to shop or not to shop

So it is inevitable that people like to shop. As much fun as window shopping is, I have learned that even if something is on sale, you can probably get it online for considerably less.

At this time of year, I am sure many people, like myself, receive the precious "Friends and Family" emails in their inboxes. While you can use these fabulous coupons in the brick and mortar store, based on my experiences, I have found that using these coupons online might enable you to save even more money, or get free samples with your purchase.

* Macy's Friends and Family - 25% off. Enter coupon code MACYSAFF at checkout (expires 5/3/10)





* Lord & Taylor - 20% off regular and sale merchandise. 25% off jewelry. Enter coupon code PERFECT (expires 5/3/10)



If you have not heard of ebates.com, I am about to give you a huge present. If you like to shop online, still be able to use coupon codes (see below) and get cash back, then ebates is your new best friend. Using ebates is very simple. For example, if you want to purchase a lip gloss at sephora.com, first, go to ebates.com. Find the link to Sephora in Select A Store. Click the Sephora link and it will take you to sephora.com. By clicking on the Sephora link, you will create an Ebates Tracking Ticket which will track your purchase and give you 4% cashback of whatever you spend. The percentage cash back varies based on the store, but even if it is 1% cash back, if you are going to shop, which you are, why not get money back. To shop online and not use ebates is costing you money, plain and simple. Almost every store you can imagine is on ebates, even though some of my favorites such as Amazon and Zappos are missing. If you don't have an ebates account, do yourself and your bank account a favor and click below:

Take me to Ebates --> http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=kv%2F4fPNr3%2F0O0oYHax5gIw%3D%3D


However, don't forget about my other best friend, the coupon code....

EVERY TIME, yes every time, you shop online (using ebates, of course) you should do a google search to see whether a coupon code exists for whatever website you are going to. Many websites exist that list coupon codes for different stores and often state the code's expiration date and success rate. Even if they all do not work, it is worth the extra five minutes to see if you can get free shipping or even get a percentage or dollar amount off. Sometimes you can even get a precious free gift with certain coupon codes at stores such as Sephora.

Happy Shopping :)

and so it begins.....

I like to shop. A lot. I admit it. My sister once told me that I spend money like it's going out of style. She was and is right. I have great taste and I like things. This being said, I am not one of those girls who has a bottomless trust fund and can shop wherever and whenever she chooses. I, like many in the world today am conscious of the financial climate and how much money I actually have in my bank account. Therefore, when I do fulfill my consumerist passion, I must do so both intelligently and rationally. I still want to get the latest x, y and z. However, I will not do so at the expense of emptying my bank account.

I decided to start this blog because I believe there are others out there like me who do not want to give in to the recession and cut up their beloved American Express card. They want to continue reading fashion magazines and recreate the looks found on the pages without feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt that often follows one home from a shopping trip. However, in order to accomplish this lofty goal, one must not give in to their old friend, the impulse purchase. Instead, after one has painstakingly selected a sought after item, she must use various tools, conveniently provided by the Internet, to overcome the obstacles provided by the shrinking value of her dollar. It is then that she throws out her former Fashionista self and becomes, for the better, a Recessionista.