Bloggin' the Deals
Chicly Cheap in San Diego
This blog entry is brought to you by Estern Media, dedicated to assisting local businesses to compete in the market place by advertising to affluent consumers through the use of community display boards.
by guest blogger, Christine S.
I am a full-time Marketing & Management student at the Art Institute of San Diego Fashion, along with being a full time single mom, so I’m definitely feeling the burn of having limited to no discretionary funds. I’m venturing out more and more to unexpected places for bargains and vintage finds. I even went on a road trip to Santa Monica to attend the Vintage Fashion Expo back in April. Early buying started at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday for $20, but some waited until Sunday to get in free with student I.D.
I love to go to the Buffalo Exchange in Hillcrest and Pacific Beach every spare chance I get. They sell new and gently used clothes, accessories, and shoes at extremely affordable prices. I’m talking $7 for a great vintage dress!
You can also go check out The Buff in Pacific Beach for great vintage costumes and other pieces from past decades at really affordable prices- I talked with Karen the manager and she generously helped me with all fittings and questions. I picked up this great envelope clutch for just $3.24 and this ruffled navy dress with black trim just $7.48. I got the belt from Forever 21 for just over $6!
I try to check out a couple Target locations for their great clearance racks- 30%, 50% and 75% off everywhere! The Rosecrans location even had aisles of dried goods and other food items for 15% off.
I’m in fashion heaven when I look at the red tags and see the money I’m saving. Plus, these are staple pieces that are sure to have a home in my closet for a long time coming!
San Diego peeps: Where are your favorite resale stores? Click here for ways to save even MORE on resale in San Diego.
Visit www.SanDiegoBargainMama.com for deals and steals, both online and locally.
Win Four-Pack Hopper Tickets to LEGOLAND!
This blog entry is brought to you by LEGOLAND California Resort.
Did you know LEGOLAND California just had its tenth anniversary? Perhaps you live in San Diego, or maybe you plan on visiting and wish to take your family to one of California's greatest amusement attractions! San Diego Bargain Mama.com, thanks to LEGOLAND California, would like to give away a 4-pack Hopper ticket package to one lucky family!
This contest is simple and FUN! Share with us your favorite LEGOLAND memory (comments & jpeg photos) over the past decade. For those who have never been there, you are invited to share what attraction in the Park you have been waiting patiently for! Please share with us your memory and/or photo by July 13th to qualify. Email photos to Contest@SanDiegoBargainMama.com and leave your favorite memory in comment section below!
The Deb's Deals' Redemption!
This blog entry is brought to you by G & A Legal, proud to be a source in San Diego for the “mompreneurs”, giving them tools, tips and advice for starting and maintaining their new businesses.
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DEB'S DEALS
You wouldn't know it by looking at me, but sometimes I can be a perfectionist.
Meaning I couldn't let my last fashion shoot (the one in which I was unkempt and unclean) go without redeeming myself. So here, I am showered and awake.
I'll keep this short. This is my favorite "business casual" outfit because it's simple, yet "pops" thanks to the colorful blouse and purse. Like always, I paid less than $50 for it.
As you probably guessed, I'm a big fan of sales. I typically find the most deeply discounted saleswear at places like Banana Republic (as previously mentioned), Express and Bloomingdales (you'd be surprised; and again it pays to sign up for their e-newsletter).
For trendy shoes, I like Charlotte Russe because I can always find fashionable footwear at a good price (as long as I don't expect to wear the shoes for more than a season or two). The shoes here I won't wear often because I don't get out much, so I predict this pair will last a few years at least.
Oh! And for accessories, there's The Closet. Be forewarned that I'm not saying the accessories will be durable or long-lasting, but they sure are cute.
As for the tree in the pic, I'll let you know when it goes on sale.
San Diego Momma (Deb), besides being a blogger, is a wife, mom of two young daughters, and a freelance marketing/PR writer (who is also working on completing a supernatural thriller).
Do you have any deals to share? Email Contact@SanDiegoBargainMama.com with your tips!
Visit www.SanDiegoBargainMama.com for deals, steals and frugal fun!
The Circus is in Town, and the Savings are Here!
Tickets NOW on Sale!
Captivating illusions await Children Of All Ages at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOMSM! Circus-goers’ jaws will drop when they see stunning acts full of illusion and thrills that defy gravity and logic. Playing August 5 - 9 at the San Diego Sports Arena. Get your tickets today! Save $5 on tix now!
Be sure to check out www.SanDiegoBargainMama.com for deals, steals, freebies and frugal fun! See you at the circus!
