October 1 – 9 is the LFA Kids Consignment Event at the CMT Building on Brandon Avenue in Roanoke. You’ll find over 350 consignors at the event with clothing, books, toys, shoes, costumes and more for infants to teens.

Here’s the schedule:
Oct. 1: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct. 2: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct. 3 to 6: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct. 7: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., plus 40% off
Oct. 8: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus 50% off
Oct. 9: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus 75% offThe sale days are great, but remember that the earlier you arrive to consignment sales the better! If you could go on Saturday and then check back on the sale days you’ll have a great shot at finding some bargains.

Click here to read up on tips and tricks for consignment sales before you hit the racks.

Also starting Saturday:

J. Crew is having another warehouse sale this weekend. You can shop Saturday (Oct. 1) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Sunday (Oct. 2) from noon to 6 p.m.

The warehouse is located at 25 Millrace Drive in Lynchburg. For more information, call the factory store at 434-316-6324.

To read about my successful experience at a previous warehouse sale, click here.
For tips on shopping warehouse sales, click here.

If you love coupons, you’ll love Sunday’s inserts. Not only are there 5 (!) coupon booklets, a Pepsico Moments to Save (I’ve never heard of this until now, but it more coupons are never a bad thing), Everyday Saver, SmartSource, P&G Brandsaver and Redplum, but a lot of the ads have coupons in addition to the weekly sales.

Kroger will start a week’s worth of savings in the meat department on Sunday, and you’ll also have tons of opportunities to earn faster fuel points.

Anyone shopping for appliances and electronics will want to check out the HH Gregg ad, where you’ll find sale prices plus additional coupons for dollars off.

The Office Max Save-A-Thon continues into next week, and this time you’ll find a great deal on select gift cards.

You’ll find coupons, freebies and sales on some very popular kid’s toys in the Toys R Us ad Sunday. I’ve said it before, but it’s another great opportunity to stock up for Christmas.

Belk is having a home sale next week, and Sunday through Tuesday you’ll be able to catch some bonus buys. Don’t miss the coupon on the cover!

Kmart will have a lot of grocery and drug store necessities 10/$10 starting Sunday, and you’ll also find some great deals in the toy department.

If you’re going all out this Halloween and even including the pets, you’ll want to check out the Petsmart ad. Additionally, tons of regular items throughout the store will be on sale.

Hamrick’s is having a “sportwear spectacular” next week, and in addition to having a variety of products on sale there’s also a coupon with very few exclusions.

Walgreens and CVS both have a lot of opportunities to rack up on register rewards, and you can save even more by combining those with manufacturer’s coupons.

Joann Fabric, A.C. Moore and Michael’s are all pushing their Halloween and fall-themed products this week. You shouldn’t be paying full price for any of those needs — there are even coupons good for regular priced items.

All of my Roanoke readers will be very pleased to see a Kohl’s ad finally appear in their Sunday paper. It’s coming at a good time, too. The Grand Opening Sale means almost everything is discounted, so go check out the new retailer!

Target will have numerous opportunities to earn free gift cards with purchase next week, and there are also so awesome grocery deals to look forward to.

Enjoy the weekend!

UPDATE: Amazon is offering $2 in MP3 credits, and all you have to do is go here, and enter the code FALLMP3S. Amazon music downloads are iTunes compatible, so go buy yourself a little something!
There’s no mention of when this deal will expire, so if you’re interested act fast.

If you’re a CVS shopper, you’ll love this easy and free opportunity to earn ExtraBucks.

Go here and take the pledge to stop being a “Money Trasher,” and you’ll get a $2 ExtraBucks coupon in your email soon after. That’s like free money!

It’s limited to the first  500,000, so go quick!

This past February, I was invited to join e-Rewards, a survey program that allows users to earn rewards for participating in market research surveys.

I was invited via email after completing a few call-in receipt surveys by the retailer Express.

While I’m a frequent Express shopper, and often complete their register surveys to earn a percentage off my next purchase, I was skeptical of the program. While illegitimate paid survey programs can spam your inbox or be seen as flashy ads online, you rarely hear about a legitimate program.

 But after some research, I decided to give it a try. The company didn’t want any more of my personal information than the average website, and I saw that it had good reviews from other users after a quick Google search.

 Within 24 hours, I was receiving emails offering me anywhere from 25 cents to $10 in e-Rewards currency for taking surveys.

One advantage to working with e-Rewards is the profile I filled out before participating. This helps filter the surveys, so I receive only the ones I’m interested in and qualify for. If I don’t qualify for a survey that’s sent to me, I still receive a 25-cent credit for taking the time to try.

 Instead of the surveys being tedious, I actually enjoy taking many of them. Many are about magazine publications and the ads in them, or products that I use on a daily basis. Knowing that I’m getting paid to tell people how I feel about their products is a nice change of pace.

The surveys usually take anywhere from two to 10 minutes, with a few lasting about 15 to 20 minutes, so the amount of time it takes from my day is minimal.

 Just this month, I cashed in the $95 in e-Rewards currency I had earned over the past seven months for a $50 gift card to Express. E-Rewards partners with numerous companies for rewards. Some of the others include magazine subscriptions, Blockbuster Express rentals, airline miles and free nights at hotels. The values of these rewards vary, with some of the magazine subscriptions and Blockbuster Express rentals requiring only $10 in e-Rewards currency.

 E-Rewards requires that you be invited to participate in their surveys, but that’s not necessary for all programs. Some take applications throughout the year, and some allow you to sign up freely. Here are a few legitimate survey companies that can help improve your cash flow:

Opinion Outpost (www.opinionoutpost.com): Earn points for surveys, and then cash the points in for cash or Amazon gift cards. You need 50 points before you can cash out, and 10 points is the equivalent of $1.

 MySurvey (www.mysurvey.com): MySurvey sends out both surveys and product tests to its members. By participating in these consumer tests and surveys you earn points (1,150 points equals $10 cash) which can be redeemed for cash, prizes or charity donations. MySurvey opens registration throughout the year, but does not accept new users daily.

 i-Say (www.i-say.com): At i-Say, you are free to join any time and earn points for rewards. Rewards points can be redeemed for cash, charity donations or prepaid American Express cards. This program also gives you Loyalty Points. Once you’ve completed 10 surveys, you’ll receive an extra 50 points just for continuing your use of the program.

Valued Opinions (www.valuedopinions.com): This program only allows you to cash in points for gift cards. Once you’ve taken $20 worth of rewards, you can exchange them for Visa, Macy’s, Amazon, FragranceNet.com, Magazines.com or Marriott gift cards. You can also earn points by inviting friends. Once they complete their first survey you’ll be credited $2.

ACOP

Clear Voices

Click IQ

Daily Survey Panel

Esearch

E-Poll

HCD Surveys

Lightspeed

My Opinion Now

My View

SayNation

Survey Head

Survey Savvy

Survey Spot

Toluna

Being rewarded with savings might make your flu shot a little less painful.

Walgreen’s, CVS and Rite Aid all have some great promotions happening right now:

“Like” the John Frieda Facebook page and you’ll gain access to a printable coupon for Walgreen’s. The coupon is good through Oct. 23 and offers a free Frizz-Ease product for free when you purchase Frizz-Ease serum.
I personally swear by the Frizz-Ease products — they got me through my college years in the humidity of South Carolina.
Also,  John Frieda frequently has coupons available in the Sunday circulars, so be on the lookout use one of those on your Frizz-Ease serum to make it an even better deal!

