Bargain Biatch

$100 Offer From Bank Of America and What to Buy in July

 

Thinking about breaking up with your bank, or perhaps they’ve made it clear that they’re just not that into you.  Then maybe it’s time to jump ship and take advantage of Bank Of America’s $100 incentive for opening a new account. The fine print is limited so if your current financial institution is not showing you love, like doubling your interest rates and lowering your limit, now is the time to let them know how you feel.

And every month has a list of best bets and here’s a round up of July’s bargains.

Computers:  New Models come out in a few months so now is the time to buy last year’s models at discounted prices. Unless of course you’re a man and have to buy the latest electronic gadget on the date of it’s release at premium prices.

Cookout Supplies:  After the 4^th of July, the unofficial kickoff of summer, prices drop on grills, BBQ accessories and everything else used to your outdoor fun on.  Be sure to check out stores like Crate and Barrel Outlet and Williams Sonoma for great deals on acrylic ware and serving pieces.

And finally while you’re lounging in the yard around your inflatable pool since you can’t afford a real vacation, may as well look.  Swimsuits prices go down and temps go up so get a few extras to keep your neighbors and squirrels entertained.

BYOB And Here's A Toast To Lobster

Closed!!! Unfortunately, or in some cases good riddance.  But so many eateries (and retail businesses) in my neighborhood have literally left the building.  Gone are two Italian-ish spots, one relatively new, Elementi and also gone is Tempo, which was the last of incarnation of neighborhood favorite Cucina. Also closed before it ever really opened is “Da Cake Spot”.  Really??? In an upscale area you’re gonna try advertise using Ebonics? But every loss is an opportunity for someone and you and me if we’re savvy.  Most restaurants have a soft opening or may fully open for business before they get their liquor license, which means they might give you free pours of wine or it’s BYOB.  Either that means cutting my bill nearly in half since I do like to get my drink on.  So I’ll be running to Agualis Grill a newly opened restaurant sans liquor to save on booze. 

 

And Lobster season continues.  Prices are low and quality is good.  Vendors at the farmers market have them running at about $8 per pound.  Or go to The Lobster Pound in Red Hook where they boast that the crustaceans are 6 hours from the Maine lobster boat to your table. Or just got to Fairway where they have weekly specials as low as $6 per pound.  But FYI, do not attempt to cycle home with live lobsters in your backpack.

Movie Review: Valkyrie

UGHHHH!.  Back to back Nazi Movies.  What am I thinking?  Valkyrie some how snuck to the top of my Netflix queue so I was compelled to watch it. Like Defiance, this is based on actual events and tells the story about a plot to kill Hitler shortly before the Allies invasion.  A group of high-ranking German officers and politicians are desperate to implode the Nazi regime before certain defeat and the destruction of Germany.  Basically it’s a bunch of high-powered guy who aren’t trying to go down in a ball of flames.  They’d rather kill the fuehrer, surrender and be thought of as rebels and heroes who stopped the Nazi juggernaut.  Tom Cruise heads up the international all star cast and plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, an injured soldier recruited to mastermind the plan.  He’s OK but maybe because he surrounded by a British Master Class that includes Terrence Stamp, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkerson, Kenneth Branagh, and the always-compelling Eddie Izzard, he pales.  I thought the movie was interesting, particularly because it was true, and showed human frailties, desperation and courage in a time of war.   

Save Money Don't Rent to Own, Rent to Rent

 

Two Big Thumbs Up to Renew You.  Just got my $19 rebate check for recycling my old Palm Treo.  In addition be being really fast, they do great follow-up and customer service. 

 

And today’s money saving deal is about renting, not to own, just to rent.  Why not rent those one time only use items like power tools, or things you’ll basically use by the hour AT vehicles….men?  Check out Zilok, which is like the Craig’s List for rentals.  Shop the categories including electronics, home and appliance and culture and media.  There’s also an apparel section where you can even rent a wedding gown, brilliant cuz even if you have a do-over, chances are you won’t be wearing a reminder of your first unsuccessful trip down the aisle.  Zilok is a great money saver and better for the environment since you won’t be buying more junk that will ultimately end up in a landfill.  And you’ll help keep your own personal environment clutter free.

Take A Peek at Haute Look

Wanted to wait a bit before blogging about Haute Look since we need another couture shopping site about as much as we need another infidelity scandal.  Yes I mean you Mr. Morality Governor of South Carolina Mark Sanford.  But I’ve been logging on daily and most of the sales are pretty good.  Last week’s noteworthy boutiques included Michael Kors with a good amount of well priced separates (cute tops under $50) and Flippa K, a bit young for me but a popular designer who makes trendy and wearable clothes.  In addition to apparel Haute hosts sales for skin care products bags and accessories.  Last week they featured jewelry by designer Maya Brenner.  Never heard of her before but her simple pendants necklaces and leather charm bracelets were stylish and chic.  The site is free to join and the “private” sales last 32-72 hours.  The prices are good and over the weekend they tossed in free shipping so hopefully they’ll keep the tempting sales and incentives coming.

