China Airlines Roundtrips to China and Southeast Asia from Los Angeles as Low as $545

If you have a need or an urge to fly to China or Southeast Asia from late summer through mid-autumn, now might be a good time to make some plans. China Airlines (different from Air China) is offering some great weekday roundtrip fares from Los Angeles. The fares are valid for travel start dates from August 24th through November 30th and have to be booked by August 8th.

Some roundtrip prices available are:
Los Angeles to Taipei starting at $545
Los Angeles to Hong Kong starting at $560
Los Angeles to Bangkok starting at $570
Los Angeles to Kaohsiung starting at $603

The prices don't include those airport/security taxes and fees that are added to ticket prices.

To check out the deals, click this link.

Children's Place VIP Sale Coupon Today and Tomorrow -- Extra 25% Off, Plus Monster Sale

If you have youngsters who need some clothes, especially with back-to-school around the corner, you may want to check out The Children's Place today or Saturday, August 1st. They have a VIP sale coupon which gets you 25% off your purchase. It's printable for use in store or there's also a code available for use on-line.

On top of this, you can also use these extra savings on top of the discounts they have in their Monster Sale, meaning combining discounts to get a super-low final price.

And for even more savings if you're going to shop on-line, you can use the ebates portal to get to their website and get back an extra 3%. For those of you unfamiliar with ebates, click the link in the lower left column -- you get a bonus $5.00 for signing up and then can save on-line at hundreds of stores. Here's the ebates portal once you've signed up (alphabetically the store is listed under the Ts for The Children's Place).

If you aren't interested in the bonus ebates savings and just want to go to the website, click here.

Shipping for on-line orders is a flat $5.00.

The on-line code is S2DSE. To print out your coupon, click this link.

Flights from Dallas to South America from $202 Including Taxes/Fees

If you live in or near the Dallas area (or can get there inexpensively enough) and want to take a trip to South America, this is a time to check out some deals.

Flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to cities in South America such as Caracas, Bogota, Buenos Aires andSao Paulo are available for $202 to $313 roundtrip (depending on destination), taxes included. Various dates over the next year are available. The airline is Mexicana and the fare is unlikely to last long so you may want to check this one out quickly.

The sales appear bookable through Kayak, Orbitz and CheapTickets (Mexicana's site doesn't seem to bring them up as easily).

Sample dates found on cheap tickets: DFW-BOG $211 Oct 6th - Oct 13th.

To book:
www.kayak.com
www.cheaptickets.com
www.orbitz.com

Today Only: Akoos 100W Power Inverter w/ Adjustable DC Plug for the Car $2.99

If you're ever traveling in your car and need to be able to plug something in that doesn't already come with a car adapter, today's offer from Daily Steals may be for you. They have the Akoos 100W Power Inverter w/ Adjustable DC Plug for the Car on special today for $2.99. It retails for $39.99 so the savings are quite substantial.

Here are the details:
- 100 watts output
- 85 watts continuous
- 190 watts peak
- Single outlet
- 12 volts in, 110/120 AC out
- electronic circuit protection
- low battery shutdown
- small size,no wires
- Powers Laptops, Video Games, CD Players, MP3 Players etc.
- Charges cell phones, Laptops, Cameras, Camcorders, Power tools etc.
- Power plug Adjusts up/down.

To check it out, click the link below.

Friday Reminder: Free Chocolate Bar Coupon from Mars®

By now, many of you have probably reached your household limit of four requests for free Mars® Chocolate Bar coupons (mmm... the Milky Way® was great!). But for those of you who haven't requested four coupons already, today's the day you can request one more. I have again moved the blog post with details to the top of the Hot Topic column at right. Enjoy!

The 99 Most Essential Bach Masterpieces for $2.99

Several months ago, Amazon offered 99-track selections of Essential Masterpieces by Beethoven and Mozart, and now they're back with Bach. Ah, Bach! (Small reference for all you M*A*S*H watchers out there.)

Anyway, you can get an mp3 download of 99 masterpieces by this great composer for just $2.99 right now. That's what you'd expect to pay for about three tracks. Not that anyone would individually download all 99 tracks, but buying them separately would be $88.11.

Amazon doesn't keep the price at this low rate forever for these kinds of collections, so if you're interested in adding a lot of great classical music to your collection for your iPod, Zune or other mp3 device, you may want to get this soon.

Just click the link below to check it out.

Spirit Airlines -- Flights for a Nickel or a Dime for $9 Fare Club Members

Spirit Airlines is holding one of their fare promotions right now, through 11:50 pm on Friday the 31st. This is one of those date-specific sales on certain routes. Members of their $9 Fare Club can get one-way flights for a nickel or a dime on certain routes. Yes, 5¢ or 10¢!

So if you can match up dates coming and going, the fare could be as low as a dime roundtrip.

The prices don't include airport/security fees, but even with that, these will be super-low compared to anything else you'll find.

Some of these also have availability for non-members of the club, and those are $20.00 more each way. But a roundtrip at the member fares would save the annual cost ($39.95) of the club (and would avail you of more special fares throughout the year).

Some examples of nickel fares are:
- Atlantic City to Boston 9/1, 9/14, 9/28, 9/30
- Boston to Atlantic City 9/2, 9/22, 9/23, 9/30
- Fort Lauderdale to Orlando 10/11, 10/24, 10/25, 10/27
- Orlando to Fort Lauderdale 10/7, 10/14, 10/27, 10/28
- Fort Lauderdale to Freeport, Bahamas 8/7, 8/9, 8/10, 8/14
- Freeport to Fort Lauderdale 8/9, 8/10, 8/13, 8/14

Some dime fares include:
- Detroit to Fort Lauderdale 10/5, 10/9, 10/24, 10/31
- Fort Lauderdale to Detroit 10/12, 10/13, 10/29, 10/30
- Tampa to Fort Lauderdale 10/1, 10/6, 10/15, 10/19
- Fort Lauderdale to Tampa 10/4, 10/16, 10/18, 10/21

All the fares are good only for booking till July 31st at 11:59 p.m.

These are the lowest deals but they also have discounts on other routes, so to see what Spirit is offering, click this link.

Today's Deal: 3 Pack Sham-Ease (2 Extra Large 1 Jumbo) German Shammy Free (Pay $5.99 Shipping)

You've seen the commercials for these kinds of products -- this isn't the original but hopefully it does the trick. Today's deal from Daily Steals is a 3-Pack Sham-Ease (2 Extra Large 1 Jumbo. 3 Different Colors) German Shammy. They're offering it for free. You just have to pay the shipping costs, which are generally $5.99.

The 3-piece set includes 1-jumbo orange, 1-extra-large yellow and 1-extra large blue shammies to use anywhere around your home, office, garage, or on-the-go. The safe, no-scratch material is great for any smooth surface. It's ideal as a hand towel in kitchen or bathroom, great for drying pets and automobiles and soaks up spills like nothing else. It's also washer safe.

To check out the deal, click the link below.

Two Free Tacos at Jack in the Box® Tuesday, August 4th

I don't know about you, but when I think of Jack in the Box® I usually don't think of tacos. And maybe that's the point of this. They have a coupon valid on Tuesday, August 4th, for two free tacos.

The coupon is valid all day long at participating restaurants, and requires no other purchase. It's one coupon per customer. (So you may want to print one out for everyone in the family and have two tacos apiece.)

To print out your coupon, click this link.

McAfee Internet Security 2009 Free After Rebate

It must be the time of year for a lot of free-after-rebate offers on Internet security software. These are great if you already use the brand and want to renew your subscription for another year, or if you want to have a competitor's product for one of those competitive rebate offers. Right now, Newegg is selling McAfee Internet Security 2009 (1-User) for $50.00, and there's a $50.00 mail-in rebate for purchases until August 9th.

They even include shipping so after all is said and done, you're getting the whole purchase price back.

To check out the deal at Newegg, click this link.

$199 & Up -- United Airlines First-Class Fares on Sale Across the U.S.

Travelzoo has also found another special fare sale, this one for a bit more money but also for those who want the style and comfort of first class. United Airlines has released a First-Class Fare Sale with thousands of domestic routes drastically reduced. These fares are hundreds less than other carriers in the market and prices start at $199 each way (plus applicable airport/security taxes).

These fares must be booked by July 31st for travel August 17th through September 7th, and require a 21-day advance purchase.

Coast-to-coast routes have the greatest value in this sale and offer heightened comfort on long-haul flights. First-class perks include priority check-in and boarding, spacious seating, complimentary drinks, meal service, audio entertainment and movies on most aircraft.

Here are some of the best sample first-class fares (each way) shown on Travelzoo:

- Washington, D.C.-New York City: $199
- Buffalo-New Orleans: $240
- Baltimore-Chicago: $263
- Philadelphia-Fort Myers: $264
- Richmond-Los Angeles: $319
- Chicago-Houston: $284
- Green Bay-Boston: $297
- Phoenix-Los Angeles: $199
- Portland-San Francisco: $247
- Denver-Fort Myers: $293
- Seattle-Baltimore: $309

These are some outstanding fares considering the normal mark-up for first class. To read more details and get the link to search for flights, click here.

Jet Blue Airfare Sale -- Fares from $29 Each Way

Travelzoo has announced a fare sale on Jet Blue, with fares as low as $29 each way (plus airport/security fees). The sale is for travel September 8th through December 16th, for departures Monday-Thursday and Saturday. There may be some blackout dates in there.

JetBlue flights feature leather seating, unlimited snacks and 36 channels of free DirecTV. The airline's new cabin configuration on all of its A320 jets now provides more legroom than any other airline's coach cabins. Plus, the first checked bag is free on all JetBlue flights.

There are a wide variety of routes available, so to read the announcement and search for flights, click here.

Today Only: Stafford Ceramic Paring Knife, Peeler, Slicer And Hand Guard $4.99

I recently got one of the ceramic paring knives offered by Daily Steals and have been please with how it cuts. Today's deal is even better -- they are selling a set including a Stafford Ceramic Paring Knife, Peeler, Slicer And Hand Guard all for the price of $4.99. Shipping is about $5.99.

The ceramic knife is a cooking essential, and can slice roasts, vegetables, cheese, fruit and bread with utter perfection. Ceramic blade knives are stain proof, rust proof, dishwasher safe (but hand washing recommended), lightweight, and have ergonomic handles. Each knife is packed and shipped in individual wooden box.

The ceramic Mandoline slicer and julien combination holds its sharpness twice as long as steel. It lets you slice vegetables for stir-frying, salads and more with little effort. Dishwasher safe. Hand guard is included with the set to protect your fingers from harm's way.

The cermamic peeler blade pivots for comfortable use, to effortlessly peel fruits and vegetables.

It's a nice variety of kitchen implements and could also make a nice gift item. To check it out, click the link below.

Free Skateboard Stickers from Vision Street Wear

If you have a young one who is skateboarding around this summer, here's a freebie that'll let him or her add some flair to the skateboard's look. Vision Street Wear is offering free skateboard stickers. They say these are "old school" designs including Psycho Stick, and Shredder.

I would guess they could be used on anything, not just skateboards.

It's a quick sign-up with just name, address and e-mail. To check them out, click this link.

Kingston Memory on Sale at Buy.com

If you're in the market for any kinds of memory devices, such as SDHC cards, USB drives, SD cards, Compact Flash and more, this may be a good time to check out Buy.com. They have taken their items made by the well-regarded Kingston brand and put them on sale.

There are a wide variety of items worth checking out, with the advantage of free budget shipping too. Some of the discounts are quite nice. To see what they have on special right now, click Kingston Memory Devices.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (3 User) Free After Rebate

Here's another internet security software deal, and this one doesn't even require a competitive rebate as some others have lately. So it's worth getting if you're interested in using it, but also if you want some software you can use for a future competitive rebate if you prefer someone else's product.

Right now, Fry's is selling Kaspersky Internet Security (licensed for up to three users) for $60.00, and there is a $60.00 mail-in rebate valid for purchases by August 6th. Fry's is shipping this one free, keeping your outlay down to zero (except for a stamp).

Kaspersky is a well-regarded security package. My experiences buying from Fry's have been quite good.

To check out this deal, click this link.

Free Microflex Tranquility™ Gloves Sample Pack

If you have a need to wear latex gloves for some work around the house or some other use, you can save a bit instead of buying some by requesting a free sample pack of Tranquility™ gloves by Microflex. Plus you get the added benefit of non-latex materials.

Tranquility™ white nitrile gloves are non-latex and contain no natural rubber proteins. These soft, thin, comfortable gloves conform to the hand allowing for excellent tactile sensitivity and grip.

To request your sample pack, click this link.

Portable Drive Carrying Case $3.50 (Free Shipping) -- Also Good for Other Digital Devices

They're selling this thing including free shipping for less than I could imagine the shipping costs. Oh, well, it's not my issue how they can do it, just here's the deal: Buy.com is selling the Safe Keeper Portable Drive Case (Dotted Design) for just $3.50 including free budget shipping.

It retails for $14.99 so you are getting 76% off. Heck, if you have other things that are the size and shape of a portable drive (they mention the Nintendo DS Lite and GPS units but you can think of others), maybe it would be worth picking some up for those.

The case features:
- interior measures 5.25 x 0.75 x 5.5 inches
- firm, durable exterior protects your device from bumps and
- fits most portable hard drives
- accessory pouch on the reverse side for cables and accessories
- handy carabiner to clip the case for mobility and security
- also fits Nintendo DS Lite, rectangular GPS, many more devices

At this price, adding some protection to your important digital devices is a no-brainer. To check it out, click the picture.

100-240v Worldwide-Use Home & Car Rapid Battery Charger w/ AA & AAA Rechargeable Batteries $10.99

This item's made two appearances on my blog before, each time selling out at a great price. It's back again and lower than before. Buy.com is now selling the Digital Concepts 100-240v Worldwide use Home & Car Rapid Battery Charger w/ AA & AAA Rechargeable Batteries for just $10.99, including free budget shipping.

It retails for $49.99 so your savings are 78% off.

This charger includes eight rechargeable batteries (four AA and four AAA) -- and if you were to just count the cost of the batteries, it's already a great deal. You would typically pay $10-$15 for four AA or four AAA rechargeables, so at $10.99 you're already way ahead.

In fact, with the cost of the batteries alone, it may be worth picking up a second pack just for some additional batteries.

This is a super-versatile charger. You can use it at home, use it in a car, use it in foreign countries with 240 voltage. That's a lot of places where this can save you from having to buy new throwaway batteries just to keep your digital camera working, etc.

And you know when you travel, it's harder to find great prices for batteries, so the savings can be great while you're on a trip.

So, in addition to the upfront 78% off on this charger with eight rechargeable batteries, your savings will keep multiplying by the numbger of regular batteries you won't need to be buying in the future.

This charger features:
- charges either AA or AAA batteries in about 2 hours
- charges 2 or 4 batteries at once
- easy-select 2 or 4 battery toggle switch
- 100 or 240 VAC wall outlet
- built in switching adjusts the AC input voltage automatically (adapter req'd)
- charge in an outlet at home, or use charger while in your car
- retractable spade type AC plug for easier storage
- charges up to 1000 times
- red Charging light and green Ready lights indicate charging status
- subsequent partial charges will not reduce the batteries' capacity
- batteries last up to 4 times longer than standard alkaline batteries
- includes 4 AA high capacity 2300 mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries
- includes 4 AAA high capacity 900 mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries

This will really save a ton of money on batteries over the years, especially when you're traveling and less apt to find bargains when you need to buy regular batteries. I think this will be a handy addition to anyone's travel kit. Check it out by clicking the picture below.

Earn $895 Just for Doing Your Normal Driving in Several Cities: Albuquerque, Chicago, Miami, Wichita, Billings, or Portland (Maine)

If you happen to live in one of several designated cities, you can apply to participate in a Road User Study. You don't have to change your driving habits, you just let them evaluate your driving use and they pay you a total of $895.00 for completed participation.

If you can earn extra money just performing your regular tasks, that seems like making your driving dollars go further. You have to apply to participate and the site doesn't show how many people will be selected and how they'll be chosen. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether a road-use fee is needed to supplement or replace the current gas tax (your participation doesn't mean you agree about that).

Participation basically includes some up-front training/orientation, having an on-board computer installed in your car, do your normal driving for eight months and answer six questionnaires, and have the computer removed at the end.

The cities involved are:
- Chicago, IL (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties)
- Billings, MT (Carbon and Yellowstone Counties)
- Albuquerque, NM (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia Counties)
- Wichita, KS (Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick, and Sumner Counties)
- Portland, ME (Cumberland, Sagadahoe, and York Counties)
- Miami, FL (Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties)

The requirements for the car and the driver are:
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible for employment in the U.S.
- Own a personal automobile (year 2000 or newer)
- Provide proof of vehicle registration
- Provide proof of current insurance
- Live in one of the selected field test sites:
- Plan to reside in the area for at least the next 10 months
- Attend a 1.5 hour training session

The following vehicles are excluded from the study in year 2 because they may not be compatible with the on-board computer or because of warranty:
- All Mini Coopers
- All Ford Focus
- All Toyota Prius
- All 2007 and older Mitsubishi
- All 2007 and older VW
- All Acura RL
- All ¾ ton or larger pickups/vans, which would include for example Chevy/GMC 2500 series or higher, Ford E/F-250 or higher, and Dodge Ram 2500 or higher

If you live in one of these cities (or want to pass this on to someone who does) and want to check out the details click this link.

Additional 50% Off Clearance In-Stores at Old Navy, Plus Extra Discount Coupon

If you're looking for some new looks, or maybe just getting the kids ready for back-to-school (it's not that far off), you may want to take a run to Old Navy today or tomorrow. They are taking an additional 50% off clearance items until July 29th.

I'm always a big fan of these kinds of savings on top of savings, but if you go to oldnavyweekly.com before your trip you could save even more. That's a site that contains hidden coupons you can use in stores for extra savings. Each week contains different coupons and sometimes the ways you need to find them are very hard to find -- but the hardest-to-find coupons sometimes have a great value. (There are some internet sites that reveal hints for how to find coupons, but the best ones -- sometimes as high as $75 off a $100 purchase -- go quickly.)

Still, if you want, you can get a coupon valid for 15% off your total this week by clicking the tan pants in the uniform box and then moving them onto the center figure in the "Ride in Style" tableau of the page. When you move the pants there and release your mouse, the coupon should appear as a pop-up.

Putting together the original clearance prices, the extra 50% off and the extra 15% coupon, you should be able to find some really hot prices. To visit oldnavyweekly and find your coupon, click here.

Buca di Beppo Coupon - $10 Off $20+ Food Purchase

For fans of Buca di Beppo restaurants, here's a way to save a bit on your next excursion out (or even bringing their food home and enjoying it there). They have a coupon for $10.00 off a food purchase of $20.00 or more.

The coupon expires August 9th, and it's valid for dine-in or take-out too.

To print out your coupon, click this link.

Buy One Get One Free Coupon -- Jamba Juice® Smoothie

For those Jamba Juice® Smoothie lovers, here's a way to double your pleasure, although it might make more sense to use this to share the treat with a friend (maybe go halfsies and each save money?). Jamba Juice® has a coupon you can use to get two Smoothies for the price of one.

The coupon is valid till August 9th, and it's one per customer at participating locations. Top print out your coupon, click this link.

4GB microSDHC Card $6.99 with Free Shipping

If you have a cell phone or other device which uses microSDHC cards, you can add a boatload of capacity without a boatload of your cash right now. Buy.com is selling the
EasyStore 4GB microSDHC Card for just $6.99 -- that's 53% off the retail of $14.99. Plus, they ship it to you for free (budget shipping). At some places, you'd get charged $6.99 just to have something shipped to you.

To check it out click the picture below.

Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student for Three Users $87.45 (41% Off)

With so many households having more than one computer, having software licensed for multiple users is becoming important, but it's also a way to save money by not buying multiple copies. For anyone looking for Microsoft Office 2007 for the home and for the kids to use too, Buy.com is currently selling the 3-user version for $87.45, including free budget shipping. It retails for $149.95, so this is 41% off.

As a reminder to anyone with college-age kids, though, they are eligible for a very special deal that's still active: they can get Microsoft Office Ultimate (much more robust and feature-packed) for just $59.95 (single-user so you can't add this to your other computers). They can also get Vista Ultimate for $64.95. To read about the special offers just for college students, click this link to my post on the subject.

But for those of you who want Office just to use on several computers around the house and for youngsters in high school or younger, click the image below.

Free Customizable Sample of Magic Spice

Here's not only a free sample you could use around the kitchen, but one you can personalize to make it truly your own. The people at Magic Spice are offering to send you a free sample of their Magic seasoning. But if you indicate a name or some other personalization (up to eleven characters) they will print that on the label so it's really "your" magic spice.

Their site has some videos and ideas on ways to use the spice mix to perk up the tastes of chicken and how to make a three-minute "magic" gravy.

The sign-up also allows you to enter a promotion code to be entered in an Omaha Steaks giveaway -- I have searched around and haven't found a source for a promo code. The sample request goes through whether you enter anything in that box or not. (I entered the word MAGIC since that seemed to make some sense, but who knows...)

To request your free sample (and to add a name for the label), click this link.

Over 100 Free Songs Downloadable from Urban Outfitters

I came across a link to a free download of 23 tracks of music downloadable for free from iTunes courtesy of Urban Outfitters. In taking a look at the site, there were four earlier groups of downloadable tunes available. The earlier ones don't seem to be through iTunes, but just as a direct download as zip files. Still, if you download and unzip them all, you could end up with over 100 songs to add to your music collection for free.

On the latest batch (the one through iTunes), some of the artists and songs include:
- Luke Top: Friends
- Grizzly Bear: Cheerleader
- Jeremy Jay: In This Lonely Town
- The Big Pink: Velvet
- Amazing Baby: Headdress

To take a look at the rest of them and get your iTunes download, click this link -- the iTunes button is at the right side. If you want to get the earlier music mixes, click on the LSTN #1 through #4 across the top banner at the site.

Roots of Nature Hair Treatment Sample for Free

Here's another hair product you can try for free. SoftSheen Carson® is offering free samples of two Roots of Nature products: Strengthening Oil Moisturizer and Reconstructing Deep Treatment Conditioner featuring organic shea butter and green tea.

It's a very simple and quick sign-up, and samples are available while supplies last. You can choose whether you wish to receive further information from them as well.

To check it out and register, click this link.

Free Sample of Pet Food from Flint River Ranch

Pet food can put a crimp in anyone's wallet, so picking up free samples can be at least a little bit of help. Plus, you may find a product your pet likes even more. Right now, you can get a free sample of dog food or cat food from Flint River Ranch.

Their website calls it oven-baked premium health food for pets (and if your pet is healthier, that could save money in the long run too).

To get a sample, click this link.

Monday Reminder: Free McCafé Mocha at McDonald's

For those of you looking for a tasty drink tomorrow (Monday), remember that McDonald's is giving away a free sample of their McCafé Mocha, either hot or cold. To read the details from my earlier post, click the link I've moved to the top of the Hot Deals section at the right side of the blog.

Laptop Specials -- Compaq at Walmart $298.00; HP at BestBuy $399.99

I don't often post computer deals simply because of the variety of needs people have and the variety of configurations available. But for people looking for a full-featured laptop (as opposed to one of the smaller netbooks that have become available lately), here are a couple of deals you might want to consider. With kids going on to the next level of school, there may be some more needs to pick up a laptop at a good price.

Walmart is selling the Compaq Presario 15.4" CQ60-419WM Laptop PC with AMD Sempron SI-42 Processor for $298.00. I believe shipping is $7.97 if you can't find it in store (it doesn't look like this model qualifies for free ship-to-store for pick-up).

BestBuy is selling the HP G60-458DX Laptop with Intel® Pentium® Processor for $399.99. You can choose in-store pick-up or have it shipped for about $15.00.

Both of these have a lot of features that will meet many computing needs. Obviously given the price, the HP system is a bit more elaborate, with Intel® as opposed to AMD processor, larger RAM and hard-drive and a higher level of Vista. (Since Microsoft will soon be coming out with Windows 7 for upgrades, the starting level of Vista may be less important.)

At these price points, these two laptops may be worth checking out and comparing. Just click the links below.

Compaq at Walmart
HP at BestBuy

From the Earth to the Moon - The Signature Edition -- $10.49 (65% Off)

I posted about this DVD set a couple of weeks back but the price had gone up a bit since then. Well, right now the price at Amazon is dropped once again, this time even further than when I first wrote. So I wanted to post it for anyone interested in space exploration and history. Amazon.com is selling the complete DVD set From the Earth to the Moon - The Signature Edition for $10.49. That's 65% off the retail for this 5-disc set, hosted by Tom Hanks.

With Amazon pricing, it may not stay this low for long.

This is the signature edition with attractive packaging, with the shows in widescreen format. The reviews at the site will tell you about all the great episodes and features.

You can get free shipping as usual if you make this part of a larger order totaling $25.00 (maybe get a few of these as gifts?), but as I posted recently, you may also be able to get a free trial of Amazon Prime and get this shipped 2-day shipping for free. Click here for that info.

To take a look at this series, click the link below.

Men's Skechers® Orca Sandals -- $12.75; Two Pair for $22.50

If you're looking for some sandals to wear during the warm weather (summer still has a way to go), here's a deal worth checking out. Skechers® is offering their Orca fisherman-style sandals (available in Brown or Black) for $15.00. If you add promo code SK09ENT you get 15% off, bringing the cost down to $12.75.

But if you purchase two (even one of each color) and add promo code MC25OFF, you get 25% off the total, bringing the total for two pair to just $22.50.

What's more, you can join their VIP club during checkout and get free shipping on this and any future orders.

The sandals feature:
- Washability
= High Traction
- Anti-Microbial
- Lightweight
- Vegan Friendly

To check them out, click this link.

Free Sample of Airborne

If you have any plane travel in your future, you might want to send away for this one now. Airborne is giving away a free sample. This is the vitamin and mineral blend specifically designed to support your immune system, which is particularly susceptible during long periods in confined spaces like airplanes.

You'll save on the sample instead of having to buy a pack for a flight -- and it'll make your money go further on your next trip. After all, isn't a vacation more enjoyable and valuable if you're not battling a cold?

To get your free sample, click this link, and then click on the free sample spot at the top right (just next to the word 'menu.'

Bitdefender Total Security Software -- Two Years Coverage for Up to 3 PCs -- Free After Rebates (Competitive)

If you're looking for some robust security software, this package may give you some great coverage for a longer period than most other packages. Fry's is selling Bitdefender Total Security for $79.99. There are a pair of rebates (one is a competitive rebate) totaling $80.00 so you are getting the software free after those. Shipping is free as well, keeping this virtually free to your wallet (other than the two stamps to mail in the forms).

Bitdefender is a highly rated software package, and it carries a two-year subscription period (most of the others cover the PC for just one year). This version is licensed for use on up to three PCs.

The rebates are valid for purchases made by July 30th. One is a straight $45.00, the other is a competitive/upgrade rebate of $35.00.

If you've followed my advice on other rebate offers for security, you should have some McAfee or Norton sitting around that you can use for the competitive rebate documentation.

(There's even a deal for Norton which I posted a couple of days ago that's also free after competitive rebate -- you could order that one separately if you need a competitive product and use each one as proof for the other's rebate -- but I'd order them separately so the receipts don't show both together.)

To go to Fry's to check it out, click this link.

Spirit Airlines -- Roundtrips as Low as $4.00 for $9 Fare Club Members

I've posted a few times about how Spirit Airlines sometimes does radically low fares for specific routes on specific dates. So as not to make this post too long, if you're not familiar with Spirit and their $9 Fare Club, you can click on Spirit in the topic index down the left column.

Right now through 11:59 tonight, they have some special fares available, such as New York to/from Detroit for $2.00 (plus security/airport fees) on specific dates for Fare Club Members. There are low fare combinations for a lot of cities, particularly Fort Lauderdale.

To check them out, click this link.

Motorcycle Jackets from $29.99

If you're a serious motorcyclist (or just want to look like one) you may want to check a sale going on over at the Motorcycle Superstore. They have a variety of Yoshimura jackets on sale, with prices as low as $29.99. Other styles range from $39.99 up to $199.99. The prices are discounted way down, representing savings of as much as 77%.

Some of the less expensive ones are available primarily in smaller sizes, but some styles have larger ones in stock.

Yoshimura AF Mesh Jacket $29.99 (retails for $129.95)
Yoshimura AF-C Mesh Cordura Jacket $39.99 (retail $169.95)
Yoshimura Course Jacket $59.99 (retails for $219.95)
Yoshimura S1 Leather Jacket $99.99 (retail $379.95)
Yoshimura 2009 Model Track Leather Jacket $199.99 (retail $429.95)

There's free shipping with a $75 purchase, $6.99 shipping otherwise.

Free 30-Song Summer Mix from iTunes and Stanford University

I'm not sure if the people at Stanford University have a particularly unique taste in music, but iTunes has teamed up with them for a special collection of 30 songs specially picked by the iTunes team for Stanford.

They are doing this to encourage people to check out out Stanford on iTunes U. There are a wide range of Stanford courses, events, faculty lectures, student-produced music, films and much more -- all available as free downloads for your computer, iPod or iPhone. But there's no obligation here to do anything further if you don't wish to -- you can just download the summer mix for free.

To check it out, click this link.

Free Sample of Total® Blueberry Pomegranate Cereal

It's probably only a single portion container, but it's a free sample of cereal -- so it saves you a bit on one breakfast, and also saves you from buying a whole box just to give it a try. Total® is offering a free sample of their Blueberry Pomegranate cereal.

It's a quick, simple sign-up, and after you've entered your mailing address, they take you to a page where you can choose whether to subscribe to their e-mail newsletters -- you can decline that and just get the cereal mailed to you.

Here's the link.

Free TGI Friday's® Jack Daniel's® Sampler Platter for Parties of Three

TGI Fridays® is offering a coupon that entitles you and two friends to a Free Jack Daniel's® Sampler Platter at select locations. To get a coupon you redeem for the sampler, you go on their website and reserve a party of three, with your e-mail address and the e-mail address of two friends (you can always make the invite to two other e-mail addresses for yourself if you don;t want to give them other people's e-mails).

You then receive an e-mail with a coupon for the free sampler platter, which includes:
- Chicken Strips
- Golden Fried Shrimp w/ Dipping Sauce
- Marinated Baby Back Pork Ribs

The coupon itself doesn't list a specific time/date even though that's one of the things you enter when you register, so you could probably use it at other times too (although still at a participating location). The coupon requires a minimum party of 3 and it's one sampler per party no matter how many people you bring (not a free sampler for every 3 people). The nice thing is that no other purchase requirement is shown on the coupon. The offer expires August 15th.

To start your reservation and get a coupon e-mailed, click this link.

Williams-Sonoma Stemware, Dishes and Houseware Sale up to 84% Off

If you're looking for some items to use at some nice parties you may have coming up, Williams-Sonoma may be worth checking out right now. They have a sale going on for a variety of stemware, dishes and other housewares, with savings as much as 84% off.

As an example, they have pairs of flutes that were $96.00 currently priced at $14.99. There are items for great summer barbecues such as an Appetizer Grill Rack reduced from $24.95 to $9.99.

Shipping starts at $5.50.

If you look around, you'll probably find lots of items that will come in handy for all kinds of entertaining needs. To check out their sale selections, click this link.

Free L’Occitane Skin Care Sample Set

If you want to try some products for better skin care (or if you already use their products but wouldn't mind getting some for free), L'Occitane is offering to send a free sample set to new e-mail subscribers to their newsletter.

The sample set will include five sachets, representing each of their skin care ranges for Anti-Aging, Combination & Oily Skin, Dry or Dehydrated Skin, Normal Skin and Sensitive Skin. The sachets you will receive are samples of these products: Ultra-Matte Face Fluid, Ultra Comforting Cream, Immortelle Precious Protection SPF20, Olive Tree Organic Moisturizing Face Lotion and Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream.

L'Occitane strives to use natural ingredients of plant origin and, whenever possible, derived from organic agriculture.

To sign up for their newsletter and get the sample set, click this link.

Free Sample of Gain® with Frebreze Freshness

Picking up free samples of staple items is a great way to stretch your budget and try products. Right now, you can get a free sample of Gain® with Febreze Freshness laundry detergent just by registering your name and mailing address. No e-mail address is needed so this shouldn't have any spam impact.

The site doesn't say how large the sample pack is, but even if it's just for a load or two, a free sample couldn't hurt.

To request your sample, click this link.

Free Download of Ken Block's Album "Drift"

Want to expand your music collection a bit more without draining your wallet? Right now, Amazon is offering a totally free download of the album "Drift" by Ken Block.

Ken Block was one of the lead artists of the group Sister Hazel. The album has the following twelve tracks:
- Blue To A Blind Man
- The Other Side
- Completely Wasted
- I Don't Mind
- It's Alright
- Better This Way
- So Far
- 33,059 Days
- Ride
- Chance
- You & Me
- We Don't Talk Anymore

The Amazon site allows you to preview the music before you download it if you want to be sure it's your style.

I'm not sure how long this one will stay free, so if you're interested, I'd head over quickly. Just click the link below.

Norton™ Anti-Virus™ (Up to Three Users) Free After Competitive Rebate

As I've mentioned a few times, anti-virus software is something you should be able to keep up-to-date without any expense if you time rebates and use competitive offers. Right now, Fry's is offering Norton™ Anti-Virus™ 2009 (licensed for 3 users) for free after two rebates, one of which is a competitive/upgrade rebate.

So if you have a previous version of a Norton™ product or another company’s antivirus, firewall, antispam, antispyware, utility, or back up software product, you can get back the $45.00 cost of the software. Fry's is shipping this one for free, keeping the deal nice.

One of the rebates is valid for purchases through July 30th (the competitive one is good till the end of the year) so this is a great time to pick it up if you want to use it or also if you want to have it for use in a different competitive rebate down the line.

To check it out, click this link.

$10 Hotel Rooms from Last Minute Travel

This is an unusual deal on hotel costs in several cities offering rooms for $10.00 a night. It's posted at the Last Minute Travel website, and the rooms are only available on a particular date (or dates) depending upon the city.

They have rooms in:
- New York on July 31st
- Atlanta on July 26th, 28th and 30th
- Brussels on July 26th, 28th and 30th
- Gothenburg on July 27th

Brussels and Gothenburg require a two-night stay so the total deal may not be as great as just $10.00 a night, but you can still save on the first or second night anyway.

They also have a spot where you can search for deals in other cities and the site indicates that more $10 deals will be coming.

I have a feeling these will go fast, so if you want to check them out, click this link.

Crocs™ for Sale at $4.88 at Cabela's®

If you are looking for Crocs™ for the nice summer weather, you may want to check out
the sale going on over at Cabela's®. They have a variety of Crocs™ for men, women and children all available at $4.88.

These retail for as much as $29.95 so your savings can be as much as 83%. Shipping is $5.95 unless you live near a Cabela's® location and can choose in-store pick-up.

To check out their sale items, click this link.

Friday Reminder: Free Chocolate Bar Coupon from Mars®

Here's your latest Friday reminder if you haven't already gotten four coupons for free chocolate bars from Mars®. If you need the link again, or if you don't know what I'm talking about, click the link at the top of the Hot Deals section at the right side.

Today Only July 23rd: Firefly Unlocked 850/1900 GSM Cell Phone For Kids $6.99

For parents looking to add cell-phone availability for kids for those "need to get in touch" moments without opening up a whole realm of other cell-phone problems, today's deal from Daily Steals may be of interest. They are offering the Firefly Unlocked 850/1900 GSM Cell Phone for just $6.99. It retails for $79.99 so this is a whopping 91% off.

With a Firefly phone, parents can provide a simple way for kids to reach them at work without needing to remember numbers. It also prevents older children from calling friends unnecessarily and racking up expensive bills.

This unlocked cell phone is compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, just by adding a SIM card from that carrier. Not all carrier features may be supported. Note: It will not work with CDMA carriers like Verizon Wireless, Alltel and Sprint.

It's a great kids' phone with special buttons that can be used to direct dial Mom and Dad. Children can only call numbers you choose (PIN protected). Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 205 hours (8.5 days) of standby time.

With a Firefly phone, parents can provide a simple way for kids to reach them at work without needing to remember numbers. It also prevents older children from calling friends unnecessarily and racking up expensive bills.

Again, this is only for today, so to check it out, click the link below.

GE® .7 Cu. Ft. Capacity Microwave Oven $29.00

This one may be a good deal for anyone who's got a kid going off to college in the fall. Or it could come in handy if you could use a small microwave oven around the house. Right now, Lowes® is selling the GE® .7 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Microwave Oven (Color: White) for $29.00. It was $59.99 so you are getting over half off the usual price.

It features:
- 0.7 cu. ft. capacity
- 700 watts (IEC-705 test procedure)
- Convenience cooking controls at the touch of a button
- Auto Defrost - Automatically sets defrosting times/power
- Glass Turntable rotates for even cooking
- Electronic touch controls - point-and-cook convenience
- Child lock out - prevent accidental starting

To take a look and see if this would be a handy appliance to pick up, click this link.

Free Organix® or Natural Ultramix® Dog Food or Cat Food Sample

If you have a pet, you know how expenses can add up. They don't have to be left out of the fun of savings, though. Right now you can get a free Organix® or Natural Ultramix® dog food or cat food sample just by sending an e-mail request.

Send the e-mail to: pawmade@castorpolluxpet.com. Just enter Free Sample in the subject line. Indicate if your pet is a dog or cat and whether you’d prefer Organix® or Natural Ultramix®. Make sure to provide your street address so they know where to send your free sample.

To check out and compare Organix® and Natural Ultramix®, click here.

Couldn't get much easier than that, could it?

Free Full-Size Ultra-Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55

You've got to protect your skin during the summer (some of us with fair skin even more so), and here's a freebie to make it easier. Gal Time is offering to send you a full sized Ultra-Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55 (Very Water-Resistant) from Paula Begoun, author of Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me. All you have to do is register to become a member of Gal Time at their website.

As I've suggested before, using a secondary free e-mail address from something like yahoo or hotmail is great for offers like this so your personal e-mail account can stay more streamlined.

To check it out and register if you're interested, click this link.

Free Sample of Calagel® Medicated Anti-Itch Gel

Here's another free sample that may be handy to keep in your medicine cabinet for dealing with the itch of insect bites, poison ivy, etc. Tec Labs® is offering a free sample of Calagel® Medicated Anti-itch gel just for filling out a brief survey and providing your shipping information.

It could come in handy during the hot summer months so to check it out, click here.

Free Ten-day Supply of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Thursday July 23rd from 5:00 to 9:00

If you would like to try a skin care treatment, Estée Lauder is making a great offer tomorrow night, July 23rd. From 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. they will be giving away a ten-day supply of their Advanced Night Repair.

The giveaway is at Estée Lauder counters across America, while supplies last and one to a customer.

To check out the offer, click this link.

Free Three-Month Trial of Amazon Prime with Any Textbook Purchase (And Maybe without the Purchase)

Amazon Prime is a service that can save you a bunch on shipping and also speed up some deliveries. It eliminates the normal $25.00 minimum level for free shipping and also qualifies all your purchases for free two-day shipping.

The charge for Amazon Prime is $79.00 a year but right now you can get a free three-month trial just by adding a textbook to your shopping cart. It appears that you may be able to get the Prime membership even if you don't actually buy the book.

You can add a textbook, go to the cart where you can activate Prime and take the book out of your cart. Click here for details on the Prime promotion.

To look for any textbooks, click this link.

Restaurant.com Promo Code - 80% Off All Orders Through July 31st

Update July 28th-- Restaurant.com has extended the validity of the 80% promo code till the end of July.

Well, it's the time of month when restaurant.com rolls out their biggest discount promotional code -- 80%. This is a great time to stock up on gift certificates to participating restaurants, and as I've written before, a great time to join their Dinner-of-the-Month club.

The advantage to joining the club now is that you get the best price, but can redeem your certificates at the start of a month when all the most popular places have certificates in stock again.

With this promo code, a $25.00 dining certificate that's normally $10.00 is yours for just $2.00 (that's a lot of dining credit for just $2.00).

For restaurants that have $10.00 certificates (usually good at lunchtime) those get reduced from $3.00 to just 60¢ with the promo code.

The Dinner-of-the-Month club is available in 3-month, 6-month or 12-month increments. Not only do you get that number of $25.00 certificates, you also get a bonus certificate depending on the length of plan you buy. If you buy a 3-month plan, you get a bonus $10.00 certificate. A 6-month plan gets you a bonus $25.00 certificate and a 12-month deal gets you a bonus $50 certificate.

So if you use the promo code now, a 3-month plan (total of $85.00 credit) would run you just $6.00. The 6-month plan (total of $175.00 in certificates) would be just $12.00, and the 12-month ($350.00 of credit) comes to $24.00.

There are lots of participating restaurants all over the place, so this also makes a great gift idea, a nice idea for kids at college, etc. We've found some great new restaurants we might not have otherwise tried had it not been for the program, as well as going to some favorite places an extra time or two than we otherwise might have.

The promotional code to add at checkout is NAPKIN, valid through the 28th of July. To head over to restaurant.com, click here.

Gillette Mach3 Cartridge 12-Count $16.29 (42% Off)

One way I've advocated to save money in the long run is to buy nonperishable staple items in bulk when you find them on sale. One thing that many men need regularly is razor blades for shaving. And right now, Amazon.com has a nice deal on Mach3 cartridges. They are selling 12-count packages for $16.29 -- these retail for $27.99 so you are getting 42% off.

If you make this part of an order of $25.00 or more, you get free super saver shipping (you can do that by just buying two 12-packs, or maybe there are other items you find at Amazon).

I'm not sure how long the price drop will remain in effect, so if you use Mach3 cartridges and want to stock up, click the link below.

Reminder for July 21st -- Free Blueberry Donut at Tim Hortons®, Free Pastry (with Purchase) at Starbucks

I forgot to post an early reminder for the free Mocha drink at McDonald's on Mondays, but I wanted to mention this reminder for two food freebies (well, one with purchase) tomorrow, July 21st. Tim Hortons® will be giving away a blueberry donut totally free, and Starbucks will be giving away a free pastry with any beverage purchase from opening until 10:30 a.m.

If you want to read the original posts with links to get store locations and details, I've moved them to the top of the Hot Deals column at the right.

Free Cardiovascular Care Kit from Brigham and Women's Hospital

Staying on top of the health of your heart is something worth doing, and right now, Brigham and Women's Hospital is offering information to help make it easier. They will send you a free Cardiovascular Care Kit, filled with useful information.

There are topics on preventing and monitoring heart disease, as well as positive lifestyle changes that can help control many risk factors.

The kits has items such as:
- Risk factors and prevention
- Symptoms and diagnosis
- Conditions and treatment
- Cardiovascular Center programs and services
- Cardiovascular specialists and care provider glossary

The more you know about it, the more you can do about it.

To request your information kit, click here.

Free Guitar/Music Poster from Gretsch Gear

Have a young musician in the family who'd like a nice poster for his or her wall, here's a nice freebie from Gretsch Gear. It's their 125th anniversary and they're sending out free posters for the asking. Most of the poster is guitar related, although I think I see some drums too.

The poster is mailed folded 8-1/2" x 11", and measures 17" x 28" when unfolded. It's good while supplies last and will arrive in about eight weeks.

To take a look and request yours, click this link.

US Airways Sale Airfares to Florida

Looking for a trip to the Sunshine State? Travelzoo has listed a special deal US Airways is running on fares to Florida from all over the U.S., with prices as low as $59.00 each way or . The special prices are good for tickets booked by July 26th. The fares are valid on many dates until November 17th (some blackout dates apply).

Although the promo page shows $62.00 as the lowest fare, Travelzoo indicates that some fares are even lower (Charlotte/Orlando at $59.00). They say some even lower airfares can be found using the Low Fare Finder.

Various city combinations have different advance ticket requirements. The prices shown don't include security/airport fees/taxes.

To check out the Florida specials, click this link.

Sale on NCAA Team Clothes and Hats for Men and Women at Amazon.com

If you're looking forward to the College Football season and want to show your team allegiance with pride, you may want to check out the sale right now at Amazon.com.

They have T-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, beanies and more, with styles for women as well as men. Savings can be as much as 84% (Tennessee Vols thermal beanie $4.78 from $30.00).

The ,low prices and stock may not last long, so to check out the teams and see what items you can add to your wardrobe, click this link.

7" Portable DVD Player $49.99

Having a DVD player along for your travels can be a nice convenience. It can help entertain the kids in the backseat during a long drive, or something for yourself during long plane rides. Right now, Newegg is selling the DIGIX PDV200B 7" Portable DVD Player for $49.99 -- that's the lowest price I can recall seeing on a portable DVD player.

Free shipping keeps the deal nice too.

This unit features:
- Built-in Dolby Digital Decoder
- Built-in stereo speaker
- 7" screen (diagonal)
- 16:9 Aspect Ratio 16:9
- Plays DVD, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, VCD, MP3-CD, CD, CD-RW
- Weight: 3.75 lbs.
- Measures 5.2" x 7.8" x 10.0"

Newegg is a retailer with which I've always been pleased with their service and speed of delivery. To check out this DVD player, click this link.

Subscription to This Old House Magazine $5.00 (Save 90% Off Cover Price)

If you have an old, classic house or you just enjoy watching what people can do to restore the beautiful look of a home, you may be interested in this great subscription deal at Amazon.com. Right now they are offering an annual subscription to This Old House magazine for just $5.00.

The annual cover price is $49.90 so with the second issue you're ahead of the game, and for the year the savings add up to 90%.

To take a look and see if you'd enjoy reading this for ideas and inspiration, click the link below.

Staples -- Great Rebate Deals on School Supplies -- Some Items Free After Rebate, Others Not Much More

If you're ready to stock up on school supplies, this is a great week to head into Staples. They have a wide assortment of deals you can pick up that'll save you a lot on those school necessities.

These are valid in stores only, not for on-line ordering. So make up a list of needs and head on over while they're in stock.

The following are free after rebate (these are easy rebates, the kind you do on-line so it dowsn't even cost a stamp):
- 10-Pack Zebra Cadoozles 0.7 mm mechanical pencils ($2.99 rebate)
- 5-Pack Zebra Sarasa retractable gel pens, medium, black ($4.99 rebate)
- 4-Pack Pentel Handy Lines retractable assorted highlighters ($4.99 rebate)
- Staples Slim-Line pencil sharpener ($10.00 rebate)
- Buy any backpack, get full amount back as Staples rewards (may be used for anything at Staples)

$1.00 Deals (no rebates needed, limit of two per person)
- Accel Little Notebook, College Ruled
- 3-Pack Staples Mini Legal Pad
- 5-Pack Pentel RSVP pens, assorted
- 4-Pack Expo Fine markers, Assorted
- 3-Pack Pentel Hi-Polymer Latex Free Eraser
- Staples Binder Hole Punch

This one comes to $1.00 after an $11.98 rebate (limit 2):
- 50-Pack Staples Photo Supreme Paper, 8 1/2" x 11", Double Sided Matte

$2.00 Items (no rebates, limit 2 of each)
- Dry-Erase Board
- Pilot Erasable Gel Pens
- Staples eraser/grip combo pack
- Staples Stickies adhesive notes
- 12-Pack Staples .7mm Mechanical Pencils

There are also some other offers throughout their circular this week, such as Buy One Get One Free on graph ruled notebooks, composition books, filler paper and pads (starting at 99¢), Buy Three Get One Free on Binders and Buy Two Cases of Hammermill® copy paper, get rebate making one free.

If you pick up these supplies now, you'll really be a long way toward filling those bookbags for the school year ahead, without denting your budget as much.

Men's Dockers® Broker Chino Pants $19.99 (60% Off) with Free Shipping Code

If you like Dockers® and want to add some nice pants to your wardrobe, you may want to take a look at a sale on-line at Dockers.com. They are selling the Pleated Broker Chino Dockers® for $19.99. They retail for $50.00 so they're taking 60% off.

Plus, if you add code welcome2 during checkout, you can get free shipping, an additional savings of $7.00. Making this an all-around nice deal for a popular brand of clothes.

They have lots of sizes available in a choice of three colors, so you may want to hop over and check them out. Just click this link.

Men’s Pleated Side-Elastic Work Shorts 99¢

If you're looking for some comfortable shorts to wear during the hot weather, you may want to head over to Aramark. They are selling Men’s Pleated Side-Elastic Work Shorts for just 99¢.

These have a comfortable side-elastic waist, a roomy fit and 8" inseam. There are two front pockets and two back pockets for lots of carrying capacity. They are easy-care 65% polyester/35% cotton for durability.

They only have charcoal color available. Some orders apparently are showing no shipping cost if just one pair of shorts is ordered but have shipping if more than one is ordered. Not sure if that's an aberration in the system or just a special promotion.

To take a look at these elastic-waist shorts, click here.

DVD Set -- Complete James Dean Collection Special Edition $28.99 (58% Off) -- East of Eden, Giant , Rebel Without a Cause

For fans of James Dean or just of the great movies of the 1950s, this deal may make you happy. Right now, Amazon.com is selling a special edition set called The Complete James Dean Collection for $28.99, 58% off the retail value of $68.98.

This set his three movies East of Eden, Rebel without a Cause, and Giant. East of Eden has never before been available on DVD so this is a rare treat. And the set includes a lot of features beyond just having new transfers of the movies for top quality. There are vintage documentaries, commentary tracks, publicity materials, and even the infamous "Drive Safely" commercial spot James Dean filmed shortly before his death in an auto accident.

The price might not stay low for long, so if you're interested, you may want to check it out soon by clicking the link below.

Free Pastry with Purchase at Starbucks Tuesday, July 21st until 10:30 a.m.

If you normally stop by Starbucks on your way to work, you might want to print out this coupon so you have it handy Tuesday, July 21st. They'll be giving away a free pastry with any beverage purchase. Not quite as good as a total freebie, but still not bad if you patronize Starbucks anyway.

The coupon is valid from store opening until 10:30 a.m. only. You can choose from muffins, scones, croissants, bagels and more, as listed on the coupon. It's limited to one per person, and excludes Starbucks located inside Barnes & Noble stores, inside airports and in Hawaii.

To print out your coupon, click this link.

Free Novel from Crown Publishing -- Choice of Three Titles

Looking for some books to add to your reading list? Right now Crown Publishing is offering a free copy of a book -- you can choose from among the following three titles: "Something Missing" by Matthew Dicks, "The Crying Tree" by by Naseem Rakha, or "Where the River Ends" by Charles Martin (a signed copy of this one).

No purchase is necessary and it's while supplies last, with one request per e-mail address.

To check them out and read some notes about the books, click this link.

United Airlines Sale -- Roundtrips from $100

Fort anyone making travel plans in the U.S. for late-summer travel, you may want to check out a sale Travelocity has posted for United Airlines. They have roundtrips available for travel between August 17th and September 7th, with prices as low as $100. The special fares have be booked by July 19th.

The listing shows all sorts of departure cities and destinations, so you can really find a lot of combinations. The sale prices in the 48 states are good for Tuesdays and Wednesdays; for hawaii it's good all days.

This is a short-term sale, so if you want to check it out, you should do it quickly. Just click Nationwide sale: Fly roundtrip on United From $100.

Free Digital Subscription to Off-Road Adventure Magazine

If you enjoy off-road adventure, you can read all about it in Off-Road Adventure Magazine. You can get all the benefits of their printed magazine in a digital version you can get free.

To check it out, click this link.

Moosejaw Sale Up to 70% Off Plus 10% Off Coupon

Looking for some swimwear or some nice outdoor gear -- maybe even for some hiking in the fall and early winter? There's no better time than looking for some stuff off-season. Right now, Moosejaw is having a sale with items reduced as much as 70%.

They have swimwear, footwear, clothing, jackets and gear all available at reduced prices. And if you find things you like, you can get an extra 10% off the total if you add coupon code CJ10.

Shipping is free if your order totals over $49.00. To check out their sale, click this link.

Lids.com $5.00 Clearance Sale: Select MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and Other Branded Hats Priced at $5.00

If you are looking for some great headgear, you might want to hop over to Lids.com. They are having a big clearance sale on a ton of hats, beanies, caps etc., all reduced down to the low price of $5.00.

They have caps and hats available for all sorts of teams in all the major sports, plus other stylish branded caps (i.e. Quicksilver, Body Glove, Adidas, Billabong). These retail for up to $29.99 (i.e. Hurley Que Flex Cap) so you are saving as much as 83%.

If you order a bunch, you can also save a bit more -- 20% off $30.00 or more using code BRADSLIDS20.

To save money on shipping, you can have them sent to a nearby store for pick-up, but otherwise, shipping is a flat $5.00 (free on $50.00 orders).

To look at their big selection of $5.00 hats, click this link. It'll start you at branded hats, but you canrefine your search in the top box for MLB, NFL, etc.

Levi's Sale -- 50% Off Plus 20% Off in Cart Plus Code for Another 20% Off

If you are looking for Levi's jeans, this may be a nice opportunity to check the Levi's on-line store. They have reduced some styles 50%, and for four days they are taking and 20% off your order total (meaning they are 60% off). But you can also add in coupon code SEVENTEEN (valid till August 3rd) at checkout and get another 20% off, meaning your total savings can come out to 68%. Not bad for genuine Levi's right from the source.

They have tops and bottoms for women and men. Be sure of your size, though, because items discounted 50% are final sale. Shipping is about $5.00.

To check out their sale, click this link.

Free Sample of Colgate Wisp™ Toothbrush, and Ambi Soft & Even Stretch Mark Diminishing Oil

Here are a pair of samples you can get with just a single request. Heart & Soul is offering a free sample of Ambi Soft & Even Stretch Mark Diminishing Oil and the Colgate™ Wisp.

The stretch mark diminishing oil is obviously for skin care of a particular nature so that might be of interest to some readers. I had never heard of the Colgate Wisp™ so I looked it up -- it's a small, portable toothbrush you can keep in your purse or use when you travel so you have it available anywhere.

You register for both at the same time, but you are also registering for the site's newsletter. So as in the case of sampling freebies, I always suggest using a non-personal e-mail address (get one free at yahoo or hotmail if you don't already have one).

To get the skin care and toothbrush samples, click this link.

Free Golden Age Stories Pulp Fiction Collector’s Edition Bookmarks

Here's a nice freebie that's a collectible you might want to use while you're doing all that reading at the beach this summer. Golden Age Books (by L. Ron Hubbard) is offering a free set of collectible bookmarks featuring Pulp Fiction type images.

It's part of a page that is looking for people to join their book club, but the bookmarks are available free with no obligation. To take a look and request your set of bookmarks, click this link.

Friday Reminder: Free Chocolate Bar Coupon from Mars®

Here's one more reminder. Many of you may already have requested your quota of four free coupons for a chocolate bar from Mars® brand. But for those of you who haven't, I have moved the chocolate bar post to the top of the Hot Deals column at the right so you can click on that post and read all about it. It's good Fridays only, so today's the day.

Reminder -- Free Admission to All National Parks This Weekend

A few weeks back I posted about a program where all National Parks will have free admission for three weekends this summer. This weekend is the second of three, Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th.

Some of the locations are free all the time, but some of them have admission fees at other times. So if the weather's nice and you want to explore the grandeur of the U.S.A., this weekend may be a great excuse.

To read my earlier post with more details, click this link.

Free 20-Piece Nicorette® Gum Starter Pack

Hopefully none of my readers are smokers (not that I have anything against smokers, I just hope you're all in great health), but for the smokers out there who might be trying to quit, how about a free trial of Nicorette® Gum. GlaxoSmithKline is sending out started packs of twenty pieces.

Hey, it may be the first step to letting go of the habit. Just go to this link, watch the short video and at the end will be a link to request the starter pack.

Tuesday, July 21st from 6am till 10am: Free Blueberry Donut at Tim Hortons®

Mark you calendar if you live near a Tim Hortons® location. Next Tuesday, July 21st from 6:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m., they will be giving away a free Blueberry Donut (Bloom or Glazed).

It's at a participating US stores and it's one to a customer. The details are on their Twitter site at this link.

Magellan Maestro 4210 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator $99.99

It's been a while since I've posted about GPS systems, but there are probably a lot of new readers on the blog, so maybe some people are interested in picking one up at a good price. Amazon.com right now is selling the Magellan Maestro 4210 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator for $99.99. That's 78% off the retail of $449.99, and the deal includes free shipping.

This is a portable unit with a slightly bigger screen than entry-level models, so you get a better view of the map. Thi9s one also includes maps of Canada and Alaska for people who travel up north. It also has a whopping 6 million Points-of-Interest to help you find restaurants, gas stations etc. along your trip.

To take a closer look and see if this GPS would be a good fit for you, click below.

Free Plane Rides for Kids 8-17 from EAA™ Young Eagles

Here's a great treat for kids and teens. If you are between 8 and 17 years old, the EAA™ Young Eagles Program wants to offer you the chance of a lifetime. Turn dreams into reality on a free Young Eagles flight and become one of over 1 Million Young Eagles.

Beforehand, the pilot will explain what will happen during the flight, i.e. info about the airplane, completing a walk-around, reviewing an aeronautical chart or map and identifying reference points. In the plane, the pilot will help buckle the seat belt and describe the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel.

Once in the air, you’ll see the earth and sky in a new and exciting way, experiencing the freedom of flight that many people dream about. Most Young Eagle flights last between 15 and 20 minutes.

Once back on the ground, there will be additional time to ask questions about the flight. Plus there's a commemorative Young Eagles certificate, which is signed, by your personal pilot and EAA™ Chairman Harrison Ford.

This looks like a great experience for anyone who's young and interested in flying (I'm a little jealous). To check out more and find nearby chapters of EAA™, click this link.

Wouldn't this make it a summer to remember?

Chili's Three-Course Meals for $20.00

Chili's has done Applebee's one better. Applebee's has a deal with two entrées plus an appetizer that two people can split for $20.00. Well, Chili's is in the game too, and they also throw in dessert for two people to share as well.

So for $20.00, you get one appetizer, two entrées and one dessert. That can make dining out just a bit more affordable. They have a nice selection of choices in each category, so both of you should find something tasty.

To check out more details or look for a nearby location, click this link.

Walgreens $5 Off $25 Purchases In-Store or On-Line Today and Tomorrow Only

Walgreens has issued another coupon you can use to pick up some of those sundry items you need around the bath, the home or even the beach (sunscreen, anyone?) It's valid for $5.00 off a purchase of $25.00 or more, and it's good today and tomorrow (July 17th).

You can print it out and take it in to the store for your shopping savings, or also use the on-line code DELIGHT at walgreens.com.

There are some exclusions on the coupon, i.e. prescriptions, tobacco, gift cards, etc.

To get your coupon for printing, click this link.

Mega Brands Struxx Electrotekpack Robotrixx $16.99 (81% Off Retail of $87.99)

Summer vacation's just started but maybe the kids (and you are already looking for creative things with which to occupy their time. If you have a youngster age 8 or up who enjoys building things, robotics and dinosaurs, there's a nice clearance item at Drugstore.com right now. They're selling the Mega Brands Struxx Electrotekpack Robotrixx for $16.99. This retails for $87.99 so you are saving a whopping $71.00 (81%).

