Retail Secrets Shopping Tips Discounts Coupons Promotion Codes: July 2008

Tuesday

Free Gamer Stuff - Free Downloadable Content Now Available for Mass Effect PC

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“Bring Down the Sky” Expands the Mass Effect Adventure

“Bring Down the Sky,” the first piece of downloadable content for the award-winning space epic Mass Effect™, is now available for PC gamers to download free1 of charge.

Fully optimized for the PC, “Bring Down the Sky” is the first in a series of planned downloadable content that will further expand the Mass Effect story and universe. It includes a new uncharted world that introduces the deadly Batarian alien race, approximately 90 minutes of new gameplay and an original soundtrack. Instructions on how to download and install the new content is available at http://masseffect.bioware.com/downloadablecontent/. “Bring Down the Sky” is currently available for international languages including English, Spanish, Italian and German, with additional language versions coming soon.

The storyline for the new content begins as Batarian extremists have hijacked a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world of Terra Nova. Only Commander Shepard can save the millions of innocent civilians before the asteroid completes its deadly descent.

Originally released for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, “Bring Down the Sky” has received critical acclaim as one of the “must have” downloadable expansion packs. Mass Effect has also received critical acclaim throughout the world with more than 80 awards including Console Game of the Year and Role-Playing Game of the Year, with the PC version achieving several perfect 10/10 scores and an overall review average of over 90%2 (http://masseffect.bioware.com/previewsawards/).

PC gamers can download and install “Bring Down the Sky” by simply launching their registered copy of Mass Effect for the PC and following the instructions at the launch screen. For more information about Mass Effect, please visit GameStop.com

Monday

Top 10 Ways To Eat More And Weigh Less

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Looks like mom was right when she told you to eat your vegetables.

Since 2000, Dr. Barbara Rolls’ Volumetrics program has advocated consuming a nutritious diet rich in low-calorie-density vegetables, fruits, high-fiber starches and lean protein.

“The concept of ‘eating more and losing weight’ resonates extremely well with today’s health-conscious consumers,” explains Lisa Talamini, RD, vice president, research and program innovation for Jenny Craig, Inc., which recently signed an agreement with Dr. Rolls to become the only weight loss organization to use the Volumetrics approach and trademark. “Our Jenny Craig Menus with the Volumetrics® Plus encourage clients to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, as well as our tasty Soupitizer soups, which fill them up without filling them out.”

Here are 10 easy ways to “volumize” your meals:

• Look for breads that are 100 percent whole-wheat or whole-grain, with at least 2 grams of fiber per slice. Pick cereals with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.

• Choose higher-fiber whole fruit over fruit juice. Select water-rich fruits such as grapes (2 cups) over raisins (1/4 cup) for the same 100 calories.

• Add kidney beans, black beans, lentils, chickpeas and split peas to pastas, soups and stews.

• Select brown rice and whole-wheat or wheat-blend pasta.

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• Choose moderate portions of lean protein-rich poultry, seafood, nonfat dairy foods, egg whites, tofu and legumes, pairing them with whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

• Pick low-calorie, higher-protein snacks such as nonfat yogurt, lean turkey slices, low-fat mozzarella sticks, or black beans or hummus served with veggies.

• Sauté mushrooms, onions, garlic, celery and other veggies in bouillon, low-fat chicken stock or wine instead of butter, margarine or oil.

• Steam carrots, cauliflower and broccoli, seasoning them with butter-flavored sprinkles instead of heavy cheese sauces.

• Add flavor to your foods by trying lemon juice on rice, lime juice on fish, orange juice on pork, or tomato salsa on baked chicken.

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• Enhance the taste of foods with nonfat sauces and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, salsa, soy sauce, fresh ginger, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce.

The secret to eating more and losing weight may be incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.

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Saturday

Have a Continental Airlines Onepass? Stay in Vegas for $21 a night!

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This deal is for OnePass members. If you don't have a Onepass, sign up for one for free on Continental's website!

OnePass is 21 and headed to Vegas!
Enjoy a special rate of $21*per night at the Golden Nugget when you use your MasterCard® card.

OnePass is turning 21, and in honor of this exciting milestone, MasterCard and OnePass have teamed up to offer a special birthday celebration rate at the fabulous four-diamond Golden Nugget. Stay between June 1 and September 4, 2008 for only $21 per person, per night up to 2 consecutive nights*.

To book now, call (800) 634-3454 and mention promotion code CO21.

For flight information go to continental.com.

*Offer based on double occupancy only. Single occupants will be charged $42 per room, per night. For third and fourth occupants, add $20 per person, per night. Additional nights may be purchased at Best Available Rate. Offer valid Sunday through Thursday only and subject to limited availability, restrictions and black-out periods. Not valid for groups or in conjunction with any other discount or offer. Must be a current Continental OnePass Member and utilize your MasterCard card for guest room payment. Management reserves the right to change, modify or cancel this promotion at its discretion. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademark’s of MasterCard International Incorported.

