Valentine’s Day is often considered a holiday for women, as everything from television advertisements to department-store displays explode with red roses, pink hearts and other decidedly feminine touches.

While this trend certainly bodes well for us ladies, it’s only fair to reciprocate our guys’ efforts with a gift they’ll appreciate. Since we don’t necessarily have much money to throw around these days, FreeShipping.org collected the top 10 guy-friendly coupons from their list of Valentine’s Day discounts.

1. Sony
Get free shipping on all orders of $25 or more, now through Feb. 29 (no coupon code required).

2. Cabela’s
For a limited time, get $0.01 shipping on your entire order with a clothing or footwear purchase using Cabela’s free shipping code 22PENNY.

3. REI
Order by Feb. 10 and get free shipping on skis and snowboards (no code required).

4. Toshiba
Save up to $230 on select prebuilt Toshiba Satellite laptops, plus get free shipping through Feb. 13.

5. Lands’ End
Order before Feb. 10 and receive Lands’ End free shipping on all orders with code MINT and pin 1710.

6. Adidas
Now through Feb. 13, get free shipping on orders of $49 or more (no code required).

7. Jos. A. Bank
Enjoy free shipping through Feb. 29 with code FEBSHIP.

8. Crutchfield
Now through Feb. 11, get free shipping plus up to $130 off select Focal car speakers (no promo code required).

9. Under Armour
Get free shipping on orders of $75 or more through Feb. 29 with code AFP6XAA9FCQM.

10. Eastbay
Enjoy free shipping on all orders through Feb. 26 with code LKS12257.

FreeShipping.org is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants. To arrange an interview or for more information, Kendal Perez at 970-672-1136 or email kendal@freeshipping.org.

Crowdtap, a previously beta-only invite community for connecting with brands has finally come out of the beta stage just this month. Crowdtap is all about spreading the word. You do this by answering short questions, participating in discussions, and sometimes even sampling products. The bigger your network the better your chances of making money. The money (points) you make can be donated to charity or you can turn them in for gift cards and treat yourself.

You Don’t Need A Big Network

I have a pretty big network these days. Almost 6000 people on Facebook and almost 9000 on Twitter @detroitmommy, as well as my readers here on my blog. However, I rarely solicit the help of my “network” and instead mostly rely on my personal friends on Facebook. That’s why I know even the person with a small “network” like some of you can benefit from Crowdtap.

Stick With It

I’ve been using Crowdtap for over a year now. I started, got bored when I couldn’t’ figure out how to do more,  then eventually went back about 6 months later to try again.  I’ve seen a lot of people try it out and then leave quickly out of boredom.  Thing is if you stick with it you WILL make money and I’ll tell you how, right now.

Quick Hits

Crowdtap has a feature called “quick hits”. You get a small amount of points for each one you complete. Some people think that’s all you can do on Crowdtap but that’s not true. Patience is the key. You will be given “quick hits” which are just quick little survey questions about brands most of us are familiar with and sometimes just random questions like “What is your favorite beverage?”. When these quick hits run out you have to wait for more to appear. That usually doesn’t happen until the next day or sometimes even days later. Sometimes you get 10, sometimes you only get 1.

Web Share Challenges – Your Best Chance To Make Money

So can you make big money with quick hits? Nope. You can however make a more noticeable amount of money when Crowdtap gives you something called “Web Share Challenges”. Crowdtap will ask you to view a page, sometimes that page contains a video and sometimes it contains an article.  After you’ve finished viewing you return back to the Crowdtap page and you give the page you just read a thumbs up, or thumbs down.  After you’ve finished this you will be asked if you want to accept the web challenge.  Accept.  Post the link to your Facebook page (or twitter) and ask your friends to take the time to rate it for you (just like you did) by giving a thumbs up or thumbs down.  For each person who does this you get points. Those points? They equal money.

You normally need 5 people total to rate the website in order to complete the task (completed tasks get extra points). You and your friends can see your progress on the actual page.  For each person who rates it you will receive points. More than 5 people can rate!! that’s the key. Get as many of your friends to commit to rating these pages for you as you can and you’re all set. And it’s not as hard as it seems. I have found a group of friends who are always more than willing to help me out and I have less than 80 people on my personal FB page!  My group of about 6 people have helped me to make around $50 in the past year. Imagine what you can do with an even louder voice?

