Macy's: An Extra 25% Off!

Now through May 4th you can take an extra 25% off your in-store or online purchase at Macy's.

Make this deal even sweeter by going through ebates or MyPoints.

• ebates- 3% cash back
• MyPoints- 2 points per dollar

Happy saving!

e.l.f.: 50% Off & Cash Back!

e.l.f. is a makeup and skin care line that is known for it's inexpensive but quality beauty items.

Currently when you use coupon code CAROLINA you take 50% off your order up to $15.

Make this deal even sweeter by making your purchase through ebates and earning 4% cash back!

Thanks Therese!

Free Bowling This Summer for Kids!

This summer KidsBowlFree.com is offering free bowling for children ages 15 and under. All you need to do is find your local participating bowling alley and register your children.

As an adult you can purchase a family pass that is valid for unlimited summer-time play for only $23.95. The family pass covers 4 registered adults and is valued at $1500. What a deal!

For more details, click here. Thanks Karen!

Stride Rite: $10 off $50

Now through May 20th you can take $10 off your $50 footwear purchase at Stride Rite.

Make this deal even sweeter by shopping their 40% off sale and taking advantage of free shipping!

Thanks Jaime!

Baskin Robbins: 31 cent Scoops TOMORROW!

Don't forget! Tomorrow you can claim your 31 cent scoop of ice cream from Baskin Robbins. For more details, click here.

Thanks for the reminder Carolyn & Tim!

Wendy's: $1 off Frosty Coupon

Just in time to help you cool off from this warm Maryland weather is a $1 off a Frosty coupon from Wendy's. Stay cool!

Free Reynold's Wrap- Today Only!

Today only! You can go to the Reynold's website and print out a rebate form for a FREE roll of Reynold's Wrap 100% recycled aluminum foil. The paperboard packaging is made of 100% recycled material too! Happy Earth Week!

Free Sample of Dunkin' Donuts Coffee

Here's a good one for the coffee lovers-- Dunkin' Donuts is giving away free samples of their Original Blend coffee!

Thanks Carolyn!

Baskin Robbins: 31 cent Scoops!

In honor of America's firefighters, Baskin Robbins will be offering 31 cent scoops next Wednesday, April 29th from 5 - 10 pm. Yum!

Thanks Karen!

Dunkin' Donuts: 50 cent Iced Coffee TODAY!

Don't forget- today you can claim your 50 cent Iced Coffee at Dunkin' Donuts!

For more details, click here.

2 Cool Giveaways!

Wow, I'm really excited to have 2 cool giveaways to share!

The first giveaway is from Mindi at Moms Need to Know. She is giving away a coupon for a FREE Romano's Macaroni Grill Entree kit that comes with a free collander, spoon, and cheese grater!

I won Mindi's Fiber One Gift basket last month. It'd be great if one of my readers won this month's giveaway!

The second giveaway is from DiPaola Momma at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom. She is giving away a FREE case (yup, I said CASE!) of Corazona's Heart-Healthy chips!

I won DiPaola Momma's Circus Tickets last month. It'd be great if one of my readers won this giveaway!

Never Pay Full Price at Toys R Us or Babies R Us!

In our region, the Toys R Us (TRU) and Babies R Us (BRU) stores are combined into one store. Our stores accept both TRU and BRU coupons. You may need to taylor the following advice based on your store situation.

1. Register your child's birthday with the Toys R Us Birthday Club. You will receive coupons in the mail around your child's birthday. The last batch of birthday club coupons I received for my son were:

• $3 off any $3+ purchase
• $5 off a $25+ toy or clothing purchase

For more details and to register click here.

2. Register with Rewards R Us. You earn 1 point for each $1 spent. For every 150 points you are mailed a $5 coupon good towards any purchase. In addition, there are "Buy X, Earn X Free" deals for:

• Huggies diapers
• Pampers diapers
• Nestle Good Start formula
• American Greetings cards

For more details and to register click here. While this isn't the best points program out there, if you are shopping at TRU/BRU or making a big purchase there, it's better than receiving no perks at all!

3. Use your TRU / BRU store coupons and your Manufacturer coupons. This is called stacking. When you use both, which you are allowed to do, you stretch your money further.

