Coupon & Deal Blog

Servers are basically specialized PCs, and they run the gamut of speeds and capacities just as desktop workstations do. Nevertheless, they are a breed apart, designed to be secure (to protect your valuable company data) and fault-tolerant (to be available continuously). Servers also offer remote-management tools, so that an IT person can log in from a desk or workstation and check usage, diagnose problems, and perform routine maintenance such as adding new users or changing passwords.

As a small business grows to about 10 employees and beyond, they will most likely face the need to buy a server. Servers are most commonly used as central file repositories where users can easily share documents, but they can do many other tasks as well–from print and mail serving to performing system-wide backups. Other key applications include hosting databases, running groupware (such as calendar programs and customer relationship management software), and serving a company Web site or intranet. For creative studios or departments, a server might hold large image, video, and music libraries.

Dell’s entry lever server, the PowerEdge T100 is a fine choice for any small business jumping into these waters. Configuration prices start at only $699. This will get you a Dual Core Intel Pentium 2.70GHz processor, 4 GB of memory and two seprate 160 GB hard drvies. Of course the machine is fully configurable, so if this is not enought you may opt for some beefier specs.

The true beauty of this machine however is the price. That is the price once we throw in the Dell Small Business coupons. Use coupon code S?BFL7J3VL6$B7 at checkout to get the Dell PowerEdge T100 for $407 off!

Yes that’s right you can find this machine for only $279 at Dell Small Business!

Now this is a deal that certainly no small business can sneeze at!

I’m sure all of you who have school age children did a good deal of shopping for back to school clothes two months ago. I’m also betting that you probably still have more shopping to do. The reason I am thinking this that two months ago it was still pretty hot out. In the past week or so however temperatures have been falling, and you quite probably are thinking there are more Fall and Winter clothing purchases to be made.

With this line of thought in mind, I have been keeping my eye out for teen fashion trends this season. The sort of clothes that will be appropriate for school, but the kids will want to wear. After all it is nice for the parents to be prepared and know what they are facing!

We also want to keep this budget friendly of course. So with your wallet in mind I looked around and found some very nice Delia’s coupons that will no doubt help you in this endeavor. Delia’s the trendy online retailer for girls and young women are currently 20% off of all outerwear!

Plaid There is certainly quite a bit of plaid around this year. Plaid could almost be the new black for teens this fall. You’re going to see it on your teen’s back, feet and head. Hats, sneakers, shoes, backpacks, shirts and more are all coming out in plaid. The Casey Plaid Coat from Delia’s is a nice choice. Double-breasted belted coat with button sleeve cuff detail. On sale for $79.50.

Black and Gray Jeans Black or gray jeans are really in this year, along with the less baggie and more form fitting cut. There is a very nice deal on these Morgan Low-Rise Skinny Jeans pictured above.  Firstly they are on sale for $39.50, down from $49.50. Secondly they are Buy One, Get The Second Half Off! Don’t let the “low rise” scare you, all this means is that it is no longer fashionable to have your waistline above your belly button. These are a versatile jean that you can dress up or down, and are totally appropriate.

70’s Inspired Sneakers When it comes to sneakers this year, it all about retro. Take a look at the hottest shoes and they all seem to be referencing styles first seen in the 70’s. Now this does manifest in many  different flavors, but I am a Converse guy and I really think these are hot. Suede Converse Chevron $55.

Mini Dresses While the sneakers reference the 70’s, the dresses seem to be referencing the 80’s. Shorter cuts have made a big comeback, with or without leggings. Here is a modest and school appropriate selection, once again in plaid like so many other things this Fall. Marisa Plaid Dress, Cap-sleeved shirtdress with front ruffle detail and self-tie at back. $44.50

Though I’m currently living in Los Angeles, the land without seasons, it wasn’t so long ago that I was in Chicago, the land of the neverending winter. I was just thinking yesterday, “well it wont be very long before the chill really starts settling in up there…for the next six months.” The feeling that settles in during winter (in locales where winter is serious business) really is something else. Everyone gets a slightly harder edge when they aren’t leaving the house unless they absolutely have to and it starts getting dark at about 4:30 in the afternoon. I’m thinking there is only one real cure for winter’s discontent: hitting the beach.

