The Twist & Turns Valley View location will be closing on April 30, and starting today you can find merchadise marked down 50 %.

This is sad news for the retailer, but owner Cynthia Willis will still be operating her custom furniture business after the store’s closure.

For more information on the store’s closing, check out Amanda Codispoti’s Storefront blog.

We probably won’t see any coupons next Sunday, but don’t let that bum you out too much — this weekend will makeup for it! There are up to three coupon booklets on the way for Sunday.

Smokey Bones has multiple coupon offers Sunday, and you won’t have to rush to use them all.

Belk’s Easter Sale has apparel on sale for the family, plus a coupon to make the deals even sweeter.

At the Sears Easter Sale you’ll find similar deals, plus a coupon for additional savings.

Kohl’s will have doorbusters all day Sunday.

Next week’s CVS ad is full of BOGO and Extrabucks promotions. Also, remember to stop by the coupon center next week for addtional deals.

Walgreens has tons of store coupons that can be combined with manufacturer coupons next week. There’s also a special deal for AARP members, and BOGO bargains galore.

Toys R Us is offering a freebie with select purchases, and BOGO treats to just in time for the Easter bunny to do some shopping.

The A.C. Moore and Michaels ads are full of sales next week, plus tons of coupons.

Dick’s Sporting Goods will have a rare coupon available for specific merchandise, plus a great BOGO deal.

If you’re itching to do some early Father’s Day shopping, check out the  Northern Tool + Equipment ad.

Shoe Carnival is having a Spring Sale where you’ll big BOGO bargains plus coupons for additional savings..

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at these websites: SmartSource , Redplum , Coupon Network and Coupons.com.

They say “April showers bring May flowers,” but what do you do with the kids on rainy days?

And how about the sweltering summer days, which seem to have come early this year?

When I was a kid, I remember spending many of those days making simple but fun crafts. Getting crafty with the kids inside doesn’t have to be expensive — or messy. In fact, you can create some fantastic original artwork and treats with items you probably have in your home.

Tie-dyeing shirts can be labor-intensvie, and possibly expensive when you have to buy multiple colors. A great alternative is dying pieces of clothing with permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. Kids will love this because they can pick out their own marker colors and help with each step.

Lay your shirt over a cup and place a rubber band around the base, creating a tight, round surface. Choose where you want your design to start and make a circle of 6 dots using whatever colors you like. Using a spray bottle or eye dropper, apply rubbing alcohol to the middle of the circle and watch the colors spread. Between 10 and 15 sprays/drops is the most you need for each circle. Let the alcohol dry and wash your creation before wearing it.

After trying this project myself, I decided I would definitely use at least two colors on each circle in the future. I’d also put more thought into the placement of my circles. I absolutely loved this project though. It’s almost identical to real tie-dye with much less mess.

When I was growing up, we had buckets and zip-top bags filled with small, broken pieces of crayons. No one ever wanted to use the leftovers, but it seemed silly to throw them away. While browsing Pinterest.com one day, I saw this technique for making your old crayons new again.

Peel any remaining paper off of each crayon and toss them in a lined muffin pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the pan in the oven, turn off the heat and let the crayons sit until melted (about 15 minutes). Then, place the pan in the freezer for about an hour. The liners will lift out easily when they’re solid. The end product is a bigger crayon that kids can be excited about using again.

When I did this project, I used paper pan liners, but some of the wax seeped out. To avoid ruining your pans, I would recommend layering three paper liners or using aluminum pan liners.

If you think you’ll be doing this project often, consider investing in a silicon pan (about $10). By using silicon, you can avoid using pan liners and they are available in shapes. However, if you don’t use pan liners or choose a silicon pan, the pan can no longer be used for cooking because a waxey residue remains on the pan after the crayons are removed. For some of the upcycled crayons, I mixed various colors. But the ones that turned out best were those with pieces from the same color family. Kids probably would love both.

Once you’ve got your new crayons, go online and print off some free coloring pages. Disney Family Fun (familyfun.go.com) always has a great selection of seasonal printables, both coloring and game pages. You can find more free pages online by searching for “free printable coloring pages.”

