Money-Saving Tips

Recently, someone left a comment on one of my archived posts warning readers about a sketchy company that claims to sell authentic Ugg boots. The reader says she placed her order and waited for weeks, but never saw the boots. Multiple attempts to reach customer service or get her money back have failed, so she's trying to warn other shoppers about this totally bogus and phony Ugg retailer.

Reading something like this is really upsetting, especially since the reader says she was trying to get the Uggs as Christmas gifts for her nieces. But it also reminded me of the importance of really knowing who you're buying from before you make a purchase—especially around the holidays when criminals prey on unsuspecting shoppers who are literally desperate to get that latest "must-have" item under the tree by December 25.

So here are some tips to help you avoid online scams, because scoring a "great bargain" is not worth the very real risk of losing your hard earned cash (or your personal information, for that matter):

• Buy from online stores that also have brick-and-mortar stores. If you shop at the Bath & Body Works at your local mall, you can pretty much guarantee that www.bathandbodyworks.com is a legimate website too. Double-check the url to ensure you're in the right place.
  
  
• Research the website. Do a quick Google search for the name of the store and "review." That's what I did for the Ugg retailer in question, and right away, I found dozens of serious complaints from customers on various forums. Red flag, people! Steer cleer.
  
  
• Assess the quality of the website itself. Does it have a neat, professional layout? Are there misspelled words? Does it at least claim to have secure checkout, contact information and a clear return policy? I understand many fledgling companies don't have the resources to produce fancy e-stores, but if a website looks really sketchy and sloppy to you, don't risk it. Wait and see if the store is still around in a couple months, then consider making a purchase.
  
  
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This old adage certainly rings true in the digital age. If some store claims to sell dirt cheap "authentic" Uggs in styles and sizes that are sold out everywhere else, you know something's up.

How do you shop safe online?

Target is such a happy, fun place to shop, which makes it one of my favorite places to pick up gifts for everyone on my list. I love grabbing a cart, a cup of coffee, and just weaving in and out of the aisles, picking up stuff from every department (especially clearance goodies at the end of the aisles). Of course, this sort of blissful, unconscious shopping could get me into big trouble. Fortunately, over the years, I've come up with a few tricks that help me keep my spending in check—and that is a reward in and of itself. Here's what works for me:

Set a strict time limit. Target, bless their souls, has strategically set up their store to keep customers shopping for as long as possible. You can easily lose track of time, so decide how much time you have to shop before you step inside, then leave when your time is up. This may sound funny, but I actually tell my boyfriend to call me after, say, 1 or 2 hours to remind me, "Time's up!"

Decide how much you want to spend. Seriously, this sounds simple enough, yet how many times have you checked-out and then gasped at the sight of your receipt? Avoid the guilt and the bills and just set a spending cap before you start loading that cart.

Hone in on those fancy designer brands in each department. These products often have cute packaging and holiday specials that make them great for gift-giving. Knowing your favorites helps narrow down your choices and saves time, too. Here are some of my favorites at the moment:

• Fashion: Nick & Nora pajamas, Anya Hindmarch for Target handbags, Dean Harris for Target jewelry, Isaac Mizrahi for Target cashmere
  
• Stationary: Isabelle de Borchgrave
  
• Home: DwellStudio (for Baby, too!), Smith & Hawken, Victoria Hagen
  
• Sweets: Choxie chocolates, Mrs. Fields cookies, Archer Farms everything
  
• Makeup: Sonia Kashuk, Pixi, Burt's Bees

Wait a week. Just about everything goes on sale if you're patient and willing to wait a couple days. And if you don't remember to go back and get it, chances are you didn't need it in the first place.

How do you shop (and save) at Tar-zhay?

If, like me, you still have a ton of Christmas shopping to do, consider heading to Macy's. Just click the link below to download the Macy's Friends and Family Coupon, and save an extra 20% off through Monday, December 15th.

Download the Macy's Friends and Family Coupon!

I rarely, if ever, make an online purchase without using a coupon code. I'd be a fool not too, considering how easy they are to find and redeem. That's why I was surprised to read a recent article on Yahoo! Finance titled, "In Lean Times, Online Coupons Catching On." Catching on? Doesn't everyone use online coupons? Well, in case I have some readers who are not coupon-code savvy—perhaps some recessionistas who are new to the Budget Babe fold—I figured I'd share some tips for making the most out of these money-saving gems.

How to find coupon codes: Do a quick Google search for the name of the store at which you're shopping and the word "coupon." Click through a couple of the search results to compare deals and hone in on the one that's best for your purchase.
If at first you don't succeed: Try, try again. Sometimes you'll enter an invalid or expired coupon code, but don't dismay. Usually if you try a couple codes, you'll find one that works. Obviously you don't want to waste tons of time, but don't give up after one failed attempt.
"Stack" coupons: Sometimes you can use multiple codes for one purchase, which is usually difficult to do in brick-n-mortar stores (although somehow my Mom always manages to do this!)
Know your favorite coupon code sites: Amidst a sea of coupon code sites, here are a few that truly stand out.

• RetailMeNot.com
  
• FreeShipping.org
  
• CouponCabin.com
  
• CheapUncle.com
  
• WantedCoupons.com
  
• CouponCowGirl.com

Take it to the next level: I have not personally tried FatWallet.com or Ebates, but these sites offer cash back on purchases if you sign up, sign in and then click through to a retailer.

It's not too late to get something from the Jonathan Saunders for Target collection on clearance! I picked up this red dress for just $9.98, marked down from $39.99. Paired with a striped turtleneck ($8.50 at Forever 21), this fun little frock will be perfect for casual Christmas festivities with the fam. I fear that I may look like one of Santa's elves but I just can't resist those Target clearance racks. Check your local store or Target.com for more styles.

Today is Cyber Monday, the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season! Lest you think we're snoozing on the job, here are some great deals to help you with your shopping (which you'll only do during your lunch hour, right?):

Save $25 on orders over $100 at Onlineshoes.com. Save on a huge selection. Hurry, offer valid December 1st & 2nd only. Shop Now!

Cyber Monday! Enjoy Free Shipping, Web Busters & Thousands of Sale Items- today only at macys.com! Offer Valid 1-Dec-2008 only.

11% off + FREE Shipping and Returns for NEW Boden customers only!

Today only! Get free shipping on any purchase at Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic. Enter code ONEDAY at checkout. Ends today, December 1. Plus, take 20% off any Old Navy purchase with promocode SAVENOW.

Target.com Biggest Deals of the Year sale and free shipping offers going on now. See what's hot!

Spend $100 and take an extra 15% off your entire order at Kohls.com. Just enter code CYBER15 at checkout.

Get 20% off purchases at ebags! Ends midnight MST. Free Shipping! with this link.

Will you be joining the virtual shopping frenzy?

Get 40% off all full price merchandise at Queen Bee
(www.queenbeegirls.com), a chic boutique that stocks designer brands like Ella Moss, Milly, Diane von Furstenberg and many, many more. Enter code blackfriday08 at checkout. Sale runs through December 1st, so get shoppin' now for the best selection! More BB picks after the jump...

[Featured above: Lauren Conrad Gemma Wrap
Was $150, Now $90 with code blackfriday08]

Continue reading "Black Friday Sale at Queen Bee" »