14 kt. gold mesh bangle for $95

Wowowowow!

Get this Italian 14kt yellow gold mesh bangle bracelet for just $95!  (That's actual 14kt gold, not plating or filling.)  Ross-Simons carries this gorgeous bracelet in yellow gold (shown), white gold and rose gold.  The 7" version is $95 and the 8" version is $110, both super bargains.  Shipping is $7.95.  

If you're nervous about buying good jewelry online, I'll just put in my $.02:  I have bought a ton of jewelry from Ross-Simons over the years and I stand behind their integrity.  I've never had a bad experience with them and their jewelry is what they say it is.

Gentlemen, here's your opportunity to make up for the vacuum you got your sigoth for Chanukah, know what I'm sayin' here?

Zonda bluetooth headphones $14.98 shipped, today, 1/1/12 only

Get these Zonda bluetooth stereo headphones with features like music, phone and volume controls, 11 hour battery life and music-pause for incoming phone calls. They are featured on 1SaleADay Wireless for only $14.98 shipped, today, 1/1/12 only. Comes in black and white and with a USB recharging cable.  Love these.

2-carat garnet earrings $7.98 shipped, today, 1/1/12 only

Know someone with a January birthday?  Get her some birthstone earrings.  1SaleADay Jewelry has these 2-carat garnet earrings for $7.98 shipped, today, 1/1/12 only.

$1 off Barilla Pasta Sauce and $1 off Smucker's Orchard's Finest

Two great coups popped up on Coupons.com this week:

$1 off Barilla Pasta Sauce (this makes it almost half-price at Walmart)

$1 off Smucker's Orchard's Finest.  I used up all of our preserves on my Rhodes Chanukah Sufganiyot, so this coupon is coming in just in time.

If you don't see the coupons, try zip code 80224 and click on the "Foods" tab.

Free sample of Benefiber

Request your free sample of Benefiber here.

Half-price sweaters and free shipping at PerryEllis.com, today, 12/30/11 only

Reduice all men's sweaters to $24.99 with free shipping at PerryEllis.com when you enter promo code PEHOLIDAY.  You can snag some great designer sweaters for just $25 with this deal, which is good today, 12/30/11 only.

Free App Friday (12/30/11)

It's Friday, which means we're going to talk about some great smartphone apps that are either free or near-free.  I like to highlight apps that either make your life easier or are just plain fun.

Let's start off with one for Androids, Kingsoft Office.  It's basically an entire office suite, giving you the ability to both view and edit documents, spreadsheets, and even Powerpoints presentations on your Android smartphones and tablets.  This office suite is now free as of 12/14/11.  It got 4 1/2 stars out of 5 over nearly 900 reviews.  Download Kingsoft Office here.

The next app is one I posted about over a year ago, but it's become so useful to me that I think it's worth another mention:  Square.  It's basically a free device and free app for Iphone, Ipad and Android that allows anyone with a bank account to accept all major credit cards (Visa, MC, AmEx, and Discover), with a straight 2.75%  fee per swipe.  If you key in the card number instead, the fee is 3.5% plus $0.15 per transaction.

The genius of Square lies in its simplicity.  Plug in the device, bring up the app, swipe and accept. The payment shows up in your account the next day.  You can request the free device and app here.  If you're a freelancer, small businessperson or you sell things at shows and don't want to pay for an ecommerce setup, this is a frugal and useful alternative.

Next one is a fun little game:  Clue, by the makers of  the old Clue board game.  You basically use logic and hints to figure out whodunit in ten different murder scenarios.  It's $0.99 for the Iphone, Ipod Touch or Ipad game.  It didn't get top reviews, but I'm a logic puzzle junkie, so I enjoyed it.  The only two things I didn't like about it were 1) you get only ten scenarios to solve and 2) it's really nothing like the board game.  But it's a fun cheap game on its own.  Download Clue here.

Last one up is also a $0.99 app for Ipad and Iphone, and believe it or not, it's an app from Bertolli called Let's Cook. It basically shows entertaining videos of recipes by a gourmet chef, Fabio Viviani (yes, his name is actually Fabio).  I really enjoy watching hokey cooking shows, so for me, this was a real treat for a buck.  You can download Let's Cook here.

Got a free or near-free app to recommend?  Please let me know!  I'd love your input.

