FREE SAMPLES

FREE SAMPLES

Many different types of companies offer free samples of their products in an effort to boost sales For example you can frequently find free sample offers for the following

Small bottles of shampoo conditioner or other toiletry items

Free magazine subscriptions often for threetosix issues

Trial sizes of a new snack food

Pens paper and other office supplies

bargain shopping,buy wholesale,cheap deals,clearance sales,discount coupon,discount internet shopping,discount online shopping,discount products,discount shopping sites,free shipping,jewelry shopping,shopping discounts As an added bonus many samples will come with coupons that let you save money on a fullsize version of the product

The Ethics of a Free Sample

While getting free samples can be a fun way to save money its important to follow a few simple rules to avoid taking advantage of the situation For example

Dont lie to get freebies The item you are requesting may be free for you but it did cost the company money If the offer says its for teachers only dont sign up unless you are a teacher If the offer says one per household honor the request

Dont order samples of products that you are not genuinely interested in The company offering the freebie is trying to generate business with the offer Requesting a free sample doesnt obligate you to buy anything in the future but you should be open to the possibility

If the company provides a comment field in the free sample offer thank them for their generosity A little gratitude goes a long way

Avoiding Junk Mail

One of the biggest pitfalls of requesting free samples online is that youll inevitably be added to many company mailing lists To minimize the amount of unwanted mail you receive remember the following tips

Set up a free email account at Yahoo or Hotmail to use for your sample offers This will keep spam away from your work or personal account

Dont give out any more personal information that what is necessary For example theres no need to provide your mailing address if you are requesting a free sample of a downloadable software program In most cases theres no need to give your phone number at all

Look for free sample offers that provide an optout option that will keep you off any company mailing lists Avoid offers that state youll automatically be signed up for future mailings from the company

Everyone who shops on a regular basis knows the value of discount shopping tips Whether its to save a few pennies or an entire paycheck knowing what tips apply to your specific shopping habits can help you consistently save money time and effort What one store may label as clearance prices may be regular prices at another retail outlet and what constitutes a great deal for one person may still be too expensive for another When opting for discount shopping be sure to understand the hidden fees and nonmonetary costs of some socalled bargains

Shipping and handling charges may drastically inflate a price

Membership dues for warehouse stores may take hundreds of dollars of purchases to recoup

Driving twice the distance to save a few pennies on a bargain is not a discount once gas prices and time are added to the deal

Smaller packages at a lower price may only seem to be a better deal until you compare ouncebyounce or other similar quantities

Bulk items are not a bargain if you wont use all of the quantity

Understanding that not every deal works for every budget is the first step toward true discount shopping

Every store offers some significant discounts if savvy shoppers know when and where to take advantage of them Consider the following stores for the best discounts

Thrift consignment and resale stores Many used items may never have been used at all and it is possible to purchase highquality items at bargain basement prices

Warehouse stores Nonperishable items can be a great bargain in larger quantities because they will not spoil

Yard sales and auctions Many individuals opt to sell items at heavily discounted prices simply in order to be rid of them Furthermore most yard sale vendors are open to negotiation for even lower prices

Dollar stores For simple generic items opt for dollar stores and guaranteed low prices Always double check the quantity however to be sure the deal is worthwhile

Outlet malls For discontinued slightly irregular or overstock items outlet malls are the perfect resource Many luxury stores including Lenox Mikasa and Bose offer outlet stores for bargain hunters

In addition to specialty discount stores discount shopping tips can be applied to regular stores if shoppers are aware of ongoing bargains but are interested in saving even more

No matter where you shop you can save significantly by taking note of the following tips

Purchase generic items instead of name brands whenever possible particularly for behindthescenes consumable staples such as sugar bleach spices or baby powder

Experiment with lowercost brands of favorite products to test for taste and quality You may be surprised by the results and could opt for less Costlyer items by preference instead of price

Watch grocery stores for double coupon days and special discount sales events

Plan weekly menus based on grocery specials and seasonal food instead of outofseason more expensive items

Shop with a list whether it is a grocery list school supply list or gift list to avoid unnecessary or impulse purchases

Research big ticket items online for price comparisons prior to visiting a store or placing an order

