Money-saving tips from The Bargainist

Shopping Savings: How to Get Gift Cards for Less than Face Value

Gift cards can make great gifts: easy to mail, practical, and one size fits all. But you can make this stand -out gift even better by picking up gift cards for less than face value. There are plenty of places pushing discounted gift cards. Here are several sites selling plastic for reduced prices

Twitter and Facebook Poll: How Much Holiday Shopping Will you Do Online?

Online shopping isn’t just a great way to kill time during your coffee break. Looks like lots of you plan to do a chunk of your holiday shopping on the web. We used Facebook and Twitter to find out who will be braving the crowds for Christmas gifts and who will knock off their shopping list from the comfort of a computer.

(P.S. Don’t forget to follow the Bargainist on Twitter and Facebook for the latest deal updates!)

Sweet Savings: Last Minute Halloween Candy Deals

Ever run out of candy on Halloween night? I have. Once the chocolate was gone, I started handing out granola bars I found stashed in the back of my pantry, and when those ran out, I turned off my porch light and hid, but the trick-or-treaters weren’t happy... They smashed my pumpkins in revolt! Avoid mutiny in your neighborhood by stocking up on some last minute Halloween candy deals.

Holiday Home: Easy DIY Decorating Projects for Thanksgiving

Expecting company for Turkey Day? Even with the bird, stuffing and pumpkin pie, your home might need a little something extra to create a festive Thanksgiving atmosphere. You don’t have to be a domestic goddess for these easy DIY Thanksgiving decorating projects.

How to Find Seasonal Work Now

Want to pick up some extra work over the holidays? Start applying now, according to experts. There may be fewer seasonal jobs available this year, which means the sooner you can get your applications, in the more likely you’ll be to get hired. Here are some resources for finding seasonal work now.

How to Help Friends and Family Facing Financial Trouble

One in eight Americans currently receives food stamps, according to the Department of Agriculture. And the US Census Bureau says one in seven Americans live in poverty. That means millions of people are likely struggling to make ends meet. If you have friends and family members facing financial trouble, here are some ways to help.

Graco Stroller Recall

As you may have heard, Graco has recalled millions of Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers made before 2008 due to their implication in several infant deaths. You can read the official notification here for affected model numbers, further details, and instructions on how to request a free repair kit.

If you intend to buy a new stroller, follow these links for $10 off $80 in baby items at Sears, 15% off your order at Baby Catalog, or 15% off $100 or more at One Step Ahead..

Ten Ways to Sell Stuff Online for Extra Holiday Cash

Cleaning junk out of the attic can be a great way to pay for putting new stuff under the Christmas tree. The holidays may still be several weeks away, but now is a great time to start thinking about turning clutter into gift buying cash. We’ve all heard of eBay and Craigslist, but there are plenty of other ways to sell stuff online in order to earn extra holiday cash.

2010 Holiday Calendar: Important Dates for Holiday Shopping, Travel and Celebration

Your social calendar and your to-do list are about to explode. Need help remembering those key appointments for the upcoming 2010 holiday season? We’ve created a list of important dates for holiday shopping, travel, and celebration to help keep you organized and on top of everything.

When and How to Hire a Financial Planner

No matter what stage of life you’re in, or what’s in your bank account, hiring a financial planner can be a good idea. Look at it this way-- you may be able to burn calories without the help of a personal trainer, but you may not reach your fitness goals as fast, or at all. Just like a personal trainer, a professional financial planner can be your guide to reaching your financial goals. Here are some tips to help you know when and how to hire a financial planner.

Ten Cheap Ways to Make Your Halloween Party Scarier

Friendly ghosts and goofy costumes not your thing? For some, Halloween really is about all things spooky. If you see October 31 as your one chance a year to scare the bejeebers out of your loved ones, here are ten cheap ways to make your Halloween party scarier.

Twitter and Facebook Poll: What’s Been Your Best Frugal Halloween Costume?

Halloween is a fun holiday and, according to you, it doesn’t have to be expensive. We wanted to know about your best frugal Halloween costume and plenty of you proved you’re very creative when it comes to dressing up.

Low Cost Ways to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

The flu is nothing to sneeze at. According to the Centers for Disease Control website, there were nearly 42,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations during last flu season and 2,125 flu-related deaths. Want to keep yourself free of the flu this year? Here are some low cost ways to stay healthy during flu season. (P.S. - Gesundheit!)

What's the Deal with Sample Sales?

Designers and retailers use sample sales as a way to unload excess merchandise. They get rid of extra stock and you can pick up great stuff at a fraction of the retail price. Typically you can save up to 90% on everything from clothing to furniture. Whether you’ve scored deals at sample sales or always wanted to, we’ve got some tips to help you make the most of the experience.

Affordable Halloween Costumes for Your Pet

There are few things cuter than pets outfitted in Halloween costumes. They may not be able to join you in a Halloween candy binge, but your furry family members can certainly dress up for the occasion. Here are some affordable Halloween costume options for your pet.

