Retailers trying to salvage this summer’s sales are using a number of campaigns to get your attention. Here are a few deals recommended by Markdown Mom:

Deal: BOGO-Buy One Get One Free and variations-is showing up more frequently. JCPenney® instore has a buy 1 get 1 for $1.00 on its’ entire stock of bed pillows this week including posturepedic and egyptian pillows.

Deal: Target® is holding Dollar Week. Now is the time to stock necessary sundries like detergent, TP, storage totes for college bound students, and the popular Magic Bullet® 17 pcs. set for $45.

Deal: Sony Cyber Shot DSCS 730 7.2 MP digital camera. Best price: instore at Shopko® $119.99 with card. Price good through Thursday, July 17, 2008.

Looks can help deceive. We have found solutions to organize those cable lines, but how about the surge protector? If you are like Markdown Mom, you have a surge protector that has a couple of phone lines, and extra co-axils for various electronic equipment, plus plug-ins for computer equipment and a lamp or two. Looks kind of ugly under that desk, but this is the price of technology, right?

Well, it needn’t be. Pre-order this hot item from Charles & Marie this cable box for $30 will hide that ugly surge protector or power strip neatly.

Got style? Don’t lose it with ugly electronic cords staring at you like a cephalapod. tentacles are controlled, and it keeps pets and small children protected.

Laptops are a go anywhere computer. Well, almost–it’s true that they are heavier than notebooks, but for many of us with limited space in our environs, we first choose a laptop over a desktop because of its’ flexibility. However, since the keyboard and monitor are all in one unit, a computer desk isn’t the answer for at home use and you can’t keep it on your lap for very long otherwise it starts to overheat. So, you use it at a regular desk and inevitably your head is bent over your work–sometimes hours at a time, yee gads! It sure does hurt when you finally look-up. Now there is a laptop stand that not only cools your laptop, but is ergonomically angled so that you won’t have another pain in the neck other than the assignment or project you’re working on.

Made by Team Field, Ltd. of China, include the following description and specs:

The Mall was full this weekend since kids were on breaks and when you’re on break you either go to Fort Lauderdale or chill out at the mall, right? One would think that there would be great sale enticements; however, with a few exceptions to find the real bargains you are better off to save the gas and shop online.

One exception was Sears. They are having an additional 60% off clearance prices and a top with a retail of $35 with the additional 60% off was being sold for $5! Look for the round racks marked clearance in the traffic areas of the clothing departments. For the holidays next year, pick-up their make-up and nail kits which are half-priced at $9-$10. Also,check out prom dresses here some really lovely styles are available.

Lane Bryant instore clearance had t-shirts marked $9.99, priced $4.99 online.

Wal*Mart has some great electronic deals starting with the Garmin® nüvi® 200 GPS Navigation System daily tech deal $198.88, Sony® 32″ LCD HDTV daily tech deal $796. Prices are good through April 5, 2008.

Target™ is carrying Bare Escentuals kits priced at $49.00 includes basic eyes. Plus 75% off remaining Easter items.

Tech fans meet chic with the new high powered Dell Inspiron.

Now Dell is offering an instant savings sale of $195.00 for a limited time.

I do not know how long they will keep this link up, so if you want this deal, you better act fast. So with the instant savings, the laptop will cost you $599.00 for most colors. However, the Jet Black model is $25.00 off.

Only $574 for the Jet Black model - Click Here.

Oh yeah, it gets better with free shipping. Enjoy!

Full specs:

• Intel® Celeron® 540 (1MB cache/1.86GHz/533Mhz FSB)
• Genuine Windows Vista ® Home Premium Edition
• Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280×800)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
• 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
• Size: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
• CD / DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
• Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card
• No Webcam Option
• 56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
• High Definition Audio 2.0
• My Software & Accessories
• Anti-virus: No Subscription (30-day trial)
• Microsoft Works
• Integrated 10/100 Network Card
• Integrated Modem
• Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1

I’m going to get the "Spring Green" to match the headers of my site.

MDM
The Bargain Diva

OTHER LAPTOP COMPUTER PRICES & DEALS

Okay, you woke up late, you couldn’t find the slacks that goes with the suit, you have an early morning meeting– you’re in a hurry and 2 bars seem enough–not pubs–on your cell phone.  Going to lunch, you see the absolute perfect shirt in the window for your friend!  Easy,  whip out the cell phone and make call.  Um-m-m, no reception,–you twirl around trying to pick-up the signal, oh-oh, the !@%&%$# is dead, no bars, no dial tone, no contact list, nothing!  What to do?

