Time off...

To my loyal band of 6 readers:

I think I need to take some time off from this blog.  Dealhunting and posting on here has occupied too much of my time, and it's a lot of work with very little reward!  I may come back to it after the holidays and after a few things in my life pass by, but for now it's a little too much.

Free Mint Swirl Shake and more for joining Arby's Extras

In my Redplum mailer today, I noticed a fake coupon for a mint swirl milkshake at Arby's.  In order to make it a real coupon, you have to go onto their web site and register for "Arby's Extras".  Then they will email you a coupon for the shake.

I researched this program a little bit and apparently you can get entire sandwiches and meals for free every now and then with their coupons.

Go HERE to sign up.

PS, I signed up for their text message coupon service on that page, and instantly received a coupon for a "Free Roastburger with purchase of fountain drink. Exp 12-5-09"!

PPS, There are also some good 1 cent coupons in the Redplum! Take a look!

Norton 360, a bunch of Sharpie Markers and 20 Duracell batteries for $9.99 at staples!

This is a crazy deal, but it will work if you have some patience.

Right now, you can get Norton 360 v3.0 and $25 worth of sharpie markers for:

Norton 360 $79.99

+

$25 of sharpie markers

= $104.99

- $30 instant coupon

- $40 rebate for Norton 360

- $25 Sharpie Coupon (use code 96140 but don't be surprised if it doesn't work, see below)

= $9.99

The folks at slickdeals have a long thread regarding the sharpie coupon code not working.  Just place the order anyway and call staples customer service (use 1-800-891-0195 for shorter waits) later to have them credit you for $25.  They will do so gladly since their system is malfunctioning.  (see here)

ALSO...

If you want some free Duracell batteries, you can get a 16+4 pack of duracell AAs or AAAs at staples for $12.99.  Enter your reward number during checkout, and they will give you $12.99 in staples rewards!  You can do this two times A WEEK!

Free Gillette Fusion Razor and Contact Lens Solution at Rite Aid 11/29-12/5

This week at Rite-Aid you can get a free Gillette Fusion (Power or Manual) razor and free AMO Contact Lens Solution.

Gillette Fusion Power or Manual Razor $9
- $5 SCR
-$4 11/29 PG
= FREE

Abbott Medical Optics (AMO) Contact Lens Solution, 12 oz. $7.99
- $7.99 SCR
- $1 10/25 RP
= BETTER THAN FREE (Make $1!)


Other cheap stuff:

Crest Whitening Plus Scope $2.49
- $1.50 SCR
- $.75/1 11/29 PG
= $.24

These are the cheapies under a buck, but there are other matchups as well.  For the full list of matchups, check out athriftymom's list here.

Free Samsung WEP450 Bluetooth Headset after rebate at Adorama

Today adorama.com is offering the Samsung WEP450 Bluetooth Headset for:

$20
-$20 MIR
= FREE

http://deals.adorama.com/

You can buy up to three and use the rebate for all 3 of them, but you have to place separate orders.

Also, bing is offering 3% to 10% cash back on all purchases from Adorama (I'm not sure which! IT just gives a range)

There have been some reports of them being out of stock, but I received confirmation emails for all three of my orders!

FUJIFILM FinePix A170 Silver 10.2 MP 3X Optical Zoom Digital Camera for $48

On Dell.com RIGHT NOW (it will sell out), you can get a Fujifilm Finepix A170 10.2 MP digital camera for:
$80
- $21 instant savings
- 20% bing cash back from dell (~$12)
= $48 + tax.

These sell for $75 on Amazon.

Free $121 from INGDirect for opening an Electric Orange Checking Account on Black Friday

INGDirect, an online bank, is offering a $121 bonus if you open an Electric Orange checking account with them today, Black Friday.  Use the code 'EOSAVE' when prompted.  Make three debit card purchases within 45 days, and after 50 days, they will deposit $121 into the account!

http://www.ingdirect.com/blackfriday/

If you combine this with a referral, there may be a way to get the new account opener an additional $25 on top of the bonus, and the referrer an additional $10.  This is YMMV though.

Amazon Black Friday Lightning Deals

Why wait in line in the cold on Black Friday?  Do all your shopping on your computer.  And when you combine these deals with the free trial of Amazon Prime I posted about earlier, you can get the item in 2 business days with no sales tax!

