Cheapism Blog

Weekly Update - Slow Cooker and Sunglasses Recommendations and more

2012-05-25T15:44:28-05:00

The school year is coming to a close, and whether you're marking the occasion with gifts for teachers and grads or preparing for summer with some beach gear and a new pair of shades, Cheapism has you covered.

New Articles

Cheap Sunglasses.

Sure, you can probably find a pair for a few bucks at the grocery store, but do they offer 100 percent protection from harmful UV rays? Do they have sturdy, impact-resistant lenses? The best cheap sunglasses -- from brands such as JiMarti, Sunbelt, Black Flys, and even Nike -- may cost a bit more, but they promise to last far longer and more effectively protect your eyes.

Photo by sxc.hu/Liessel

Cheap Slow Cookers.

Most consumers probably think of a slow cooker for making fall or winter meals such as hearty stews, but it can also come in handy for summer recipes such as lime cilantro chicken. Our top picks among cheap slow cookers range from a compact 1.5-quart pot by Proctor Silex to a 7-quart model from the original Crock-Pot brand.

New Blog Posts

Gifts for Teachers.

If the kids climbing the walls didn't clue you in, the school year is just about over. Show your appreciation for the teachers and coaches in your child's life with our guide to inexpensive teacher gifts.

Gifts for Grads.

Graduation from high school or college starts a new phase in the life of a loved one. Our ideas for affordable yet thoughtful graduation gifts will help you share in the celebration while preparing graduates for the future.

Bachelor Party Ideas.

Summer is a big wedding season, so the odds are good that a bachelor in your life is getting ready to tie the knot. We've rounded up some bachelor party ideas that will fit all his friends' budgets.

Beach Gear.

It doesn't have to cost much to stock up on a few essentials for trips to the beach. Prepare for your day in the sun with our guide to cheap beach gear, including towels, flip-flops, and sunscreen.

May 25th Daily Deals - VHS to DVD Converter Deal, Cheap Tablet and more

2012-05-25T08:35:58-05:00

Today's daily deals include lots of summer fun for kids, from butterfly gardens to board games and more, as well as fun for adults--including a cheap tablet and a $35 VHS to DVD converter!

TECH & INTERNET DEALS:

Toshiba 8GB Thrive 10" Tablet ($199.99; $435)

Honestech VHS to DVD Conversion Software ($35; $80 value)

KIDS, HOBBIES & DVDs:

Trunki by Melissa & Doug Jade, Green ($27.99; $39.99 value)

Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden ($14.99; $24.99 value)

Qwirkle Board Game ($17.94; $34.99 value)

Angry Birds Baby Gift Bundle ($24.99 + $5 shipping)

KITCHEN & HOME:

Safavieh Indoor-Outdoor Rug Set (from $99; $239 value)

George Foreman Power Grill Supreme ($49; $90 value)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS:

ProForm SpaceSaver 500 LE Elliptical ($399; $1,049 value)

Pico LED Dog Collar and Leash ($25; $70 value)

FASHION & BEAUTY:

Disney Crystal Sterling Silver Necklace or Earrings ($19; $50 value)

Barbar Blow-Dryer ($69; $150 value)

Black Diamond Accent Musical Note Pendant ($7.99; $179.99 value)

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7 Gifts for the Grads on Your List

2012-05-24T11:00:00-05:00

Are you preparing for this year's round of graduation parties with a stack of cards and a wad of cash? A little creativity can help make the end of the school year a lot less expensive. And a well-thought-out gift, regardless of price, will be cherished and remembered for far longer than a few bills. The more you know about a graduate's plans for the future, the easier it is to come up with a cheap graduation gift. However, the suggestions below should work for most any grad and cost less than $25.

Photo by sxc.hu/aprilbell

Shower caddy kit.

For a high school graduate heading off to a college dorm room in the fall, a shower caddy stocked with personal care products makes a useful and cheap graduation gift. Add shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, body scrub, a luffa, a pair of cheap flip-flops (for shower shoes) -- even a manicure kit.

Kitchen starter kit.

For those graduating from high school or college and moving out on their own, put together a kitchen starter kit. You can make this as small or large as your budget affords. For a cheap graduation gift, buy an oven mitt and stuff it with kitchen gadgets from the dollar store, such as a whisk, a spatula, salad tongs, and more. If you're willing to spend more, buy a large mixing bowl or kitchen trash can and stuff it with bigger items such as cups, a can opener, a cutting board, etc.

Laundry bag.

Grads on their way to a dorm or apartment likely dread the idea of schlepping their dirty clothes to the laundry. Make this chore a little easier by filling a budget laundry basket or hamper with detergent, dryer sheets or fabric softener, and stain remover. You can even include a roll of quarters and a laundry cheat sheet with tips from your own experience.

College gear.