Fourth of July Fireworks in San Diego
Courtesy of San Diego Travel Tips.com:
San Diegans and visitors have a lot of choices in where to take in the sights and sounds of July 4th. The beaches will be packed by day, but by night, find an open sky or large body of water and look skyward to see the brilliant colors and magic of fireworks.
Despite tight budget constraints, only a few cities had to cancel the 2009 fireworks displays. There's still plenty of good ol' American picnics, fairs and fireworks to enjoy across San Diego County. Grab a chair, a picnic basket, the family and friends you love, and have fun this 4th of July whatever you choose to do.
Click here to find the locations for viewing the snap, crackle and pop!
Bonus:
Leave your favorite memories of summer in San Diego (comment section below) and win a set of tickets to SeaLife Aquarium or Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® (presenting ZING ZANG ZOOM)! Winners will be chosen at random!
Also, be sure to subscribe to San Diego Bargain Mama.com for updates and many more summer giveaways! It's free!
Sew Fab! Designs - a Must-Have for the Bathtub
Sew Fab! Designs has a special bathtime item that my kids love! The terry cloth Soap Sock ($12.00) holds a bar of soap and makes washing and making suds loads of fun! No more slippery soap issues - my favorite part! The velcro on the end prevents the soap from exiting, unlike the hand washclothes we had as kids that were basically hand pockets! The Soap Socks are personalized with your kid's hand-stitched first initial, which come in a variety of fun colors and designs! They make great gifts! Add a matching "love letter" Sudzy Soap scented card for just $4.00, and you have a complete and fragrant gift all taken care of for you! Enjoy a fellow mama's creative novelty! We sure do!
Free Tickets!
How would you like two free tickets (an almost $40 value) to SeaLife Aquarium, located next to LEGOLAND, Ca.? The person to leave the most comments on various blog entries by tomorrow at midnight will have them mailed to you asap! Good luck!
Visit www.SanDiegoBargainMama.com for great deals in San Diego!
Join Team Noesis!
Our friends at Team Noesis are gearing up for some fun projects and they're looking for fresh opinions from males and females ages 13 - 63.
In the last 6 months the members on their panel, called Noe-it-Alls, have:
• Tested a new puppy food in their homes and journaled about their pets reactions;
• Shared their fears with a Fortune 500 CEO about the economy;
• Partied with other trendsetters in downtown NYC and previewed the all new XBOX - before anyone;
• A number of Noe-it-Alls also participated in a round table about healthful foods, and made $150 a piece!
• Polled teen girls who like to shop (isn't that all of them?) about the brands and stores that they love.
• And at this very moment, they’re asking women from around the country for their feedback on a skincare line.
This summer, they will be touring brand new games from Activision, designing new makeup looks, sending out disposable video cameras for mini-me movies from panelists, testing new organic fruit juices and more.
They always have fun projects and in most cases a chance to win some cool prizes (or the always appreciated prize of $$$) - so if you haven't signed up yet, please take a minute to do so - and ask the men and teens in your life to join as well!
To learn more click here!
July Columns!
SDBM's July Columns are now posted! Enjoy the resources and savings-tips and click here!
Frugal Fashion in San Diego - Yes We Can!
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DEB'S DEALS
"This whole outfit was less than $50!"
Hi again! Here I am once more with my cheap used duds. (That I thoroughly wash before wearing.) (90%ish of the time.)
Yet again, I purchased most of this stuff from the Goodwill in Point Loma. What is not from the Goodwill is from Rags in Ocean Beach (GREAT accessories) and Banana Republic (GREAT sales. Be sure to sign on for their email newsletters because you get the good sales info.)
This whole outfit was less than $50. And I’m not even lying for the sake of my husband. I think I should also tell you that this outfit looks at its best when (1) You have showered that day; and (2) You have showered that day.
In addition, it’s important for you to be aware that I like to juxtapose my fashion. So…for me, it’s completely natural that I would wear this casual outfit with gold accessories and dressy shoes. It’s just what I do. (You know, weird, independent thinker stuff like that.) But I think it works here. Mainly because the shoes have informal raffia heels (see close-up). It’s like a little surprise. As in, hey is that juxtaposed, unwashed girl wearing cocktail sandals with her denim? How weird! But no, look! The shoes have raffia heels, so it’s OK! kind of thing.
I promise I make more sense in person.
Meanwhile! Stay tuned for more cheapy fashion finds. I’m on the hunt to find something appropriate and unjuxtaposed to wear to my brother’s Manhattan wedding in August (I’m thinking an air conditioner). Plus, we’re moving to the San Diego suburbs next month and I am scouring Craigslist and the thrift stores for the many furniture items I will need in the new place. I’ll keep you posted.
