CheapTweet Blog

Whether you still have holiday shopping to do or you’ve been done for weeks, Thursday, December 17 is a great day to do some online shopping. December 17 is Free Shipping Day, and it’s one of the best days of the year to stock up on things you need (and maybe even things you don’t). You already know you can avoid the crowds, the lines, and the stress of stores by shopping online, and on December 17 you can also avoid paying for shipping.

Hundreds of online retailers are participating in Free Shipping Day by offering free shipping at their sites. And most of them will guarantee delivery by Christmas. We’re keeping track of all the free shipping offers on CheapTweet. com. And we’ll be posting some of favorite free shipping deals to Twitter from @CheapTweet.

So stay tuned for the best Free Shipping Day deals. And as always, happy shopping and happy saving!

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – shares her second set of recommendations for traveling with your baby during the holidays (see her first set here).  This week she’s focusing on how to make air travel less stressful.

Flying on an airplane with a baby is stressful, period. Everyone wants their children on their best behavior, and the best way to ensure a great, relaxing trip is to be prepared. Here, I have laid out some rules that may help make your holiday travels successful!

Rule #1: Kids get bored when you board early.

Don’t board the plane right way, so avoid sitting in confined spaces as long as possible. If you are flying with someone else, let your flying buddy get your overhead bags on the plane while you and your tot explore near the gate.

Rule #2: Avoid the dreaded screaming baby scene on take off and landing.

Make sure your baby suckles during these times and it will keep the changing air pressure from causing ear pain. If your baby is nursing, this is great because it can also lull your baby to sleep while keeping their ears comfortable. If your toddler is no longer nursing or drinking bottles, do what my friend Becky, mother to three, suggests: treat your child to lollipops. It will make them more cooperative and, if done regularly, will make them excited to go on a trip.

Rule #3: Bring lots of entertainment.

Go for small and soft items (to reduce the desire and minimize the noise that comes with banging your toys). Also avoid toys that make lots of annoying noises. Bring out a new item and remove the previous toy every 20-30 minutes to renew interest and decrease boredom. Here are some ideas to keep your baby entertained.

• Sticker books
• Soft books
• iPhone games like AnimalPuz, Peekaboo Wild and Drum Kit, and Blackberry games like Baby Go
• Simple items like plastic spoons, plastic baby keys, and colorful and cheap bracelets (this is a bonus item because it serves as a fun toy and can be a great accessory for you)

Rule #4: Be prepared for a delay.

Bring lots of dry snacks and drinks. Use a snack catcher to make eating snacks cleaner and take longer.

TSA allows babies to have more than the allotted 3 oz. containers of fluid. You should bring all the fluids you’ll need like milk, juice, and water (do not trust airplane tap water!). During security screening, fluids should be pulled out of the diaper bag and will undergo a vapor test by airport security. I once flew without milk because I thought there would be some on the plane, but evidently, the beverage cart does not carry whole milk. That was a mistake I will not make again.

Rule #5: Get up and stretch with your baby.

Your baby may like to smile at other passengers, and if your tot is learning to walk or crawl, the aisle can allow for a little bit of freedom. I bought my first pacifier clip specifically for traveling.  Previously, on a flight my daughter spit out her pacifier and it landed between a snoring passenger’s legs and I had to reach in and get it. I now use a pacifier clip to avoid those embarrassing moments; here’s one from the Etsy store 3Hands2Hold.

Got other tips for making air travel with a baby easier or less stressful? We’d love to hear them – leave them in the comments!

Thanks to our Twitter followers, here are some great inexpensive gift ideas, perfect for the holidays or any other gift-giving occasion. If you have other suggestions, please leave a comment.

• Fun eco-friendly products, plus a holiday promo & $2 shipping from @guffly
  
• Gifts under $25 from Gifts.com via @NatGold
• Gifts from bustedtees.com, 6dollarshirts.com, thinkgeek.com via @joelkodner
• Reusable water bottles (such as Camelbak and Platypus) are less than $10 via @DuhKeeks
• Pashmina scarves from @AsraiStyle would be perfect gifts for women
• Blue Avocado has bags under $25 for the stylish eco-shopper via @yarnmaven
• @CookiePie0402 has a dessert cookbook for less than $20
• Fireplace DVD, Digital Photo keyring, USB SD card reader, restaurant gift cert., manicure kit, makeup travel case via @NatGold
• Gifts with aloha, under $10 via @KrisBordessa
• @Shopping_List provided a list of inexpensive gift ideas
• @tangerinekitty sells handmade keyfobs, aprons, and pouches that are perfect for women
• iPod/iPhone accessories are available for less than $25, as are iTunes gift cards and DVDs via @saronoff
• Cute shopping bags from @niseema
• @pumpkinpetunias has free printable stationery, so you just need to add envelopes and a pen
• Tasty treats for under $20 via @princesskitten
• RedEnvelope.com via @niseema
• @robynsart says almost everything in her shop is under $25
• @theviolincase has Mini Violin or Cello is $19.50  and beautiful STRAD posters are only $16
• Gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations, salons, or a bottle of wine via @ItsThaTarheeLdy
• Jewelry and accessories from @FidesFashion

Note: This post is part of our holiday sponsorship by Best Buy. Though this is part of an official sponsorship, this content is completely our own.