For example, a few months ago our store had a promotion where you received a free $10 TRU/BRU gift card with the purchase of 3 cases of Huggies diapers. Around the same time, I had received a BRU flier in the mail with a coupon for $5 off each case of Huggies diapers. I also had several $1.50 off any Huggies diapers manufacturer coupons. Here is what I did:

• Purchased 3 cases of Huggies diapers
• Used the $5 off BRU coupon; the 1 coupon applied to all 3 cases of diapers (-$15)
• Used (3) $1.50 manufacturer coupons (-$4.50)
• Got $10 gift card back

4. If you are expecting a baby, register with the Babies R Us Baby Registry. You'll receive a welcome kit that's full of coupons and samples.

To get you started, here is a BRU coupon for $5 off $25. You can use it in-store or online. This is a really good coupon because it doesn't have all the exclusions that most of the BRU coupons do.

If I left anything out, please let me know. Happy saving!

I'm Still Here!

No, I haven't forgotten about you. I'm still here but have been occupied by:

• a nasty case of tonsilitis
• an awesome Anniversary dinner
• a wonderful Easter weekend
• a busy life!

I'll have some new STEALS for you this afternoon! :)

Dunkin' Donuts: 50 cent Iced Coffee!

As if you needed an excuse to go to Dunkin' Donuts...

On Tuesday, April 21st, Dunkin' Donuts will be offering Iced Coffees for only 50 cents. A portion of your purchase proceeds will go to Homes for our Troops. Enjoy!

Ebates & MyPoints 101

You may have noticed that I am a BIG FAN of ebates and MyPoints. I’ve been using them both for some time now and swear by both of their programs.

Ebates provides no fuss, no muss, free money as a reward for my normal online shopping. Every quarter my ebates cash back refund promptly shows up into my PayPal account. You can also elect to receive a check in the mail. Last quarter I received $25.07 from ebates in my PayPal account… and it was a slow quarter.

How ebates works: Instead of going directly to the merchant’s website, I go to ebates.com first. I type the merchant’s name into the Search box and then click on the Merchant link that displays. By clicking on the Merchant link I am then directed to the merchant’s website. By doing this small step first, I earn free cash back on my purchase. The cash back amounts vary from merchant to merchant and typically range from 1% to 20% back.

MyPoints provides no fuss, no muss, free gift cards as a reward for my normal online shopping. Every once in a while I decide to cash in on my MyPoints rewards. For Christmas I redeemed points for a $25 Lids gift card for my husband, a hat wearer. The time before that, I redeemed points for a $25 Home Depot gift card that we used for some minor home updates.

How MyPoints works: Instead of going directly to the merchant’s website, I go to mypoints.com first. I type the Merchant’s name into the Search box and then click on the Merchant link that displays. By clicking on the Merchant link I am then directed to the merchant’s website. By doing this small step first, I earn free points that I can redeem at any time for free gift cards. The amount of points you earn on your purchases vary from merchant to merchant and typically range from 1 point to 10 points per dollar.

You can also earn a flat amount of points for your purchases depending on the promotion at the time. For example, right now if you use NetQuote to change your auto insurance policy you get 5,000 points.

MyPoints rewards also accrue on clicks that are made through their emails. Not only would you be able to earn the promotional points from the email but you can also earn points just for clicking on it. The clicks that are made through MyPoints emails typically earn 5 points.

Like I said, I am a big fan of ebates and MyPoints. Over time, they have really paid off for me. Are there any other great programs out there that I should know about?

200 ct HP Advanced Photo Paper, $8.99

Just in time for spring break and summer-time pictures, Buy.com has 200 sheet packs of HP Advanced Photo Paper for $8.99. This is a whopping 77% off list price. Shipping is free.

To make this deal even sweeter, go through ebates for 1% cash back or MyPoints for 2 points/dollar.

Famous Footwear: BOGO 50% + 20% Off

This deal makes it hard to pass up buying new shoes! Famous Footwear is having a Buy One, Get One 50% off sale. While that in itself isn't such a great deal, you can combine it with an additional 20% off when you use code 0409799 and shipping is free!

You can make this deal even sweeter by:

• joining Famous Footwear's REWARDS program where you earn rewards for your purchases (and I received a coupon on my birthday)
• going through ebates for 9% cash back

Fisher Price Play 'n Go School House, $8

The Fisher Price Play 'n Go School House is 50% off at Walmart.com.

