The summer of 2009 is proving to be a reality check for college students and recent grads. Instead of rollicking trips abroad or working at no-pay internships that their families can no longer afford to bankroll, college kids are grinding out the steamy days of summer doing manual labor—and they’re happy to have the work.
Saving & Spending
Are Luxury Goods Goners?
Within a single section of today’s WSJ, there are stories lamenting the steep declines of sales in the luxury wine and luxury car markets, and another piece noting that haute couture label Christian Lacroix recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
It’s a Deal: Free Pint of Starbucks Ice Cream
With the help of Facebook, Starbucks is giving away coupons for free pints of ice cream. Log into your Facebook account, and through July 19, you can share a pint with a friend. Starbucks is giving out 20,000 coupons a day. Click here for details.
Adventures in Pickling and Preserving: Not Cheap
A Salon writer attempts to make preserves as a way to be eco and money conscious. Though the food tastes fantastic, the experiment is less than successful.
Big Discounts on Home Furnishings, Cars, Clothing, and More
SmartMoney lists five types of stores where business is bad this summer—and where therefore, consumers have their pick of steeply discounted merchandise. In the home furnishings category, for example, more than 1,000 items at Pier 1 are currently being sold at discounts of at least 50 percent. There are also deals to be had on …
It’s a Deal: Fares from $30 on Southwest Airlines
Flights from every city are on sale for $30, $60, or $90 one-way on Southwest Airlines. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday July 8, for travel between September 8 and November 18. More details and a full list of cities, routes, and prices here.
It’s a Deal: Two-for-One Dairy Queen Blizzards
When you join the online Blizzard Fan Club (and allow Dairy Queen to e-mail you special offers and promotions), you can print out a coupon that grants two blizzards for the price of one. Details here.
It’s a Deal: Go to a First-Run Movie for as Little as $4
Head to the movies before noon for $4 to $6 at AMC Theatres across the country. Prices vary depending on location. Check out details and movie times in your area here.
It’s a Deal: $10 or $25 Off at Sports Authority
Through July 4, Sports Authority customers can get $10 off purchases of $50 or more, and $25 off purchases of $100 or more. You can shop online or print out a coupon to bring into the store. More info here.
It’s a Deal: £1 Hotel Rooms in London
The Hoxton Hotel in London periodically offers rooms for just £1, and the next sale starts tomorrow, July 2, at 12 p.m. London time (7 a.m. EST). At that time, 500 rooms will be offered for £1 per night for reservations between August 1 and October 31, and another 500 rooms will be offered for £29 (about $48). More info here.
It’s a Deal: Up to 90 Percent Off at Sierra Trading Post
A host of outdoor gear, clothing, footwear, sunglasses, home décor, and accessories is being discounted by 60 to 90 percent off retail during Sierra Trading Post’s ongoing Summer 2009 Blowout sale.
It’s a Deal: Half off at Crate&Barrel Outlet
The outlet section of Crate&Barrel’s website has a host of kitchenware, dinnerware, furniture, bedding and bath supplies, and accessories selling for 50 percent or more off the retail price. Check out what’s on sale here.