Muppet's Moolah

Free Turtle Cotton String Bag

2008-07-26T07:10:00.000+01:00

The latest news from Wiggly Wigglers is that they still have a few of their cheap fruit bushes for sale, although they're going fast.

They've also just published their summer catalogue, so if you're a Wiggly person your copy should be in the post. And they're offering a free turtle cotton string bag to every one of their customers who spends over £50 - or you can buy one for £4.50.

We're all aware now that plastic carrier bags are wasteful and a environmental problem. According to the Wigglers, turtles coming to the UK for jellyfish can mistake discarded plastic bags for food, with fatal consequences. Say no to plastic bags, say yes to turtles!

Free Brian Cant Story Time downloads

2008-07-25T08:31:00.002+01:00

Do you remember Brian Cant? Or perhaps you'd like some story recordings for your little ones?

Well the Great Little Trading Co is offering free downloads of "a lovely selection of fairy stories, Aesop's fables and Kipling's 'Just So' stories, read exclusively for Great Little Trading Company by Brian Cant. Available in 3 file formats - WMA for Windows users, AAC for Mac users and MP3 for everyone! Just download and play away!".

Available titles include 'How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin', 'How the Camel Got His Hump', 'The Tortoise & the Hare', 'Cinderella', 'Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs', 'Three Little Pigs' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.

Blowfish Shoes

2008-07-24T13:15:00.004+01:00

The general assumption is that there's nothing you can't get on the internet. It's not always true. For example, you can't buy Blowfish Shoes online.

Blowfish Shoes is a new range of footwear from Malibu. The selection of designer Blowfish Women's Shoes includes casual styles, sandals and funky boots.

Hopefully an online store won't be long in coming, but in the meantime you can buy Blowfish Shoes in a range of traditional retailers, and the website has a search function to help you find your nearest store.

Win £100 with the Big Tidy Up

2008-07-24T07:46:00.001+01:00

The Big Tidy Up campaign is taking to the streets this year, spurred on by Wall.E. Individuals, schools, groups and businesses can all register to take part, and receive green tabards, posters, stickers and badges together with advice on organizing a Big Tidy Up event.

What's more, if you do a great job and take before and after photos, you can enter a competition to win £100 of National Garden Gift Vouchers as Tidy Up Champions. There's also a £50 prize of litter-picking equipment to be won. The closing date for entries is 31st October 2008.

Win a Gumutindo Gift Set from CafeDirect

2008-07-23T08:45:00.000+01:00

CafeDirect (watch their short climate change film on YouTube) are giving away 10 Gumutindo Gift Sets (including 1 x Classic Blend 100g, 1 x Organic decaffeinated instant 100g and 1 x Mount Elgon coffee beans) to the Friends of Cafedirect.

Once you've signed up as a Friend, all you need to do to enter is find the answer to this question: What does 'Gumutindo' mean in the local Lugisu language? (You can find the answer in a recent article in the Guardian).

Once you think you know, email your answer with 'Gumutindo Gift Set' in the subject line to competition@cafedirect.co.uk. Read the terms & conditions beforehand.

Free prints from SnapFish

2008-07-22T11:29:00.003+01:00

SnapFish are offering five free 5x7 prints - but you'll have to be quick because the offer ends at midnight Friday 25th July 2008.

Use the coupon code SUMMER7X5 to claim your free prints.

And if you're a new customer then you'll also have free 6x4" prints waiting for you as soon as you upload your first photo.

Win A HP Photosmart 475 Compact photo printer

2008-07-22T08:38:00.000+01:00

Catridge Monkey are running a competition to give away a HP Photosmart 475 Compact photo printer.

Every time you buy one of their qualifying HP products (and they've got some good deals on ink cartridge twin packs) you're given an entry into the prize draw - and there's no limit to the number of entries you can have between now and the closing date of 31st October 2008.

2 for 1 photobooks

2008-07-21T08:11:00.000+01:00

It's the last couple of days to take advantage of the current photobox offer - 2 for the price of 1 on A4 hardcover photo books. The offer ends at midnight on 22nd July and the discount code to use is JULYBOOK241.

You've got a bit longer if you're after 7 x 5 prints, because they're offering free delivery if you order 100 prints by midnight on 29th July and use the discount code JULY7X5POST.