The nostalgic School House tin features:

• a handle & open/close top
• "chalkboard" roof
• bell tower & clock
• two Little People figures (teacher & pupil)
• dog figure
• teacher's desk & chair
• student desk
• spinning merry-go-round for recess
  

For only $8 this would be a great gift. Shipping adds just $1.97.

To make this deal sweeter, go through ebates for 1% cash back.

Old Navy: 20% off Coupon

Old Navy has some great in-store coupons available right now.

When you click here, there is a boy on the right side of the page. Click on his blue frisbie and you will reveal the 20% coupon.

Let me know if you find the 30% and 40% off coupons!

The Children's Place: 15% off In-Store Coupon

If you still haven't found that perfect Easter outfit for your little one(s), now is the time to take advantage of this 15% off coupon valid at The Children's Place. It's good through April 30th.

Don't forget to use your Place Perks card to earn 1 point for every $1 spent.

Pottery Barn: Aluminum Water Bottle, $10 Shipped

These awesome Pottery Barn Aluminum Water Bottles are just $10 and for a limited time qualify for free shipping.

They come in 3 unique styles: Basketweave, Red Coral Print, and ivory "Do Your Part."

The aluminum keeps your beverages cold and helps reduce plastic bottle waste. The carabiner clip is great for attaching to bags, backpacks, or belt loops.

Compared to $30 SIGG bottles, this deal can't be beat!

Make this deal even sweeter by making your purchase through MyPoints. Through MyPoints you earn 2 points for every dollar spent at PotteryBarn.com.

Kmart: Friends & Family Event

"Attention Kmart shoppers..."

Well, this isn't exactly a blue light special, but it's pretty good if you are going to be placing an online order with Kmart tomorrow.

Tomorrow only (4/5), Kmart is having a Friends and Family Event. When you enter code APRILFF09 at checkout you receive 5% off your order. Purchases of $49 or more qualify for free shipping.

To make this deal even sweeter:

• shop Kmart's fall & winter clearance clothing items; prices start at $2.99
• go through eBates for 2% cash back

Home Depot: 4" Annuals, 3 for $1

Check your local Home Depot ad this week for a steal on 4" annuals. Violas, Dianthus, and Snapdragons are all just 3 for $1! They are regularly $1.25 each so you save almost 74%.

Through Sunday, April 5th. Limit 60 per customer. While supplies last so hurry!

Thanks Brian!

Auntie Anne's: B1G1 Coupon

When you subscribe to Auntie Anne's monthly newsletters you receive a coupon in your inbox each month. This month you get a free pretzel when you purchase the new Pepperoni Pretzel. Yum!

Pep Boys: $10 off $30

Take $10 off any retail purchase of $30 or more with this Pep Boys coupon. Valid through 4/25/09.

Free Dove Hair Care Sample and More!

Right now there are several free samples available:

Try a free sample of Dove Heat Defense Therapy or Intense Damage Therapy.

Try Aveeno's new NOURISH+ Hair Care Collection.

Try Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely fragrance line. Click on Request a Sample here.

Try Eucerin's Dry Skin Therapy and experience 24-hour moisture.

Don't forget to check back here often for new samples too!

Kraft First Taste

Kraft First Taste is a program where you can check out new products and review them. Become a member and see what you can try and review!

Thanks Karen!

Jo Ann's: Friends & Family Savings Event

Jo Ann fabric and craft stores are having their Friends & Family Savings Event now through Sunday, April 5th.

There is a really good coupon for 20% off your total purchase. This includes regular and sale-priced items.

Jo Ann's accepts competitor coupons so this can be used in conjunction with coupons from Michael's and A.C.Moore too.

If you take advantage of Jo Ann's competitor coupon acceptance policy, be sure you only use one unique competitor coupon on each item, and all the coupons must be different.

For example you can use the:

• Michael's sale paper coupon
• Jo Ann's sale paper coupon
• A.C. Moore internet coupon
• Jo Ann's internet coupon

on 4 regular-priced items purchased at the same time in one transaction.

Thanks Karen!

Barnes & Noble: Free Cookie & 30% off Kids Items

Barnes & Noble is having a Kids Spectacular 4-day Savings Event. Now through Sunday, April 5th you can get a free cookie with the purchase of any beverage in the Barnes & Noble cafe.

There are also some decent discount coupons available for kids items such as Easter books, Earth-friendly gifts, games, DVDs, and CDs. These coupons provide great savings for Easter baskets fillers!

Thanks Karen!