Free Tickets to Japan

As a way to revive decreased tourism in Japan, the Japan Tourism Agency proposed a marketing campaign to give away 10,000 free round trip tickets to Japan! The catch is that you have to write about your trip and publicize it to blogs and social media sites. Oh, and you have to apply and get accepted. But save for some effort on your part, a pretty good deal for what would normally set you back more than $1,000 for round-trip air tickets. Watch out for announcements at the Japan Tourism Agency site.

Source:

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/10/11/tourism-remedy-10000-free-flights-to-japan/

FREE For 1 Year- Two Day Shipping with Amazon Prime

Currently a college student? Join Amazon Student program, a free membership program for college students which provide benefits such as one full year of free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime, and upgrades to one-day shipping for only $3.99/item. Sign up here now!

Peet's Coffee--BOGO Coupon

Bring this coupon to any participating Peet's location and receive a Buy One, Get One free beverage. Valid until May 29, 2011.

Starbucks Frappucino Happy Hour

From May 6-15, 2011, go to Starbucks' Happy Hour from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and get frappucino blended beverages for half-off. Only at participating stores.

Tag Heuer and LVMH Friends and Family Sale

From April 26 to May 3, 2011, take advantage of Tag Heuer's friends and family sale, where selected watches are offered at more than 50% below the suggested retail price. Go to the LVMH website and login at friends and family with access code: springff2011.

FREE Cleanser from Origins-April 22 only

Swap your current cleanser for a full-sized cleanser from Origins! Complete this form and bring it to any Origins store on April 22. Until supplies last.

FREE Ride to Catalina Island on Your Birthday

Starting on May 1, 2011 until April 30, 2012, Catalina Express is offering a free roundtrip ride on its Catalina Express ferry on your birthday. Register online and print a free ride voucher before boarding. Savings of almost $70!

FREE Admission to National Parks

In celebration of National Park Week, certain participating parks under the National Park system will be offering free admission for April 16-24th. Great chance to get back to nature in time for spring! Click here for participating parks.

Image courtesy of www.nps.gov

Baja Fresh--$2 Baja Bowls until 4/24/11

Get a Baja Fresh Bowl for only $2 until April 24, 2011. Normally $6.00. Present coupon at participating Baja Fresh locations.

California Spa Week--April 11-17, 2011

Interested in getting pampered for much less? Certain California spas are offering a variety of spa services such as facials, massages, etc for only $50. Book now at Spaweek.com and reserve a spot!

Image: 9nong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

25% off coupon from Cost Plus

From March 25-27, use this coupon from Cost Plus to get 25% off on all home furnishings, decor, gifts and more. If ordering online, enter code FFSITE0702 to get the 25% discount.

Shop Forever21 today and 100% of every dollar goes to Japan

Shop at Forever21 online today and 100% of every dollar will go towards earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

Gap's Give and Get Program

Gap's Give and Get Program is back! From March 17-20, pick a non-profit from this list and get a 30% off coupon for Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap Outlet, and Banana Republic Factory Store. Even better, the non-profit you picked gets 5% of all you spend!

Gap $25 off $50 Coupon

Gap is offering a $25 off $50 coupon when you enter your mobile number here. Valid for in-store purchases only. Offer valid from March 10-16. See coupon for restrictions.

THE Limited Semi-Annual Suit Sale

From now till March 13, buy a suit jacket at The Limited for regular price and get a skirt or pant for free.

Trina Turk Sample Sale

Ski on the Cheap

Dreaming of the winter slopes but expensive ski tickets getting you down? Check out these websites to get free discount ski lift tickets:

Liftopia: Search for tickets but region and date. Liftopia partners directly with with ski resorts to bring highly discounted tickets.

Sports Chalet: Offers lift tickets on sale to over 20 resorts.

Ski Free Deals: Buy 10 gallons of fuel at participating Shell stations and get 1 SKI FREE voucher redeemable for 1 free lift ticket with the purchase of a full price adult ski lift ticket. Participating resorts in British Columbia, California, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

On the Snow: Offers ski deals on certain resorts, in addition to snow reports, gear guides, photos and videos.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Living Budget Social: 2 Movie Tickets for $9 at Fandango

Living Social is offering 2 movie tickets for $9 at Fandango.com.

Amazon Magazine Deals

Snag these Amazon magazine deals now!

Marie Claire Magazine: $5/year or 42 cents an issue
Redbook Magazine:$3/year or 25 cents an issue
Seventeen Magazine: $5/year or 50 cents an issue
Bazaar Magazine: $5/year or 45 cents an issue

Oscar Party, Living Budget Chic Style

Didn’t get invited to Oprah’s after-Oscar party? Here are some easy ways to put together a stylish Oscar party without breaking the bank:

Invites: Use Evite's online Oscar-theme invites to help set the mood.

