Grocery coupons and budgeting

Recessionista will likely never get $100 of groceries for a buck, but there are those of us who strive for this. From The Dallas Morning News comes this list of budgeting and coupon search sites:

• www.betterbudgeting.com -- a bit busy, but you can sign up for a monthly newsletter which makes it easier to digest
• www.stretcher.com -- a really busy site but chock full of info
• www.grocerysavingtips.com -- run by the same folks as BetterBudgeting.com, this is a coupon clipper's dream
• www.couponmom.com -- clip those coupons!!!!
• www.grocerycouponguide.com -- a blog that helps you cut your grocery bills by 50%
• www.wesabe.com -- budgeting and spending tracking application; Recessionista prefers keeping that sort of info on her Quicken

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Vincent Longo on sale

Recessionista's favorite concealer is Vincent Longo. Site-wide sale gives 30% off, using discount code muadiscount. Go to www.vincentlongo.com.


Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Credit Report

Recessionista knows the value of good credit (her credit score is 802, thank you very much) but is frustrated by commercials with singing pirates that promise a free credit report -- because that song comes with strings! There's no need to sign up for any service to get a free credit report. Just go to www.annualcreditreport.com. Everyone is entitled to a free report from each of the 3 major agencies (TRW, Equifax, and I can't recall the third but as Meatloaf sang, two out of three ain't bad).

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

DGSE justified!

A few days back Recessionista encouraged you to take your jewelry to Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange for any needed cashola. The Today Show confirmed that places like Cash4Gold.com (the one with the MC Hammer commercial) will give you a fraction of what you can get elsewhere. The example they got: a $75 offer from C4G compared to a $400 offer elsewhere. So if you're purging your jewelry box, keep it local and get more bucks.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Double Points at NM

Heads up -- Neiman Marcus is having a double Points event April 16-18. Recessionista's still a little miffed with the new InCircle structure, but will always perk up for double Points.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

The Garden Ridge Shop-a-Thon

The Recessionista hardly considers Garden Ridge the acme of high fashion, however today they are having a one-day shop-a-thon with those solar light thingies you twist together and plant in your yard at $20 for a set of 8. Don't be fooled by their shelves into getting the not-on-sale sets of 4 or 10 or 12. But stock up on those sets of 8 because it's less expensive even than simply replacing the batteries in the ones you have that are worn out.

Bedding was also a steal, but already picked over by noon. Perhaps they'll re-stock, but there are still some cute comforter sets if not. From Twin through King sizes.

Alas, the pink flamingoes were NOT on sale ($13 for a set of 2). Neither was the movie-theatre size candies by the cash register, but Recessionista still pocketed a few because they're still 1/3 the cost of the ones at the theatres. Shhh, don't tell.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Furniture

Again, from the pages of PaperCity comes a list of designer furniture consignment shops:

• Again & Again, www.againandagain.com -- specializing in re-fabbing antiques
• Consignment Galleries, on Lovers Lane
• Consignment Heaven, www.consignmentheaven.com, on Henderson just off 75
• Dulce, www.mydulce.com, on Oak Lawn
• The Jewel Box, www.thejewelbox.us, in Snider Plaza
• On Consignment, on Fairmont near the Crescent
• Vinya, www.vinyadallas.com, on Buena Vista

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Nordstrom Rack

Fabulous Fan Elaine writes:

Went to the new Nordstrom Rack across from Northpark on Saturday morning. Even though it’s a bit of a mad house (just opened on the 18th), it had great stuff! Scored a really awesome purse, Charles David, lots cheaper than I saw on the internet. Also great earrings and a couple of good tops, one designer, for little bucks. Had to stand in line at the dressing room, 10 item limit, and at the registers, but they moved fast.I will definitely go back! Often...

