From an Allstate press release comes the following”

“Allstate Insurance Company has teamed up with Restaurant.com and Sam’s Club on special offers to help consumers save on more
than just insurance during this time of belt tightening for the country.

At Sam’s Club, the well-known wholesale warehouse store, non-members will be allowed to shop on a free, one-day guest pass, with no obligation to join. Consumers can visit www.Allstate.com/GoodHands to download the guest pass. This offer begins
January 30 and runs through March 31, 2009.

For Restaurant.com, a website dedicated to savings for more than 9,500 restaurants nationwide, consumers can receive an additional 50 percent off all gift certificates. Using the promotional code available at www.Allstate.com/GoodHands, a $25 gift certificate
that normally sells for $10 can be purchased for $5.

These special offers are available exclusively via www.Allstate.com/GoodHands. The offers are available to all consumers, not just Allstate customers. In addition, the website offers consumers practical, money saving solutions for everything from utility bills and
credit card expenses, to better driving habits and ideas for inexpensive “nights on the town.”

Unfortunately the Allstate page isn’t up yet but the deal is going to be good from Restaurant.com and their $5 gift certificates.

I decided to start this blog because I have been sick of reading/watching/living the news and dealing with recession/depression/stagflation/insert economic disaster here. Hopefully this place will become a respite from the bad and provide hope for working through these tough times. And no one seems to be immune.

Expect to find the ordinary and unusual saving money tips along with surprises. Hope you stick around!

Valentine’s Day is only two weeks away and is always a dangerous opportunity to spend too much on a gift. I think the key to restraint here is to set yourself a budget and stick to it. With a little planning, you can create a great day for that special person and not blow a month’s salary. Guys: Some of these tips could get you in trouble and you will be seen as cheap. The idea is to be thrifty and make it look like you spent a lot more.

Card: American Greetings is offering 25% off their photo cards using coupon code VDAY25. Most cards, which will be unique because you use your own pictures, run about $2.95 to $3.95 in low quantities.

Gift: Lets go to Amazon, the one place I can usually find a great assortment at all price points, and see what recommendations they have.

For her, they have Spa-In-A-Basket with scents, slippers and a massage tool – for only $18.60. If you want to go more traditional, how about the 8 piece Godiva Chocolate that runs $16.50?

For him, Amazon suggests Omaha Steaks 12 4oz Burgers - cost $14.99. Another great gift is the Libbey 6 piece Pub Beer Set for $15.99 and ships 2 day free with Amazon Prime.

Date: Now this is a place where you can easily spend hundreds of dollars what with dinner and hotel reservations. So what if you try an event the two of you can try together. Lets check out Craigslist to see what is going on in my neighborhood.

Re-Thinking Plastics – If the two of you are into conservation, you can check out this lecture and help save the Earth at the same time. Cost: $1/person.

Romance in the kitchen at St. Supery – A wine and truffle tasting event in the beautiful Napa Valley for $35/person.

Love Actually – “Love Actually* invites film industry folk, film fans and general audience to come an see brilliant short films about Love, Sex & Romance works, then take part in q&a discussion with the people who made the film go!” Cost: $10/person.

We have managed to stay under $100 total with all options and in some cases under $50. Besides, its the company that counts on this day so have fun.