White Crystal Studded 6mm Sterling Silver Earrings!

• List Price $79.99
• Savings $75.00 (94%)
• Price: $4.99
• + Free shipping

At this price, you could buy earrings for a whole wedding party (even the guys, lol)…

Show a little sparkle.

These eye catching ball earrings are a great way to add a special sparkle to any outfit. Studded with white crystals and featuring sterling silver posts, they exude chic energy and hip style.
Specs

Stone: White Crystal, 6mm
Metal: Sterling Silver
Closure: Butterfly Backs
Jewelry Category: Crystal Earrings
Packaging: Gift Box

Windows 8 Consumer Preview First Look

It’s always difficult to switch to a newer version of any software program…  check out this online class from lynda.com and see how easy it can be to learn it all!

This course shows how to get started with Windows 8 Consumer Preview, including three installation options: as the primary OS, side-by-side with Windows 7, or in a virtual machine. Author David Gassner also leads a tour of the Windows 8 user interface, using the new mouse and touch gestures; describes the life cycle and presentation of Metro style applications; and explores the Windows Store, where you can purchase apps, videos, and music.

How the trial works

Gain access to over 61,000 video tutorials instantly.

• List Price $9.99
• Savings $8.00 (81%)
• Price: $1.99
• + Free shipping

Can purchase up to 10 keyboards, with free shipping!

This compact, durable keyboard gives you one-touch access to e-mail, the Web, and the features you use most often. Easily control your media activities with the touch of a button, and let the Spill-Resistant Design help you reduce the risk of damage.
Specs

Condition: NEW
Packaging: Retail
Warranty: 1 Year Limited
Manufacturer: RetailPlus

Features Include:

Responsive touch for speed and comfort
Easy and simple use
Slim and lightweight design
Standard Windows keyboard
PC or MAC compatible
PS/2 connectivity
PC requirements: Windows ME or later
Mac requirements: OS X or later

Package Includes:
RetailPlus Wired 107 Key Windows Style Keyboard

*Please allow up to 7 business days for your order to ship

As you probably know, going to the dentist can be a scary and sometimes painful experience.  Paying the dentist bill can be equally as scary and painful!  Read my review to find out how to save a bundle… and be sure and sign up for the giveaway!

The prize:  A one-year individual or family discount dental plan! (individual plans start at $79.95 and family plans start at $129.95) of the winner’s choice to use at a participating dentist for discounts of 10% to 60% off most dental care procedures.

A couple of years ago we did not have any dental insurance, and that’s when I first discovered dentalplans.com.

Then, last November, my daughter discovered that she needed a root canal and a new crown.  Uff dah!  Both of these procedures are very expensive, and she was facing having to pay the whole amount out-of-pocket.  So, since my daughter was too old to be on our medical/dental plans and needed to find her own, we headed right back to dentalplans.com.

To clarify, dentalplans.com is not an insurance plan.  It is a dental discount plan. In most cases, it can not be used in conjunction with dental insurance.  It is designed for those people that do not have a dental insurance plan.

Here’s how to get started:

First, go to www.dentalplans.com.

Next, you will need to find a dentist.  You can search  “Find Plans in your Area” or “Find Dentists in your Area”.  You can limit the search by the number of miles you’d like to travel.  If you have a certain dentist you are looking for, you can search to see if they participate in dentalplans.com.

Once you have your list of options, you can see the dentist name/office name, address, distance from you, and which plans they accept.  Dentalplans.com offers many different plans to meet your needs.

Click on the dentist’s name, and it will bring up more details for that specific dentist.  It will show “usual fees” (no discounts) across the top of the chart.  Below, there will be a list of the various plans that the dentist participates in, and it will show the discounted fees for various different procedures.

<— This image shows the “Routine Dental Fees” tab.  There are several other tabs that you can choose from.  For my daughter’s situation, we needed the “Root Canals, Perio & Dentures” tab, and also the “Fillings & Crowns” tab.

By checking these two tabs, we were able to get a better idea of what kind of discounts would be available thru the various plans offered by dentalplans.com.  According to the chart, the regular price for a root canal treatment is $1,170.00.  (ouch!)  Regular price for the crown was $1,227.00.  (again, OUCH!)  

The dentist shown in the example participates in 9 different plans.  (Some dentist only participate in one or two).  The chart shows the lowest price(s) in green text.  In this case, the lowest price for the root canal was $605.00.  (that’s a savings of $568.00!) The lowest price for the crown was $624.00 (that’s a savings of $603.00!) Note:  Nifties ‘n Thrifties is using $-amounts based on my daughter’s experience and recommends that you call the participating dentist to verify the prices ahead of time.

Luckily, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon or rocket scientist to figure this out (although a calculator is helpful to calculate all these big savings!)  Once you figure out which plan works best for you, all you need to do is sign up!  The prices vary per plan, but they are all very reasonable.  You sign up for one year, you can get either an individual or family membership.

The price of the individual plan my daughter got was only $134.95 for a year (individual plans start at $79.95 and family plans start at $129.95)  She also got 10% off, which brought the price down to $121.46.  When you divide that out by 15 months (12 + 3 free months) it comes to only $8.01 per month!!!

If you join now, you too can save 10% off any plan purchase and also get THREE extra months for FREE! (Use the special coupon code NIFTY!  www.dentalplans.com

Here’s a bill that was sent to us by a fan.  This shows their savings, given on the day of service.  No need to wait for reimbursements and no paperwork to file!   (Note:  it’s listed as insurance, but again, dentalplans.com is not an insurance plan, it is a DISCOUNT plan.)