CVS is offering a free $5 gift card to anyone who gets a flu shot that isn’t covered by insurance. If you’re going to have to pay for your shot anyway, this is a great promotion.
They’re making it ultra easy, too, by allowing you to schedule your shot online here (no appointment is necessary, but this guarantees you won’t have to wait).

Rite Aid is still offering free coupon books worth $100 in savings with every flu shot, plus 25 wellness+ points for your flu vaccine, as with any eligible prescription. The coupons are good through December. The fine print says no purchase necessary, though, so you should be able to ask for a book without having to get a flu shot.

The J. Crew online factory store is offering an additional 30% off plus free shipping now through Wednesday with the code SHOPNOW. Browsing through, I noticed that means you should be able to find numerous tops and accessories for under $20. These prices are competitive to what you’ll find at the local factory and warehouse sales when you factor in the free shipping.

In honor of the anniversary, the factory store, which is usually only accessible on weekends, will be open all week. However, the extra 30% is only available for these 3 days.

To shop now, click here.

[UPDATE: Amazon has added the Gooseberry Patch Pumpkin cookbook to its free downloads list. The recipe book has lots of season pumpkin recipes that would be great this time of year. The dowload is free (though the price could change at any time), and the Kindle details below apply.]

There are tons of free cookbooks and books available for free right now, and kids always enjoy coloring pages. Check out a few I found below:

Betty Crocker has turned some familiar faces into free Jack-o-lantern designs. Click here and you can print guides for Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Franken Berry, Chip the Cookie Crisp Wolf, Buzz, Trix and Lucky.

Here are some fun, fall-themed coloring pages you can print for free. You can print them as much as you like, so keep a few on hand!

Similarly, you can find free Halloween-themed printable coloring pages here.

Amazon is offering “The Everything Soup, Stew, and Chili Cookbook” for free in their Kindle Store. You can read this cookbook on anything with the free Kindle app, including PCs, iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry. These cookbooks are extremely popular and hardcopies are retailing on from $10 to $20.
[THIS DEAL HAS EXPIRED.]

The Gooseberry Patch cookbooks are very popular and can be found in gift shops all over the area. Amazon is also offering the “Burger Recipes” cookbook for free in their Kindle Store. The same applies to this cookbook as the one above, so even if you don’t have a Kindle there are a lot of options for viewing this freebie.

Halloween is an expensive holiday when you add up the costs of candy, costumes and decorations. If you’re looking for a few money saving tips for the holiday, check out Erin Gifford’s (Coupon Cravings blogger) free downloadable book “Halloween on a Budget.” Click here to access the printable PDF file.

Check out this free cookbook called “The Love of Baking.” The downloadable and printable PDF cookbook features recipes like Peanut Brittle Cookies, Raspberry Lemon Whoopie Pies, Toffee Apple Squares and tons of other easy and kid-friendly goodies.

Better Homes and Gardens is offering a free Komen Healthy for Life cookbook on their Facebook page. “Like” the page and you’ll gain access to the free downloadable cookbook, plus they’ll donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I used to love helping my mom in the kitchen, and if you have a budding chef they’ll have fun with The Red Robin Kids’ Cook-Off Cookbook. The free printable and downloadable book has 50 gourmet burger recipes from kids across the country. Check it out here.

Have fun with these freebies! Know of any others I missed? Share them!

SmartSource and Redplum both have coupon booklets today. You’ll also find a Sonic insert with coupons, and Chuck E. Cheese’s coupons on the back of SmartSource.

Walgreens and CVS both have tons of coupon deals and register rewards this week.
CVS has a separate insert filled with coupons for things like Caress body wash, Garnier shampoo/conditioner, Aveeno haircare, Starbucks products, ACT mouth rinse, and vitamins. There’s also an opportunity to earn up to $140 in ExtraBucks this week.

Walgreens has in-store coupons for Charmin, drinking water, party accessories, Nabisco crackers and cookies, gum, photo center products, batteries and more. You’ll earn register rewards on products like Stouffer’s Easy Skillet dinners, Brach’s candy, Schick razors, Softsoap and Gillette razors.

Michaels and A.C. Moore are both extending the sale they had last week on fall decor.
A.C. Moore is having an anniversary sale with fall wreaths, garlands, stems and bushes for 50% off, craft pumpkins for 50% off, the entire stock of supreme wood wall frames for 50% off, and the entire stock of stickers and open stock paper for 50% off (amongst other deals). There are also 3 coupons available to increase the savings — one good through Monday will earn you $5 off a purchase of $20 or more or $10 off a purchase of $30 or more, and one good through Saturday that will get you 50% off a regular priced item.

Michaels has harvest baskets and fall stems, bushes, garlands, fruit, vegetables, berries and premades all 50% off, craft pumpkins 40% off, scarecrows for only $6.99. Open stock paper is all 5/$1, and Halloween and fall stickers are 40% off.
If you’re gearing up for Halloween, check out their stock of Halloween decor (including town collections, yard stakes, tombstones, lighting and floral arrangements), which are all 40% off.

Rack Room Shoes features some fun fall footwear in it’s latest ad, but don’t miss the coupon good for $10 off a purchase of $60 or more. This can be combined with their everyday deal of buy one pair of shoes, get one 50% off.

Target has tons of $1 deals this week. various snacks (like Nabisco Snak-Saks), Oscar Mayer Lunchables, Aquafresh toothpaste, HappyBaby Stage 2 baby food pouches, socks for infants and toddlers, women’s low-cut socks, SoBe Lifewater, 10-packs of white plastic hangers, 10 4×6 prints and Gatorade are all just $1.
Other great deals include hand weights 2/$7, nonstick bakeware for $4, pillows for $3, TV trays for $8 and women’s leggings for only $5.

Gander Mountain begins an interesting promotion with The North Face and Columbia today. If you spend $100 or more on The North Face or Columbia merchandise you’ll earn a free $20 Gander Mountain gift card. This deal is for regular priced merchandise only, but if you’re ready to pick up some new winter coats or fleece products, this is a good deal. Both brands are a little more pricey than your basic outerwear, but they hold up extremely well.

You can earn four times the fuel points at Kroger today through Oct. 8 when you buy Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Nintendo, Nexon, Club Penguin, IMVU and Runscape gift cards. If you have a gamer in the family, it’s an easy way to earn cheap gas!

Petco is having an anniversary sale this week, and various brands of dog and cat food are up to 20% off. Senior dog products and play pens are 10% off, and Perfect Coat shampoos & conditioners and Nature’s Miracle stain and odor removers are buy 1, get 1 free.
If you’re feeling festive, Halloween dog toys are on sale starting at $4.99, and costumes start at $3.99 for dogs and $2.99 for cats.

Office Max is starting a save-a-thon today, and if you’re in the market for a new laptop you should check it out. You can save up to an extra $250 if you trade in your old laptop. Depending on how much your old laptop is worth, you’ll receive a voucher good towards the purchase of a new laptop or tablet.

