Cool Mommy Product Reviews

STOCKING STUFFERS!

You’re always looking for those last minute stocking stuffers, and today we have some really good places to find them! Start out with Target, because they have some really good sales on those last minute knickknacks. Some of their sales include items for the whole family, such as gifts for him, her, a teen girl or boy, a little girl or boy, a baby and even for couples.

Drugstore.com is having some great sales this week on stocking stuffers. You can get a variety of gifts for under $5. They have a great selection and have almost everything you need for the holidays! Hair, makeup and accessories, personal care, green and natural products, etc. All these things could be yours if you shop at the one stop drugstore.com. Pick up a gift certificate for Drugstore.com and let your family or friends enjoy the ongoing sale prices which are extended till after Christmas!

Some great ideas for stocking stuffers could be found anywhere around your town! Paperback books, socks, energy bars, gift certificates, small soaps, etc are all extremely easy things to get for a teen or young adult. Some useful items to get for others are things like gloves, ice-scrapers, de-icers, hair ties, and office/school supplies. Check out Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and Staples hot sales offerings for many of these items. Never neglect the possibility of Dollar Tree or Dollar General’s fare as well for stocking stuffer mania!

Introduction

If you are one of those consummate late shoppers (or simply want to take part in some last minute savings) there are many great deals being offered by retailers this week. Since Christmas is a mere four days away, these sales are continually changing. Some of the best deals aren’t on the items themselves, but rather on shipping costs. Most retailers this week are offering free upgrade shipping. This really does save a bundle. (At least $10 on many standard ship orders).

Unlike many years, though, I’ve noticed few retailers selling out of items. This will likely mean excellent post-holiday savings as well. As with all online purchases, use your Ebates account for super holiday cashback bonuses. And pay with your rewards credit card. If you can use both of these options, you will save up to another 12-15% depending on the retailer.

Here are today’s picks-

The Body Shop- “Last Call for Free Upgrade Shipping.” Order by 9 a.m. EST, Tuesday and you’ll get free upgraded shipping. Plus 30% off all gift sets and holiday items.

Drugstore.com- Order today by 3 p.m., get your items cheapest all week (3 day delivery). There is no “free upgrade” shipping here, BUT a better option is to buy an e-gift card to their sister store, Beauty.com. You’ll give more “bang” for your buck.

Edible Arrangements- Use offer code INET1224 to get $3 off any order and have an item produced for family or friends that’s beyond the ordinary. In case you aren’t familiar with this store, these are delightfully arranged fresh fruit “bouquets”. Have your items dipped in chocolate for extra tasty Santa delights. The best way to save money on this offer is to have a store create an item for pickup by your recipient. You’ll save on delivery charges (up to $10). The downside to Edible Arrangements is lack of availability in parts of the US. (We only have about 5 stores in Indiana). Call 1-800-DO-FRUIT or verify on their site for locations.

Express- Final day today for FREE express shipping. Order by noon EST today to score this savings. Plus, get 40% off all holiday purchases. The 15 off $60 purchase deal is still ongoing as well. (You can print a coupon on their site to take into stores or use offer code 4658 online).

Introduction

This Christmas will be one of the most cash-strapped in recent memory. During this time of economic uncertainty, with American families slashing budgets, it’s usually the entertainment section that is first to go. With the run up to this holiday season, finding a sack of cash with a huge dollar sign on it is usually not something most of us will encounter. So what can families do to save on DVDs and entertainment this Christmas? We have a few options for you.

During this time of year, most big box stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target offer considerable discounts on DVDs and Blu-rays, especially on new releases. When movies arrive in stores, generally on Tuesdays, they offer great prices for that week and sometimes just for that day. Ranging from $12.99 to $15.99, picking up new releases when they come out can save a lot of cash. The same goes for Blu-rays but their prices are generally more than typical DVDs. If you’ve missed out on all the savings from Black Friday, and who can blame you, these large stores will go on to offer consumers many discounts.

Tip: If you don’t want to fork out $12 to $15 for the DVD you can always watch the movie onDemand with Dish Network or Comcast, or better yet rent the movie from a Redbox in your local grocery store for $1!