Have you heard of the Twelpforce? It’s Best Buy’s Twitter-based customer support service.

The Twelpforce’s Twitter account describes itself as “a collective force of Best Buy technology pros offering tech advice in Tweet form.” It’s a giant Twitter account run by actual Best Buy employees who can answer customer questions, help make purchasing decisions and just generally be available when customers need them.

Best Buy employees can voluntarily add their Twitter accounts to the Twelpforce and then whenever they tweet with the hashtag #twelpforce, their tweets become part of the @Twelpforce Twitter account. So, the Twitter account is run by numerous actual Best Buy employees, from all across their stores.

We think the Twelpforce is a great idea. Best Buy employees – Blue Shirts – have the hands-on knowledge and experience that allows them to answer customer questions. And there are lots of times when I might want to ask a question about a product before physically going into a store or making a purchase online. Twitter is a great channel for that. We also think it reflects well on Best Buy that they would trust their employees and let them tweet on Best Buy’s behalf.

How do I use the Twelpforce?

Getting your questions answered by a member of the Twelpforce is really easy. Just log into your Twitter account and tweet your question, starting with @Twelpforce. One of the Twelpforce employees will see it and reply to you. That’s it. It easy, fast, and free. You should try it next time you have a question about a gadget or some electronics. For example, it might be helpful if you’re trying to decide what to get someone this holiday season. Hint, hint.

Plus, the Twelpforce made these fun caroling videos (you can watch them all here).

So, if you have any questions about gifts this holiday season, ask the Twelpforce! And be sure to check out all of Best Buy’s great deals on electronics.

Between mid-November and early January, many of us will attend and host a number of holiday parties. Throwing a holiday party can be a stressful and thoroughly un-festive experience – managing scheduling, guest lists, food, drinks, budget, decorations, and everything else. So, as we move into the main holiday party season, we want to help you in the best way we know how – saving you money.

To get things started, do you have any suggestions for throwing a memorable but affordable party? We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips for hosting a party without spending too much money. Please share your ideas in the comments!

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – shares her first set of recommendations for traveling with your baby during the holidays.  This week she’s focusing on spending the night away from home.

Currently, my family is scheduled to be four different states in the next two months. We might take traveling to the extreme, but almost everyone will spend at least one night away from home this holiday season. When traveling, we dearly miss our Diaper Genie, the bathtub full of bath toys, the highchair, and other comforts of home. Here is my list of traveling aids that have helped keep me sane when spending the night away from home.

1) Baby proofing essentials

Hotel rooms and grandma’s house can be a treacherous place for infants and tots. You don’t want to spend your whole holiday constantly watching out for dangers that your little one can get into. I try to baby proof one or two rooms completely so that my baby can safely play relatively unsupervised so I can relax and enjoy myself. Since this is not a permanent place of residence you don’t need fancy or expensive baby proofing items. Here are cheap solutions to that are small enough to fit in your diaper bag or luggage.

• Sharp corner protectors
• Socket protectors
• Slide lock for cabinets
• Travel gate – This gate is perfect because it fits different sized openings and folds up easily for travel.

2) Graco Pack n Play – pictured

Grandparents everywhere should invest in pack and plays. They are easy to put up and down and move from room to room. Most pack and plays also have a changing station attachment, which is great for younger babies.

3) White noise maker

Sleeping in a strange place can be difficult for children. Our family gatherings are usually pretty noisy, so it’s hard to find a quiet spot for our baby to sleep. A white noise maker can be the perfect solution to drown out loud chatting, snoring, and other unfamiliar noises. Newborns especially are comforted by white noise. You can purchase an actual noise maker device (like this one from Amazon) if you like them and decide to make one a permanent fixture in your own house, but if it’s for vacation then you could just download an app for your phone; there are white noise applications for both the Blackberry and the iPhone. Furthermore, white noise doesn’t have to be annoying. There are many sounds to choose from such as ocean surf, washing machine, shower, rain forest and more.

4) Baby monitor

The baby monitor I recommend for traveling is the Babyphone app for the iPhone. It turns your iPhone into a baby monitor and calls you on another pre-entered phone when it hears the baby cry. When my family travels we often share neighboring hotel rooms. This app is perfect for letting your baby sleep in peace in the room next door or down the hall while you stay up guilt-free past his or her bedtime with your friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

Today marks one week until Thanksgiving. This means Black Friday and its online companion, Cyber Monday, are not far behind. But, don’t worry! CheapTweet has you covered.

We have found thousands of Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday discounts already. And since we scour Twitter for all mentions of savings, we also have links to ads, articles and blog posts about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. CheapTweet.com can be your all-in-one holiday shopping stop – from planning and research to shopping and purchasing.

And if all that is too overwhelming for you, you might prefer to search for exactly the sales you’re looking for. We can do that, too! Just type what you’re looking for in our search page, and you’ll see only the deals you want.

To make it even easier, below are a few of our more popular Black Friday searches. Also, our sponsor DealTaker has done a terrific job rounding up some of the top Black Friday ads.