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Fabulous Savings -- literally

Recessionista stumbled upon a fabulous site: www.fabudaily.com. This is the blog for FabulousSavings.com, and every day it lists deals and provides coupon codes for a variety of online retailers.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Consignment galore

From the pages of PaperCity comes this listing of upscale consignment stores (Recessionista's personal faves are Clotheshorse Anonymous and Clothes Circuit which were mentioned in an earlier post); consignment shops are perfect for drumming up some extra scratch for your finery, or finding finery at great prices:

• Couture Consignment on Oak Lawn
• Labels Designer Boutique on Preston and Frankford (www.labelsdcb.net)
• My Secret Closet on Preston and Campbell (www.mysecretclosetinc.com)
• Revente on Mockingbird between Greenville and 75 (www.reventeresale.com)

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

A little about cosmetics

When it comes to cosmetics, the Recessionista is like a kid in a candy store. Still, she never buys department store cosmetics unless they're on gift. Just call around and ask if the brand you like is "on gift" -- the stores will be happy to answer, and provide upcoming promotional periods.

M*A*C cosmetics are fabulous, and while they never go on gift they do have an ongoing recycling program: bring in 6 old/empty M*A*C cosmetics (lipsticks, powder compacts, mascara tubes, whatever) and they'll give you a lipstick of your choice gratis. Don't need lipstick? Heck, ask what their most popular color is and then sell it on eBay!

eBay is also a resource if you see a department store gift you want (aka "GWP" or "Gift With Purchase") but you don't need any regular cosmetics.

Finally, Recessionista saw on Sunday that Kroger was discounting all their drugstore cosmetics by 25%. A good opportunity to sample something new.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Your computer is your best weapon in the war on full price!

The Recessionista went to NorthPark the other day for lunch with friends and of course the gaggle of us spent the rest of the afternoon lingering in the mall looking for who-knows-what. We were all quite enchanted with the wares in one store (whose name will go unmentioned; just look for the $14,000 couch) but the prices were insane.

RECESSIONISTA TIP: always get the brand name (and model name and number if you dare) so you can search for it online.

Recessionista is a watch fiend, and shuddered at the prices quoted at this location. She hopped on her computer and found one of the watches for 45% less, and the other for 15% less. So there!


Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Places never to go without your coupons

There are so many stores where it makes no sense whatsoever to pay full retail. Ulta being one of them -- between the $5 off $10 (hello -- can you say 50% discount?) coupons in just about every fashion magazine and the $3.50 off $10 (35% discount's nothing to sneeze at either) that seem to come just about every other Sunday with the newspaper, there's no reason to walk into the store without a coupon.

Chico's is another place that's coupon-reliant. Of course, the trick here is to spend $500 with them -- there's no time limit, ladies! -- and the floodgates open. Coupons will magically appear in your Chico's account, plus you'll get free shipping when ordering online. If you pay full price here, Recessionista thinks you're a little bit nuts.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

The Diamond Jewelry Co

What girl doesn't like jewelry and watches? The Recessionista certainly does, and directs much of her love to The Diamond Jewelry Co (formerly Jeff the Jeweler). This locally owned and operated business is on Beltline and MacArthur in the Tom Thumb shopping center and the Recessionista has relied on them for:

• Jewelry purchases (duh) -- if you ask nice they might be able to work out a discount for you
• Watch purchases -- Recessionista's Rolex makes her very happy, and the price she paid was beyond competitive
• Jewelry and watch repair -- fast and affordable, and as a reminder a new watch band can resurrect 'that old thing' into a new favorite
• Jewelry creation -- the creative minds at DJC are knockout! Bring in your old stuff and DJC will work with you to create a new masterpiece. The earring and ring set fashioned from a pair of Neiman Marcus cufflinks always gets compliments; no one would believe the pittance it cost to create.

Best of all, manager Royce and his team are lovely to work with.

www.thediamondjewelryco.com

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

A couple of great NoKA Chocolate deals

The Recessionista is a big fan of NoKA chocolates, and loves stopping by the Northpark location to sample the best dark chocolates in the universe (the milk chocolate is exceptional too), chat with owners Noah and Katrina, and learn a little about the making of chocolate.

With Easter right around the corner, the fine folks at NoKA have created two special blends in dark chocolate and in milk chocolate shaped in bunnies and in eggs. Both the bunnies and the eggs are solid chocolate and weigh about an ounce. Pricetag? $2.75! Recessionista is in chocolate heaven. They make lovely high-end gifts, especially if you spring for the gift boxes (Recessionista is fond of the steel boxes). Oh, and NoKA ships. Great for business gifts, too.