Nifties ‘n Thrifties is an independent contractor for Dentalplans.com, Inc., and is providing internet affiliate services to the company via the internet for which they may earn financial compensation from Dentalplans.com, Inc.

Giveaway Prize

A one-year individual or family discount dental plan (individual plans start at $79.95 and family plans start at $129.95) of the winner’s choice to use at a participating dentist for discounts of 10% to 60% off most dental care procedures.

Note:  If you have a current membership, you can still enter the contest… you will receive a free renewal when your current plan expires.

Contest starts on April 26, 2012 and ends on May 30, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on May 31, 2012.

Disclaimer: Plans are not available in South Dakota. California residents are not eligible for this promotion.
Must be 18 years or older to win a free discount dental plan.

To enter the giveaway, leave a REPLY below and tell us your city/state, and what is your best tip for finding a good dentist!

PLUS – Get up to 7 Bonus Entries when you:

Like Nifties ‘n Thrifties on Facebook & share on your facebook page!
(must also leave a reply below to say that you did this)

Like Dentalplans.com on Facebook
(leave a facebook reply, tell them that Nifties ‘n Thrifties sent you!  You must also leave a comment below to say that you did this)

Follow Nifties ‘n Thrifties on Twitter
(must also leave a reply below to say that you did this)

Follow Dentalplans.com on Twitter
(must also leave a reply below to say that you did this)

Follow Dentalplans.com on Pinterest
(must also leave a reply below to say that you did this)

Sign up for Nifties ‘n Thrifties’ email newsletter!
(must also leave a reply below to say that you did this)

Circle Dentalplans.com on G+
(must also leave a reply below to say that you did this)

Credit Sesame is a 100% free personal finance credit and debt management tool with no credit card required or trial period. Credit Sesame makes managing personal credit online, owing less in interest and saving on mortgage, loan & credit card payments easy! The Credit Sesame affiliate program provides top performing creative and a 30-day cookie referral period to maximize conversions. Credit Sesame makes managing personal credit online, owing less in interest and saving on mortgage, loan & credit card payments easy! It gives an instant view of consumer’s credit, including Experian credit score, refreshed monthly & for free, & debt analysis with personalized offers tailored to consumer’s credit profile.

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CreditSesame.com is a free online personal finance tool that provides the best way for consumers to securely monitor their credit and save money on debt.
Credit Sesame’s patent pending analytics engine, developed by scientists at Stanford University, automatically and securely reviews consumers’ debt, home loans, credit score and credit profile. Then, it analyzes their current debts and looks for alternative mortgages and loans which will help consumers save money.
CreditSesame.com will help you:
Monitor your credit profile, home value and debt in one organized place Track your Experian credit score every month and always for free Get a complete savings analysis of your loans, mortgage and credit card debts Find pre-qualified, mortgage, credit card and loan options that will save you money Receive customized alerts that help you lower payments on your debts so you never miss a chance to save.
Find savings with CreditSesame.com’s analytics
CreditSesame.com analyzes the lending market daily looking for savings options that match your unique credit profile so you’ll never miss a chance to save. To help you lower the cost of your debt, Credit Sesame uses the same kind of powerful financial analytics that banks use to optimize their bottom line – it’s time to turn that around and help you maximize your money.
CreditSesame.com is always free and secure
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Finally, to make certain that you receive unbiased savings options for your unique credit needs, CreditSesame.com is only compensated when you close a loan.

Credit Sesame is a free web based tool that helps consumers manage their credit and save money on their loans. It also provides consumers with a free credit score.^[1] No credit card or subscription is required to register or obtain the credit score, which is updated monthly.^[2]

It’s that time of year, and my rhubarb plants are growing like crazy!  I have a few recipes that I really like… and there’s always the option of cutting & freezing (doesn’t need to be blanched, which is nice!).

My dAd’s favorite pie is rhubarb (or strawberry-rhubarb)… so I try to make that on special occasions when rhubarb is in season.  I’ve also made this one:  Special Rhubarb Cake which was really good.

Please leave a comment below if you have any good rhubarb recipes!  I’m looking for more… 

The technical stuff from Wikipedia:

Rhubarb is a group of plants that belong to the genus Rheum in the family Polygonaceae. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing from short, thick rhizomes. They have large leaves that are somewhat triangular-shaped with long fleshy petioles. They have small flowers grouped in large compound leafy greenish-white to rose-red inflorescences.

Although the leaves are toxic, various parts of the plants have medicinal and culinary uses. The traditional Chinese pharmacopeia features rhubarb (as a laxative).^[1]

In culinary use, fresh raw stalks are crisp (similar to celery) with a strong tart taste. Most commonly the plant’s stalks are cooked with sugar and used in pies and other desserts. A number of varieties have been domesticated for human consumption, most of which are recogized as Rheum x hybridum by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Rhubarb is usually considered to be a vegetable; however, in the United States, a New York court decided in 1947 that since it was used in the United States as a fruit, it was to be counted as a fruit for the purposes of regulations and duties. A side effect was a reduction on imported rhubarb tariffs, as tariffs were higher for vegetables than fruits.^[2]

They compete. You could win.

Choose a design, add your pictures… can even change the text to make your very own personalized, custom grocery/tote bag!

The only problem will be that it’s too cool to carry groceries in!  Makes a great gift, and is yours FREE ($4.99 s&h).

Use Coupon Code: FREEBAG

FREE Spinach Artichoke Dip at California Pizza Kitchen!

Must be used by Monday, May 14, 2012.  One per table/per visit.