From the amazon web site:

You shouldn’t have to stand in a long line to get a great deal. We’re searching for the best Black Friday deals everywhere--including deals other stores are planning--so we can meet or beat their prices and bring them to you even earlier. These limited-supply offers will go quickly but we’ll add new ones throughout the day, every day this week, so you can skip the long lines and still save a bundle.

Click here to follow amazon on twitter for the latest deals as they get released:

http://twitter.com/amazondeals

And click here for a summary of all the items being sold:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Friday-After-Thanksgiving-Sale/b?ie=UTF8&node=384082011

TOM TOM 140 $49.99 at amazon!

I practically wet myself when I saw this posted on fatwallet, because I drove to Targets all over the county a few weeks back when they had these on clearance for $49.99.  RIGHT NOW (and I do mean now because these will sell out) you can get these on amazon for

$59.99 - $10 when you pay with a Discover card.

Plus, don't forget that Discover card is offering Double Cash Back during the holiday season, so you'll get an additional 2% cash back on your next Discover statement.

Here is the link! Thanks fatwallet!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VEJEFG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001VEJEG0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=02V1A1NT2A1BEZ84K2QH

$10 off coupon for thefirestore.com

Between now and December 1, 2009 at 11:59pm you can use the code "THX09" to receive $10 off a $75 purchase at thefirestore.com.

This is a deal because this type of specialty store rarely offers discounts.  I actually added the coupon to my shopping cart for an item that was around $10, and it worked!

However, they charge for shipping on everything, so that pretty much squashes a freebie.  Still... it's $10 less than you would have paid without a coupon.

Free Pumpkin Pie at Bob Evans on Black Friday

Bob Evans is giving away free pumpkin pie slices from 11/27/09 to 11/29/09.  Print out the coupon below and bring it in!!

http://www.bobevans.com/downloads/BlackFriday10_FreePumpkinPie.pdf

If that link doesn't work, try here as well:

http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1692483&u2=http://www.bobevans.com/downloads/BlackFriday10_FreePumpkinPie.pdf

(thanks floridagal7 at slickdeals)

Fill your Bellies at Ikea this weekend.

Check your Redplums that you got in the mail yesterday to find the Ikea ad.  There are two really good coupons in it for the restaurant.  From 11/27/09 to 11/29/09, you can get the following:

1) A free breakfast (value 99 cents) and one small cup of coffee (value 99 cents).  In the picture, it shows two strips of bacon, scrambled eggs, and potatoes for the breakfast.  Good until 10:30am.

2)  Swedish meatball plate for just $1 (regularly $4.29).  10 Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, cream sauce, and cranberry sauce in the picture for this coupon.  Good after 11am.

So if you're a cheapskate like me, you'll show up at ikea around 10:29 for the breakfast.  And then make a second trip around 11am for the lunch.  These are small plates, so you'll definitely have room for the two meals.  Ah, thank God for the Swedish.

$.29 scissors at OfficeDepot.com with free shipping

Right now Office Depot is having a major clearance on scissors (thanks slickdeals).  You can get the following scissors for $.29 with free shipping.

1.  Go to http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/250837/Westcott-5-Scissor-Clip/ and add it to your cart.
2.  Enter coupn 18836257 when prompted during checkout.  This takes 15% off, or 4 cents!
3.  You will get free shipping too!  Total comes to $.29.

If you don't like this particular style, you can get the same coupon on higher end models.  Just go here and browse, but some are already out of stock:

http://www.officedepot.com/catalog/search.do?N=5 2046&seoText=scissors&Ns=p_ZonePriceSort_74%7C0&recordsPerPageNumber=12

Free DVD Rentals at Redbox

Sign up for redbox's weekly emails and they will email or text you a coupon code for a free DVD rental every Monday.  It's only good for one use, so once someone uses it, you may find that it doesn't work.  But let's be realistic.  Who else is reading this blog besides me and a couple other people?  Here's the code for today:

XG4KXND

Also, if you're not aware, you can ALWAYS use these codes for a free redbox dvd rental:

DVDONME

BREAKROOM

You are limited to one use per credit card, so if you have lots of cards, that means lots of free movies.  You're welcome.