“What is that insane babble you are spewing forth Isreal”? Ha! Well let me explain gentle reader. Why not move your typical summer vacation to wintertime, and as the birds do, head south? South where it’s still warm. A beach resort during the winter when it’s significantly less crowded and the rates are not only down, but the resorts are offering significant price breaks to entice guests? I have some very nice Orbitz coupons that will save all of you up to 60% off on a stay at a delightful Sandals resort if you book by October 30.

Look into my magic mirror and imagine where you could be this winter, instead of digging your car out of three feet of snow when you are already late for work…

Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island Montego Bay

Located in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this resort features classical Georgian architecture, rich mahogany paneling and manicured grounds that welcome you to a place reminiscent of the grandest British manor houses. Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort transports you to a timeless experience of impeccable service, genteel manners and effortless sophistication, all set against the vivid aquamarine majesty of the Caribbean Sea.  Plus when you’re ready to venture even further afield, the  off shore island awaits, burgeoning with the exotic allure of the orient.

Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa

Negril, Jamaica. Imagine the breathtaking natural beauty and unique, laid-back spirit of Negril mingled seamlessly with the Caribbean luxury and attention to detail that has made the name Sandals synonymous with a whole new level of all-inclusive opulence and service–envision all of that and you’ll only just begin to get a small idea of the perfection that is Sandals Negril. Winner of CHA’s prestigious Green Hotel of the Year, this magical place has been designed to mirror the glorious surroundings without disturbing even one palm frond, allowing you to truly experience the wonders of unspoiled beach and lush gardens as only Adam and Eve could have.

Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island

The moment your Rolls Royce pulls up to the stunning Georgian facade of Sandals Royal Bahamian–once the domain of a former king of England–you realize that you’ve entered a realm of sophisticated splendor. This glamorous spot regales you with its sumptuous suites, its dazzling array of fine eating establishments, its exquisite tropical beauty and its breathtakingly gorgeous off-shore island, boasting two pristine, white-sand beaches, a serenely secluded spa and absolutely everything you could ever imagine in an exotic island hideaway.

For more free Orbitz coupons, deals and discount codes, click here!

The other day I was speaking to my wife about our newborn son’s first Halloween. I pitched the idea of painting him blue and having him go as baby Krishna. (Hahaha!) You may or may not get, and it may or may not be an idea that takes root (probably not) but I thought it was funny in the moment.

Yes Halloween is two months away, but that isn’t very far away at all. That time will go by in a snap. Besides, I just noticed that Pottery Barn Kids is having a big sale on children’s Halloween costumes. The costumes start at $29! I’d say that is a very good reason for all of us to give some thought as to what outfits our little ones will trick or treat in this year.

When picking out costumes this year just try to keep a few things in mind. You may be excited to dress your child up and parade her around for all to see, yet for children under 3, Halloween can be a scary day. Most young children have trouble differentiating between fantasy and reality, which can make not only people dressed as witches and ghosts, but even a life-sized Winnie the Pooh seem terrifying. Explain to your child that both kids and grown-ups will be playing “dress up” on Halloween. To help him understand that costumes are just make-believe, it’s a good idea to experiment with costumes and make-up about a week before the big day. Let your child try on different outfits and make-up and look at himself in the mirror so he can see first-hand that he is still the same person inside even if he looks different outside.

Likewise, seeing mom or dad go through the motions of putting on and taking off a costume will help him understand that it isn’t magic that transforms the kids and grown-ups he knows into princesses and robots. It’s best to avoid masks since your toddler relies on adults’ facial expressions to gauge how he should feel about unusual situations. Chances are he’ll need to see your smiling face at some point on this strange evening. Plus, he may not be able to recognize that it’s you under the mask.

Just keep it on the tame side. Make sure those little guys know it’s you under there. I think with that in mind we will have a great time with our young children on Halloween this year. I for one am looking forward to it!