Get a $10 credit on Kindle e-textbooks

Amazon is offering a $10 off of any e-textbooks-for-Kindle purchase with the code ETXTBOOK.  Instructions for redeeming it are here.  This code is good through 1/9/12.

(I love the idea of e-textbooks.  When I was a college student, I definitely would have preferred carrying around a Kindle as opposed to a huge stack of thick textbooks. )

Brag of the Week: lots of free and better-than-free beverages

This week's brag is on my Target beverage run.  Here's what I bought:

• 6 2-liter bottles of Fresca @ $1.25 = $7.50
• 4 2-liter bottles of Coke Zero @ $1.25 = $5.00
• 3 20 oz. bottles of Diet Coke @ $1.59 = $4.77
• 2 1-liter bottles of Arrowhead sparkling water @ $0.69 = $1.38
• 3 lbs. of apples = $3.34

Total:  $21.99
I paid $3.10 (sans tax)Check out my receipt over here.

Here's how I did it:

• Target has an unadvertised sale on 2-liter Coke products: buy-4-get-an-additional-1-free.  I bought 10 of these so I got 2 free without a coupon.  -$2.50
• I had two Target coupons for buy-4-get-1-additional-free (still available) on 2-liter Coke products, so that gave me another 2 for free.  -$2.50
• I had four of these $0.99 Coke Zero coupons (still available).  -$3.96
• I had three $1/2 Fresca "hanger" coupons.  -$3.00
• I had two $1/1 Arrowhead coupons.  The Target store in Denver actually allows for overages on coupons, so even though the Arrowhead was on sale for $0.69, they gave me the full $1.00 off for each coupon.  So I actually "made" $0.62 off these coupons.  -$2.00
• I had three free product coupons for the 20 oz. Diet Cokes that I routinely get from MyCokeRewards.  They were expiring at the end of the year, so I had to use them. -$4.77

So my coupons reduced my total by $18.73 to $3.26, which is slightly less than the cost of the apples that I bought.  The apples were the only thing on my shopping list that I did not have a coupon for.  I bought them because 1) er, we were running low on apples 2) I knew my coupons would be more than the cost of the beverages that I bought, so I needed an item to absorb the overage.  My Target RedCard reduced the $3.26 by 5% down to $3.10.  Ta da:  I saved 86% off my total bill.  That's a brag.

Why do I post these brags?  Well, 1) because I'm a little conceited, I guess, but mostly because 2) there is almost nothing that I did on this shopping trip that I didn't first post on DailyCheapskate.  I post these brags to show you that you can get the exact same deals that I do, and do just as well on your shopping trips.

Got brag?  Please send me a picture of your haul and/or a scan of your receipt and I'll be happy to post it.

Entertainment Books for $16.25 (plus free shipping) with Ebates cash back

What a fantastic offer....Ebates is currently offering 35% in cash back on all purchases of 2012 Entertainment Books, most of which are on sale for ($10 off $35 =) $25 with free shipping until 1/2/12.   So you pay $25 shipped to get the book, and receive 35% or $8.75 in cash back from Ebates, reducing your total cost for an Entertainment Book to $16.25 shipped!

We buy a Denver Entertainment Book every year. Even though we can't take advantage of the restaurant offers because we keep kosher, the books pay for themselves several times over in shopping coupons, movie ticket coupons, dry cleaning coupons, free bowling coupons, and automotive coupons alone.  (And this year, Entertainment Books also include mobile coupons....yay!) These Entertainment Books rarely go on sale this early in the year, so this is a fantastic offer.

This deal is time-limited, as the $10 off and free shipping is only good through 1/2/12.  You must be a member of Ebates and logged into your account to get the 35% in cash back.  If you're not a member of Ebates yet, you can join here.  If you aren't quite sure how  Ebates works, please read my primer on cash back programs here.  I stand behind this reputable company, as I've been a member since 2007, and have personally received over $400 in cash back from them, for doing nothing that I wouldn't have already done: shop for stuff that I'd buy anyway.  The ten-second explanation for Ebates is that basically, you shop through the  Ebates  link to the Entertainment Book instead of going directly there, and Ebates sends you a check.  It's really that simple.  And if you're a new member of Ebates, you can get a $10 gift card just for joining and making a $25 purchase through their website.  Cash back programs are one of my favorite no-brainer methods of saving significant amounts of money over the course of the year.

