Notebooks - of the paper kind

Spring semester is coming up soon, which means ink up the fountain pens and get them notebooks ready!  However, I'm finding a hard time looking for notebooks online - the search term always brings up the notebooks of the electronic type.  Sad face.  :(

Two semesters ago, I used Cornell notes with grids printed on the backside of recycled paper.  It worked fine but it became a hassle to punch and put into their respective folders and rings (for the Rollabind ones). This year semester, I got a leg-up and have already gotten the pages printed and put into notebooks ahead of time for each course I'm taking.  :)  That should work out fine.

As for my journals, my pocket Moleskine has been filled up.  That one will be going into the bonfire for Joe, seeing as how it was a journal I'd kept for specifically for him after he'd passed away.  As much as I liked my graph ruled Moleskine, it proved to be too costly for my budget (~$10.00).  I'd then switched to the Markings brand I'd gotten from Staples ($3.00 - $4.00 on sale, $6.00 otherwise).  It was nice in that it was Moleskine-eque, with the back pocket and elastic band and all, but it's a little too bulky.  Or their covers, too gaudy (the patent leather is just weird).  Some of them are nice, I'll admit.  But their quality is a bit of hit and miss.

HOWEVER.  On a recent trip to Office Depot, I spied these little gems:

Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be almost an exact duplicate of the Moleskine brand.  I love the thin hard covers, similar to that of the Moleskine (bleh @ Markings' bulky ones!).  They also had the soft covers available in a variety of colors.  And the best part?  The $3.99 price is their regular price~!  No more having to wait for sales and such.  I hadn't yet picked one up, but I'm hoping that the paper is decent and that there is enough of a demand that they can continue to have these in stock.  You just can't beat that price and that classic notebook look.  :)

Postcards, Letters, and Vistaprint?!

Ah... it's the holiday season!  Which means it's time to bust out the stationery and write to my out-of-state (and some in-state) friendlies.  I already to write handwritten letters to keep in touch with them, but there's something about sending special holiday ones that makes me extra happy.  I believe that keeping in touch with my friends via handwritten letters is well worth the stamp that sends it.

I'd already received a couple of Halloween cards from some friends.  They're really cute!  One of them was in the shape of a ghost.

Wanting to replenish my postcard and thank you card stock, I decided to waltz on over to Vistaprint to see what I can get.  I love this site!  Though, I should have waiting a few days before placing my order.  :(  It seems that Staples is currently running a deal wherein you can get 100 standard sized postcards and 10 holiday cards (4" x 8") for free in-store (or ~$9.95 shipped if done online).  Why does this make me sad?  Because they have the same templates a Vistaprint.

Anywho, for $17.83, I got the following (via 21-day "slow" shipping, though my orders typically arrive in 10 days...):

(100) postcards w/ 100 envelopes (extra $4.99 charge) & free uploads

(10) holiday cards w/ envelopes

(10) blank note cards w/ envelopes

(10) flat holiday cards

(10) folded thank you cards w/ envelopes

I've been wanting these cards for so long!  I wish they had that design in postcard form  :(  I'm now limited to only 10 of these cards.  I'd much rather not order more of them on future orders simply because I like having a variety of designs on hand.

(1) rubber stamp w/ red ink (extra $1.99 charge)

The holiday cards were the first things I'd ever ordered that wasn't generic.  I wanted to use them for an upcoming holiday party that I'd be hosting.  The stamp will be for a friend who wanted it to stamp her tickets for upcoming shows.  The rest are just generic cards that I'll be using to write thank you letters and notes to friends and family, both near and far.

I'd found a lot of teacher blogs who posted up their creative ideas for using Vistaprint items too.  They're really neat and I think I'll be passing that along to my teacher friends.  If I still taught Sunday school, you'd bet I'd be all over Vistaprint to figure out ways to incorporate their products into my classroom!

Welp!  It's time to head on down to Staples and pick up some more postcards!  I can't wait to have so many more postcards to choose from!

P.S.  Everything was free unless noted as an extra charge; the rest of the total is purely shipping costs.  At $17.83, this has got to be my most expensive order yet.  Simply because of the upgrades... usually my orders are around $6.00 or $7.00.  :)  Yeah, the cost kinda hurts me, but considering all the stuff I got, it'll last me quite some time and satiate my desires for more stationery.  Plus, the only reason I bought these more or less on "impulse" was because my friend needed the stamp for work.  Otherwise, I'm SURE I would have waited a lot longer before putting my order in (as always!).