Wait twotothree months after hot electronic items hit the market after the initial sales boom prices inevitably drop

Buy big ticket items during the least expensive time of year Cars for example are less Costlyer in the fall and winter as dealers strive to clear lots for the newest models

Watch for afterholiday sales with an eye toward the next years celebrations and gifts Decorations accessories and novelty items are often steeply discounted immediately after the holiday

Watch for sales rebates whenever possible School supplies electronics and DVDs frequently offer rebates when combined with other purchases

The Key to a Good Discount

A truly worthwhile discount is one that you can use to save significantly Whenever you are bargain shopping however the most important thing to remember is to have patience and perseverance not all discounts are available all the time and with a bit of foresight and flexibility it is possible to drastically reduce the shopping budget through various discount shopping tips no matter where or when you shop

LONG DISTANCE CALLS

LONG DISTANCE CALLS

With the number of telemarketing calls telling you about a competitors low rates and the plethora of commercials advertising flat fees for long distance calls you may be wondering if now is the time to switch your carrier But switching phone services may require canceling your old account and getting a new number It seems like such a chore even if you do save money. However an easier way to go about it is to simply negotiate your way to lower fees with your current carrier Telephone companies realize that the competition is fierce for keeping your service The next time you get a phone call or see a television ad for less Costly long distance rates write down the amount and the provider Then call your current telephone service and ask if they can meet that offer When you call tell them that you are dropping their service unless they can give you a lower rate Often not only will they meet the less Costlyer offer you quite them but they will often give you a better price or offer you a promotion such as one months service fees free or a lower minute rate for 90 days Another great way to get less Costly long distance is to look into bundling different services all through one company If you use a combination of three or more of the following you may qualify to get a bundle price on your services

Cable television

Local telephone service

Long distance telephone service

Internet

Cellular phone service

Bundles are usually offered through telephone or cable services While you do have to cancel all your old accounts and switch over to the new service provider it may be worth it To find out if the deal really is a good one add up your current monthly bills for the services in the bundle To figure your long distance bill average out your costs for three months As long as the bundle comes in well under the total it is definitely worth the trouble of switching

Internet Long Distance

If you call long distance frequently you may want to look into Internetprovided phone services Most providers require a highspeed internet connection in order to work DSL or cable broadband modem Adding the Internetprovided service is a good way to save money and get a lot of perks

Vonage is one Internetprovided service that allows you to call long distance in the United States Canada and Puerto Rico Local and long distance calls to those areas along with more than 20 other features are all packaged together for a low monthly rate currently at $24 99 Some of the additional features include

Keeping your old phone number

Voicemail

Caller ID

Caller ID lists

3way calling

Call return

You can purchase larger plans if you need to make international phone calls and rates are offered a low price

Another Internet long distance option is Skype This allows you to call people through your computer You can purchase domestic unlimited calling for only $14 95 a month through January 31 2007 and for $29 95 a month after that If you need to make international calls you can check their rates before making a call Video features are even available should you wish to be able to see one another while you talk However Skype is not a total replacement for a home telephone as you cannot make emergency calls from it

Calling Cards

Using a calling card may be a great option for those who want to make occasional less Costly long distance calls Telephone companies often charge a monthly fee for the long distance service even if you place no calls that month

Calling cards can be found in gas stations drugstores and discount chains International phone cards are also available Be sure to check the fine print on the calling card To be sure you are getting a good deal find out the following

Is there a connection fee If so what is it

What are the rates for the country or state I am calling

How many minutes does the rate translate to for my purposes

What is the expiration date

Is there a monthly fee after I activate the card

Does using the card from a pay phone cost an extra fee

Shop around several places and compare cards to get the best deal If you are purchasing international phone cards buy a few different brands in a small amount like five dollars Sometimes a delay results when calling other countries and using some cards makes the delay better or worse

HOME THEATER Discounted purchase

HOME THEATER Discounted purchase

DVDs get more enhancements and todays blockbuster movies use extensive special effects and sound remixes many people look for ways to create a less Costly home theater to take advantage of great moviewatching without a blockbuster budget. The term less Costly means something different to everyones budget but consumers should be aware that even an inexpensive home theater can run $1 200 to $3 000 or more There are many ways to keep the budget under control however and still enjoy a great home theater experience Deciding which elements to include in the home theater and how to design its atmosphere will determine whether a less Costly home theater really looks less Costly or if it is simply budgetconscious. There is more to a home theater than just a way to watch movies Even a basic system must include the essential electronic equipment a compatible decor and proper use to enhance the moviegoing experience