Movie Review: Defiance

When Defiance was first released in theaters I was interested in seeing it but it got sucked into the vortex of other new Holocaust movies. Between Tom Cruise playing a one eyed hero in Valykerie and the maudlin and manipulative “Boy In The Striped Pajamas, I ended up passing on all three.  So finally I Netflix cherry picked what I thought was the best of the bunch, Defiance.  It’s the true story of a Polish family with three brothers who in 1939 fled and hid out deep in the woods to escape the Nazi invasion. Initially they form a small group but soon their numbers swell as the Bielski brothers take in a huge population of Polish Jews fleeing from the approaching Nazis.  Their expanding community includes the elderly, women and children and the two oldest brothers played by Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber disagree on decision to take in so many.  It’s clear that it will be a near impossible task to forage for food and secure weapons in order to survive and protect themselves. Schreiber is unexpectedly cast as the “bad” rebellious brother and he’s great.  Craig is also good but at times his accent slips from polish immigrant to British aristocrat, but after all he is James Bond.  Overall it’s a deeply moving movie and an amazing true story of survival.

 

Bundle And Save Money On Your Summer Vacation

 

Before you hit the on your summer vac-cay let your fingers do the walking or pointing and clicking and search out a package deal.  Since vacations usually involve more than flying in huge a turbulent box while your neighbor overshares and a toddler kicks the back of your seat, you probably need wheels and a place to sleep.  And everyone in the travel industry is feeling the recession pinch, so providers are working together to sell more components for lower prices by bundling packages. A recent article in the NY Times breaks down several travel packages and reveals tremendous savings.  For example by using Expedia to book air and hotel together you save an average of 17 percent or more than double the savings over last year.  The deals are due in part from desperation and the fact more hotels are participating in and effort to book rooms in a sluggish economy.  No one travel site is consistently best so it pays to shop around.  And before you go, check out packages within packages for additional perks, particularly for resort stays.  There are so many choices of properties that in order to distinguish themselves in the sea of summer discounts they’re offering very generous add ons.  You might get meal credits, spa treatments, or excursions like horseback riding and white water rafting.  It’s great way to save money on high-end fun not be hit with sticker shock at the end of your stay

Groupon, Harness Collective Buying Power And Save

 

Just found out about a new website called Groupon that rounds up the best deals in your area and sends you a daily temptation on something great to do, see or buy.  Using your city as a hub, Groupon has harnessed collective buying power to offer unbelievable deals. And for the merchants practically giving it away, they benefit from the potential for enormous customer exposure and hopefully repeat business.  All you have to do is sign up and a daily offer is emailed and you have the chance to sign up.  The small caveat is that a predetermined number of bargain hunters have to jump on the daily bandwagon for you get the deal.  Check out the video for complete details. I’ve only been a member for a week but the deals have been…..well, the real deal.  I’m not talking a free drink coupon on your next booze cruise around the Hudson.  The last deal was a 2 for one, hour-long massage at a well-reviewed midtown spa, which came out to 2 massages for 75 bucks.  Beat That!  

Reviews: Nurse Jackie is Jacked Up...in a good way

A quick Netflix note…available for a limited time you can watch the highly praised (except if you’re a nurse) first episode of the new Showtime series Nurse Jackie.  Since I’m too cheap to get Showtime I could still to watch the pilot to instantly with my magic box (Roku).  The show was great, half an hour of fast paced action centered around train wreck nurse Jackie played perfectly prickly by Edie Falco.  The bad news is that I think they’re just whetting your appetite by teasing you with only the first episode.  For the full season you have to subscribe to Showtime…NOT.  Or wait till it’s available on DVD.  And just on a whim, I also instantly watched an episode of Penn and Teller’s show appropriately entitled “Bullshit”.  The show I caught was about the boy scouts and their infuriating homophobia and ignorance.  Bad enough, but the fact that they are allowed special nonprofit privileges, access and funding was too much to take.  The show was well done, like an extra strength dose of Bill Maher, but the self-righteous stupidity of people sanctioned by the government almost made my head explode.   

Puma, Treat Your Feet And Do Good

Although I consider myself more of a Cougar, I’ll gladly become a Puma to score 30 percent off my next pair of kicks… and donate to a worthy cause.  The program named “soles4souls” is based on the premise that every good deed should go rewarded.  So drop off a pair of new or used sneakers at a Puma store and you’ll get 30 percent off your next Puma Footwear purchase.  Good now through July 15^th.

Get Rewarded By Being a Joiner

I’ve always said it pays to be a joiner but recently I have reaped the rewards for signing up for specific websites deals and preferred buy clubs.  Sierra Trading Post is my go-to website for fitness apparel plus they have a great selection of shoes, boots and outdoor gear.  And although I am a fairly frequent shopper you don’t have to be to get unadvertised specials. Sign up for their Deal Flyer and get offers like an extra 20 percent off and free shipping sent directly to your in box.  I recently took advantage of an additional discount and one day free shipping to score these great Gizeh Birkenstocks for 30 bucks.  Smart Bargains is another site that rewards you for joining.  You’ll get access to preview, one day only and two-fer sales.  And by signing up at Nike I got free shipping and the always-appreciated free returns.  And all three websites are member partners with ebates so I get cash back for every purchase. SWEET! So sign up for deals, it’s free and will help you save while spending….right.