Discover What's Racking Up The Electric Bill

I've heard of this product before. Buy.com currently has a pretty good deal on it (unfortunately shipping isn't free). Plug an appliance into this unit and get a readout of the Kilowatts consumed by it. Might be a worthwhile investment to plug up those 'electric leaks'. Shipping is about $7.

P3 P4400 Kill A Watt Appliance Tester $17.99





Update: Newegg has it for $17.99 with $4.99 shipping (just search for item P4400).

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Came across this post at The Simple Dollar (while Stumbling...StumbleUpon Firefox Extension). At the very least, it looks like an interesting home science experiment.

How To Make Your Own Laundry Detergent - And Save Big Money (The Simple Dollar)

Save 15% at Sears Parts Direct thru 5/31/08 (yes May 31)

Got a Sears appliance or yard machine? Now through May 31, 2008 get 15% off parts using code 80029.

Sears Parts Direct

Save 10% Coupon Code at Circuit City

Enter coupon code LYAP4NTAU9 at Circuit City to save 10% through 2/20/08.
Circuit City

IRS has Web Page for Information on Economic Stimulus Payments

See the link below for information on the IRS website regarding the Economic Stimulus plan.
There are links to question & answer pages as well as information to help previous non-filers get the rebate (as noted in my previous post). There is an example (kind of vague) showing low income filers how to fill out form 1040A.

Information on Stimulus Payments (IRS)

If anyone has any questions, leave them in comments, I'll try to poke around and find answers.

Woot-Off at Woot Today - Opportunity to Get Some Great Deals

Woot.com has what they call a WootOff for today. New deals throughout the day, one sells out, then a new one starts.

Dell Outlet 15% Off Coupon Codes

Dell Outlet has some new codes for 15% off various refurbished products.

For 15% off any refurbished Inspirion or XPS Desktop or Laptop enter the following code:
Code: MJ5P5L?102FB2R
Expires 2/18/08

For 15 % off any refurbished Dell Printer enter the following code:
Code: 9GH05KGTX0F7S6
Expires 2/18/08 or after first 300 redemptions (hurry on this one).

Great Deal on a USB Hub $7.99 Shipped

Buy.com has a great deal on USB Hub...only $7.99 and shipped free.

I purchased a similar one for my son a couple weeks back. The most difficulty I had was finding one with a cable longer than one foot. Most are intended for use on a laptop, but if you have a desktop PC you need a bit of cable to get it to a convenient location (especially if you have a tower case sitting on the floor). Just to buy the cable separately will run you $5-$10.

This looks like a good deal to me because it says it includes a 3.3 foot cable.

Targus Ultra Mini 4-Port USB Hub Model: PA055U OEM $7.99

YugDown at Yugster.com Today

Yugster.com has what they call a YugDown for today. New deals throughout the day, one sells out, then a new one starts.

Once in a while there are some unique/hard to find items here.

Seniors May Have to File 2007 Return to Get Rebate

It looks like seniors (low income or living on social security) who generally don't file tax returns are being included in the economic stimulus rebate. BUT it looks like they may have to file a 2007 tax return. Read the article at the link below for more information:

Rebates for Seniors (CNN Money)

Cheap Memory Card for that New Cell Phone

Good price on a 1GB Micro SD memory card at J&R...$5.99. Unfortunately shipping will set you back another $4.00.
This size is used by a lot of new cell phones. 1GB is plenty for most of us.

$5.99 - Dane-Elec 1 GB Micro SD Card

Cubicle Humor at Target

While in Target the other day, I walked through their dollar section. In one of the bins were a couple signs maybe a little bigger than a bumpersticker. One of them read something to the effect of, "How can I think outside the box when I work in a cubicle".
Don't know how many of you work in a cubicle setting, but a 'Dilbert' like myself had to laugh at this one. We relocated our office about 3 years ago and decided to just put up cubicles (although they were almost as expensive as building walls). Miss my private office with a window (always liked fresh air while I'm working).
Anyways, I should have bought it for a buck.
It's the little things in life (especially since the big things are so far out of reach).

A "Thrifty" Valentine's Day Poem

I wish I had the creativity Deborah at Simply Thrifty has.
Read her poem to her 'thrifty' husband (she didn't use thrifty).
Thanks for the laugh, Deborah

A Valentine's Ode... at Simply Thrifty

Speaking of Cheap Tools...

