There’s no better time of year to take the Good Life blog out from hibernation and give you the annual look at the ways to save money at The Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Today (08/22) is the last day to get many pre-fair discounts.

• Discount admission, Blue Ribbon Bargain Book and ride/game tickets at the State Fair Box Office, Cub Foods and greater Minnesota.

• Discount Express Bus Fare ($4, Regularly $5)

Miss the pre-fair deals? There’s always ways to save when you are out at there:

• Booth Freebies (Deals, Drawings, and Giveaways)

• Discount Admission Days

• Blue Ribbon Bargain Books ($5)

• Free Entertainment Stages and the  free talent contest at the Grandstand.

Hope you enjoy the 12-best-days-of-summer. Remember to stop by the WCCO booth and say ‘hello’ to us!

Spot any other State Fair deals or tips, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section.

If you don’t want to sign up on Facebook, you can go to their homepage to fill out a form to cash in on your free breakfast (for you and a few friends!)

The company is celebrating its 29th birthday and they want customers to download the coupon for their “Birthday Bash.”

Click here for details.

Then all you have to do is bring the coupon to any location until 2 p.m. today.

Enjoy!

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

We’ve talked about using what you have for decorations — or even combing through your local dollar store for inexpensive football-themed accessories and prizes. (See: “Throw A Not-Super-Expensive Bowl Party”).

We tossed around the idea of buying generic or even throwing a potluck party. (See: “3 Steps To A Cheaper Super Bowl Party”).

And we’ve rallied around the idea of making group meals on the cheap. (See: “Recipes To Feed A Group Under $10″). This one isn’t bad for big families for everyday use, too.

Basically, we’ve tried to maximize your game day experience and minimize the price of it. To help you remember our favorite tips, just think of the phrase BIG GAME.

Buy generic.

Invent new ways to use what you have.

Get guests to bring a beverage.

Go to a dollar store.

Always buy bulk.

Make time to cut coupons.

Enjoy yourself!

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

If you’ve got a free day, a free weekend or a whole week — here are some inexpensive ideas to help you embrace the season.

•First off, you can’t avoid the St. Paul Winter Carnival, or what organizers call ‘the coolest celebration on Earth.” Between the ice skating, medallion hunting, beer tasting and sled dog racing, you’d be hard pressed not to find something fun to do. For a full list of events, click here.

•Think state parks are only for the warmer months? Think again. Did you know that ice fishing is free in State Parks if the lake is completely in the park? It is!

And there are cabins, guesthouses, suites and even campsites that you can rent year-round. Hint: they are much cheaper and bigger than a hotel room. Plus you get the added bonus of special park programs like snowshoeing and hiking, and skijoring. And you and your family may even get to pick up a free family activity kit. For a full list of the MN State Park winter events and guide, click here.

•The Art Shanty Project will let you check out art all while taking a stroll on a lake. People have creatively decorated houses as part of a four-week sculpture park. Click here to see how you can see the houses.

•If you need a little place to get away from dry weather and get some tropical inspiration, the Como Conservatory is your personal rainforest. Imagine fragrant flowers, blooming orchids and lush lily pads in a world that is all white outside. No imagining — it’s free, but a voluntary donation of $2 per adult and $1 for kids helps the zoo and conservatory out.

•If you are looking for other winter events, check out the Explore Minnesota page. You can track down a polar plunge and fishing tourney near you!

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

•If you love shopping online you can get a free 1-year membership to ShopRunner — which is a site that provides free 2-day shipping to lots of online sites (like Drugstore.com, New Egg, Toys ‘R Us, Domino’s, American Eagle, etc.).  It typically costs $79 for a membership, but for new members it is free. First, you’ll need to click here to sign up for a free ShopSanity Account. Follow all the steps and then ShopSanity will send you a link to get a free ShopRunner membership. Make sure to read all the terms and conditions before signing up.

•If you need to keep Fido or Fluffy in good health — try this link. It will give new clients at any Banfield Pet Hospital a free exam. Most Banfield locations are in PetSmart stores.

•If you want to expand your digital storage space — take it to the cloud. Amazon Web Services is giving one year free of Amazon EC2 Micro Instant Cloud Server/VPS Service. (Not sure what that is? Read more here.) This gives you 15GB bandwidth, 5GB S3 storage, 30GB Elastic Block Storage, 750 hours of Amazon EC2 and more each month. You do need a credit card to sign up for this offer in case your usage exceeds the free amount, so be sure that you don’t go over.

•Doing a little cleaning in the New Year and need to get rid of those old tax documents? Then use this coupon from Office Depot for 5 free pounds of document shredding (Exp 01/28).

•Staples.com is making it easy to stock up on office supplies by giving free shipping through Jan. 28.

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

• Benihana – If you join ‘The Chef’s Table’ program you receive a certificate worth $30 to use during the month of your birthday. This is by far the biggest promo I’ve seen for birthdays.

• Houlihan’s - Another great meal deal. With four locations around the Twin Cities, if you join Houlihan’s email club you’ll get a coupon for a free entree on your birthday. Non-members can still get a free dessert.

• Noodle’s & Company:  Sign up to be a Noodlegram member and get a coupon for a free entrée or soup.

• Ruby Tuesday’s – Pick up a tasty burger for free on your birthday when you sign up for their ‘So Connected’ club plus you get a buy-one-get-one free coupon with signup.

• TGI Fridays – Hate waiting in line? If you join the ‘Give Me More Stripes’ club you get a “Jump the Line Pass” which means you won’t have to wait for 45 minutes at the restaurant to eat dinner on a crowded Friday night. You get VIP treatment and get to jump right to the head of the line.  Plus you get a complimentary dessert or appetizer coupon to use anytime during your birthday month.

• Brunswick Bowling – 2 free games of bowling when you sign up here.

• Aveda- A full-size beauty product on your birthday (valued up to $25) when you using up for their mailing list.

• Sephora – Insider Club members get a free birthday gift. In 2011 they gave away Philosophy Shampoo/Shower Gel/Bubble Bath in the Vanilla Cupcake — a 6 oz bottle!

For a list of many more birthday freebies (including the desserts) check the following sites. Just don’t forget to call ahead to make sure it is valid at a location near you.

• Hey It’s Free Website

• Frugal Girls Website

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

• Home Remodeling Items- Services, materials, flooring, and carpet typically go on sale in January because the demand is down. Many people hustled before the holiday to get their last-minute home projects done before company came over. That’s makes January a perfect time for you to think about your remolding projects.

