Ways to make the some extra cash

Remember your first Lemonade stand? You grabbed your sugar, your lemons, and you sat outside your block with your sign that said "Lemonade .25 cents" (or .20 cents in my case. Had to undercut the competition, also i wrote swithed the "n" and the "m" in lemonade. Cuteness branded). Your first adventure into the business world all begin with that sign.

Some of us go into the creative marketing to make extra money. I've thought countless times that I should just sell my body for sex. It's a win-win. They get sex, and I get a bowling team. But that's a different story. I met a young entrepeneur whose sign caught my eye.

I think they could sell "Sports" if they wanted to as well.

(Yeah... didn't feel like editing out my mistakes either)

How many of us here has thought about doing that? Probably a good amount. I thought this was a good idea that took some moxy. You can't really just sit there with a sign, you have to market the sign. I've bet we have all wondered if this would work. I know I have. (Video 2 below)

Friends playing together, and working together!

(If only I was a little more articulate)

So a little work, and patience, good planning, and you can make a little extra cash. Of course, pulling the whole "poor college student" card didn't hurt.

Nothing like making some extra cash $$$$$

It was quite an experience talking with these girls. A nice idea, but more importantly a fun way to spend Black Friday. Something I like about Black Friday is tradition. This could become a tradition for these friends to get together after Thanksgiving every year and grab a spot in line with a sign.

Yes, they ended up selling all four of their spots. (How did 3 girls get 4 spots?.... I don't ask those type of questions.) They didn't just sit around, every time a car drove by, the sign was being featured. They walked up and down the line talking to people, that's marketing. I did hear from one of the customers saying it was money well spent as they got the 50" TV they wanted. So the girls got to bed early and got to experience Black Friday in a new way. Black Friday can be fun!

Quick funny story: As I was getting their info so I could redirect them here, one of the girls asked me if I had Facebook. Joking around with them I pretended I didn't know what Facebook was (But that I had my own blog). One of her friends says "He doesn't have an accent, I'm sure he is from here." ...... Good to see I still have that effect on people.

I will soon be moving all my "bargain hunting" based blogs from Blog-ahol and into a new Black Friday Diva section. So look for that soon. Give me a follow here on Blog-ahol and hit me up on twitter @blackfridaydiva!

Black Friday Live

UPDATE: 1:41 PM
Amazon still has some good deals. No 40" Toshiba deals, but some other items on your list. Go to check out their Black Friday Deals all week!

Walmart has a couple things left, no big TVs.... but maybe your item from 5am is still there

Speaking of WalMart's 5AM sale.... I MISSED IT. Fell asleep....stupid sleep. But I hear the 5am sale was very mild. Very possibly if retailers continue 5 am, 6 am, or 8 am sales.... could be MUCH easier to grab a big ticket item.

UPDATE: 2:46AM MST
Home from Best Buy... MISSED on the Black Friday big ticket items....but still found a haul. Including things for myself! Pics to be soon, I leave you tonight with a fun story from tonight.

Target much milder this year at their open.

Pics from some young Black Friday girls.

2012 Deal Tracker

Updated: Thanksgiving 9:30 AM MST

Some other deals, a little more than Black Friday prices, but you won't have to wait in line:
39" tv: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia%22+-+39%22+Class+-+LED+-+1080p+-+60Hz+-+HDTV/6733418.p?id=1218786215383&skuId=6733418

iPod touch with gift card: http://www.target.com/p/apple-ipod-touch-16gb-4th-generation-with-touch-screen-wi-fi-black-me178ll-a/-/A-14000297?ref=tgt_adv_xasd0001&AFID=Performics_BFAds_0004cf17f2716e370a2a5489bb006eb1&LNM=Primary%20Banner

PS3 deal: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony---PlayStation-3-%28250GB%29-inFAMOUS-Collection-Limited-Edition-Bundle/6898698.p?skuId=6898698&productCategoryId=abcat0703001&id=1218811918130&AID=10474050&PID=2187655&SID=ebs4d6d557979550ae52c4c7533736370404540599631sbe&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2FSony---PlayStation-3-%2528250GB%2529-inFAMOUS-Collection-Limited-Edition-Bundle%2F6898698.p%3FskuId%3D6898698%26productCategoryId%3Dabcat0703001%26id%3D1218811918130&ref=39&CJPID=2187655&loc=01

50" TV: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sceptre-50-Class-LCD-1080p-60Hz-HDTV-X505BV-FHD/19793654?wmlspartner=jDfRMawUPt8&sourceid=08790323540024768548&veh=aff



Looking for the Xbox deal, but don't want to fight the Black Friday crowds?

