Treat Yo Self to Birthday Goods!

What's the best way to get free stuff and discounts? Sign up for free stuff and discounts and get rewarded on your Birthday!

In the month of November, only 2 weeks in, I have redeemed $5 off at DSW, $10 off at Victoria's Secret, $10 off at the Body Shop, ate a free pretzel from Auntie Anne's, and drank a free Starbucks chai latte.

If you're a woman, or even a man shopping for your woman, you NEED to be part of the the Pink Nation at Victoria's Secret. FREE PANTIES! I repeat... FREE PANTIES. Free to sign up, check in store by providing your home phone number or simply on their website. Almost every month I get a free panty card in the mail good for a free panty, usually a cotton one worth up to $8.50 but sometimes they have a special one worth up to $12.50! I never have to buy underwear again! #TMI :)
They also will send you a $10 rewards card for your birthday! I used it to buy yoga pants that I absolutely love but I'm never willing to pay $34 for them. They were on clearance at $22 and after the -$10 I paid $12, plus since I purchased more than $10 I got a Victoria's Secret Rewards card to redeem (secret reward ranging between $10-$500; most likely it will be worth $10 when revealed-- however, one time I received $100!).

I signed up for the free DSW Rewards about 2 years ago and already twice now I have received a discount savings from DSW. I know $5.00 doesn't sound like a lot but if you use it correctly you could get a good deal! I bought these heels that were on clearance for 80% off and used my $5 off on top of the total cost for a final total of $9.78, a $110 savings! If you can't find a god bargain there then use the $5 for a pair of socks, laces, or insoles for your shoes! Hey, they're free or barely a $1 or $2 after the reward.

I bought a Groupon for the Body Shop for $20 worth of product for $10. They usually have this deal 2-3 times a year and it's a great deal when used correctly in combination of current deals. I usually only buy one Groupon because I buy enough items only using one Groupon I don't think it's necessary for me to buy two and stock up on something I won't have room in my makeup bag or bathroom cabinets for. See, I have some...control... =P.

I signed up for the Body Shop rewards program which costs a one time fee of $10. I have turned down this program numerous of times whenever I was offered but decided to go for it this time! Why? It took a lot of convincing from the sales person but as a person who works in sales I needed to know the details and benefits as I'm not one to easily just say yes to a deal. If anything... I say no to a lot of sale pitches. I'm not ever easily convinced. 

By purchasing the Body Shop rewards program at a one time fee of $10 I actually received my $10 back right away because as a part of the program you receive $10 for the Body Shop during your Birthday month! Plus I received a point for my first purchase. After 4 purchases (4 points) you receive a free item worth up to $15, nice!

The Body Shop also always has promotional deals going on. During the Holidays they like to have a "wheel" that is spun for a reward deal-- 30% off your purchase, 40% off your purchase, 50% off your purchase, buy one get one free, etc. I was able to spin the wheel and land on 40% off my total purchase (except on gift sets). Last year I was fortunate to land on 50% off my total purchase.

I purchased 2 lipsticks ($12.50 each), a concealer ($14.50), hemp chap stick ($8), travel size moisturizer ($6), and a facial scrub brush ($3) [40% off everything + rewards discount] for a total of $12.43-- less than the cost of one lipstick at full price. Apply the Groupon I purchased -$10 which equals my cost today of $2.43-- less than the cost of the facial scrub I purchased!

SIGN UP FOR FREE BIRTHDAY GOODIES AND TREAT YO SELF!
There are many other Birthday freebies especially at restaurants where you can get a free dessert. That's easy and a no brainer on your birthday!
There's definitely way more birthday freebies if you're a kid but there's some still left for adults!
When I was a kid I was a part of every kids birthday club you could think of. My Mom would have to take me to multiple places to claim all my free ice cream sundaes and children's meals :). Of course back then you would sign up with a self stamped post card but if there was free food involved, you would have me at "free".

Years of training. TinaDeal in the works since I was a kid.


