McDonald's Gift Cards - 20% Off For a LImited Time

Through this week, GiftCardRescue.com is selling McDonald's gift cards at 20% off.  They are even throwing in free shipping with the purchase of $90 or more. Make Ronald McDonald a happy clown, and make your Happy Meals a little happier by saving some cash.

Bazando No Longer Offers Cash Back at Plastic Jungle

Bazando, is one of the leading cash back portals that I have recommended, and the best if you shop online in the UK, France, or Germany.  It has also been my favorite "go to" site for buying gift cards at Plastic Jungle, a discount reseller of gift cards which I have also recommended.  Bazando offered 3% cash back on top of the already decent discounts offered by Plastic Jungle.  Well, that relationship apparently is no more.  That is too bad for us consumers.  However, one can still get 1% cash back through Mr. Rebates for purchase of discount gift cards at Cardpool.  Cardpool's discounted prices often matched or even exceed those of Plastic Jungle, so there is still some hope out there.

Amex Daily Wishes: 50% off Ford Fusion hybrid + 50% off Whole Foods

This week, American Express Daily Wish is serving up some fine gift card deals for Whole Foods.  If you are an Amex cardholder, you should check out these deals, which are coming up on Wednesday, and see if you can grab one.  The offers are limited in quantity, so you have to be fast!  For example, Amex is offering ninety $100 gift cards to Whole Foods when you spend $200; one hundred seventy five $50 gift cards when you spend $100, and three hundred $25 gift cards when you spend $50.  Each translates into a 50% savings on your next trip to the grocery store.

  On Thursday, they have come up with an even more spectacular deal.  They are offering 2 2011 Ford Fusion hybrid automobiles at 50% off MSRP.  This represents a potential savings of $14,450! Now wouldn't that be a nice Easter present, and easy on the environment as well.  To see all of the Daily Wish offerings, just go to their website at http://dailywish.amexnetwork.com.

New Cashback Websites With a Twist - Buy Nothing Extra and Get Cash Back

With the latest Internet trend of offering cash back, along comes a couple of new startup websites with a different twist.   Both sites are predicated on learning your existing purchasing habits, so as to gear specific offers based on where you already shop.  Targeted demographic information like that is extremely valuable to merchants, and they are willing to make it worth your while (in the form of cash or cash savings) to share where you buy your groceries or gas.  We will take a look at both sites.
Offermatic
Offermatic is a new cash back website that offers targeted 50% off coupons to merchants you already patronize.  At the initial level, this translates into $5 off a $10 purchase, offered every couple weeks.  At level 2, the deals get even better, with $10 off a $20 purchase.  There is even a 3rd level.  Users attain the higher levels by referring new customers, giving reviews of their shopping experiences and twittering about their deals.  I am only 5 referrals away from reaching a Level 2, so if this website sounds appealing, sign up via this link and I thank you.  They are offering an additional free $5 off $10 purchase at whatever merchant you use just for signing up.

Envaulted
Envaulted is another startup website that is currently in beta and is not open to new membership at this time.  However, one can get on a waiting list and as new membership slots open, you can receive an invitation to join.  It took me approximately 4 weeks to receive my invitation.  The business model for Envaulted varies slightly from Offermatic, but is intriguing.  Their pitch is simple.  Receive 1% cash back on all your credit card purchases, paid to youby monthly check.  Period.  End of Story.  Nothing extra to buy.They will even increase the cash back during limited time frames for featured vendors.  For example, this week, they offer 20% cash back on all Fandango purchases, and 3% cash back on all Whole Foods purchases.

Credit Card Registration - Both sites require registration of at least one credit or debit card through their secure website so they can analyze your spending patterns and preferred merchants.  This is usually the part that scares off most people; yet in actuality, it is all handled through Yodlee, the same company that Mint.com, Quicken and many of the top banks themselves use.  No personal information is ever requested, and they ask only for the last 4 digits of the credit card. If you currently use online banking, you are probably already using Yodlee's services without knowing it.
   I highly recommend both sites to those of you who feel comfortable with the business models of these firms.  As always, I welcome your comments and what your experiences have been.

Shopping for That Easter Bonnet?

Easter is a time of rebirth, both spiritually and practically speaking.  The grass starts to turn green, trees begin to bud, and Mother Nature seems to awaken from her winter slumber.  So it seems perfectly fitting that we celebrate this time of year with some new clothes.  Maybe not always an Easter bonnet, but perhaps that new colorful outfit or a pair of new shoes.  If the warmer temperatures have put an itch in you to go out and treat you or the family to a wardrobe spruce up, then I've got good news!

Ebates has doubled its cash back rebates on many of the most popular online clothing websites.  I have included their promo ad here.  Just log into Ebates, then head off to your favorite retailer to do some Easter shopping, and save a little cash while you are at it.

Lowes Gift Cards on Sale - 8% off

For the next 48 hours, the gift card reseller Cardpool is offering Lowe's gift cards at 8% off their face value.  Remember that if you go through Mr. Rebates first, you can pick up an additional 1% cash back.  These cards won't last long!  Remember also, that Discover and Chase Freedom cards are offering 5% cash back starting today at all home improvement centers.  While not as good as the gift cards, there should not be any reason why you pay full retail this month for your lawn and garden needs.  Spring has arrived!