• Jewelry — December is a big month for buying diamonds — you know there’s been many a man who got sucked into getting his wife a sparkly gift because of all the commercials. But with a little patience, you could’ve got more for your money after the holidays. Plus, jewelry stores have got to restock with Valentine’s Day merchandise. Buy early in January.

• Vacations — Just like the travel slump between Thanksgiving and Christmas — there’s another slump right after the holidays. You can get rock-bottom prices the first week of the New Year. Traveling later in the month? You will want to think of the quick weekend getaways — Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, etc.

• The Big-Ticket Summer Items — In mid-winter, spending time relaxing outside is usually not top of mind, but it should be. Low demand means you can find patio furniture and grills on sale. They are usually last year’s models, however. Also, it’s a great time to look at investing in an energy-efficient air conditioner. You can find them at great prices in winter and it will save you money on energy right off the bat come summertime. Don’t forget to see if it qualifies for a tax credit, too.

• Winter Gear — I noticed lots of winter coats and boots on sale around Christmas but January gives even steeper discounts. If you are still looking for the perfect winter gear — look now. If you are looking for winter sporting gear — like skis — you should wait until the end of the season.

• Electronics — Right after Christmas and before the Super Bowl there is a magical time that HDTVs, stereo systems and home theaters go on sale — often times lower than Black Friday sales. You may not get the crazy-low prices some stores offer on Black Friday, but you will get name-brand merchandise. You may also see more open-box items (from returns) or store display TVs for sale. Don’t be deterred from buying them because they usually come with the same warranty.

Of course you don’t need reminding that if your resolution is to pay down debt — making big purchase isn’t the way to go. But these are things to keep in mind when the next January rolls around.

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 81807 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

This blog is all about taking those things into consideration and finding ways for you to continue doing the things that make life more enjoyable — living the good life without costing you more money.

Besides all the freebies and deals we let you know about, here is a recap of some of the more memorable topics we covered this year — the kind that can hopefully help you for years to come.

Travel Cheap

Budget Travel Reminders (Tips 1-5): This post includes tips to cut your spending when going on vacation — buying ticket bundles, renting a house instead of staying at a hotel and finding cheap gas.

Finding The Best Travel Deals (Part I): The sites that help you scope out travel deals may seem overwhelming, but this includes a breakdown about the pros and cons of each site.

Travel Deal Snafus (Part II): Don’t let an online site charge you for a shuttle from the airport when your hotel does it for free. This includes the pitfalls to avoid when booking.

Giving The Good Life (To Yourself, Too)

Creative Ways To Give To Charity: You don’t need a lot of money to give back. This blog had tips for giving while doing the things you do normally do — shop, browse the web, etc.

3, 2, 1 — Debt Detox!: This post shows you some quick ways to cut down your debt and put more money back in your own pocket.

Look Good For Less

Beauty Best Buys: We did a week-long homage to beauty products and looking your best for less.

• Part 1: Makeup Money Savers

• Part 2: All About The Hair

• Part 3: Skin Savers

Clipping The Right Coupons

Not Your Grandma’s Coupons: Tips for doing a little digital couponing.

Hungry Kids? Feed Them On A Budget: This post had ways to keep those kids full and your wallet fat.

Saving Money? There’s An App For That

Our cell phones can save us money — with the right apps. We looked at some of the best ways to use your phone to scope out the best coupons, find the cheapest gas prices and balance your household budget.

• Apps To Save You Money

• Are Money Apps Right For You?

• More Ways To Save Money With Apps

I hope you have a very happy New Year and wish you another great year of savings ahead!

Know of any other deals? Share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Columbia – Take an extra 30 percent off your purchases with code EYXMDW411 and get free shipping with code F11FREESHIP (Exp. 12/18). The 30 percent discount doesn’t count on outlet items which are already discounted.

Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy – Get 30 percent off all purchases (including sale items) with coupon code HOLIDAY (Exp. 12/13). Shipping is $7, but if you spend $50 or more, it is free.

Jones New York – Take 40 percent off everything and get free shipping on all orders (Exp 12/16). If you also sign up for their email list, you’ll get $20 off your first purchase of $100 or more.

All Posters – Get 30 percent off site-wide with coupon code HOLIDAY30 (Exp 12/13).

Monday Deals (12/12/11 Only)

Lands End – Get 40 percent off your highest priced item in your cart with coupon code SNOWSHOE and pin 1051. This is also good on sale items. Shipping starts at $6, but is free for purchases over $50.

Fathead – Take 30 percent off with coupon code BIG30. Shipping starts at $7.

Origin – Save 40 percent off over 200 games on all platforms. The discount is reflected on the product page and shipping is free on orders of $39.99 or more.

And of course don’t forget about Free Shipping Day this Friday (12/16). I posted a blog last week on many of the merchants participating. Read that here.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Since online shopping has taken off in the last few years — about 9 out of 10 retailers are promoting free shipping offers, according to the National Retail Federation. And the NRF also says that nearly 57 percent of retailers upped their free shipping budgets this year.

Stores know there is a huge demand for free shipping over the holidays, especially when people are already spending so much to buy the perfect holiday gift.

Enter ‘Free Shipping Day.’

In its fourth year, Free Shipping Day (taking place on Dec. 16 this year) is a great time to save even more around the holidays.

Big retailers like Best Buy, Lands’ End, JCPenney, Cabela’s, Kohl’s, Macy’s, DSW, REI, and Barnes & Noble are just a few of the store participating.

For a full list, click here.

Not only is it a good way to save, but most promise delivery by Christmas Eve if you order by that day.

As a blog bonus, CouponSherpa.com put together the following list of coupons for ‘Good Lifers’:

• Macy’s – Receive free shipping plus 20 percent off on orders of $99 or more with coupon code PERFECT.

• Coldwater Creek – Use Coldwater Creek coupon code AFLC439 to save $25 and receive free shipping on orders over $100.

• Gamestop – $15 off in-stock orders of $100 or more using coupon code MERRY.

• Footlocker – Use the Footlocker promo code LKS1VR37 to receive free shipping on orders over $75.

• eBags – Free shipping plus a 20 percent discount using the coupon code LINKSPEC20.

• Vans – Get free shipping on any order by using coupon code OKBYME.

• Neiman Marcus – Use code DECFS to receive free shipping on orders of any amount.

• Finish Line- Save $20 on an order of $100 or more using the Finish Line coupon code BFCM.

• Bath & Body Works – Spend $50 or more and receive free shipping with the promo code FREEGIFT50.