Newspaper hats are a classic craft for kids, but what about your girly girls? Try making newspaper flowers out of the comics page and attaching them to a headband or barrette.

Cut out a circle from your newspaper and then cut a spiral shape from the circle, leaving a base in the center. Roll up the spiral from the outside edge and then let it loosen over the base. When you have the look you want, hot-glue the “petals” to your base piece. These flowers can be glued directly onto your clips or headband, or easily attached with pipe cleaners for a temporary accessory.

You could try this with colorful magazine paper as well.

 There are tons of crafts that can be easily made with coffee filters, tissue boxes, rubber bands and watercolors, below are some examples:
Milk jug Easter baskets (also would make great buckets for the beach!)
Music makers
Rock paperweights
Coffee filter butterfly
Coffee filter sunflowers
Tissue box dinosaur feet
Tie dye window decorations

Head over to Amazon now and you’ll find various books and home/garden merchandise participating in a 4-for-3 promotion.

Add four participating products to your shopping cart and Amazon will discount the lowest priced item, giving it to you for free.

Participating products will have a message that reads “This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion” on the product detail page. You can mix and match items, but the items must be purchased in a single order and shipped to the same address.

Shipping still applies to orders under $25 and for those who aren’t Amazon Prime members.

No word on how long this promotion will last and particpating merchandise is subject to change, so if you see four participating products that you like snatch them up now!

To read all the official details, click here.

Head over to the Incredible Edible Egg Facebook page now and you’ll find a printable coupon good for 55 cents off of 2 dozen eggs.

This offer is just in time for those parents with kids who love to dye eggs before Easter. Coupons for fresh produce and dairy are rare, so take advantage of this offer while you can!

Order your free cookbook now. Photo by Sunmaid.com.

Head over to the Sunmaid Raisins website now and you can celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary with a free cookbook.

This book can be downloaded as a PDF file or sent by mail. It includes 27 pages of recipes and historical information about the company.

Easter is coming, and luckily for you that means lots of coupons (there’s commonly a lot of coupons in the weeks before a major holiday). There are two thick coupon books available today: Redplum and Smartsource.

All week Kmart will be doubling manufacturer coupons up to $1. There’s a limit of 5 coupons per day, per person and you must purchase $25 or more in grocery, beauty and health merchandise to qualify, but this could still mean big savings if all of those factors work out for you.
Additionally, You’ll get free Ragu pasta sauce and Barilla pasta with the purchase of 80% lean ground check.

CVS is having a Free Sale this week, and you’ll find tons of BOGO deals throughout the store. Brands like Colgate, Pepsi, Bumble Bee, Arm & Hammer, M&Ms/Mars, Mrs. Fields, Goody, GUM, Nature’s Bounty and more are offering buy 1, get 1 free deals.
There’s also a big 3-day sale on Easter candy starting today. M&M’s are buy 1, get 1 free, and Gold Emblem Jelly Beans and Mars Easter Egg or Bunny Singles are free after Extra Bucks.

 At Staples’ Dollar Days you’ll find supplies like Westcott scissors, mini staplers, binder clips, storage baskets, clipboards, writing pads, dry erase boards and #10 envelopes for $1.
For $2 you can get 1-subject notebooks, Scotch super glue, 3×5 index cards, Crayola On the Go products, Oops correction tape, Post-its, Crayola markers and more.

Now through March 31 Kohl’s will give you an extra 15, 20 or 30% off everything when you use your Kohl’s charge. Additionally, now through Wednesday you’ll get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend.
Today only you can catch doorbuster bargains, as well.

Toys R Us is having a BOGO blast this week.
Some of the products that are buy 1, get 1 half off are:
LeapFrog Tag, Explorer, VTech, MobiGo, InnoTab, Crayola Color Wonder, Crayola Color Explosion, Crayola outdoor chalk and bubbles, all plush, K’Nex construction sets, Imaginarium train items, Thomas railway items, Lego mini-figures and more.

