Meeting Updates: May 18th

Small crowd today; however, the savvy saving tips shared were plentiful!

The following is an overview of the websites and info shared today. Be sure to click on the links for additional info and provide feedback via the "comments" section to share your successes or issues with the savings tips and info offered.

Please note: No compensation was provided in exchange for the reviews or recommendations offered in this article or any posting by this author on this blog.

Personal Finance (thanks to our very own frugal personal finance goddess, Cara!):

www.daveramsey.com Learn how to get your personal finances on track-for life! Check out Dave Ramsey, finance guru and TV personality for classes (2 local sessions available for fee) and other information on getting your wealth in order-for good. Cara and scores of others swear by Dave's sage financial advice. He offers tips on everything from mortgages to retirement and everything in between and has helpful books and workbooks to teach you his tricks and manage your money with savvy success!

www.bargaineering.com Want to learn more about your own personal finance including tips on how your credit score works, how to plan and save for college, how a mortgage works, what's the best insurance for you and much, much more? Check out this great site overflowing with great articles on finance in precise and easy to read language.

http://cashmoneylife.com/ Need to sell a large ticket item, like a car, on Craigslist? Is a flexible spending account the best health plan option for you? Is an IRA, and which kind, a good investment plan for you? Which is better, Netflix or Blockbuster? Get answers and recommendations on these questions and much more on this great site with your personal finances in mind. Also available is a great breakdown of the services offered by finance guru Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University program.

Coupon Sites and Retail Bargains Galore:

http://www.couponcabin.com/ Check out this site for free coupons, online coupon codes and promotional codes from your favorite retailers. Works very similar to http://www.retailmenot.com/ except this site takes you directly to the retailer website and plugs in your discount, thus saving you the "cut & paste" step. Check it out and start saving today!

http://ritzpix.com/ Cara shared this great site which had a great free promotion valid for today only. Upload your photos and receive a FREE 4x4 hardcover photo book, pay only $1.99 in shipping or for one-hour processing for in-store pickup. Watch this site for future bargains and snap, click, and save!

http://www.smartbargains.com/ For all the savvy Internet shoppers, check out this site for great bargains on everything under your roof... Deep discount items include everything from couture to cutlery and everything in between. Sign-up for their e-updates and join the Smartshopper club and get even more bargains emailed right to you. My bargain for today was a special "private room" sale event lasting until midnight tonight!

http://www.overstock.com/ On a recent Internet shopping exploration for a sofa, I was elated to find the perfect fit for my space right here! I read the specs, reviews, placed in my cart and ordered in a matter of minutes. The sofa arrived via freight liner in two large boxes only 2 days later- with a shipping fee of only....wait for it.... $3.95. Yep, four bucks! Amazing bargains are had here and I'm a long-time shopper. Check it out and start saving today!

http://www.llbean.com/ This quality brand clothier is offering free shipping on orders over $75 through May 25. Check out their monogrammed boat tote bags for the best-ever carry-all!

http://www.target.com/ For the price conscience beauty connoisseur: this week, our local Target store has select L'Oreal hair color on promotion, while supplies last. Buy 2 at the regular price and receive a $5 Target gift card! And don't forget to check out the bulls eye online for great items not stocked in stores.

Are you a drugstore frugalista? According to Kelly, awesome bargains are ripe for the pickin' at your local CVS Pharmacy. Check out their rewards programs and save up your savings dollars. On a recent shopping trip, she combined her special rewards bucks, retail coupons, and in-store sales and saved over $30 on products she uses everyday like laundry detergent and personal care items! Try it out and tell us about your frugal savings adventures!


Savvy Dining Tips:

Check out your favorite restaurant online and sign-up for their e-newsletters and fan clubs in exchange for really great members-only coupon offers. Here are just a few examples:

http://www.rubytuesday.com/
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
http://www.chilis.com/
http://www.olivegarden.com/
http://www.papajohns.com/
http://www.quiznos.com/


Local dining promotions:

Craving a frugal feast for lunch? Visit your neighborhood Chili's now thru May 23 for a great deal. For only $5.99 get unlimited refills on chips, salsa and your choice of soup and salad!

Turn up the heat on your frugal dining out: Check out http://www.getspicychicken.com/ on Monday, May 24th to reserve your FREE premiere tasting of Chick-fil-A's new spicy chicken sandwich. Mark your calendars and be the first to feel the burn!


That's it for this meeting... thanks to all in attendance today for the great ideas and info shared!!

See you next month!