If new releases aren’t on your gift list, then you may have an easier time picking up discounted older movies. These same stores, along with many grocery stores, have discount bins filled with movies that A) they have too much stock of B) they are “classics” or C) they are items advertised in mailers to draw in some Christmas traffic. If you spend the time looking through the bins and the loved one you are buying presents for isn’t picky, you can land some pretty good movies. Then again, if your friend likes bad movies, then all the better. I’m sure Short Circuit 2 will do just fine. At Target, they usually designate a spot adjacent to the Electronics section for $5 movies. Most of them are children’s movies so if you’re buying for a little one, this is a great place to go. They also offer great prices and sales for other items all the time.

Retail isn’t the only place for deals on DVDs and TV shows like Lost Season 5. Sites like eBay, Half.com and Amazon also offer fantastic deals especially if there is a specific item you are looking for. People generally have mixed feelings about eBay either because of bad experiences or distrust of others, but excellent deals, especially on hard-to-find films, can be found on the site. A lot of folks prefer Amazon for their movie and entertainment needs because of the great pricing on items from private sellers. If you go to a listing on Amazon, near the Amazon price –the site usually beats retail stores even with shipping– you can see a “Used” price. These are folks/companies that are selling those same items for much lower costs. Amazon also has more stringent policies regarding their sellers so feel free to purchase from them with ease of mind. eBay-owned Half.com also has similar policies to Amazon and offers solid discounts.

It may literally save you money to research prices on music, DVDs, Blu-rays or video games between retail outlets and online. Sites like Mysimon.com, Pricegrabber.com and Pricewatch.com run price comparisons on anything from electronics to movies, clothing, games (both video and board) to even trumpets, pet carriers and bedding. Still, even through their powerful search engines, nothing beats actual time and research put into your shopping.

Finance

Vista Print, who I blogged on earlier this week, just launched their newest FREE deals. These expire at midnight Sunday, so get them while their hot and in time for the holidays. You have a variety of 100 percent free items, such as T-Shirts, Key Chains, Address Labels, Photo Books, Car Magnets, Small Magnets and Notecards on their site. If you’ve never ordered from Vista Print before, they have high quality items and eventually offer most of their products for free (with limited quantities).

You can get great, professional business cards, pens, and other promotional materials, too. Most items cost only a small shipping fee. In the past, I’ve given Vista Print items to family and friends for birthdays and holidays and have been thrilled with the quality.

When you get to the site, don’t forget to sign up for their email updates so you won’t miss these sales. Also, navigating the site is a bit of a challenge, when you are digging up the freebies. Two ways to find these are clicking on the tab that says, “free” to bring up a short list. HOWEVER- if you look at the list below and compare it with the one below, all of these items aren’t included in that drop down menu on the site. You’ll need to take these items below and enter into the search bar. For example, type in “key chain” and you’ll pull it up. I wish they’d make the site a little easier to navigate to find these, but given all the freebies offered, I’m not complaining too loudly. When you place your order, you’ll be taken to about five pages of other options (all of these cost money). If you’re only interested in free products, simply click next until you get to the shopping cart. Shipping is usually under $10 for a large order, btw. Cick here to go to their site.

These deals blow away other discounts currently offered by chains like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart’s photo processing in the way of cost. You’ll have to order now to get by the holidays, unless you bump this up to expedited delivery. With express delivery being so pricey, you won’t want to wait! I suspect this weekend’s deals are the last you’ll be able to get in time for the holidays without paying a large surcharge. Act fast to get these, while the sale lasts!

 

Introduction

 I had to look twice at this one. I even called the company and had a lovely time chatting with at least two customer service reps to verify this offer. Yes. I happily report it’s true. You can pick up a cruise package for FREE right now with Caribbean Cruise. Pay ONLY the port fee (for two its $118.00 total) and you’re in!

What’s the catch? According to the company there isn’t one. You don’t need to subject yourself to tours of condos you can’t afford, listen to endless sales pitches on Branson, Missouri or even sell your kids to pay for hidden surcharges. This offer is for the newbies to cruising and is only valid for a short time.

What do you get for this deal?

According to Caribbean Cruise:

You’ll get a 2 night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, including your cabin, meals and entertainment. Come see why our flag ship, the beautiful Bahamas Celebration, was recently named the “Best New Bahamas Getaway Cruise” by Porthole magazine. As our guest you’ll enjoy our four restaurants, spa, casino, 2 story night club, kid’s water park and more. We’re so sure you’ll enjoy yourself and become a repeat customer, that we’re giving you this first cruise for FREE!

 I even succumbed and bought one for my parents’ holiday present. I guess they will be my guinea pigs on this deal, so I hope it’s as good as it appears. The ship sails from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and this package is only a brief 2 day trip. However, the regular price exceeds $500.00 for two. All food is free and buffet style, except their upscale restaurant, which is $25.00 a person to dine in.