Use your MasterCard card to book a stay at the Golden Nugget

Friday

How to Get Gift Cards For Free without being Scammed

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Find a $200 gift card "on sale" on EBAY for $50 - don't be tempted to buy it. I do not recommend that consumers purchase price gift cards off of user-generated retail websites like eBay. For one, there is no way of knowing that the card is still valid or has a value left on it until the buyer has possession of the gift card. By the time the purchaser receives the gift card in the mail, it will be to late for recourse if the gift card turns out to be dud.

I find that small service businesses like local salons and spas offer discounts on gift card purchases around major holidays such as Mother's Day or Christmas. I have seen discounts offered as much as 50% off the purchase of a gift card at spas during major holiday promotions. I recommend consumers not only buy reduced spa/salon gift cards for others, but also buy them for themselves for future personal use. For instance, if a spa is offering 50% off the purchase of gift cards, you will essentially reduce the cost of a spa service buy purchasing a gift card and using it to pay for a future service. I have seen spas advertise gift card discounts in email promotions and banners in front of the location.

The best way for consumers to receive a discount on gift cards is to watch the sales circulars of their favorite stores or get on a mailing list. It is rare that major department stores will offer any discounts on gift cards or allow coupons to be used toward the purchase of a gift card. One of main reasons that local small businesses offer discounts on gift cards is that the money generated from gifts cards allows the business to have access to cash that has not actually been spent. The incentive for small businesses is to have money available for services that have not been rendered to pay down debt or make improvements. The legitimate gift card discounts are out there, consumers just have to be vigilant.

Also, consumers should check their credit card points reward programs. Some programs allow credit card holders to redeem points for cash value gift cards. This is a great way to get money back from your credit card company.

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Thursday

Confusing Airline Fees, New Charges Cost Travelers More than Just Money

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Booking a flight is no longer a straightforward process; to help travelers make sense of the extra costs, SmarterTravel.com(TM), a comprehensive online travel resource, has reviewed each airline's policies and put together the "Airline Fees Survival Guide."

"Purchasing airfare is no longer as simple as putting in a destination
and dates and then selecting the lowest price available online. Airline
fees can really add up, making the discount tickets seem more like first
class," said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. "Travelers
need to be aware of how much each fee can tack on to already expensive
tickets, and we wanted to go the extra mile to show the best strategies for
saving travelers a few dollars."

Given all the factors that could affect travelers, SmarterTravel recommends the following strategies:

-- Book Non-stop. Connecting flights do not always mean cheaper flights
-- they can end up costing more because taxes include Passenger Facility
Charges (PFCs) for each airport in the itinerary.

-- Avoid Paying for Seat Assignments. The nominal fee may not be
unseemly for one traveler, but multiplied by a family of four each way, and
it's the airline that made out, not the travelers.

-- Determine Overall Prices vs. Checked Bag Fees. Some airlines publish
significantly lower rates than the competition; however, the total number
of fees they levy may add significantly to the overall trip. Add it all up
before confirming the purchase.

-- Be a Defensive Packer. Packing light goes without saying, but
travelers can also pack smart by including an empty water bottle in your
carryon, packing clothes for multiple purposes and including snacks and
entertainment -- all helping to avoid airline fees and additional charges.

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To ensure the best deal, SmarterTravel has put together a chart of all
associated airline fees at http://www.smartertravel.com/link/airline-fees-chart.

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Monday

More Tips for Better Gas Mileage

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Although gas prices have gone down over the last few days, it is not enough for relief. Here are some tips from Carmax.com:

1. Drive Efficiently

-- Drive the speed limit: gas mileage decreases at higher speeds.

-- Don't drive aggressively: speeding, quick acceleration and excessive
braking all waste gas. Driving aggressively lowers gas mileage both on the
highway and when driving around town.

-- Use overdrive and cruise control: If your vehicle has a manual
overdrive, make sure it is ON; overdrive reduces engine speed, which helps
to save gas. Cruise control also saves gas by maintaining a consistent
speed.

-- Avoid idling: idling for longer than 30 seconds uses more gas than
starting up your engine.

2. Maintain your Vehicle

-- Get the manufacturer's recommended maintenance done: keeping your
car in shape improves gas mileage.

-- Make sure your tires are filled to the correct pressure: this can
increase gas mileage by three percent. Always refer to the manufacturer's
specifications.

-- Whenever possible, use synthetic oil: look for "Energy Conserving"
motor oil; it will reduce friction and increase fuel economy.

-- Check and replace dirty air filters: clogged filters can decrease
gas mileage up to 10 percent.

3. Plan Ahead

-- Combine errands: this will save time, money and gas.

-- Remove excess weight: excess weight in the cab or trunk can reduce
mileage. Every extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by approximately two
percent.

-- Eliminate excess wind resistance: roof racks and carrier crates on
the top of the car create drag or wind resistance. Removing these items can
increase fuel economy by about five percent.

-- Use air conditioning when traveling at highway speeds: driving with
the windows open uses more fuel due to the increased drag.

-- Fill up your car in the morning: early morning is the best time
because the gasoline is cooler and denser. Since gas pumps measure volumes
of gas and not densities, you get more fuel for your money.

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