The Sears Home Sale begins today, and you’ll find towels for only $3.99, pillows for only $3.59 and all bath rugs 20 to 50% off. There are some killer deals on bed sets, most under $100, and great deals on sets of pots and pans (one is a 21-piece set for only $39.99). Don’t forget to use the shopping pass on the front of the ad to save an additional 10% on bed, bath, housewares, luggage, mattresses, clothing, intimate apparel and accessories.

Big Lots has some great Halloween decor from $4 to $20, including an inflatable skull, lighted pathway trees, a flying ghost and a spooky doorbell. Pet costumes and AKC suede beds are only $10. 
A super deal are the Remington hair dryers, straighteners, hair clippers and other products for only $10. The selection in each store will vary, but if you can get your hands on one of these deals you’ll save a ton!

Toys R Us starts a huge BOGO sale today. Products like Barbie KidPicks, Cars 2 merchandise, NERF Sonic Blasters, Hot Wheels and Pavilion games are all buy 1, get 1 50% off. Disney Princess & Me doll outfits and accessories are all buy 1, get 1 free and all FAO Schwarz toys are buy 1, get 1 50% off. Also, toys that you can only find at Toys R Us will be 25% off.
There are tons of great deals in games. Buy the new Madden, NCAA Football, NHL or Fifa Soccer game for Xbox or PS3 and you’ll get a $15 gift card. Buy Call of Duty Black Ops, Driver, Xmen Destiny, Dead Island or Big Game Hunter for Xbox or PS3 and you’ll get a $25 gift card. Plus, select Nintendo DS games are 2/$40, and all Wii “R” SuperBuy games are buy 1, get 1 for $1.99.

SmartSource and Redplum both have coupon booklets coming this Sunday. Even though there will only be two, I can tell you they’re pretty hefty booklets!

Walgreens and CVS are really competing for your attention next week. Both retailers have tons of sale items plus coupons and rewards available. Walgreen’s will have a special offer for AARP members, while the CVS ad features over $140 in ExtraBucks plus a savings insert with additional manufacturer coupons.

Michaels and A.C. Moore are going to extend the savings on fall decor and Halloween items, and a few new items throughout each store will also be on sale. Of course there will be a few new coupons for each retailer, as well.

Rack Room Shoeshas a new ad featuring some ladies styles for fall, and a coupon to sweeten their everyday BOGO deal.

Target will have some great $1 deals throughout the store next week. There are also some other impressive sale prices on tons of products, including wardrobe basics for the family, grocery items, and pieces for the home.

Gander Mountain begins an interesting promotion with The North Face and Columbia on Sunday. If you’re in need of some outerwear, it will be a good time to pick some up.

At Kroger Sunday through Oct. 8 you can earn four times the fuel points with select purchases (I’ll let you know what on Sunday).

Petco is having an anniversary sale next week, and everything from pet basics, like food, to pet indulgences, like Halloween costumes and toys, will be on sale.

Office Max has an interesting deal for those of you shopping for a new laptop. If you have an old one you’re looking to get rid of, bring it along with you while shopping!

The Sears Home Sale begins Sunday, and tons of home goods will be on sale and eligible for the coupon on the front of the ad.

Big Lots features some great Halloween bargains in Sunday’s ad, plus deals on hair tools and pet goods.

Toys R Usis having a huge BOGO sale next week. Items that aren’t included in the BOGO sale will be discounted too, with some of the best deals being on video games.

It’s almost the weekend! How about a few freebies and deals to get you through the home stretch?

**Quiznos has another free sub offer. “Like” them on Facebook and you’ll gain access to a printable coupon that’s good for a free sub with the purchase of a sub of equal or lesser value.

**Rite Aid is giving away free coupon books worth $100 in savings with every flu shot, plus 25 wellness+ points for your flu vaccine, as with any eligible prescription. The coupons are good through December. The fine print says no purchase necessary, though, so you should be able to ask for a book without having to get a flu shot.

**”Real Simple” magazine is offering a free brush set ($15 value) when you purchase CoverGirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation, Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner, CoverGirl Lash Perfection Mascara and Outlast Lipstain.
Mail in your receipt, plus a 3×5 card with your name and address, by October 21 to get the set. Your Covergirl products also must be purchased by October 14.
Mail to: 

Real Simple “CoverGirl Gift Offer”
C/O DW Direct Inc.
30 Wesley Street
South Hackensack, NJ  07606

This is a good deal for those of you who would normally be buying CoverGirl products and/or someone who is in need of the brush set. Remember, you can still use your coupons on offers like this!

**Scholastic Book Clubs has teamed up with Kelloggs and Walmart, and they’re giving away free books. When you buy 2 specially marked Kelloggs products at Walmart you’ll  receive a book coupon by email with a seven-digit code you enter online at the Scholastic Store after entering your codes. There’s no limit to the number of free book coupons you can earn, so stock up on your favorite Kellogg’s items while the promotion is running!
For more information on the program, click here.

**”Like” CVS on Facebook today and you’ll gain access to a printable coupon that will get you free candy or a drink. Have your ExtraCare card handy so you can enter your number, and the coupon will be emailed to you.

**Today through Sunday, use this printable coupon to receive 15% off your total purchase at Petsmart.

**Today through Saturday Arby’s is offering 3 roast beef sandwiches for $5  with this printable coupon.

**”Like” Wendy’s on Facebook and you’ll gain access to a printable coupon good for a free Dave’s Hot ‘N Juicy Single Burger with the purchase of a small fries and a small drink.

**Now through Sunday Old Navy is having a buy 1, get 1 75% off sale. No coupons necessary, and most items in the store qualify!
This printable coupon good for 30% off a single item is still available, so you might try stacking these deals.

**Click here and you can get a coupon good for a free travel-size Aveda Hand Relief lotion. No purchase is necessary and this coupon doesn’t expire until June 30, so go ahead and print the coupon but don’t feel rushed to use it.

We’re in the midst of homecoming season, and even though it’s often overshadowed by prom, the costs of any formal event can add up quickly. I asked blog readers to share their tips for how to save on formal events, and here’s what they had to say:

* Multiple readers suggested checking out discount retailers such as TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Ross. “Nicole” said that she likes those stores because they carry cocktail dresses that fit the “semi-formal needs of homecoming.” Many others noted that these retailers also carry tons of discounted shoes and accessories.

* “Corrie P” recommends scouring Goodwill and thrift stores. She once helped her son find a Jos. A. Bank suit that fit perfectly. The suit retailed for $1,600, but she paid only $11. If you have the patience to do some digging, this is the way to go. At Goodwill, Corrie also picked up a formal for the Black and White Ball for $12.

* Vintage shops can offer quality used pieces. “A.” suggests Freckles in Roanoke for vintage items.

* Borrowing dresses or holding a dress swap with friends was another popular response. A new-to-you dress is just as fun as a brand-new dress, and it can save hundreds of dollars.

* Purchasing dresses and accessories off of eBay is a convenient option. While “Maria” noted that it can be tricky when it comes to picking your size, it’s worth it. She has found two dresses for less than $20. Meanwhile, if the size isn’t exactly right, “Elizabeth” points out that even with alterations a used dress is usually cheaper than those in department or specialty stores.