Check out these adorable deals:

1. Peacock Tutu - Price $69

She’ll love to strut from door to door in this fanciful peacock costume. The airy, multilayered tulle skirt has felt feathers that hang all the way around. The long-sleeved polyester tricot top features more feathers sewn around the neck. Headband is made of colorful felt to complete the costume. Set includes long-sleeved top, headband, and tutu.

(Click on image or link to shop)

2. Puffy Spider Costume - $29

The sweetest spider you’ll ever encounter. Sewn from super-soft polyester fleece and fully lined, the body suit slips easily over your child’s clothing. The matching head piece features googly eyes and a friendly smile. Set includes body suit and coordinating head piece.

(Click on image or link to shop)

To find more Pottery Barn Kids coupon codes - Click here!

If there are two themes that I have noticed about this past Spring and Summer is:

1. People are having BABIES

2. People are getting MARRIED!

Not always in that order but you get my drift.. I am being a little dramatic while making this statement, but it seems like every other week I am shopping for a new wedding gift. Let me tell you, sometimes that can be very difficult! No, I’m not speaking of the cost and my pocketbook, though it is true, one must keep control of costs when buying so many gifts. No, I’m just speaking of buying gifts for people (usually family) that I might not know so well. What do you buy for cousin Erin (who you haven’t seen since 7th grade) and her new husband (who you only met briefly last Thanksgiving)?

There are a couple of rules of thumb when purchasing wedding gifts. Methods to insure that your gift is appreciated and not secretly despised. Here we go:

1. Money - Yes you can just give them money. Didn’t you see The Godfather? Just slip the bride an envelop of cold hard cash. It isn’t as tacky as you might think. It’s old school, and you probably will feel like a true player as you do it.

2. Use the registry - We all know at least one person who went a little crazy and registered for something outrageous like $100 toothbrush holder. However, if the registry lists gifts within your price range, choose something from the list. The couple will be thrilled to get exactly what they asked for.

3. When using the registry, try to complete a set - If you see that someone has already bought a place setting off the registry, buy a second one. If the casual dishes are filling up but no one has bought a formal setting, stick with the pack. One setting of formal dishes isn’t going to get a lot of use.

4. Always include a gift receipt - In spite of the best of intentions, duplicates happen when it comes to wedding gifts. (My sister received three fondue sets.) Resist the urge to think, “if I don’t include a gift receipt they’ll have to keep mine.” Remember that it’s a gift and it’s supposed to be about the bride and groom. A gift receipt is a simple way to ensure that your gift won’t go to waste.

5. Consider a gift card - This achieves much the same as the cash envelope option. If you’re traveling to the wedding, are unsure what to get, have budget concerns or simply want to be practical, buy a gift card for the store the couple is registered with. You can’t go wrong with that. Gift cards don’t break, are always the right color and they guarantee the perfect gift every time. Best of all, they’re really easy to wrap.

Now if you are really insistent on purchasing off the registry, I really advise at the very least shopping in a “safe zone”. Meaning buying from a store where all of the stuff is pretty classy, and almost everyone likes it. A good option is Pottery Barn. We have some very nice Pottery Barn coupons available, and there is a whole section on their website dedicated to wedding gift special. Here are a few of the highlights that I enjoyed:

Square Decanter Vintage styling. Handblown glass fitted with a round glass stopper. $25.00

Bedford Digital Photo Station Offers modern technology and organization in one. The 3.5″ Digital Frame can store up to 40 photos, and the top surface can be used to hold electronic devices while recharging. Smart feature includes a power strip with 3 plugs available for plugging in the frame, a camera and other portable electronics. Enjoy a sideshow of favorite photos while charging your camera and other electronics. The Digital Photo Station, the newest addition to our Bedford Smart Technology collection is designed to integrate technology seamlessly into daily life. $119.00

Bill Organizer This hand-finished organizer holds paperwork and has a numbered slot for each day of the month. $59.00 

Yahoo has launched a website to provide daily deals, online coupons, grocery coupons, local coupons, store circulars and exclusive deals all in one place: the new Yahoo Deals website. The site also debuts social and community features as well as money-saving video content. The Yahoo Deals website includes coupons and offers provided by Coupons.com, Valpak, Visa, Next Jump, Ecobunga and Greenzer (for eco-friendly products), TechBargains.com and LogicBUY (for computers and electronics), CouponAlbum, CouponMountain, BradsDeals.com and Dealnews.