Gone East for a Few Days

I'll be in Ocean City, MD for the next couple days. I can post updates with my Blackberry, but I probably won't unless I see something extremely special. See you in a few.
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Harris Teeter Matchups 11/18 to 11/26

Here are the deals for Harris Teeter this week.  No Super Doubles or Triples, but there are still a bunch of really cheap things this week!

Dole Pineapples in a Can $1.00

- $.50 printable (play the game)

= FREE

Ziploc Storage Containers BOGO $3.49 (so $1.74 each)

- $.75 printable

= $.24 each!

Kellogg's Crispix BOGO $3.75 (so $1.87 each)

- $.75 printable

= $.37 a box!

Kellogg's Rice Crispies BOGO $3.99 (so $1.99 each)

= $.75  printable

= $.49 a box!

McCormick Gravy Mix BOGO $1.29 (so $.64 each)

- $1/4 11/1 RP

= $.40 each WYB 4

Betty Crocker Box or Pouch Potatoes $1.25

- $.40 printable

= $.45 a box!

Heluva Good Dip 12 oz $1.50

-  $.50 printable

= $.50 per tub

Breakstone's Sour Cream 16 oz. BOGO $1.99 (so $.99 each) x 2

- $1/2 11/15 RP

= $.50 each WYB 2

Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables BOGO $1.99 (so $.99 each)

- $1/2 10/18 SS

= $.50 each

Duncan Hines Cake Mix BOGO $1.95 (so $.97 each)

- $1/3 10/11 SS

= $.64 each

Smart Balance Buttery Spread BOGO $2.99 (so $1.49 each)

****For this deal, you have to buy a Smart Balance Sour Cream Tub as well****

- FREE Smart Balance Sour Cream 11/8 RP (normally $2.39)

= $.75 each

Ziploc Freezer and Storage Bags $2.50

- $.75 printable

= $1.00 each

Pop Secret Popcorn BOGO $3.15 (so $1.57 each)

- $1/2 11/8 SS

= $1.07 each

Kraft American Singles 16 slices $1.79 each

- $1/2 11/15 RP

= $1.29 each

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste $2.99

- $1 11/1 PG

= $1.99

Wesson Vegetable Oil 48 oz. $2.99

= $.50 printable

= $1.99

Breyers Ice Cream  BOGO $5.59 (so $2.79 each)

- $1/2 10/18 RP

= $2.29 each

For a full list, check out Southern Savers' weekly HT matchups here.  Just note that not all the deals on that page will apply due to regional coupon differences.  On my site, I post only deals I have verified are available in the DC area and that I think are the best.

Safeway 11/18 to 11/26 (up to and including Thanksgiving day)

Here are this week's matchups for Safeway in the DC area.  The weekly ad is a day longer than usual due to the holiday.  Some decent bargains leading up to Thanksgiving.  I probably wouldn't stock up on the stuff that's over a buck because you can get those things a lot cheaper during super doubles or triples, but they are worth getting if you're running low.

Safeway Turkey $.39/lb 8-24lbs. Limit 2 with $25 min purchase

2 liters of A&W Root Beer, 7-Up, and other varieties 3 for $1
= $.33 each (must buy 3, only between 11/18 and 11/21)

Dole Canned Pineapples $1.00 each
- $.50 printable (play the flip a fruit game, coupon link appears after the game)
= FREE

Duncan Hines Brownie Mix $1 each
- $1/3
= $.66 each

McCormick Gravy $.99 each
- $1/4
= $.74 each

Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.88 each
- $1/1 Nabisco Crackers 11/8 SS
= $.88 / box

Fresh Express Salads BOGO (up to $3.49ea normally)
- $.55 x 2 10/4 SS
= $.65 each!

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 2 for $5 (Buy two to get this deal)
- $1.51 ($.99 Safeway In-Ad Coupon, must make a $20 purchase)
- $1.00 x 2 10/11 RP
= $.49 a box

Bisquick Baking Mix 2 for $5
- $60 printable
= $1.30

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter 8oz to 15oz varieties $1.99
- $1/2 11/15 RP
= $1.50 each

Reddi Whip 2 for $5
- $1/2 11/15 SS
= $2 each

Gorton's Seafood Selections $2.99
- $.40 9/13 SS
= $2.19

25% cashback from bing when you shop online at drugstore.com

OK, this is not breaking news to anyone who knows much about hot deals.  However, I realize that the only people reading this blog right now are friends, coworkers, and the occasional random person who accidentally stumbled onto this site from digg or google. 