Here are some Birthday freebies for you to sign up for (no purchase required):
Free burrito from Baja Fresh
https://secure.murgent.com/emopt/index.php?id=8339

Free ice cream scoop from Baskin Robbins

https://www.baskinrobbins.com/content/baskinrobbins/en/signin.html

Free pretzel from Auntie Anne's (personal favorite)

http://auntieannes.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe&inputsource=w

Free large order of fries from Wing Stop

http://www.wingstop.com/email_club.aspx

$10 to Cost Plus World Market

https://www.worldmarketexplorer.com/rewards/register/

Free Starbucks drink

https://www.starbucks.com/card/rewards/program-information

Free tater tots, cream slush, or medium drink at Sonic's

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/Account/Register

Free mini makeup kit at Sephora

https://www.sephora.com/profile/MyAccount/beautyInsider/beautyInsider.jsp

Free burger from Red Robin

https://redroyalty.redrobin.com/

Plus many more out there!!! It's all free and during your Birthday month!!
Please allow however amount of time it says to receive your rewards. I signed up for Auntie Anne's pretzel club in September of 2011 and didn't receive my free pretzel for my Birthday by November of 2011.

Side Note!

Instagram has taken over on Tina Deals! I've neglected updating the blog since uploading a photo using a collage application is just so much easier than this. I'm never on my laptop any way so It's difficult to update my blog via iPhone or iPad.

Follow me on Instagram @yaytina or search for #TinaDeal

The my favorite Tina Deal posts on Instagram:

 Bar III Blazer, Fitted Skirt, and Crop Top from Macy's at under $30 compared to $125

 Sad Edelman heels from Ross at $20 compared to $120

 Material Girl jumper from Macy's at $9 compared to $58

 Geometric necklace from Ross at $10 compared to $38

 Saks 5th Avenue dress from Off 5th Outlet at $33 compared to $130

 Red work dress with belt from Ross at $16 compared to $58

All 4 items from Urban Outfitters at $15 compared to $154

White one shoulder cocktail dress from Ross at $17 compared to $68

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

NYC: Blazer by Gap at $17 compared to $88

itsy bitsy, teenie weenie, not a yellow polka dot bikini

I have been posting about once a month now and honestly... I'm lazy.  This is time consuming and I wonder why I still do it.  I guess it's because I get bored once in a while.  I definitely shop more than I post.  I buy stuff way too frequently and could technically blog once a week for the items I buy but I just have other things to do... like watch new fall TV shows, watch a continuous amount of Mad Men episodes on Netflix (I just started and have one season left to watch then it's onto Breaking Bad!), and update my Spotify play lists.  I do other things of course than watch TV and listen to music.  I also sleep and snack a lot.

Best time to buy a bikini?  End of summer into the fall season.  I purchased three bikinis, two from The Gap and one from Victoria's Secret.

I usually would take photos of me wearing the clothes but in this situation you will have to pay a nominal fee for it!  So all weirdos out there, contact me for more info.

Please do not contact me.  I hope you realize I'm kidding.  Especially when I am calling you a weirdo.

The gray and white one (very neutral colors) are from The Gap and of course the bright (screaming look at me in this bright neon pink bikini) is from VS.  The Gap bikinis are made by Lycra as The Gap and Lycra teamed up to create their swim line.  The two bikinis have good bottom coverage and run true to size in top and bottom.  The VS bikini has less bottom coverage and run on the smaller side.  VS has multiple types of bottoms (string, scoop, hot short, hi-waist, and low rise).  The one I purchased from VS is a low rise bottom.  The gray top is a halter cut with a ring design in the middle.  The white top is a one shoulder type of top with a silver studded square design at the strap.  The multi-neon triangle top has double strings to tie around the band and around the neck; it also has a crochet design.  All tops have removable pads which is always nice since I always think without the pads...it's awkwardly thin.

To simply put it--

Bikini Tops
Original price: $25.00 (VS) and $37.95 (Gap)
Purchased price: $4.99 each


Bikini Bottoms
Original price: $14.50 (VS) and $35.95 (Gap)
Purchased price: $4.99 each

Each bikini cost $10.00!  That's a total of $30.00 for all three bikinis originally costing around $187.00 which is an insane amount for tiny articles of clothing.

And again I'm sorry about the poor quality of photos...I really have to get a new camera ASAP.  My birthday's next month, any one care to buy me a new camera??? :)

Side Note!
Southwest Airlines Getaways Deal: $30 toward a roundtrip flight from LA to Vegas for $10, a $20 savings.

