backpacks are excluded
Online only at SassyChics.com

Meghan Fabulous Blowout Sample Sale,
Sun dresses and tops priced 50 to 80 percent off, plus a $20 rack for bargainistas
Friday 10 to 6, Saturday and Sunday 10 to 4
Cash and credit card only.
1406 S. Main St. downtown Los Angeles. (213) 747-8890
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Foley + Corinna Sample Sale
Get up to 75 percent off summer samples and overstock
Saturday 11 to 7 and Sunday 12 to 5
8117 Melrose Ave in West Hollywood. (323) 944-0169

Feature Boutique Summer Sale
Current season up to 50% off starting today
Thursday and Friday 10:30 to 6:30 and Saturday 11 to 6
11958 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood. (310) 826-6600

Saylor Boutique Summer Sale
Designer collections up to 70% off
Monday through Saturday 10 to 6 and Sunday noon to 5
912 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. (310) 434-9274

Hillary Rush Summer Sale
Get 30 to 75% off jeans, shoes, and clothing
Monday through Saturday 11 to 7 and Sunday noon to 5
8222 W. Third St. in Los Angeles. (323) 852-0088

Sienna End-of-Season Sale
Fashion-forward pieces up to 50 percent off
Monday through Friday 11 to 6 and Saturday 11 to 7
8908 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. (310) 550-8355‎

Just how desperate are retailers are in this depressing economy? Very, if Kmart's decision to offer steep discounts to night owl shoppers is any indication.

Kmart is offering between 5% and 10% off to shoppers who make purchases online starting tonight at 6pm and going until 6am the morning of Thursday, July 17. Get your credit card ready and your coffee brewing!

During the 12-hour sale buyers get an extra 5% off regular and sale priced TV's, digital cameras and camcorders. And they get 10% off all other electronics, including video games, hardware, iPods, Zunes and computers. All power lawn equipment is 10 % off and shipping is free on fitness and sports orders over $115. Clothing orders over $69 get free shipping.

Red-eyed shopping is usually only seen during the holiday buying spree post-Thanksgiving. Let's hope this trend does not become common place. I need my zzzzs!

Get up to 60% off at Coldwater Creek now until Thursday, July 24. Online only. No code needed.

A yellow collared shirt with a tie in front is $41 (orig $70) and also comes in white. A summery white dress with embroidery at the hem and a creamy brown ruched bust, above, is $49 (orig $100).

Search by size to narrow the options down.

Caveats: cannot be combined with other discounts or applied to gift cards or past purchases. Not valid on purchases from the catalog, stores, outlets or their spa.

Get free shipping on an order of $150 or more at Ann Taylor until July 31. Use code FREESHIP when checking out.

$150 may sound like a lot, but it adds up quick at Ann Taylor. That's why I always check the sale pages first. A simple white work top is $20 (orig $58) and comes in sizes 10, 12, and 14. A tissue linen skirt with broad partial-pleats, above, is $40 (orig $78) and comes in a large range of sizes.

Ann Taylor also has a discount when you buy multiple tops. Get 30% when you buy two or 40% off when you buy three.

Caveats: free shipping code is not valid on gift cards, past purchases, purchases sent to multiple destinations, or for shipping to AK, HI, or PR.

Tick tock tick tock. The Nordstrom's semi-annual sale is almost here. It starts Friday, July 18 and ends Sunday, August 3. The sale is online and in stores.

Preview the sale here. Many pairs of shoes are 20% to 30% off, including a pair of slip-on Privo walking shoes for $59.90 (orig $89.90). A Halogen print dress in creme, tan and black is $89.90 (orig $139). Many more clothes, handbags, jewelry and makeup are on sale.

Use your Nordstrom card July 18 to 20 and get double rewards. Find a Nordstrom near you.

Get $5 flat rate shipping on purchases up to $150 at JCPenney now through Monday, July 14, 2008.

The department store is currently having a big sale through Saturday. Arizona tops and jeans for juniors and young men are 50% off. Many Arizona tops for girls and jeans of various brands are marked down. Levi's 514, 505, 527, 569, and 550's are $35 (orig $44 to $48). All young men's shorts and swimwear are 60% off. The sale continues in home, shoes, dorm, women's, men's, intimates and luggage.

Caveats: $5 flat rate excludes shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Certain purchases do not qualify, including truck or express deliveries, orders using the shop from our catalogs feature, telephone orders, Sephora.com, Teleflora, Jodee Catalog, prior purchases, or orders currently being processed.

Find a JCPenney near you. Sales may differ my area. View your local ad online to check prices.