* Consignment shops are an option for those looking to buy and sell dresses. “Rachel” thinks it’s a “great way to save money and get money for things you no longer want or need.” “Melody” suggested Hidden Treasures in Roanoke, where she’s found dresses, shoes, purses and jewelry. “Rebecca” pointed out that the YMCA in Lynchburg holds a wedding and formal consignment sale once a year.

* If there’s a talented seamstress around to help, making your own dress can also save you money. “Asher” altered and wore her mother’s prom dress. “Jordan” wrote that she got to pick out the style, fabric and color of two of the dresses her mother made in high school and it was “significantly less expensive.” Not to mention unique.

* If you’re shopping off the rack, be sure to start looking in the off-season. Start browsing for homecoming in the spring after prom season has ended. This is how “Susan” has outfitted her four daughters throughout high school; one found two dresses for just $9.95 each last year. “Becca” suggests asking local boutiques to price match, which is how she got her wedding dress for $150 cheaper than the price tag.

* Hosting a cookout or dinner party is a fun, money-saving option for feeding a big group. Picking out quality foods and dressing up the table still make the meal special, and everyone can get ready together this way, too, suggested “Jamie.”

* Accessories seem to be the easiest and most popular way to jazz up your formalwear. The website Etsy.com was suggested by multiple commenters as a place to find original jewelry pieces, while “Cassidy” suggested borrowing pieces from Mom. “M” has had luck finding shoes and affordable jewelry at Papagallo’s and P.S. Pumpkinseeds in Lexington, and “A.” likes Homebody in Blacksburg for vintage jewelry.

Do you have any other suggestions for saving money on formal events? Share them!

As you may have heard, the couponing workshop this weekend is all filled up. However, there are plans in the works for another workshop.

Click the RSVP banner in the top right corner of this blog and you’ll be added to the wait list for this weekend’s workshop, plus we’ll have your email address so we can notify you of future workshops.

You should have received a pop-up message after registering. An email will be going out within the next 48 hours confirming the first 100 attendees, or  letting you know you’ve been put on the wait list.

Any other questions? Ask away!

Have you started your holiday shopping? How early is too early? Photo by wiznation.com.

It’s only mid-September, but retailers are already thinking about the holidays. Check out this article from USA Today that talks about why you start to see holiday merchandise as early as September — or maybe even in the summer months.

How early do you do your holiday shopping? When would you like to see retailers put up their holiday displays?

Redplum and SmartSource  are both stacked with high dollar coupons for popular products this week. You may only be getting two booklets, but they’re stuffed with goodies! Some deals include $1 off Pedigree treats, Free Crave treats for cats, 40 cents off four Cambell’s soups, and $4 off any Zyrtec product.

Kmart is having a summer apparel clearance sale, and you’ll find clothing as low as $3.99 for the entire family.
You can also pick up men’s, women’s and kid’s Riders, Chic, Wrangler and Rusler jeans starting at only $9.99.

Sears, JC Penney and Belk are all starting sales on fall fashion this week.

At JC Penney you’ll find Worthington items 30 to 50% off (no coupon required), Okie Dokie kid’s clothing for $5.99, 30 to 40% off shoes and handbags, men’s St. John’s Bay polos for $14.99 and 30 to 50% off the entire stock of towels and bath rugs.
It’s also Claiborne Week at the store, which means you’ll earn JCP Fast Cash when you buy Liz Claiborne or Claiborne merchandise.

Sears has a coupon available in the ad that offers 15% off regular and sale priced clothing, intimates, accessories, fragrances and cosmetics. Shoes, jewelry and bags are 30 to 40% off, select men’s ties are 40% off, fashion tops and bottoms for boys and girls are 40% off and select toddler clothing is 50% off — plus the coupon applies to most of these purchases.

Belk has three coupons available now: one good for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more (good today through Wed.), one good for $20 off a purchase of $100 or more (good today through Wed.), and one good for $30 off a purcahse of $150 or more (good today through Wed.).
The entire stock of bras is 30 to 40% off, Kim Rogers pieces are buy 1, get 1 75% off, and select men’s pants are buy 2 on sale, get 1 free. Red dot clearance is up to 70% off, too.

A.C. Moore and Michaels both have big sales on fall themed decor this week.
Michaels has craft pumpkins and fall stems 50% off, harvest and Halloween ribbon 30% off and baskets, fall garlands, floral arrangements and harvest decor are all 40% off.
Also, Halloween decor, yard stakes, tombstones and candles will be 40% off.
Coupons good for 15% off your entire purchase (good from 4 to 8 p.m. today), 40% off any one regular priced item,  and 25% off your entire purchase of frames, framed art and display cases.

A.C. Moore has the entire stock of fall stems and garlands 40% off, the entire stock of scarecrows, greeters and plush figures is 50% off, craft pumpkins, gourds and leaves, and Halloween kitchen textires are buy 1, get 1 free.  Indoor and outdoor Halloween decor is 40% off, and ribbons are 50% off.
There are also coupons available for 40% off any regular priced item, and $5 off a total purchase of $20 or more (regular and sale items) good today and tomorrow only.

Toys R Us is celebrating Geoffrey’s (the Toys R Us giraffe) birthday this week, and they’re having a buy 2, get the 3rd free sale in its honor. Some of the popular items participating include ALL Crayola products, Barbies, value video games, LEGO construction sets and games, Mattel and Hasbro games, books, Play-Doh, Fisher-Price Little People, Hot Wheels and more.

Big Lots is “Thinking Extreme Value” this week, and you can find products in each section of the store on sale. Some highlights include a Paula Deen cookware set for only $77 ($119 value), multi-pack DVDs for $5, and video games buy 1, get 1 50% off.

Fashion Bug has a storewide sale going on now, where you can buy one product, get one for $10. This does exclude jewelry, panties, coats, boots and clearance merchandise, but that still leaves a lot to choose from!
Don’t miss the coupon on the back good for $10 off a purchase of $20 or more.

CVS is having a 3-day sale on Gold Emblem autumn candies and Mars or Wrigley’s fun size candies, so consider stocking up for Halloween.
Also, Halloween costumes are 25% off, and fall decor is 20% off. Nestle candies will earn you $3 in ExtraBucks when you spend $10, so here’s another opportunity to stock up.
You’ll find the highest value of ExtraBucks on baby products. When you spend $25 on select items, you’ll get $10. You can also get a free jumbo pack of diapers when you buy 6 jumbo packs.

Staples has its Dollar Days sale going on right now. You’ll find clipboards, BIC pencils, scissors, Post-its, photo paper and more for $1; highlighters, dry erase accessories, thank you cards, multipurpose paper and more for $2; and coupon files, painter’s tape, CD/DVD envelopes and embossed journals for only $3.

Kroger will continue its meat sale this week, and Perdue boneless, skinless chicken breasts, T-bone steaks and boneless pork loins are just a few items added to the sale.
You’ll also find Kraft Easy Mac, Deer Park water, Nabisco Go-Paks, Steamfresh veggies, Ritz and Nabisco crackers, Stouffer’s frozen meals and more added to the Kick Off to Savings event (buy 10, save $5).

Visit Bath & Body Works Saturday and you can check out the new fall items, plus get a couple freebies with purchase.