Link:
More cool things I found at thrift stores
San Diego Momma (Deb), besides being a blogger, is a wife, mom of two young daughters, and a freelance marketing/PR writer (who is also working on completing a supernatural thriller).
Save even more cash at some of SDBM's favorite resale stores in San Diego! We will be discovering new locations, so we would appreciate if you would leave your favorite resale stores, as this will be valuable for our readers! Also, have a comment about this or other article posts? Feel free to spill it all in the comment section below! We appreciate you!
Extended Warranties: The Pros and Cons
This blog entry, written by guest blogger and San Diego Bargain Mama columnist, Sandra Fong Young, is brought to you by Estern Media, an industry leader in car wash advertising and the largest network of child-enrichment center locations to advertise in.
“Would you like to buy a Bonus Coverage Warranty?”
“It’s only $2.99 if you’d like to add on our special Scratch Protection Plus.”
“We have three different levels of extended warranties available …”
It seems like every purchase now comes with the option of an extended warranty. And consumers spend approximately $16 billion on them each year, according to Warranty Week magazine.
Many would argue that these unnecessary warranties are only pushed on consumers by retailers because of their enormous profit potential. Others would say that these warranties are an added benefit that should be bought with every purchase.
Whatever your stance is, consider the following pros and cons of extended warranties:
THE PROS
• For Homes with Sticky Fingers and Angry Teenagers: If the product will be used for multiple hours every day or if you have occupants who are prone to damaging expensive products, some extra insurance on your purchase may just be worth it.
• They Want Your Money: This doesn’t necessarily sound like a “pro,” but since retailers desperately want consumers to purchase additional coverage (and many employees receive incentives for such purchases), the buyer has the upper hand. Try negotiating the warranty amount, coverage period, etc.
THE CONS
• Statistically Most Defects Occur within the Manufacturer’s Warranty Period: Read the terms of the warranty that already comes with the product to see if it meets your needs. Even if a problem occurs after the warranty expires, consider contacting the manufacturer to obtain/negotiate free or discounted repairs.
• Research, Research, Research!: Read all the fine print to see what the extended warranty covers. Who is offering the warranty, who will be doing the potential repairs, and what happens if that company goes out of business? Always find out if the manufacturer offers its own extended protection plan before purchasing one from a third party.
• Money Spent That Will Never Be Returned: Consider how much you are spending on an extra service contract versus how much product repairs may actually cost. Is the fee for the extended warranty more than 20 percent of the product’s purchase price? If so, Consumer Reports recommends not purchasing the warranty because most repairs will cost less than this charge.
THE VERDICT
The automatic answer to the extended warranty question should be “No.” In fact, Director of Survey Research for Consumer Reports Mark Kotkin has stated that consumers should not purchase nearly all extended warranties. Just remember to take shopping for warranties just as seriously as buying the product itself.
For great deals in San Diego: www.SanDiegoBargainMama.com.
Father's Day Savings in San Diego: Old Globe, Chick-fil-A!
The Old Globe Special:
The Old Globe has special offer for SDBM readers: Cornelia this weekend only, June 20th at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, along with June 21 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. They are offering $19 tickets and they can be purchased over the phone or online using Promo Code: MAMA.
CORNELIA - NOW PLAYING:
From the co-creator and Executive Producer of the hit HBO series “Big Love” comes Cornelia, an epic slice of history – welcome to Alabama, 1970, recently-divorced beauty queen Cornelia Folsom has her eye set on Governor George Wallace, and will do anything to be the next first lady of Alabama. But this is the South, and there’s more than hanky-panky going on in this sweeping, provocative tale of sex, power, and bare-knuckled American politics. Starring Robert Foxworth, Melinda Page Hamilton and Beth Grant. For Mature Audiences. Playing in The Old Globe Theatre May 16 – June 21.
The 2009 Summer Shakespeare Festival includes Twelfth Night, a delightful tale of wild infatuation and mistaken identities, Coriolanus a powerful political drama tells the story of the great Roman general whose arrogance leads to his own downfall and Edmund Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, about a war hero, philosopher and dazzling swordsman, Cyrano. Cyrano has it all - except the woman of his dreams - the lovely Roxane. Playing in nightly repertory in the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, June 13 – September 27.
Chick-fil-A Deal:
On June 20th, take your dad to a Chick-fil-A to receive a FREE 14 oz. Hand-Spun Milkshake. Dad must be present with child to receive offer. Please click here to contact the Chick-fil-A restaurant near you to find out if it is participating.
Click here for more Father's Day deals!
Visit www.SanDiegoBargainMama.com for great time and money-saving resources!