For example Web Share Challenges see the following links:

http://bit.ly/wzFMLU

http://bit.ly/wAnryD

Discussions – The Better The Contribution, The Better Your Chance of Making Money

Sometimes you’ll be offered to join a “Discussion”. Recent topics have included “New Years”  with discussions of what your plans were and “Holiday Recipes” where you shared your favorite holiday cookies, side dishes, etc.   You’ll be asked a question along with everyone else in the discussion group and you are allowed to post a picture, a link, or a video.  You’re only allowed to answer the question once so your best bet is to answer it with as much gusto as you can muster. Insert a picture too! Pictures get attention. You want other people to comment or like your answer.. you want it to provoke a discussion.   When the “Discussion” comes to an end moderators “star” answers, which give you extra points.  People who put a lot of effort into the discussions can be chosen to win a prize. Sometimes that prize is $10, or even $25 for the top contributors.  Each “Discussion” usually has 5 or 6 top contributors (winners).

When invited to join a discussion you want to join ASAP. “Discussions” fill up FAST!

More Chances To Earn – Sampling Program

It doesn’t stop there. There are more chances to earn money on Crowdtap or even test out products! Some people are lucky enough (I haven’t figured out how to do it yet!) to test out products for Old Navy! I recently (after a whole year) got chosen to try out a product from Listerine.  I just happened to be checking my account when I noticed the opportunity was available so I signed up immediately. I was notified I was chosen after about 1 week.

When you’ve finished testing your products you can earn BIG POINTS (money).

That 40,000 points? It’s worth a $20 Amazon.com gift card! Not bad for testing out a free product and giving your opinions!

Make Extra Bucks in Your Spare Time

Of course there is more to Crowdtap and other ways to make money but everything I explained above is the meat of it. Crowdtap isn’t for people who expect to make hundreds (Although I know people who have) or even thousands of dollars. It’s for people who want to make a few extra bucks in their spare time. It doesn’t take a big commitment. You don’t have to continuously be active. You choose what to participate in. 

Crowdtap is definitely one of my favorite ways to make money.  I actually find it fun to participate in the discussions and answer the quick hits.  It literally only takes minutes a day, if that and when you’re the mom of 2 rambunctious kids.. minutes is all you have!

Hope this information has helped you and that you’ll come join me on Crowdtap! Let me know how you like it. Any questions feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Good luck.

Disclosure: This post contains my “affiliate” link. Although not much I get 100 pts for each person who joins. My experience with Crowdtap has been my own. Yours may vary and I can’t personally guarantee how much money you will make using it.  I donate my earnings to charity: Water to help bring fresh water to everyone who needs it.

Grab your aprons and start your ovens! Pillsbury’s first-ever Rookie Bake-Off® Challenge has just begun!

The Rookie Bake-Off® Challenge consists of six weekly challenges, each providing you with a chance to win $500, 5 doable new recipes to vote on and use each week, and even inspiration from guest bloggers!

To enter for your chance to win each week, visit BakeOff.com to check out the weekly challenge and submit your entry! Just keep in mind…

• Submit a recipe, story, and photo.
• Prep time in 30 minutes or less.
• Five ingredients, including at least one Pillsbury refrigerated dough product.
• Keep in mind creativity, consumer appeal, appearance, and include an inspiring story.

To find more information and contest rules, visit BakeOff.com.

So roll up your sleeves and get cooking for your chance to win this week’s $500 prize! Best of luck!

These details and info were received from Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.

Purex is giving away 400 bottles of Purex Complete with Zout to 400 lucky people.

If you are one of the first 400 people to check out the promotion page on the Purex website on Wednesday, September 7th, at exactly 1pm EST  (10am PST) you will get a voucher for a free bottle of Purex Complete with Zout. (maximum purchase value of $7.50).

If I were you I’d leave the link open tonight as a reminder for tomorrow!

Good Luck!

http://www.purex.com/promotions/purex-with-zout-full-bottle-giveaway

There is currently a coupon available for $1 off any Maybelline NY Cosmetics purchase at Rite Aid. To print your coupon from this limited run offer before they’re all gone, simply visit the "All Things Beauty" tab on Facebook.com/riteaid and "like" Rite Aid.

If you’ve never heard of Influenster and you’re the kind of person who loves to test out new products and share your results with friends and family, you’re going to want to join.

According to their own site Influenster is:

“A community of trendsetters
invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!”

You don’t have to be a blogger to join Influenster. In order to qualify for projects you just need to be socially active. That could mean twitter, facebook, youtube, meet-up groups.  If you’re somewhat of a hermit this definitely isn’t the program for you, as companies are always looking for those with a voice that reaches far and wide.

Basically all you have to do is the following:

• Sign up at Influenster.com
• Unlock “badges” that tell Influenster just how influential you are. There are badges for twitter, facebook, youtube, cat lovers, dog lovers, moms, brides-to-be and many more.
• Check out the products that some Influencers have already tested out on the Product Review page. If you see something you’re familiar with, write a review! Share your knowledge.
• Check in once in a while and see what’s going on around the site.