Swimsuits everywhere are going on sale and it's only July! Nordstrom has many suits heavily marked down, including a red striped BCBG Max Azria two piece. Each piece is $22 (orig $74 each).

Old Navy has many discounted swim suits, mostly two pieces, for $8 to $13 (orig. $16.50 to $24.50 per piece). I liked this metallic stripe two-piece with a halter top, above, for $12.25 (orig $24.50). Try using coupon code EXTRA20, which is supposed to shave 20% off clearance items. Will it work for sale items? I hope so.

Eddie Bauer has many modest suits on sale, but most of them start above $100 so sale prices range from $70 and up. A black one-piece with spaghetti straps and a fetching white horizontal strap across the bust is $99 (orig $126).

The suits at H&M are not on sale but are priced very low to bring with, between $10 to $16 per piece.

Get free shipping at JC Penney when you buy at least $49 online. Use code STARS at checkout. Unclear if the code is case sensitive. Expires July 7, 2008. Outlet items *are* eligible for free shipping.

Select swimsuits are 30 to 50% off. The JC Penney online outlet has many items 30 to 70% off. You can also search certain sale items - wide shoes for men and women, lingerie and kids - by size.

TopButton.com is all about high fashion, which often means high prices. But the site highlights sample sales and other special events where designer threads are slightly more affordable for regular folks like me and you.

The shopping events tab from their home page lists sales inLos Angeles, New York and San Fran.

For LA, the site lists a Beverly Hills liquidation sale for very high end handbags like Gucci and Prada. Cash only. Oh my.

You can also search for sales by zip code and type of sale. Most of the listings are for sales that have already started.

The Valley Village thrift store Lucky You Resale wants to help you clean out your closet. They are buying jewelry, silver and summery clothes bought within the last two years that are in good condition.

Bring your threads to their store or make an appointment for them to come to your house. House visits cost $50 an hour but you get a $50 store credit when you sell them at least that much. They schedule appointments before 10am or after 6pm everyday and all day Friday. Make it a quick visit by laying out all the clothes you are offering.

They pay about a third of what they will sell it for, says co-owner Gina. In the store jeans run $10 to $35, tank tops are $5 or $6 and better brand tops go up to about $15. They also sell shoes, purses, jewelery, belts and new samples of om girl yoga wear. "We don't have any thing really, really expensive," Gina said. "There's probably nothing over $50." That totally sounds like my kind of store!

Visit them at 12441 Magnolia Blvd. in Valley Village just east of Whitsett Ave. (818) 985-1115. The store is open Monday to Saturday 10 to 6 and Sunday from 12 to 4. Returns are accepted within five days with tags and receipt. Thanks, Jen!

A Kate Spade sale has handbags, shoes, accessories and more marked down by up to 50%.

A blue and white striped Chattanooga Jocelyn bag with a big red handle, above, is $131 (orig $175). The accessories on sale also include a number of clutches and wallet items.

The sale shoe page has a pair of strappy medium-high heels in black or platinum for $119 (orig $325). They are an extra 25% off once you add them to your cart.

Baby items, luggage, home goods, and paper are also on sale. Unclear how long the sale lasts. Some shoe sizes/colors are limited.

Oxnard welcomes a new thrift store to town this Saturday, June 28. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charity comprised of members who seek personal holiness through works of charity, is opening the store to help out folks during the downturn.

An opening ceremony begins at 10 am Saturday, followed by music and giveaways at noon. They are accepting donations of usable appliances, furniture, computers and clothing. Donations are tax deductible.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday 9 to 7 and Sunday from 9 to 6. The store is already open. Visit them at 1258 Saviers Rd. in Oxnard. (805) 487-1500

Get $15 off a $30 purchase or $30 off a $75 purchase at Express and Express Men now through Sunday, June 29. Print the coupon here.

In stores only. Their Web site does not sell their clothes but you can look at their current styles.

I found a really good pair of jeans at Express that cost about $35 a few months ago. They look and fit just like fancy denim and were marked down almost 40%. The trick with Express is to wait for a sale or good coupon (like the one above) because the starting prices can be high.

Caveats: One coupon per customer. Gotta have a printout of the original coupon. Not valid on redlined merchandise, previous purchases or with other offers. Copies of coupon will not be accepted.

Sign up for their e-mail list and you will get a coupon for 15% off. Find an Express near you.

BargainsLA raves about discounted designer clothes available at the Warehouse Sale this weekend at the LA Convention Center. Downside is it costs $15 to get into the sale the first day if you RSVP. It is free on the second day of the sale if you RSVP.