Save £5 on Wiggly fruit bushes

2008-07-20T08:00:00.001+01:00

Wiggly Wigglers are offering £5 off blackcurrant plants and gooseberry bushes this week, but this offer is strictly limited so you'll have to be quick if you want to grab a fruit bargain.

And if you're a Wiggly person then you'll be thrilled to know that they're opening the Wiggly garden to the public on Sunday 27th July for charity - so pop along if you're in the area and fancy some Wiggly fun.

And although this blog is aimed at UK readers, it does have the occasional visitor from overseas - so here's a discount code especially for US visitors. Save 10%, and get free shipping, at 1800petmeds by using the promotional code PETE.

It's National Cherry Day!

2008-07-19T07:49:00.000+01:00

Today is the day that Food Lovers Britain have chosen for us to celebrate one of the tastiest fruits we can grow here in the UK - the British cherry!

Find out whether there's a Cherry Day event near you, or celebrate at home by trying out their recipes that use British cherries. British cherries are in season now, so make the most of them.

Food Lovers Britain run a monthly competition. July's isn't about cherries (boo!) but you can still enter to win a copy of Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby's Barbecue book.

Win an intergalactic trip with Wall.E & Woolworths

2008-07-16T17:49:00.003+01:00

The movie hasn't even opened yet (2 days and counting!) but Woolworths are already giving you the chance to win with Wall.E. They're offering an intergalactic-themed trip to Florida for the whole family. Enter now for a chance to win:

Four return economy flights to Orlando from London and Orlando Hotel Transfers.

Five nights/six days at a four-star Luxury Hotel located near all of Orlando's great attractions.

A day-trip to Kennedy Space Center. NASA’s launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet an Astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators. Experience a full-day’s VIP astronaut training program and have Maximum Access Admission, including a tour of Kennedy Space Center, admission to IMAX® space movies and all exhibits and shows. Also includes admission to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and interactive space-flight simulators. Transfers to and from the Center are included.

Family day passes and transfers to two Disney’s theme parks, Magic Kingdom ® and Epcot.

A full burger meal at Five Guys Burgers for the winning WALL.E family with all the trimmings and a decadent dessert if you can fit it in.

$200 US Dollars spending money.

And Woolworths are also offering big discounts on their Clearout lines to online shoppers. Quote the promotional code WWCLEAROUT to get an extra 10% off, but this offer ends midnight on Tuesday 22nd July, 2008.

Become a Snackerries taster

2008-07-14T07:44:00.002+01:00

Get your hands on free trials of Snackerries by signing up to be part of their test panel. They'll send you free samples of Snackerries, and all you have to do in return is eat them and tell them what you think!

And if you're still trying to be green despite the credit crunch, you'll be happy to know that Cartridge Monkey are offering an extra 10% off their Jet Tec recycled ink jet cartridges if you use the discount code JET2 - but be quick because it's only valid until 17th July.

Get up to 70 percent Off Designer Clothes At BrandAlley

2008-07-13T16:20:00.002+01:00

BrandAlley is the easiest way to get your hands on genuine designer clothing and accessories at the best prices.

They work directly with over 140 of the most fashionable brands to offer members huge savings - 30-70% discount - through exclusive private sales.

All you have to do is let them know your email address - register for free now.

Once you've registered you can get £5 credit for each of your friends that signs up - so invite them all to register and you could be quids in.

Save £££s on a compost tumbler

2008-07-12T10:28:00.003+01:00

Another gardening offer today - use the discount code ECODE052 online at Harrod Horticultural to save money on a compost tumbler.

They've got two models on offer. Use the code to save £30 on the 635 litre ComposTumbler or £12 on the 334 litre model.

And if you're a garden junkie then you might enjoy my latest article, No Hoe Zone, published in the Guardian today.

Win a Toshiba 19" LCD TV

2008-07-11T11:15:00.002+01:00

Register with MFI for your chance to win a Toshiba 19" LCD TV.

And I've got another gardening discount to add to the ones I listed yesterday - get 10% off at Blackmoor Fruit Nursery by using the discount code GYOJM. You can splash out on peaches, raspberries, pears, plums and more than 60 varieties of apple, as well as more obscure fruits like tayberries, medlars and walnuts and many more.