Television is the most critical part of the home theater because it is the most visible Less Costly big screen TVs are available however that can help control the cost of this essential feature The television should have a clean picture with good clarity and color but extravagant features arent necessary. Basic home theater equipment Audio Receiver This is the behindthescenes equipment that determines how professional the system sounds Just like with the television however extravagant sound mixing features arent necessary and only serve to increase the cost

Speakers To deliver true theaterquality sound several speakers are essential including front center and surround speakers as well as a subwoofer Each speaker should be purchased from the same manufacturer to ensure compatibility and similar sound quality

DVD Player Without the DVD player a home theater would be useless The player should be a wellknown quality brand but it does not need extravagant extras in order to perform suitably

Furniture The room should be comfortable with relaxing furniture centered on the television screen While sectional sofas and specialized home theater furniture may be the best option they are also the most expensive discount furniture can be just as nice Arranging furniture relative to the TV is critical and dont forget coffee tables or end tables for drinks and popcorn. DVDs After all is said and done if there is nothing to watch what good is a home theater A good collection of movies in multiple genres action comedy drama etc is essential and purchasing used or discount DVDs without as many special features how often do you really watch them can control costs without skimping on the movie library

Atmosphere. While basic equipment in a plain room may be the easiest way to build a less Costly home theater it is also the least attractive Simple touches to add to the atmosphere of the room will enhance the theater experience. Keep decoration plain favorite movie posters are a great touch but too much clutter on the walls or around the room will distract from the movie To keep the audio visual equipment out of sight convert a cabinet or a closet and equip it with a sturdy lock for extra security

Ambient lighting should be away from the television and positioned so it does not throw glare onto the screen Similarly windows should be covered well enough not to add glare

Choose a neutral color for the television wall Black paint is a popular choice because eyes are immediately drawn to the screen

Choose a room that can be isolated from household or outdoor noise including traffic and telephones

Use

The true test of a home theater is how it is used To preserve the atmosphere of the room reserve it for watching movies only and make it an occasion worthy of spending a night in Do not interrupt a movie for a casual phone call and remember to have all necessary snacks and drinks on hand unless you want to take multiple trips to your kitchens concession stand

Other ways to save money creating an inexpensive home theater room include

Dont waste money on interim pieces of equipment If you can only afford a few of the speakers now thats fine but dont buy inferior equipment just to have it

Stick with familiar electronic brand names to ensure quality and durability

Minimize the amount of equipment you initially buy to minimize the budget You can always add more speakers lights or furniture later

Be sure to comparison shop for sale prices and the best deals Electronics are often on sale near the Super Bowl Memorial Day Labor Day and Christmas

Instead of buying expensive extras use extra money to buy a larger or higherquality television it is the most visible feature of the room

APPLE IPOD Discount

APPLE IPOD Discount

After starting the computer revolution in the 1970s Apple helped to reinvent the personal computer and is now leading the digital music revolution with the introduction of the iPod portable music players An Apple iPod is a wonderful gadget that allows you to store and play movies television shows photos music and games Apple iPods are so small and light that its hard to believe you can store up to 20 000 songs up to 100 hours of video and up to 25 000 photos .Prices vary depending on the type of Apple iPod you buy and the place you buy it from You can currently purchase two different iPods directly from Apple

30GB iPod Weighing only 4 8 ounces and measuring 2 4 x 4 1 x 43 inches the 30GB iPod holds up to 7 500 songs and costs $249

80GB iPod The 80GB iPod is a little larger and a little more expensive This iPod holds up to 20 000 songs weighs 5 5 ounces measures 2 4 x 4 1 x 55 inches and costs $349

What is an Apple iPod Discount

An Apple iPod discount is a type of discount offered by various retailers online marketplaces associations and Apple With an Apple iPod discount you can purchase an iPod for less than the average retail price

