Back to school round-up!

July 13, 2010 by

Here’s the latest “back to school” round-up with the best back to school deals I have seen so far this week!

CVS ~ Today (Tuesday, 7/13) is the last day that you can get these items for free (don’t forget to ask for a rain check if your store doesn’t have any in stock!)  There will be more school supply “freebies” in upcoming weeks: (you can check out the rest of the CVS deals in my CVS weekly deals post)

Caliber 5″ soft-handle scissors – $.99, get a $.99 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Final Price = Free after ECBs

PaperMate 1.2 pens (10 ct) – $.99, get a $.99 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Final Price = Free after ECBS

Gymboree ~ Save up to 60% off marked down items.  If your Gymbucks have been burning a hole in your pocket, Gymbucks redemption “officially” starts on Thursday (7/15), but typically, they actually start it a day early, so you may want to call your stores and ask if they are starting early and head over there today to put your items on hold!

Office Depot ~ You can get Sketch Makers or a  Swingline LightTouch Reduced Effort stapler for “free” after mail in rebate or a ream of multipurpose paper, sheet protectors, and mechanical pencils for $1 after mail in rebate.  Find coupons, scenarios, and more about this weekly deals in my Office Depot post.

Old Navy ~  Right now, Old Navy is offering 15% off any Old Navy purchase through 7/18 when you enter the code ONSAVE15 at check-out.  Save 20% on any Old Navy purchase plus get free shipping when you spend $75 or more and enter the code ONSTUFF20 at check-out.  Plus, right now, Ebates is offering an additional 10% cash back (normally 2%) on Old Navy purchases!

Staples ~ The Staples “penny deals” are valid through tomorrow (Wednesday).  You can get a ream of multipurpose paper for $.01 after Easy Rebate, up to ten 2-pocket folders with fasteners for $.01 (w/ a minimum $5 purchase), and #2 yellow pencils for $.02 (w/ a minimum $5 purchase).  There are also lots of great “dollar deals” this week, too!  Find out what’s on sale in my Staples post.

The Children’s Place ~ Save an additional 25% off (online only) when you shop in their “Uniform Shop.”  Get an additional 15% off your total purchase price when you enter the code G6ACYRZR7A at check-out (the code is valid through 7/27 – I’m not sure how long the uniform sale will last).  Shop at Home has the best cash back offer for The Children’s Place right now – you get 5% cash back when you shop through Shop at Home!

Target ~ Here are the “school supply” items that are on sale at Target this week (check out my Target weekly deals post for more great deals):

*Back packs – $9/each
*Insulated lunch kits – $6/each
*Lunch essentials (insulated lunch bag, water bottle, Thermos, chill pack) – $3.79/each
*Rose Art makers (10 ct), colored pencils (12 ct) – $.50/each
*Rose Art glue sticks (2 ct) – $.20/each
*Composition books – $.25/each (Thanks The Prudent Patron!)

Bic pens – $.99
$1/2 Bic stationery items Target printable
$1/2 Bic stationery products – 8-9 SS
Final Price = $.01 overage (give Target coupon last)

Toys ‘R Us ~ Get a free lunch kit when you buy a backpack priced at $12.99 or more.  This promotion is valid through 7/25.  We went and got my daughter her new backpack and lunch kit last week.

Walgreens ~ Here are some of the great school supply items that I see  (this is not all of the supplies listed in the ad, just the “best prices” listings I see) – don’t forget to check out my Walgreens weekly deals post for more “scoop” about what’s on sale this week!
*2 pocket prong folders – 8/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Corner Office index cards – $.39 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Crayola makers (10 ct) – $.99/each
*Filler paper – 2/$1 (130 sheets)
*Fiskars scissors – $.99 (I have heard that these are ringing up at $.15-.25 in some areas)
*Legal pad – $.29/each (w/ in ad coupon)
*Mead envelopes (40-100 ct) – $.69 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Papermate mechanical pencils – $.39/each (w/ in ad coupon)
*Penway pencils (24 ct yellow or 5 pk mechanical) – $.79/each
*Penway notebooks (3 subject, 120 sheets or Composition, 80 sheets) – $.79/each
*Penway ruler or pencil sharpener – $.29 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Splash mini highlighter – $.09 (w/ in ad coupon)

There is also a printable coupon here for Penway composition or memo books 5/$1

Walmart ~ I haven’t been to Walmart yet this week, but based on e-mails I have seen, here are some of the price points they have already:
*Crayola crayons (24 ct) – $.25/box
*Crayola markers (10 ct) – $1/box
*Elmer’s glue – $.25/bottle
*One subject notebooks – $.20

**Take advantage of these great prices to really “stock up” – many teachers ask for additional supplies mid-year and the sales aren’t nearly as good then.  If you are able to, buy extra supplies to donate to a local school or charitable organization!

 

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Tip of the Day Tuesday: How to double and triple coupons

July 13, 2010 by

If you are new to using coupons, you may have heard of “doubling” and “tripling” coupons, but this terminology may be confusing.  I get lots of questions about what this means, so I thought I’d provide some clarification!

What does it mean to double and triple coupons?  Does that mean I can use two or three coupons for one item?

You can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item ever.  If your stores double or triple coupons, it means that the store will double or triple the face value of the coupon.