For high school graduates heading off to college, you can't go wrong with some school spirit, especially if the recipient will be attending your alma mater. You can find shirts, sweatpants, shorts, pillows, flags, posters, and just about anything else in university colors for reasonable prices online.

Photo by sxc.hu/loleia

Books and magazines.

If someone in your life is graduating from high school or college and embarking on a new career, give a book or magazine subscription related to their chosen profession. For example, a graduate with a journalism degree would likely get a lot of value out of The Writer's Market. A biography of a famous figure in the graduate's field can also make an inspiring yet cheap graduation gift.

Sweets.

A high school teacher commenting on Money Saving Mom shares this super-cheap graduation gift idea: She gives graduating seniors "I need cookies" cards. When they go away to college, they can send the card back to her anytime, and she will mail them a batch of homemade cookies. About a quarter of the students take advantage, she says, and it sets her back only the cost of ingredients and postage.

Group gifts.

If you're still stuck, try getting a group together to buy a big graduation gift. Group gifting sites can help you pool resources with other family and friends of the graduate.

May 24th Daily Deals - Radio Flyer Wagon Deal, Cheap GPS, and more

2012-05-24T07:48:12-05:00

If you're looking for summer vacation ideas, make sure to check out Groupon Getaways. From a Boca Raton Spa to international adventures, they have several great deals up. We've got more great deals below, so check them out!

TECH & INTERNET DEALS:

TCL 40" 1080p HD LCD TV ($299.99; $799.99 value)

Garmin n�vi 255 3.5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator ($59.99; $199.99 value)

KIDS, HOBBIES & DVDs:

Radio Flyer Ultimate Comfort Wagon ($149; $219.99 value)

"I Love Lucy": The Complete Series ($79; $206 value)

Nickelodeon Floam - 4 Pack ($9.99 value)

KITCHEN & HOME:

Domaine Chandon Sparkling Wines ($39; $66 value)

Down on Top Feather Bed ($89; $180 value)

Haier Portable Air Conditioner ($289.99)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS:

Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Bench Series 5.1 ($169; $279 value)

Schwinn IC2 Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike ($279.93; $599 value)

FASHION & BEAUTY:

Barbar Blow-Dryer ($69; $150 value)

Dockers Men's Bomber Jacket ($120; $39 value)

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May 23rd Daily Deals - Refurbished Gateway Laptop, Cookware Set, and more

2012-05-23T10:30:38-05:00

Today's top daily deals include a top Gateway laptop refurbished (and down over $200), a cookware set, and more.

Image from eBay

TECH & INTERNET DEALS:

Dell Streak 16GB Wi-Fi 7" Android Tablet ($144.99; $379.99)

Gateway NV75S25U Notebook PC Quad Core Laptop (Refurbished) ($339.99; $559.99 value)

KIDS, HOBBIES & DVDs:

UBISOFT Battle Tag Pro Bundle-3 players ($249.99; $79.99 value)

Kolcraft WonderBug Activity Center ($34.99 + $5 shipping)

KITCHEN & HOME:

Circulon Classic Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set, 13-Piece ($89.92; $179.99)

Oceanic Expedition Bamboo Throw ($44; $120 value)

Image from Groupon

Travel & Leisure Magazine -1 year subscription ($19; $40 value)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS:

Garden & Gun Magazine -1 year subscription ($10; $20 value)

FASHION & BEAUTY:

60% off men's dress pants and polos --dress pants starting at $23

Native Intimates Push-Up Bra ($15; $45 value)

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This Memorial Day, Hit the Beach on a Budget

2012-05-23T07:00:00-05:00

Memorial Day is fast approaching -- although maybe not fast enough for those planning to enjoy a long weekend at the seashore. To pass the time between you and the beach, check out this roundup of low-cost beach gear to help all members of the family enjoy frolicking in the sand and water.

Photo by sxc.hu/Neuroman

Cheap beach towels.

Target has a large selection of beach towels starting at just $6. The unique and varied designs win kudos from consumers posting reviews, although a few warn that these cheap beach towels are not the thickest or biggest you can buy. The cheap beach gear at Target also includes mesh beach totes with room for two towels, available in stores for $10. If you buy one before Memorial Day Weekend, you can get 50 percent off a second handbag or pair of shoes. Kmart's collection of beach towels starts at just $4. The range includes brightly colored stripe and polka-dot prints. While there are no reviews for these towels, we couldn't resist the extremely low price.

Cheap beach chairs and umbrellas.

For those who prefer to sit in a beach chair instead of on a towel, we found a sea-blue Tommy Bahama chair from Bed Bath & Beyond available at some locations for $20 on clearance (although it's out of stock online). Customers praise this cheap beach chair for being lightweight and portable yet durable and comfortable. Bed Bath & Beyond sells other cheap beach gear as well, including umbrellas with a very limited number of college and NFL team logos for $10 each. Other retailers sell the same umbrellas for twice the price. If your team is out of stock or football isn't your bag, Home Depot has a 7-foot beach umbrella for $10 available for store pickup. A similar 6-foot beach umbrella is available online for $12 from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Photo by sxc.hu/bjearwicke

Cheap flip-flops.

