Fun and Frugal » Helpful Tips

2010 TN Sales Tax Holiday Aug 6-8

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:00:16 +0000

Good news for those who shop in Tennessee! The state of Tennessee is having another sales tax holiday very soon – August 6-8, 2010. The purpose is to allow you to purchase school supplies and school clothes tax-free. Please be sure to read all the rules and restrictions on their website at tntaxholiday.com before you shop. Click here for a direct link to the alphabetical list of items that are exempt from tax and that are still taxable during Aug. 6-8. You may be surprised that diapers are tax-free!

Bad news for those who shop in Georgia. The Georgia General Assembly did not renew legislation allowing for any sales tax holidays in 2010. Hopefully a lot of you can drive to your neighbor-state, Tennessee and get the sales tax break Aug. 6-8, 2010.

If you live outside of Tennessee or Georgia, click here for a complete listing of all states that are participating in a sales tax holiday and when.

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-Fun and Frugal welcomes new sponsor, Jumpin' Junction in Cleveland! They are located across from the Cleveland YMCA. Click here for a coupon for BOGO admission for Mon thru Thurs! Visit their website at www.jumpinjunction.net
-FunandFrugal.com is sponsored in part by hairstylist, Ashley Brackett at Salon Monika in Ooltewah. Click here for coupons good thru 7.31.10. Call 423.238.5551 to book your hair appointment today!
-Restaurant.com is having another 80% off sale thru July 31, 2010 when you use code PLATE. You can get a $25 gift certificate for $2 and a $10 gift certificate for $.60! The new French restaurant in Cleveland, La Place, is participating, as well as several Chattanooga restaurants including The Melting Pot, Dinner on the Diner, The Station House, Vaudeville Cafe, and more! Plus tons of restaurants all over the country to choose from. Go to restaurant.com and use code PLATE at checkout to get the 80% discount. Don't worry, it's legit! Restaurant.com has an A+ rating with the BBB.

Coupons in Home Depot Newsletters

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:00:32 +0000

Have you signed up for Home Depot newsletters by email? They send out coupons, unadvertised specials, and helpful tips. Click here and you can choose which newsletters you want. It asks for a trade, but that is only required for the Pro Newsletter.

Join Swagbucks and Get 60 Free Swagbucks!

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:53:07 +0000

Heard of Swagbucks? It’s a search engine similar to Google. In celebration of their 2nd birthday, Swagbucks is giving all new members 60 free swagbucks! (Through 9 am EST Thursday March 4) Click here to join like I did. Use it to search for things online just like you would in Google, but you will randomly be rewarded with digital money called Swagbucks. You can then redeem your Swagbucks for prizes like gift cards (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, JC Penney, Lowe’s, and more), electronics, books, MP3 music, kid prizes like Disney Frisbees, and tons of other stuff. In addition to earning Swagbucks just by doing your normal searching, you can earn Swagbucks for referring your friends to join.

Already a member? Be sure to surf through Swagbucks now during their birthday celebration, as they are giving generous Swagbucks when you do your normal online searching. If you want to sign up, just click here.

New MOMS Club of Cleveland, TN

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:16:01 +0000

Attention full or part-time stay-at-home moms in Cleveland, McDonald, Charleston, Calhoun, Ocoee, and Benton: come be a part of MOMS Club of Cleveland, TN, which meets the last Friday of every month at the Cleveland YMCA at 10:30 am. Childcare is provided at no charge and moms do not have to be a member at the Y to attend. MOMS Club is an international non-profit organization for mothers who are home either full or part-time. They have park days, arts and crafts, field trips, MOMS night out and couples’ night out as well as holiday parties, speakers, family days and special interest groups. Their contact email is momsclubclevelandtn {at} gmail.com and the International MOMS Club Website is www.momsclub.org. You can RSVP for the meeting this Friday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 am at the Cleveland YMCA on Facebook here (not required.) And you can join the MOMS Club of Cleveland, TN Facebook page here.

Lake Forest Middle School Discount Cards Are Back!