BOGO on Babyganics products at Toys R Us + $1 off coupon

Through 1/22/12, all Babyganics products at Toys R Us are Buy-One-Get-One-Free (or the equivalent of 50% off).  This sale is going on both online and in-store.

But wait, there's more.

Print your coupon for $1 off any Babyganics purchase of $4.99 or more here.   (This pdf coupon is good all through 2012, so save it on your computer desktop.) Now you're talking about some real money saving.  Here are some ideas:

• Buy six packages of Babyganics On The Go Hand Sanitizer Wipes for $1.99 each. Since it's BOGO, you will pay $5.97 for all six and with the $1 coupon, a total of $4.97, or $0.83 per package of wipes.
• Buy 12 packs of BabyGanics 30-count Diaper Rash Wipes Travel Pack for $0.98. Since it's BOGO, you will pay $5.88 for all 12, and with the coupon, a total of $4.88, or $0.41 per pack of wipes.

Panasonic SC-XH50 Home Theater System with DVD player for $101.99 shipped

Get a Panasonic SC-XH50 Home Theater System with DVD Player for $100 with $1.99 shipping here.  The theater system is on sale for $135, but when you use promo code DEALXH50 at checkout, the price will drop by $35 to $100.  The promo code is good through 12/31/11.

This exact same system goes for $189.99 on Amazon.

Some techspecs:
• 1080p DVD Upconversion
• 5.1Ch Front Layout/Surround, 300 Watts
• HDMI w/ ARC (Audio Return Channel)

Free 7-day pass to 24 Hour Fitness

Do you live near a 24 Hour Fitness?  Sign up here for a free 7-day pass to this great chain of workout gym clubs, including classes.  Find a local 24 Hour Fitness here.

$0.55 off any Fresh Express salad

Print your $0.55/1 Fresh Express coupon here.  The coupon is good through 1/31/12.

$2 soda and $2 popcorn smartphone coupon at Regal Cinemas

Go to the Regal Cinemas Facebook page, like them, and click on the "Regal Weekly Coupons" page.  Then, enter your smartphone number to get the mobile coupon that will allow you to buy a small soda and/or a small popcorn for $2 at any Regal, UA or Edwards Cinemas theater, through 1/1/12.  You must have a smartphone to get this coupon; printed coupons will not be accepted.

We keep kosher, so we won't be using the popcorn coupon, but the soda coupon will come in very handy on tonight's date night.

10% off all Ipads and Ipods at NewEgg, through 12/30/11

Get 10% off all Ipads and Ipods at NewEgg with promo code EMCJHHA82.  Make sure you subscribe to NewEgg's "Eblast Insider" (the link to subscribe will be at the top of the page) in order to be able to use the promo code.  Ipads and Ipods rarely go on sale, so if you are shopping for one in the post-Christmas sales, this is a great opportunity.  The promo code expires tomorrow, 12/30/11.

Microsoft XBOX 360 Live 12 month Gold Card for $38.99 shipped, from NewEgg

Get the Microsoft XBox 12-month Gold Card for just $38.99 with free shipping from NewEgg.  This price is about $12 less than what local retailers are charging.

$1 off Woolite's Dry Cleaner's Secret + submit your dry-cleaning receipt for a free sample

Print your $1 coupon for Woolite's Dry Cleaner's Secret here. You can also request a free sample of Woolite's Dry Cleaner's Secret by printing out this form and mailing in your dry cleaner's receipt.

Get $50 off custom Milano wig or a free precut Milano

Shopping for a Milano sheitel?  Click here and fill out the form to request a coupon for $50 off a non-precut Milano wig or a free precut (value $175, precut is available in the Brooklyn, NY showroom only).  You can also use the personalized promo code that is printed at the bottom of the coupon to order a sheitel online.  The coupon is good at Milano or any of their authorized distributors.

Free sample Palmer's Cocoa Butter for Men

Go to the Palmer's Facebook page, like them and then click on the Men's Lotion Sample tab to request your free sample. Remember to respond to their email in order to get the sample.

30% off an adult or teen/kid's book at Barnes & Noble

Print your coupon for 30% off list price for a teen/kid's book or an adult book here.  Online, use promo code M7K4K8J.  Discount good through 1/2/12.

Are you the creative type? Explore Craftsy for great crafting deals and resources

Well, now I'm convinced that there really is a social-purchasing community for every interest.

