Sales taxes of as much as 7 percent will be taking holidays in 15 states in the coming weeks. The dropping of sales tax has become a summer tradition to spur on back-to-school shopping. Some people worried that states dealing with budget crunches might suspend the annual tax break, but it looks like the shop-a-thon is on.
Smart Spending
It’s a Deal: Flights to Ireland from $139 Each Way
A sale from Irish airline Aer Lingus offers flights from New York City to Shannon or Dublin airports starting at $139 each way. Prices departing from Boston and Chicago start at $194 each way. Tickets must be purchased by July 31. More details, including departure date restrictions, here.
It’s a Deal: Up to 60 Percent Off Women’s Clothes at Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer’s end-of-season sale offers discounts of up to 60 percent off of women’s shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes, sandals, and more. More details here.
It’s a Deal: More than 1,000 Items on Sale at Lands’ End
More than 1,000 items (1,096 at last check) are currently being discounted by as much as 75 percent during Lands’ End “the best of summer sale.”
Ten Oddball Ways to Save: Free Beer, Fighting Parking Tickets, Writing Off Expenses Like a Pro, and More
Today’s list goes beyond the basics. We all know that using coupons smartly saves money, right? To expand the amount of money you can save, you need to get creative and expand into more unusual spheres of money-saving.
It’s a Deal: 110 Items On Sale Under $50 at Garnet Hill
The summer sale at Garnet Hill is offering discounts on hundreds of items, some of which are marked down by 50 percent or more. More details here.
Q&A with Josie Daga of PreownedWeddingDresses.com
In the market for a wedding dress? Most brides (hopefully) only wear theirs once—which means there are an awful lot of very-gently-used wedding dresses out there. Hence, a lot of dresses that could be a perfect fit, financially and otherwise, for soon-to-be brides. Josie Daga, founder of PreownedWeddingDresses.com, an online meeting …
It’s a Deal: Energy Drink for 1¢ at AM.PM Stores
One cent, along with a coupon, will get you an Unbound Energy drink at AM.PM stores, valid through September 1, 2009. Print the coupon here.
Share, Swap, Barter: Whatever It Takes to Avoid Actually Spending Money
What, you’re still breaking out cash and swiping credit cards for goods and services? Many people, forced to get creative by the recession, are realizing that spending isn’t nearly as necessary as they once thought.
Want a Discount? Just Use the Obvious But Magic Words
A little over a year ago, a San Diego-based graduate student and blogger who goes by the name Roxy began a simple yet brilliant experiment. At least once a day from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, she nicely asked shopkeepers, waiters, flight attendants, and pretty much anyone else she ran across if they could give her discounts, perks, …
It’s a Deal: Free Pastry This Morning at Starbucks
Purchase a beverage at Starbucks and a pastry (or bagel, croissant, danish, doughnut, or fritter) is free today, July 21, until 10:30 a.m. Print the required coupon here or simply show a barista the offer on your hand-held device.
It’s a Deal: Two Pairs of Eyeglasses for the Price of One at EyeBuyDirect.com
From July 20 through July 26, all customers can get a second set of glasses for free at EyeBuyDirect.com. There’s a minimum order of $14.95. More details here.