Do the villa’s of Italy entice you – there are no places like them on Earth. The clatter of plates in the out doors Ristorantes, the beautiful sunsets and scenery. The Mediterranean, clear blue and clean… the smells of fresh foods and drink wafting in the air. Who wouldn’t want to just ‘get away’ for a romantic tour of Italy?

Perhaps your choice would be a quiet island in the Caribbean or the Bahamas. White sand beaches, clear warm, baby blue water that beckons a midnight swim. Island music and drinks while relaxing on the beach… I want to be there now!

Enter a Contest

There are deals beyond belief… and many, many places to explore, especially if you’re open to travel when the time arises. Some deals come for specific places and are free, some are discounted, but the timing is everything.

These are the best options for free rides. You have to enter contests but the trips are completely free and some even include hotel stays. Some contests are a little more challenging than others, such as Jet Star Airway’s “What’s Your Story” contest. The story they are seeking is a Jet Star flight story and travel tips, but hey, for a free trip, who wouldn’t want to throw a few words together. One of these sites can be found at “Contests and Sweepstakes”…

Discount Travel Sites

Most of these deals are through specific Airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, which are – right now, offering a “Kids Free” promotion to Disneyland and include hotel packages as well. Others, such as a Los Cabos, Mexico vacation offers guests $400.00 per room credit, intended to cover the cost of airfare as well – see Smarter Travel for more deals/details.

Travel Zoo has lists and lists of discounted air travel such as $29.00 to Vegas flight sale, and includes return airfare as well. Some flights within the U.S. via Orbitz can be obtained for as little as $39.00.

Cheap Tickets always has the best deals, and sometimes, you can find them dirt cheap. (Fanny’s note: Cheap Tickets offers no booking fees on flights originating from the US)

Cruises are always giving away free cruises when their ships are under booked. Check with the cruise lines, and sometimes travel agents have good tips. They travel free wherever they go.

Buy One, Get One Free

Travel Zoo and others list deals by destination, which is a bonus because if there is somewhere you are looking to go on the cheap – here is the site for you. I stumbled around and found that I could go to San Francisco free, with the purchase of one ticket. That’s a pretty huge savings, but to find the free tickets, you really have to search.

Another really good site is Airlines of the Web – which offers over 500 airlines that are offering free airfare or highly discounted. Might have to do some searching, but it is definitely worth the time.

Overbooked Flights

When airlines overbook their flights, which are very common – that is the perfect opportunity for you to get a free flight voucher, which are almost always more than the ticket you bought due to inconvenience. It happens during some of their busy holiday times, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. Let the ticket agent know that if they are over booked, you’d be happy to take the next flight and the “thank you” vouchers will be useful for your next vacation. You’ll still get on the next flight, but you just landed a free flight, next time.

Other methods of getting free airfare is the request it, should you be delayed and miss a connecting flight. You can get a voucher for $300.00 for a 1-hour wait.

Credit Card Rewards

When you spend a specific amount on a credit card, you add up flight points, and most flights are free after spending a certain amount on the card. Check with your credit card company to make sure your card has this option.

Also, remember to ALWAYS sign up for the “Frequent Flyer” packages for every single airline that offer them. Those air miles add up and before you know it, you’re flying first class, for free.

Loyalty Programs

Racking up air miles in Frequent Flyer programs are great, but there are also loyalty programs offered by companies. Most companies that you do business with, will do just about anything to keep you buying from them. I am always getting coupons for specific deals from DirecTV – and other companies I deal with. Take the up on it… Incentive programs are abundant, and should be utilized as they pay off big in rewards. Those rewards a lot of times include free airfare.

Hotwire is a great place to find great deals on airfare and hotels, and so is Travelocity; Priceline; SmartFares; Expedia and many, many others. You just have to be in the right place at the right time, and be flexible. Search them frequently for the places you wish to go. They will offer specials, weekly, so be open to travel when the offers are there.

Last but not least, pick up a copy of David Tinney’s book titled “Why Not Fly for Free?” for more tips and secrets. It discloses, “Secrets the airlines don’t want you to know.” Tinney is a travel agent and says that its possible to go anywhere in the world while only paying the required tax on tickets – the tickets are absolutely free.