In addition to the joy of chocolate bunnies, Recessionista is thrilled with the opportunity to take part in a wine-tasting event NoKA is sponsoring on April 8th featuring Maximilian Riedel. Riedel has been making fine stemware for 11 generations, and the stemware is hand crafted and customized for different drinks (the wine or liquor will flow from the glass to different points on your tongue for different experiences, appropriate to the type of beverage you're savoring). The tasting is $75, and includes the wines, the audience with Mr Riedel, fabulous Noka truffles, and a set of Riedel stemware that retails for $300. Why? For charity of course. So eat, drink, and feel good about yourself for doing so.

www.nokachocolates.com
www.riedel.com


Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Shopping for Books and Magazines the Recessionista Way!

The Recessionista was very distraught to find that her subscriptions to The Star and The National Enquirer were about to expire. Even more distraught to see that rates had increased. Harumpf. (Now, it should be noted that Recessionista subscribes to her favorite magazines because it saves tons of $$$ versus buying at the newsstand.)

So I hopped onto Ebates.com, found many magazine sellers and shopped for a combination of rates and discounts, and of course cross-referenced with coupons from BradsDeals.com. Here's the net: The Star was $61 for a year, Recessionista got it for a 5% savings; The National Enquirer was $68 for 6 months, Recessionista got it for a 15% savings.

Satisfied, I turned on the TV and watched an interview with a gentleman whose book has been optioned by Brad Pitt. A must read! Retail $27.50, Amazon $16.50, Recessionista $12 including shipping -- how? Ebates got me to Half.com for 3% off, and I added a $5 coupon from Retailmenot.com. To quote Will Smith, "Boom goes the dynamite!" Enthused, Recessionista repeated the exercise and got the new Jodi Picoult book for $9.

Let's not forget our local friends at Half Price Books. Beginning tomorrow and lasting a week, coupons abound for 20-50% off any single item. Didn't get your coupon? Drop me an email and I can help you out.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

A couple more luncheon buffets

The Recessionista loves a good meal, especially if it's less than $15, and if it can stick to the ribs and eliminate the need for dinner.

Valley Ranch has a couple of yummo luncheon buffets that fit the bill, so to speak. Veranda Greek Cafe on Walnut Hill and MacArthur has a lunch buffet for less than $15 including beverage, tax and tip. The buffet includes salad, gyro meat, hummus, the best flat bread in the universe, rice pudding, and other items that rotate out daily (spanakopita on Wednesday, tabbouleh on Friday). Much tastier though less extensive than Ali Baba on 114.

Sushi Awaji is in the old Eckerd on the corner of 635 and MacArthur. It's set up like Tokyo One with sushi rolls, sushi, sashimi, fruit salads, hibachi grill, tempura bar and noodle bar including soups as well as desserts. It's a tad pricey at $16 but Recessionista thinks this is a deal for all you can eat sashimi. Free beer and sake after 5:30p. (Why does the Recessionista not plug Tokyo One? She hasn't been there for years after a bout of food poisoning.)

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange

Jewelry is a key component to any Recessionista's look, but this Recessionista knows that sometimes the jewelry box contents can collect dust. After all, if we only wore the jewelry we bought years ago we wouldn't need to buy any more, right?



So what to do with fine jewelry that's been unworn for ages? Why, turn it into cash, of course! Unfortunately, eBay is not the best venue for selling fine jewelry that doesn't come with a designer name. A more fabulous option is Dallas Gold and Silver Exchange, which is located in a bit of a sketchy nabe on I-35 and Royal (well, to be more precise it's on Reeder south of Royal and just east of 35 -- driving there can also net you some day labor...). The professionals there will weigh your items to the 10th of an ounce, and give you the appropriate cash. Right now gold is going for more than $500/ounce. (And remember that 14k gold is only about 50% gold.)

It's quick, it's easy, it's cash.





Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

The Ladders

The Recessionista knows it's a challenging time to be job-hunting. Everyone is chasing the same postings on Monster and CareerBuilder. The Ladders (http://www.theladders.com/) positions itself as a higher echelon of job boards by promising it lists only $100k+ jobs. While registration is free, alas seeing job descriptions and applying for jobs costs $.



What's a girl to do? When the Recessionista got the first email offering any enrollment package at 25% off, Recessionista knew that more bargains were to follow. Sure enough, a few days later a 50% off offer followed. And sure enough, a few days later a 2-week free trial followed and the Recessionista jumped.