I did splurge on a deal at Lowes over the weekend. I somehow got on a mailing list at Lowes. I don't know if I signed up for the list on the web or if they just put me on the list when I had the pellets for my pellet stove delivered by them the last two years. Anyways... They had sent me this card for $10 off a $25 purchase. Well, it was going to expire Sunday. So as I was heading home from my Mom's (me and my brother were moving the shed that blew over), I remembered the card in my wallet and figured 'Lowes is right at the exit off the thruway'; so I took an hour long stroll through the store.
I finally came across something that I have been wanting to purchase for years. A tool that can track an outlet to a circuit breaker. I have an old house and there is some crazy wiring in here. With this maybe I will finally be motivated to map all my circuits. Anyways, it cost $29; with the coupon, only $19...woohoo! Couldn't let that coupon go to waste...heck it's almost half off.

Cheap Tools Try Harbor Freight USA

If you have one in your area, sign up for weekly specials at HarborFreightUSA and you'll get a weekly email with a couple dozen coupons. Like a typical guy, I sometimes go out of control with tools (buying stuff there is no way I would ever use). Historically I've always been partial to Sears Craftsman tools (lifetime guarantee on hand tools). When some project comes up where you need a specific tool to use for only that one use, Harbor Freight is great for getting it cheap.

Target $5 off $50 Coupon Code Thru 2/6/08

Target has a coupon code for $5 off a $50 order at target.com
Enter code: TC7RHE38
Expires 2/6/08

Lowest Ever for a 2GB USB Flash Drive - $9.95

I know I've posted deals about these flash drives several times and I told myself that was it. But this deal is too good to not share. Buy.com has a Kingston 2GB flash drive for only $9.95 with free shipping. This is a decent one with no cap to worry about losing...the USB port retracts.

I carry a 2GB flash drive in my pocket (on my key ring...I don't think this one has a loop for a key ring, though). I use software I installed on mine called Evernote Portable which allows me to 'clip' web pages, emails, word doc's, excel schedules and file them in an organized fashion. I've found it handier than bookmarking sites; especially if there is something useful which may not remain on the site for long.

These have so many uses whether you are employed, in college, in high school. Store documents, spreadsheets, photos, etc.

Anyways, you won't find one cheaper without a rebate; check it out:
Kingston 2GB Hi-Speed DataTraveler USB Flash Drive - DT100/2GBKR $9.95

Sale and Clearance Summary in my Sidebar

Look in my sidebar (just below Thrifty Sites I Follow). I'm building a list of links for various websites where they have recurring deals of some sort (daily, weekly, etc.) or a page with clearance items. I've found this list to be a handy 'bookmark' for myself (I'm always trolling for clearance items). Check back periodically; I'll be adding more as I find them.

Feeds Redirected Through Feedburner

I just redirected my feeds through Feedburner. Subscribers update your reader program:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThriftyLiving

Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft

RealSimple.com has a good article with tips on avoiding identity theft. It includes some I've mentioned here like the Opt Out Line. At the end of the article is a PDF document with a checklist that looks very handy.

Simple Strategies to Avoid Identity Theft (RealSimple.com)

Exxon Sets Record Quarterly and Annual Profits

Does this make anyone a little angry other than myself. I know there are other issues; but some of us need a break too. Interesting fact in the CNN article...the $40+billion Exxon earned last year works out to $1,300.00 per second. I'm not a big fan of regulation, but maybe it's time...

Exxon Shatters Profit Records on CNN

List of Money Saving Tips at Frugal For Life

Dawn at Frugal For Life posted a list with some good ides for saving money.
Checkout the list here:
The BIG list of tips to save money at Frugal For Life

Shed in a windstorm

We have a pretty bad storm going on today. Lots of power outages and damage. This picture was a shed at my Mom's house...
The winds are pretty much 30-40mph with gusts over 60mph (there has even been one reported gust over 80mph...hurricane strength). To make matters worse, we have lake effect snow coming and going...creating whiteouts with the wind.
When I left my house this morning, the only damage I had thus far were some down tree limbs and a piece of trim blown off the house. Hopefully there won't be more surprises tonight.

Deal of the Day: Kingston 4GB Flash Drive $19.95

I know I've had these flash drives as my 'Deal of the Day' before. But the prices keep coming down and these things are very useful to carry around for anyone that works on computers. Kingston is one of the most trusted names in memory.
Buy.com is offering free shipping on this item also!

Kingston 4GB Hi-Speed DataTraveler USB Flash Drive - DT100/4GBKR $19.95

Super Saturday Sale at Sears

Just got an email from Sears. They are having a sale in-store and on-line this Saturday from 9AM until 12Noon. May be some good deals.