Influenster is still kind of new so I’m pretty sure they have a lot more in store for the future. You’ll want to get in on this from the beginning so you know how things work and have a better chance at receiving a VoxBox.  What is a Voxbox you ask? Well, it’s “themed packages of products mailed directly to qualified member’s homes. Boxes include a variety of products from top beauty, health, grooming, snack, beverage & lifestyle brands.”

Last month I received my first Beauty VoxBox after being a member of Influenster since January 2011. It was full of beauty products including a whole set of Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford, PureSilk Shave Cream, Garden Botankika Lip Treatment, Softsoap pampered hands, Diamancel Diamond File, and a Montagne Jeunesse Masque.

To be honest it was just like Christmas Day when I opened the box and discovered all the goodies inside. And the products? I loved them! I swear, if I had invited a couple girlfriends over for a sleepover it would have been just like high school. Trying out my masque, putting on my lip treatment, moisturizing my skin, filing my nails. It was a lot of fun! That’s why I wanted to let all my readers know about it. I know a lot of you aren’t bloggers but some of you do have huge followings on twitter or facebook so this is right up your alley.

You can read more about VoxBoxes here:  http://www.influenster.com/voxbox-overview  after that if I were you I’d hurry up and sign up!  Good luck! and have fun

http://www.influenster.com/

Coupons.com have a $5/1 coupon for Enfamil Gentlease, A.R. or ProSobee that will work on the 22oz tub right now. You might want to print this before it’s gone!  Click the blue coupon.com banner below and use zip code 30303

Here are quick step by step instructions for those who haven’t used coupons.com before

• Click "See All" on the blue coupon.com box above
• Put in zip code 30303 in the upper left hand side of the page under the coupons.com logo
• You should find the above coupon on the 1st page or so
• Click the “clip” box on the coupons you want to print. (Look around you may find more)
• Click print
• Coupons.com will ask you to install the coupon printer. (it’s safe) (If you’re using firefox you may have to click “allow” pop ups.)
• Print your coupons. You can usually press the back button and print them a 2nd time or you can go back and clip them all again.

If you have any questions just ask in the comments or on Facebook.

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link.

We’re big fans of cheerios around here. Myself and the baby being partial to multi-grain and my 3 year old loving the honey nut. Who doesn’t love some kind of cheerios?? That’s why I thought I’d share this with you real quick.  Free samples like this come in handy on off-days when you need to get to the grocery store but one of the kids are hungry NOW! They’re also perfect size to throw in your bag for a snack.

“Have you heard the BUZZ? Honey Nut Cheerios cereal is America´s Favorite Cereal!*  Of course this wouldn´t be possible without their loyal colony of enthusiasts! As a special thank you for being such sweet fans, Honey Nut Cheerios is hosting a "Billion `O´ Giveaway," providing free samples to fans beginning July 4, 2011, available while supplies last. So, if your family is nuts about Honey Nut Cheerios, zip on over to FavCereal.com for your sweet sample!

In addition to checking out the "Billion `O´ Giveaway", make sure to BEE-come a fan of Cheerios on Facebook and get involved in the conversation about Honey Nut Cheerios!”

*Based on Nielsen sales data, 52 weeks ending 1/1/2011

Disclosure: Info provided by Honey Nut Cheerios cereal through MyBlogSpark.

Imperial Sugar has been delighting families across the nation for more than 160 years with its sugar products made from the freshest cane and all-natural goodness that comes straight from the fields to your table. To say thank you to all of those who have made Imperial Sugar and Dixie Crystals a part of their family gatherings, holidays, birthdays, and every-day cooking experiences for decades, Imperial Sugar and Dixie Crystals will be giving away a coupon for $4 off your sugar purchase.

On June 21^st, at 2:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, the first 1,000 people to fill out the One Day Giveaway form on Facebook will be able to download a coupon for a free product of their choice. Be sure to “like” the official Imperial Sugar Facebook page or the Dixie Crystals Facebook Page, and download the SmartSource.com coupon printer applet so you can be ready to print your copy.

For more information and complete contest rules and to enter, click here.

The Cold-EEZE “Call Your Mother” Contest on Facebook is ending tomorrow. If you haven’t already make sure you enter. One Grand Prize winner will get a $500 Gift Card! You can’t beat that. More info is below.

Instructions:  Become a fan of the Cold-EEZE Facebook page by clicking the above banner, go to the contest application to fill out the entry form and fill in the blank: "When I’m on the phone with my mom, she always ____________!"   It’s that simple!

Prizes:  Every day, five (5) winners with the funniest, sweetest and/or most original answers will receive a yummy, award-winning Dancing Deer gourmet gift assortment for Mom which includes a delicious cookie and brownie gift assortment, hand packed in a wooden keepsake box and tied with a bow.

One (1) grand prize winner will be chosen on May 3rd to receive a $500 American Express gift card so Mom can celebrate her special day with a fun shopping spree.

Good Luck!