• Crocs – Save $15 on your order of $75 or more with promo code HOLIDAY15.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

This was especially clear to me this morning with the disappearance of the normally long line of taxis sitting outside the hotel I drive past on my way in to work.  It may be bad news for the tourist industry, but it is good news to anyone looking to save money on a vacation.

Some travel experts are even saying that this year’s “dead week” may span a week longer and into December. So, if you want to plan a pre-holiday trip or get a jump on some spring travel planning, check out some of the standout “dead week” deals below.

• Coupon site Yuupon is promoting travel deals every three hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Cyber Monday (11/28). Click here for the specific schedule of trip deals.

• Carnival Cruise Lines are dropping prices so low — you may need to cruise on over to the site to find a trip yourself. Some cruises were found for as low as $66 a day (which includes food, activities, and lodging).

• Check sites like Orbitz and Travelocity for 50 percent off your hotel or vacation package (11/28). Use coupon code CYBERMONDAY on Travelocity and get an extra 10 percent off on top of that!

Get even more discounts by checking out the articles below:

• Independent Traveler

• CBS News

• USA Today

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Keeping all the deals and bonus buys apart can seem overwhelming. Comparing what is the best quality for the best price can be too. So, I’ve compiled a list of some sites to help you with your shopping smackdown:

• 2011 Black Friday Ads/Store Circulars
• Black Friday Timeline
• Sale Items Available Now
• Black Friday Coupons/Deals
• Bonus Gift Cards List
• Cyber Monday Deals

Remember that it is important to remain a savvy consumer. Don’t let the dollar signs and commercials be your only motivation. Black Friday sales can offer some amazing steals — but usually to those people first in line. It seems like everything else can be found online or in stores at a later date for around the same price.

It is important to keep in mind that just because something is on sale, that doesn’t necessarily translate to quality. You may spend $200 on a TV now, but when it breaks in a few years you may be wishing you would have spent a little more on superior product.

My advice: check product reviews at sites like Consumer Reports. Make sure you are comparing the features you that you want and that you will use. A little pre-investigating will help you determine the best quality item for the best price.

Another tip is to avoid overbuying. Stores get you in with the door-buster sales, but if you add a few more things into your cart that you don’t need, then you’re just overspending. Ask yourself that day if you really need everything in the cart. You may be able to put a few things back on the shelf by going in conscious of a budget.

Next, those gift cards and bonus certificates that stores give out are great, but only if you need to do more shopping at the store. Think of it this way, if you need to spend $75 total to get back a $25 gift card, but you need to buy more stuff to reach the $75 mark, it may not be worth it. And I’m betting that when you return to spend the gift card, you’ll spend more than $25, right?

Finally, keep the Thanksgiving spirit with you — even the day after Thanksgiving. Be kind to your fellow shoppers and it will make the whole experience a better one for everyone. Kindness is contagious.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Besides special days like today, we can already sense that it’s the season of giving. But, there are some that can’t afford to give as much as they’d like. Never fear, there are other cool ways to help your favorite charity without spending a dime.

• Get money for your charity by searching the Internet. Yep, that’s right, just searching by using GoodSearch.com gives the charity of your choice a penny per search. (With the way I search that can add up to a lot of money!) To check out how the search site works, click here.

• If you are doing a little Christmas shopping online, try heading over to GoodShop.com (also powered by GoodSearch). They give a percentage of almost every purchase to a charity of your choice. It includes 2,500 big retailers too — like Gap, Target, Amazon and Macy’s.

• Redeem your credit card points for charity. Sometimes you can get cash rewards or gift cards that you can donate, but some companies will give you bonus donations if you redeem it for charity.

• If you have to dine out, try finding a restaurant that lets you donate a percentage of what you spend. GoodDining.com (a product of GoodSearch) gives up to 6 percent of what you spend to charity. Click here to find a participating restaurant in your area.

• And finally, there is no better way to give than to give the gift of time. There are a handful of companies that match volunteer hours with money. Microsoft, Bank of America, Boeing, Exxon and Intel are just a few. Check with your company or other major companies in your area to see if they have a volunteer-match program.

Remember, living the good life comes in many forms and having a caring and giving heart is one thing that shines the brightest this time of year.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Here’s a list of some of the standouts:

Free Food

There are lots of places vets can go to get free food. Note that you must show a valid military/veteran ID and all deals take place on Nov. 11, 2011 only, unless stated otherwise.

• 5-8 Club – Get a free Juicy Lucy at the 5-8 Clubs in Champlin, Maplewood, and Minneapolis.

• Applebee’s – Vets get a free meal of their choice.

• Chili’s – Get a choice of one of 6 meals for free (11 a.m.- 5p.m).

• Hooters – Get 10 Free Wings at the Bloomington or Burnsville locations.

• McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – Vets get a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée (Sunday Nov. 13).

• Outback Steakhouse – Free Bloomin’ Onions and Coca-Cola product (now through Nov. 11).

• Subway – Pick up a free six-inch sub, but Subway recommends you call ahead to confirm they are giving the deal away at your location.

• Texas Roadhouse – Free lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one entrée get one free (Nov. 11-14).

Other Free Stuff, Services

• U.S. military vets in need of mobility assistance can pick up a free cane through Nov. 11. Various Sam’s Club locations will be distributing 36,000 Hugo canes. Click here for locations.

• There are numerous companies in Minnesota helping bring a little sparkle to a vet’s car by giving away free car washes. Click here to go to the Grace for Veterans and find one near you.

• Free admission to the Minnesota History Center (Nov. 11-13) by clicking here.

• Free entrance into National Parks (Nov. 11-13). Learn more by clicking here.

• Download a free “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album from Amazon.com. It includes 12 songs performed by military bands.

Here are some links to help you find other free events and giveaways for vets:

• The Military Wallet

• MN Dept Of Veteran Affairs: Veterans Day 2011

And to all the military members out there, thanks for your service!

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Bruegger’s is offering a free cup of coffee to everyone on Wed. Nov. 9 from store open until 2 p.m.

It’s part of a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network, so if you’d like to make a donation with your free cup it goes to a good cause.

Another thing to note if you want to help the Children’ Miracle Network and save yourself some money year round, you can pick up their 2012 Bottomless Mug. It’s a reusable coffee mug that allows you to get one free beverage every 30 minutes all through 2012. The cost may seem like a lot up front (about $150), but averages out to about $3 a week for a full year, even less if you buy now in 2011 and start using it.

That could save you a good chunk of change if you you are a caffeine-fiend.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Part 1: Makeup Money Savers | Part 2: All About The Hair

Now let’s talk skin!

Clean Skin Savings

Some big money savers can come in the more common purchases you use to say clean, soft and smelling good.

