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.

The Lewis N Clark Hanging Toiletry Case is just the perfect size for me.  It holds quite a lot of stuff.  It has three compartments.  And I love how the compartments are different and can serve different purposes.

One compartment is mesh where I keep my after-bath amenities that usually remain dry.  The middle compartment is transparent plastic where I keep toiletries that may spill.  The third compartment is opaque and opens on all three sides to reveal another mesh compartment inside.  I use this compartment for items that may get wet.

The third compartment opened to reveal the mesh compartment inside.

On my last trip, I was able to fit the following items with still more room to spare:

• Mesh compartment:  Swabs, 0.5 oz deodorant, 8 oz lotion, nail clipper, emery board, small sewing kit and feminine hygiene products
  
• Middle plastic compartment:  Ziploc bag with 6.75 fl oz shampoo, 1.7 fl oz conditioner, 10 fl oz shower gel, and 6 oz apricot scrub
  
• Bottom opaque compartment:  Loofa in a Ziploc bag.
  Inside mesh compartment:  2 0.8oz toothpaste, 2 toothbrushes, floss, 1.49 fl oz mouthwash, and 2 disposable razors.
  

The toiletry kit is three-fold and has an adjustable strap with buckle to keep it closed.  I find velcro straps easier and quicker to use, and still as effective.

The kit also uses adjustable straps with buckle for hanging.  Using the straps to hang the kit is a little awkward as the buckle is in the middle and the straps are thick.  A simple swivel hook is less awkward, but may be more limited to where they could be hung.

The toiletry kit in a 27-inch luggage

Overall, I rate the Lewis N Clark Hanging Toiletry Case (4.5) stars.

Saks Fifth Avenue Sample Sale
December 1-3, 2011

Find hundreds of gowns from the foremost designers, including Amsale, Anna Maier~Ulla-Maija, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra and more.

• No appointment necessary.
• On Nine in New York.
• Final Sale. No Alterations.

Saks Fifth Avenue
611 5th Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10022
(212) 940-2269
www.saks.com/bridal