Penny's Pick of the Day - Free Coffee at Peet's

Those of you on the East Coast will have to scurry to catch this one - but Peet's is serving up free Freddos today between 2 and 3 pm.   Limit one per person.

This sounds perfect for the Friday afternoon pick-me-up!  Go out and grab yours!

Penny for your Thoughts - Caveat Emptor

I highly doubt that my High School Latin teacher, Mrs. Doll, is reading but if she were she might be proud that she taught me Caveat Emptor - let the buyer beware! Well, today I'm hoping to teach you to beware of the promises of online dealmakers!

Case in point, I recently tried to take advantage of a deal through Shop Discover - they offer 5% cash back on purchases from Hotels.com. They also happened to be running a special where with a purchase they were offering $40 off a future stay when you paid with your Discover card. Now, I was practically in deal heaven when I was thinking that I'd also be one night closer to a free night's stay through the Hotels.com rewards program! So, 5% back, $40 off my next trip and one night closer to a free hotel stay! Yippee, or so I thought...

When clicked through the Shop Discover site to Hotels.com my hotel was nowhere to be found. It seems that the selection is limited as to what you can earn 5% back on. When I revisited Hotels.com I noticed that my hotel of choice was not eligible for their rewards program and, by the time I researched all of this the hotel in question was completely booked!

So, beware, fellow penny pinchers! Read the fine print and don't get too wrapped up with the perfect deal - it might just evaporate before your eyes. But don't worry, there will be another deal tomorrow!

Penny Pincher - Gilt Groupe Private Online Sales

Once you become initiated (or just join!) you too can participate in the online sales at Gilt!  Just like those exclusive sample sales, Gilt offers you designer goods at amazing discounts.  

How it works: sign up to become a member.  Watch the site (or your inbox) for amazing sales coming down the pike.  Be sure to set your alarm because items sell out quickly and the sales only last 36 hours!

Fashionista or recessionista?  We say both!