Woroch said that foam hand soap is one of the easier beauty products to make yourself. Check out EHow.com’s recipe for specific DIY instructions. Ultimately, you need a lot of water, a bit of soap and a few drops of essential oil.

We all want to feel soft and, as we age, keep wrinkles at bay. If your mama never taught you to moisturize — read up on it — because like Woroch says, you want to avoid “the shar pei-look at 50, but lotion gets pricey when you see the words illuminating, firming or age-defying on the label.”

Most drugstore moisturizers work wonders, but the key is finding a drugstore exfoliator to go with it. Unless you have skin issues, those combined will do the trick for most people.

That brings us to smelling good. Designer fragrances are priced like liquid gold. Maybe not quite, but if $70 gets you less than 6 ounces of product, it sure feels like it.

I suggest taking a look at department stores, discount chains and bulk stores. Some often carry the designer brands and if you purchase after Christmas, I find the gift set to be a steal. Even places like Sam’s Club and Costco have a great selection at a much better price.

Woroch said if you can’t part with your signature Chanel scent, you can buy gift cards at places like giftcardgranny.com a discounted rate for retailers selling your fragrance.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Check out part one here on makeup money savers.

All About The Hair

Woroch said you can extend the life of your shampoo (and hair color) by using a dry shampoo or baby powder in between washes. I think the big money saver comes from using the right amount of product. Pouring more than you need is money down the shower drain.

Woroch suggests when using shampoo and conditioner, check out these great tips and best bargain buys from DailyFinance.com.

If you want to keep your hair color looking vibrant, she said brunettes can use a strong pot of cooled coffee and blonds can use a lemon juice-water mixture. You’ll want to apply the treatment after shampooing, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse, condition and style as usual.

If you want to dress up your hair, why not try making your own hair accessories. Woroch said to try this style and channel your inner domestic goddess by creating one-of-a-kind hair accessory with beads, feathers and artificial flowers found in craft stores.

Check back later this week for the final installment of Beauty Best Buys.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

If I see a cool item on sale, I want to test it out. New mascara that will double your lashes — why not! Shampoo promising to stop frizz and give you volume — sounds good! And it turns out I’m not the only one.

A study by Mintel found that consumers spent $2.32 billion on shampoo and $1.71 billion on conditioner in 2010 alone. Of course, my beauty product shopping bill is still very reasonable — I write about saving money after all.

Andrea Woroch from Kinoli, Inc., a company behind many money-saving websites, fills in ‘Good Lifers’ on some the best way to save on essentials without resorting to dollar-store cosmetics.

Makeup Money Savers

Clean makeup tools are happy makeup tools, but they can also extend the life on those expensive brushes and makeup applicators.

Woroch suggests if you really need replacements, consider a tip given to her by a MAC Cosmetics artist — buy art brushes at craft stores and use those instead. They cost a fraction of the price.

If you want your foundation to last longer, she said always apply a base before putting it on. Powder, liquid or mineral foundation will stay put longer on your face and you’ll use less. Woroch said some good options are The Magic Perfecting Base by L’Oreal, a favorite among top fashion magazines, and costs around $12.

Finally, sometimes it pays to be picky and not wear your entire cosmetics collection every day of the week. Woroch said going for the “au natural” look on mellow workdays or weekends can help stretch your dollar. To see how to pull it off, she suggests using Real Simple’s step-by-step instructions.

I might also suggest using what you have first before you go buy new cosmetics. Makeup doesn’t stay good forever, so don’t hold back. In the same vein of “don’t save your good china for the queen, she probably isn’t coming,” don’t save your “good makeup” for a special occasion, use it before it goes bad.

I also like the idea of experimenting with makeup trends by using a beauty discounter, like E.L.F. (eyeslipsface.com). Most of their makeup items sell for $1, so if you wanted to try out some neon lipstick or smoky eye shadow, that’s the place to go in my opinion.

Check back later this week for part two and three of Beauty Best Buys.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Because you want you to save as much money as possible when going grocery shopping, I’ve found some great online coupons sites, inexpensive recipes and basic tips before you hit the food aisle.

Coupons And Deal Finders

GroceryGuide.com – lets you search for the best deals neat your area.

Coupons.com, Valpak.com, Smartsource.com, RedPlum.com – These are the companies that you may have gotten real mail from (I know I do). They give you manufacturer coupons and most let you search by zip code to see local deals online. They’re the bigger coupon sites and what may appear as junk mail really can save you some dough. Sign up online with a junk e-mail account if you prefer searching for electronic coupons.

MamboSprouts.com – If you are all about organic and living green this coupon site is for you.

CouponMom.com may be the site for you if you are into ‘extreme couponing’ (the people who go into a store with coupons then walk out with bags of goods they paid little or nothing for by using them). I haven’t personally done this, but the people who do have claimed it has helped them eat for free and stay out of debt. It takes some effort and really is a way of life for many.

Recipes

If you’re looking to keep the kids entertained and get a helping hand when putting together some meals, check out this article by Delish.com which includes 16 recipes under $3 a serving. I must say that pasta noodles, a can of tuna, and some veggies can go a long way — and look pretty tasty too.

Tips

The best advice I can give for using coupons at a store is not to be ashamed in using them. In this economy, if you can save 20 percent off your grocery bill by going through the store circular before you walk around the store, it is worth the little bit of effort.

You would likely stop to pick up a $20 bill on the street outside the grocery store (and probably think it was a pretty good day if you found that flying around the parking lot), so why wouldn’t you take 5 minutes before shopping to rip a few coupons out that could save you that same amount?

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

• Hancock Fabrics – Up to 40 percent off Halloween costume patterns (Sale ends 10/31).

• Sears – Get $5 off your costume purchase of $50 or more with coupon code SBOO (EXP 10/29)

• Spirit Halloween – Take 20 percent off your highest priced item with coupon code SPAFF20 (EXP 10/26).

• Costume Discounters – Get 5 percent off purchases of $50 or more using coupon code 5MORE. Spend $150 or more and get 15 percent off using 15MORE (EXP 10/31).

• Costume Supercenter – Use coupon code Ghost10 and get 10 percent off your order of $50 or more. Spend $100 or more and enjoy 15 percent savings with coupon code Ghost 15 (EXP 10/31).

• Walgreens – Use coupon code SCARY20 and receive 20 percent off all costumes (EXP 10/22).

• Hot Topic – Get 20 percent off a purchase of $60 or more with coupon code HTAF20HWN (EXP 11/2).

• Costume Kingdom – Use coupon code 15OFF75CK to receive 15 percent off your purchase of $75 or more (EXP 10/31).

