JoeShopping Blog

20 Stores With No Sales Tax

Posted on April 30, 2012 by JoeShopping

When you’re shopping online, you often account for things like shipping and handling fees. But sales tax can sometimes take you by surprise, adding as much as an additional 9% to your purchase price. Unfortunately, online stores are forced to tack on these taxes if they have a physical location (like a brick and mortar store or shipping warehouse) that operates in your state.

Although coupon codes and special discounts can’t be applied to sales taxes, there’s still a way to save. In many cases, most stores only apply sales tax to a handful of states. And, believe it or not, there are some stores that don’t charge any sales tax at all. In our list below, we’ve gathered up 20 different online stores that don’t charge a penny for sales tax. Even better, many of these stores also offer additional shopping perks, like free shipping and/or free returns!

For more stores with free shipping and free returns, check out our previous blogs, which feature 66 stores with free shipping (no minimum!) and 30 stores with free return shipping!

Continue reading →

Say Ahoy to The Pirates! 3D Movie

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Jill

If you like pirates, claymation, or family friendly movies, get your booty to the nearest theater this weekend! “The Pirates! Band of Misfits in 3D” movie sets sail today, April 27, and is chock full of 88 minutes worth of action, adventure, and plenty of PG-rated humor for a swashbucklin’ good time! Based on the Pirates! novels by Gideon Defoe, the movie sees down-on-his-luck Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) and his ragtag crew face off for the ultimate treasure, the “Pirate of the Year” Award. Other talents who lend their voice to the cast of characters include Salma Hayek, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, and Jeremy Piven.

If the UK-based stop-motion animation looks familiar, here’s why: the movie is from Aardman Animations, the same studio who has produced hits like Chicken Run, Flushed Away, Wallace and Grommet, Shaun the Sheep, and (depending on how good your memory is) the claymation seen way back when on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.

Oh, and if you’re seeing the movie at a Regal, UA, or Edward Cinema, be sure to snag a mobile coupon good for $2 off the price of a hot dog! Mmm…hot dogs!

Arrrr, matey! Fun, merriment, and free games awaits ye at The Pirates! Official Movie website!

Image Credit: Fandango.com

Brighten Up Your Walls with RoomMates Wall Decals

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Megan

There is a home design trend that is really “in” right now that I just adore – wall decals. Basically they are just stickers that you place on the wall somewhere. They are such an easy way to decorate and add interest to a room. Small decals can simply add to the decor that already exists, whereas large decals can become the focal point of the room. I’ve seen a lot of pictures from Pinterest with wall decals for nurseries, but they really can be used anywhere.

I stumbled onto the RoomMates Peel and Stick website and found a few decals that I love that could be used in different rooms and settings. The prices are really reasonable and they even show the decals in a room type picture so that you can get an idea of what it would look like in real life. If you are a little nervous about wall decals, start with a kid’s room or the kitchen area, where you can get a little playful and test a few out. Here are a few of my favorites from the website:

Alphabet - $12.99

This is the most common/well-known use of a decal – in a child’s room or a nursery. I love that this decal is multi-colored and actually has a purpose! As your child grows, they can learn the alphabet. Each letter even has a little graphic to go along with the letter. Clever! Continue reading →

Vera Bradley – Pretty Fabric Accessories and More That Keep You Organized

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Sierra

Vera Bradley is one of my favorite go-to sites to find fabric holders that keep my stuff safe. Plus, their designs are great and trendy. Why? From their delicious patterns to their lovely colors, all of their accessories, purses, and more look so nice you want to eat them. Plus – they have absolutely everything. My like for this fabulous brand name took place after I found a hair straightener holder made out of fabric at TJ Maxx one day. Ever since I’ve been on the look out for Vera Bradley. Plus, with Vera Bradley coupons, that’s bound to help, right?

They seriously have so many products that I love that if I started shopping I don’t think I could stop. Let’s start with their On The Go Handbag. Their compact wallet is simple and sophisticated with its pretty design. Plus it holds just the right amount of the essentials such as your ID and coins. I also happen to love the pink and navy blue floral design – perfect for spring time, don’t you think? Continue reading →

The Stark Truth: Iron Man Meets Game of Thrones

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Andrew

I’m a big comic book, fantasy and sci-fi geek in case you didn’t know. (This pic of me and my BFF Chewbecca should prove that.) So needless to say I’m a tad bit excited for the Avengers movie that comes out next week! I’ve also recently gotten into the insanely amazing Game of Thrones series, both the books by George R.R. Martin and the no-holds-barred HBO series. Great stuff! If you liked Lord of the Rings, definitely check it out.

