Tink's Tips: Online Shopping

 Happy Cyber Monday. I'm going to share a few of my tips for shopping online. I haven't been near a mall in years. I do all of my shopping online and this is how I get the best deals and make shopping as easy as possible on me and my wallet. Here are 2 websites that are a huge help while online shopping.
The 1st one http://www.thefind.com/  is a comparison shopping site. I know that there are lots of these but I like this one because you can check a box that will have all the prices shown include the shipping. This site also says if there are special deals going on at a particular site. I have also used this site successfully to locate hard to find gift requests. It hasn't failed me yet! The 2nd site I use is http://www.retailmenot.com/ Again, I know there are many coupon code sites. I like this one because I have found that the codes really work. No sign up, no junk Email, just money saving coupon codes on stuff I want to buy.      
         
 Just in case your not computer savy and don't know how to have multiple windows open at once. Here's how you do this. In this image you can see I have 2 windows open - my yahoo and blogger. To the right of blogger see the square? Clicking on that will open a new blank window. Type in the url for TheFind and then open another blank window and type in the url for RetailMeNot. Now you can shop in your 1st window (where mine says my yahoo) and switch back and forth between the other 2 sites to make sure that you are getting the best deals. In the pic I can go back and forth between the 2 open windows my yahoo and blogger.

   Yesterday I needed more business cards for Tink's and went to my usual site to buy them http://www.123print.com/  After I redesigned the cards (can't wait to see them!!) I checked retailMeNot and sure enough an extra 20%off. Worth mentioning - this site always has free shipping AND right now Christmas cards are 50% off!

I also bought myself a new printer from http://www.hp.com/  (Yes, that's how I shop - I buy 2 gifts and then 1 for me!) I've been shopping around for one lately and found a deal here that I was very happy with. Checked RetailMeNot sure enough a code for an extra $10.00 off! While I am speaking of the HP website. I will mention that they have the best prices on ink (yes, I've even checked WalMart prices) and they often give me free stuff when I order. 4x6 photo paper, full size paper, a wireless mouse. Shipping is always free and it's overnight shipping. My new printer will be here today or tomorrow. I have owned 3 HP printers and each was a good product and lasted a long time. When my printer gets low on ink, a window pops up on my computer screen and gives me the option to connect directly to hp and order some ink. It could not be easier, quicker OR cheaper.

I also found a coupon code for http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/  buy $10.00 and get 1 free item of my choice up to a $13.00 value. I bought some stocking stuffers for the fam and got myself a free bottle of my fav - Cotton Blossom body lotion.

I also bought some gifts that I obviously can't discuss but I will say that 2 hard to find gifs were found on TheFind and 1 of these was on sale at the website $10.00 off. I checked RetailMeNot and got a code for an additional 20% off. Yes, sometimes you can use more then one coupon or code. It's called "stacking" and it is always worth trying .

One last tip from Tink's - Shop online where "site to store" shipping is offered. It is free and I get a text message when my order arrives and then I just go and pick it up. Walmart offers this. I used it to shop for all of Patrick's toys.

Please shop on sites like ArtFire http://www.artfire.com/  and Etsy http://www.etsy.com/  These are real people - artisans - who sell quality handcrafted items that you will be buying from NOT CHINA. So many are offering wonderful sales and free shipping. Please support a small business and buy handmade.

I hope these tips will make your Christmas shopping a bit easier on you and your wallet. Oooh - and while you're bargain hunting be sure to check out Tink's sale for unique and affordable hand made jewelry. http://www.tinkstreasure.artfire.com/  20% off storewide on your entire order. That includes the shipping too!!! Today, Monday November 29th 2010 is the final day. Use the coupon code SAVE20 at check out. Remember that each purchase arrives in a decorated gift box.

 Happy Shopping and blessings for a stress free Christmas season.

Please feel free to leave any comments. I would like to hear other people's tips :-)

Hello World :D Croutons Anyone?

Ok, so I've had this blog set up for months now and this is my FIRST post. Sheesh .. so afraid to start it and  have ya'll sign up and then bore the pants off of everyone. What to post? Hmmm ... anyone that knows me (and loves me) knows 2 things 'bout ME - I 'm rarely at a loss for words = I never stop talking. AND I murder the english language. Sorry, just me - I'm not very concerned about proper grammar when writing casually. My BFF is already cringing - HA! Caught ya Kat ♥ I like to write as I would speak and I am nothing, if not expressive :) See what I mean! There I go.....  Ok, so I hope you're still here, I'm going to post!

I made homemade croutons yesterday and geeze they're really good. We throw out stale bread to often around here so I decided about 2 yrs ago to make croutons with the stale bread. Yes, it took me 2 yrs to look up a couple of recipes and improvise my own recipe and then actually DO IT.  I procrastinate about ... umm ... most everything. So here's what I did:
☺Preheat oven to 450 degrees (anyone know how to make that degree thingy?)
☺I used left over Thomas Everything Bagel Thins, 9 grain bread & a few deli flats, use whatever you have
☺Cut them up into crouton size squares & put them in a huge bowl
☺Spray them lightly with olive oil spray while tossing them to coat
☺Season them to taste with an all purpose seasoning blend and garlic and onion powder tossing to coat
☺Sprinkle them with parmesan cheese, tossing to coat. The parm helps the seasoning to stick nicely
☺Spread onto cookie sheet and bake 5 minutes. Turn bake another 5 minutes
☺Watch them closely so they don't burn. Lightly browned & all moisture removed is what you want
☺They will get harder as they cool so don't over bake them
☺Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

I hope you like these. Last night we were dipping them in Marie's light bleu cheese dressing - yum! I would love any comments you may have. They are lower in fat & calories then store bought croutons. For my Weight Watcher friends - I did not figure the points on these. That will depend on the points of the breads that you used. Yes, I know you can buy lower calorie ones but they are hard as a rock. We did not like any of the ones we have tried in the past. Plus you can feel good about yourself for not throwing food away. I hate to waste the food that I am so blessed to have. Thank you Papa ♥