Buying a top of the line vacuum does not have to cost full price.

My family was recently on a hunt to get a high quality vacuum for less than the advertised price.  We researched online and decided the Dyson DC33 Multi-Floors Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner was the right fit for our home and lifestyle.  We liked that it converts into various hand held tools by pressing a few buttons, the canister can be cleaned with a visit to the trash can instead of replacing bags, it’s lightweight, and can be used on both carpet and hardwood floors.

On average, the vacuum sells for around $320.  To cut costs, we compared which store would give us the best savings.  Knowing that Plastic Jungle offers Bed Bath & Beyond discounted gift cards for 10% less than face value as well as discounted Home Depot gift cards for 6% less than face value, Bed Bath & Beyond seemed like the obvious choice.

However, our final step was to stack Plastic Jungle’s discounted gift cards with a store coupon to maximize savings.  I immediately grabbed a 20% off Bed Bath & Beyond coupon and decided to read the fine print.  The text on the coupon explained that it was not valid for the purchase of Dyson vacuums.  As Plan B, I checked the limitations of a Home Depot 10% off coupon and found it can be used on a Dyson vacuum.

We quickly ordered enough discounted Home Depot gift cards from Plastic Jungle to cover the purchase and a 10% off Home Depot coupon from from eBay.  About one week later, everything arrived in the mail and we made a trip to Home Depot to buy a $320 Dyson vacuum for under $270 (15% off)!

For those who are visual learners, here’s the deal comparison in visual form.

What ways have you saved with Plastic Jungle?

‘Tis the season for weddings and baby showers.  Have we got the best discounts on the bride and mom-to-be’s favorite gift cards!

Whether someone in your family is getting married or expanding their family, odds are you have likely been invited to a wedding shower, bachelor or bachelorette party, wedding ceremony, wedding reception, or adoption/baby shower at some point this summer.

Depending on your level of involvement, the responsibility and stress level may differ.  However, with Plastic Jungle – gift buying in made easy.

The day you receive the invitation and decide to attend or send in your regrets, take a couple of minutes to figure out where the couple/family is registered (often times Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target are on the list) and log on to Plastic Jungle to order a gift card for the appropriate amount to that store.  (My family often orders a card with a $25 or $50 value depending on the relationship.)

A week later when the discounted gift card arrives in the mail, simply go to the appropriate store, ask for the registry (or print it off before you head out) and shop with (usually) many unfulfilled gift options.

For added dollar-savings, try the following methods:

If shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond, you can use one coupon per item.  Here’s the fine print: You can use their mailed coupons even after the expiration date but if you receive their emailed coupons, those expiration dates are indeed expiration dates.

If the event is out of town, I prefer to buy from Target because I can stack my Plastic Jungle gift card(s) with 3% cash back via ebates +  $5 off $50 (or $7 off $70) via the online discounts offered through Entertainment Book + if the cart adds up to $50 or more, it qualifies for free shipping.

Share how you saved on the perfect gift for a happy couple- whether they be newly weds or new parents.

Step by step, a Plastic Jungle fan shows you how to save $100s by combining discounted gift cards, coupons, and rebates.

It is fair to say that most households have wish lists. From house to house, these lists can be as diverse as the inhabitants. You could be pining for fresh electronics (new TV or gaming system), or home improvements or furniture, or maybe a special accessory, such as a pricey designer purse or a pair of shoes. Often, wish lists develop when you move into a new space, as our Plastic Jungle fan, Marcy B., relates.

In her letter, Marcy B. outlines how she went about saving big on renovating her window treatments in her new home. She explains that it wasn’t a matter of combing the Internet, or paging through Val-Pak coupons, but a matter of patience and a small amount of planning.

Thanks to marketing and promotions, all shoppers get the idea that we could save big, but jumping the hurdle to map out the steps can be a stumbling block.

Her letter explains her simple process, step-by-step:

You are welcome, Marcy! : )

Marcy's Living Room Before the New Blinds

Marcy's home with her new blinds. Success at a discount!

As it turns out, Marcy is also a guest contributor for a parenting site: MamaModerne.com, and she wrote up her story as an article, “Saving Big on Big Purchases”. Check it out for more details on how to save when it comes time to pull out that wishlist.

What’s on your wishlist?

Consider the following categories. When you’re dealing with a wishlist, it’s OK to be greedy. Writing out what you want might help you prioritize your wants and needs. (Well, that sounds like another blog post!)

Consumer Electronics: get gift cards from Best Buy, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Sony Style, Apple Store, Office Depot, Staples, JCPenney

Home Improvement: get gift cards from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Bloomingdale’s

Furniture: get gift cards from Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma Home, JCPenney, Macy’s, Walmart, west elm, CB2

Designer Apparel & Accessories: Zappo’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Bergdorf-Goodman, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Coach

Pick up any of the above gift cards on Plastic Jungle’s Buy Gift Cards page.

Get thinking, and let us know if you’ve got any strategies for saving with discount gift cards.

Our savvy customers are gearing up for fun summer activities, so it is no surprise to see clothing, electronics, and department store gift cards top the charts with graduation and wedding season around the corner.

Most purchased gift cards in April 2010 include:

1. Walmart Gift Cards

2. Target Gift Cards

3. Best Buy Gift Cards

4. The Home Depot Gift Cards

5. Safeway Gift Cards

6. Restaurant.com Gift Cards

7. Lowe’s Gift Cards

8. Macy’s Gift Cards

9. Bed Bath & Beyond Gift Cards

10. Barnes & Noble Gift Cards

View gift cards you loved this so far in January, February, and March.

How did you save money in April? What are you planning to do differently in May? Share your best savings tips below in the comments field and help other people get more with less…