Two Thanksgiving online deals
Ebay Bundle: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-XBOX-360-Holiday-Bundle-w-Skyrim-Forza-4-250-GB-Hard-Drive-/380520589658
189.99

Target Kinect Bundle: http://www.target.com/p/xbox-360-4gb-kinect-holiday-bundle-w-kinect-adventures-disneyland-xbox-360/-/A-14282516?ref=tgt_adv_xasd0001&AFID=Performics_BFAds_0004cf1234abc9ed0a2a6dcf5700436c&LNM=Primary%20Banner
199.99

Walmart Bundle: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Xbox-360-Skylanders-Family-Fun-Value-Bundle-110-Value/21978359
199.99

Check back with the blog to see deals that you might miss! Give me a follow while you are here!

Preparation is the key to success.

One of my favorite Lion King songs is Scar's "Be Prepared."Scar has a plan, he is maticulously planning, and Black Friday shoppers can learn from this. I, usually have a plan of attack for Black Friday, and that should start right at the beginning of November. This year I felt a little rushed (hence the lack of blog posts) but I felt like I had a good handle of what I wanted to do this year.

"Even the best laid plans..."

It takes more than having a plan of attack, it takes fine attention to detail, research and follow through. The last part is where I came up short this year. But sometimes that happens, life gets in the way.

If I were to draft a Black Friday constitution, one of the amendments would be "Find your deals online first, saves hassle and stress on the actual Friday of Dark." Amazon releases a lot of great deals the WEEK of Black Friday. Some of the items that go on sale will even be close to or even AT Black Friday prices. You do have to be quick on the draw with some great deals though. Amazon gives you a chance to "preview" the items as to give you a chance to be by your browser. Get your clicking fingers ready!

Some retailers (Best Buy, Sears, Target) will release some items online before Black Friday. This year, Best Buy even threw some of the Black Friday deals online. The trick is to keep a watchful eye on the items you want. Then be aggressive, be be aggressive. I work under the assumption that if I buy it, and I don't like it... return it. (Also, check return policies.)

So to a personal story. Two TVs that I was interested in went on sale, I put them in my cart and kind of dilly dallied before buying them. The punch line? They sold out as soon as I put them in my cart. Why? Because the sale caught me by surprise. Didn't now it was happening when it did, so I was scrambling to find what I wanted. Now I have non-buyers remorse. I hope I can get them on Friday... then next year, I need to be more prepared. (For what? For the death of the king! Why is he sick?)

Black Friday: ..... I see two things wrong with that title.

If you recognize the title, yes, it's from the Simpsons. The boys get a fake ID and go see a rated R movie called "Naked Lunch" and leave saying "I see two things wrong with that title." Funny because it bucks what the viewer's expectations are. However, when you mess with real life expectations..... not as funny.

This year, Black Friday is starting on.... Thursday at 8 PM. Yup, Thanksgiving night. Why the change? Well, my theories are because the more shoppers you can have the more money you make. Sounds legit. Retailers found out last year that by opening earlier (Midnight as opposed to 5 AM) they could get more people in the door. Great for their bottom line because, well more money. But what about for consumers?

For the hardcore Black Friday shoppers, these early times are not good. It's like Peyton Manning having to play with a bunch of high school kids. (I was going to use Kobe Bryant....but decided against that analogy.) Sure, the pro should have the advantage, but even a blind squirrel will be right twice a day....or something like that. Point is, the more people you put in the shops, the less chance that you can get the item(s) you want. Part of the "appeal" of Black Friday was "We get the deals because we're out here at 5 AM." All of a sudden you get a bunch of newbies going out because it's at midnight or 8 PM.

Also, it's called Black FRIDAY right? Am I missing something by starting it on the THURSDAY before? Which, as I mentioned, is Thanksgiving. Look, my family is fairly new to Thanksgiving, we don't have many traditions but we do like to cook and eat dinner with family. With a new 8 PM start time, that means we have to be done with dinner at... Noon? And what about employees of retail stores. Wal-Mart employees used to get most of Thanksgiving off because they were closed all day. Sure employees had to start coming in later at night to get set up, but they probably had time to have dinner and spend time with family before they had to go to work. I would not be surprised if some employees will have to go in around 2, to start the Black Friday preparations.