Old Navy is well-known for providing cheap yet sensible flip-flops for both sexes and all ages and sizes, in a variety of colors. Both men's and women's styles go for $3.59 (or $2.50 for two or more) and garner hundreds of positive reviews from happy customers. If you're seeking a little more support and durability than these slabs of rubber can provide, see our recent guide to cheap sandals.

Cheap beach toys.

Try hitting the dollar store to pick up a variety of toys including foam noodles, beach balls, shovels, and sand buckets for only $1 each. An 11-piece set sells for $6 at Toys R Us.

Cheap sun protection.

Last but certainly not least, check out our reports on cheap sunscreen and cheap sunglasses. These are perhaps the most crucial pieces of beach gear you can buy. For sunblock, we recommend Banana Boat SPF 50 and No-Ad SPF 45, and consumer products experts have named the Target brand Up & Up Sport the best overall value in the SPF 30 group. A two-pack is a deal at less than $9. We'll be coming out with our latest picks for the best budget sunglasses later this week.

May 22nd Daily Deals - iTunes Gift Card, Woot Off and more

2012-05-22T11:14:26-05:00

One of our favorite deals today is a $100 iTunes gift card for $80 at Best Buy. Make sure to stay on top of Woot deals today, including Kids.Woot, Home.Woot, and Woot.com--these deals are being replaced as soon as they sell out! Follow us on twitter for our favorites.

Image from Amazon

TECH & INTERNET DEALS:

Monster Beats Studio HD Isolation Headphones ($239.99; $399.99 value)

Online Excel courses from Udemy ($35; $198 value)

KIDS, HOBBIES & DVDs:

The Complete Idiots Guide Acoustic Guitar Pack ($89; $150 value)

PlasmaCar in Blue ($42.99; $69.95 value)

Image from Groupon

KITCHEN & HOME:

Emeril Cutlery Five-Piece Knife Set ($49; $130 value)

Three-piece Coffee Table Set ($199; $399 value)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS:

$80 to spend at SwimSpot ($40; $80 value)

FASHION & BEAUTY:

30% off DOUBLJU Clothes

Sonic Toothbrush with UV Light Base ($69; $199 value)

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Whatever Happened to an Apple? Creative, Affordable Gifts for Teachers

2012-05-22T09:45:17-05:00

The days are getting hot, the kids are getting antsy -- the school year is nearing its end. Many parents mark the occasion with tokens of appreciation for all those teachers and coaches that have made such an impact on their children's lives in the past year. If you're a reader of our blog, no doubt you're looking for affordable ways to say thank you. The web is full of ideas for cheap teacher gifts, and we've rounded up some of our favorites below.

Photo by sxc.hu/sontran

Beach Bundle.

Help teachers start summer vacation off right by equipping them with everything they need to hit the beach. This idea from The Rachel Berry Blog is easy to put together and makes a cheap teacher gift. Simply pick up a magazine, a beach towel, travel-size sunscreen, and a small snack. Roll them into a bundle, secure with a ribbon, and attach a thank-you card. You don't even need to buy the card; the blog post includes a free printable tag.

Pampering Set.

This doesn't mean you have to buy a gift card to a spa -- although you can if you like (we're sure any teacher would enjoy it). Instead, the Baltimore Mommies blog suggests buying a nice bottle of hand lotion and presenting it creatively: Trace and cut out your child's handprints, stick them on either side of the bottle, and write on one of them, "[Teacher's name], you deserve a hand." This project gets children involved and can easily yield several cheap teacher gifts.

Garden Pot.

This idea from Disney's FamilyFun magazine starts with an inexpensive potted plant. Add gardening tools by poking them into the soil or attach envelopes of seeds to flower wire and stick those in. At Skip To My Lou, you can download a free printable card that says, "Thanks for helping [child's name] bloom." The beauty of this cheap teacher gift is you can make it as big or small as you like. Buy a small plant and add only a few seed envelopes or buy a big one and have multiple families contribute seed packets and handheld garden tools.

Photo by sxc.hu/kmb43xgame

School Supplies.

For a simple an exceedingly cheap teacher gift, the blog Nothing But Country shares this idea: Buy a pack of highlighters (you can find them at the dollar store) and attach a card that says, "Thanks for making my school year bright." The highlighters not only set up the cute play on words, they're also something any teacher can use in the classroom. Nothing But Country provides free printable cards.

Group Gift.