More gardening discounts

2008-07-10T08:52:00.003+01:00

Get 2 months membership to the RHS free (12 months for the price of 12) by using the promotional code 2368 in the RHS online shop. Valid until 31 October 2008.

If you need some more plants to brighten up your garden, then you can get a discount of 20% on all purchases at Crocus by quoting the discount code 9351 until 31st March 2009.

And if you'd like an instant kitchen garden, then check out Rocket Gardens. You can save 10% on all purchases by using the code ds2, before 31st March 2009.

When all the gardening is done, you might need some new crockery to show off your harvests, so pop along to New Covent Garden Food. To celebrate their garden at the Hampton Court Flower Show, they're giving away a Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Dinner Set for four, plus 5 runner up prizes of pestle and mortars. To be in with a chance of winning you just need to leave your details.

Free music downloads with GigaHitz

2008-07-09T11:40:00.002+01:00

If you like music and social networking then you may well love the new GigaHitz site.

The idea is that bands and musicians upload tracks. Site members are then invited to listen to the tracks and comment on them - and the reward for participating is free music downloads.

REGISTER NOW and GigaHitz will send you 3 FREE downloads and for every FRIEND you refer after registration they'll send you another 2 FREE downloads.

Summer gardening

2008-07-08T09:17:00.002+01:00

If rising food prices are worrying you and you want to start growing some of your own fruit and veg, then it's not too late to start this year. Midsummer is a great time to sow some seeds for autumn and winter crops - check out my podcast on winter crops for more information. What's more, if you buy your seeds online from Thompson & Morgan, you can get 10% off by using the discount code G08R at the checkout before 6th August.

Tesco Greener Living have 10 Ecotopia tree kits to give away - containing everything you need to plant your own British native tree.

And Free Range Review are giving away a six month supply of Tregothnan tea and herbal infusion, plus bouquets of flowers, to one lucky winner - all you have to do is post a review of a local food outlet on the website to be entered into the draw.

20% off at Figleaves with Veet

2008-07-04T14:51:00.004+01:00

If you use Veet then buy one of their promotional packs and you can send off for a free Sex in the City style and beauty guide, complete with a discount for 20% off at Figleaves.

And a Karen Millen basket bag could be yours if you enter this competition.

But if eco fashion is more your thing, check out the new Woodland Trust range at Dorothy Perkins, and help them to plant more trees. And you can enter a competition to win a shopping spree worth £200 as well.

Double Coke Zone Points in July & more

2008-07-03T07:13:00.008+01:00

Every code you enter in the Coke Zone during July is worth double points. Find codes under the labels on 500 ml and 2 litre bottles of Coke, enter them online or via text, and save up for rewards like mobile downloads, or use them for competition entries.

Keepstakes sell personalized garden stakes that are perfect for marking special events. And during July they're celebrating their own milestone by giving a 10% discount to anyone who uses the discount code HBOS.

People Tree and Responsible Travel have teamed up to offer a special prize - a luxury weekend away and a People Tree summer wardrobe. Just answer a simple question to be in with a chance of winning.

Every day during July, rBooks are giving away one of their top audio book titles, either on CD or as a download. Visit the site every day to see which title is on offer, and to register for a chance of winning. And if you're after some travel tales for holiday reading them head along to the rBooks website and use the discount code TRAVELWRITING08 to get 35% off.

Plus Wallis are running a competition to win hundreds of pounds of hair styling products. And sign up for their Style Talk email newsletter and you'll get 10% off an a chance to win a £500 shopping spree!

And if you're one of the many visitors here looking for free Walkers Brit Trip points, check out the Peazyshop forum.

Free purrs with Purina

2008-07-02T11:28:00.002+01:00

Purina are promoting the launch of their new Purina ONE Natural Balance cat food by giving away free samples. So if you've got cat, simply register (or login if you're already a member) with the site and they'll send you a sample pack out free of charge. The offer lasts until the end of the year.

Free Watercare pack from Ecover

2008-07-01T10:05:00.003+01:00

Ecover design their cleaning products to have the minimum possible impact on the environment, particularly when it comes to water, and they'd like us to be more careful with our water as well.

And so they're currently running a promotion whereby you can send off for a free water care pack - including a Hippo water saver for your toilet, information booklet and some fun stickers and posters.