But.... what can we do? If their 8 PM sales fall flat, then retailers will rethink these early opening times. However, I fear, we as retailers, will feed the beast. So 8 PM sales might be something we have to get used to. This year, however, I do not think I will be part of that crowd. I will enjoy the extra dinner and family time before I do the midnight lines. If you so choose to go to 8 PM sales, please contact me before hand. I would love to get your account so I can blog to all the faithful readers here about how it goes.

Keep an eye on my Blog-ahol for more Black Friday updates. Any questions, please let me know! I would love to research it for ya! If you're heading out, I would love to hear from you and you can correspond for Blog-ahol.

PS. I'm looking to start a blog strictly focusing on financing, as soon as I figure out a name for it, I will start that. But for now, I'm a Blog-aholic, I can't live without my Blog-ahol.

The BirthdayRegistry dot com era has begun

While I was on vacation, my good friend Matt Martinez asked me, "Do you really want Power Rangers Season 1 for your birthday?" (We saw a late night commercial for one.) I thought to myself "Hell Yeah!....... but I want some other things first." That is what makes shopping so hard. We have things we'd like to buy ourselves. But because they are "wants" and not "needs" we sometimes don't splurge on those purchases. What about from Matt's view? Because sometimes I DO splurge on myself. What if he gets me something I don't like, or don't ever use. The gift buying guessing game is hard. You want to genuinely surprise the person you are buying for, without giving a crap gift.

That's why wedding registry's are so nice. You go to the store, print out a piece of paper of what they want. You're in, you're out, no hassle, no mess. Simple! If this sounds familiar, it is because I wrote about it last Christmas. http://huutranblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-time-is-here.html I wanted to create a website "Birthdayregistry.com." You could go and enter your registry online and whenever the occasion (birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries) would arrive, you would get gifts that you want and the gifter would have a much easier time to pick out your gifts.

So am I doing you a service by putting my wish list here? Or am I just being narcissistic and selfish by  telling you to buy me these material things? Why does it have to be one or the other?

Not in any particular order:

Luxor Bath robes: It'll be like I'm in Vegas.....all the time. This is a 10 on the want scale and 0 on the need scale. I have very little use for this...but whatever right? Eff it! http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/78-salt-lake-city/deals/439161-monogrammed-robe-made-from-100-egyptian-cotton

They don't have my team..... BOOOOOOOOO
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-ihip-nfl-portable-dock-stereo-system?c=all&p=11

As a Buffy/Angel nerd.... yeah I'd like these comics haha.
Any Angel: After the Fall Vol. 2 or on: http://www.amazon.com/Angel-After-Fall-First-Night/dp/1600103936/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346465241&sr=8-3&keywords=angel+after+the+fall
(I already have VOL. 1. Surprise)

Buffy Vol. 7 and/or Buffy Vol. 8: http://www.amazon.com/Buffy-Vampire-Slayer-Season-Twilight/dp/1595825584/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346465348&sr=1-1&keywords=buffy+vol.+7

THIS would be actually really good for me. Seeing as now I have an office job and just sit around all day. Anything to help me work out while sitting would be great! http://www.amazon.com/Isokinetics-Inc-Brand-Pedal-Exerciser/dp/B000KDWA82/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I've already have a couple massages I have to use....but you can't have too many right?
http://www.groupon.com/deals/down-time-massage-2?c=all&p=7

Car seat cover...my poor car is falling apart
http://www.amazon.com/NFL-Dallas-Cowboys-Seat-Cover/dp/B000V676HS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1346465999&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=cowboys+car+seat+cover

And THIS is the main thing I want! Thanks!!!!

Spreadsheet version for easy viewing Click Here

The Funnest bet in all of sports

You will not convince me otherwise....the over/under bet of the National Anthem of the Super Bowl is by far the most fun bet there is in sports. The object of the bet is time the National Anthem from the beginning "Oh" till the end of the word "Brave." Vegas will set a time and you bet if it will be over or under that time.

