Saving at restaurants by reserving a table online

I'm looking for savings wherever I go. For restaurants, I normally pick up discounted gift cards at Costco. I'm not ashamed of using coupons or the Entertainment Book discount card. Sometimes I'll go to Happy Hour to stretch my dollars. I've also signed up for email discounts and even tried racking up points for discounts at restaurants via Open Table, but it's not paid off for me. I will say that's probably because I don't use it with regularity.

Now I'm going to start booking more often online through restaurant web sites to save money.

I noticed recently a few email restaurant deals are only given if you make a reservation online. I can't remember all of the restaurants. Sorry. But the latest to offer me a online reservation deal is Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Through Dec. 30, 2011, if you make a reservation online, you get a $25 dining credit, so long as you spend at least $50. There are some exceptions, so read details.

I wanted to take my mom out during her weekend visit, so I booked a table at Fleming's yesterday afternoon (Dec. 4) because my husband and I love going for the Sunday Prime Rib Dinner Special ($36.95), which includes a salad, side dish and dessert. Normally everything is a la carte, which can get expensive. The dinner is a great deal on its own, and even better with $25 off the entire bill. Our waiter did not exclude us from the online reservation deal. The savings helped me enjoy a cocktail without the guilt. Yes, I feel bad buying $12 martinis. It's insane!

Better bet I'm going to check out more restaurant sites for online reservation deals. My mouth is watering. YUM.

Avoiding peer pressure when shopping

I made a $150 mistake when I went shopping for some work clothes. And I know why I did it. I was with my mom.

She encouraged me to buy this nice gray suit jacket and matching skirt, both discounted 40 percent. I looked office ready. But ultimately, it wasn't me. I found a better suit in navy later, also with mom.

I was on a buying frenzy, supported by my mom's encouraging words. "You deserved to invest some savings on a few new outfits," or something like that. I am hunting down a new job, and need to look good during those crucial interviews. That's true.

It's not my mom's fault that I bought a suit that I really didn't want. It was mine. I gave into flattery. So I'm doing what's best for me by sending back the gray suit. I'm also shopping alone from now on. It's not that I don't love a second opinion. I do! I just know each time I go with someone else, I buy more.

I wonder if it's fear of looking like I can't afford to splurge. Don't we all try to keep up with the Joneses? When I look at some of my biggest shopping regrets, I'm out with another person. Sometimes it's mom, but usually it's a girlfriend.

Even this past weekend, I found myself buying tops that I didn't need to get my daughter because I was with a friend who was shopping with her daughter. I only spent $10, but it's $10 I wouldn't have spent if I were out on my own.

OK, it's unrealistic to think I'll always shop alone. I just need to resist any self-imposed feelings of peer pressure. Nobody can make me buy clothes or shoes. I shouldn't feel bad for saying no, even if it's on sale.

Loving library sales

So I have an addiction to buying music, but I've had to stop buying so much since losing my job. Digital downloads can be cheap, but they do add up.

Luckily I've scored a few CDs for as little as 50 cents at the library. Yes, really!

The libary branch by my house regularly puts books, CDs, DVDs and audio books on sale. I recently picked up a compilation of 60s rock classic songs, a recent Bon Jovi CD, Sarah Brightman and (blush) Robert Palmer's greatest hits. What can I say, "I'm Addicted to Love," umm, the 80s. I saw Barbara Streisand, The Platters, Adam Sandler, Beach Boys, Judy Collins, Michael Bolton, Gloria Estefan, some classical CDs, country music, etc. OK, you're not always going to score the latest hits. But you might be surprised.

I even lucked out on the Eclipse audio book for $1. The retail price on the back is listed as $57. Gulp.

Prices will vary. Typically audio books go for $3 and CDs for $1. So keep an eye out if you like bargains. And feel good about helping the library raise some money.

Cheers.

Look for "kids free" deals

I like going places with my kids, but it can add up fast. Luckily, many kid-friendly places offer "kids free" deals with adult admission from time to time. You just need to look for them, sort of like those kids eat free deals at restaurants. Sometimes these kid entertainment deals are in advertisements, particularly in those coupon mags and envelopes. And sometimes you find even deals by checking Facebook, Twitter and company Web sites.

Deals change all the time, so I keep a list of places we want to go on the fridge to remind me of where we want to go. This helps me remember not to toss out certain ads. I'll take a few minutes searching the web, too. I've seen zoo, aquarium and botanical garden deals in the past.

Since I'm mentioning deals, I did learn today that Shamrock Farms is offering a "Kids Ride Free" deal Saturdays in October, starting Oct. 8. The way it works is you get a free child admission with each paid adult admission during public tours. Some restrictions apply, so do check ahead. The tour includes a look at the working dairy and its history. Cost is regularly $9 for adults and $6 for kids 2-12. Reservations are recommended by calling 602-477-2462. More info: www.shamrockfarmstour.com. And, there are some special tours Oct. 10-14 for fall break. Call for details.

