Sign up for newsletters of the stores you go to or may go to and/or like them on Facebook if they have a page.  I usually recommend assigning one email address for these types of emails.  By signing up, you get notified of new sales and offers.

Apply for the Redcard at Target and you’ll get 5% off items you buy at Target, including free shipping online.  The best part of it is that you get 5% off gift cards as well.  We just ate at Chili’s using a Chili’s gift card I bought with 5% discount!

Just remember that applying for the card is like applying for a credit card.  They will check your credit and your credit score may be affected.  And if you don’t pay the full balance every month, you’re better off not applying for the card coz the APR is higher than the 5% discount.

If the price of the item you bought went down, call the store and ask for price adjustment.  It doesn’t hurt to ask.  The worst that can happen is they say no.

Some stores have a policy that allows for price adjustments within only a limited number of numbers.  But sometimes, the stores can give you a courtesy price adjustment after the price adjustment period which I have experienced before.

Ask your credit card company regarding price protection benefit.  A lot of credit cards reimburse their customers the price difference when the customers find a lower price for the same item within a certain number of days. I took advantage of this benefit for a winter coat I bought and got reimbursed the $50 price difference by my credit card company!

There are other benefits that usually come with credit cards, like purchase protection, extended warranty and return protection.  Make sure to ask for all benefits your credit card has.

I’ve been learning a lot lately about getting the most out of my money while shopping. And I thought it would be nice to share it with everyone. So I’m starting a “Shop-n-Save Tip” series on my Twitter. Follow me!

Please share your own money-saving tips by tweeting it and adding the hashtag #ShopnSave.

Monday, January 14, 2013 • 5:30pm

NEW YORK MARRIOTT MARQUIS
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

Great Bridal Expo has everything you need for your wedding, in one convenient location!
Fashion Shows
Local & National Exhibitors
Fabulous Prizes
Free Samples
Exciting Ideas for Your Wedding
Exhibitor Giveaways
Music & DJ Presentations
Bring the Groom
Stay All Day!

For Your Free Tickets, visit www.GreatBridalExpo.com
and use Coupon Code OURFTEM at Checkout!

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

OLD AND NEW SAN JUAN TOUR WITH AIRPORT DROP-OFF via Celebrity
April 21, 2012
$34.75 per person

On our April cruise, our return flight was scheduled at 5:30 PM so we booked the Old and New San Juan tour with airport transfer via Celebrity. It was an easy tour and kept us occupied for a few hours before our late flight. We boarded our tour bus at 8:30 AM and left the terminal at 8:53 PM. Our large luggages were loaded into a truck to be sent directly to the airport. We had a guided ride on our way to San Cristobal Castle. We stayed there for 45 minutes.

We then drove to El Morro San Felipe Castle for a brief history while in the bus then we headed to Plaza de Colon. There was a display of sports cars around the plaza. We stayed there for another 45 minutes.

We then had a guided ride through New San Juan on our way to the airport. We arrived at the airport around noon to see our luggages lined up right outside the airport terminal. We didn’t notice anyone looking after the luggages, even on our November trip.

ARECIBO TOUR via Natural Wonders PR
November 23, 2012
$95 per person

On our November cruise, we arrived 2 days early so we stayed in San Juan for 2 nights and did the Arecibo tour with Natural Wonders PR. We’ve toured with Asha before and had fun. It was like a private tour coz it was just me and my husband, and Asha was flexible with our requests. The tour was more off the beaten path, but we enjoyed it a lot. Highly recommend Natural Wonders and the Arecibo tour for those who are physically capable, the tour required some hiking.

Asha picked us up at our hotel, Conrad Condado Plaza at 10:15 AM. We went to La Ventana cave first. It rained and the path and cave was more muddy than usual so wear appropriate footwear. Bring a flashlight too as it is very dark in the cave. Cold bottled water was provided.

We then drove around to the river you see from the cave to get a view of the cave from outside.

We proceeded to Charco Hondo falls, a smaller falls behind a private property. We went to Martin’s BBQ for lunch. The barbecue chicken was supposed to be good there, but my husband and I didn’t order chicken. Food was okay.

Last but not least, we drove to the ocean side of Arecibo to Del Indio cave and the arches. It was beautiful out there.

On the way back, we stopped to get coconut drinks on the roadside.

There was a beautiful beach across the road.

We got back to the hotel at 6 PM. It was exhausting, but very nice day. The tour was one of my favorites.

BACARDI RUM DISTILLERY WITH AIRPORT DROP-OFF via Celebrity
December 1, 2012
$32.75 per person

The Bacardi compound was beautiful. We started at the visitor’s pavilion where we got 2 free drink tickets each and rode the shuttle to their visitor center.

The center was nicely planned out just for visitors. We started at the lobby with a brief history of how Bacardi was born from one of the tour guides. We were then sent to a small theater for the full documentary of the company. After the short movie documentary, we went to an area with replica of the distillery years ago including a replica of an office. We then went to a room with videos about Bacardi. Sorry, photos were not allowed.

The next room was my favorite. The room had a few “cubicles” with little barrels hanging from the wall. The barrels contain different kinds of Bacardi rum – just shake the barrel and smell.

The next room had a bar and seating area. One of the guides demonstrated 3 drink cocktails. Then we were off to another room with displays.

We boarded the shuttle back to the pavilion for some shopping at the gift shop and for our free drinks.

ST. THOMAS / ST. JOHN, USVI

SKYRIDE via Celebrity
April 20, 2012
$21.75 per person

We decided to do a lazy relaxing day in St. Thomas. We purchased Skyride tickets via Celebrity for $21.75 pp. It was just a short walk from Havensight cruise terminal. We got there and the tickets cost $21 (I don’t know if taxes were included). The view was amazing.

There were birds, goats, ducks, etc.

ST. JOHN BEACH AND SNORKEL via Celebrity
November 30, 2012
$67.75 per person

We boarded to boat to St. John at the the end of the pier where the Summit was docked. It was a very scenic ride. USVI is beautiful.

We arrived at St. John and boarded one of the “buses” to Trunk Bay. Trunk Bay is beautiful. Snorkeling was off the beach and there were plenty of fishes.

Celebrity Summit
Southern Caribbean cruise 2012 series:

• Introduction: Little details and tips
  
• Part 1:  Flights and Pre-cruise accommodations
• Part 2:  Embarkation/Disembarkation and Cabins (inside, oceanview, regular balcony, concierge, aqua class, Celebrity suite, Royal suite)
• Part 3:  Public areas (including Persian Garden and Fun Factory)
• Part 4:  Food and Entertainment
• Part 5:  San Juan PR, St. Thomas
• Part 6:  Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua
• Part 7:  St. Maarten, St. Croix, St. Kitts
• Part 8:  Dominica, Grenada
• Part 9:  Celebrity Today, Specials, Packages, etc