I have taken this bet 3 years in a row now, and by far, it's been one of the most exciting moments of each Super Bowl for me. This year, the original American Idol Ms. Kelly Clarkson performed the anthem. If you don't believe me try it for yourself. Guess "Over 1 Minute 35 seconds" or "Under 1 Minute 35 seconds." Then get a timer/stop watch, watch the video, and time the anthem from the start of "Oh" to the end of "Brave." If you're not hanging on every word of the last two lines, then there is something UnAmerican or UnFun of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLoDMTQjX9I

Sundance Diary

Who would have thought...this simple status message would get over 100 comments and begin our Sundance Journey?

Jan 25
7:00 AM: Ugh....why am I awake this early?

8:30 AM: Got to pick up Baby Daddy. Already late, supposed to leave for Park City by Nine.

8:45 AM: At least EZ Mart is late too

8:50 AM: Alright, Jarman in the car, time to pick up Kenny. Sundance time.

9:15 AM: Calling Kenny...no answer.

9:20 AM: Calling Kenny....no answer.

9:25 AM: Calling Kenny... we got to go! Cue hitting the road music.

9:45 AM: Kenny calls back. What is going on with this morning?!?!

10:30 AM: Kimball Junction. Let's check Jarman in. (He basically got a free room at the Best Western Inn. With an upgraded suite and a HUGE hot tub...by huge, I mean it was deep....like really deep....like ridiculously deep.)

10:45 AM: Jarman offers Vu a free room too, we head over to Wally World grab some breakfast items and hit the Townhouse up.

11:15 AM: Jarman and I are at the town house.... EZ Mart...is not. Have to be in line at noon.

11:30 AM: They made it to Park City.

12 Noon: We leave to get in line.....which we should be in right....now

12:30 PM: Get into the waitlist line and grab numbers 52-55..... the latest we've ever waitlisted. The guy handing our tickets says "that's not bad." Whatever. Time for lunch then our movie.

2:00 PM: We BARELY squeak into "That's What She Says." EZ Mart says. "You're welcome"..... we should just punch him.

4:00 PM: Not a bad flick. Definitely felt "Sundance-y." We're all spent..... back to the townhouse to wait for everyone else.

4:30-6:30 PM: Josh, Melanie and Kenny arrive. (Kenny took the front runner, then a bus to Park City.) The details are blurry here cuz I napped for part of the time.... I think people consumed alcohol.

8 PM: After dinner, we buy a swim suit for Melanie (apparently her underwear would not cut it.) Jazz game.

10 PM: Jazz lose.... ugh, time for Dance Dance Central! Hey Ashton should be up soon...now it's a party!

This is Lady Gaga's "Glitter Walk." Yeah... I rock this game.

12 Midnight: Well, that was fun, everyone starts to retire... So should I, but that hot tub is calling my name.

1:30 AM: Bed time.... Kenny and Melanie are gonna go out.... party animals.

3:00 AM-ish?: WHAT THE HELL? Did they bring back a whole marching band from the club?!?!?!?!

Jan. 26 (Technically I get that 7 hours ago was the start of Jan 26....but it's too early for semantics)
6:45 AM: Ugh....why am I awake this early?

7:15 AM: Leaving to get in line to buy tickets.... I should be there....now. Melanie is surprisingly alert. (Got a quick spoon/hump in) Also was able to get EZ Mart up with a little more than minimal effort. Not bad. Breakfast will be ready when I get home.

7:45 AM: Found the box office.... 10 bucks for parking?

8 AM: They start selling tickets. 1 of the 3 movies we want to see has tickets for sell. I'm far back in line though....hopefully I can get some.

8:45 AM: Yes, I can get tickets for the Documentary. But wait? I can only by 4 per person because it's a premier???? Damn it all! (Note to self: If you can't bring a friend with you..... meet someone in line and have them buy it for you. Next year....next year)

9 AM: I just want to eat.

10:30 AM: Bye Town House.

11 AM: Well, since I couldn't get 6 tickets. Matt, Aimee and Josh decide not to go.... I have to scalp the extra ticket I guess. Astonishingly easy task.

1 PM: "About Face: the Evolution of Supermodels" made Melanie feel "Beautiful and Ugly at the same time." You know what? I get what she's saying. (Time to hit old town and get free Swag!!)