Craftsy is devoted to crafters of all types. It's actually more than just a deal-a-day site, though it's definitely posted some good deals on crafting supplies: organic yarn, lovely fabrics and fat quarters from top designers, high quality needles, etc.   Craftsy has also got online courses from skilled instructors for beginning, intermediate and advanced quilters, knitters, crocheters, sewists, jewelry makers, and other crafters.  There are tons of free resources and a real community feel to Craftsy.

Whether you've got a box of unfinished needlework projects in the back of your closet (like I do, <sigh>), or have your own Etsy shop, or are on a first-name basis with the store clerks at Michael's and Joann, or are simply the creative type, you can join Craftsy here.

Blue topaz & diamonds set in sterling silver, pendant and earrings set, $19.99 shipped on 1SaleADay Flash sale

Get this pendant and earrings set of 5.5 carats of blue topaz & diamonds set in sterling silver for just $19.99 with free shipping, today 12/28/11 only, on the 1SaleADay Flash sale.  Gorgeous.  I love emerald cut stones.

$1 Eco-tools coupon = free item at Walmart or Target

Print out this $1 coupon for an Eco-tool and use it at Walmart or Target to pick up an Eco Tools nail brush, pumice file, or mini bath poof for $1.

$5 credit for Amazon Video On Demand for new users

New Amazon Video-On-Demand users can get a $5 V-O-D credit here.  Use it to view movies or tv shows.  The credit is available only to new V-O-D users and is good through March 2012.

Kashi, Bear Naked and Wasa coupons

• $1/1 Kashi Go Lean Crisp cereal
• $1/1 Kashi Go Lean cereal
• $1/1 Bear Naked product
• $1/1 Kashi Soft & Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Bar
• $1.50/2 Wasa products

Coffee K-Cups 36-count for $14.44

Amazon has got a few kinds of K-cup coffees for a special price with Subscribe & Save.  Get any of the following types of 36-count coffee K-cups for just $14.44 (that's $0.40/K-cup) with Subscribe & Save and free shipping:

• San Francisco Bay French Roast K-Cups, 36 count
• San Francisco Bay Fog Chaser K-Cups, 36 count
• San Francisco Bay Rainforest Blend K-Cups, 36 count

Remember, you can easily un-subscribe to Amazon Subscribe & Save at any time after the order ships.

Save $1 on 2 boxes of Nabisco crackers

Go to the Ritz Crackers Facebook page and like them.  Click on the "Coupons" tab (on the left-hand side) and then like the coupon.  Then you can print your coupon for $1 off any two boxes of Nabisco crackers (not just Ritz).  Use your back button to print it twice.

PUR water filter just $16 (after rebate)

Amazon has got the PUR 3-stage vertical faucet mount on special for $26, but if you fill out this $10 mail-in rebate form, you can get this mounted water filter for just $16. The filter comes in three colors: chrome (my fave), gray and white.  You must order the filter no later than 12/30/11 and submit the rebate form no later than 2/10/12.

(Are you hesitant to send in mail-in rebates?  I can't say I blame you.  Read my tips for managing mail-in rebates here.)

Five No-Brainers that will start saving you money right away

Here are five very easy, no-brainer, little-to-zero-effort, lazy ways to save money.

1. Join Swagbucks.  Earn Amazon gift cards for doing nothing you wouldn't already be doing: searching using Google.  Want more info?  Read about Swagbucks here.
2. Download free music from Freegal.  I love this service.  You can download up to three mp3's each week for free (and legally).  Check to see if your online public library account offers Freegal.  More about Freegal here.  No more paying for Itunes.
3. Join Ebates.  
4. Then join ShopAtHome.  Getting cash back for making purchases that you already were going to make?  No- brainer. Plus there are some cool bonuses just for signing up and making a purchase through these two sites.  Read my primer on cash back programs here. 
5. Join RecycleBank.  Even if you're not very green (I'm certainly not), it's really easy to earn a ton of points on this program, and the rewards are high-value coupons and gift cards.  

Who's five for five?

$3 for an annual subscription (42 issues) of New York magazine

I still read New York magazine, even though I have lived in Denver for years. Magazines.com is running a special on New York:  a one year, 42-issue subscription for just $5!  This subscription normally goes for $25.

But wait.  You can do even better.

