Jan
15

The buying power of many outweighs the buying power of few. This is not a new idea, the big retail chains have always been able to get price breaks over the small mom and pop businesses. Small businesses in recent years have joined together to get deals on health care insurance for employees, though I am not sure that “deal” and health care insurance belong in the same sentence. However, I digress. Well, we have seen buyers enter into clubs to get deals on products. Hold that thought or rather extend it with GROUPON.
This online site offers free membership to buyers interested in their special deals of the day and they can be fantastic deals. If a number of buyers are interested in a particular deal on products or services, sort of like a reserve, then the buyer can purchase it at the deal price to be used later. This encourages you to get your friends in on the deal as well, the more the merrier. Diversified selection of deals, anything from Bagels to Gym se
rvices.
Plus it has a business component by offering to small businesses an opportunity to offer a deal of the day and thereby increase their clientele and their sales. Win, win for both consumer and business entity!
Offered at present in major metropolitan areas, MarkdownMom foresees expansion and continued growth for this site.
So, Get Your GROUPON and SAVE!
Posted in Cool Sites, Cost Cutting Corner, Coupon Clips, Promo Picks, and Free Ships, Markdown Mom's Twin Cities Tour, Reviews & Profiles, Uncategorized, Warehouse Sales Bargain Buying Bargain Hunting Buying Clubs Coupons Groupon Product Bargains Restaurant Bargains
Mar
11
ScoopNYC ™ is probably more familiar to New Yorkers as a trendy, hot fashion closet with all the latest celeb looks under one roof. Now you will find stores in major metro cities like Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Dallas and here’s the real scoop: soon they will be online!
Specializing in-person customer service/shopper, they now have developed their own trademark fragance named what else? Scoop NYC. A subtle musk with tones of pear blossom, tangerine zest, white peony, jasmine and pink freesia.
For Free Sample Click Here→
Get The Latest Scoop in Fashion!
Posted in Beauty Buzz, Cool Sites, Freebies, MarkdownChic Picks, Uncategorized
Feb
14
One of MarkDownMom’s favorite movie series is Indiana Jones. Can you believe it has nearly been 19 years since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (LC) was featured in the movie theaters? Now, almost on the same date as the LC, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will hit nation wide on May 22, 2008.
If you can’t stand the wait, click here► to watch the newest teaser trailer of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Before the fourth movie hits, you might want to revisit Indiana Jones previous movies, which come in a available at Wal*mart®, box set reg.$59.99, sale $33.96
Posted in Cool Sites, Electronics, Entertainment, Uncategorized
Jan
01
Don’t you just love those ads featuring William Shatner as a World of Warcraft (WoW) shaman? Somehow ads always speed up during the last few seconds and you miss crucial information, like a website featuring a free trial. A free 10 day trial can be found on the World of Warcraft site and you can chose the original game or The Burning Crusade. WoW is a massive multiplayer online role playing game so be prepared to interact with other people. You choose a character avatar and throughout the game may view the landscape, fight monsters, preform quests, interact with other avatars, and build skills. If you like the game, you may purchase a subscription to it for $29.99.
Posted in Cool Sites, Entertainment, Freebies, Games, Uncategorized
Dec
23

Do you have a preteen, teenager, college student, or music afficionado on your Christmas List? One of the best gifts that Markdown Mom has come up with is a gift that there is still time to get– an iTunes Gift Card!

This solves a lot of problems in our family–one being we are not finding unexpected charges to our account for tunes from artists like Interpol, Finger Eleven, Colby Caillat, Timbaland, and others.
Have a budding film maker or just someone who loves the movies? Like who doesn’t? Well, instead of searching for dinero for the movies, you can get a gift card from your local movie theater. It doesn’t mean that they won’t hit you up for popcorn and soda money, but there will be less trips to the ATM machine.
For Movie Gift Cards check at your local movie theater or go online to Fandango , Regal Entertainment Group, and others.
The great thing about gift cards is that you can give what you can afford, and in this case, a gift that will give everyone a break from their busy schedules or just the winter blahs.
*some photos courtesy of Wikipedia®
Posted in Cool Sites, Tips, Uncategorized
Nov
18
Gamers have a lot to wish for this holiday with games like Halo 2, Silent Hill Origins, and The Simpson’s Game. However, gift givers may have a difficult time finding these in the stores, not to mention finding the correct format (PSP, PS2, XBOX360). Gift givers may want to ask themselves "what happens when the gamer has completed all levels?", the answer usually is collecting dust or propping up windows. The simple solution that pleases both buyer and gamer is a gift certificate to GameFly. GameFly essentially works like Netflix. The gamer selects videogames that he/she would like to play and will receive them within 1-2 days. You can keep the videogames for as long as you want without incurring a late fee. When you’re done ship it back in the envelope it was sent in. It’s as easy as defeating the zombies in Doom! Gift certificates can be purchased for 1-12 months (1 month is $22.95, 2 games out at a time). You may have the gift certificate sent to the recipient via e-mail or print it out and hand deliver.
Happy Gaming!
Posted in Cool Sites, Entertainment, Games, Holiday Specials, Uncategorized
Sep
15
It is reported that to some degree, United States citizens, can trace their lineage to a royal person–if you search long and hard. Along this journey, one may find some savory skeletons in the ancestry closet that can even prove more fun than our proper ancestors and could explain why your favorite aunt has that wonderful wild side. Maybe it is because as citizens of a rather young nation, finding our past not only is worthwhile, but intriguing as well. How come your sister looks so different than you, or why do you have a bump on your nose and no one in your immediate family does? Not all questions have to be monumental in nature, but every little piece of the puzzle gives us a better understanding of ourselves and those around us.
Genealogy is not only an enlightening avocation, but has given rise to the recent craft phenomena, scrapbooking. Now you can add volumes of information to your family tree, by researching online through such sites as Ancestor Hunt© perhaps the largest, free database with additional aids sponsored by the Church of Latter Day Saints and free marriage records at GeneaLinks© , and through Google Search of U.S. government public records,at usgov.google.com© , plus others.
New on the scene is Ancestry.com©, that is a monthly subscription site currently being marketed by the major home shopping network QVC ®for $33.26, one month subscription plus a 12" x 12" family scrapbook kit is included in this price. Or, you can try this new site by taking advantage of a free two-week trial offer with an initial membership for a month of $19.95, which can be canceled at any time. This site offers both U.S. and Worldwide searches.
History tells us that in order to understand the present or the future, first look to the past. Here is a family history preservation and pastime that can be enjoyed by all for free or for a minimal investment, depending upon your time allocation.
*tintype courtesy of base10, flickr™
Posted in Cool Sites, Crafty Find, Education, Electronics, Freebies, Uncategorized
Aug
27