If you want to make a much bigger gesture, you can always pool resources with other parents'. Ask the family of each kid in the class or on the team to chip in and splurge on a big gift such as a spa trip. If you don't want to deal with cash, ask each family to provide a gift card that fits within a theme. For example, treat a teacher or coach to a night out with gift cards for dinner, a movie, and ice cream. You can also try using a group gifting site to collect payment.

May 21st Daily Deals - Kids Toys Deals, Cheap Cables, and more.

2012-05-21T21:01:21-05:00

If you were inspired by our recent cheap cables blog, today we've got an amazing deal on 10' HDMI cables under $3. There are also several great toys and board games--all under $20--so it's a good time to consider stocking up for parties and prizes!

Image from Groupon

TECH & INTERNET DEALS:

Griffin Survivor Case For iPhone ($19.99; $49.99 value)

Eforcity HDMI Cable, 10 feet ($2.15; $44.99 value)

Onkyo 5.1-Channel Home Theater System ($149; $379 value)

KIDS, TOYS & DVDs:

StickerYou Custom Kids' Labels ($15; $26 value)

HEXBUG nano Habitat & Bugs Bundle ($19.99)

Dirty Minds Board Game-Ultimate Edition (For Adults! $19; $40 value)

Image from Amazon

KITCHEN & HOME:

AccuSharp Sharpener Multipack for Knives, Garden Tools, and Scissors ($19.99; $39.99 value)

Swiffer Sweeper 2 in 1 Mop and Broom Floor Cleaner Starter Kit ($8.99; $15.65 value)

Solarium Indoor-Outdoor Throw Pillows ($18; $44 value)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS:

16-Ounce Stainless-Steel Backpack Thermos ($19.08; $30.00 value)

KA-BAR Knives Fin Folding Tanto Serrated Knife ($22.30; $67.27 value)

Accutire Programmable Digital Tire Gauge ($9.95; $19.99 value)

FASHION & BEAUTY:

GKhair Smoothing Hair Serum ($15; $25 value)

Anne Fashion Velour Tracksuit ($22; $70 value)

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Cheap Bachelor Party Ideas

2012-05-21T12:08:24-05:00

While longer days and warmer weather are obvious indicators of a fast-approaching summer, for many people it also signals the beginning of a fast-paced wedding season. If you're planning multiple bachelor parties this summer, here are several ideas for a cheap bachelor party that will leave you with cherished memories but not a battered budget.

Photo by sxc.hu/komiya

Take a long hike.

A walk in the woods is a great opportunity to get a large group together to celebrate a groom without worrying about cost. There are plenty of free trails out in the country that are manageable regardless of the group's overall skill level. You'll be able to use the money saved for a nice dinner in one of the surrounding towns, further enhancing your celebration of an important life transition. For some suggestions, check out the Top 100 trails, according to Trails.com.

Roast the groom.

William Shatner. David Hasselhoff. Donald Trump. Guys love giving their friends a hard time (in a good-natured kind of way), so get together with some of the groom's closest friends for a cheap bachelor party that involves an old-fashioned roasting. Whether you rent a room at a bar or simply meet at someone's home, everyone should come prepared with treasured tales about the groom. Go a little easy on the guy, though, as this won't be the most opportune moment to remind him of the demise of his favorite childhood teddy bear.

Roast something for the groom.

Regardless whether or not the groom eats meat, nothing says "male bonding" quite like a night in the backyard, replete with all kinds of food on the grill and a cooler stocked with the group's favorite beers. Crack open a cold one and revel in a laid-back night with good friends, good food, and with any luck, a riotous sunset.

Take the groom to a video arcade.

He might be on the verge of eternal marital bliss, but that doesn't mean the groom wouldn't appreciate revisiting video games from his youth. Include a few friends in this cheap bachelor party and let him loose in a video arcade, where his inner child will break out in full force. Be on the lookout for arcades geared towards adults that let you play like you did when you were kids but drink like you do now that you're grown up.

Photo by sxc.hu/johnnyberg

Take him out to the ballgame.

If you happen to live within striking distance of a professional baseball team, bleacher seats can still be had for about $15. However, tickets to a minor league game in your area are often more reasonably priced, as is the fare at concessions. Dust off your old mitts and head out to the park. The added bonus for this cheap bachelor party: Most minor league parks only hold several thousand spectators, which gets you much closer to the action than you would at any professional stadium - and at a cost-effective price point.

Make the groom sing.

There's a diva hidden somewhere deep within the recesses of the groom's soul, and you all know it. Most karaoke spaces charge per hour, regardless of the size of your group, giving you the perfect opportunity to hear the groom wail at the top of his lungs while you all reminisce over tunes you listened to while growing up.

Poker night.

Dust off the old poker chips from college, fill the fridge full of the groom's favorite beer, order a few pizzas, and you've got a simple and cheap bachelor party on your hands. This is the groom's chance to fleece you out of some money even as the gamesmanship of poker lends itself to recalling old times and giving the groom a last ribbing before he makes his way into married life.