Click through the Ebates link to Magazines.com before you check out and you will get a whoppingly insane 40% cash back on your purchase.  That will reduce your $5 purchase to $3.  $3 for 42 issues of New York!  You'll spend more on your morning Starbucks latte.  Not a member of Ebates yet?  Join here and snag a $10 gift card when you make your first $25 purchase through Ebates.

A little confused about Ebates and cash back programs?  Read my primer on cash back programs here.

McAfee 2012, free after mail-in rebate

When it comes to your computer being attacked with a virus, it's not a question of if. It's a question of when.

NewEgg has got a great offer going on the best virus protection software around (IMHO):   McAfee Internet Security 2012 (3 PC license) for $45 with a full refund with this mail-in rebate.  This offer is good only for McAfee purchases on NewEgg between 12/26/11 and 1/4/12. One rebate per household.  Rebates must be postmarked by 2/4/12.  Shipping is free.

You won't find a better deal for McAfee software.

Hate dealing with mail-in rebates?  Me too.  Read some of my tips for managing rebates here.

MiMedia offering 7 gigs of backup for free

By now, I'm sure you've heard of all the online services that are available for backing up your computer.  What do they have in common?  Frankly, they are a little pricey. 

MiMedia is currently offering 7 gbs of backup storage FOR FREE, no strings, no credit card.  Awesome.  I'm going to sign up and put all the music from my Ipod on there, and some cannot-be-replaced digital photos as well.  I've seen other offers for free storage, but never as much as 7 gigs and usually with some conditions.  This is a promotional offer that won't be around too long, so grab your 7 gigs now.

Free issue of Bridal Guide magazine

Getting married or know someone who is engaged?  Get this free issue of Bridal Guide magazine, no strings attached and no credit card required.

And btw, Mazel Tov!

Table Tennis set for just $4 from JCPenney

Get this Table Tennis set for just $4 (yup, $4) from JCPenney. Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout for free ship-to-store and avoid the $5.99 shipping charge. The set includes 3 balls, 2 paddles, 1 net and a clear zip carry bag.  And I love the vintage packaging!  Reminds me of playing ping-pong in summer camp, about a hundred years ago....

28 Duracell Coppertop batteries, AA or AAA for $10.29 on Amazon

Power up those Chanukah or Christmas electronic and toys gifts. Get 28 AA or AAA Duracell Coppertop batteries for just $10.29 on Amazon.  You might be able to do better on generic batteries, but this is by far the best price I've seen on Duracell Coppertop batteries on Amazon yet.  Here's how to get this one-time price.

1. Click here to get to the Duracell Coppertop page on Amazon.
2. Scroll down and clip the $0.75 coupon on the page.
3. Select the 28-count battery option and either AA or AAA size.
4. Select the $11.04 Subscribe & Save option.  Remember, you can very easily UN-subscribe to Subscribe & Save as soon as you are done placing your order. 
5. $11.04 minus $0.75 = $10.29, or $0.36 per battery. 

Free workout stability ball from FitStudio and Sears

Get a free stability ball when you register at Fitstudio.com and enter promo code 122511SB.  Following registration, you should receive an email from Sears with a coupon and instructions for getting your free stability ball.

High-value $2 Pull-Ups coupon + $2 coupon at Target OR $2 off at Savings Star stores

Print your $2 Pull-Ups coupon here. (Use your back button to print it twice.)

Make sure you stack this with the $2 Target coupon here (click on the "Baby" tab if you don't see it) to get a total of $4 off.

OR

If you prefer to purchase your Pull-Ups at CVS, ShopRite, a Kroger's affiliate or any store with a loyalty card, make sure you get the $2 Savings Star e-coupon first and register your card number on Savings Star.  (I love Savings Star; I've gotten over $50 in cash payouts from them already, and half the time I don't even remember loading their e-coupons!)

BOGO on Chiquita avocados

Chiquita avocados just came out with a new buy-one-get-one free coupon here.  Expires 2/28/12.

Bumble Bee 5 oz. chunk light tuna in water for $0.29 at King Soopers, after coupon

King Soopers (Colorado's Kroger affiliate store) has got Bumble Bee chunk light tuna in water on sale for $0.79 this week.  Use the $1/2 Bumble Bee Recyclebank coupon (only 40 points this week, and you can print the coupon twice with your back button) and buy two cans for just $0.29 each.