How to get the best seats on the airplane

Check out SeatGuru.com and SeatExpert.com to virtually check out your plane and seats in advance. You can find tips on seats that don't recline, have blocked storage, blocked windows, and find out which seats are next to lavatories. Get the most for your money by becoming familiar with your aircraft's configuration and seat locations before requesting a certain seat from the airline.

Another tip is try to get to the airport early and ask for emergency seat. Those are always assigned in person and cannot be requested if you are selecting your seats online.

Basics: Salad Dressings

Simple Vinaigrette Dressing:
Mix 1/2 cup white wine vinegar, 1 clove garlic and 1 chopped shallot in a small bowl. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Mix in 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard. Whisk 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1/2 cup olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 1.5 cups.

Back To School Sales

Every year, around this time, many stores start to have their Back To School Sales. Check out these wonderful deals and stock up:

JULY 4, 2010 WEEK:

Walgreens:
$.19 10 pack Penway Yellow Pencils (limit 3)
$.19 5 pack Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils or 10 pack pens (limit 3)

JULY 11, 2010 WEEK:

CVS:
FREE: Buy Paper Mate 1.2 pens 10 ct. for $.99 get $.99 back (limit 1, 7/11-7/13 only)
FREE: Buy Caliber 5" soft-handle scissors for $.99 get $.99 back (limit 1, 7/11-7/13)
$.10 2 pocket portfolio (limit 10)
Walgreens:
$.09 Novelty Pencil or Splash Mini Highlighter (limit 10, with WG coupon)
$.13 Penway 2 pocket folder with prongs (8 for $1.00, limit 16, with WG coupon)
$.29 Corner Office Legal Pad, 50 sheets, 5x8 or 8.5x11.75 (limit 4, with WG coupon)
$.39 Paper Mate Write Bros. Mechanical Pencils 10 pack (limit 6, with WG coupon)
Staples:
These deals are valid Monday through Wednesday only:
$.01 2 pocket folder with or without fasteners (limit 10, with $5.00 purchase)
$.01 #2 yellow pencils, 8/pack (limit 2, with $5.00 purchase)
$.01 Staples multipurpose paper, 500-sheet ream, 96 bright, 20 lb (after rebate)

Suze Orman and Money Minded Moms

Check out this new site Money Minded Moms. The site offers practical advice and suggestions on saving money:

"Suze Orman is on a mission to help moms manage their money with confidence—freeing them to focus on what really matters. From advice on smart saving and investing to valuable coupons that help you stretch every dollar, MoneyMindedMoms is an everyday resource for moms with financial questions and stories to share.

About Suze Orman:
Suze Orman is undeniably America’s most recognized expert on personal finance. She is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, New York Times mega bestselling author, magazine and online columnist, writer/producer, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world today.

Orman is a contributing editor to “O” The Oprah Magazine, the Costco Connection Magazine and for the last eight years host of the award winning Suze Orman Show, which airs every Saturday night on CNBC. Not only is she the single most successful fundraiser in the history of Public Television, but she has also garnered an unprecedented six Gracie awards, more than anyone in the 34-year history of this prestigious award. The Gracies recognize the nation's best radio, television, and cable programming for, by, and about women.

In May 2009 and May 2008 Time Magazine named Orman as one of the TIME 100, The World’s Most Influential People. In July 2009 Forbes named Orman 18th on their list of The Most Influential Women In Media. In May 2009 Orman was presented with an honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Illinois. In May 2010 she received an honorary doctor of commercial science degree from Bentley University.

Orman who grew up on the South Side of Chicago earned a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois and at the age of 30 was a waitress making $400 a month."

Sign up for the newsletter and download her "5 Simple Ways to Save $500" newsletter.

Also, if you haven't see her show yet, check it out - it's on CNBC every Saturday and is awesome!

Discounted Gift Cards

Verizon Perks is a great way to save up to 20% on many retailer and restaurant gift cards.

Currently, the site offers free shipping and discounts on cards from Staples, Bath & Body Works, 1-800-Flowers, Men's Warehouse, SpaFinder, Land's End, Express, Red Lobster, Sears, Kmart, Regal Entertainment Group, CVS, Kohl's, Barnes & Noble and many others.

You must be Verizon customer to enjoy the savings.

"Green" Rebates and Incentives

For hybrid vehicles rebates, visit FuelEconomy.gov.

For Federal Energy Star Program, visit EnergyStar.gov.

For more rebates and incentives, visit Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), or National Grid.

If you qualify, check out New York Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program.

Free Wedding Templates and Monograms

There are so many websites where you can get invitation templates, monograms and other wedding goodies. And the best part is that all of them are FREE! Yes, I said it, FREE! Check out these sites for fabulous freebies:

Free Monograms, Custom Goodies and Templates from Wedding Chicks. Also, check out their free butterfly wedding invitation here.

Free Downloads from Wedding Style Guide.

More freebies and downloads from Inspired Bride, such as Traditional Monogram Borders, and many more...