The site also features gas finder module that helps users find the cheapest gas by zip code, and a new community feature allows users to post or read comments on each deal.

Greg Hintz, head of Yahoo Shopping, said, “Frugality is the new cool. We now know that couponing and bargain hunting are losing their stigma and are now a regular habit for many people. Our goal at Yahoo! is to be the center of people’s online lives and we’re making Yahoo! the easiest place for consumers to find and manage the coupons and deals that are relevant to their lives.”

(Source: ‘Yahoo Deals’ Debuts with Daily Deals from Around the Web by: Ina Steiner)

Summer travels, a good chunk of my friends are gearing up for, just returning from, or in the middle of their own. I’m looking upon them with a bit of jealousy. I would like to go somewhere, but I can’t…this being “new baby summer”. Ah well, I do believe I have the more exciting adventure on my plate.

While observing everyone running hither and yon the past several weeks I’ve noticed that people seem really into roadtripping and bare bones travel this year. It seems to be a fairly prevalent phenomenon. Prevalent enough to acquire it’s own marketing term. “Flashpacking”. Traveling with more flash than cash. This little buzzword is on the lips of all the travel writers this summer.

The first question on many travelers’ lips may well be: What is flashpacking? Who are these mysterious flashpackers? Many flashpackers are actually just the growing number of ‘techno-travelers’ out there. They’ve got iPods and digital cameras. They’re traveling with their laptops. They want to blog and broadcast live video streams of their travel experiences, so they need free WiFi at their hostel.

While technology is a key element of flashpacking, though, it’s not the whole picture, by any means. A flashpacker is essentially just the usual backpacker or independent traveler, looking for something a bit more upmarket from their digs. They want all the flexibility of the independent traveler – the unfixed itinerary which allows you to think on your feet and go wherever the fancy takes you – yet they also want (just a little!) of the look and feel of a boutique hotel.

Yet they don’t want your standard budget hotel: rather, they’re after the advantages of a good, old-fashioned cheap hostel, with just a bit more, well, luxury. Even the most hardcore backpackers among us can do with a bit of luxury from time to time. It’s okay we won’t judge you for not wanting to spend a month eating bugs in the Outback. I’ll even help you out to find those nice but affordable digs…I’ve got some Orbitz coupons with your name on them right here.

Several months ago my wife Sara and I had a very in depth conversation with regards to the subject of maternity swimwear. At the time this was inspired by an upcoming long weekend in Palm Springs, the majority of which was spent lounging around a pool. Plus Sara knows swimming is a great way for expectant mothers to stay healthy and fit. People would often tell her; “when I was in my final month or two, the only time I felt comfortable was when I was floating in a pool”.

My wife is a very fashion forward person, in fact her career revolves around it! She isn’t going to wear just anything, and she gets a little agitated if she isn’t able to keep her vintage style intact. She put more than a decent amount of research into finding good choices. Finding good fitting maternity swimwear is not easy for many moms-to-be. It’s hard enough finding the right fit, ample breast support and a pretty design. Some people say expectant mothers can opt for plus-size swimwear as it is also meant for fuller figures. But this is not right for many reasons. First of all because maternity swimwear is specifically designed and cut to fit the unique shape of a pregnant woman. Maternity swimsuits tend to offer the exact kind of support and coverage a mom-to-be wants and needs to help her look and feel best during this very special time of her life. This shape can be a lot different from other full figure body types. Maternity swimsuits often support right where the expectant woman needs it. For example, a woman’s bust line can increase dramatically during the course of a pregnancy, so extra support is often needed to keep the suit fitting correctly. In addition, most pregnant swimwear has bodice detailing to emphasize rather than de-emphasize the woman’s waistline. This way you can show your natural beauty.