Upgrades to an outside cabin are pricey, adding over $140 to the cost. And the cruise line reserves the right to charge a surcharge of $9 a person per day ($18 for each guest) if crude oil exceeds $40 a barrel.

Those who book this deal have 18 months to use the package and a minimum of a sixty day advance notice is needed to plan the dates of travel. It does not cover hotels the night prior to embarking nor the night when the ship returns. Likewise transportation to Ft. Lauderdale is not inclusive. My folks will have to figure that out on their own, but I think they are up to the challenge. I did a Google search on the company for bad reviews and found nothing but glowing reports, which were difficult to discern from advertisements, actually. But there were no negative consumer reports or BBB dings to be found, which I believe to be a positive reason to try this offer. (Plus you get to hear Carmen Electra, spokeswoman, while on hold with Caribbean Cruise extolling the virtues of the cruising with Caribbean).

 The company will try to sell you various upgrades, from better cabins to insurance, to extended stays. Refuse all of the extended packages because you’ll probably have to sit through those dreary presentations according to one CSR I spoke with. To book, simply fill out this form. After you are sent to a page with your confirmation information, you’ll need to call the company and finalize the purchase. Cough up no money until all your questions are answered. CSR’s are very helpful and patient with your queries. Package info will be emailed to you, along with a link to the site’s booking page. If you like you can also have the documents sent to you via snail mail- simply ask for this option.

This two day deal is a great buy and very flexible. You’ll find other cruise packages, but none that offer this low, low price with as many options to book currently. If you’re looking for a special holiday gift or simply a short jaunt to a tropical paradise, you can’t go wrong with Caribbean’s hot sale. Hurry and enjoy the savings, this deal will soon be sailing away!

Introduction

Victoria’s Secret & Sephora- Female Friendly Festival of Saving! What could make most women stampede for a sale? Victoria Secret’s collections of beautiful lingerie, sleepwear, clothing and fragrances might be on top of the list. Throw in free glam makeup ala Sephora and you’ve got a recipe for deal happy females. Today there are some, “act fast” savings from each of these great retailers. Since it seems deal shopping is the name of the game most holidays, and this one in particular- you shouldn’t hesitate too long on these bargains.

 From Victoria’s Secret:

1. FREE SHIPPING TODAY ONLY! Online any item, anything. Get it now and get it with zero ship costs. From a fiscal perspective, shipping is “lost” money. Anytime you can get this, it makes a standalone deal in of itself. Use code- SHIPFREE

2. Sign up for Pink Nation and Get a Free Solid Color Tank. Simply join the Pink Nation and print your coupon to take in the store. You need to make any purchase to get this goodie, but there is no minimum amount.

3. GET $10 coupon when you buy $50 of Pink items by signing up. It’s on the same printable coupon as above. One coupon, two deals. You don’t have to use both to get the free tank.

4. Shop the savings- Get 7 pair Pink brand panties for only $24.50 (expires Sunday).

 5. Play Pink and Win- After you sign up to be a member or if you are a member already, once you are logged into your Pink page click on the game tab on the far left. You’ll have a chance to spin the wheel and win a $10 egift certificate. Odds of winning are 1/250 and you can play all day if you’d like till you win.

 From Sephora:

1. Print this coupon for JC Penney’s Sephora and gain a free sample of Bare Escentuals Mineral Matte makeup and baby kabuki brush. As BE makeup addict, I can say that the brush alone is worth finding a close proximety  Sephora/JC Penney’s. The makeup is a dream if you’ve never tried BE before. All of my friends, daughters and family who have sampled it love it! Get this for yourself or as a stocking stuffer. No purchase necessary and if they are out of this product, the coupon states you can get a substitution- so at least you won’t be out a trip!

2. Take this coupon into Sephora also (only at JC Penney) and get your choice of makeup listed also. Pick from LORAC’s TANtalizer Baked Bronzer, or a Mini Couture Shine Liquid lip gloss. (This one may be gone, but I’ve included it since it’s a great sample if you can find any stores that still have it). While you are there, ask for any other free samples or trials. Sephora has many other promotions that are worth, well, sampling.