** UPDATE:  (07 November 2011)
I got an e-mail on 03 November 2011 telling me that my order has shipped early.  It's scheduled to arrive on 10 November 2011.  Yay.  :) 

** UPDATE:  (13 November 2011)
As promised, my package came the morning of 10 November 2011.  Nothing was missing from my order and everything is perfect.  My only gripe is that the back of the folded cards came with "www.vistaprint.com" printed.  I only wish I could go on a Vistaprint shopping spree!  I did however, put in another order a couple of days after for Christmas time this year.  I'd personalised a bunch of items for my friend since she also likes to send out cards and handwritten letters to her friends.  :)

Staples Deal Scenarios for 14 August 2011 - 20 August 2011

My friends have been wondering how it is that I make the most out of my shopping adventures.  The easiest one for me to "teach" them is with Staples since there are no coupons involved.  Rebates are involved, but Staples's Easy Rebates are well, easy!

So here are my scenarios for the week:  (Note that since the Extreme Deals only run from Sunday - Wednesday, that all of my trips will be made between those days.) 

Extreme Deal: (limit per transaction) ENDS WEDNESDAY

• Composition notebooks - $0.10 each, limit 3 w/ minimum $5.00 purchase

Rebates: (limited per household)

• Hammermill Copy Paper : $0.50 

($6.79 regular price - $1.80 instant savings - $4.49 easy rebate = $0.50 each) limit 2

• Epson heavyweight 8.5” x 11” photo paper (matte), 50/pk : $0.50

($12.99 regular price - $2.00 instant savings - $10.49 easy rebate = $0.50 each) limit 1

• Zebra Cadoozles 0.7mm mechanical pencils : FREE

($5.00 regular price - $5.00 easy rebate = FREE) limit 1 

Sale Items: (limited per transaction)

• Wescott Preferred 7” scissors : $0.50

($6.29 regular price, on sale for $0.50 each) limit 2
_________________________________________________________________________________
Trip 1:

• Zebra Cadoozles : $5.00
• Composition Notebooks: $0.10 x 3 = $0.30
• Wescott scissors: $0.50 x 2 = $1.00

TOTAL:  $6.30 - $0.95 (15% discount w/ back to school card) - $5.00 rebate = $0.35
_________________________________________________________________________________
Trip 2 + 3:

• Hammermill Copy Paper : $4.99 ($6.79 regular price - $1.80 instant savings)
• Composition Notebooks : $0.10 x 3 = $0.30

TOTAL:  $5.29 - $0.79 (15% student discount w/ back to school card) - $4.49 rebate = FREEEEEEEEE!  :)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Trip 4:

• Epson Photo Paper : $10.99 ($12.99 - $2.00 instant savings)
• Composition Notebooks : $0.10 x 3 = $0.30

TOTAL:  $11.29 - 1.69 (15% discount w/ back to school card) - $10.49 rebate = FREEEEEEEE!  :)
_________________________________________________________________________________

** Keep in mind that these are prices AFTER rebates.  Therefore, you’ll be making a small “investment” out of pocket at each transaction.  Rebate checks take 4-6 weeks to arrive in the mail.  For the Extreme Deals, make sure to hit the $5.00 minimum.  I usually use the rebate items, but you can use the sale items too.  The scissors weren’t necessary during these trips, but I just wanted them.

** Also keep in mind that items that I do not end up using (or even needing) are donated to local schools and friends who need them throughout the school year.  If I find I good deal, I will take advantage of it but at the same time, share the love.  There's no point in hoarding these items if you're not gonna use 'em.

Happy shopping and hope y'all stock up a good amount of supplies for the school year.  :)

UPDATE: (24 August 2011)

Not the most up-to-date picture of my stock, but this is what you can get if you know how to stack up your deals.  :)  Some of the local schools will be very happy people once items are donated... I hope.  :)

Back-to-School Savings

It's August, which means that school is starting up soon for K-12 students as well as college students.

School is probably the one thing that I hate shopping for most, considering professors are so adamant about what supplies they will allow in their  classrooms, and half of the time, those supplies cannot be reused for other courses.

However, it's easy to stock up for school basics without breaking the bank.