• Drugstore.com – Save up to 30 percent on all Halloween costumes, plus get free shipping (EXP 11/1).

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Look around and you’ll find inspiration for a creative (and cheap) outfit:  a garbage bag,  some leaves and a rake — you’re ‘yard work.’

Grab a large box with some wrapping paper (to look like a present), a big bow and tag that says “To: Women, From: God” — you’re ‘God’s gift to women.’

Or my favorite (that my dad used a long time ago): a black shirt with the letter P on it, then blacken your eye with make-up and you are a ‘Black-eyed Pea.”

I’ve put together a slideshow of some more ideas here.

If those don’t tickle your fancy, here are a few more tips:

Costume Swap

Scour your house and have your friends look through their house, too. Lots of people have retro clothes or a Halloween bin with a few wigs and old costumes. You can save some money if you ask around before you head to a store. (Hint: Grandparents and parents are a treasure trove for unique clothes too.)

Shop Cheap

Accessories are best to grab at the dollar store because, well … they are only a dollar. For the whole look (clothes, shoes, etc.) try a thrift stores around Halloween. I have and sometimes you can get lucky and find a good price on items, but other times they use it as an opportunity to raise the prices on vintage clothes because they know they’re in more demand during Halloween. Just shop around.

Look Through Your Garbage

Yes, it sounds gross, but we’re not talking about cat litter and old food. I’m talking about the big boxes, plastic tubs, (rinsed) milk cartons, and other things you can cut and fashion into parts of a costume.

Steal It From The Headlines

If you need more inspiration, you’re on the right website. News headlines and pop culture provide all sorts of fun for Halloween. Remember all the Sarah Palins and Snookies a few years ago?

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

If you are trying to hunt down your costume, and don’t have time to make your own, here are a few pre-made deals.

• Check out the thrift stores in your area (Goodwill, Savers, ARC, etc.) for discount costumes and accessories and don’t forget to use these coupons to save even more.

• Drugstore.com – Up to 30 percent off costumes and free shipping (EXP 10/20) and new customers can take $5 off $30 orders or $10 off $50 orders.

• BuyCostumes.com – Get 15 percent off everything on the site with coupon code OCTOBER15, or get $30 off orders $150 with coupon code SPIDER30 (EXP 10/20), and free shipping on orders over $40+ with code SNOWFREE.

• SpiritHalloween.com – Get 20 percent off any one item with coupon code SPAFF20, plus get a free candy bag with any kid’s Marvel costume purchase.

• HalloweenExpress.com – Buy one get one at 25 percent off with code BOGO25CJ (Thanks to BensBargains.com for this find.) They also have a $5 off instant coupon if you sign up for mailing list (I’d recommend using a junk email account).

• Costume Super Center – Get 20 percent off orders of $50 and more with code FALL20

• Costume Kingdom – 30 percent off clearance items with code CLEARANCE30

• Shindigz – Get costumes up to 85 percent off in clearance section. They also offer coupon codes that switch up daily, so check back.

• You can also check out some cool forums to help you narrow down some of the deals. Dealspl.us has a great page and FatWallet.com also has a list of new deals daily.

Later this week I’ll talk about some homemade costume ideas that will save you even more money, so if you have any ideas, send them on!

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Hennepin County puts out a booklet of coupons each year to help you do just that. Their Choose to Reuse Today coupon book features 80 reuse retailers to help you get great quality products, save money and reduce waste.

It’s like saving even more if you’re already shopping on a budget.

Stores like Once Upon A Child, Electric Fetus, Goodwill, ARC, Salvation Army, Plato’s Closet and Midwest Mountaineering are just a few of the featured companies.

There are also rental discounts for things like furniture and costumes; deals on bridal attire and maternity wear; plus used electronics, furniture, sporting goods, books, music and more.

Whether you are renting, repairing, reselling or trading you are bound to find a good deal.

You can either download your own booklet to print out at home, or pick one up at participating retail locations, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County libraries and all Three Rivers Park District locations. Coupons are good through Nov. 30, 2011.

Saving money never goes out of style!

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Buca Di Beppo is giving away a free small spaghetti marinara every Monday this month (with purchase) in honor of World Pasta Day which is happening on Oct. 25.

You will need use this coupon to cash in on the tasty Italian deal. The freebie is for dine-in only and you’ll need to purchase any small or large pasta, baked pasta or entree to redeem.

Click here to find a location near you.

Buca Bonus:

Here are a few more coupons for the restaurant:

• $5 off any $20 purchase with this coupon or this one.

• Or even more savings with $10 off any $20 purchase with this coupon.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Getting a flu shot can add up to a lot of money saved. The cost of medicine, tissues, etc. — not to mention the loss of work if you don’t get sick time — can really add up. (Of course you will want to check with your doctor first to see if you can get one — most can.)

Health care workers want you to know there are ways to get free or cheap flu shots, many times without even going to your doctor’s office.

For example, retailers CVS and Walgreen’s have been giving out free flu shots the past few years to unemployed people or those without health insurance.

CVS said they’ll continue it this year too. At some places, you may need to pick up a voucher, so click here to find a CVS clinic or call and ask them for information.

The Minnesota Department of Health and some counties  may also offer free flu shot clinics for children under 18 or those adults who are uninsured. Click here for the MDH flu vaccination schedule. You local hospital may be another good resource.

Lastly, I’ve noticed that more and more workplaces are covering the cost of shots in full for their workers and workers’ families. Check with your HR department and see what your company policy is — it could save both you and your work some money.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

• On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Cold Stone Creamery is hosting its 10th annual ice cream social for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Between 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, customers will get a free 3 oz. serving of the ‘Sprinkled with Wishes’ creation (sweet cream ice cream, brownie, rainbow sprinkles, fudge). Donations appreciated!

• Get $10 off orders $40 or more at Walgreen’s with coupon code YEAR11 through Oct. 1. Plus, there’s free shipping on orders $25 or more.

• Magazines make a great gift or just some nice bathroom reading material. You can get a year subscription of Maxim for $4. Click here to go to DiscountMags.com, put the order in your cart then enter coupon code SDMAGS during checkout for the discount.  Great deal considering at the store, a year of Maxim will cost you $47.88 and on Amazon it will cost $9.97.

• Shape Magazine also has a steal of a deal — one-year for $3.75. Go to BestDealMagazines.com and use coupon code WKLYSPEC during checkout. This publication usually goes for $39.90 for a year subscription at the checkout line and $12.99 found on other sites.