* Click here to print a Macy’s WOW Pass that’s good through Sunday. It will earn you an extra 20% off all regular, sale and clearance apparel for him, her and kids, select home items and fine & fashion jewelry. It will also give you an extra 10% off watches, electronics, furniture, rugs and mattresses.

* Click here for a printable coupon good for 25% off your entire food purchase at Ruby Tuesday’s. This coupon is valid through Sept. 22.

* Sam’s Club has a free sample of Huggie’s Goodnites available for members. You will need to enter your membership number when you sign up for the deal.

* Click here for a coupon good for 30% off a single item in-store (or 40% off if you have a Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic card). This coupon is good through Sept. 22.

* The Lady Footlocker Facebook page has a fun giveaway happening now. Visit the page and enter the code ITSALADYTHING and you can get all kinds of free song downloads. Some of them include “Born This Way” and “You and I” by Lady Gaga, “Mean” by Taylor Swift, and “Good Life” by OneRepublic.
I’m not sure how long this deal will be active, so if you’re interested you should check it out ASAP!

* Walgreen’s is offering $5 off any photo order of $5 or more now through Saturday, Sept. 17. Place your order online and use the code 50OFFANY at checkout to get the deal. Remember, you can pick up orders for free in the store.

* This Saturday, Bath & Body Works is offering a free tote and mini candle with a $15 purchase during their Sweetest Home Fragrance Event. Locations in Roanoke, Christiansburg, Lynchburg and Martinsville are participating, just get there early before the freebies run out!

Know of any other good deals? Share them below!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for your awesome tips. Hopefully a few readers will benefit from the column that will result from them.

Now, I have TWO winners, chosen at random, to announce…

Congrats to Nicole and Melody!

Nicole said: ”I love to recycle dresses by borrowing or swapping with friends from other schools or scope out TJMaxx or Marshalls since they have some cocktail dresses that fit the semi-formal needs of homecoming. They also have reasonably prices jewelry and some great clearance finds, I am convinced that you can find pretty much anything you need from those two stores and usually for super cheap if you have a good eye. ”

Melody’s advice was: “You should not spend full price for a dress. Always shop at a consignment shop my fav is Hidden Treasures. They have a huge selection of beautiful dresses to choose from at great prices. Shoes, purses and jewlery also. Have a Makeup party with everyone getting together to do each other’s makeup. Not only is it great fun but you can learn alot from each other.”

Happy Friday, everyone!

You’ve got two coupon booklets coming your way on Sunday — Redplum and SmartSource – and both have tons of grocery and restaurant coupons.

Kmart will begin a summer clearance event for the whole family, and you’ll also find some great fall apparel deals.

Sears, JC Penney and Belk will all be starting sales for fall fashion this week. There are coupons and rewards opportunities available, so start think about what pieces you need to complete your look.

A.C. Moore and Michaels are both prepping to outfit your home for fall, and tons of decor items will be on sale next week. It might seem early, but autumn and Halloween items are here!

Toys R Us is celebrating Geoffrey’s (the Toys R Us giraffe) birthday next week, and they’re having a BOGO sale in its honor. The most popular toys out there will be included, so you might consider stocking up for the holidays.

Big Lots is “Thinking Extreme Value” next week, and items throughout the store will be discounted even more than their normal Big Lots discount price.

Fashion Bug has a new ad on Sunday giving the details of its latest BOGO sale and provided a few coupons.

CVS has tons of opportunities to earn ExtraBucks next week, as usual, but some items are only on sale for 3 days. Be sure to check your ad to see how soon you need to get to the store!

Staples will begin a Dollar Days sale on Sunday, and you’ll be able to find tons of basic, office/school supply products for under $5.

Kroger will continue its meat sale next week, though some of the sale items have changed, and a whole new bunch of products will be eligible for the Kick Off to Savings event (buy 10, save $5).

Fall is officially here. How can you tell? It’s Homecoming season already! Homecoming can be overshadowed by prom sometimes, but the costs associated with the formal can be just as high.

This week I’m looking for your favorite tips for saving money on formals. Now, this doesn’t just have to be for homecoming dances. College students and others who attend formal dances are welcome to chime in!
I think it would be really great to hear some deals that have a local connection (stores that have annual sales, salons that offer up-do bargains and more).

Leave a comment with your favorite money-saving tips — they could be about the dress, dinner, buying accessories, etc. — and you’ll be entered to win some MAC makeup goodies. I’ve got two prize packs to give away, and each has an eye shadow duo ($25 value), lip gloss($14.50 value), lipstick ($14.50 value) and pressed shimmer powder ($38 value).
So TWO readers have the chance to come away with $92 in products!

I’ll also be using your tips in next Wednesday’s Shoptimist column.

To be eligible, leave a comment containing your tip by 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 15.
Winners will be announced Friday morning by 11 a.m.

To start things off, I’ll remind everyone about Rent the Runway. The website not only rents high dollar gowns for a fraction of their retail cost, but also has jewelry and accessories available.

So, what are you money saving tips for formal events?

Justin Dudley and Tonia Phillips

Sorry, everyone! It looks like all the spaces have filled up…that was quick! Keep an eye out for another seminar in the near future.

_____________________

“I haven’t paid for wipes since April.”

“My last 20 tubes of toothpaste have been free.”

These are both true statements made by Justin Dudley and Tonia Phillips, two local women presenting the free couponing seminar “Everyday Couponing for Everyday People” on Sept. 24 at The Roanoke Times.

Both Phillips and Dudley manage to juggle kids and jobs while spending a few hours each week couponing.

At the seminar, you won’t be learning to totally bypass the system, as seen on the popular TLC show “Extreme Couponing,” where in many cases stores bend the rules for show participants. Instead, the goal of the seminar is this: “Learn how to save more money with less time and without hoarding 200 jars of mayonnaise.”

“It [couponing] certainly has been a benefit in terms of saving, but we help each other. There are some deals that you get because you can, and others you have to talk yourself off the ledge so you don’t go crazy,” said Dudley.

These women don’t walk the fine line between couponing and hoarding. They just want to teach you how to save money, while keeping everything in perspective.

“I’ll look over my inventory and keep a list in my day planner of things I want to watch out for. But if I find a really great deal, I’m not going to pass it up. I go for the items that are 75 percent off or more. Those are my priorities,” Phillips said.

Newbies to saving

Both Dudley and Phillips are relatively new to the couponing game, but it’s become a life-changing hobby. The duo, who have been friends since their 10th-grade year at Patrick Henry High School, started couponing in April after TLC premiered “Extreme Couponing.”

“We didn’t want to get that crazy, but it did inspire me,” said Phillips. “We had a little coupon craziness in the beginning, it was all about getting our stockpile, but that’s just not a way of life, really.”

Since then, the women estimate they have saved at least 50 percent on their grocery bills by couponing anywhere from two to five hours a week. This is a big change from their life just over a year ago.

“We were the epitome of anti-couponing people, which makes it funny we embraced it. We grew up in modest homes and things weren’t handed to us. But as we grew up and became our own people, we proactively gave ourselves gifts,” joked Dudley.

“We used to spend money like it was water, but this is helping our shopping addiction and helping us save money,” Phillips said.

When they do have a stockpile of a particular product, both of the women try to let others benefit. They donate extra items to friends, family and local organizations, such as the local Junior League chapter of which both women are members.