Some of the best deals at AC Moore this week are on Melissa & Doug toys (buy 1, get 1 free), Easter floral tabletop and wall decor (40% off), yarn (33% off), FolkArt craft paint (77 cents), acrylic frames (50% off), and baskets (Easter baskets, $1; wicker baskets, $4).
There’s only one coupon available, and it’s good for 55% off one regular priced item.

Some of the best deals at Michaels this week are on baskets (all 40% off), frames (most are 40 to 50% off), Wilton Easter candy kits, cookie cutters and pans (40% 0ff) and jewerly merchandise (30% off).
There are 3 coupons available this week: $5 off every $25 spent, 40% off any regular priced item and an additional 10% off a custom framing order.

At Fashion Bug, dresses, jackets, pants and jeans are 40% off, and bras are buy 2, get 1 free. Additionally, there’s a coupon available for $10 off a purchase of $25 or more (including sale prices).

Be sure you check your Target ad this week, because you’ll find an awesome surprise — store coupons! Combine these with manufacturer coupons for major savings (especially on candy).
Throughout the rest of the store, some of the best deals are on video games (buy 2, get 1 free), men’s T-shirts ($8), women’s sandals ($12.99) and Easter decor (20% off).

Walgreens has all-things-Easter on sale this week. In the beauty section, you’ll find a few BOGO deals on brands like Axe, Dove, Vaseline, Degree, L’Oreal, Neutrogena, and Organix. Don’t forget to check out the full page of store coupons (which can be combined with manufacturer coupons) on page 15 of the ad.

Rack Room Shoes has another coupon in today’s paper offering $10 off of a $60 purchase. Combine this with their buy 1, get 1 50% off deal for the best price!

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Easter is coming, and luckily for you that means you should find lots of coupons for the next two Sundays. This Sunday, there are up to two booklets available.

Kmart will have another promotion involving double coupons next week.

CVS will be having a Free Sale next week. Can’t imagine what that means? It’s good.

Staples’ will have tons of Dollar Days deals next week, meaning lots of merchandise for $5 or under.

Now through March 31 Kohl’s will give you an extra 15, 20 or 30% off everything when you use your Kohl’s charge. Additionally, now through Wednesday you’ll get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend.
Sunday only you can catch doorbuster bargains, as well.

Toys R Us has big BOGO deals next week, just in time for Easter shopping.

There’s only one coupon available for AC Moore next week, but there are still tons of bargains to be found in the store.

Michaels has a lot of its merchandise 30 to 50% off next week, plus a few coupons.

Fashion Bug will have some great deals on apparel and accessories, plus a coupon to make the savings even sweeter.

Be sure you check your Target ad next week, because you’ll find an awesome surprise involving coupons.

If you have any Easter shopping left to take care of, check out Walgreens next week.

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Wouldn't life be easier if money worked like this? Stock photo.

Gas prices are up. Food prices are up. It seems like just about everything is “up” — except the economy.

Most people are making various changes in their day-to-day lives to be frugal, but does it really pay off? Some things do and others don’t. Here are a few rules to live frugally by.

Remember your time has value. Unrolling two-ply toilet paper to reroll them as two rolls of single-ply toilet paper (yes, there are people who do this) costs a lot of time and doesn’t save you much cash. Instead, stock up on TP when it’s on sale or buy the cheaper store brand.

The same goes for “diluting” your food. Adding fillers to your meals is a good way to make it go further, but don’t dilute them to an unrecognizable point (like adding water to marinara sauce … yes, again, this actually happens).

You should be able to enjoy what you buy, the enjoyment factor is part of what gives products value. If you feel like you’re wasting your time trying to pinch pennies, then investigate what the payoff really is.

Live below your means whenever possible. Limit restaurant meals, only buy items that aren’t on sale when it’s absolutely necessary and always bring a list when you go shopping.

Browsing can cost you, and bad things can happen when you go to the grocery store hungry. In most cases, your best bet is to put on some blinders and stick to your list. Making an effort to spend less than you could means you should have extra cash left for special treats.