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:55:40 +0000

If you live in the Cleveland area, you might be interested in purchasing a Bruins discount card for $10 from Lake Forest Middle School. They just came out and are good until 2-1-11. Below are all the discounts on this jam-packed fund-raiser card. If you do not know anyone selling them, you may send a self-addressed stamped envelope and $10 check payable to Lake Forest Middle School to:

Lake Forest Middle School
c/o Adam Kirkpatrick
610 Kile Lake Rd SE
Cleveland, TN 37323

Bruin Card – expires Feb 1, 2011

Antonios – 10% off dinner
AppleBee’s – 10% off
Baskin Robbins – $1.99 2 scoop purchase
Bradley Florist – 10% off fresh flowers and gifts
Chick-Fil-A – Free Chicken Sandwich with combo
Chili’s – Free chips/salsa with entree
Cici’s – Free drink with adult buffet
Dominos – Buy any large pizza get one free
Fazoli’s – Free small drink with purchase of adult entree
Fulin’s Asian Cuisine – Free appetizer with purchase of Chinese entree
Gobble’s Automotive – $5.00 of oil change
Jack’s Kleen Rite – 10% off dry cleaning
La Altena – 10% off
Marco’s – Buy one get one free
Moe’s – 10% off
Mrs. Winner’s – Free medium drink with purchase of sandwich
Papa John’s Pizza – Buy large pizza get a large free
Quizno’s – 10% off
Rafael’s – 10% discount – dinner only
Schlotsky’s – 10% off
Shane’s Rib Shack – 10% off
Smoothie King – $.50 off 20 oz., $1.00 off 32 oz., 40 oz.
Subway – Buy a regular 6 in and 32 oz drink, get a regular 6 in free
Walter’s Auto Wash – $2.00 of oil change or 10% off any Car Wash package
Zaxby’s – Free drink with meal purchase

February All You Magazine Coupons are here!

white — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:57:04 +0000

I got my February issue of AllYou Magazine today, and there are some great coupons in there. If you don’t have a subscription, you can get one here from Amazon for only $15.00 for the year. Considering this issue has 47.13 in coupons, it’s a great deal. If you don’t want to subscribe, you can pick it up at WalMart for only $2.44 an issue.

The reason I like All You magazine is that the coupons are all for large amounts – usually $1.00 off. Here are some of the highlights:

$1.00 off 2 – Boca Meatless Products
$1.00 off – Borden Singles Sensations
$1.00 off 2 – Campbells V8 Soups
$1.00 off - Colgate 360 Toothbrush
$1.00 off - Colgate Wisp portable toothbrushes
$1.00 off – Cottonelle Toilet Paper 12 pack
$1.00 off 2 – Hershey Kisses Chocolates 8oz or larger
$3.00 off – any Neutrogena Cosmetics product
$1.00 off 2 – Ore-Ida frozen potatoes
$1.00 off - Polaner Sugar Free Preserves with Fiber
$.50 off – any Sister Schubert’s frozen rolls
$1.00 off – T. Marzetti Salad Dressing (in produce section)
$1.00 off – Taco Bell Home Originals Salsa or Salsa con Queso

In addition to coupons, there are recipes, a menu calendar, and some great Valentine’s Day craft and gift suggestions.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, it’s time to start looking for great ideas for teacher gifts, classroom goodies, or just ‘make someone’s day’ surprises! Here are a few places I like to get inspiration:

Have you found any great Valentine’s Day ideas?

Join Vocal Point and Get Free Samples and Coupons in the Mail

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:59:18 +0000

Have you joined Vocal Point yet? I did a long time ago and have enjoyed getting free samples of name-brand products like cereal, granola bars, deodorant, razors, and more. They’ve also sent me high-value coupons and even coupons for free products with no purchase required. You don’t even have to fill out a survey or request items. You just sign up one time and they periodically send you free stuff in the mail. The idea is that you will try the products and like them and share how great they are by word-of-mouth. Sign up today by clicking here.

A great resource for expecting moms is BabyCenter.com. You can track your baby’s development week by week and receive special offers and valuable coupons. Sign up for their weekly email here.

Shadowing Opportunities with Carrie Workman Photography

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:37:25 +0000

Listen up, photographers! Whether you’re a mom who wants to polish her smile-capturing skills, a pro or a wanna-be pro who just want to learn more from a veteran, Carrie Workman Photography has a great opportunity for you!! This increasingly well-known local photographer recently began offering shadowing sessions which offer participants the chance to follow Carrie along on a photo shoot, assist on the shoot and pick Carrie’s brain about what makes a good shot a great one.

Mom beginners are free for the first session and $25 for any additional sessions, mom intermediates with digital SLRs are $45. Semi-pros (those planning to develop website/logo for photography) are $100, and professionals are $250 (those currently having a website or business card). Ask Carrie about bringing your camera and taking pictures during the shoot and even get a chance to go over your pictures with her to find out what shots show the most potential and where you need to work! If you’d like some help in how do process your images (choosing best photos of your kids, how to crop, which pictures make the best black&white, why you should delete some photos, and other tips on managing your own personal photos) then maybe you’d like to sit in with Carrie in her studio office as she goes from downloading the pictures from her camera card, uploading onto computer, sorting through the 100s of photos, choosing the best, all edits, and then printing the finished product.