Tips of the trade

A few of the strategies Dudley and Phillips use to rack up include:

* Remember you can’t double digital coupons, and that they can only be used once. If you have multiple paper coupons, you can buy multiple items.

* If you purchase multiple Sunday papers for the coupons, buy them in even numbers (Dudley and Phillips usually purchase four to six papers). Shopping in even numbers helps you get the most out of buy one, get one and twofer deals.

* Use coupons as an opportunity to try new brands. You may surprise yourself and find out you prefer the cheaper option.

* Learn the value of shopping blogs and websites. CouponMom.com, for example, allows you to print out shopping lists that include the sale price of a good, plus the value of a manufacture’s coupon (if available).

They’re also helping their children learn the value of saving a few cents. Phillips’ 14-year-old daughter asks for coupons when she’s ready to buy makeup, and Dudley’s 7-year-old quickly learned that the chances of getting treats while shopping are much greater when a coupon is available.

“At least it’s in their vocabulary to ask about discounts,” Phillips said. “As it becomes their money, hopefully they’ll learn to save where they can.”

Attendance is limited to 100 people, so sign up soon to reserve your spot.

Cold and flu season will be here before you know it. Here are a couple freebies you can sign up for now, and have them on hand for later.

Target has a free sample of Kleenex Cool Touch tissues available here. Just answer a few questions and you can try out the new tissues that release a cool sensation to soothe sore noses.

Click here to sign up for a free sample of Emergen-C Kidz. Once cold and flu season starts kids are surrounded by germs at school, so these vitamin C packs might help give your child an extra edge.

Now on to the fun stuff:

* Today only The Children’s Place is offering free shipping with no minimum purchase, and no code required. Use the code retailmenot9c to get an extra 15% off. 

* Walgreen’s is offering $5 off any photo order of $5 or more now through Saturday, Sept. 17. Place your order online and use the code 50OFFANY at checkout to get the deal. Remember, you can pick up orders for free in the store.

* This Saturday, Sept. 17, Bath & Body Works is offering a free tote and mini candle with a $15 purchase during their Sweetest Home Fragrance Event. Locations in Roanoke, Christiansburg, Lynchburg and Martinsville are participating, just get there early before the freebies run out!

* P&G Everyday Solutions has a new P&G Brand Sampler available. Free samples of Head & Shoulders, Prilosec OTC and Crest 3D White Strips and Toothpaste are all available right now, but they could run out at any time.

Know of anything I missed? Share it below!

In the past CVS has been one of those retailers that makes it almost impossible to get firm answers on their coupon policy. Recently the store posted the policy online though, and there are a few points of interest.

* “CVS/pharmacy does not currently accept coupon bar code images displayed on a smartphone, iPhone, Droid etc.”
I’ve seen cashiers accept coupons from a shopper’s email on occassion, so if you’re in a bind because you forgot to print something you should still give this a try.

* “In the event that any item’s price is less than the value of the coupon, CVS/pharmacy will accept the coupon only to the price of the item. CVS/pharmacy does not provide cash back in exchange for any coupons.”
This isn’t especially surprising, but it is worth noting that Walmart does give cash back if a coupon has a higher value than the product.

* “CVS/pharmacy accepts one third-party manufacturer coupon and applicable CVS/pharmacy coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.”
This means stacking coupons on a single item is a no-no. Very few stores allow stacking any more, but at least here you can still combine your manufacturer and CVS coupons/ExtraBucks (Target, Walgreens and other stores have the same policy).

To view the entire coupon policy, click here.

What do you think of the updated CVS coupon policy?

Hope you’ve had a great weekend! Here’s a taste of what you’ll find in today’s paper.

* Redplum, Smartsource (2) and Everyday Saver all have coupon booklets for you today. That means you should have four coupon booklets, so prepare for some major clipping! Don’t forget to check out the websites for even more printable coupons.

*Kroger has a new batch of goodies that will save you $5 when you purchase 10. Some of them include Coca-Cola soft drinks, Ritz and Nabisco crackers, Stouffer’s frozen entrees, General Mills cereal, Bird Eye Steamfresh veggies, Kraft salad dressing, Cheez-It crackers, Oscar Mayer deli meat and beef franks and Kraft Singles.
You can also earn double the fuel points by purchasing items marked with the “2X Fuel Points” logo.

*JC Penney has unveiled a new batch of salon bargains this week. You’ll find Matrix and Paul Mitchell products buy 2, get 1 free, coupons for returning and first time clients in the salon, and buy 1, get 1 50% off deals on OPI polish. Don’t forget the coupon on the back of the ad good for $15 off of a $75 salon appliance purchase, or $5 off a salon retail purchase of $35 or more.

* Target has tons of bargains on wardrobe basics for women and children this week. Girls’ Cherokee cardigans and skirts are only $12, boys Cherokee thermals are only $8 and woven shirts are only $10, and Mossimo tanks and Tees for women are only $6.

*Dick’s Sporting Goods and Gander Mountain both have big sales for hunters beginning today. 
Dick’s has ladder stands buy 1, get 1 50% off, and rebates from $10 to $20 with the purchase of any treestand and hunter safety system purchase.
Both stores have competitive specials on everything from firearms to apparel, so you’ll have to comb the ad to see which sale fits you best.

*Michaels and A.C. Moore are having huge storewide sales starting today.
At Michaels you’ll find the entire stock of stems and floral arrangements 50% off. Also, stock paper is 6/$1, baskets and scrapbook storage are 50% off, fall potted arrangements are 2/$9, 1 inch foam brushes are 20/$1 and the entire stock of wall frames is on sale (many for at least 50% off). You’ll also find a coupon good for 50% off a regular priced item.

At A.C. Moore the entire stock of Simply Fall stems is 50% off, Timeless Decor and Lauren Portrait wall frams are 55% off, stock paper and cardstock are 50% off and the entire stock of wicker is 40% off. Also check out the offer on 4-week Wilton classes, which are on special for $20 (a $45 value).
Two coupons for today are on the cover: One good today through 6 p.m., giving you 51% off any regular priced item, and one good tonight from 6 to 9 p.m., giving you 26% off your entire regular priced purchase. 
There’s also a coupon valid tomorrow through Saturday offering 40% off a regular priced item.

*CVS has over $150 in ExtraBucks featured in their ad. They can be earned throughout the store, and carry values up to $10.
Two awesome earning opportunities come when you spend $50 on iTunes gift cards, earning you $10 in ExtraBucks, or when you buy a Green Dot Card, earning you a $5 credit. That’s basically $15 back in your pocket from purchasing these cards.
CVS also has Halloween costumes 24% off already.

*Toys R Us  has a treat for Star Wars fans this week. All Star Wars merchandise with be 30% off. That includes action figures, Lightsabers and LEGO products. Plus, with any Star Wars purchase of $30 or more you’ll get a free USB drive uploaded with exclusive content (a $14.99 value).

Bargains on select gift cards are my pick for the best deal coming your way Sunday. Check out the CVS ad Sunday for more information.

*If you missed having coupons last weekend, you’ll definitely get your fix Sunday. There are four inserts coming: Redplum, Smartsource (2) and Everyday Saver.
There are also a couple of restaurant inserts with coupons.