So the Recessionista recommends registering for The Ladders, and waiting for the deals to come to you.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

On vacation for the weekend

The Recessionista will return on Monday March 23 with tips on high end job searching :)

As always, the Recessionista wants to hear from YOU! Did you get a valuable tip here? Do you have a fabulous tip to share? Send me an email at thevalleyranchrecessionista@gmail.com!

Babe's Fried Chicken

If you've lived in North Texas for any length of time, you've sunk your teeth into Babe's Fried Chicken. The original location is in Roanoke, and expanded offerings abound at the Carrollton and Richardson locations.

Babe's is famous for its fried chicken and chicken fried steaks, and all-you-can-eat sides (salad, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, green beans and homemade biscuits) for about $15/person including soda, tax and tip. So let's talk eating strategies. Because Babe's lets diners walk out with uneaten meat and biscuits, Recessionista makes herself quite content with the yummy sides and has enough take-homes to last two more meals. That's three meals at about $5 apiece.

Recessionista says yummmm!



Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Discount Tires

Fabulous Fan Jan writes in:

Discount Tires on MacArthur and RanchView is the best. If you buy their tires they patch nail holes at no charge, and if your tire expires before its guarantee date they'll prorate the cost as savings on a replacement. And they're always having sales. This March they're offering three money saving promotions
$70 Mail-in Rebate on sets of 4 Michelin or BFGoodrich tires
Save $40 on select sets of 4 tires
Save $50 on sets of 4 wheels

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Foofify Your Dog

The Recessionista's three canines must be kept foofy at all times. They've been experimented on by several entities from big box groomers to mobile groomers to day care groomers, but the best foofifying to-date has been from Allison's Grooming out in (gasp) Watauga. Yes, the Recessionista finds it worth her while to haul out to the hinterlands.



Allison is a lifelong dog lover, who volunteers with a local rescue group and has multitudes of pooches in her care at any given time. She's terrific with all sorts of poochie personalities, very patient, very kind to the dogs. If you drop your furfriend off with her, expect a clean and soft and foofy furfriend ready in about an hour. Certainly less stressful on the dog than the all-day rigamarole many groomers require.



Rates vary by breed. Rates also vary by location -- least expensive is the drop off at the Pamper Camper; expect a nominal travel fee in the NE Tarrant County area; expect a larger travel fee to lure her further. Rest assured, the Recessionista finds her furbabies happy with the quick turnaround, the all-natural shampoos and conditioners, and being handled by one serious dog lover; and, the Recessionista's wallet is happier than with any other groomer she's tried. Well worth the drive to the Watauga/Keller/North Richland Hills area.

Allison will soon be featured in Dog Fancy in an article on mobile groomers. To schedule an appointment, call (817) 301-6968, and tell Allison the Recessionista sent you!

(It should be noted that the Recessionista is challenged to find fabulous things to do in Watauga when her princesses are being beautified. However, she has found a lovely nail salon nearby which does a full set of fills for the low price of $14.)



Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Sunday Afternoon Jazz at Maple Point

Every now and then Recessionista has to put down her credit cards and relax with some good tunes. Maple Point is located at 5415 Maple Avenue in Dallas (south side of Maple, just east of Inwood), and lures its audience with great jazz music and finger food for the low cover price of $5.

This Sunday's line-up features THEM BONES! Sunday, March 22, 3:00 to 6:00. THE BAND: Tony Baker, John Osborne, Chris Seiter, Dave Butler, Eric Swanson, A.G. Robeson - trombones: Steve Sonday - piano: Richard McClure - guitar: Carl Hillman - bass: and Banks Dimon - drums.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Paperbacks Plus: A Lakewood Option to Half Price Books

Fabulous Fan Elaine writes to Recessionista:

Paperbacks Plus on La Vista in Lakewood gives cash or credit for recent paperbacks, and hardbacks if the paperback isn’t out yet. When you buy books from them, you can use half credit, half cash. I feel like you get more selling to Paperbacks Plus, too.

And, as a feel-good option, Paperbacks Plus offers un-buyables (due to condition or overstock) on a shelf outside the store for people who can’t afford even used book prices (lots of those folks in East Dallas).