So this post is a nugget for those new to this.

Bing is a search engine owned by microsoft that will give you cashback when you shop at regular stores (like drugstore.com) as you would normally.  Right now, drugstore.com is offering 25% cash back from bing on any purchase there.  To see what I'm talking about just follow these steps:

1.  Go to bing.com (but don't leave my site yet)!

2.  Click on shopping.

3. Click on cashback stores.

Now all of these stores offer cash back in some way.  Click on "E" and you will see that ebay offers 8% cash back.  This is a great deal!  Anything you buy on ebay will earn you 8% cash back as long as you follow this link.  Believe it or not, last year bing cashback at ebay was at 35% and people were actually buying and selling CASH on ebay for more than it was worth... because everyone made money.  But I digress.

Now, times have changed, Microsoft has gotten the marketshare it wanted from internet shoppers, and they are far less generous.  EXCEPT, every now and then, someone will find a secret keyword or special link that lets you get a crazy amount of cash back from bing.  That is what I am about to share with you.

You see, if you just find drugstore.com in the list of merchants on bing's site, it only says the bing cashback amount is 10%.

But if you follow these instructions, you will get 25% cash back on your purchase.  Pretty crazy huh?  It all has to do with the key words you type in.  Try it:

1.  Go to bing.com.

2.  Search for "water pik" in the search box.

3.  Click on the very first link that says "Buy Water Pik and get 25% cash back".   You don't have to actually buy a water pik item.  You can buy anything you want and still get 25% cash back.  Diapers.  Mouthwash.  Vitamins.  Beautiful.

After you have your bing cashback account set up and make your purchase, bing will deposit the cash back within 60 days.  You can request it be paid to your paypal account or by check.  Sometimes, it gets credited into your bing cashback account instantly after you make a purchase but that is rare and I think I've only seen it happen with ebay purchases.

Just be careful not to combine bing with coupons or other discounts.  They are pretty picky and will take it back (even after it's been deposited into your paypal account.)

I found this deal out from a thread here on fatwallet. 

Fatwallet is one of those sites you should bookmark if you are serious about getting any kind of bargain or freebie.  There are some geniuses there who have been doing this much longer than I, and I am in awe at the deals they come up with.  One time, I bought a $450 Acer laptop that had 50 rebates (yes, that 0 is supposed to be there).  I filled them all out.  It took several hours to collate all the documents and scan them into my computer so I could track each one, but in the end, I got all the rebates.  The laptop computer was free, and I ended up selling the computer a year later for about $350.  There was another similar deal that I missed where you GOT PAID $75 to buy the laptop and fill out the rebates.  That's the fatwallet way, and anyone who ever told you that nothing in life is free was lying to you.  OK I'm done rambling.  I hope this helped someone.

Free 3 1/2" 9 LED Flashlight at Harbor Freight (no purchase necessary)

I was thumbing through my sunday ads today seeing if I missed any deals.  I found a coupon in the Harbor Freight ad for a free 3 1/2" 9 LED flashlight.  The cool thing is you don't need to make a purchase or anything.  You just walk into your local HF, hand them the coupon, and walk out with a flashlight.

There is also a printable coupon for it HERE if you threw out your sunday ads.

Oh yeah, there is also a 20% off ANYTHING coupon right next to the flashlight coupon which could come in handy for a christmas gift (think torque wrenches which are even cheaper than the craftsman deal I posted a couple days ago, and have received good reviews).

Refurbished Xbox 360 Premiums, $114.99 shipped

Cowboom.com has refurbished Xbox 360s for $114.99 shipped to your door.  They include:

• the console
• 20gb hard drive
• power supply
• power cord
• component/composite video cable
• wireless controller
• xbox live headset

One thing to check on is whether or not there is a warranty on these.  If they've failed once and been fixed, odds are you won't have a RROD issue, but you never know.  It doesn't specifically say in the item description so that leads me to believe there is no warranty.

Still, this is a cheap way to get up to speed on video games AND you can stream Netflix movies and TV shows through these boxes so they are a great value.

Click here to buy