• Not the magazine you’re looking for? Check out this Amazon page and get Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Marie Claire, SmartMoney, Seventeen, and more for just $5/per year.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

We covered some helpful tips in Tuesday’s WCCO Morning show when we talked to Pocket Your Dollars blogger and coupon expert, Carrie Rocha. Check out the story here.

But did you know with Sunday circulars, direct-mail booklets and online printing, more than $485 billion worth of coupons were distributed last year.

Did we use them all? No.

So here are some coupon-finding tips to help you become a savvier spotter of those handy little money savers.

Show The Web Some Love

It’s not your grandma’s way to find coupons, although if you have a web-chic grandma like mine, it is!

If you would have told someone 20 years ago that they’d never have to scour through stacks of coupons to get a deal — that they could just “Google” a product and download the best coupon — I don’t think they would believe you (or know what the heck you were talking about, but that’s beside the point). Now you can go straight to the source and clip coupons the techy way, with a printer. Sites like CouponSherpa.com and CouponSuzy.com allow you to search by category for online coupons to hundreds of popular merchants.

Don’t Forget About Receipt Coupons

Make a purchase, get a coupon. There are no scissors necessary to use the paper coupons that come with your store receipt — but just don’t forget to use them. They give you money-off bonuses for making a purchase or deals on similar products. Some expire two weeks out, but other have no expiration dates.

App-itizing Deals

If you are a person on-the-go, think you have no time for coupons, or even time for looking at the flyers in front of the store — there’s an app for that!

If you are going … gasp … shopping without a list, download a coupon app or two to save some time and money. Coupon Sherpa also has an app, but you can click here to find other apps to save you money while shopping and read this article by Cheapism to see app reviews.

Extreme Couponers Got Their First

Nothing is worse than seeing a good deal in the paper and going to the store only to find the shelves cleared. That’s a signs that an extreme couponer got to the store first, but don’t hesitate to ask for a rain check. Nearly all stores will offer them and sometimes you can actually save more by waiting to use your rain check once the item goes on sale again.

They’re Not Just For Groceries

We may see the majority of coupons in line at the grocery store, but there are many other items besides food that you can use coupons for — just check out this list of the “7 Expensive Things You Should Buy With Coupons.”

Happy clipping!

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Deals On Duds

• It is never too early to start thinking of your Halloween costume and they are up to 70 percent off at 6pm.com.

Also Goodwill, ARC Value Village and Savers already have Halloween stuff on sale — second-hand and new items for your spooky pleasure.

• Old Navy – You can get 30 percent off one item with this coupon. (EXP 09/22) Of course, no one is stopping you from going back with the coupon again if you find more than one item you like. Got a credit card with them? You get 40 percent off! (Not valid on clearance items and jewelry.)

• GAP – Get 30 percent off your purchase and sale items with code GAP30 (EXP 09/17). Bonus is there is free shipping on order of $50.

• Kohl’s – Use the code SAVEWITH30 to get 30 percent off and Kohl’s Cash ($10 for every $50 spent). Use code TIME4FS to get free shipping. Both deals you will need a Kohl’s credit card to redeem. (EXP 09/21)

Cheap Eats

• AMC Theatres – ‘Like’ them on their Facebook page and get a free 20-ounce Icee with this coupon. Good each Friday 9/16-10/07

• Chili’s – Sign up to be part of their e-mail club and get free chips and queso on your next visit.

• TGI Fridays – Spend $15 and get $5 off with this coupon. (EXP 10/31)

• Jamba Juice – Refresh yourself with smoothies or steel-cut oatmeal for just $2 with this coupon.

Just For Pets

• Purina – They have a big giveaway on products going each day for dogs and cats — more than 25,000 coupons for free products. Click here each day before 10 a.m. CST to try and get one before they are snatched up.

• Just 6 – A new dog food by Rachel Ray. Click here to get a free sample.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

The Minnesota Theater Alliance knows that and they are trying to get you interested in the theater by giving away free tickets to shows in October.

You can sign up here to win. All you have to do is click on the state where you want the tickets. Click here for the direct link to Minnesota, but if you have any trips planned in October you may want to sign up in another state too.

You just browse through the performances, select your top five choices and enter to win. You can change your choice anytime until the drawing, which takes place Sept. 23. The slick deal is they’ll be giving out a total of 250,000 tickets across the nation and you can win up to five pairs of tickets.

If you don’t win, don’t forget that you can get free admission anytime to all performance at the Mixed Blood Theatre. It’s part of their Radical Hospitality program. I did a blog on that at the beginning of the summer. Click here for more information.

This season’s first show, Neighbors, opens this Friday.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

• This weekend, adults can get in free to Valleyfair and maybe even have a chance to get into the Guinness Book of World Records!

It is National Literacy Month and Valleyfair is letting readers (18+) in free Saturday (09/10) as they shoot for the record of “Most Adults Reading to Children at One Time and One Location”.

You can pre-register by Thursday (09/08) by emailing rsvp@Valleyfair.com. They said walk-ups are welcome, but free entry is based on availability. Reading starts at 11 a.m.

If you have kids (17 and younger) they can receive $10 off the admission. Kids under two are free, children who are 3 years old but under 48-inches tall are only $9.99.

• Kohls is letting you get an extra 20 percent off your purchase with the coupon code TWENTY4ME (Exp. 09/11). This is even good on final clearance items which are already heavily discounted.

• Free Samples from Walmart – Click here to get free samples of Playtex Gentle Glide, coupons for Ziploc containers, car care products and other deals.

• Arby’s – With this coupon you can get a free Mushroom and Swiss Sandwich with purchase of small drink and small fries. Click here for locations.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Here are a few more ideas to help your kids’ closets and your wallet.

Make Older Friends

Never underestimate the power of hand-me-downs. If you have kids in various age ranges, this is self explanatory. But if you have an only child or maybe the hand-me-downs are looking a little warn out, you need to think outside the house. Find cousins, sports teammates, neighbors, older classmates, and organize a way to exchange clothing with them. Maybe set up a big swap with a few families.

Garage Sales And Second-Hand Stores

If you’ve always thought garage sales and Goodwill stores are places that old, outdated clothes go to sit — you need to give it another try.

You’ll have good luck buying kids clothes at most yard sales — grandparents, aunts and uncles love to spoil the kids — and often there’s an abundance of children’s sizes.

Places like Savers, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army sometimes get brand new, never-worn clothes from the “big” stores. Why? Those big stores make way for new stock, so they make the donation and write it off in taxes. That leaves you will the benefit of affordable clothes. Plus many thrift store makes money for their charity through sales.