Cheers!

Sticking to a list should save you money

I never used to shop with a list, and I wasted a lot of money. My reasoning was I didn't have time to jot it down, and frankly, I'll just remember what I need. Silly me.

These days, I really try to stick to a list. I'm not perfect. I do go off the list if something catches my attention. I just ask myself a few question before putting it in my cart.

1. Do I really need this or am I attracted by the deal?
2. When will I use/eat this?
3. Will this save me money later?

The list keeps me accountable. At the grocery store, it keeps me on track to buy the stuff I need for dinner all week. I also note if I have a coupon with a "c" and pull the coupon out of my coupon box. It helps me remember to bring the coupons, too.

At a clothing store, a list keeps me from impulse purchases. How many times have you bought something that doesn't go with anything, but it was just too cute? Then you had to buy shoes to go with it or a skirt, and suddenly that deal has cost you much more than planned. Now I just write what I need: Brown belt, black skirt, etc.

I also only write down what I know I need after I scan the pantry, closet, garage, etc. Not checking before you go can be a big money- and time-wasting mistake. It only takes a few minutes. In the end, you'll likely find you're spending less because you're getting what you need. And you won't be wasting as much time returning items you didn't realize you had.

Cheers!

Digital downloads for $5 or less

I love music. And it can be expensive.

If I'm uncertain if I'll like a CD, I borrow it from the library first. If I love it, I buy it via Amazon's MP3 Store or iTunes. Though sometimes digital deals are so good, I don't feel the need to sample first.

The best deals I've found typically come from Amazon, but always check iTunes just in case. I downloaded Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" CD for 99 cents. I think I bought Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" for $2.99 or was it $3.99? Did the same with Sheryl Crow's "100 Miles from Memphis." And I can't found how many I've purchased for $5. I think there was Cee Lo Green, Maroon 5, Emily Osment (for my daughter), Natasha Bedingfield, etc. This compares with $11.99-$15.99 at many electronics/music retailers.

Every now and then both of these digital retailers offer free downloads. Got a Sister Hazel album this way.

Sometimes the MP3s are the same price on Amazon and iTunes. That's when discounted iTunes gift cards can come in handy. They'll go on sale at stores such as Best Buy and Target, but they're also available from time to time at warehouse clubs.

Don't forget to make a copy of your download, or back up your computer. I do both. I download copies of CDs that I buy, too, and burn a disc for my car. Can't tell you how many were scratched before I did this. Lesson learned.

Seriously? Newspapers stolen for coupons

I've been a big fan of coupons. I don't go crazy using them. I really try to stick to what I like and occasionally using them to try something new.

I know there's tons of buzz about "extreme couponing" thanks to that show by the same name on TLC. People are trading coupons, buying extra newspapers, asking friends and businesses for extra copies, etc. But would you steal newspapers to get coupons? Some people apparently are, according to a story in USA Today. Click link for story.

I have bought an extra copy of a Sunday paper if the coupons are just awesome and I know I can more than offset the cost of the paper with the savings. I can't imagine walking through a neighborhood picking up newspapers or grabbing more than one paper from a newspaper rack.

I guess I'm not extreme. But I feel as though I save plenty. Here are my main rules about saving with coupons:

Free and cheap movies

I love going to movies, but I'm a bit cheap about going. It has to be something I can't wait to see and something that is best appreciated on the big screen. Since many movies aren't musts on the big screen, I save a lot of money just waiting for the DVD and picking it up at the library for FREE.

But one great way to see free movies before anyone else is getting screening passes.

Cheap reads

I've spent plenty of money on books over the last 30 years. The first one I really remember wanting to buy was "Tiger Eyes," by Judy Blume. I remember going crazy on those Sweet Valley High ones in junior high, too. And I had to buy many of the classics, from D.H. Lawrence to Emily Bronte.

I still like to buy them, but since my budget isn't so consumer friendly, I've made a new friend of the public library.

Dinner on the cheap

I've recently become a fan of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, particularly for days when I don't have a ton of time to prep food.

To save money, because convenience isn't always cheap, I've come to check out the "clearance" food section. I'm picky and won't get just anything. All the foods in the section are foods that can only be sold through the end of the day. Some items look much better than others.

Knowing that I had a hectic night ahead, I picked up a family-size broccoli and chicken Alfredo dish and garlic Parmesan flatbread for a grand total of $6, or 50 percent off. A few weeks back I picked up perfectly good ahi tuna steaks for $5 (ahi in the fresh aisle was $15 to $20) and two slices of cheesecake for $1.50.

Takeaways:

Maximizing retail coupons

I really thought I long finished with back-to-school clothes shopping, having stocked up on some post-Memorial Day deals. But with growing kids, well, several of those shorts that I counted to still fit back in early June don't anymore.

Typically I turn to the clearance racks and look for sales. Still did that today. But I must say I'm loving those coupons that some stores, such as JCPenney and Kohl's, put out pretty regularly.

My three tips for using these coupons: