For the average consumer, it’s hard to understand the different types of online coupons and deals. Tricia Meyer and Ashleigh Ball talk about the different types of codes and how to get the best deals shopping online. Find Coupons and Discounts for hundreds of merchants at Sunshine Rewards.

Show Notes

• Compare free shipping (minimums, no minimums) with flat rate shipping and figure out when they are good deals and when they are not.
• Percent off coupons and dollar off coupons from the same merchant can be confusing. Do the math to figure out which is better for you. Spending more to save more isn’t usually worth it.
• “Stacking” coupons is the best deal when it is possible. Not all merchants allow it but it is worth trying.
• “BOGO” can be “Buy One Get One Free” or “Buy One Get One Half Off” depending on the merchant and that makes a big difference. Payless ShoeSource often does the Buy One Get One Half Off.
• Read the fine print for exclusions such as brands or previously reduced merchandise.

This week starts some changes to the She Shops Around podcast that hopefully everyone will like. The first change is that instead of focusing on just 3 merchants, we are spreading the love around a little more and talking about many different merchants that fit the topic.

With the release of the second movie in the Twilight series coming this month (Twilight Saga New Moon on November 20), we decided to focus on all things Twilight. Cindy hasn’t seen the movie or read the books, which balanced out Tricia, who is a little addicted.

Show Notes:

* Official Twilight Merchandise. We talked about places where you can buy the most official Twilight merchandise including Amazon, Hot Topic, Nordstrom, Entertainment Earth, and Toys R Us.
* Fan Made Merchandise. Tricia’s favorite place for fan-made Twilight merchandise is CafePress, but you can also find some great items at Zazzle, Customized Girl, and eBay.
* Odds and Ends. Although they don’t have a lot of items each, there are a number of merchants with just a few items worth mentioning. Some of them are AllPosters.com, Skinit.com, Emitations, Fandango, TFAW.com, and Celebrate Express.
* Costumes. We could have spent hours on this topic but touched briefly on BowlingShirt.com, Chickdowntown, Coastal Contacts, and PacSun.
* General Twilight gift ideas for the Twilight fan in your life.
* Highlighted how you can all of the Twilight merchandise you could ever want at BuyTwilightStuff.com.

On the next podcast we will start looking into holiday shopping bargains with an eye toward some guests joining us after the New Year.

As May draws close to June, we start seeing more about graduations. Whether the graduation is from preschool, kindergarten, high school, college, or even grad school, we are all looking for the perfect gift and party ideas. Today the She Shops Around ladies reviewed three merchants that you do not necessarily think of first when you think about graduation: TheFlip.com, Shindigz. and Magazines.com.

Show notes:

• Tricia and Cindy relived Tricia’s high school graduation and the fact that Cindy repainted the whole house.
• Cindy reviewed TheFlip.com, the official store of the Flip videocamera. Who does the Flip make a great graduation present for? Pretty much everyone on your list.
• The ladies talked about the different ways that they use their Flip cameras, including for fun, work, and school projects.
• Angie walked us through the Shindigz website. In addition to party supplies, they have tips for throwing parties and party activities. Check out these Shindigz coupons and videos.
• Tricia discussed Magazines.com and how to find a magazine that fits for your graduation gift recipient. Get Magazines.com coupons plus GREAT cash back through Sunshine Rewards.

No major glitches today. Next podcast: weddings and anniversaries.

Mother’s Day is May 10, which means that there is no time like the present to get Mother’s Day gifts ordered. It’s not too late to order even personalized gifts. But if you don’t want to pay a fortune for shipping, you should get your orders made quickly. The three moms at She Shops Around are Mother’s Day gift experts! At least we think we are, given all of the Mother’s Day gifts that we have both sent and received over the past years.

Show Notes:

• Favorite Mother’s Day gifts from the past? Cindy can’t remember most of them. (What does that say about the gifts?) Angie likes gifts with a personal touch.
• Cindy reviewed her favorite online jewelry store, My Jewelry Box. High points are their quality, selection, and good prices.
• MJB often runs coupons and free shipping specials and includes a gift box with every purchase. Right now you can get a free pearl necklace with $50 purchases. (Current Sunshine Rewards MyJewelryBox coupon: MyJewelryBox.com free shipping and 15% off My Jewelry Box Use code SW045115PA)
• Tricia gushes profusely about Sephora and considers herself a Sephora junkie. Great gift ideas for mom? Philosophy gift packs with a variety of scented shampoo, gel, and bubble bath choices.
• Sephora ships all purchases with a gift bag as well as free samples. Be sure to look for gift with purchase coupons and free shipping. (Current Sunshine Rewards Sephora coupon: Free shipping over $50)
• Angie led a discussion about Canvas on Demand. Have your family pictures (or animal pictures if you are Cindy) made into beautiful canvases.
• Operation: Hi Mom is a chance for 500 military men and women to have a free canvas sent to their moms this Mother’s Day. It’s terrific to see a company supporting the military like that.
• Canvas on Demand gifts are personal and affordable and actually shop very quickly (less than a week).

Everyone loves Spring, but who loves Spring Cleaning? The ladies at She Shops Around got together this week to talk about merchants that can help with all of the various aspects of spring cleaning.

• Angie reviews Get Organized. It’s amazing all of the things that you can find to buy that you didn’t even know existed. They also have an extensive collection of As Seen on TV items. Use our Get Organized coupon for 15% off all products.
• Aqua Superstore is one of the best pool supply stores out there. Cindy and Tricia rave about their Hayward pool cleaners. Check out Tricia’s Pool Vac Ultra automatic pool cleaner by Hayward video.
• Cindy leads the discussion of Gaiam and their “green” cleaning products. Find everything from health and wellness items to eco-conscious clothing and home items. Find Gaiam coupons for money off or free shipping.

You can shop at these merchants and more in the Sunshine Rewards Spring Cleaning promotion.