Frugal has become fashionable during the recession, as many cash-strapped families find no shame in clipping coupons- in fact, thriftiness is a popular conversation topic these days. According to a coupon-processing company Inmar, the use of electronic discounts and coupons more than doubled in the first half of 2009, compared with the same period last year. In general, coupon use rose 23% and now electronic coupons account for more than 3% of all coupons used.

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/08/new_coupons_have_users_clippin.html

The Cheap Chica and the Coupon Diva joined forces and went on a shopping trip to Macy’s… with their combined skills they ended up with some great bargains- and saved over $200! They work as a team- the Cheap Chica gives us style tips and the Coupon Diva keeps the total under $100 with her coupons. For more tips on saving money in department stores visit: NBCphiladelphia.com.

Hershey’s online store is shutting down July 31st due to costly distribution and state-taxing issues. Now, all items on their website are discounted 25%.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090702_PhillyDeals__Hershey_s_online_candy_store_shutting_down_this_month.html

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2009/db20090622_048199.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_companies–

 Twitter is not usually the first place we  go to look for travel deals, but maybe it should be. A number of airlines, travel agencies, and hotels are offering a set number of deals, so if you follow these agencies and keep close tabs on their “tweets” you might score yourself a great deal! 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-06-19-twitter-deals_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Buying a new car? You could be eligible for a tax break even if you are from Delaware. The Obama Administration announced yesterday that for states without sales tax, the document fee for registering a title on your new car will be tax deductible. To qualify, there are some income requirements and the car must be purchased between February 16, 2009 and January 1, 2010. 

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D98ON68G3.htm 

Yesterday, the City Council gave the OK to allow consumers to demand a 50% discount if they find expired non-prescription medication, milk, eggs, or baby formula on the shelves. Now that’s a reason to take a closer look at what your local grocery store is selling!

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/personal_finance/20090610_Council_committee_OKs_discount_for_expired_goods.html

Getting great deals on paint, cabinets, light fixtures, hardware, refrigerators, furniture- you name it, AND giving back to the community? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not! The Habitat HomeStore is a huge retail outlet with a wide variety of items and the profits fund Habitat Homes in our community. You can also donate items to a store near you. For more information and locations, visit their website.

Want to give back to your community AND save money on your grocery bill? Well now you can- 2 hours of volunteering a month will get you a box of groceries valued at $50.00 for just $20.00. The program is called SHARE and the best part…everyone is eligible. To find a location near you and for more information, visit their website at http://www.sharefoodprogram.org/ or you can call 215-223-2220. 

A shopping trip that could lead you to a new life? That’s exactly what Career Wardrobe is doing for many women who are working hard to find a job in this difficult economy. Not only do they give you a free outfit to prepare you for your job interview, but they also offer educational seminars, including topics such as budgeting, resume writing, and interview skills. For more information, and to see if you are eligible, you can visit their website: http://www.careerwardrobe.org/about.php , or call 215-568-6693.