"Designer Jeans are here at $49.99 to $119.99, that originally sold for $150 to $450, " according to BargainsLA. "Designer dresses are here at $69.99, instead of the original pricing of $200-$500. Sought after tees are just $14.99 to $29.99, that originally were priced at $35-$150."

The sale is Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4. If you do not RSVP Saturday it costs $25 at the door and Sunday it costs $5. Cash and credit cards only.

The Los Angeles Convention Center is at 1201 S. Figueroa St., Petree Hall in Los Angeles. Parking is in West Hall for $12.

Get up to 75% off fancy lingerie at Faire Frou Frou during their summer sale, which starts this Saturday. I visited the Studio City store months ago and never had so much fun looking at lingerie. Frilly bras on satin hangers, delicate underoos that would always deliver, and plenty of cute, everyday under clothes.

Of course, it was all really expensive, but really beautiful too. If your budget allows, or if you think you can keep sale blinders on, check it out. They carry upscale brands like Carine Gilson, Vannina Vesperini, Fleur T, and La Perla.

The sale goes through August but it's likely the best deals will be snatched up early. Visit them at 13017A Ventura Blvd. in Studio City. Hours are Monday to Friday 10 to 6 and Saturday from 11 to 5:30.

Buying clothing online seems like such a risk - you don't know if something fits you until it arrives in the mail (not to mention the hassle and cost of returning it).

Now there's a Web site that may change all that. MyShape.com aims to show you just the clothing that fits your body and style preferences. Using the site requires a lengthy registration (I'm talking 15 precious minutes, here) during which it asks about your style, if you like to show cleavage, how old you dress, how much you typically spend on an outfit, what fabrics you like and dislike, and more.

You also have to enter about two dozen body measurements, including one that requires you to thread the tape measurer between your legs and check the inch count from the middle of your back to the middle of your stomach. Who knows why that is useful?!

Once you do all that MyShape shows you two sets of clothes in your "personal shop." The first is supposed to fit your body and match your style and color preferences. The second fits your parameters, but a bit more loosely. You can also shop their "all shapes" store.

I liked a few things from the pages of clothing it showed me, including this linen safari jacket for $68. And I also liked a stretch-cotton cropped pants - aside from the price ($98). A lot of the tops were too floral and girly but many others appealed to me.

The prices, however, were way too high. I don't think I saw one thing under $50. When taking the initial survey I said I spend between $100 to $200 on an entire outfit (not including the shoes.) I think I will go back and change that to under $100. Maybe then shopping online will be easier than doing it the old fashioned way.

This sounds like a great coupon until you read all the exceptions. But I'm posting it because it still applies to summer clothing, lawn and garden tools and home fashions at Sears so some readers may find it useful. Print the $5 off $30 coupon here. Read the fine print for all the caveats because there are a lot of them.

The above link also has a coupon for 10% off regular priced appliances. Both expire January 31, 2009. Find a Sears near you.

Get 20% off your entire purchase any one day from today to Wednesday, June 25, at Loehmann's. Print the coupon here. If the link does not work go to their home page and click on the "this week" link. The coupon should be under Tuesday.

Caveats: not valid on swim wear, prior purchases, or gift cards. Cannot be combined with Insider Rewards or Insider Points. One per customer. All sales are final.

The Reseda store is currently having a semi-annual sample sale with spring and summer shoes marked down 40% to 50% and certain handbags discounted 30% to 50%, according to a postcard I received from the store.

Find a Loehmann's near you.

Get 20% off at J.Crew when you spend $175 or more online. Use coupon code PRIVATE. Expires Wednesday June 18, 2008.

I think this Deco-dot Zoey dress, above, is super cute and versatile. Perfect for the office, a summer party, or casual wedding. The loose cut will keep you cool and be forgiving. It is $70 (orig $88) but unfortunately not all colors are available in every size.

A bunched V-neck tissue T-shirt is $35 (orig $44) and comes in a fabulous mandarin color. If the $175 benchmark is too high try shopping with a sister or friend!

Caveats: I'm not sure if the coupon works on sale items.

If you need a beach tote or casual bag for the summer you are in luck. Target has dozens of great bags for $10. One of my favorites is a white tote decorated with the sparest features of a pretty lady, above.

A crocheted bag made of straw and polyester liner comes in a few different earthy shades. A linen hobo with orange and tan stripes is subtle yet festive. A yellow bicycle climbs up the side of a tan bag.

Search all Target's beach bags.

First it was trendy to have Crocs. Then the faux-plastic shoes got so popular that it was almost embarrassing to be a late adopter. But the brand apparently has staying power and some cute new pairs, which makes, in my opinion, the original design somewhat of a classic.

