Frugal Column November 6, 2011

New daily deals sites are popping up on the internet every day. These daily deal sites offer big savings on food and entertainment. What is the best way to take advantage of savings up to 90% these deals offer? Start by reading the fine print. Check the voucher for any restrictions like excluded dates and any extra charges the voucher doesn’t cover. Be cautious with vouchers when you need to schedule an appointment before the expiration date. You could be one of nearly 5,000 vouchers sold and everyone is trying to sign up for classes. About forty percent of all vouchers don’t get redeemed. When you are purchasing a voucher make sure it is for something you will use. Buying a voucher to try a new product or restaurant is fine if you remember you have it. Print out your vouchers and keep track of their expiration dates. Many of these deals can only be purchased on that day or until they are sold out. If you want to unload an unwanted deal check out www.couprecoup.com to sell it back or if you didn’t get the voucher you wanted they may have one for sale. Deal sites typically offer a refund or credit if you buy a voucher from a business that closes. With over 600 deal sites many are sites are going out of business and the merchant may honor the voucher. When I purchase a deal I always check the background of the business first by going directly to their website. This way when the voucher says $25 for $50 worth of merchandise you can verify that they actually have something that is priced at $50. If you spend more than the amount of the voucher you may not end up with a good deal. Don’t let the excitement of these deals lead you an impulse buy. Check out some of the most popular deal sites.

Groupon- This is the biggest deal site with over 115 million subscribers. http://www.groupon.com/r/uu952637

Living Social- Buy your voucher, then share a special link. If three friends buy, yours is free. https://livingsocial.com/redeem_invite/7773207-morris?ref=lnk

SaveMore- When you sign up for this site you will receive a $10 credit. http://svmr.co/6Cy
Juice In The City – Check out their “Juicy Deals” http://www.juiceinthecity.com?referrer=on70su2cg4

Eversave- Get up to 90% off travel deals and more http://eversave.com/share/9FpI

Plum District – Features Mom-friendly deals www.plumdistrict.com

No More Rack- Get eight daily deals up to 90% off plus one charity deals http://www.nomorerack.com/

Saveology- Deep discounted daily deals. https://www.saveology.com/national

Mamapedia- Select a school and they will send them 5% of your purchases. http://deals.mamapedia.com

GroopDealz- Daily Deals on handmade and boutique goods. http://www.groopdealz.com/

Mom.com- Mom’s Secret to Savings http://www.mom.com/ref/NTczMTRyZWY=74

Veteran Day Deals:
Brides Across America Program offers free wedding dresses to qualified military brides. Participating bridal salons across the US will be holding special events in November. Each store will be giving away a select number of gowns to qualified recipients. http://www.bridesacrossamerica.com/Home_Page.html

Sam’s Club locations will distribute 36,000 Hugo canes free of charge on November 9th, 10th and 11th to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. http://www.hugosalutes.com/

Outback is honoring our heroes with a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola on November 7th through 11th in celebration of Veteran’s Day. http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx

Grace for Vets is united front of car wash operators that provide a free car wash to veterans and service personnel each year on November 11. http://graceforvets.org/2011/participating.php

Applebee’s wants to help you send a message of gratitude to our soldiers on their website. Veterans and Active Duty eat free on November 11. http://www.applebees.com/

Send Cheer and Cheerios will donate $1 to the USO to support military families. http://www.cheerios.com/Products/Cheerios/send-cheer-to-military-families?fbid=WNEo94CikQC&WT.mc_id=paid_search_BG_Cheerios_Adult&WT.srch=1

Drop off donations to Operation S.E.N.D. Christmas Donation on November 11th at Fayette County Extension, 1140 Red Mile Place from 8am to 11am. For donations suggestions visit www.militarymissionsonline.com or call 859-221-9477

Heinz wants to help you send a digital “Thank You” to those who have served in our military.
http://www.heinzketchup.com/ourturntoserve/


Send a card to the troops this holiday season from Tiny Prints.
https://www.facebook.com/tinyprints?v=app_10467688569&sk=app_10467688569


Dell is giving away 250 PCs to military men and women now until Veteran’s Day just nominate a soldier.
http://app.dellhome.usa.dell.com/military/signup.cfm


Free wings for Vets at Hooters all day on Friday, November 11th. http://www.hootersveteransday.com/register.aspx


Golden Corral is offering a free “Thank You” dinner on November 14, from 5pm to 9pm to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. http://www.goldencorral.com/military/


Innkeepers want to say thank you to those who’ve served their country by inviting veterans to wake up on November 11 in a Bed & Breakfast. Get a complete list of qualifying inns to reserve your complimentary room for Thursday, November 10, 2011. http://www.betterwaytostay.com/current-promotions/bbs-for-vets/


Do you throw your expired coupons away every
month because they are no use to you?
Expired coupons can be used by military families
overseas for up to 6 months after the expiration date.
Individuals or groups can mail their
coupons to:
KCL Overseas Coupon Program
Brandy McDowell
5615 Husband Rd Paducah, KY 42003