This interesting toy features:
- 3 amazing sound effects - Rumbles and Roars!
- motion detection
- light-up eyes
- gears and a super power motor
- Wide Motion Components™
- 619 Pieces
- Up to 20" high and 53" wide
- four sets in one
- recommended ages 8 and up
- batteries not included

This one looks like it could be many hours of fun and creativity. Since it's clearance it may not last long, so to check it out, click here.

They also have a couple of other dinosaur and humanoid building toys on clearance, including Magnext Magna Bones, T-Rex for $3.99 (was $15.00), and the Magnext Struxx Basic for $14.99 (regularly $32.00).

Topsy Turvy Upside-Down Tomato Planter $8.85

Love tomatoes but frustrated by all the problems trying to grow your own in the garden? You may have seen this kind of upside-down tomato planter on TV infomercials. Well, right now, Amazon.com is offering the Felknor Ventures 82506 Topsy Turvy Upside-Down Tomato Planter for $8.85.

That's a savings right now, and considering the cost of fresh tomatoes at the store, there'll be a nice savings when you harvest the bounty too.

It normally goes for $20.00 so you are getting 56% off. You can combine this with other items (maybe the "To the Moon" DVD set I just posted and the "Real Simple" subscription) to get over the $25.00 free shipping threshold. Or if you love tomatoes or want to share the fun with some family or neighbors, you can order three of these and get shipping free.

- Just plant it and hang it up -- on a patio, balcony or tree
- No need to dig holes, use stakes or cages or tie up tomatoes
- No need to get down on your knees to pull weeds
- "Sucker" and harvest your tomatoes in a standing position
- Eliminates cutworms, ground insects, and ground fungus

To take a look and see if this will add some homegrown flavor to your summer salads, click the link below.

From the Earth to the Moon - The Signature Edition -- $11.49 (62% Off)

On this 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11 toward the moon, this seems like an appropriate deal. Amazon.com is offering the DVD series "From the Earth to the Moon - The Signature Edition" for $11.49. It retails for $29.99 so you are getting 62% off.

This epic HBO miniseries hosted by executive producer Tom Hanks tackles the daunting challenge of chronicling the entire history of NASA's Apollo space program from 1961 to 1972. There's some amazing footage and lots of information for astronomers young and old.

To get free shipping you'll need to add some items to get to the $25.00 threshold (or maybe buy a couple extra as gifts).

To check the DVD out, click the link below.

Electronic Luggage Scale $2.99 Plus Shipping - July 16th Only

I just checked today's deal from Daily Steals, and it's a handy item for anyone who travels a lot. They are selling the Excalibur 9034 Pro Electronic Luggage Scale for just $2.99. They also charge shipping of $5.99 so the total delivered comes in at $8.98.

They show it retailing for $29.99 and I checked a couple of other internet sites and was seeing it sell in the range of $17.49 to $19.99 and up. So the Daily Steals price appears quite good.

With the added cost of overweight luggage (particularly if you're flying on a discount airline like Ryan Air), having an accurate measure when you pack is a handy precaution.

This scale can take weights up to 99 pounds. To take a look, click the Daily Steals link below.

Cirque du Soleil in Newark NJ for 50% Off

For fans of Cirque du Soleil who live in New Jersey (or even those who live in New York and want to head on over) Travelzoo has found an offer for 50% off tickets to their performances of "Allegria" at the Prudential center in Newark.

Tickets are available for select shows now through July 19th and discounts are available for Level 2 tickets. Adult tickets (normally $80.00) are $40.00 and children's tickets ($usually $64.00) are $32.00. The tickets must be purchased by the 17th.

To read the Travelzoo info and get their link to order, click here.

50% Off Promo Code for "Grease' in Philadelphia

If you're interested in seeing Taylor Hicks (American Idol winner) in "Grease" now playing in Philadelphia, you've only got a few days left -- the run closes July 19th. But here's the bonus -- there's a promotional code SANDY that gets you 50% off tickets for any show and any seat (except boxes).

That's a nice savings,especially if you're taking along some of the family to see this nostalgic musical. To take a look for tickets, click this link. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, and the promo code should be pre-entered.

Over Two Million eBooks Available for Free Download

If you're into eBooks and love to read, this is a great time of year. Right now till August 4th, the Annual World eBook Fair has over 2,000,000 eBooks you can download for free.

You can download them in pdf format, and you just have to download them by then, you don't have to read them all by August 4th. There are titles and interests for anyone, so to take a look at the eBooks available, click this link.

Free Breakfast at IKEA® This Weekend

I don't think a free breakfast alone would make me take a free trip out to IKEA®, but if you're thinking of going there anyway, then why not take them up on their free breakfast offer? This Saturday and Sunday, the 18th and 19th, they have a coupon for a free small breakfast and free small coffee (each valued at up to 99¢).

There's a limit of one per customer and it's valid during the store's breakfast hours only. It's at all IKEA® locations other than Houston, Hicksville and IKEA Direct®.

To check it out and print a coupon, click here.

Free Canvas Shopping Bag

Many people are looking toward using reusable bags when they go grocery shopping in an effort to cut down on the use of plastic and paper. But if you don't have to spend money to get a reusable bag, isn't it also great to cut down on the use of your dollars? Right now you can get a free canvas shopping back from Aggressor Fleet®.

It's a quick and easy sign-up. They don't even ask for your e-mail so this won't be a spam generator.

To request a bag, click this link.

Restaurant.com Promo Code - 60% Off All Orders Plus Bonus $10 Certificate

Here's the latest promotional code from Restaurant.com, one of the more popular programs about which I post. With this code, you get 60% off their normal prices, and with every gift certificate(s) order you get a bonus $10.00 certificate added to your account.

So a $25.00 dining certificate that normally runs $10.00 is now just $4.00 and you get the bonus $10.00 certificate as well. If you're shopping for a $10.00 dining certificate that normally goes for $3.00, you now would pay just $1.20 and also get the bonus.

So you can get $35.00 of dining credit for just $4.00 or $20.00 of credit for just $1.20. Those are very nice savings on dining out.

The code is also valid for Dinner-of-the-Month club purchases as far as getting 60% off, but those don't include a bonus $10.00 certificate because of this code.

My advice is if you plan to order several certificates, do so on separate orders so you qualify for the bonus certificate on each. If you're thinking of doing Dinner-of-the-Month, I suggest waiting till later in the month when there may be a code for 80% off.

The code to use is KITCHEN and it's valid through July 20th. Remember to hit the 'apply' button in checkout after you enter the promo code.

To visit Restaurant.com and search for participating restaurants to try (and at which you can save), click 60% off + free $10 certificate with every gift certificate urder when you use code KITCHEN.

Tyson® Skillet Creations™ Dinner Free After Rebate

If you want to get a free meal you can prepare at home, here's an offer that's free after rebate. It's for Tyson® Skillet Creations™ and they'll send you back up to $4.99 on your purchase.

They claim these have 45% less sodium that their prior line of meal kits.

The rebate is valid through the end of October, and to make things even easier, you can also print up a coupon that gets you $1.00 off your purchase -- it probably won't increase your rebate to more than you paid, but it's that much less you're out of pocket till they send you your money back.

For rebate information, click this link. And for the coupon, click here.

Free Original Chili Dog or Small Cone at Wienerschnitzel® Today (July 14th) from 5:00 to 8:00

If you live near a Wienerschnitzel® location (mainly through the Southwest states, lots of places in California and some in Washington), this afternoon's a day you can get a tasty deal.

From 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m., participating location will be giving away your choice of free items. You can get an original chili dog, or you can get a small cone -- it's a choice of one er customer, so you have to choose.

To find a participating location, you can click this link.

Singing Machine Disco Light Karaoke System $24.99

Summer's here and you may be planning lots of fun parties. How about adding some karaoke to the mix? Right now buy.com is selling the Singing Machine Disco Light Karaoke System, SML-385, for $24.99. Free budget shipping is included. This retails for $79.99, so you're getting $55.00, or 68%, off.

So while everyone is enjoying the chance to sing to their favorite tunes, you can also be enjoying the fact that you got a bargain.

This is a nicely featured system and looks lively too. It features:
- Top-load CD+graphics player lets you easily swap CDs
- Video output for simple TV connection
- Disco light mode with several kinds of flashing effects
- 2 microphone inputs so you can sing duets (one mic included)
- Audio auxiliary input and output
- 2-digit LED CD+graphics track indicator
- Includes balance, echo and master volume control
- Comes with CD+graphics sampler, RCA cables and User's guide

So to add some music fun to that next get-together, take a look at this entertainment machine by clicking the picture below.