Not bad to save $20 if you plan on flying to Vegas any time soon.  So basically it's $20 off your roundtrip airfare. 



http://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-z-southwest-airlines-la?utm_medium=email&utm_source=channel_getaways-deals&sid=10994511&user=7ea563f4bc2e3c9dafbbad48eda3d6fac1ce142cff1ca398882d01e4ca5753fa&utm_campaign=ga-z-southwest-airlines-la&s=body&d=deal-page&p=2&c=deal_button

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

Men's Edition!

Great deals... Not just for the ladies anymore!

I have more outfits from Hawaii to post but I'm posting them as Summer outfits as the days come along.  I'm trying to save my money which means less shopping!  So I'm spacing out my outfits I'm posting.  Today's post is a men's edition.  I know I have had some guys ask if there are any deals for them well here it is!

Articles of clothing: Light jacket for rain or chilly weather, 2 everyday polos, and a long sleeve designer shirt
All items were purchased at Macy's Hot Saturday Sale last weekend!  Oh, how I love my Macy's one day sale.  Purchases were made by my boyfriend, Dan, and he saved a lot of money with these great deals.  A lot of tips were taken from my post on a Macy's one day sale.

Things to remember at a Macy's One Day Sale:

Always scan the price a self-checker.  All of our items were priced differently then what was listed on the price tag.
Look at sale racks only that involved clearance items of at least 40% off.  All items were more than 50% off.
Use your Macy's card to receive an addition 20% off your items.


Item 1-- Light Olive jacket with 4 pockets
From: Macy's
Brand: Tasso Elba
Type of sale: Sale, last season stock, take an additional 20% off already reduced prices
Original price: MSRP was blank indicating the item was most likely on a mannequin and was not on the floor for sale.  After the season has passed the item was located on the rack and scanned at original price of $99.00
Purchased price: $16.99 with final price $13.99

Item 2-- Solid polos with breast pockets and epaulets (just learned what this was!)
From: Macy's
Brand: Alfani
Type of sale: Clearance + additional 20% off already reduced prices
Original price: $29.99
Purchased price: $9.99 with final price $7.99
**Notice how the price tags said $19.99 and $14.99

Item 3-- Long sleeve designer polo with half zip
From: Macy's
Brand: Armani Jeans
Type of sale: Clearance + additional 20% off already reduced prices
Original price: $115.00
Purchased price: $40.00 with final price $32.00
**The price tag lists $57.00 as the sale price

Macy's One Day Sale, Men's edition: 4 items retailed at $274 but purchased for $62.00!

No photos of Dan actually in the clothes yet though!  He wore the polo shirts this past week but I wasn't around to take any photos.  I shall post photos eventually as a follow up.

Side Note!
4th of July deals, this weekend only:
1. Gap: take an additional 40% off clearance items!
2. Macaroni Grill: buy one entree get one entree free!

Fashionably cheap,

Tina

Business mixed with pleasure

First post!  I love finding great deals and what better than to share it with people who question, "You bought that for how much!?"  Great bargains, favorite stores, and nothing beats a good deal... this is what this blog is about.

Outfit:
Business mixed with pleasure make a great combo.  I wore it to work and had lunch with friends.  It's an outfit that makes me look professional, modern, and is quite comfortable.

Item 1-- Black pin stripe blazer
From: Pac Sun
Brand: Billabong Designer's Closet
Type of sale: Take an extra 50% off already reduced prices
Original price: $79.90
Purchased price: $29.99 with final price $15.49

Item 2-- Black skinny 5-pocket stretch pants
From: Nordstrom Rack
Brand: Jalate
Type of sale: Nordstrom Rack price
Original price: $30.00
Purchased price: $16.97

Item 3-- Dark gray cotton tank
From: Gap
Brand: Gap
Type of sale: Take an additional 50% off already reduced prices
Original price: $24.99
Purchased price: $12.99 with final price $6.49

 Item 4-- Brown boots
From: Marshall's
Brand: XOXO
Type of sale: Marshall's everyday
Original price: compared at $60.00
Purchased price: $24.99

Item 5-- Long silver chain necklace with bird cage, bird, and heart
From: Tulle 
Type of sale: Tulle's day sale (end of the season prices)
Original price: N/A
Purchased price: $3.99

More outfits to come!

Fashionably cheap,


Tina