Lots of fun to browse around in, too.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

More on Movie Theatres

The lovely Hollywood Theater on 635 and MacArthur is not the only place to early bird the movies. Cinemark offers $5 first-screenings 7 days a week. For locations, go to www.cinemark.com!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Timberland

It doesn't often get cold and icky enough for the Recessionista to break out the all-weather boots, but every now and then the North Texas weathergods unleash a torrent of ice and sorta-snow. On one such day, Recessionista pulled her ages-old Timberlands out of retirement...and was horrified to watch the soles disintegrate before her very eyes.

So Recessionista tested the company's 'lifetime guarantee' and was delighted with the results! Timberland customer service did not mock Recessionista for inquiring about boots old enough to be Recessionista's elementary-school children, and provided her with a choice of new and fabulous replacement pairs! (Recessionista chose a pair of red silk-lined footwear with a foldover top to show off said red silk on less-icky/more-stylish winter days.)

RECESSIONISTA LESSON: don't be shy about asking for recompense! They can't say 'yes' unless you ask the question.




Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Handbags!

The Recessionista would like to draw your attention to http://www.bagshop.com/, a lovely retailer out of New York state. While no coupons were on Bradsdeals or Retailmenot, the site has its own 10% off coupon -- good on hundreds of brand names (except for Longchamps). Add to that no sales tax since the store is only in New York, plus free shipping on all domestic shipping for handbag orders! SCORE!

And repeat customers get 10% off additional/future orders. DOUBLE SCORE!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

The Best Consignment Shops in Dallas

The Recessionista is not above trolling local consignment stores. Some have higher standards than others, and attract designer labels and near-new conditions. My two favorites are Clotheshorse Anonymous on Forest and Preston, and Clothes Circuit on Sherry Lane and Douglas.

Clotheshorse Anonymous is in a new location, next to Ulta where the Whole Foods used to be before it moved across the street. It's airier, with slightly more private changing areas. Recessionista has found such fabu labels there as: Hermes, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Escada, St John, Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Fendi, Burberry, Christian Louboutin... There's also more affordable labels, too. Recessionista's greatest scores were a brand new with tags on Burberry shirt for $44, a mint in box Hermes scarf for $135 (and a small one for $33), and a Prada leather bag for under $600.

Clothes Circuit is a bit more claustrophobic and can be a tad less label-conscious, but the quantities are impressive. Recessionista lusted after a new in the box designer bag which retailed at $15,000 but even half price it gave your gal pause. Next time...

Both shops are also wonderful resources for recycling your lovely clothes and accessories, and even gift items. You must have a certain quantity of saleable items to open an account (I believe both require 8 items, so bring in at least 15 to allow for rejects), and it's another alternative to eBay and Goodwill to get cash for nicer things.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Noka chocolates

Fine chocolates -- especially dark chocolates -- are a treat for the Recessionista. Noka (pronounced pretty much like it's spelled) is one of the finest and is based here in North Texas. Started by a husband and wife team in Plano, Noka (a combination of his name and hers) has gotten rave reviews internationally and has appeared in celebrity goody bags for the Golden Globes and the like.



Can't afford the $4/truffle pricetag? Hop on over to NorthPark where Noka has taken over Dr Delphinium's space by the 1st floor Neiman Marcus/Tiffany's entrance. There, you can meet the owners, get a little education on cocoa beans (grown only 20 degrees north or south of the equator) and get a sample of some of the most delectable dark chocolate ever. Not to be inhaled, Noka chocolate is to be savored slowly -- the deep flavor of the small sample will last almost an hour.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Props to Ebates and Bradsdeals

The Recessionista's friends swear that Isomers Wrinkle Viper is botox in a bottle. I like my botox but my gal's on maternity leave so I decided to give this a whirl. I Googled it, found it on ShopNBC.com, logged onto Ebates.com and linked through to ShopNBC got a 4% cash back and before I checked out I opened a new window for Bradsdeals.com and found a coupon code for an additional 15% off. Total savings: 19%. Score!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Cheap gas

The Recessionista is obsessed with cheap gas. There are three local stations that have the privilege of filling her tank:

1. Costco on 35 and 121. Makes the membership worthwhile almost on its own. Note that the Costco in Southlake has been written up for shorting its fill-ups.


