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My Mom's Number One Money Lesson: PAY CASH

When my dad gave in and co-signed a JCPenney store credit card for me on my 17th birthday (in his defense, I had spent months begging him for this present), my mom was red-hot mad. Back then I didn't understand why she was angry. "What's the big deal?" I asked. "I have a job. I'll just pay the balance in full every month." She told me that in 10 years I'd regret that store credit card. She was right -- I'm still making payments on it!

Mom learned the hard way: She amassed thousands of dollars of credit card debt over 15 years when she herself was younger. To this day, she is working hard to whittle away at that debt. One day when I was in college, I realized how much the obligation -- and not just the money -- troubled her. She pointed to her floral living room set (the one we only sit on during special occasions) and said, "That's not mine. Neither is the Nissan Maxima in the driveway." In my naivete, I asked her whose stuff it was -- she'd had both for well over five years -- if it wasn't hers. "It's Visa's," she said. We both laughed, but I understood what she was really saying. When you work so hard, you want your stuff to be your stuff, not the bank's or a credit card company's.

I've finally learned my lesson and am pleased to say that, while I have them for emergencies, I haven't used any of my credit cards for frivolous/everyday purchases in three years! It hasn't been easy, as I've had to forgo many fun things -- dinners, movies, clothes -- that I couldn't afford with cold hard cash. But I've grown to appreciate the things that I do have because I know that they're really, truly mine, and not some financial outfit's. I earned them myself through my own hard work.

What did your mom teach you about money that will stick with you forever?

A Sweeter Tax Day

My taxes are done. Yipee! After the stress of filing I feel taxed (pardon the pun). I'm beat. Tired. Very, very glad it's over for another year.

To help us commemorate this glorious day, today (April 15) Dunkin' Donuts stores nationwide are offering all customers (regardless of whether you owe taxes or are getting a refund) a free donut with the purchase of any size cup of Dunkin' Donuts' hot coffee.

Cheers!

It’s "Best Things In Life Are Free" Day!

Sponsored by 1-800-Free411 (free directory assistance/directions), today (April 11th) is the day we get to throw a party (cake and ice cream, anyone?) for all of the great things in life that are free. You know, like those free days museums host sometimes or free meals at your favorite restaurant on your birthday. To commemorate the day, I've made a list of all of my favorite no-money-needed things I've encountered in my life.

What do you have to add to the list?

1. A free, annual scoop of Ben and Jerry's ice cream on April 17 (www.benjerry.com)
2. Free Product Samples (www.thefreesite.com)
3. Free Tech Support (help.protonic.com)
4. Blood pressure screenings at supermarkets and pharmacies
5. Home maintenance tips and advice for do-it-yourself projects at free in-store clinics provided by your local Home Depot (www.homedepot.com)
6. Old couches and other home furnishings found at The Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org)
7. A copy of your credit report to make sure everything is as it should be (www.freecreditreport.com)
8. Books and media from your local public library (www.librarysites.info)
9. A day at the museum on free admission days
10. Online courses offered by MIT (www.ocw.mit.edu) or lessons on how to run a small business (www.sba.gov)
11. Classes offered at your local Apple store on business and entertainment software, music programs and computer basics (www.apple.com)
12. 1-800-FLIGHTS: 1.800.Flights is a new media company providing flight status by phone for nearly every commercial passenger flight arriving and departing the U.S. daily. (www.1800flights.net/index.html)
13. Hire your own (virtual) personal shopper that sifts through millions of products from your favorite stores and brands and proposes a selection of "just what you wanted" items (www.personalshopper.com)
14. Take advantage of a convenient way to find your next companion without having to leave the comfort of your own home (www.petfinder.com)
15. Receive the week's top travel deals straight to your inbox. It's like having your own personal travel agent - free of charge! (www.travelzoo.com)
16. Discover new bands that are tailored to your personal music preferences and listen to them for free over the internet (www.pandora.com)
17. Manage your money by taking advantage of walk-in financial advice from retail locations of investment banks like Charles Schwab (www.charlesschwab.com)
18. Build your new bathroom without breaking the bank by borrowing tools, equipment and "how-to" instructional materials from your local library (yes, library!) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_lending_library)
19. Show your smarts by avoiding paying for pricey, premium textbooks and downloading them for free (www.freeloadpress.com)
20. Save time on figuring out who to vote for by getting a free evaluation of your political stance (www.selectsmart.com/president/2008)

Shop It To Me...Again!

I love ShopItToMe.com -- even wrote about it way back when Discount Diva first launched. If you missed it then, here's the abbreviated recap: Shop It To Me is a free email service that notifies you when the clothing you like (from your fave stores/designers, in your specific size!) goes on sale. It's genius, really.

I just met the creator of Shop It To Me, Charlie Graham, who also happens to be a research nut. I asked him (thinking I'd stump him) what's the best day to find a dress on sale online. Without hesitation he said, "Fridays are the biggest discount days for dress. If you shop for dresses online on sale on Fridays you'll save on average 42%, compared to Saturdays when you only save an average of 34%."

I was dumbfounded. How did he know that! "We analyzed the market," Charlie said. Then, he proceeded to rattle off a smorgasbord of best-time-to-shop-for-sales info that I'm now going to share with you. Enjoy!

Handbags- biggest discount days are TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS (save 40-41%)
Casual Pants- biggest discount days are FRIDAYS (save 42%)
Intimates- biggest discount days are SATURDAYS (save 53%)
Jeans- biggest discount days are FRIDAYS (save 41%)
Skirts- biggest discount days are FRIDAYS (save 42%)
Swimwear- biggest discount days SATURDAYS (save 477%)
Shoes- biggest discount days SATURDAYS (save 43%)
41%)
Men's Outerwear- biggest discount days are FRIDAYS (save 39%)
Men's Casual Shirts- biggest discount days are FRIDAYS (save 36%)