On Monday Sept. 5, Goodwill has 50 percent off all blue, green and yellow tag items. Savers also has 50 percent off on Monday.

Click here for a directory of second-hand stores in Minnesota.

Stick To Neutrals and Basics

Pick clothes that will stand the test of time and mix with a few trendy accessories.

For girls: black pants, jeans (dark and light), brown pants, a neutral skirt, and some blouses/shirts and sweaters. Guys — same thing, but another pair of jeans in place of the skirt.

Mixing and matching can really help you save, and if you want to spice up the outfit — pick up trendy accessories instead. Jewelry, scarfs, headbands, belts are all things that usually cost less (and last longer) than clothing. Bonus savings — skip anything that needs dry cleaning.

Shop With Codes

There are some Labor Day sales happening and if you’re shopping online you can save even more by using codes. Here are a few:

Sears – Take $5 off orders of $50 or more with promo code SCHOOLFUN.

Target – Get $5 off orders of $50 or more.

Finish Line – Get $20 off orders of $125 or more with promo code GAN2011.

Old Navy – Free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Kohl’s – Get 15 percent off your order with promo code THANKU15AF (Sept. 2-4).

If you know of any other unique clothing deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Try Swapping

A budding fashionista can cost a lot if she wants to follow all the trends. With a little time and patience, you can try out many different styles by swapping. Here is a list of some of the great clothes swap sites.

Some work by using a direct swap, others you earn points/dollars for what you want to swap (based on the value, condition, demand, etc.). You’ll want to check each site to see which one might work best for you.

Friends And Family Sales

These F&F deals are usually most prominent in the months of November and December, and then again in the spring — but at least one store (Old Navy) is extending their sale out. With this coupon you can get 30 percent off (Exp. 08/31).

Looking for other F&F sales through the year? Bookmark this page.

Check back later this week for more clothing-saving tips.

If you know of any other unique clothing deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

For a quick way to save money on the midway and other fair locations check out the quick links guide below.

Today (08/24) is the last day to get many pre-fair discounts.

• Discount admission, Blue Ribbon Bargain Book and ride/game tickets at the State Fair Box Office, Cub Foods and greater Minnesota.

• Discount Express Bus Fare ($4, Regularly $5)

If you miss the pre-fair deals, there are other ways to save when you are out at there.

• Discount Admission Days (Kids Day, Seniors Day, and for the first time this year — Military Appreciation Day, where military members and their family get in at a discount.)

• Blue Ribbon Bargain Books ($5)

• Free Entertainment Stages

• You also can’t forget about the free talent contest at the Grandstand.

• Booth Freebies (Deals, Drawings, and Giveaways)

Save some money and enjoy the fair even more!

Spot any other State Fair deals or tips, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

It can be an exciting time, but confusing too. Now they’ll have to juggle between the first taste of freedom from curfews and also balancing finances to pay for it all. Not to mention all those credit card offers they’ll be getting now that they’re “all grown up.”

Getting your first credit card is an important rite of passage and can help build your credit history, but some companies are moving away from the college student market. That’s good for those younger shop-a-holics who rack up a huge debt on frozen pizzas, clothes, and beer, but not as good for those just looking to build credit.

Never fear, Kinoli, Inc., a company behind many money-saving websites, shared some other ways to build credit without a typical credit card. Listen up college peeps, this one is for you.

• Open a Bank Account

Seems so obvious, but an account in your name makes all the difference. No more hiding cash away in the piggy bank you got from grandma. Your account won’t appear on your credit report, but some lenders may look at your account info to see if you’ve had a steady income or how long you’ve kept up a balance in the account. Not only that, it can teach you the basics of balancing a check book which will get you ready to pay off credit cards in full once you get one.

• Student Loans

For a fortunate few, you won’t need a loan, but for most, it’s a necessity. The good news is student loans have lower interest rates and you don’t have to pay back most of them until after graduation. The catch is you won’t start building credit on the loans until payments are due.

• Get A Co-Signer

If you need loans beyond what the U.S. Department of Education can provide you, you will likely need a co-signer. Parents or other close relatives are your best option. By having someone with an established credit history co-sign a loan or credit card application it will give you lower rates and a better chance of being approved. Bonus; it builds credit for both of you at the same time.

• Stay Steadily Employed

Your job history will appear on your credit report, so it looks better if you are stably employed with the same company, earning increases in pay each year. Of course, in college it’s pretty common to take on multiple jobs, part-time gigs, or temp work. Don’t put too much weight on this — if you’re making money that looks favorably on you.

• Pay Your Bills

This is the key to building credit and keeping your credit. Paying your bills on time will save you a world of worry — immediately and long term (like when you are trying to buy a car or house after college). The people at Kinoli, Inc. suggest canceling cable, pawning used video games or selling gift cards you haven’t used if you can’t cover your bills. Missing some payments can really impact your credit score and it takes a lot longer to build it back up than it will to destroy it.

• But I NEED The Card!

If skipping the credit card is unavoidable for you, remember to use that plastic with care. College students or those with little to no credit history often get the worst interest rates. But Kinoli, Inc. says PT Money has a list of some of the best cards for students.

Credit cards for specific stores are sometimes easier to get, but most carry high interest rates. Ideally, you should pay off the balance each month.

You could also try a secured credit card, where you make a deposit equal to your credit limit. Or, if you trust your parents to be financially responsible, you can ask them if it is possible to become an authorized user on their account (you don’t even have to use it). You won’t have the responsibility for the bill, but will still get the benefits on your credit report.

Know of any other deals or tips, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

On Aug. 11, Dove is giving out a real treat — free ice cream, 5-minute massages, and OPI-polish manicures at an adults-only Dove Ice Cream truck. Click here for more info.

You can grab the goodies at a few locations:

Cub Foods
1940 Cliff Lake Road
Eagan, Minn.
10:30 a.m.

Nicolette Mall Area
Marquette Avenue, between 9th and 10th.
Minneapolis, Minn.
2:00 p.m.

Uptown Area
Minneapolis, Minn.
6:00 p.m.

Today (Wednesday, Aug.10) you can pop over to the Target Plaza Area in Minneapolis around 4:00 p.m. and get the same luxury treatment.

Dairy Queen is serving up ice cream with a cause on Thursday with their Miracle Treat Day. Blizzards bought on Aug. 11 benefit Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Talk about making dessert guilt-free! Just make sure to ask if your DQ is participating.