2. Race Trac on Valley View and Luna. Usually a few pennies off from Costco but no membership required.


3. Kroger at MacArthur and 161. Not always the cheapest in town but pretty close, and if you've put $100 on your Kroger card in the past month you get to knock 10 cents a gallon off the fill-up. Now, it hardly seems worth $100 to save perhaps $1.50...but I figure I shop at Kroger for things I need (bread is bread, carrots are carrots) so I might as well concentrate my efforts and save 5-8% on my gasoline.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Free vitamins

OK, Walgreen's is hardly a stylish hangout, but this week they are having a BOGO (buy one get one free) on vitamins. Recessionista uses Vitamin A, and is now stocked up for the next 6 months at 4 cents a capsule!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Eric Javits loafers at 85% off retail

The Recessionista has been a fan of Eric Javits since the mid-1990s. Great hats, shoes, handbags... But, oh, those price tags!

Recessionista was delighted to stumble upon some ultra-comfortable, ultra-stylish Eric Javits loafers for 15% of their retail cost. The Copine is a quilted suede loafer that comes in four colors: black, brown, orange and purple. They retail for $245, and are online at a major shoe seller on sale for $160. But if you act quickly you can get a pair for just $40, or two pair for $32 each!

Marmi is a shoe store with locations in North Park mall and the Galleria. They have a few sizes in stores but are happy to call around and have your size shipped to your home from wherever they are in the country. Recessionista took advantage of their sale-sale: buy two sale shoes and get an additional 20% off. Major score!

For Marmi contact info, go to www.marmishoes.com.

Recessionista also fell in love with an Eric Javits evening bag, but was loathe to pay full price of $300 + tax. So Recessionista does what Recessionista does best: she hopped online and did a search. Found the bag at a California retailer for $275 (scoring a $25 savings), and since there's no like store in Texas there was no sales tax (score another $25 savings) -- did I mention there was a paltry $3 shipping charge? Check out www.robertsfineshoes.com.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Hermes on sale

Nope, that's not a typo. French fashion house Hermes DOES have sales! Before you get too excited, the Recessionista must caveat that leather handbags NEVER go on sale. But if you've got the frequent flier miles to get yourself to New York City, you can participate in a phenomenal accessory sale. You see, twice a year Hermes hosts a sale in NYC: once in the February/March timeframe, and again in the September/October timeframe.

The sale is open to the public but NOT at the boutiques and NOT nationwide. The location is the Metro Pavilion on West 18th Street off 6th Avenue. The first day of each sale is invitation-only, followed by 4 days of public availability. What you'll find:

• Classic silk twill scarves at 40% off retail -- and if you're lucky and hang out by the stockroom door, you MIGHT score a cashmere shawl or chiffon scarf
• Fragrances, lotions and soaps for Recessionistas and Recessionistos alike for a fraction of retail
• Housewares including china and ashtrays that were never meant for ashes
• Small leather goods from belts to gloves
• Shoes which are remarkably comfortable because Hermes shoes are designed under the watchful eye of podiatrists
• RTW for men and women
• Baby gifts

This spring's sale is open to the public beginning Wednesday March 25.

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

High Fashion Deals through The Gilt Groupe

A friend turned on the Recessionista to The Gilt Groupe and the Recessionista is thrilled! Most days the Recessionista receives an email with a link to the daily high fashion special. Past offers have included Me & Ro jewelry, Narciso Rodriguez RTW, Marc by Marc Jacobs fashion, Kooba handbags...

Recessionista says check it out at www.gilt.com!


Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Everyday Shopping Deals

The Recessionista loves to shop. She is a one-woman economic stimulus plan! One resource she can't live without is www.bradsdeals.com (or, secondarily, www.retailmenot.com). These sites troll the world looking for coupons and deals. Sort by shop and see what they can offer before you hit the "complete your purchase" button on many sites.

Recently, the Recessionista fell in love with a bright, Spring-hued trench at The Gap. On sale, it was $50, down from $80. A good deal, but the Recessionista wanted it better. A quick visit to BradsDeals netted a Friends-and-Family coupon for an additional 30% off -- making the trench just $35! And the voucher could be used at Banana Republic and Old Navy, too, as often as I wanted through Sunday March 15 2009. When I used the voucher at Banana, I opened a Banana account for an additional 15% off, as well as a 10% coupon to layer on the trench making the final sale $31. SCORE!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Brazilian Steakhouses

In addition to sushi, the Recessionista loves her red meat. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. When she needs a fix, she heads to a Brazilian steakhouse for all you can eats.

