Where there's a Goodwill, there's a Ebay.

Did you know you can shop Seattle Goodwill online at Ebay? It's true! They have books, cameras, clothing, pottery and glass, and more... and if you live in the area, you can skip the shipping charges and pick-up in stores on weekdays from 9 to 4 (you just have to let them know when you purchase, so they can adjust your invoice).

All the bargains and none of the smelly hobos = win!

Coldwater cheap.

I know it's an old-lady store, but Coldwater Creek has 50% off EVERYTHING on their website (offer code SAVEBIG). Perfect for the elderly woman in your life, or, you know, they do have some pretty nice jewelry on there sometimes. I'm just saying.

Candle, for the win

Yankee Candles has a pretty good sale on their holiday-themed candles. In addition to $1, $3, $5, and $7 clearance candles and decor, and 50% off gift sets, they have medium jar candles at 2/$20 and large jar candles at $2/25. Using the promo code 96F99M takes an extry $10 off, so you can get two large jar candles for $15 (a large jar is normally $25!). Shipping is a flat $6 for orders under $100, so you can stock up online if your enthusiasm for cozy winter fragrances hasn't melted away yet.

Also, over at Illuminations, they're offering a buy-one-get-one-free sale on their holiday scents, including the Vanilla Mint fragrance I'm so fond of. Large and medium jars are BOGO, and mini jars and tealight sets are 50% off. Be aware, though, that this sale is just online - there are VERY limited supplies in stores and not all the same things are on sale. Boooo.

Merry Day-after-Xmas

It's the day after Xmas, so I don't have to tell you that there will be a post-holiday sale frenzy happening all over town. But there may be some semi-secret deals out there, too...

At fancy-fresh bath product retailer Lush, all the big Xmas gift boxes have to go, because they can't be sold next year with all those natural, perishable ingredients. All holiday gift sets are buy-one-get-one-free, or you can buy one bar of holiday soap and get two holiday soaps/bath bombs free.

More penny-pinching deals as I hear about them. Happy post-holiday saving!

West Seattle coupons, starring a free latte

Courtesy of the West Seattle Blog, here's a page of current coupons for the West Seattle area. The best one is for the free 12 oz. latte at Hotwire, but if you're still plugging away at your Xmas shopping, you might like the 10% off at Square One Books, 20% off one item at Click!, or 25% off all toys at Curious Kidstuff.

My Great Depression.

Yes, I like something for nothing, and in the current hobo-making economic climate, perhaps you too are discovering the delights of burying your savings in a coffee can in the backyard, or heating up a dented can of beans over a trash fire. If so, then my new (mainly Seattle-centric) Hard Times Newsletter is for you! Enjoy... and feel free to pass on tips if you know of free/cheap happenings.


1. Great deals on over 140 magazine subscriptions at Amazon! With an extra $5 off, many are under $10 for a year.

2. Through King County's "Waste Free Holidays" program, save 15 to 50% off of museum memberships, theater tickets, and gift certificates to a variety of local businesses.

3. The Gingerbread Village is now on display at the downtown Sheraton (6th & Pine), this year with a superhero theme.

4. Visit the Fairmont Hotel's Teddy Bear Suite and giant 25-ft decorated Xmas tree (4th & University), for free.

5. December 22 and 29 - Starbux Free Skate Mondays at the Seattle Center Ice Rink.

6. Every day through Dec. 31, check out the free Winter Train & Village and outdoor light display (after dusk) and the carousel ($1) at the Seattle Center.