|Insider Tips on How to Maximize Your Dollar

I’d like to introduce Gen-A’s newest discount partner, Golfsmith (who just happens to be having a big Labor Day Sale!)

I could tell you all about Golfsmith’s 40+ years in business and how they have nearly 30,000 individual golf and tennis products in stock and ready to ship, but in my moneysaving mind, all you really need to know is that they have a big Pre-Owned section!  This week’s feature: save $200 on a pre-owned Callaway X-22 Tour Iron Set.

 If you are a Gen-A member and would like access to their sales and specials, just log in to the Gen-A site, click on the Benefits tab, scroll down and click on the Golfsmith logo.

You will see a banner for the Golfsmith Outlet store where they are having a Semi Annual Sale and Clearance Event; you can save 10 – 60% off original prices + free shipping on orders of $99 or more!

Here’s a sampling of some of the items currently on sale at their online outlet store:

• TaylorMade 2009 Burner Tp driver was $399.00, now $129.98 (save $270.00)
• Nike Dymo Squared Driver, was $299.99, now $129.99 (save $170.00)
• Never Compromise Gm2 Exchange Putter was $229.99, now $59.99 (save $170.00)

 Plus, you can save up to 60% on golf apparel, as well as additional savings on golf shoes, accessories, balls and bags.

One thing you should know about Golfsmith is that they’re extremely customer oriented.  Here’s why I say that:

• They have $5.99 flat rate shipping every day.
• 115% Low Price Guarantee:  Golfsmith.com will match 100% of a published price on a stocked item PLUS an additional 15% of the difference from a competing web site on any identical, in-stock item.
• 90/90 Playability Guarantee:  If for any reason you are not satisfied within the first 90 days after your club purchase, return your clubs to Golfsmith and receive a credit of up to 90% of the original purchase price toward your next club purchase.

 GO FORTH AND GOLF!

For 3 Days Only!  Get $100 in free dining when you spend $100 at Advance Auto Parts.  This offer will be valid Saturday, August 28 and will end after Monday, August 30th .  If you are a member of Gen-A and would like to take advantage of this offer, or to find out more information, simply log in to the Gen-A website, click on the Benefits tab, and then click on Advance Auto Parts.  Remember, since it doesn’t start until tomorrow, it’s not yet posted on our site . . . but come Saturday morning, grab your cup of coffee and log in to get your deal!

It’s called Group Discount Buying and it’s become a favorite of Internet bargain hunters.

My first experience with this: When I lived in LA I used to get a particular type of facial that was difficult to find here in Austin; and when I finally did find it, I also found that it cost twice as much here as it did in LA! 

That is, until I found out about Group Discount Buying.  I was able to buy it at a 50% discount, which brought it down to the price I was used to paying.  It was about this time I decided to make these discounts available on the Gen-A website, these are the types of deep savings that I like to pass on to our members!

On the Generation America website  (you will need to be a member and be logged in to access these) we have links in our Benefits section for Groupon and LivingSocial. 

LivingSocial offers one fantastic deal every day with discounts of up to 90% at local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters and more.

Groupon features daily deals from top local businesses in over 140 cities around the world. It has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and was named the #1 Hottest Website for 2010 by Fox Business News.

How it works: you will need to sign up to get on their email lists—each day they’ll email you what their daily deal is, which is always at least 50% off on some of your favorite restaurants and activities.  They aren’t in every city however—although both of them are adding new locations all the time—so check to see if your city is included (if it’s not you can send them a request to add yours ASAP!).

For example, today’s deal (for Austin, TX) on LivingSocial is: two private horseback riding lessons for $49, which is 62% off the regular price of $130.  Groupon’s deal today is: pay $10 for $20 worth of Mexican Brunch or Lunch at Carlos Santana’s restaurant: Maria Maria.

As a final note, I’ll share my thoughts on using coupons—they only really work to save you money if you use them on things you already buy, or have budgeted for in advance.  In your efforts to “save money”, you could be easily enticed to purchase things that you don’t normally consume–resulting in frivolous purchases that eat up your available cash, so please proceed with a certain amount of caution!

Free stuff rocks!

Audible listeners have always been able to download audiobooks to their iPhones and play the content, but with Audible’s new free app, users can now access their entire Audible library on their iPhone or iPod Touch!

You can also find out about the next author chat, upcoming releases and more right on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Get Audible anytime, anywhere on your mobile phone! Learn More.

Free music still exists!  Login to the Generation America website , click on the Benefits tab, scroll down to the iTunes logo and click on it—you’ll see a special offer from iTunes for a “Free Single of the Week”.  This is a great deal…nothing beats FREE!