Crank it up!  This new gadget, gives you 5-6 minutes of phone time for every 2 minutes of cranking.  The Side Winder™ portable cell phone charger for $29 at GAIAM® is a must!   Perfect for the graduate joining the business world, to keep track of kids, for anyone on the move in this mobile age.

Wal*Mart has this great 7 MP Polaroid i733LP 3x optical zoom lens, and 4x digital zoom, 2.5" LCD screen, pictures can be enlarged to 16" x 20."  Great camera for the hobbyist. Comes in pink or gold,steal price $99.84, in stores and online. Free shipping on electronics from site to store.

For those of us who are still getting lost, Markdown Mom found the top deals deals for these two portable GPS systems by Garmin:

Garmin Nuvi 260 w/ 3.5" Screen

1.  Garmin Nuvi 260 great price through ErwinComp.com tech deal price $242.95 + free shipping when you  use Google Checkout, Promo Code GFSPROMO. 

2.  Garmin Nuvi 260 at  Action GPS® for $246.95 + free shipping. 

3.  Garmin Nuvi 260 at QVC® $248.00 +$7.72 shipping=$255.72.  5 easy pays of $49.60 plus tax & shipping.  Price w/easy pays good only today!

Markdown Mom is mobile like most of the U.S. and the world, but one thing that bites is remembering to recharge the old cell phone.  Now the best place would be at the bedside except inevitably MDM ends up having to search behind the headboard for the plug-in, or behind a nightstand.  At any rate, the extra effort results in occasional noncompliance and a dead phone!  Been there? 

Well,  MDM found this terrific hot site  with a cool answer to this problem.  At Charles & Marie get this Knicks Cable Holder Colors and never lose your cell phone charger, laptop cable, iPod charger or whatever again!  Stand clips on to your table, thread the cable through the opening on the stand and it is there for when you need it.  Comes in two sizes:  small for tables up to 1 inch and Large for tables up to 1.75 inches.    How great is that? 

Comes in emergency orange, fire engine red, and snow white.  At only $10.00 plus sh (appears at this writing to be a $10 flat fee), think of all the aggravation you will save yourself and time–and time is money as we know.  Plus add the white or red to a box of chocolates for  tekkie love on  Valentine’s Day.  MDM picked the emergency orange for her needs. 

This is just a sample of some really hot, trendy items to be found at this site and warrants their justified self-billing as the quintessential lifestyle navigators.

With the writers guild on strike, Markdownmom thought she had become a permanent resident of Wisteria Lane.  Luckily, the ringing in of the New Year means returning shows and some late night talk show writers.  Since many shows like, LOST, 24, Ugly Betty, etc. , will be airing at the same time, MDM says now is the time to upgrade your TV arsenal and get a TiVo®.  The best TiVo® available at a great price is the Series2 Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder with 80-Hour Capacity.  The Series2 allows you to record two shows at the same time, MDM plans to tape the 24 premier and the Jane Austen special on Masterpiece Theater!  MDM has listed the best sites she found to purchase the TiVo® Series2 Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder with 80-Hour Capacity.

1) Amazon.  The original TiVo® cost is $215.99 but Amazon is offering Free Shipping and $150.00 Rebate.  The final cost of the TiVo is $65.99.  The rebate can be done online or through the mail.

2)  Best Buy.  Best Buy has TiVo® priced at $249.99 but, like Amazon, has a $150.00 Rebate.  In addition, you can sign up for the Best Buy Reward Zone and earn points.  TiVo® with rebate is $99.99.  The item is on backorder so you will have to wait a few weeks for TiVo® to ship.  Offer ends 1/26/08.

3)  TiVo.com.  TiVo® is also priced at $99.99 but the site also has service plans.  Service plans range from 1 month to three years.  MDM likes the service plan for 1 year at $129.00.  Offer expires 02/02/08.

4)  Target.  The Series2 runs at $249.99.  Target offers a 10 percent  discount when you spend $100 or more in electronics.  Discount is only available for online orders.  Final Series2 price is $229.99.

5)  Ebay.  What can’t you find on eBay?  On eBay you can find TiVo® running from $10.51 to $399.00.  Beware: Check shipping costs.  Shipping can be anywhere from $45.96 to $65.00. 