Looking for some hot, inexpensive bling? Try back at the checkout where you will find some real markdowns. MDM found $14.50 necklaces for 27¢, and a leather belt for 47¢ at Old Navy! Makes one scratch their head on how they arrived at these markdown prices. Many summer togs that you can wear into Fall are at 50% off and there is a special selection of apparel at 75% off. Great look coming this Fall is the long tunic/dress w/ long sleeves and turtleneck, worn alone or with tights or leggings. Online savings as well– It’s worth shopping for some back to school bargains here.
This year color Fall at MOA with black, berry, teal, grey, plus the ever popular animal prints. The trapeze dress is still popular and the hot word going into Fall is "layering, layering, layering!" Also, the preppy look, the military look, and supersized handbags are getting a lot of play.
►Click Here for MDM’s MOA Latest Window Fashions Slideshow

MDM was real excited about the jewelry store For Love 21 where you can find hot and trendy inexpensive accessories including trendy jewelry and handbags. Clearance items are located on back wall next to checkout, but you’ll probably get excited about the regular inventory since these prices are extremely low for the look.
Nordstrom’s Rack is looking a little thin on markdowns, but they are taking inventory this week and plan on having a Plenty Under Twenty Sale starting August 30th.
MDM stopped by the Twin City Grill for a late supper on Saturday night. The service was quite good, but
unless you have reservations, expect a 15 minutes wait–which wasn’t bad considering it was a Saturday evening. Known for it steaks, MDM ordered their French Dip which comes with vinegar and salt french fries. The food was tasty, however, MDM would like to make a recommendation that would improve this dish and that is to serve it on artisan bread with a hard crust–it would hold up better with the au jus. For an added sparkle to seating arrangements, select the booths with the mirrored backing and rich wood tones for a vintage Hollywood feeling.
*Editorial: MOA has made some progress on accessibility by installing automatic door openers. However, the only problem is that the size of the door that now opens with an automatic button is regular size and requires some maneuvering for passage through by a wheelchair.
Posted in Cool Sites, Fashion for Less, Frugal Gastronome, New Trendy Items, Notes from the Mall, Uncategorized
Jun
01
Site #2 On MDM’s Twin Cities Tour is the Baja del Sol District of St. Paul, Minnesota.
A smiling Sun on the street overpass greets the visitor to this district and the El Amanecer Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy authentic Mexican food. Located at 194 Cesar Chavez Street in St. Paul, Minnesota 55107(#651-291-0758). 
Most dishes are under $10 and noontime specials are certainly worthy of a leisurely lunch–you won’t want to rush through the savory delectible offerings of this restaurant! For dinner MDM had Fajitas de Camaron/shrimp fajitas and thoroughly enjoyed the jumbo seasoned grilled shrimp in its’ bed of green peppers, onions, tomatoes served with guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo & tortillas.
Although the margaritas by the glass are quite large, you can order the drink by the pitcher–make sure you bring along someone to drive!
On weekends there is live music. With smiling and pleasant servers, this is a wonderful dining experience at reasonable price in the large urban area of the Twin Cities!
Posted in Cool Sites, Entertainment, Frugal Gastronome, Uncategorized
May
16
Can’t wait for the final episode of the Shrek triology? Go to the Shrek movie homepage and enjoy playing fun filled Shrek Games, such as the Shrek Memory Game and Sudoku…at least until the movie comes out. Shrek the Third opens May 18th!
Posted in Cool Sites, Freebies, Games, Uncategorized