• Walmart
• Toys R Us (be sure to check out all their holiday deals here)
• Target
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Sears
• JC Penney
• IKEA
• GameStop

Happy shopping!

Note: This post is part of our holiday sponsorship by Best Buy. Though this is part of an official sponsorship, the experience and this write-up are completely our own.

At CheapTweet, we only partner with brands we think will provide value to you, our users. We absolutely will not promote a retailer if we wouldn’t shop in their stores ourselves.

So, we thought we should check out Best Buy’s value proposition. Our goal was to see if we would feel comfortable encouraging you to do your holiday shopping at Best Buy. So on a recent rainy Sunday, I visited the nearest Best Buy retail store. Specifically, I wanted to learn more about Best Buy’s price match guarantee and their employees, otherwise known as the “Blue Shirts.” Here’s what I found out.

Price Match Guarantee

Best Buy offers a price match guarantee. I wanted to know how that price matching works and in what situations.

I spoke to several Best Buy employees. The way the price match guarantee works is simple: If you can find a lower price on the same item at a nearby store, Best Buy will match that price. That offer only extends to other physical stores and does not include websites like Amazon.com, unfortunately.

To see how the price match guarantee works, I talked to a Blue Shirt who helped confirm competitor prices (we called Fry’s and Conn’s) of a couple HDTV models I was looking at. Only in one case was the HDTV priced lower at another store, and the Blue Shirt said he could sell me the Best Buy HDTV for that price, eliminating my need to drive or even call around to other stores myself. It only took a couple minutes, and I was confident knowing I could save $40 on that TV. The other thing to watch out for is that the lower-priced item needs to be in stock at the other store for Best Buy to price match it. Some other limitations apply (more details here about the price match guarantee).

Blue Shirts

I also wanted to test out the customer service at Best Buy. The store was pretty crowded (it was a Sunday afternoon, and lots of people were out shopping). It took several minutes before I could get a Blue Shirt’s attention; they were all busy helping other customers, so at least I wasn’t being ignored. Once I got a free Blue Shirt, I started asking questions about HDTVs.

The Blue Shirt I talked to – Devin – was quite knowledgeable about the different kinds of HDTVs. For example, this Best Buy store had a big display with some of the new, ultra-thin LED HDTVs and I was curious what he thought about LEDs versus LCDs. He was honest – they’re a fairly new product line – and encouraging – they save more energy than other HDTVs and have great picture quality. He even told me about a customer who had come in that morning and saved $200 on the 46″ LED TV with a price match. He also shared his opinions on which TV brands he liked. He said Samsung is their best-selling TV brand, and he really likes Sony electronics. We discussed price and size, and what would work best for my needs and my home.

The store was packed, but Devin took the time to really explain my options. He did not pressure me at all (he said he does not work on commission) and he seemed honest and helpful.

Product Selection and Value

Best Buy certainly has a large selection of HDTVs. While I was browsing, I used my cell phone to check the prices at Amazon.com for certain models. Though they weren’t having an advertised sale at Best Buy, a number of models were marked down between $50 and $500, which made them competitively priced to Amazon. For example, a 32” Samsung LCD HDTV at Best Buy for $549.99 and at Amazon.com it was $534.00; that’s a difference of only $15. The 40” Samsung LED HDTV was the exact same price at Best Buy as it was on Amazon.com and in some other cases, Best Buy was even cheaper than Amazon.

Best Buy also offers a number of in-home setup options and warranty plans. Devin said that, for a fee, Best Buy technicians can even test the light in your home and adjust your TV’s setting for the optimal picture in your space.

So, after this exercise, how do I feel about Best Buy? I feel good. They offer a ton of different products at excellent prices, and their employees are courteous and helpful. I tested out the price match guarantee, and it works. So on that note, I feel confident we can recommend that you do your holiday shopping at Best Buy.

Great news! We’re excited to announce that we’re partnering with Best Buy for the holiday shopping season. You may remember that we did something like this in August for back to school.

Throughout the months of November and December, we’ll be engaging in conversations on Twitter, sharing good deals and ways Best Buy can save you money this holiday season.

As you know by now, we work very hard to find and share with you the very best deals. To do this, we often work with sponsors we think will be valuable to you, our users. We have lots of respect for Best Buy, and admire their social media efforts. We’re very excited to be working with them again.

We want to be clear when we’re engaging in sponsored activities, whether it’s here on the blog or on Twitter. All the tweets that are part of this partnership will be clearly labeled as sponsored – we’ll include the hashtag #BestBuyHoliday so you’ll know something is a sponsored tweet. And we’ll clearly label blog posts, as well. We won’t be posting pre-written marketing messages, but we will be passing along information given to us by Best Buy to help you make informed purchasing decisions and hopefully save you some money on your holiday shopping.

Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30 this year, so mark your calendars, ask off work and get your holiday spending money ready! And be sure to check out our Black Friday and Cyber Monday categories on CheapTweet.com. Over the next few weeks, we’re expecting to see thousands of deals in both categories, so check back in as we get closer.

We’ll also be posting a number of other holiday categories in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!