Hi, Reader!

It's almost Black Friday, and you know what that means: Shopping!

I’ll admit, I was doing a little post-dinner shopping last night, scoring a few deals on Etsy and a few things from my daughter’s wish list.

As you're looking for the best deals out there, you might as well earn some cash back or gift cards, too. Here are my favorite deals I've been using for years! (And they're all free!)

These aren’t college-related at all, but saving money is something we can all get behind as we save (or pay) for college, right? (And if you use my links, you can help me earn points, too!)

• ​Sign up for Rakuten and earn cash back on every purchase! Hundreds of online retailers are offering big deals (I recently got 20% back on my PetSmart purchase, and I’ve gotten more than $800 in cash back over the years — right to my PayPal account.) Use this link, and you’ll get a $50 bonus when you sign up and spend $50! No strings attached.
• ​Your Shopkick account lets you earn points toward gift cards by just walking in a store, scanning products on shelves, and uploading receipts. Download the app and then use code BLUE204179 to earn 500 bonus points when you sign up.
• ​Download the Fetch app and earn points toward gift cards when you snap and upload receipts. It doesn’t get easier than that! Plus, you’ll earn 2,000 points with your first receipt! Be sure to used code A3F5NN to earn your bonus.
• ​Create a Upromise account and earn cash by shopping online, buying groceries, and dining at local restaurants. You can earn $5.29 now by signing up and another $25 when you link a 529 plan or a student loan account. Each time we visit Playa Bowls (which is often) or go to our local Thai restaurant (also often), we earn a few bucks in our account.

You can also save some time this holiday season by signing up for Instacart. Because sometimes, you just want to stay in your pajamas and have your Target, Sephora, or grocery order come to you. (Use code NCB4B95 and get $10 off your first order.)

But all that shopping also means deliveries!

I set up this little snack stand by our front door to thank all the delivery drivers who bring our packages day in and day out.

Thinking about setting up your own? Download my FREE 2-page printable PDF for your own driver thank yous and links to these Black Friday shopping tips.

Oh, If you’re looking to save some money on college-related materials, I have some deals for you there, too!

• ​Monica Matthews’ scholarship guides are available for 25% off using code SCHOLARSHIPSECRETS. Her guides were so helpful when my daughter was looking for and applying to scholarships.
• My College Connect resource guide is just $1.99 through Monday, Dec. 2. 30+ pages of the most useful college-planning links around!
• Snag my Brainstorming Workbook for just $9 and make brainstorming admission and scholarship essays a breeze.

I hope you’re spending the weekend doing the things you love with the people who mean the most to you. Me? We'll be eating way too much, laughing way too hard, and navigating the way-too-busy airports

Good luck to those who have deadlines in the next few weeks. And for those who still have deadlines coming up, don’t forget about my Personal Statement Review. It’s a great way to get a last bit of feedback so you can confidently click Submit.

Happy Writing (and Shopping)!

Julia

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