For example, if you have a coupon with a “face value” (meaning the actual value of the coupon) of $.35 and your stores triple coupons, then $1.05 would be deducted when you purchase a qualifying item and use the coupon.  If your stores double coupons, $.70 would be deducted when you purchase a qualifying item and use the coupon.

I have a few grocery stores in my area that triple coupons with a “face value” up to $.39 and double coupons with a “face value” up to $.50.  This is great because it means that when items are on sale for $1, I can get them for free if I have a $.35 or $.50 coupon! (this is how I get a lot of my free frozen fruits and veggies!)

How do I know if my stores double and triple coupons?

A lot of times, stores will advertise that they double and triple coupons in their weekly ads.  If your store doesn’t do this, it doesn’t hurt to ask!  You also want to be sure that you know the store’s policy for doubling and tripling coupons (my Kroger store will double or triple up to three of the same coupons per transaction, so I was very surprised once when I found out that my Randalls store would only double or triple one of the same coupons).

Doubling and tripling coupons is also typically regional, so even though your Kroger or Safeway store may double and triple coupons in your area, if you go to visit friends and family somewhere else, they may not have this policy.  Also, the amounts that they will double and triple up to sometimes varies.  I know in some areas, they double coupons with a face value up to $1 (I sure am jealous of people that have that policy!)

Many times, you also have to have a customer loyalty card or a special coupon to activate a double or triple coupon promotion.  Again, it’s best to check with your store for details.

Also, typically, you do not get “overage” from using a double or triple coupon promotion.  For example, if I am buying an item that is $1 and I use a $.35 coupon which will triple, only $1 will be deducted rather than $1.05.

My coupon says “do not double” – will it still work?


It might work.  It depends on the coupon.  If you look at your coupons, there is a “code” along the bottom of the coupon (I’ll be explaining this works and how to “read” it in a future post).

Here’s a coupon for reference purposes:

On the lower left hand side, you’ll notice a code along the bottom that starts with a “5”  From my experience, even if the coupon says “do not double/triple” at the top, if the code at the bottom starts with a “5” your coupon will still double.  (The code on this coupon starts with a “5”)

If the code at the bottom starts with a “9” then the coupon will not double/triple.  Most of the “blinkie” coupons you find in the machines in grocery stores start with a “9” and will not double or triple.


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Filed Under: Couponing 101, Tip of the Day Tuesday

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July 13, 2010 by


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Hot deal on Family Fun magazine: one year subscription for $3.10!

July 12, 2010 by

Family Fun Magazine is one of my favorite magazines.  They have great craft ideas for kids and great kid-friendly recipes, too!  Today at Best Deal Magazines, Family Fun is the “deal of the day” and a one year subscription is on sale for $4.29.  If you enter the code PXCJ718 at check-out, you’ll get an additional 15% off.  Plus, if you shop through Shop at Home, you’ll get an additional 15% cash back (and a $5 bonus if you are joining for the first time).  So, after the discount and cash back, a one year subscription is only $3.10! 

Here are some of the other deals you can take advantage of right now: (enter the code PXCJ718 to get an additional 15% off plus get 15% cash back when you shop through Shop at Home)

Parent’s Magazine ~ $3.39 (after 15% promotional code and 15% cash back from Shop at Home)

If you’re not familiar with Shop at Home, it’s a site where you can earn cash back for your online purchases.  Visit the site and then search for your favorite retailers.  It will tell you how much cash back you can earn and it will give you any coupon codes that are available.  Sixty days after the end of the month in which qualifying purchases were made, you will receive your cash back check via mail!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Office Depot Back to School Sales

July 12, 2010 by

Office Depot has some great “Back to School” sales this week, too.  Here are the highlights:

FREE (After Visa Prepaid savings rebate): limit one per household/business

Mr. Sketch Markers 12 pk – $7.99 (before Visa Prepaid savings rebate)

Swingline LightTouch Reduced Effort Stapler – $13.99 (before Visa Prepaid savings rebate)

DOLLAR DEALS (After Visa Prepaid savings rebate): 

Office Depot Brand Multipurpose Paper Ream – $6.29 (before Visa Prepaid savings rebate. limit 2)

Office Depot Brand Color-Coded Heavyweight Sheet Protectors (25 ct) – $7.59 (before Visa Prepaid savings rebate, limit 3)

Pentel Quicker Clicker Mechanical Pencils (2 pk) – $7.49 (before Visa Prepaid savings rebate, limit 3)

Wilson Jones 1″ Round-Ring Impact Binders – $1 each (save $2.99 instantly, limit 3)

There is also a printable coupon for $10 off a $25 purchase here (Thanks Spend Less and Save More!):

Here are some scenarios:

SCENARIO #1:
Buy 2 Office Depot Multipurpose Paper – $6.29/each
Buy 2 Office Depot Sheet Protectors – $7.59/each

Total before coupons = $27.76

Use $10/25 printable coupon

Spend $17.76 OOP, get back $23.76 on a pre-paid Visa

SCENARIO #2:
Buy 1 Mr. Sketch Markers – $7.99
Buy 1 Swingline stapler – $13.99
Buy 1 Office Depot paper ream – $6.59

Use $10/25 printable coupon

Spend $18.57 OOP, get back $27.57 on a pre-paid Visa

Get your rebate forms here

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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