Prioritize your purchases. I’m not picky about most things, but when it comes to soda, shoes and makeup, I’ve got to have certain name brands. I’m willing to pay more for those products when I have to, but it means I cut corners in other areas.

Always check the clearance bin. Just because food is on clearance doesn’t mean it’s bad, and just because apparel is on clearance doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with it.

Shopping for clearance merchandise doesn’t take long and can usually save you 50 percent or more. Foods that are on clearance are generally approaching their “sell by” date; they’re not already expired. Clearance apparel is usually out of season or overstocked. If there’s a problem with the product the store will often note the damage on a special tag.

Skip the drive-through whenever possible. Sure, it’s tempting to grab fast food when everyone in the family needs to be in two places at one time, but even items on a dollar menu can add up quickly — especially when it’s being utilized multiple times a week.

Keep frozen veggies stocked, freeze homemade meals in advance or try using a recipe generator. Web sites such as Super Cook (www.supercook.com) will generate recipes based on what you have in your pantry. If necessary, any additional ingredients are also listed, giving you an easy shopping list. Investing in a slow cooker is another option. Prepare all of your ingredients in the morning, and the crockpot ensures you’ve got a hot meal waiting for you after work.

Car pool whenever possible. Public transportation isn’t a viable option for many of us in the region’s rural and suburban areas, but car pooling is doable with some planning. Even if you don’t car pool daily, cutting out small trips throughout the week can still save a lot of gas. Ride with a friend to the movies instead of meeting there, or have a group meet at a central spot and then ride to your destination together.

Cut out or cut down on TV expenses. During the summer months, most kids will be enjoying the warm weather, so that’s a good time to experiment. On rainy days you can still keep everyone entertained with free online streaming or with free movie rentals from the library.

If you’re not ready to completely cut TV out of your life (I admit that I’m not), consider investing in a cable converter box (for older television models) or a digital antenna (for digital televisions). With these options you can pick up free channels over the airwaves. Be aware that your location can affect what channels you are able to view.

Try couponing. You don’t have to buy extra newspapers or spend hours each week to achieve sizable savings with coupons. Clipping coupons for the products you buy frequently and pairing them with sales is a simple way to step up your frugal lifestyle.

What’s your favorite frugal tip? Discuss what you think is worth your time and money.

It’s time for another Elizabeth Arden Warehouse Sale! If you missed the last sale, stop by the warehouse today through Saturday or March 27 – 31 to check out the deals.

The hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The warehouse is located at 3030 Nicholas Ave., Roanoke.

For more information, call 983-6594.

Photo by viZZZual.com, Flickr.

Some of you may have caught the typo in Kroger’s ad this week advertising English cucumbers for 9 cents. Well, I went by Kroger yesterday to find out if it was indeed a mistake, when lo and behold there was a sign next to the cucumbers apologizing to customers and indicating the actual price of 99 cents a piece.

Each store may handle this situation differently, but most will probably be charging the intended 99 cents.

Sorry to burst your bubble. If you find a store actually charging 9 cents a piece, let me know.

St. Patrick’s Day is over, so it’s time for our next round of holiday goodies: Easter.

Click here to download the eBook “How to Make Easter Crafts: 7 Cute Easter Craft Projects.”

The book provides “Easter basket ideas, Easter egg crafts, Easter wreath tutorials and more adorable easy to make Easter decorations.” Sounds like some crafts you could get the kids involved with, too.

The price is subject to change at anytime, so make sure it still says “free” before you click away!

St. Patrick’s Day is over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still save some green! There are two coupon booklets available today: Redplum and Smartsource.

For those of you who have been participating, you’ll be happy to see that the CVSCash Card promotion is continuing into this week at CVS.
There are also a lot of BOGO deals this week. Some participating brands include: Nature Made, Sally Hansen, M&M’s & Mars chocolates, Orbit, Stridex, Roc Skin Care, Bic, Clean & Clear, Conair, Nexxus, , multiple pain relievers and supplements from the pharmacy and more. Combine BOGO deals with coupons for the best deal! Remember you can use two coupons if you’re buying two products for additional savings.
You’ll receive a free stroller when you spend $30 on participating baby products, such as Pull-Ups, Huggies, Gerber Good Start, Johnson’s Baby Lotion & Wash and Playtex.
Most of the Easter selection, including candy and toys, is also on sale. Many of the products are also participating in the CVSCash Card program as well, so stock up for the holiday now!