Good places to find an Apple iPod discount or coupon include

XP Bargains has a whole list of places to get iPod coupons and discounts The site also includes a list of companies offering free iPods discounted iPod accessories and more

Deal Catcher This online marketplace allows you to catch the best deals online on both brand new and refurbished Apple iPod products .Veterans Advantage is an organization specifically for veterans There are many different benefits to joining the group least of which is everyday savings and discounts on Apples complete line of iPod products

Less Costly gadgets and accessories can also be purchased without a discount from online stores and comparison sites like NexTag eBay and Geek com

Free iPods

In certain cases you may be able to get a free iPod with the purchase of another item or service Often times companies like Dish Network offer these types of deals To find deals like this type the words free iPod or free iPod with purchase into a search engine

Free iPod Recycling Program

In 2005 Apple began a free iPod recycling program The program allows customers to drop off an iPod iPod Photo or iPod Mini they no longer want at Apple retail stores In return the customer receives a 10 percent discount on a new iPod The new unit must be purchased the same day the old one is turned inThe old iPods are disposed of in an environmentallyfriendly manner Hazardous materials are never shipped overseas and all recycling processes are handled within the U STo learn more about the free iPod recycling program offered by Apple visit Apples Environment PageThere is no reason to pay retail price for an Apple iPod if you dont have to With less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee you can find a valuable Apple iPod discount online

COMPUTERS Discount

COMPUTERS Discount

SaveAs technology continues to evolve less Costly computers are more attainable Many computer manufacturers would rather consumers invest in the latest and greatest so prices for older models are slashed considerably Nevertheless its wise to determine your priorities and do some comparison shopping before making a final decision

Choosing the Right Computer

More people are choosing the convenience of a laptop computer which helps to drive down the price of a tower computer This makes owning a computer easier than ever especially if its the familys first unit

Location

Take into consideration where youll work on the computer If you set up a homework station in the kitchen for the children have a special office or dont have wireless Internet access a desktop or tower computer is a more costeffective choice than most laptops

Uses

Its important to determine the need for a computer Familiarizing children with word processing and researching on the Internet are two skills that will aid them in life Having the ability to keep track of expenses send email prepare work documents and other functions are helpful in daytoday living Knowing the basic tools the computer will provide helps to establish the benchmark by which you can start to compare models

Cost

Most computers start at a basic $350 and run up to $1 200 This vast range is why its important to first evaluate the real use of the unit as to not be distracted by all the shiny bells and whistles available on the sales floor Remember with a wellbuilt basic unit you can load additional software or other features as your needs increase

Where to Find Less Costly Computers

You might be surprised at where to find less Costly computers Some deals may require a bit more technical skill while others are simply being in the right place at the right time

Prison Industries State Liquidation Centers

Most states in America send overstock goods or used items to a special liquidation center open to the public Many of these centers operate in conjunction with prison industry stores featuring items repaired or manufactured by inmates

When a state office or school makes upgrades the overflow goods are resold at a liquidation center or at auction Not only will you find discounted office furniture there but also many computer components including towers monitors keyboards glare screens and other accessories Often computer units are refurbished by the inmates and outfitted with software while others are sold as is and are blank slates from which to build

The policy of resale items varies per state Contact a state department of administration and ask where excess supplies are sent or search online for a prison industry center near you Note that most of these places do not take credit cards but cash or check only

Factory Refurbished Rebuilt Computer Stores

Although not as prevalent as they once were retail rebuilt computer stores are still a great resource for less Costly computers Outlets such as Computer Renaissance specialize in factory refurbished units as well as brandnew models sent to them as overstock by quality manufactures such as Dell Compact and HP

Tech For Less is an online outlet specializing in closeout models excess demo open box computer models and peripherals The stock changes constantly and you may have to learn a little bit about computers to really understand the type of deal available However all name brands are represented and youll have a wide selection from which to choose

In your hometown theres probably a helpful computer whiz with a business setting up networks for companies Often many of these independents will build computers from scratch They take your order and then put a less Costly computer together with parts they get at wholesale Some welcome new customers while others may say theyre too busy and direct you to other options. Because their overhead isnt nearly that of a big box store you can often shave a couple of hundred dollars from the final price