Without going too into Game of Thrones, I’ll just quickly say it’s a medieval-type story full of Lords and Kings and Knights and treachery up the wazoo. It’s bloody, shocking and… well, bloody shocking! One of the main families in the story is the Starks of Winterfell. They live in the north where it’s crazy cold and their family’s words are, “Winter is Coming.” Ya gotta love the Starks, every single one of ‘em. And, being a comic book geek, it got me wondering when Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) was going to make an appearance. Continue reading →

OPI’s New Spider-Man Nail Polish Collection Hits the Web

Posted on April 20, 2012 by JoeShopping

This summer, one of this year’s most anticipated movies, The Amazing Spider-Man, hits theaters. This time, the comic-based action flick gets a makeover, with a fresh storyline, cast, and crew. The movie stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) as Peter Parker, Emma Stone (Easy A, The Help) as Spider-Man’s new love interest, Gwen Stacy, and Rhys Ifans as Spider-Man’s lizardy nemesis.

To celebrate, OPI will be launching seven limited edition nail polish shades inspired by the film, and it’s got our spidey senses tingling. The collection features a mix of metallics, duochromes, and shimmery frost finishes and also includes a new shade of OPI’s famous Shatter top coat (Shatter the Scales) that creates a cool, glittery green crackle effect when applied. Each lacquer retails for about $8.50 a pop.

Here’s the line-up of brand new shades being introduced in this exciting collection:

Shatter the Scales (Top coat)
My Boyfriend Scales Walls – Climb new heights with this cityscape white
Call Me Gwen-Ever – Girlfriend, be sure to pick up when this urgent coral calls
Your Web or Mine? – The perfect pink for sticky situation
Just Spotted the Lizard – Be seen in this reptilian yellow-green
Number One Nemisis – Show your metal in this sparkling nickel
Into the Night – This perfect midnight blue was made for prowling

The OPI Spider-Man collection swings into professional salons and stores (like Ulta and JCPenney) this May and is also available online at Amazon and Drugstore.com. Which ones will you be purchasing? Let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Amazon

Swimsuits that Sizzle from Kohl’s

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Megan

With spring in full gear and summer quickly on the way, I’ve been eyeing swimsuits every time I walk into a store. One of my favorite places to go for swimwear is Kohl’s. Okay, let’s be honest, Kohl’s is one of my favorite places to go for anything! They have such a wide variety of clothing, jewelry and shoes. Plus, they are always having a great sale or offering cash back for shopping. What can be better than getting paid to shop? Not much, I tell you, not much.

The other day I went in to Kohl’s to use a gift card and I fell in love with a few of the swimsuits below. This year I am looking forward to trying out a few different styles and really getting away from the same ole typical bikini. Let me know which one is your favorite.

ELLE Ruffled Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit – $56.99

There is just something about a one-piece swimsuit that screams sexy, at least to me anyway. Add a little ruffle to the front and it’s even better. I love that this swimsuit is simple and black, but flirty and fun. I think that the ruffle across the front would be really flattering, too. Perfect for concealing all of the cookies/brownies/ice cream that I eat. : )

Continue reading →

The Miche Bag – Customizable Purses

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Sierra

Ever heard of a Miche Bag? If you’re like me, you like to be able to switch up your purses all of the time. It’s hard trying to match several different outfits to one purse, unless you go with the basics. A basic purse is not as much fun though, now is it? That’s where the Miche Bag comes in.

The Miche Bag is a bag that allows you to never have to switch purses again. All of your essentials are in one spot and you never have to switch your accessories in and out of several different purses. Very convenient if you ask me. Doesn’t that sound amazing? I think so.

So this is how the Miche Bag works.

First - you get your Miche base bag. There are 4 different styles to choose from. Select from the Prima, Classic, Demi & Petite base bags. Go with a petite sized purse, classic base bag, or slightly larger purse like the Demi or Prima. Also select from the colors black or brown for your base bag.

Second - this is where it gets fun! Pick from a variety of shells to “decorate” your Miche Bag and use this shell to go over your Prima, Class, Demi, or Petite base bag! Depending on your mood and outfit pick out a shell that you know you will love. Also be sure to pick out extra shells for when your mood changes and you are going out in a hot new outfit. Because you know that your mood will change, and often. At least my mood likes to change all of the time. Continue reading →

30 Online Stores That Offer Free Return Shipping

Posted on April 16, 2012 by JoeShopping

Buying online has its advantages. You can skip the traffic, long lines, cranky sales people, and those pesky shoppers who browse the sales rack alongside you like it’s a competitive sport. At home, you can take a more relaxed approach, save on gas, and even compare prices at multiple stores. Plus, there’s that whole shopping in your underwear thing (come on, we can’t be the only ones). The biggest drawback, though, is having to return an item you purchased online.

Sending an item back can not only cause extra hassle, but it could cost extra money. Many stores leave the shipping expense for a return up to the customer, and some even charge an additional restocking fee. That’s even if they allow for returns in the first place. It can be a true nightmare.

To these stores, we say nay! We scoured the online shopping landscape and rounded up 30 different stores that offer absolutely free returns. From Amazon.com to Zara.com, these stores won’t charge you a penny for returning an item to them. Plus, most of them even offer free shipping when you place your order!

And for online stores that allow for order returns to their bricks and mortar locations, check out the list at the end of this post! Continue reading →