Once again Walgreens has tons of store coupons available in their ad. One of the best deals this week is on Pepsi. Pepsi products are on sale, have a store coupon available, and recently we had manufacturer coupons in the paper as well. Combine all of those for the best deal!
There’s also a good deal on contact lenses. Enter the code TAXED20 when you order your lenses and you’ll save 20%.
Most Easter products are on sale this week. There are store coupons, manufacturer coupons and register rewards available for almost every holiday product.

If your child has outgrown his or her bike since last summer, stop by Toys R Us this week. During their Bike & Trike Trade-Up Week you’ll save up to $50 on any bike when you trade in any used bike or trike. With this unseasonably warm weather, I’m sure the kiddos are eager to get out and ride.
Easter products are 30% off throughout the store, and you’ll get a free Easter basket with an Easter purchase of $20 or more.
Don’t forget the coupon on the back of the ad good for a free $5 gift card with any formula purchase of $50 or more.

AC Moore has tons of merchandise 30 to 50% off this week, and loads of coupons. Additionally, all clearance merchandise is an additional 40% off its lowest ticketed price.
Coupons include: 60% off any regular priced item (today only), 55% off custom framing and 50% off any regular priced item.

At Target this week you can mix and match decor items and when you buy 1, you’ll get half off another item.
There are also some interesting movie deals exclusive to Target. When you buy “The Muppets” on Blu-Ray, you’ll receive a 6-episode sampler DVD of “The Muppet Show.” Both “Hop” and “Despicable Me” are $5 off, and come with goodies. You’ll get a pair of goggles with “Despicable Me,” and a pair of bunny ears with “Hop.”

Kmart will give you a free ham for Easter when you purchase $250 or more in grocery and drugstore merchandise through March 31. If you usually do some grocery shopping at Kmart, this deal could be worthwhile.

If you haven’t already signed up for Shop Your Way Rewards at Sears or Kmart, I suggest you do so (it’s free). Tonight  it will earn you an extra 15% off from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sears, even on sale merchandise.

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Are you feeling lucky? You should, because there are two coupon booklets coming your way on Sunday.

For those of you who have been participating, you’ll be happy to see that the CVSCash Card promotion is continuing into next week at CVS.
There are also a lot of BOGO deals, baby deals and Easter deals. Get ready to stock up!

Once again Walgreens will have tons of store coupons available on Sunday. Contact lense wearers will have a chance to save, as well.

If your kid is itching to get outside and ride bikes, check out the Toys R Us ad.

AC Moore has loads of markdowns throughout the store — even its clearance will be marked down come Sunday. Of course there are coupons, too.

Target is the place to go next week if you’re in the mood to redecorate, or enjoy a movie night at home.

Kmart ‘s ad has the details on how you can get a free Easter ham.

Sign up for the Shop Your Way Rewards Program now, because it will get you even more savings at Sears on Sunday.

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Restaurants are getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (which is coming up on Saturday) and offering some goodies. Enjoy these treats while you celebrate!

Burger King giving away a free value-size order of french fries March 17 and 18. To make this snack a little more festive, they’ll be served with green Heinz St. Paddy’s Sauce (aka — green ketchup). There’s no purchase necessary to get this deal, but I would recommend calling first to be sure your location is participating.

Reubens are a must around St. Patrick’s Day, and March 16 through 19 reuben sandwiches at Arby’s are buy 1, get 1 free with this printable coupon. That picture is making me hungry just looking at it!

Here’s another reason to wear your green. McAlister’s Deli is offering a free cookie with any purchase to anyone who comes in now through March 17 and is wearing green. This is valid at participating locations only, so call ahead or try bringing in this flier about the deal.

Know of any other great deals out there? Share them! I’ll update this list as I find any holiday-themed deals.