2 PM-7 PM: Walk up and down Main Street, and if you know the right spots, you can get tons of free Sundance gear.

8:00 PM: Free short film from Ron Howard? Sure!

8:30 PM: We're not going to make "Robot and Frank"... I hear it's really good. That's a shame, but we'll probably see it tomorrow right? Right?

9 PM: The drive home is always hard....especially during a blizzard and on 3 hours of sleep.

(Free Swag!!!!)

Sundance 2012 Brita bottle. Pledge to stop Plastic water bottle waste

I don't even drink Coffee....but look how cool this coffee cup is!

Loreal products? Yeah.... Cuz I'm worth it

Check into my FourSquare app? And BOOM! Free Sundance Channel beanie!

Aimee is worth it...free hairdo from Loreal

Melanie is worth it... free harido from Loreal

Swagbucks? The Library? What are you talking about?

I get asked all the time, "Huu, why are you always at the library?" I always have to say it's complicated because it's a long story. Well, I have time now. I was basically earning "money" for my Christmas presents this year. No seriously. I was using a "Search and Earn" site called Swagbucks. What is Swagbucks? Well....simply put, it's a search engine, like Google, except every once in a while they give you rewards or "swag bucks" for a search. So if I used Swagbucks instead of Google to search I have a chance to win. (Among other features on the website.) In turn, I can use those swag bucks winnings for prizes. In my instance, I was buying tons of Amazon Gift Cards. I was able to accumulate a pretty good amount in a year's worth. To prove it, I documented all the gifts I got. At the bottom is the total I "spent." You might be surprised.

But the question was.... Why was I at the library all the time. Not to get all technical, but let's just say I could win more by being at the library then being at my home computer. Now you see why I couldn't explain to everyone simply what I was doing all the time.

I had a lot of Packages from Amazon this year

Gots to protect my iPhone

One copy for my brother. One copy for me. 

This was my dad's gift..... he opened before Christmas and decided he didn't want it.

Now we can ALL play Madden together.

One of my friends needed a PS3. So my friend and I got on for him

Reusable Hand Warmer, for my older sis.

Virgin Mobile MiFi. For when I need 3G internet on the go

Mini Simpsons Lunch Box. Matthew L had to love this.

A Camera cover. So now you can take pics in adverse weather conditions.

Rhett really wanted this... So I got it. I'll borrow it when he's done

A scarf for my sis.... which turned into a scarf for my nephew. At least the gift will get good use.

Phineas and Ferb blanket! I wanted to keep it for myself. However, I think the Jarman's and the little one would like it more than me.

But... I did keep the Jazz Plush throw blanket for myself.

A Jazz tie for the Jazz fans who work in the office.

My mom's laptop speakers suck. So this was "just what she needed."

When the Jazz are good. Alex will hang this proudly

I am Batman

Well.... I had to get both of them

Needed it to complete the Trilogy

One of Vu's favorite movies

One of my best friend's is a Gator now...so A gator shirt and a beach towel!

A Hair Straightener... I wonder if it's a good one

Really cool US Open Towel for my brother

Now Matt will have the FRESHEST cereal

Portable Iphone Charger

A huge coffee cup from Central Perk

My bro in law needed some sneakers. BAM!

My good friend just had a baby. BABY SHOWER! (Too bad he has to grow up as a Bills fan)

Earmuffs for my Madre. 

Not just for Christmas....got my Halloween costume too

Just a quick glimpse of what the "SwagBucks" look like.

I had a Merry Christmas. I was able to use $1,103.86 on Amazon.com with me spending very little out of pocket. Yup. I spent over a thousand bucks!

Maybe you're interested in joining. If you use the computer a lot during the day, I definitely recommend it. I'm Hardcore, I don't expect everyone to get 1,000 bucks a year, but who knows? Doesn't hurt to try. Use this link to sign up. (Edit Note)

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up. I know a lot of tricks of the trade to help you to rack up the points. I actually love talking about getting deals. It's my own personal crack you know.... metaphorically. (Edit Note)

PS. I would like to thank my good friend Melissa Bolton for making my blog look TONS better. Check her blog out: http://maeboltonphoto.blogspot.com/

Editor's Note: Had a slight problem with swag bucks. I don' have a link right now. If you want to join Facebook or email me huutantran@gmail.com and I will send you a link as well as tips!