I asked Sara (knowing that she much more an authority on this subject than I, hahaha) what her top three choices were and why, after her searching was said and done.

The Knot Front Maternity One Piece She really liked the lines in this one, and found them to be very flattering. She also thought this suit would produce a nice tan line. Nylon/spandex one piece, machine wash, from Motherhood. $34.98

Halter Maternity Tankini Sara was alerted to this selection after seeing a picture of Charlie Sheen’s wife Brooke Mueller wearing it while pregnant with their twins. She thought it looked great on her, and she really liked the beaded detail on the top. Nylon/spandex two piece, hand wash. The Pea in the Pod collection from Destination Maternity. $145

Liz Lange Tribal Plaid Tankini Sara had to admit to a bit of concern over the plaid pattern on this selection. She did really like the fun 50’s styling though. Nylon/spandex, hand wash, bottoms sold separately. $22.99 from Target.

Target Coupon Codes - Free Shipping Offers + Take $5 Off Online Orders

Baby & Maternity Coupon Codes - Find a variety of coupons for BabyGap.com, The Children’s Plae, Diapers.com, Babies R’ US and more!

I have been to the Staples Center on more than one occasion for Laker games and various concerts, but never before on any previous visit have I seen such an amazing sight. The perimeter around the Staples Center was barricaded off more than a block away and the amount of media outlets present was astonishing. The traffic was as expected, horrible beyond belief. It took us a good fifty minutes to get off of Adams from the 110 to even within a block of Staples Center. My friend Cori and I had silver wristbands and Nokia Live tickets that we obtained the previous day at Dodger Stadium. We were ushered immediately to the Nokia Live entrances upon entering the premises since we didn’t have the gold wristbands marked for the Staple Center seating.

Walking up to corner of Figueroa and Chick Hearn Court, you were immediately bombarded with News reporters asking for your thoughts, how you felt, why you love Michael Jackson, and how far you traveled. Seemingly, no one wanted to talk to us local girls but more the many holding such signs as “I traveled from France to see the Memorial!” The different walks of life present at the memorial were a remarkable to see. Nokia Live was set up with three large screens that would be broadcasting the memorial live from across the street. We were bummed at the fact that we wouldn’t be able to see the event live in person, but I suppose being there in and of itself was an honor anyway. We were given gold booklets that contained personal and professional photos of Michael Jackson, his family, and close friends accompanied by written eulogies from family members and friends.

As we waited for the event to commence, I was amazed how touching and emotional I became simply reading the loving words of his family. It would be the beginning of a never ending flow of tears for me and many within the audience. Throughout the memorial, you could feel the love in the room. The tears, the laughs, and the heartfelt love being sent from all of us sitting in that darkened theatre. How extraordinary it was to have thousands of complete strangers coming together to mourn and celebrate the life of such an amazing figure like Michael Jackson. Some believed the memorial to be inappropriate, circus like even, but being there you couldn’t tell it apart from your ordinary family gathering for a lost one, other than of course the big name celebrities and performers in attendance. Everyone was just so respectable and appreciative of the moment that the three hours it lasted seemed like less than one and no one wanted it to end.

After the ceremony at the Staples Center concluded, Janet, La Toya, and Rebbie Jackson came over to say a few words to us in Nokia Live. They reiterated their gratitude and thanks for all the fans’ support and love. The experience is one I will never forget and continue to replay in my head throughout the day. What an amazing man and what an amazing life Michael Jackson has led. I believe that Reverend Al Sharpton’s eulogy was very powerful and very well spoken, one of my favorite of the night. You can hear cheering and calls of agreement with his positive and uplifting words towards Michael Jackson’s life. His family was by far the most moving and heartfelt words spoken. I sat there thinking that this family, however powerful and famous they have become, is still a family like yours or mine. I think a lot of people forget about that. Michael Jackson was a man, just like any other, but the love for this family and this man goes beyond any other human being present, past, and future. I thought the memorial was well put together and executed with so much class and elegance. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful celebration of the life of Michael Jackson and a fabulous beginning to the every living legacy of the King of Pop.