Good luck, happy travels, and go out there and get your ‘free tickets’!

Ally is part of the team that manages Home Loans, a free variable home loans service in Australia. Before joining HLF, she was a Media Planner with McCann Worldgroup Philippines, Inc., with award-winning executions, including the Levi’s 501 “Live Unbuttoned” global campaign.

Photo Credit: kokorowashinjin

Featured in the Festival of Frugality #273 hosted by Clarity.

With the economy the way it is, a flood of daily deal sites have popped up. Groupon and Living Social are two of the most popular daily deal sites.

Basically, when you join Groupon or Living Social and create an account, you get daily deals via email. These deals are discounted at least 50% off and you have a limited time to purchase the deal, which is like a gift certificate. You may redeem the gift certificate or voucher by printing it out or using your iPhone or Android.

But are you saving more or spending more?

Every day, when you get the daily deal email, you may be tempted to purchase something on the spur of the moment, due to the time limit on the deals. And it may not be something that was in your budget.

If you’re a shopaholic who loves deals, you can end up spending more than you wanted to. All of those deals that you bought here and there can really add up. $30 for a $65 massage, $15 for $30 dinner, $129 for $259 tandem skydiving jump?

There was even a deal that was $10,000 for a $20,000 penthouse suite. Are they for real? I’ve been to that penthouse suite and it’s as big as a mansion inside. But is spending $10,000 on a penthouse suite really a deal? I also read in the news that this particular hotel was on the brink of bankruptcy.

That’s why businesses like this offer deeply discounted deals on Groupon or Living Social. They need the boost in advertising and income.

Believe me, I’ve bought a few of those deals. I purchased a $270 massage for $90 and bought 3 of those deals. I was able to redeem 2 of the 3 massages before the spa went out of business! And last year, I bought a restaurant deal that was $15 for $30 worth of food. It was never convenient for me to go to the restaurant, so I never went. Then I heard it was going out of business. I called them to confirm that it was indeed closing its doors. Maybe that’s why they did so many deals on Groupon and Living Social!

If you see the same business aggressively offering deals on both Groupon and Living Social, it’s almost a sure sign that the business will soon go under.

Groupon and Living Social were able to refund my money with no hassles, which one thing I really like about these sites. If you aren’t happy with the deal that you bought, don’t be afraid to call them and ask for your money back. They want to keep up their good reputation so they will do whatever it takes to make you happy.

There are sites like Lifesta where you can sell the deals you regretted buying. But they take a fee like eBay and you’ll end up losing some money when you sell. At least try to get a refund or credit from Groupon or Living Social first, before you go this route. Calling them seems to be more effective than email.

Now, when I look at the daily deal, I ask myself these questions:

1. Do I know this business?

2. Am I realistically going to use this before the expiration date?

3. Do I need this?

4. Is this really a good deal?

If I can answer all 4 questions, I will buy the deal. This is such a stringent process that I’ve only bought one deal since – $10 for a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate, which was totally worth it since I make so many Amazon.com purchases.

While there are great deals to be had on these sites, sometimes a deal isn’t really a deal, especially if you forget to use it and the voucher expires!

Are you saving more or spending more with Groupon, Living Social, or other daily deal sites?

Want an iPad? Apple is offering $100 rebate if you bought the first generation iPad within the past 2 weeks before the iPad 2 announcement, which is Feb. 16 – March 1, 2011.

Now that Apple has announced the iPad 2, the original iPad has be discounted $100, to the new price of $399.

Here’s what’s new in version 2 of the iPad, as spoofed by the Conan O’Brien show in this hilarious iPad 2 parody.

Made me laugh today. Enjoy!

Here are some great ideas for Valentine’s Day gifts under $20, for him or for her, from Amazon.com. All of these items come with Free Super Saver Shipping. However, I would recommend one or two day shipping, so that you’ll have your gift in time for Valentine’s Day.

If you need quick shipping, for a limited time, Amazon.com is offering Free Two Day Shipping on select Valentine’s Day items in the Grocery and Gourmet Food department.

Also, check out current deals on Valentine’s Day flowers.