Many online retailers are offering daily deals and Shop NBC has joined their ranks with this great computer combo from Acer.  Laptops are good on-the-road and when space is an issue, but desktops still have a place in our communications network for capability and ease of use.  Get an Acer T180 AMD Athlon 64 2.4 GHz Desktop Package with 17"Monitor steal today only at $779.94 and $100 mail-in rebate=final cost of $679.94+sh, plus under $130/month on 6 value pays.

Desktop PC Features

Acer 17" Widescreen LCD Monitor included

In 2002, MIT Professor Nicholas Negroponte had an epiphany of sorts.  He saw first-hand how a laptop computer transformed the lives of children and their families in a Cambodian village.  The addition of a computer into their lives gave a poor community access to education and the outside world. His goal was to place in each child’s hands a computer that was virtually indestructible.  He conferred with experts and developed an XO computer that in many ways is the cutting edge of computer technology.  Waterproof,  wireless, dustproof and dropproof, energy-efficient , at 3.2 lbs this computer is lightweight, but a heavy weight in its’ design and applications.  Built-in video camera, microphone, graphics tablet, memory card slot, and game pad controllers are just a few of its’ features. 

This month you can purchase the XO Computer in their Give One,Get One campaign at Laptop Giving.org.  For $399, you get one XO computer valued at $200, and another one will be donated to a child and you will receive a $200 tax donation.  Great computer, great buy, and great incentive, but you must hurry as offer is good only until December 31st.

Help change the world one computer at a time!

Who says you can’t be a technocrat and have a happenin’ style?  This fine 5-1 Vistaquest VQ-DV7 camcorder does it all in style and more.  It’s a camcorder, digital camera, MP3, voice recorder, and webcam all in one!  It’s worth the money even if it was only a 7MP camera, but with all these options including hot colors such as pink, blue, and silver–you can’t go wrong!  A steal at $76.00 from Wal*Mart, and want to save more money?  If you can’t find it in your local store, have it delivered to your local Wal*Mart store and pay "O" zero for shipping. 

There’s always one person in the family who gives the coolest gifts; why can’t it be you this year?

After a cursory review of Black Friday Ads, the main push by retailers is in electronics; however, although the bigger LCD HD flat screens are a given item for promotion, this year you have your pick of GPS units ranging from low end of $120 to $200.  Obviously, retailers want to attract customers hardest hit by the 90¢ increase in gas prices over last year.  Although, this device won’t help you with your heating bills, it can help you lower your gas consumption.  There are several makes to select from, it just depends on your preference and your wallet.  MDM does suggest that when buying a GPS system a must is a large touch screen,  especially if you are driving unaccompanied, for ease of accessibility.

 One GPS worth your consideration for price and features is at Sam’s Club®.  For all you early birds, Sam opens it doors at 5:00 a.m. and is offering a free continental breakfast until 9:30A.M.  And one of the deals of Black Friday is this Gamin Street Pilot GPS system for only $127.86.  With gas prices so high, this is a perfect gift for the drivers in your family to save time and money by programming their days and finding the shortest route to destinations.  A practical guilt-free gift that will pay for itself. 

Just as MDM suspected the the Nintendo Wii  is finally in stock at Sam’s  and they are bundling it with 3 Wii motes, 3 Nunchucks, and 4 games for $494.44.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Despite a torrential rainstorm in the Twin Cities today with cloud bursts impairing visibility, driver’s could still be clocked at doing 10+ MPH over the speed limit.  Little do they realize how speed on very wet surfaces can result in hydroplaning and losing control of your vehicle, not to mention how hitting standing areas of water can stall an engine with the upward surge.  But even with all that, what really bites, is the car passing  MDM on the right shoulder, speeding, and talking on a cell phone all at the same time.  We all know of the recent studies that conclude talking on a cell phone while driving does not mix.   

MDM hopes that with this driver and others making similar decisions will take advantage of the free headset being offered by Free Headset.org.  Since 2003 this organization to promote safe driving has been giving away free headsets and the only charge to you is the minimal charge of $3.94 for sh anywhere in the world.  These are quality headsets to match your phone.  Only headset that will cost you $24, about half the regular  retail price, is a wireless bluetooth headset; otherwise, the others are FREE!

And for you text messengers, Pinger.com  lets you trade voice messages with any other cell phone FREE, so that you can keep all your faculties tuned into what’s happening on the road, and not fumbling with your phone.

Pimp out your MySpace® site with FREE GRAPHICS  from  Free My Space Graphics.com, animation, glitter, movie themes and more.  Also, bookmark this site  Whatever Life.com  has 3000 FREE Designs to select from plus tutorials.