Coming Soon!

I have been evaluating my blog and desperately trying to initiate some structure, so over the next week or two, I will be implementing regular weekly posts. These will include:

Financial Aid Fridays: Information on how to apply for financial aid, the types available, deadlines, and Q & A on how to fully take advantage of all that you qualify for.

Super Saver Sundays: Working with the days that most store circulars and coupons are released, I will be posting store & online deals on Sundays, beginning Sunday 8/24.

Techie Tuesdays: The newest, the hottest, the most popular electronics to help you make it through the next 4-8 years!

Any suggestions? I would love to hear them and possibly feature them in my next post! Please feel free to address any comments, questions, concerns, or feedback in the comments section.

Class Registration

Like many of you, I am rushing to get enrolled in Fall courses. Remember, classes fill up quick so don't procrastinate! If you are wait-listed or a course is closed, don't be discouraged. Email the instructor expressing to them you are interested in the course, verify the first meeting date and time, and note that you would like to petition the course. Next step, be on time...be early even. We all know that a college campus is most crowded and parking is limited during the first week of courses. Many instructors offer open seats on a First Come First Serve basis. If you aren't accepted to enroll after the first class meeting, attend the second and third as well. Many students are still re-arranging their schedules during the first few weeks and chances are approximately 1/5 of the students attending on the first day, will end up dropping. Good luck!

Deal Shopping 101

Saving on everything from school supplies to cosmetics and toiletries is great whenever possible. Especially with "Back To School" approaching quickly for me (September 2nd!), lab fees and parking permits are putting a big hole in my wallet. There are a handful of local stores I frequent weekly, coupons in hand, and a meticulous list compiled of all items I intend to buy, for nothing or almost nothing.

Let's begin with Rite Aid. Rite Aid has a few ways of saving. If you subscribe to the Sunday Newspaper, begin with clipping coupons from the Smart Source, Red Plum, and P&G Saver booklets included. These coupons are often good for a few months, so if you don't use them on this shopping trip, hang onto them for the next! Store sales and promotions may not always coincide with when these manufacturer's coupons are disbursed.

Secondly, visit www.riteaid.com and enroll in their Single Check Rebate program. Each month they post rebate offers. Add your preferred items to your grocery list and once you return from shopping, enter your receipt online to qualify for the rebate. Once a month, you can request your rebate check to be cut. (I typically request this the last day of the month to ensure I have taken full advantage of all the offers that I can).

Lastly, Rite Aid has weekly advertised sales and most often has a second circular available in store with additional coupons. Keep an eye out for items that are on sale in store that have Single Check Rebate Offers available, as well as a manufacturers coupon! You can use all three in conjunction and maximize your savings.

I am big on BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) items. For example, this week Rite Aid has advertised St Ives Skin & Bath products BOGO. I also have a manufacturer's coupon from the Smart Source two weeks back for BOGO St Ives Elements Products. When used together, I got both products free, a retail value of $6.99 each!

Here are a few other deals for this week:

St Ives Elements BOGO Free: All St Ives Skin & Bath Products are BOGO Free, plus I used a coupon from Smart Source from 2 weeks ago for BOGO (retail $6.99 each) = $0.00

BeFine Food Skincare: At the front of my local Rite-Aid they had the Single-Serving Facial Masks for $1.99 each. In the Rite-Aid In-Store Coupon Circular, there is a $5 Off Any Befine Products Coupon. So 5 Befine Products x $1.99 - (2) $5 Off Coupons = $0.00

L'Oreal HIP Cosmetics: Right Now, the new L'Oreal Hip Products are BOGO Free. With a $1.00 Off any L'oreal Eye Products from last week's Smart Source, it comes out to 2 for $6, regular retail $7 each! = $6.00

Revlon Cosmetics: Right now, Revlon Cosmetics are also BOGO Free. With a $1.00 Off any Revlon Color Cosmetic coupon from last week's Smart Source, the Single Color Eye shadows come out to 2 for $3.29, retail $4.29 each! = $3.29

Happy Shopping!

"Never Pay Full Price"

My motto, which applies on everything from books, to school supplies, to clothing, and even electronics, is "Never Pay Full Price". I worked in retail right out of high school and quickly learned that every item will eventually go on sale, if not on clearance. Most often, items are rotated in Retail Stores to go on sale once every four to eight weeks. With a little patience, you can save a lot of money. With school coming up and money being paid out for tuition, housing and lab fees, it is important to save the money wherever possible. Now, I am usually weary of Affiliate Programs and try to conduct as much research on one before joining. I do not believe in endorsing products or services I do not utilize or purchase myself as well. This one...is great.

Click on the Ebates.com Logo Above To Enroll & Receive A $5 Bonus!

I was referred to try Ebates.com by a family member. The "$5 for you" offer was mighty enticing, I must say! After all, they send you a check after your balance is only $10, meaning I only had to earn $5 in rebates. Ebates.com is free to sign up and never asks for personal information other than a name and address to mail your check to. They have 900+ merchants to shop at. Let's see: Target, Office Depot, Apple Store, American Eagle...looks to be all of my favorites. A few purchases of school supplies and back-to-school clothes and I received a check in the mail for $16.78. Now that is free money!

Buy A Mac For College, Get A Free iPod!

It’s the smartest way to start off the school year. If you’re a college student, faculty, or staff member and you buy a Mac before September 15, you can get a free iPod Touch or iPod nano. After all, isn’t college about seizing every opportunity? I took advantage of this offer about a month ago and have not looked back. The 8 gb iPod Touch itself is $300! As each new iPod is released, I always feel my 2-year old 60 gb Classic iPod is outdated. The great thing about this deal is that you can upgrade to an iPod with more memory and regardless of its size, still receive the Apple $300 rebate, i.e 16 gb is $399 or $99 after rebate and the 32 gb is $499 or $199 after rebate. I also notice the popularity of Macs at my college opposed to PC's. In my opinion, a great reliable computer!

Weekly Poll

Every week, I will be posting a poll in the right navigation bar. This week, we are asking you what your msot important piece of technology is. Unfortunately, it is too hard of a decision for myself. My Mac is a must-have for late-night essay writing. But then again, i wouldn't be able to get through those cram sessions without the Killer's Album "Sam's Town" or a double shot of espresso. Let's hear what you think!

Back To School!

Welcome to College Boulevard, a companion for your college experience. Whether you are planning to attend college, are already enrolled, or are a graduate student, as a fellow college student, I strive to help you out. Financial Aid questions? Insights on new technology? Steals on textbooks and school supplies? Find all of this and more here! Your college experience can be hard enough, whether it be at a community college, University, or graduate school. We can guarantee anytime you log on, you'll find all the information you need...and more! Enjoy!