The Juggle Zone: Bargain Blog

Staples' 99¢ Sale is back, and shipping is free! In order to get the 99¢ price, you must order by catalog number (including the -EA)

831610-EA 12 large metal binder clips
385752-EA Jumbo mesh pencil cup
827857-EA mesh pencil cup
385747-EA mesh supply cup
412775-EA 6-pack yellow highlighters
199984-EA 5-pack 3x5 notepads
906380-EA 5-pack poly transparent envelopes
472498-EA 10 boxes -100/box paper clips
210384-EA 2-pack composition books
607069-EA 4-pack multi color dry erase markers
216283-EA paper clip dispenser
218420-EA desktop file rack
395197-EA 1-hole punch
200006-EA 4x6 top spiral notepad
200014-EA 4x6 side spiral notepad
480118-EA 500 pushpins
130690-EA desktop tape dispenser
486106-EA 25-pack CD sleeves
835819-EA 60 yard masking tape
711739-EA ruler
166306-EA 200-pack paper hole reinforcements

Posted by dwallach at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The deals for tax software have started again. Things have changed a bit this year - instead of offering rebates left and right, the TaxCut people have bundled a few programs together, most notably the federal and state versions.

Additionally, it appears that some stores are selling non- rebate versions of MS Money 2006, while others are selling the ones with a $40 rebate (when TaxCut is also purchased).

So I picked up TaxCut and MS Money a couple weeks ago when Money Deluxe was on sale at Staples (for $39.94, making it FAR). I used a $2 coupon, a $10 coupon, and the 12% customer appreciation coupon. Including tax, I walked out the door anticipating paying $13.69 after the one rebate. It wasn't the best deal ever, but it was simple, and Staples hasn't been handing out the big dollar coupons like they used to.

Various threads have been popping up on FW discussing PMing to the locals stores selling non-rebate version of MS-Money (at greatly reduced prices), so with my 14 day window closing, I gave it a shot last night.

The manager was a bit shocked to see the lower prices offered by Target for MS-Money Deluxe ($16.50) and Walmart for TaxCut ($19.96). Initially he assumed the Target price must be after rebate, but it wasn't. He took one ad (printed from the web) and disappeared for a few minutes, then came back and said he'd match it (but it sounded like he meant 100%, not 110%). He started trying to do it on an empty register, got frustrated, and told a clerk to process it. As he was walking away, he muttered, "at 100%."

They credited back $39.89, making the final, out of pocket cost before rebate $13.80, or after rebate, -$26.20 - even better than last year's deal and more cash than my deal from two years ago (though I got more stuff in the deal two years ago)!

Posted by dwallach at 7:17 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

I not only a nerd, but a plumber, too! Our toilet has been running lately, as the flapper has taken to getting stuck in the open position (a). The fill valve was also leaking, leading to a noisy fill (b). Finally, while I was at it, I figured I'd add a shutoff valve while I was at it (c).

Not wanting to disable our one toilet any longer than necessary, I headed to Home Depot without our current parts.

a) Replacing the flapper was easy - picking the right one at the store was a bit more challenging. I narrowed my choices down to a few different models that seemed compatible, and bought the cheapest one, a Korky Plus Premium Flapper. My plumbing book ranks this as an "easy" skill level, and estimates 5 minutes for experienced folk.

b) Replacing the toilet fill valve was a little harder, but buying it was easier - there was only one choice. (Technically two choices, but the other option is for a completely different style of mechanism called a fluid master valve.) Removing the old valve proved a bit difficult as the location of the nuts to be loosened was less than convenient. I prevailed, nonetheless, and the new one installed without much excitement. My plumbing book ranks this a "medium" skill level, and estimates 20 minutes for experienced folk.

c) Adding a shutoff valve should have been straightforward, but became a bit tricky. The first problem was that I assumed that the supply line leading to a toilet was a standard size. Though wrong, I wasn't too far off as the flexible hose used for many toilets (including mine) is standardized at 3/8". Therefore a 3/8"-3/8" m-f valve should do the trick. The only problem is I was sold a 3/8" compression valve, which is designed to take a non-threaded 3/8" pipe. It's somewhat complicated, but the good news is there was an adapter from 1/2" to 3/8" on the supply line that once removed allowed my valve to fit. A little Teflon tape and I was good to go. My plumbing book ranks this a "medium" skill level, and estimates 20 minutes for experienced folk.

Posted by dwallach at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Apparently I am:
All hail the monstrous nerd. You are by far the SUPREME NERD GOD!!!

PS: You are expected to post your score!

Posted by dwallach at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Ingredients 1 egg 1-2 onions 3-4 potatoes Spices (garlic powder, pepper, salt) Matzah meal (or bread crumbs or flour) Canola oil (traditionalists may use olive oil)

Directions

1. Cut potatoes and onions into small cubes.


2. Put egg and a few pieces of onion into the blender, at high speed.


3. Once liquefied, continue adding a few pieces of potatoes and onions until they are all liquefied.


4. Add spices to taste (usually about 1/2 - 1 tsp. each).


5. Add Matzah Meal to obtain an applesauce consistency (usually about 1/2 cup).


6. Heat large frying pan with about 1/4" of oil.


7. When hot, drop tablespoon sized blobs of batter into pan.
   (The blobs should spread out producing silver dollar sized latkes.)


8. Fry until golden, then flip.


9. Remove from pan when golden on both sides, place on paper towel to
   cool.

Posted by dwallach at 1:10 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Had a chance to try out a Flybar this past Sunday. I first read about the Flybar in Popular Science around a year ago. The Flybar is basically a suped up pogo stick, and it uses elastic bands in place of a spring. It also goes higher - much higher - than a traditional pogo stick.

Posted by dwallach at 7:50 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I have IDT phone service. It's not cheap, but it's a decent deal. However Verizon just started offering a couple of cheaper plans, with fewer features. One unlimited calling plan is $29.95, but includes no features. The other is $34.95 and includes voicemail, Caller ID, and Call Waiting.

I called IDT to see if they'd bother trying to keep me as a customer (read: drop their price). I called sales, got picked up by customer service, was transferred to sales, and was finally offered 10% off for 6 months. It's a start, and probably enough to keep me for now.

Posted by dwallach at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Imagine my surprise when opening the mega pack that I purchased using the coupon Pampers sent me, only to find more "defective" diapers. I let them know by email and so I got another "we'll follow up by mail" messages.

The follow-up by mail was a coupon for a free "Jumbo" pack, or 32 diapers in Size 4 (down from 48 last time).

Posted by dwallach at 6:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

BusinessWeek has an article on The Great Rebate Runaround (thanks to Reader Lippy for the link). I'll comment on it later.

Posted by dwallach at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)