*Kroger will have a new batch of goodies to save on with the Kick Off to Savings event, and you’ll find out how to double your fuel points with Sunday’s ad.

*JC Penney will have an ad full of salon deals, plus a fall fashion preview with some impressive discounts. Some coupons will be found here, too.

*Beginning Sunday Target will have some good deals on some wardrobe basics for fall.  Women and children should be able to stock up, and most of the merchandise on sale will be under $20.

*Dick’s Sporting Goods and Gander Mountain will both start sales for the outdoorsman, or outdoors woman, on Sunday. Check out the ads to see who has the most for you.

*Both Michaels and A.C. Moore will begin big store-wide sales on Sunday. Anyone looking for new fall decor especially needs to keep an eye out for these ads.

*As usual there will be numerous opportunities to rack up the ExtraBucks at CVS this upcoming week, but there are some rare deals on gift cards coming up, too. A bargain on a gift card is like getting free money…and who doesn’t like that?

*Star Wars fans will be intrigued by Sunday’s Toys R Us ad. For everyone else, you’ll find a lot of opportunities to earn freebies with select purchases.

Have a great weekend!

Which Disney Princess would you like to get a call from on your birthday? Ariel was always my favorite.

* I’m pretty excited about this little freebie. Sign up here, and your child (or any Disney loving child-at-heart) will get a call from a Disney Princess on his or her birthday. You can schedule two calls per phone number. I’m not sure how long it takes to process, so you might consider doing this well in advance. 

* Check out this printable coupon offered by Smokey Bones. It will earn you a free entree with the purchase of another entree. That’s a great deal! This coupon expires Monday, Sept. 12.

* Bath & Body Works has a new printable coupon available, and it’s offering you a free mini candle with a $10 purchase. This coupon expires Sunday, Oct. 2.

* Waffle House lovers will appreciate this printable coupon offering a free waffle. No other purchase is necessary, but you must dine-in. This coupon expires Friday, Sept. 30.

* “Like” Ojon, a pricey hair product line, on Facebook and you can earn a free sample of the new Instant Restorative Hair Serum. The full size product runs at $25 a pop, so this is a great chance to treat yourself to a little something special! These free sample offers on Facebook get grabbed up quickly, so act fast.

* Baby Genius is offering a collection of 21 free kid-friendly mp3s. There’s also a printer-friendly songbook containing the lyrics to all the songs available.

* Check out the Arby’s website and you can get a printable coupon for a free ‘Shroom & Swiss sandwich with the purchase of a small drink & small curly fries. This coupon expires Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Know of anything I missed? Share it!

September is National Coupon Month. And in honor of those little certificates that save us so much, I have some coupon facts to share.

* The first coupon was handwritten by the creator of Coca-Cola, John Pemberton, in 1887.

* Thanks to coupons, consumers saved $2 billion in the first six months of 2011.

* To cope with rising grocery prices, 84 percent of consumers use coupons.

* Even if they won the lottery, 96 percent of consumers said they would still use coupons.

* More than one in three male shoppers will visit multiple stores to find the lowest price on products.

* In 1895, C.W. Post distributed the first cents-off coupon worth one penny toward the new health cereal, Grape Nuts.

* By 1965, one half of all Americans were coupon users. By 1975, 65 percent of households were clipping coupons.

* Of children ages 13 to 17, 53 percent use coupons or coupon codes. They’re using the coupons on clothes, entertainment and personal care items.

* Fifty-eight percent of consumers use cents-off coupons received in the mail or in newspapers.

* In an effort to save money, 56 percent of consumers read fliers before shopping, and 75 percent of consumers make shopping lists.

* Consumer packaged goods manufacturers offered consumers $485 billion in savings in 2010.

Do you fall into any of those consumer categories? Have you incorporated coupons into your life as a way to save money?

Source: www.nationalcouponmonth.com

It’s looking like this week is going to be pretty dreary. To keep the kids from going stir crazy inside, check out some of these freebies to keep them occupied!

* Here are some free printable circus-themed coloring and activity pages. This is best for preschool-age kids, but kids through elementary school may enjoy them too.

* The Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics re-start this weekend at 10 a.m. Register here in advance and your child can make a free wooden project, while also receiving a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.
This Saturday’s project is a wooden police car.

* Little girls will love these printable projects based on popular books. You can download and print free “Amelia Bedelia” and “My Little Pony” activity books, and “Fancy Nancy” paper dolls. If the paper dolls are a hit, consider printing them out on thick card-stock to help them last longer.

What do you do to keep your kids occupied during bad weather?

How has your holiday weekend been so far? Hopefully you’ve been thinking about what you’re on the lookout for at the big sales starting today. Here are some of the highlights:

*Michaels and A.C. Moore  both have impressive ads out today.
Michaels has their entire stock of frames, Jolee’s & Sticko stickers and embellishments, baskets, and fall bushes and garlands 40% off. Lots of Halloween items are also on sale already. Check out the coupons, because some are only good for two days, like the one good for 50% off any regular priced item.
A.C. Moorehas a lot of two-day doorbusters to look out for, like the entire stock of Crayola merchandise 51% off, stickers for 52% off and the entire stock of frames 53% off. Some other good deals include candy molds for 99 cents, fall florals for 40% off, scarecrows for $4.77, jar candles 3/$10 and curling ribbon for only $1.27. Remember to clip the two coupons as well — one for 50% off a regular priced item (tw0-days only), and one for 40% off any regular priced item (Tuesday through Saturday).

*JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores is joining the ranks of those having two-day sales this weekend. All yarns are buy one, get one 50% off, the notions wall are 50% off (with some exclusions), fleece and flannel prints are 50% off, DMC floss, print and card stock is 4/$1, Home Essentials fabrics are 30% off, Jerzees T-shirts and tanks are 4/$10 and much much more. You’ll also find 50% off red tag home decor, apparel and quilting fabrics, McCall’s patterns for 99 cents and Vogue patterns for $3.99.
Remember to clip the coupons in the ad, which will earn you up to 40% off a regular priced item.

* Kohl’s, JC Penney and Belk are all having door-buster, two-day sales. Sears is will be having a three-day sale, but you may as well go by there while you’re already out today and tomorrow.
Belk has three $10 coupons available in their ad — two are good today and tomorrow and one is only good tomorrow. Clearance will be up to 80% off, and tons of fall clothing items are up to 60% off.
JC Penneyhas JCP Cash in their ad today, and it will earn you $20 off a $100 purchase, $15 off a $75 purchase or $10 off a $50 purchase in-store OR online. You can also use the pass for an additional 10% off furniture and mattresses. Some of the deals you’ll find are Juniors Arizona tees for only $4.99, men’s St. John’s Bay polos for $7.99 and 40% off select women’s shoes. Check the inside page for another coupon good for 40 to 60% off fine jewelry.
Kohl’s (FYI, the Roanoke location is said to open Sept. 24) two-day specials on Levi’s for the family, Mudd apparel for juniors, Maidenform bras, housewares, athletic apparel for men and so, so much more. By the looks of the ad, if there’s something you’ve got in mind it’s probably on sale. You’ll also get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent.
Sears has all of their mattresses and foundations 50 to 50% off today through Tuesday. There’s also a great savings pass in the ad that will earn you an additional percentage off of home fashions, household goods, clothing and accessories.