There are a couple of good deals to be found in the Churrascarria arena:

FOGO DE CHAO is on Beltline in Addison by the (ick) Olive Garden. Their salad bar is a treat for vegetarians, with fresh hot breads, salads, and veggies galore -- all at top quality. But the real pros don't take up valuable stomach space with greens. Nope, they wait for the good stuff: the all you can eat meat...sirloin, pork, chicken, sausage, lamb. The Recessionista's personal fave is the filet. Her mouth is watering just thinking about it. Don't forget the all-you-can-eat family style sides: cheesy bread poofs, mashed potatoes, polenta, fried bananas...

The deal? You get the same great food at lunch for much less than you'd pay at dinner! Without beverages, taxes or desserts, dinner here will set you back $50. The same meal at lunch is just about $35. And vegetarians who stick to the salad bar get out under $25.

TEXAS DE BRAZIL is nearby and the same concept. Their salad bar is not quite as tasty, but they do feature some soups. And they're a tad less expensive than FdC. The cool thing about TdB is signing up for their 'club' which gets you frequent emails with half-off coupons that REALLY makes it a value meal.

Bon appetit!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Sushi!

One of the Recessionista's favorite things to do is going out to eat (the Recessionista is not a cook). And the Recessionista can eat her weight in sushi! This can get pricey, so when I do sushi I want good sushi for cheap.

BLUE FISH has delectable raw fish in three yummy locations: Greenville Avenue, Las Colinas and the Tollway at Frankford. All three offer 2-for-1 sushi at lunch. Now, let's define sushi: for the lunch special it means raw fish on a glob of rice. It does not mean sushi rolls, or sashimi (or edamame for that matter).

So, normally an order of salmon sushi gets you two pieces for $4.50. The lunch special doubles that so you get four pieces for $4.50. Or eight pieces for $9! It still adds up, but for sushi lovers this is a great deal.

Bon appetit!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Getting Paid for Reading?

In my last post, I mentioned I'm a voracious reader. What do I do when I've finished a book? I SELL IT, of course! There are a couple of easy ways to sell books:



HALF PRICE BOOKS

This is what I consider my lazy way out. Half Price Books buys hardcovers, paperbacks, current issue magazines, CDs, DVDs... So it's a good way to de-clutter but perhaps not a good way to earn top dollar. I think they pay 10 cents for magazines, 25 cents for paperbacks and a few bucks for best seller hardcovers. For me, I can get about $10 a month with what I read.



SELLING BOOKS ON EBAY

If I can, this is how I want to do it. Yes, you need a PayPal account but opening one is no cost. Yes, you need an eBay account but again it's no cost. To sell books on eBay:

1. Choose "Sell" and enter your category as "book"


2. eBay will prompt you to enter the ISBN number (it's on the barcode of every book or DVD)


3. eBay populates all the info -- title, cover photo, number of pages, plot synopsis...


4. You enter in the price you want to sell and what you'll charge for shipping

Voila. It pays to check out the title on eBay beforehand so you have an inkling if the book will sell and for how much to help you determine if the 25 cents at HPB is a better deal. Yes, eBay will charge you fees but it's usually less than $1. Yes, PayPal will charge you fees but again it's usually less than $1. Yes, it's a pain to go to the post office to mail things. But at the end of the day you'll have a few bucks in your pocket to spend on new books and other fun things!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Calling All Bookworms!

The Recessionista is a voracious reader! From monsters to mysteries, bios to beach reads, comedy, tragedy, drama... Of course the cheapest reads are at the public libraries, but the Recessionista is fickle and what appeals one week is retired to the to-be-read pile the next, and some books take forever to finish, so I prefer owning to borrowing. Scandalous, but as I said earlier, I *am* a Shopper!