And don’t forget you can also sign up for Cold Stone Creamery‘s “My Cold Stone Club” and get buy-one-get-one free coupons for signing up and each year on your birthday. They’ll also send you other coupons and offers throughout the year.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Right now the 2011 edition is selling at a discount for $9.99 (but be aware that most coupons expire in a few months.) The 2012 version goes on sale soon. I’m sure you’ll see kids selling this as a fundraiser once school starts again.

The book has been around for more than 50 years, but you may not know about one of its competitors ‘Enjoy The City.’

This book also contains coupons specifically centered on one area. In Minnesota, you can get a Twin Cities book or one for the Rochester area.

The cool part about this book is they sell for $20 and includes some coupons for free things that basically pay for the book itself. The Twin Cities book has a coupon for a free oil change at Firestone, a free large cheese or pepperoni pizza at Little Caesars and a free medium one-topping pizza at Papa John’s.

Flip through the whole book to see all the Twin Cities coupons and the Rochester coupons. The best part is you can use them until June 30, 2012.

I suggest if you’re spending time traveling in another state, look into purchasing one for your vacation area. It may be worth the price alone for the money saved on going out to eat.

*Note: The ‘Enjoy The City’ book has also been making the rounds on the group-buying websites. It was selling on LivingSocial.com last week for $10, so it may make an appearance soon on other discount sites.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

It seems like every year Christmas sales are the ones that start earliest, but I’m seeing school sales creep into the mid-summer months earlier and earlier each year.

Turns out it’s not just me who’s noticing it, consumers are too. But, that doesn’t mean their biting … yet.

If you’ve just got to have a nibble of some of those early door-buster sales, I won’t leave you hanging.

But take this advice before you shop: check to see what you’ve got first. Do you really need to buy all those pencils, pens and notebooks or do you have some stashed away from last year?

Staples

Click here to find a location near you and see ad pricing.

And you can save and extra $5 when you spend $25 with this coupon.

Sale Highlights

•Free – 5 Pack Bic highlighters (after $4 rebate)

•$0.25 – 2 pack of Bic white-out; 2-pack Sharpie markers

•$0.50 – Staples 1-hole punch, duel pencil sharpener, translucent pencil box

OfficeMax

Click here to find a location near you and see ad pricing.

Sale Highlights

•$24.99 gets you a box worth of $50 in school supplies all pre-packaged. It includes most everything you need to get ready to hit the books.

Target

Click here to find a location near you and see ad pricing.

Right now their store is very college-centered online (since start date for most colleges are earlier than elementary and high schools.) But you can bet there best deals will come later in the season.

Sale Highlights

•$0.50 – Sterilite pencil box

•$0.99 – Mead notebooks, folders; Crayola colored pencils (12-pack); USA Gold pencils (12-pack)

Walmart

Click here to find a location near you and see ad pricing.

Since this is another big department store, most really great sales will likely happen (or continue) closer to school time.

Sale Highlights

•$0.40 – Elmer’s school glue; Crayola 24ct. crayons; Composition notebook

•$9.00 – Eastsport backpacks

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Tip 1 – Late Hotel Check-In

Tip 2 – Bundled Passes

Tip 3 – Rent A House

Tip 4 – Find Cheap Gas

Tip 5 – Don’t Let Scheduling Stop You

I also shared them with Natalie Kane this morning on the WCCO Morning show (which you can watch below.) And as a 6th bonus tip for reading, here’s some advice for avoiding plane food costs.

Travel Deals Part 1

Travel Deals Part 2

If you know of any off-the-beaten-path travel deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section and they may be featured in an upcoming blog. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

You may have heard about Netflix raising the price of their monthly subscriptions — a bummer to many movies lovers. It may still be worth it if you watch a lot of movies or find yourself just wanting the ease of the streaming movies on your DVR. My suggestion is it’s the perfect time to re-access if the cost is worth it for you.

Meantime, if you are just looking for some cheap entertainment you can’t go wrong with coupon codes for free rentals from Redbox or Blockbuster Express.

Check out the list from dealspl.us here (Blockbuster Express) and here (Redbox) or just take a peek at the list below (some codes are one-time use).

Blockbuster Express

•Codes that expire on 07/22•

38JDAB3 – 72HLG2 – 62MDEB7 – 23ZGDB8 – 86EHJR3 – 29KBDJ5 – 44NCRP7 – 35SVEM6 – 33MMMT9

•Codes that expire on 07/25•

29JDAB7 – 35NCRP8 – 36KBDJ6 – 39SVEM4 – 64MMMT3 – 99RBPW5 – 63TGAF5 – 36BCRD5

Click here to find a kiosk near you.

Redbox

The expiration dates on these codes are unknown, but locations where you can redeem them vary.

•Redeemable Anywhere•

BREAKROOM – DVDONME – SMRTRY – REDBOX (first time rental code for opening a new account)

•Other Locations•

DVDATMAC (Redeemable only at McDonalds)

DRIVEIN (Redeemable only at Sonic)

DVDATWAG (Redeemable only at Walgreen’s)

REDBOXHEB (Redeemable only at HEB)

DVDATWEG (Redeemable only at Wegman’s)

DVDKROG (Redeemable only at Kroger)

Click here to find a kiosk near you.

Know of any other deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.

Tip 5: Don’t Let Scheduling Stop You

Song says, “It’s not a deal if you have to stress about it.”

I agree. If you have to spend hours plunked in front of your computer — comparing each flight and hotel — or purchase it in a hurry, only to worry that you can’t cancel it, it might not be worth it.

Song said people think that locking down the best deal means 24 hours to buy, few cancellation options, and of course, the need to commit to travel dates right away, before you’ve even confirmed time-off with your work or fellow travelers because the deal might be gone tomorrow.

She said her site, Yuupon.com offers savings of up to 50-90 percent to popular destinations without the all pressure. Yuupon lets you buy the deal now and choose your travel dates later. You can also cancel up until the day before expiration and take up to two weeks to purchase your vacation.

Similar travel sites, like LivingSocial Escapes and SniqueAway.com, offer great flexible trip options, too. You have lots of choices when it comes to booking that dream getaway.

Thanks for embarking on this week-long trip of off-the-beaten-path travel tips. If you’ve missed any of the other pointers, check them out below.

Monday (Tip 1) – Late Hotel Check-In

Tuesday (Tip 2) – Bundled Passes

Wednesday (Tip 3) – Rent A House

Thursday (Tip 4) – Find Cheap Gas

If you know of any off-the-beaten-path travel deals, share them with other ‘Good Lifers’ in the comment section and they may be featured in an upcoming blog. You can also read more money-saving blog posts here and text WCCODEALS to 84816 for a ‘deals of the week’ reminder.