Sterling Silver Charm Necklace – $9.13

If you’re on a tight budget, this lovely charm necklace will fit the bill. Simple yet elegant, a necklace makes a great gift because you don’t have to worry about sizing.

Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Ring - $14.00

This sterling silver ring makes a great gift as a promise ring. It looks more expensive than it really is. Just be sure to get her correct finger size.

Valentine’s Day, the movie $10.49

Valentine’s Day was a popular movie last year. It makes for a great movie date night with your Valentine.

Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies $15.00

Chocolate covered Oreo cookies will make a special treat for him or her on Valentine’s Day.

Solid Milk Chocolate Key to My Heart $19.75

This chocolate key tells your Valentine exactly who your heart belongs to.

Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles $14.88

Lindt makes some of the best chocolates in the world. Say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day with the best chocolates.

Bath Bundtz Bath Fizzies Gift Set $18.23

Bath fizzies are bath soaps that fizz and dissolve in a hot bath. This gift set resembles decadent pastries, making it a unique and memorable gift for the bath lover.

Fondue Set for Two $20.00

Make your own chocolate covered strawberries with this fondue set, a perfect ending to a great Valentine’s date.

Cash in your coins amounting to $40 or more and get a $10 bonus when you cash it for an eCertificate or gift card.

Hurry, this offer expires on December 31, 2010!

How It Works:

1. Go to the Coinstar^® machine locator to find the nearest participating machine.
2. Bring your coins to the nearest Coinstar^® machine and cash in a minimum of $40.

3. Choose an eCertificate (which gives you full value for your coins). You can spend your coin pour right away.

4. Your $10 promo code will be at the bottom of your Coinstar receipt.

5. Come back to this page, enter your promo code and the rest of the information.

6. Your $10 gift card will be mailed to you.

Choose from:

• Borders
• iTunes
• Lowe’s
• Regal
• Rixty

Don’t have time to make your own gifts? Here are some cool gifts I hand-picked for you, all of which are under $20 from Amazon.com, my favorite shopping site.

There is something for every budget. Shop for gifts under $10, $15, and $25.

All of the items include Free Super Saver Shipping on orders $25 or more.

Gifts under $10

SmartMoney Magazine 1-year Subscription – $5 (with 1-year auto-renewal)

SmartMoney Magazine is a personal finance magazine put together by the editors of the Wall Street Journal. Each issue includes personal finance articles, CEO interviews, lifestyle, and technology articles. The catch is that it will auto-renew after a year. Just remember to cancel before then.

CamelBak BPA-Free Water Bottle – $6.05 – $19.99

BPA-free water bottles are a must nowadays. This supercool, CamelBak water bottle is perhaps the most popular (with 671 Amazon reviews), since it’s patterned after the CamelBak trademark bite valve. It makes a perfect gift for the athlete or sports enthusiast. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes with different price points.

Gifts under $15

Pike Street Fleece Cuddly Wrap, Set of 2 – $14.58

Just like the Snuggie but cheaper! The Pike Street cuddly wrap will keep anyone warm during these cold, winter days. It comes in a set of 2 and is exclusively sold at Amazon.com. The cuddly wrap also comes in chic brown for only $17.78.

Funkyfoodshops Groovy 70′s Candy Sampler – $14.95

Remember these candies from back in the day? Bring back memories with this unique gift of nostalgic candies by Funkyfoodshops. Candy samplers from the 50′s, 60′s, and 80′s are also available.

O Oprah Magazine 1-year Subscription – $13 (with 1-year auto-renewal)

Give the gift almost any woman would love, the gift of O magazine! Buy a 1-year subscription for only $13. The catch is that it will auto -enew after a year. You’ll have to remember to cancel before then.

Cupcake Kit with Recipes, Liners, and Decorating Tools – $13.57

Gourmet cupcakes are so popular now. This cupcake kit comes with everything a cupcake lover needs to decorate their own cupcakes.

Trudeau Chocolate Fondue Set – $12.37

What a steal for a chocolate fondue set! Impress any chocolate lover with this cool fondue set, complete with everything you need to fondue, except the chocolate.