So where does one find the cheapest reads outside the library? Here's my strategy:

1. Go online and price out what I want on Amazon (www.amazon.com for those living under a rock for the past decade)
2. Open a new window and hop on to Ebates (www.ebates.com for those who haven't read my earlier post)
3. Use Ebates to check out prices at eBay, Half.com, or any of the other booksellers on the portal

If the price is cheaper on Amazon, I buy it there (making sure I get FREE SHIPPING by amassing $25 in purchases and selecting the SUPER SAVER shipping option). If the price is cheaper INCLUDING THE $4 SHIPPING from the other sites then I buy it there.

OR... I try to figure out half the list price, how much I need the book RIGHT AWAY, and what are the chances of finding it, the Recessionista loooooooooves Half Price Books! And Half Price Books will shoot you out some awesome coupons if you just sign up for their mailing list.

HALF PRICE BOOKS JUST SENT OUT 4 COUPONS FOR 20%-40% OFF any item!

So let's say I reallyreallyreally want to read the new Jodi Picoult book. I could go to the big box booksellers and get a 30% discount. I could get a better price at Amazon simply because they discount PLUS there's no tax (AND I'll avoid the shipping cost by going the Super Saver route). I might get a deal on eBay or Half but then I'd have to pay shipping which for a best seller probably negates any savings. OR, I could use my coupon at Half Price Books and get a $27 book for $8-$11! (And if it's not there, off I go to Amazon.)

Voila -- reads on the cheap!

Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Getting Paid For Shopping!

The Recessionista likes to shop. Like, for EVERYTHING. Underwear, outerwear, and anything in between. Books. Pet supplies (the Recessionista loooooves her dogs). Cosmetics. Computer stuff. You name it, Recessionista shops for it! And online shopping is great for cost comparisons.



I'm a big fan of http://www.ebates.com/! This is a portal for online shopping, but even better it provides coupons and cash back! The Ebates cash back varies by site -- from dollar figures that range from $1-$3, to percentages from 1% back to MORE THAN 10% BACK! There are hundreds of sites that provide rebates through Ebates, and some of my faves are eBay, Dell, Sephora, Drugstore.com... I could easily spend a week checking out all the sites that provide cash back through Ebates.

Here's a great example: the Recessionista just got a new Rx for her vision. I called Costco and got a price quote. Checked out 1800 Contacts which was more expensive. Checked out a few of the contact lens suppliers listed in Ebates and I found one that was the same as Costco but provided a 15% off coupon in addition to the 7% cash back from Ebates! So my $183 contact lenses cost me $146 out of pocket and I'll get another $11 back from Ebates. Suh-weet!

Here's another great example: the Recessionista needed a new battery for her laptop. Dell wanted $135. The Recessionista bought one off eBay for $50 but it only lasted 6 months. The Recessionista bought another one from Batteries+ for $100 but it's maximum charge is 2 hours which doesn't last for a whole plane ride between DFW and NYC. So I hopped onto Ebates, found a 25% coupon for Dell and got the $135 batter for $100 in addition to the 2% cash back from Ebates!

I've also bought some books through Half.com, some home decor through eBay, and some miscellaneous stuff from Drugstore.com -- all with cash back from Ebates.

Happy e-shopping!




Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com

Let's Go To The Movies!

Recently, a friend lured me out of my nabe to see the "cheap show" at the Inwood. I don't consider $7 for a 1:30p matinee "cheap"! And, I gotta tell ya, I'm not down with the ticket prices at the AMCs at NorthPark or Valley View.

One of the best movie deals is at the Hollywood Theater at 635 and MacArthur (by the Wal*Mart, which is icky so I close my eyes and pretend it's not there). The first screening of EACH movie EVERY day is just $4.50! Most first-screenings are between noon-1:30p. So for us unemployed folk, that doesn't disturb the joy of sleeping in; and for those working stiffs, what's better than a lunchtime matinee?

The Hollywood also has a Tuesday night twofer -- after 6p, get two adult tix for the price of one. That's $8.75 for two tix. Hollywood is a decent enough theater. Stadium seating. Little arcade area for those of you with spare quarters. A seating area between the arcade and the concessions if you're waiting for someone or -- oof -- dining. They serve Coke instead of Pepsi which makes the Recessionista hap-hap-happy. And the Recessionista can't recall even the most blockiest of blockbusters being sold out. Hooray for Hollywood!


Got a tip for the Recessionista? Want to promote your deals here? Send an email to the Valley Ranch Recessionista at TheValleyRanchRecessionista@gmail.com