Don't forget Comcast

Those of you with Comcast High Speed Internet who got discounted service last time I posted about this, well your 6 months is probably up, so don't forget to jump in again.

As a reminder, here's how it works.

Assuming you have Standard Cable or better, usually for High Speed Internet you're paying about $45. However, that's the uninformed person's price. If you are informed, you can usually get a $20->$25 discount for the next couple months.

My current deal, though not the best, is $24.99 for the next 3 months.

Here's how I got it.

1-800-COMCAST
press 1 for English
then * for representative

Rep: Hello, how may I help you.
Me: Hi, I've seen a bunch of advertisements for $19.99 on . I was wondering if you have any similar promotions?
Rep: Well, we only have a $24.99 one right now.
Me: For how long?
Rep: 3 months.
Me: OK, can you add that to my account?
Rep: Hmmm, sure, what's your name?
(...etc)

I think I may have trapped this rep into giving it to me because if I had stated I was a customer beforehand, they might have just said, no promotions currently. Anyway, using this format of questioning, I am now 2 for 2 in reductions. Go on, give it a shot. It only takes up like 5 minutes of your time. Then repeat 3 months later.

Friends and Family again 1/19-1/22

Footlocker and company are at it again.

Footlocker
Footaction
Champs

McNuggets Regional?

Looks like the $0.99 6 pc nugget deal may only be happening in NYC.

Bummer.

Maxing your credit cards

OK, so this is a little early to be thinking about this, as it is often best to be done at the end of the year when your credit cards haven't reached their yearly redemption limit, but for those that don't like to cram at the end, this will be good knowledge now.

Assuming you have one (or more) of those 5% credit cards for Grocery stores and drug stores, you should _definitely_ be aware of the following.

Safeway sells Gift Cards to such places as Nordstrom's, Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Sportmart/Oshman's/Sports Authority, Jamba Juice, Chili's just to name a few. Normally, with your credit card you can only get 1% back at such establishments. However, if you buy a Gift Card at Safeway (or CVS Pharmacy for you east coasters), you will instead be getting 5% back.

Let's say you wanted to buy a $100 chainsaw at Home Depot. If you go there with your credit card, you would only get $1 (1% back) making the purchase $99 (let's assume no tax).
However, if you bought the $100 GC from Safeway, you'd only be spending $95 on that $100 chainsaw. Such an easy way to make an extra couple bucks.

Now, for some of you with only one of these credit cards, if you come close to maxing out the $300 redemption per calendar year, then you might be hesitant to do this, but if you instead don't even come close to the limit or have two such cards, then don't forget this come December!

Not exactly healthy...

But who said this was a site for health.

So I read in an article that the Fast Food chains are scrapping their "premium" and "specialty" campaigns and moving back to "value".
What does this mean for us?
Well, starting Tuesday, $0.99 6 pc chicken McNuggets nationwide.
Double Cheeseburger also $0.99

BK will join in the fray at some point with a $0.99 Whopper Jr.
Jack in the Box will offer 2 tacos for $0.99
KFC will promote the hell out of their already $0.99 Snackers.

I guess, there goes your New Year's Resolutions. =)

Tax time

With the new year upon us, you'll start seeing tons and tons of deals for Tax software.

I found one that seems relatively painfree, but I don't know how long it lasts.

Here are the sorta-details.

From staples.com buy:

MS Money Deluxe for $39.99
TaxCut Deluxe w/state for $29.9x

After you get the confirmation email.
Submit an easy rebate at www.stapleseasyrebates.com for $10 back on the TaxCut.
There's also a mail in rebate for $40 for the MS Money Deluxe (contingent on the TaxCut purchase)

Now here's the kicker.

Find the Live Customer Service link on Staples.com
Once you're there, ask the service rep for a price match for your two products.
MS Money Deluxe is selling for $18.72 at Sam's Club (available online).
Walmart in Milpitas sells the TaxCut package for $19.77

All I did was mention Walmart and Sam's Club and the prices listed above, and the lady gave me a $37+ credit for the price match and tax.

So...
$39.99 + $29.99 - $10 - $37 -$40 = -$17 + tax. You win!

You can also add a $59.99 briefcase set for free ($59.99 rebate)
Check out this Fatwallet thread for more details.

Remember buy first. Wait for confirmation email, _then_ PM.