*Dick’s Sporting Goods has some great tailgating items on sale, just in time for football season. Padded and foldable stadium seats are only $19.98, canopy tents are $79.98, and 48-qt. coolers are only $19.99.
For the athletes, Nike duffel bags are only $16.48, and with the purchase of an Umbro youth soccer package for $34.99 you’ll receive a $15 coupon.

* Toys R Usstarts a major BOGO sale today. All Hasbro games, NERF blasters, value video games, Mega Bloks Construction Sets, Thomas Wooden Railway Accessories and more are buy one, get one 50% off.
Additionally, you can earn free toys with the purchase of select items, like a free Hot Wheels carrying case with the purchase of any Hot Wheels die-cast or track set purchase of $20 or more. One popular pick will be the free LEGO Harry Potter Trolley set with any LEGO construction purchase of $30 or more.
Don’t forget: The big trade-in event for car seats, strollers and other baby and child items continues through the month of September.

* Target ‘s ad is full of deals for babies and toddlers. Not only are tons of items on sale, but you have the opportunity to earn free gift cards with the purchase of select sale items. For example, if you purchase two packs of participating diapers, you’ll receive a free $10 gift card. If you buy two packs of participating baby formulas, you’ll receive a $5 gift card.
Additionally, the entire collection of baby bottles and cups are buy one, get one 50% off.

*CVS  must be feeling awfully generous with their ExtraBucks this week. There are over $200 available in the ad, and some carry a value of up to $10.
One great deal is the $5 in ExtraBucks you’ll receive with the purchase of two Children’s Place or Express gift cards.
You’ll receive $10 in ExtraBucks with the purchase of the LookBook, Craig portable DVD player or LCD TV, 3.5″ GPS Navigation for Dummies or the Craig wireless tablet. Spend $25 on Healthy Skin Care Products and you’ll get another $10.
The best opportunity to rack up on ExtraBucks is in the beauty and hygiene section, so scan your ad closely there.

* Big Lots is having a special two-day sale on select pieces of furniture. You’ll find recliners for $199.99, queen and king comforter sets for $49, and folding tables for only $34.44. The two-day clearance sale includes DVDs 4/$10, flash drives for $8.88, Snuggies for only $4, and various canned goods and theater boxed candy for 90 cents.
Another great deal is on Serta mattresses. Buy a mattress and you’ll get the matching box spring for only $10.

* Today begins the final week of Kroger’s promotion offering four-times the  fuel points with gift card purchases. You’ll also find many items in the meat department on sale, like boneless, skinless chicken breasts and pork tenderloin for $1.99/lb., as well as a few 10/$10 deals (Chef Boyardee, Rice A Roni, Pasta Roni, Pillsbury cinnamon and crescent rolls, Pillsbury biscuits and Kroger bread, for example).

Here are some goodies to help you enjoy your holiday weekend:

Dining Deals

*Firehouse Subs is giving away free medium subs on Labor Day witht he purchase of a sub, chips and a drink. Click here to ”like” Firehouse on Facebok and gain access to the printable coupon.

*Through Sept. 17 you can get 20% off your entire check at Denny’s with this printable coupon.

*Print this page and present it at Baskin Robbins and you’ll be rewarded with a free cone with the purchase of a cone. This offer is good through Sept. 5. 

*Local restaurant mainstay The Roanoker is getting in on the coupon action, too! Click here to visit their Facebook page and print out a coupon for one free dessert with the purchase of any entree. This coupon is good through Sept. 30.

Retail Deals

* Bath & Body Works is having a huge online BOGO sale. Right now the Signature Collection is buy three, get three free. You can also get an additional 20% off with the code PARIS20 or $1 shipping with the code SUMMER25 (your order must be at least $25 for this one). You can only apply one coupon code, so just pick the one that saves you the most.

*Now through Sept. 5 you can get an extra 10 to 15% off of select merchandise at Macy’s with this printable coupon, or by using the coupon code FALL for online purchases.

*Sears is having an exclusive online sale, and by using the coupon code CELEBRATE you’ll get an extra 10 to 15% off most items. You can also get free shipping with the code LABORDAYSHIP, so once again use whichever saves you the most. You may be able to pair the first discount with the free in-store pickup option.

*Home Depot is also having an online sale, and you can save $5 off of orders of $50 or more with the code HDAUG5. Pair this sale with the free in-store pickup option for extra savings!

* You can be an Aero Insider and receive $10 off of a $50 purchase or $25 off of a $100 purchase at Aeropostale now through Sept. 18 with this printable coupon.

Know of any other ways to save this weekend? Share them!

Labor Day weekend always signals the beginning of fall for me, and apparently the same is true for retailers. Fall fashion and other goods are on full display in the ads coming this weekend.

* Sadly there are no coupon circulars coming your way this weekend. Since it’s a holiday weekend this shouldn’t be too big of a surprise. Ever wonder why you don’t get coupons on holiday weekends? Here’s some insight.

*Michaels and A.C. Moore are both prepping for big sales this weekend, and both will also have coupons available. Pay close attention to the ads, though, some of the coupons will only be good for a couple days.

*Along the same lines, JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores will be having a two-day sale beginning Sunday. On top of the sale prices on tons of crafting and sewing merchandise, don’t forget to clip the coupons.

*Go grab your paper early on Sunday, because Kohl’s, JC Penney and Belk are all having door-buster, two-day sales. Sears is will be having a three-day sale, but why not use your holiday Monday to stop by there, too?
Each ad will have some coupons tucked inside, so be sure to clip those before heading out to the stores.

*Athletes and tailgaters: Be sure to check out the Dick’s Sporting Goods ad. You might find some necessities to start your season off right.

* Toys R Us will have tons of items included in a BOGO sale beginning Sunday, so you might consider stocking up for any birthday parties coming up or even Christmas. There are toys for all ages included in the sale — some adults might even find themselves a little something.
Also, the trade-in program the store began last week will be active throughout the month.

* The best deals at Target this coming week are for parents of babies. Not only are there tons of items on sale, but you’ll also have the opportunity to earn a lot of free gift cards with purchase.

*CVS is giving away a lot of high-dollar ExtraBucks with purchase next week. In every department you’ll find offers for $3, $5 and even up to $10 in ExtraBucks with qualifying purchases.

 * Big Lots is having a special two-day sale on much of its merchandise. Anyone looking for pieces to furnish a room should be especially interested in this ad.

* Sunday begins the final week of Kroger’s promotion offering four-times the  fuel points with gift card purchases. You’ll also find a lot of items 10 for $10.

Have a great holiday weekend!

The 2nd Helpings Shop, Gallery and Cafe is having a 2-day sale in honor of Labor Day this Friday and Saturday. You’ll find 75% off summer apparel, shoes and handbags, and 50% off bakeware and cookware. In the cafe, cupcakes will be 99 cents.

Head over to the art gallery if you’re looking for something extra special. They’ll have fused glass pieces for sale, and 100% of the proceeds benefit the Rescue Mission.

This is a great opportunity to support an awesome local non-profit. The thrift store is huge, so go check it out if you haven’t been yet.

If you get any great deals at the sale, share them below!