Decor: Always a fan of Oriental Trading for cheap and kitschy decorations. Look for Oscar trophies, mock red carpet, and movie cutouts. Pizzazzerie also has inexpensive decor ideas with supplies you can get from Target or your local discount store.

Beverages: Stick with 2-3 signature cocktails for ease and affordability. Here are some classic standby recipes that would surely rock your guests.

Food and Apps: Keep tummies full and satisfied with these appetizers that cost less than a dollar per serving. Mix them up with these party-friendly recipes--these Fig and Sausage Skewers seem fancy but are very easy to make. Alternatively, why not serve decadent gourmet movie popcorn that you can whip up at home?

Party Games: It wouldn't be a proper Oscar party without some Oscar-theme games. Make some money and take bets on the winner in each category and use That’s the Spirit’s Oscar Party Pool Sheet. Here are other amusing Oscar party games that run the gamut from trivia games, drinking games and karaoke.

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Free Redbox DVD Movie Rental

To celebrate Oscar season, Redbox is offering a free Redbox DVD movie rental. "Like" Redbox's Facebook page, and you will receive a unique code to get a free movie rental, which can be used on February 24th only.

Free Blockbuster Express Movie Rental

Receive one free Blockbuster Express movie rental with code FRMOVIE. Valid only today, Feb. 21, 2011. Apply promo code upon checkout.

Image courtesy of zirconicusso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For Catherine Malandrino Fans

Catherine Malandrino website

Free BlowOut At ULTA

I am always in for a free blowout, since I always crave straight, glossy hair. Call the ULTA nearest you to make an appointment for:

Wednesday, Feb 16th 3 pm-8 pm
Thursday, Feb 17th, 1 pm-4 pm

Barney's Warehouse Sale 2011

It's the time of the year again! Stock up on some goodies at Barney's NY warehouse sale in Los Angeles and New York.

Los Angeles
The LA Convention Center
Kentia Hall 1201 South Figueroa Street
Feb 10- Feb 21,2011

New York
255 W 17th Street
Between 7th and 8th Avenue
Feb 17-March 6, 2011

Be Your Own Fabulous Decorator

Itching to redecorate and don’t know where to start? Pick up priceless decorating advice for free and be your own interior decorator. Stores like Pottery Barn and West Elm offer ongoing free design classes that will help you accessorize your home in style. RSVP at the store nearest you.

Pottery Barn:

Feb 5-Feb 17: How to Choose the Perfect Wall Color

West Elm:

Feb 12: Indoor Gardening with Shane Powers' New Collection of Vases and Vessels

Free Museum Weekend

Are you a Bank of America cardholder? If you are, take advantage of free general admission to various museums nationwide on the first full weekend of every month. Locate museums closest to you here and get your culture fix this weekend. I'll be at the LACMA- let me know where you guys go this weekend!

7 For All Mankind Addt'l 40% Sale

Get an additional 40% off on all 7 For All Mankind women, men and kid on sale items with code EXTRA40. Coupon does not work on sale denim items.

Luxury Online Consignment Guide

Photos from Anns Fabulous Finds and Luxury Exchange

Once in a while, I fantasize about finding a perfect-condition black Chanel quilted purse at a clearance bin of a vintage store. That may have been possible 15 years ago, way before EBAY made “thrifting” trendy and decreased any chances of ever finding that elusive Chanel at a super discount. So what’s the next best thing? Find the perfect vintage without ever venturing inside a second-hand store or spending your Saturdays braving estate sales. These online consignment stores offer guaranteed authentic Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Hermes, and other luxury accessories all categorized and ready for perusing. Some of these sites offer 30 or 60-day layaways with a minimal upfront deposit.

On the flip side, if your NY's resolution includes a "shopping ban", some of these sites offer consignment programs to help you unload your designer goodies and earn you some extra cash.

Anns Fabulous Finds: Stocks new arrivals frequently but some brands sell quickly, so visit often for best selection.

Portero: Easy navigable and well organized website.

Couture USA: Diverse selection of clothing, bags, luggage, jewelry and other accessories.

Luxury Exchange: Look at sale items for even deeper discounts.

Bag Borrow or Steal Private Sale: Offers barely-used items. Don’t want to buy? Its sister site, Avelle, offers rentals of bags, accessories, watches, etc.