Gifts under $20

Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box – $16.50

This supercute bento box will make anyone’s day. With 2 tiers of compartments, it separates 2 different dishes. It’s the perfect size for kids or small eaters.

Wilton 4-Tier Stacked Cupcake Tower – $18.74

Wilton’s 4-tier cupcake tower showcases desserts at casual or upscale celebrations. It’s perfect for the dessert lover!

Wine Country Gift Basket – $19.95

You can’t go wrong with a food gift basket. This delicious, gourmet gift comes with caramel popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels, and hard candies.

Rishi Tea Glass Teapot and Infuser – $15.62

This elegant glass teapot and infuser makes a great gift for that tea lover on your list. The description says it’s for 2 people but I think it’s the perfect size is for one person. The built-in infuser is convenient for steeping loose leaf teas.

Udder Cover, the maker of nursing covers, is offering free nursing covers! The catch? Only pay for $9.95 shipping and handling. This is a deal since nursing covers generally cost between $25 – $30.

What is a nursing cover? It’s a piece of fabric, much like an apron, that provides privacy for mothers nursing their babies.

I just ordered my free nursing cover and was able to use PayPal to pay, since I have some funds in there.

They are connected to Seven Slings, cloth baby carriers, who had a similar free deal. Also, Udder Cover is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Udder Cover nursing covers are usually $32 each. Use promo code “onefree” and get $32 deducted from your final total. Just pay for shipping. You can use this promo code unlimited times, but only once per order.

It makes a great gift for new moms!

Get your free nursing cover using promo code “onefree”.

Here are some of the best deals that I scoured the web to find. Some are expiring today so act quickly! Enjoy!

Barnes and Noble – 15% off one item for all customers with coupon code W7K3B7H (expires 12/1)

Bath and Bodyworks – $10 off no minimum with coupon code F102785 (expires 12/31)

Borders – 33% off 1 item with coupon code BLX5879E (expires 12/1)

Current Catalog – 20% off and free shipping on orders of $40 or more

Kohl’s – 50% off sale on select items, 20% off sitewide with coupon code EXTRA20 and free shipping with coupon code: CONTACTFR (expires 12/1)

Macy’s Friends and Family – 25% off and free shipping with coupon code MACYSFRIEND or Print savings pass (expires 12/6)

Walgreens Friends and Family – 15% off in-store purchase, 20% W and Walgreens brand products, one day only (expires 12/1)

Who doesn’t love free shipping? Avoid the holiday crowds and fights over parking.

Order your gifts online and get free holiday shipping! Most of the deals below don’t require a coupon code. Plus, a few sites offer free holiday shipping on all orders!

Amazon.com – Orders of $25 or more

Athleta.com – Orders of $50 or more

BananaRepublic.com - Orders of $50 or more

BarnesandNoble.com – Orders of $25 or more

BedBathandBeyond.com – Orders over $100, expires 12/16

Borders.com – Orders of $40 or more for nonmembers; $25 or more for members

ChefsCatalog.com – Orders of $49 or more. Or pay only $3 shipping on any order through Coupon Cabin.

Chocolate.com – Orders of $60 or more

ColorfulImages.com – Orders of $25 or more

CurrentCatalog.com – Orders over $40, receive 20% off, expires 12/1

CVS.com – Orders of $60 or more, receive $15 off and free shipping (promo code: CYBERMONDAY), expires 11/30

Drugstore.com - Orders of $25 or more

eBags.com – All orders (promo code: LINKFREES), expires 12/31 – special offer from Living Richly on a Budget

Gap.com - Orders of $50 or more

Kohls.com – Orders of $50 or more

LLBean.com – All orders

Macys.com – Orders of $99 or more (promo code: GIFTS) expires 12/20

OldNavy.com - Orders of $50 or more

Piperlime.com – All orders

Target.com – Orders of $50 or more

Walgreens.com – Orders of $25 or more

Zappos.com – All orders

It’s Walgreens Friends and Family Day in stores only, on Friday, February, 12, 2010. Get 15% off eligible products and 20% off Walgreens and W brand products. Friends and Family coupon must be presented at the cosmetics or photo counter to apply. See coupon for exclusions.