Groupon

It is a brilliant idea to me to think that there is websites now available that advertise deals to each individual city across the United States. Essentially Groupon is a free website that sends personalized emails to your account about local deals. If you like the deal and would like to use it, just print it off and bring it to the vendor. Groupon's vendors offer up to 90% off of the merchandise.

The confusing part to me is how the website makes money. I think that the company has partnered with the companies that advertise on the website and receive a commission for the purchase. It is common that websites do this. Groupon is more or less a main website for the web of sites that are on it.

Another perk that the website offers is referral appreciation. For each friend that you invite to the website, Groupon will give you $10 to your next purchase. It is a great incentive for the individual to share these deals with friends, thus spreading the word about the vendors.

I have only heard good things about this website and how convenient it is to use. However, the one negative piece is all the emails that are sent to your account. Depending on the size of your local city, the amount of companies that have daily deals is outrageous. Each email brings in awareness for Groupon as well as the vendor.

Here is a direct link to Groupon. What challenges do you see this company having in the future?

Pier 1 Imports; No Longer a Rip Off

I do not think it is a big secret that Pier 1 Imports has a reputation for having an outrageously priced, yet pleasing inventory.  How can anyone afford decorative throw pillows starting at $25 each? I have to say that I have had a change of heart since September.  For example, this pillow to the left is currently on sale for $8.68, marked down from $34.95. Even though that still may be pricey for some, it is a grand improvement and somewhat affordable.

After moving into my own place off campus, I went into the local Pier 1 to see what goodies I could pick up to make my space more festive and unique. What I found was a larger variety of inventory as well as much of it with slashed prices. They now offer gift supplies, jewelry, children's toys, and bath items.

The jewelry that they have to offer is awesome. The pieces are really interesting, unique, and quirky, but can help jazz up an outfit and make for great gifts. I recently went into Pier 1 looking for a nice vase or mirror for a friend of mine. Even though I browsed those departments, I walked out with over $45 in accessories and gadgets for her, which she absolutely loved. This ring was so cheap it was laughable. I actually had to ask one of the sales associates if it was marked wrong. It was originally $7 which is great as it is, but marked down to $0.68. Awesome.

I find it very clever of Pier 1 to have children's toys since it is primarily a place a parent may bring their young child. Instead of having a tantrum, just hand the child a sparkly yo-yo or a book to help pass the time. The toys also will not break the bank if one so chooses to purchase it.

Pier 1 has now turned into a one stop deal. Do you know of any other stores that have recently changed their inventory to make it more suitable for a larger client base?

Here is a direct link to Pier 1 Imports

Buy One, Get One

This day in age, it is hard to find a company that willingly want to give to others.  It is common however to find companies that are mandated to pay fines due environmental issues or harm to a culture.  Another hard thing to find today is items that are reasonably priced.  Many families have to cut back on luxury items such as clothes and charity.    

My friend, Melissa, is also always hunting for deals. She admires fashion, beauty, art, and the unique. (Check out her blog www.melissaboccanfuso.blogspot.com) A staple in her wardrobe is TOMS Shoes.  Not only are TOMS really comfortable, affordable, and practical shoes, but the company also has a great motto; One for One.  Essentially for every pair of TOMS purchased, another pair goes to a child in need in a developing country.  Blake Mykoskie, founder of the company, chose developing countries because many children grow up barefoot causing for cuts and infections.  At the end of 2006, within one year of launching the company, 10,000 pairs were given to children in Argentina.  This business idea could have been a complete bust.

 TOMS has found that selling the shoes at roughly $50 each, all costs can be covered including donation, production, and overhead but yet still make a profit.  The newest addition that they have added to the brand is Wedding.  Not only can men, women, and children enjoy day to day shoes, but now there are ones designed for special occasions such as weddings and proms.

Another feature that is on the website is "Design."  Customers who purchase the shoes will then create and individualize theirs to make it more unique.  Anyone can upload their images and be placed on their website.

I find TOMS Shoes to be an admirable and fascinating business.  They make being an honest and successful company a possible feat in these current economic times.  Do you know of any other companies that have a similar mission statement?

In Response to Kayle Crowley

"If we start sticking puppies and lions on Kashi and bran,

will our younger generation catch on to a healthier lifestyle?"

With the increase in health awareness lately, it is no wonder that children choose the right snack and actually enjoy them. There are alternatives to almost every snack that have less sugar, less fat, less calories, but more fiber, more vitamins, and more protein. 