Carrie Workman Photography is offering one-on-one training in post-production editing. This is for moms or pros. Lightroom training sessions: $250 (2 hours) Watch Carrie edit an entire session from start to finish Photoshop training sessions: $400 (2 hours) Is the perfect picture too dark? Want to learn how to make your self look thinner in pictures? Need to get rid of under-eye bags? Need help with color-correction? Want to learn how to get rid of blemishes? The sky is the limit when it comes to Photoshop! You can do anything! Come prepared with a list of things you want to learn, pen, paper, and Carrie will show you how to do it with step-by-step instructions!! No more reading online tutorials or manuals!

Carrie began making her mark on the photography scene full-time in 2003, and, since then, her work has received regional and national acclaim at photography conventions, in newspapers and magazines and on the CD covers of many Christian music artists. Along with her local photography, she is also currently working on projects in New York City, Los Angelos, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.

To contact Carrie Workman Photography about shadowing opportunities, e-mail them at info {at} carrieworkman.com . Or follow Carrie’s blog at http://carrieworkmanphotography.blogspot.com/ for postings on upcoming shadowing sessions.

Baby Einstein Refunds

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:51:38 +0000

Thanks Funandfrugal.com reader, Carrie, for this tip! Disney is offering refunds and upgrade exchanges on Baby Einstein DVD’s purchased between 6-5-04 and 9-4-09. From what I’ve heard in the media (read more here and here), the reason is because a study showed that Baby Einstein DVD’s do not make babies smarter as apparently Disney claimed. If you have purchased a Baby Einstein DVD during that time period, you can either exchange it for a Baby Einstein Book or music CD of your choice; exchange for a coupon for 25% off any Little Einsteins product; or receive a refund of $15.99. Click here for all the details, including instructions on each option and where to mail your Baby Einstein DVD.

F&F Welcomes New Sponsor: Outland Travel; Register to Win Door Prize!

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:18:05 +0000

FunandFrugal.com welcomes new sponsor, Outland Travel!

Outland Travel, locally owned and operated for over 20 years is the only full service travel agency in Cleveland. Today, with the overwhelming number of sources for travel on the internet, its no wonder it can be confusing. That’s precisely why the services of a professional travel consultant at Outland Travel are more valuable than ever.

It’s much more than the “lowest fare” that provides the compelling argument for a good travel agent. The cheapest is not always the best. At Outland Travel, they build relationships with their clients to learn their interests as well as their dispositions. Outland Travel simplifies the research. Outland Travel can provide one stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, hotel stays, cruises, and all-inclusive packages, with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.

Outland Travel keeps their expertise through an on going process of familiarization, continuing education and consumer feedback. Outland Travel consultants stay abreast of the most current and timely promotions via daily faxes, agent-only emails, and their relationships with their travel supplier managers. Outland Travel has more buying power than the consumer. No single supplier is going to advise consumers that a better route or a better fare is available on a competing carrier.

Outland consultants clarify the fine print, such as cancellation penalties and restrictions. The benefits of using Outland Travel professional’s experiences can save you money and headaches! The agent serves as the consumers’ advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong. Outland consultants make recommendation for travel-related options. When using Outland Travel, they enhance your trip with value-added benefits and amenities.

If you are going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as a good chunk of valuable leisure time, it makes great sense to use Outland Travel’s professional agents! Visit them at www.outlandtravel.com or call 423-478-3553. While you’re at their website, register to win a $250 gift certificate by Nov. 30, 2009!

Now for the door prize! **Update 10-19-09. Contest has ended. Click here to see winner.** Outland Travel is giving one Fun and Frugal reader a travel bag, t-shirt, mug, and $25 gift certificate to Outland Travel. If you enter any contest on Funandfrugal.com, please check your email at least once a day because I notify all winners by email. There are four ways you can enter to win this great prize from FunandFrugal.com! (Limit one entry per method. It’s much easier for me to track if you leave a separate comment for each method and if you leave a comment on facebook, that’s fine, but please leave one under this post on Funandfrugal.com, too!) The deadline to register is 8:00 PM EST Mon. Oct. 19. I will draw one winner and notify them by email and they will have 48 hours to respond or an alternate winner will be selected. Here’s all the ways you can register to win:

1. Click here and fill out the short registration form. (No code word required for this contest.)
2. Twitter – Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/funandfrugal and Tweet about this Giveaway. Be sure to copy me by adding @funandfrugal. Then leave a comment below this post letting me know you have done so.
3. Blog – If you have a blog mention this Giveaway on your blog and leave a comment below this post with a link to the URL where you blogged about it.
4. Facebook – Become a Fan of the FunandFrugal.com Facebook page by clicking here and leave a comment below this post on FunandFrugal.com letting me know you have done so.