Flash Deals: Budget Travel Magazine and Whole Living Magazine

Get a 1 year subscription to Budget Travel Magazine for only $2.99 with coupon code: BUDGET or a 1 year subscription to Whole Living Magazine for only $3.99 with coupon code: LIVING.

Do You Kindle?

So you’ve already bought an e-reader for $200, and now you have to spend more money filling with up with literary goodness. Before you chuck some more hard-earned cash, there are places you can get electronic books for free. A lot of these are older books in public domain, but many public libraries have e-book depositories where you can “borrow” the most recent bestsellers. Going this route requires some patience and time (where the most popular books may be checked out and have long waiting lists), but it’s worth a try before selling out $10-20 for an e-book.

ManyBooks.Net

Munseys

Google Ebooks

Feedbooks

Baen Library

Project Gutenberg

Get Free Books

These are some library ebook databases I've used in the past:

Los Angeles Public Library

Orange County Public Library

Southern California Digital Library

Original Photo Copyrighted Living Budget Chic. Do not reproduce without permission.

6pm.com LUXE Weekend Sale

Welcome the weekend with some designer goodies up for sale at 6pm.com. Up to 75%-80% off on designer shoes, bags, accessories--- Marc Jacobs, Pucci, Kate Spade, See by Chloe and more...

Winter Restaurant Guide

We love Restaurant Week! When else can you get a chance to sample delicious three-course meals at the finest restaurants at a fraction of the price? We’ve had the chance to try out some fabulous discounted meals at past DineLA and Orange County Restaurant Week (which are both fast approaching), but there are numerous similar events in other cities, so plan your budget and your diet accordingly!

• Alexandria, VA: Jan 21-30


• Annapolis, MD: Feb 21-27


• Ann Arbor, MI: Jan 16-21


• Atlantic City, NJ: Feb 27-Mar 5


• Baltimore, MA: Jan 21-30


• Bethesda/Chevy Chase, MD: Jan 24-30


• Boston, MA: Mar 6-11, 13-18


• Charlotte, NC: Jan 21-30


• Chicago, IL: Feb 18-27


• Denver, CO: Feb 26-Mar 11


• Kansas City, KS: Jan 21-30


• Los Angeles, CA: January 23-28, Jan 30-Feb. 4


• Maine: Mar 1-12


• Nashville, TN: Jan 17-23


• North Carolina area: Jan 24-30


• Orange County, CA : Feb. 27-Mar 5


• Newport Beach, CA: Jan 21-27


• New York City, NY: Jan 24-Feb 6


• Philadelphia (Center City), PA: Jan 16-21,23-28


• San Diego, CA : Jan 16-21


• San Francisco, CA: Jan 15-31


• Sonoma County, CA: Feb 21-27


• Vancouver, Canada: Jan 24-Feb 6


• Washington, DC: Jan 17-23

“When” to Buy “What” Shopping Guide

It’s the beginning of the year, and what better way to plan any purchases than knowing when you’ll get the best deals for them. There are obvious days where everything seems to be on sale, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, after-Christmas, etc, but there are those times of the year that are more under the radar. We’ve scoured different internet sources and guides and compiled the “perfect” time to buy certain items:

Winter (Dec-Feb)
• Air Conditioners (when there’s low demand)
• Bicycles and Outdoor Gear (when new models are filling up store shelves)
• Carpet and Flooring (when there’s low demand)
• Champagne (steep competition during the holidays)
• Chocolate (stock up after Valentine’s Day)
• Digital Cameras (January and February for deals on last year’s models)
• Furniture (January, when stores have to make way for new inventory)
• Gas Grills (when there’s low demand)
• Linens and Bedding (January, coinciding with “White Sales”)
• Wrapping Paper (January, once Christmas has come and gone)

Spring (March-May)
• Cookware (coinciding with graduation and wedding season)
• Car Parts and Accessories (April, in honor of National Car Care Month)
• Gym Memberships (starting in Spring, when NY's resolutions have all been forgotten)
• Used Cars (Dealers increase their inventories in April to prepare for spring selling season)
• Winter Clothes (end of season sales)

Summer (June-August)
• Beach/Swimming Gear (in August, when retailers are making way for fall items)
• Furniture (July, when stores have to make way for new inventory)

• Hardware and Tools (for Father’s Day sales)

Fall (September-November)
• Car Parts and Accessories (October, in honor of Fall Car Care Month)
• Cookware (gearing up for the holiday buying season)
• Home Appliances (in September/October when new inventory hits the stores)
• New Cars (Dealers get inventory in September and are eager to get rid of old models.)
• Shrubs and Trees (as nurseries are clearing out inventory)
• Toys (because of fierce competition for the holidays)
• Wedding Dresses (between Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net