Where to Turn for Free Food

Roughly one in six Americans are insecure about whether they have an adequate supply of food. As millions struggle to keep meals on the table, there are lots of organizations ready to help by offering free food. If you or someone you know is struggling to afford food, here are some resources that provide free food.

Financial Compatibility: Money Questions to Ask Your Date

Wedding vows are quite blatant when it comes to money. You’re committing to stick it out whether you’re richer or poorer. But all too often financial troubles can lead to relationship troubles. That’s why experts say it’s important to find out if you’re financially compatible before saying “I do.” Asking your date for a copy of their credit report may not go over well, but here are five money questions that are a little easier to ask.

Five Holiday Tasks to Complete Now

Thanksgiving and Christmas may still be several pages out in your date book, but that doesn’t mean you should put off planning and preparing. If you want to save money on travel and gift buying, here are five holiday tasks to complete now.

The Social Network: Coupons and Freebies Found on Facebook

The Social Network opened in theaters across the country last week, taking in more than $23 million dollars at the box office. The movie tells the story of how Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg came up with the idea for the mega-popular site. Facebook currently has half a billion users, including businesses that use the social networking site as a way to drum up business. One of the ways they do that is by offering Facebook users exclusive discounts and deals. Here are some examples of coupons and freebies found on Facebook right now.

Handmade How-tos: Ten Low Cost Gifts to Make for the Holidays

Want to slash your gift giving budget this holiday season? Try getting crafty. While you’ll save a lot of money, you’ll need to start soon so you’ll have plenty of time to get the job done. Here are some handmade how-tos that will make great holiday gifts.

Finding Low-Cost Halloween Costumes at Thrift Stores

Need a Halloween costume? Skip the expensive costume shop or picked-over chain store. Instead, corral some creativity and head to your local thrift store. Thrift stores can be the ideal place for finding low-cost Halloween costumes. Here are some ideas to get those creative costume juices flowing.

Cheap Halloween Costumes Hiding in Your Closet

So you want to dress up for Halloween, but you don’t want to fork out any cash? No problem! Show off your silly (or spooky) side with these cheap Halloween costumes that are likely hiding in your closet.

How to Protect Your Privacy When Shopping Online

According to data released by comScore, last year there were $595 million in Black Friday sales online, an 11% increase over Black Friday 2008 online. There’s no doubt that more and more we’re turning to the Internet to buy everything from cat food to computers. But just as the web is becoming more popular for shoppers, it’s also becoming more popular for thieves. Here are ways to protect your privacy when shopping online.

Bundling Up: Cute Coats at Affordable Prices

Fall has arrived and cooler weather is close behind. Why bundle up with last year’s cold-weather gear when the deals are so hot right now? Get prepared for plunging temperatures by picking up a cute coat at a great price.

Twitter and Facebook Poll: When Will You Start Your Holiday Shopping?

We’re still several weeks away from the holidays, but that’s not stopping many of you from getting a jump start on your gift buying. We polled you on Facebook and Twitter to ask, when will you start your holiday shopping? What we discovered? Many of you already have.

Great Deals on Kids' Halloween Costumes

Top kids’ Halloween costumes for 2010 are likely to revolve around Harry Potter, Toy Story and Yo Gabba Gabba. (Apparently Brad Pitt went trick-or-treating as DJ Lance last year, spiking the show’s popularity this Halloween.) But if you’re a bit more concerned about affordability rather than popularity, we’ve scouted out some great deals on kids’ Halloween costumes.

Trading Stuff for Wealth: Getting the Maximum Out of Minimalism

Despite what prime time ads might tell you, that shiny SUV, ginormous flat screen or pricey wrinkle cream won’t make you happy. In fact some financial experts would argue that maxed out credit cards, home equity loans, and fancy leased cars are actually creating unnecessary stress. There seems to be a new movement towards minimalism these days. Interested in trading stuff for wealth? Here are some tips.

How Your Next Door Neighbor Could Help You Save Money

You share a zip code and a property line, but you and your neighbors could share a whole lot more. The people living around you may be the key to reducing expenses. Here are some ways your next door neighbor could help you save money.

Tips for Graduating from College Debt-Free

For the first time ever, the amount of school debt held by Americans surpassed the amount of credit card debt. Graduates may be earning their degrees, but it’s coming a high cost. If you’d like to finish college with both a diploma and financial freedom, here are some tips for graduating debt-free.

Forking Over the Dough: The Best Pizza Deals

Prefer Hawaiian, pepperoni, or just plain cheese? No matter how you like your pizza pie, Americans sure eat a lot of it. According to some sources we chow down about 100 acres of the cheesy goodness each day—that’s 350 slices a second. Before you fork over your dough for that steaming hot Italian treat, we want to make sure you’re getting the best pizza deal possible.