How To Shop Deals Online

If you would like to know how to find the best deals for online shopping, you are at the right place!

My husband and I have learned how to find the best deals on everything from diapers to TV's. If you are in the market to buy something (especially something expensive) just remember you don't have to pay full price.

The first step to finding any item at a better price is to use a search engine such as google and search for the item. Google.com has a shopping link that lets you compare prices from different retailers. You can even sort the items by price from lowest to highest. This method alone could save you a lot of money on items compared to buying them locally at full price, but in order to really save money, you have to put a tad bit more effort into it.

For instance, once you have found the lowest possible price for an item, you can check various cash-back sites to see if they offer any discount for the website or store you want to purchase from. Ebates.com and fatwallet.com offer cashback at various websites. These websites offer free accounts in which you use your existing email address to sign up. You create a password and set up your preferences. If you have a paypal account, you can opt to have your cashback directly deposited to it. If not, then you can get a check mailed to you as long as your cashback has accumulated more than five dollars. In addition to using cashback sites, you can also search for coupons. Depending on what you are looking for, this could be either a manufacturer coupon or a coupon for a specific website or store. Also, keep in mind that most retail stores will offer free site to store shipping if you want to pick up your item locally instead of having it shipped. This can save a lot of $$ in shipping costs.

If you enjoy being frugal, you might want to keep up with a website such as Slickdeals.net and or Deals.Woot.com These sites are basically communities of deal seekers, members of these sites may post deals daily. These deals then get rated and commented on by other members. These sites can be very helpful in finding the best deal available for a given item. I have found deals on TV's, computers, clothes, shoes, accessories, audio equipment, musical instruments... The list goes on and on. Websites like slickdeals.net and Deals.Woot.com can be searched for deals on specific items,or you can look at all of the available deals. These deals can be sorted by date, rating, or number of comments. I have even found free items at sites like these. Slickdeals.net actually has a freebies forum where members may list free samples and promotions.

I have also found that Facebook can be helpful in finding deals. Weird right? Alot of businesses have made this a new trend to give "deal promotions". All you have to do is "like" the business on Facebook and that particular company will give you "exclusive" coupons, coupon codes and deals that can only be obtained through Facebook.

Now, if there is a particular company that you want a deal or a coupon for, you can usually go to their website and subscribe to their email list or news letter. From there you will have to wait for the initial email and they usually start the coupons right away. That is also good for companies you purchase items from often. They will periodically send you coupons and promotions.

From your wallet to mine I hope this information will save us a great deal of change and get us the deals we hope for!

Fillings At The Dentist

Image via Wikipedia

Have you been to the dentist to get fillings?

I went today and had three teeth filled. My husband had two teeth filled with the same dentist. I have had a few fillings in my life already, so I knew exactly what I wanted. I did not want a shot and I wanted the white (composite) fillings. The dentist did what I asked completely hassle free.

My husband, on the other hand, was "talked into" the silver (amalgam) fillings approximately three years prior. Since then we have researched the different kinds of fillings available and we discovered that the silver fillings contained approximately fifty percent of mercury and also contained silver, tin, and copper. My husband said the dentist was pushy with him and tried to persuade him into getting more silver fillings. My husband explained to him that he did not want them for very specific reasons. My husband had also mentioned that he was not particularly comfortable with getting shots in his gums. The dentist said the shots were necessary, when in fact, the shot is optional based on your comfort and whether or not you can maintain yourself and stay still while they drill your teeth.

If you are ever faced with this dilemma, I want you to be well informed of your options. The two most common types of fillings are Amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth colored). Knowing the pros and cons of each can help you make a comfortable decision.

Advantages of Composties

The composite filling integrates with the tooth. It doesn't weaken the tooth as a silver filling does. The dentist now can make a smaller hole, since the white material can flow into small places. Which means less drilling! Also, due to the smaller hole, there is more of your own tooth left, leaving it stronger. Secondary decay is easier to spot beneath tooth colored fillings, and if the composite filling gets damaged, they can be easily fixed. The composite fillings act as temperature and electrical insulators-resistant to extremes of heat and cold. They are a more natural, attractive choice. Composites are also environmentally safe (no hazardous metal wastes to dispose of) and no risk of mercury allergy. In some cases we can do an almost microscopic filling, by using air abrasion instead of the drill. These are often done without anesthetic if we catch them early enough. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth to help prevent breakage and last with a range of 7-10 years.

Disadvantages of Composites

The presence of saliva can compromise the bonding process, which means the tooth may require isolation. This matter will not work well on wisdom teeth because there is no adjacent tooth to shore up the outer edge. They also have potential to leak. Many insurance companies might not cover them. They are a little more expensive but I am sure you heard before "you get what you pay for" and when it comes to your health you should consider paying for the healthier choice.

Advantages of Silver Amalgam

They are generally less expensive. A silver amalgam filling does not require such strict isolation of the tooth like the composites do require. The filling by itself is a stronger material, although it weakens the tooth. Silver fillings have a longer history of use than mercury-free fillings, thus some feel that they are more tried and tested.

Disadvantages of Silver Amalgam

They are dark and not very attractive. They are harder therefore they weaken the tooth and may cause more trips to the dentist. They contain mercury. Healthy parts of the tooth must also be destroyed to accommodate this type of filling.