One vitamin that I take daily is fish oil. The taste of it repulses me, but I know it will keep me healthy and there are many benefits. I take the children's type of fish oil that come in a chewy form. They taste better, and I no longer dread it. Yesterday while I was at work at a local doctor's office, there was literally a boy that threw a tantrum because his mom would not let him have another chewy fish oil because he already had his at breakfast. It could be because the package has brightly colored fish on them or it could also be because they taste so darn good.

If cartoon characters encourage kids to want to eat their healthy food, why would a parent refuse it? It makes their job easier.

$tarbucks

Recently while flipping through the channels in the wee hours of the morning, CNBC stopped me in my tracks. Not only am I a sucker for a good documentary, but I found this one particularly interesting. It was on the Starbucks empire. The following link will give you an idea of what the show was about.  Money in a cup My mouth literally was hanging open while the pure genius of the Starbucks Company has made a single cup of coffee into a status symbol.

One point that I found interesting is that Starbucks does not market in the media. You will never see a commercial on television because they do not see it as fit. Instead the company relies on customers walking around with their cup. Why in the world would Starbucks not market on tv? Starbucks customers love the coffee shops and the delicious coffee. They feel as though they are in a cafe in New York City or Boston or Paris, not in their own backyard. The customers also feel like Starbucks is their best kept secret, when really there are billions of people who have tried the coffee worldwide, and practically a Starbucks on every block in NYC. If commercials started showing up on tv, the secret would be out!

Another way Starbucks has built a great reputation in marketing is through their wide variety of products. If someone is not a coffee drinker, they could still enjoy the great Cd's that the company compiles. The music is soothing, jazzy, and on the cutting edge. What other coffee company ever won Best Album of the Year at the Grammy's? Starbucks also has a extensive inventory of ceramic and plastic mugs, coffee makers, espresso machines, books, aprons, and seasonal decorations.

A great way the company has encouraged customers to stay at the shop is through free WiFi and of course their music. The cafe is a great place to get out of the house and remain productive, all the while ordering more coffee and possibly getting a snack. Even though there are Starbucks haters, I personally enjoy the coffee, the atmosphere, the authentic feel, all for the low price of $4 a cup. Who could deny that?

What are other inventory items that you would like to see Starbucks have? Are there any diet regulations that you may have that Starbucks has not met?

Public Awareness Annoucements

Do this get your attention? The idea of living above the influence means that you are leading a healthy lifestyle without drugs and alcohol. The above the influence advertisement campaign is directly marketed at teenagers, but also gets the attention of adults. Even though parents have been through the difficulty of teen years as well, times do change and pressure seems different. I just need to ask, do the ads really help?

It is important that the campaign does not advertise any sort of fun that can be associated with drugs and alcohol, but instead market how destructive the behaviors can be. Abusing a substance can lead to failing yourself, school, losing trust from your parents and friends, and eventually losing hope. What needs to be remembered is that there can always be a way out, and for this reason, I like the ad campaign.

I am hoping that the campaign will start advertising the destructive behavior of suicide. There is a lot of literature on drinking and driving and how addiction can ruin a life, but what about when someone feels as though all hope is gone? It would be really great to see this addition to the team.

Another way that the campaign can be increased is spreading awareness throughout college campuses as well. Maybe the campaign could have speakers that talk nationwide to various high schools and colleges so that there can be a personal effect on what the campaign is trying to accomplish.

Would you go to a campaign like this?

In respone to Laurie Whalen

"What are the different ways you do or have heard to save money?"

 Laurie talks about different ways that people save money, particularly with groceries. I have to say that I am a bargain shopper. Why buy something at full price when it is bound to go on the sale rack (i.e. electronics, clothes, etc.)? I became a more frugal shopper once I realized the value of a dollar and how far that can go, especially when you are a college student.

Some people believe that one has to just buy a few good pieces of clothes for example instead of having a closet full of items that one rarely likes. When it comes to items such as electronics, one must buy something that is affordable, practical, and has a good value. Hopefully you aren't going to buy a BMW when your kitchen appliances are on their last leg... but who knows. Some people think differently than I do.

Since I am always on the hunt for a good bargain, here are some websites that I have come across of that have saved me a few bucks:

•  glasses: zennioptical.com
• shoes: shoedazzle.com, justfab.com
• magazines: type into google, "Free magazine subscriptions" (I got a free 1 year subscription for W and Cosmopolitan magazines
• city coupons: groupon.com
• housewares: ikea.com

These are just a few of the websites that come to mind. It is exciting to receive a deal on something when you were planning on spending more. As Laurie mentioned in her blog, cutting coupons is a great way to save. Take the fifteen minutes to browse the Sunday newspaper and you could save some dough!