You can pick a pair of women's Mambaz Crocs, above, for $10 at DSW. The colors are drab - navy, black, tan, faded pink and light green - except for the hot pink pair. They are comfy and great for the beach.

Caveats: I'm not sure if this is the exact original design that made Crocs famous, but it is pretty darn close.

DSW members get free shipping on any order through June 25, 2008. Use promo code MEMSHP when checking out.

Get a $75 Shell gas card when you buy $100 worth of Dockers clothes and accessories at Sears by June 15, 2008. A mail-in rebate form is required to get the gas card. The card takes about six weeks to come so by then it will likely buy fewer gallons, but I'm not complaining.

This offer could make a decent Father's Day gift if you promise to throw in the gas card. (How many men get excited about clothes? I know only one, and guess what, it's not Hubby.)

Caveats: shoes do not count towards the $100. Purchase must be made by June 15, 2008 and rebate form mailed in with original receipt by June 28, 2008. Find a Sears near you.

Regular priced clothes in the misses section are marked down at Fashion Bug. Get 40% off capris and 30% off shorts, tops, and swim suits until June 21. Bras are buy two get two free and panties are buy three get three free. The sale is in stores until June 24.

A pair of lightweight capris with ties at the knees are $20 (orig $32). Many two pieces swim suits are $19 each piece, not a fantastic price but not bad, either. A white bikini top with green and blue polka dots is $19 and has a matching blue bottom with white and green polka dots, above.

Caveats: excludes Priced Just Right items. Valid on in-stock merchandise only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Additional exclusions may apply.

Not sure if this code works in combination, but you can get $10 off a purchase of $60 or more through June 29 with code 776208506. Online only.

This sale isn't until next week but I wanted to let you know about it now. Bloomingdale's is having a secret sale Tuesday June 10 to Thursday June 12 on so much stuff they sent me a little booklet!

Warning, a lot of the discounts are for bulk purchases so shop with a friend! Select regular priced swimwear and coverups are 30% off and certain regular priced handbags are 15% to 40% off. Shoes are 20% off when you buy two pairs and 30% off when you buy three or more pairs. Sale shoes are an extra 20% off.

A collection of already reduced fine jewelry is 15% off, excluding designer jewelry and fine watches. A "large selection" of regular priced kids clothing is 25% off, and much of the men's clothing department is 15% to 30% off depending on how much you spend.

Linens for the home are 15% off when you spend more than $100 and all table linens are 20% off. A selection of...

Get 20% off a purchase of $100 or more at Ann Taylor Loft now through July 6, 2008. Shipping is free on tabs over $100. Use code 86200046 during checkout.

Dresses and skirts are 30% off this week only. A blue stretch knit dress with a V-neck and clever draped knot that melts into the skirt, above, is $50 (orig $69). The site also has a page just for summer work outfits. Their swim collection is tres cute, but not cheap.

Caveats: purchase of gift cards, taxes, shipping, and gift boxes do not count towards $100. Not valid at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory or AnnTaylor.com. Code can only be used once.
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Here's a deal that will please your heart and your wallet. SilverJewelryClub.com is a site where a Los Angeles jewelry maker sells earrings, necklaces and rings for free. All you pay is the $7 shipping and handling. They say the jewelry features real gemstones and normally sells for $50 to $80.

The pieces are Sterling Silver (92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other alloys, where other alloys mean nickel, copper, aluminum, etc), according to their FAQ. They also give their jewelry a Rhodium coating.

The site does have a few tricks, however. Only four items are available to choose from at a time and you can only order one at a time. Sales are final and you cannot change your order after submitting it. Each item is only on the site for 15 minutes. You can look ahead at what is coming up and get an email when that items is on sale. A recent item included a blue Topaz pendant, above.

I'm guessing the pieces are overstock, seconds, or were used as models. They only sell online but if you are curious their factory is at 510 W. 6th Street, Suite 910 in Los Angeles.

Thanks, Carol!

American Apparel has a newish concept called California Vintage that features "hand-picked vintage clothing from the 1950's through the 1990's alongside American Apparel pieces that you might not find at our regular stores," their site says.

The new store is in in Echo Park but they also have an eBay store, where many bold dresses and tops have not been bid above $20. A few items are for sale on their home page.

A peach mini-dress with a pleated skirt, thin belt, and broad collar is currently bidding for $36. A black and white dress with a thick black belt, above, is stylish without being hard to pull off. It is bidding for $15.50.

Visit the Echo Park store at 2111 West Sunset Blvd. Hours are Mon to Sat 11 to 9 and Sun from 11 to 8.