Firstly, Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max are your best friends during this season.  My personal favorite is Staples.  Take advantage of all of their Free-after-Rabate (FAR) and nearly FAR deals.  It may be quite some money initially for your purchase, but in 4-6 weeks, you'll get a check in the mail or deposited into your PayPal account. It's like a present in the mail.  :)

By doing so, I've already been able to stock up on printer paper for my essays.  In 3 trips to Staples, I'd already gotten:

• (2) reams of Hammermill Printer Paper : $0.50 each
• (6) 2-packs of White-Out : $0.50 each
• (30) 2-pocket folders : $0.01 each
• (6) 2-packs of Sharpie markers : $0.25 each
• (1) 7-pack of Zebra pens : FREE
• (6) 12-packs of cap erasers : $0.10 each

 A little tip:  Some of these items have limits, which is why I break up my purchases into separate transactions or visits.  There are a lot of items that require a minimum of $5.00 purchase to get the special prices (like the $0.01 folders).  But I fix that by purchasing  a ream of paper that's on sale ($5.00 - $4.50 rebate = $0.50 per ream); the initial cost of $5.00 for the ream of paper qualifies me to get the other items at sale price.  Staples almost ALWAYS has the paper on rebate alongside their "extreme deal" items.  This year, I was lucky enough to also receive a Back-to-School card in the mail from Staples that allows me to receive an extra 15% off my entire purchase of school supplies up through September 17th for being a "valued customer."  Otherwise, the card costs $10.00, I believe.

That's just going to Staples.  I've a few more items from Office Depot, but like I said, Staples is my first choice - their rebates are so easy to do (online!) and I've never had a problem with it coming in the mail. Now, I'm no hoarder.  I do stock up on things for myself, but the rest of it gets donated to the local elementary school if I don't have a use for them or to fellow classmates who may need those supplies.

I also save money by packing my lunch to school.  Face it, cafeteria food isn't all that great and to be honest, isn't all that healthy either.  I cave now and again and will get a slice of pizza, but for the most part, I'm bringing a packed lunch with me.  I can easily change it up to fit my mood. Feel artsy?  Try bento lunches.

I probably have 3 main sets of lunch gear.  My main lunch pack is from Lock-and-Lock which features a carry bag, water bottle, and 2 containers; one with 3 sections to keep my food apart.  Another is a Mrs. Bento from Zojirushi that I use whenever I'm carrying something that needs to be kept warm.  And the other one is just a simple square container from IKEA.  Why so many?  Each of these serves their purpose.  I always make sure that my containers have gaskets on them ensure "leakproofness" in the case that I pack something liquidy.  I also pack with me a bottle of hand sanitizer in case I'm not by anywhere where I can wash my hands, utensils (chopsticks + case, hobo tool), a bandana used as a cloth napkin, a small bottle of Maggi seasoning (they come in 12-packs for about $2.00 and change), and a small Nalgene squirt bottle filled with Sriracha sauce (yum!).

Water. At school you'll be needing plenty of water.  I don't carry the "disposable" waterbottles with me.  I think they're too flimsy now and the idea of paying so much for water is intimidating.  Instead, I bring my 16 ounce Camelbak "Better Bottle" with me.  It initially cost me $12 dollars or so at REI, but it's lasted me well over 3 years.  I think it's my best investment yet.

And a tip for the college students: if you really HAVE to buy your textbooks, try to get the older editions.  It'll save you quite some money.  Don't sell the textbooks back to the school's bookstore - you'll get more selling to students or textbook stores off campus.  On the other hand, you don't really need to buy school books at all.  If you have the time, use the school's library reserves. I personally try to set my schedule up in a way that I will have some study time in the library. Another option is to photocopy the needed pages ahead of time if your teacher gives you a "reading list" or the like. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was plastered all over the library that according to CA state law, photocopies of textbook pages are allowed and does not violate copyright rules if those pages are only being used for personal studies - in other words, DO NOT photocopy the entire book just to sell to your friends.

Then there's the online route.  You can usually find great deals on sites like Chegg.com for your textbooks.  Plenty of schools and websites also offer textbook rentals now - you'll save AT LEAST 50%, I've seen.  My friends have rented books for "as little as" $40.00 for a $100+ textbook.  That beats trying to sell it at the end of the semester, I'm sure.