Introduction

I’ve mentioned before that watching shipping costs is a way to save money. But what about products that are free except for shipping? Some of these are really a great buy. You’ll find a few online today worth picking up on the super cheap. One of these is a FREE 27 piece makeup kit from E.L.F. (Which stands, not for the seasonal helpers of that jolly fellow we all know- but rather for Eyes Lips and Face. ) This item retails for $15, (and says it’s an $81 value- though I question that somewhat inflated amount). For a small shipping fee ($6.95) you’ll get it FREE! It makes a great gift for a teenager, girlfriend or that hard to buy for female in your life.

 Here’s what you’ll find in this scrumptious FREE delight: The makeup kit includes:

• 9 powder eyeshadows

• 2 cream eyeshadow

• bronzer

• blush

 • 10 lip glosses

• brow powder

• eye liner pencil

 • dual ended eyeshadow applicator

• brush

 • facebrush

• lip brush

This is valid until December 31st. Use coupon code LOYAL to grab it while it’s hot! Unfortunately, you must order SOMETHING else to get this freebie. But nearly everything on this site is a buck (seriously). You’ll find nail polish for a dollar, eye liner and eyeshadow for a dollar. Add a single one and enter the code LOYAL to snag your free gift! I am a frequent makeup shopper at CVS and Walgreens- but even with super savings at each of these retailers, you are still far cheaper with this E.L.F. makeup kit deal!

Or if you are feeling really adventerous and want more makeup than you’d ever hope to use in this lifetime- drop forty bucks (in product, before shipping) and you’ll get the massive $150.00 141 piece make set. Seriously. I tried to click on the picture, but it simply states- “details available soon” and “in stock soon”. But it IS a good code, as on a test order this item was added to my shopping cart. However, you can’t add two coupon codes on the E.L.F. site. If you’re dying to have both sets you’ll have to do so in two shipments.  Use coupon code 141PCFREE for your giant supply of cosmetics- (which looks like a huge collection of brushes, makeup, eye shadows, blush, lip colors and beauty tools in the tiny preview photo).

E.L.F. does NOT charge tax and doesn’t add extra shipping above the standard $6.95 to orders. (I think you’d need to order an elephant for the shipping cost to increase. I’ve played with various scenarios of ordering and nothing increased the shipping).  For a deal making spot, stocking stuffers or simply to satisfy your inner (and outer) goddess, you’ll love E.L.F!

This is what the free small (LOYAL) item looks like-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One word of caution- I’ve been told once you’ve signed up- you’ll get a ton of daily email from the company- so make sure you use an alternative email or be prepared to block these if they become troublesome. Still it’s a small price to pay for a few free cool items!

Introduction

Gifts that do double duty are the mark of giving in 2009.

What are these two-fold items? Presents that give back to charities while making your friends and family thrilled.

When a recession is waging, charitable giving often suffers. The fact remains, in these tough economic times charities are working harder than usual to provide assistance for a greater number of people. With a wide range of double duty gifts that give profits to service organizations, the giving goes on and on.

You’ll find the greatest selection of price ranges and items this year, than in any previous year due to smart fund raising on the part of charities. Tired of picking up those cheap imprinted rubberesque bracelets that boost a charity but look truly tacky? Give some classy items that are budget friendly and stretch your dollars.

On my top pick list for double gifting is Green Raising.com.

When you give a Green Raising.com present, you will find high quality gifts from lovely handcrafted beaded necklaces and bracelets to stuffed animals, coffee cups, shea butter body cream and the random (only $5) hacky sack. Delve a bit into their site and you’ll uncover Earth happy items, such as natural cleaning supplies, water bottles, recycled gift wrap and lunch bags.

Most of Green Raising.com’s items fund others and offer a “living wage” for their work or provide services for needy kids schooling.

This is what Green Raising has to say about their items:
We hear a lot of talk lately about discrepancies in the world’s income levels and resources. Here’s a way to help while encouraging entrepreneurs from around the world: our fair-trade jewelry comes from women’s cooperatives in Guatemala and is beautiful and handmade. Let’s give them a market for their products and help them to thrive!

Your Christmas present for a friend or family member from Green Raising will not only provide a beautiful or useful treasure, but also will aid others in need. Unlike many sites where the price is steep, these items are within reach of anyone’s budget. $35 bucks for a unique handmade glass bead woven necklace is extremely affordable and gives a full month of education to San Jorge kids. You’ll feel good about Green Raising gifts, long after the tinsel and the holiday trappings are over. Give and keep giving all year long! There’s no better way to stretch your dollars and your heart!

Introduction