All you have to do is fill in your details, and a water care pack will be sent out to you.

5 more places to spend PayPal cash

2008-06-30T08:05:00.004+01:00

In the latest in my irregular series of posts looking at places you can spend a PayPal balance, I've got one big retailer and a few quirky ones for you.

It's not obvious until you've made an order and started to checkout, but you can pay for purchases at Boots.com with PayPal. One of the nice things about Boots.com is that you can earn rewards points if you have a Boots Advantage Card - and at 4 points per £1 spent, it's one of the most generous high street reward schemes around. You can sign up online if you don't already have a card.

One of the big advantages of PayPal is that it allows small companies and individuals to sell their products to a wide audience - which means we can get hold of cool stuff that isn't otherwise widely available, and support small business at the same time.

If you're following the trend to grow more of your own food, then you might be interested in Clive Simm's books on fruit and nut trees. Each book covers a particular type of fruit - including walnuts, hazelnuts, blueberries & cranberries and figs. You can order directly from Orchard House Books and pay with your PayPal balance.

Or perhaps you're interested in the Miracle berry (Synsepalum dulcificum) which, when fresh, turns sour tastes sweet for hours and hence acts as a natural, calorie-free sweetener. You can buy dried berries, processed granules and even small plants online, from Miracle Fruit UK or MiracleUK.info, and pay with PayPal.

And last (but by no means least), if you like folk music then you should really check out my pal Rebsie Fairholm. She has a lovely voice and makes beautiful music. If you visit her MySpace page then you can listen to some of her tracks. My personal favourite is Leafblower, and you can listen to the track and find out what inspired it over on Rebsie's gardening blog. You can buy Rebsie's debut album, Mind the Gap, directly from her website - and pay with PayPal!

Previous posts on this topic:
Six places to spend your PayPal cash
Save battery hens with PayPal

Weekend discount round-up

2008-06-28T11:52:00.005+01:00

VisionDirect are celebrating Independence Day with a new offer - use the discount code REFRESH to get an extra 10% off orders over $99 before 8th July.

Woolworths are offering a free In the Night Garden puzzle or Dr Who Top Trumps book to customers who spend over £15 on qualifying products, both in store and online. There's also a chance to win a personalized animation cell from Kung Fu Panda.

Laura Ashley are giving away thousands of pounds of vouchers to survey participants. Even if you don't win one of the big prizes (£1000, £500 or £250), each person who fills in the survey will get a voucher worth £10 off purchases of £50 or over when the survey closes in August.

It's the last few days to use the discount code ECODE099 to get 10% off crop protection and ground covers at Harrod Horticultural.

Biotherm are giving away a free gift of Biotherm essential products in a pink and white pouch (NUTRISOURCE - Highly Nurturing Rich Cream 20 ml and BIOSOURCE - Clarifying Cleansing Gel 20 ml) to online customers who spend over £35 and use the offer code VOYAGE.

And the Carbon Neutral Company is offering a free mini sundial to everyone spending over £10 before 4th July - to claim your gift you need to email your order number to shop@carbonneutral.com.

Win free tickets to summer events

2008-06-27T09:13:00.004+01:00

Ecover are taking their caravan on tour for the summer, handing out free samples and coupons, as well as playing games, at several summer festivals. As a result, they're running a competition to win free tickets to events all over the country:

Taste Festival, Bath 4th – 6th July 3 pairs of tickets

Cornbury Festival, Charlbury, Oxfordshire 5th & 6th July 1 pair of tickets

Kew Swing Festival, Kew Gardens, London 11th & 12th July 5 pairs for Friday

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset 18th – 20th July 1 pair of tickets

Big Tent Festival, Fife, Scotland 26th & 27th July 3 pairs of tickets

White Stuff Surf Festival, Newquay, Cornwall 26th July 5 pairs of tickets

Innocent Village Fete, Regents Park, London 2nd & 3rd August 1 pair of tickets

Hampshire Water Festival, Romsey, Hampshire 9th August 1 pair of tickets

Bristol Organic Food Festival, Bristol 6th & 7th September 2 pairs of tickets

You can enter the draw for tickets to as many of those festivals as you like.

And for another chance to win tickets to Kew's Summer Swing event, plus a hamper full of Gü and Frü goodies, pop along to the Kew website.