My family adopted Lucy from Angels of Assisi. One great thing about adopting from shelters is that the pets are spayed/neutered before coming home with you. Unfortunately Lucy paid a higher price than anyone -- she had to wear the cone for a week.

The side effects of a bad economy are not only impacting us, but our pets.

As pet owners, we often think of our pets as a part of the family — our fur-babies. Dogs and cats are there to greet us when we get home, and you can always talk to them.

So, what can you do to save a few bucks and still make sure your pet is properly cared for? Here are a few tips:

*  Visit the website or Facebook page of your preferred food and treat brands. Many brands offer printable coupons or coupons through an email newsletter. If there’s no mention of coupons, consider sending the company an email or calling to inquire about them. They just might reward you for your efforts.

*  Take advantage of vaccination clinics and other veterinary specials. Pet shelters and vets often have discounts on vaccinations, spaying and neutering, dental cleaning and other procedures. If you expect to need one of these procedures, call around and see who can offer you the best price.

* Shop around for high-dollar medications or food. Online retailers like Drs. Foster and Smith or 1-800-PetMeds and pet stores like PetSmart or Petco are all good options. If you find a cheaper price than what’s being offered by your vet, call your vet office and see if they will price match.

*  If you think something is wrong with your pet, visit a vet sooner rather than later. Visiting early can prevent serious problems from developing or an even more costly trip to the emergency vet.

Web MD recommends keeping an eye on your pet for some tell-tale illness signs such as hair loss, itchy skin, stiffness, changes in urination, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, decreased activity and skin irritations or bumps.

* Just as many parents save for their children’s college, an emergency pet care fund is a smart resource idea. When emergency care is necessary, this stash can help when it comes to paying the bill.

*  Consider pet insurance. For a monthly fee, an insurance company (Veterinary Pet Insurance, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Embrace are three popular providers) will assist in paying for pet medications and procedures. With the constant advent of new technology, the insurance could help pay for a costly but lifesaving procedure.

Do your research before you buy, though. Many common conditions can be excluded from coverage.

* Don’t cut corners when it comes to food. While there’s usually no need to buy the most expensive food for your pet, you also shouldn’t buy the cheapest. Low-quality foods are full of additives and artificial coloring that have no nutritional value. Ask your veterinarian what brands they recommend to be the most cost-effective and nutritional.

* Try at-home grooming. It may take a while to get the hang of it, but with the right set of clippers and a good pair of scissors, you can skip the pricey trip to the groomer and spruce up your pooch’s look in the comfort of your own home.

Brushing your pet on a regular basis will help the process go along more smoothly. Look for how-to videos online to pick up some tips. Pick up a pair of nail clippers while you’re at it. Most vets are happy to provide advice on the best way to trim claws.

How do you keep your pet care costs low?

Each Wednesday in March we’re offering an awesome deal on the newspaper. Visit participating Wilco locations throughout the area and you can pick up a copy of The Roanoke Times for only 25 cents.

In the Wednesday paper you’ll find our regular features like the Shoptimist column, Lindsey Nair’s Front Burner column and The Weather Journal by Kevin Myatt. And of course there’s all that news.

Here’s a list of all participating Wilco stores:
*509 E. Stuart Drive (Wytheville)
*110 Ready Mix Road (Wytheville)
*1318 E. Lee Hwy. Suit A (Wytheville)
*1102 W. Main St. (Radford)
*7455 Lee Hwy. (Radford)
*640 E. Main St. (Pulaski)
*204 Roanoke St. (Christiansburg)
*3980 S. Main St. (Blacksburg)
*2111 S. Main St. (Blacksburg)
*825 N. Main St. (Blacksburg)
*5484 Virginia Ave. (Bassett)
*4801 Greensboro Road (Ridgeway)
*2121 Orange Ave. NE (Roanoke)
*4350 Brambleton Ave. (Roanoke)
*1000 Electric Road (Salem)
*400 Virginia Ave. (Vinton)
*2601 W. Main St. (Waynesboro)
*713 Oakland Circle (Raphine)
*821 Richmond Ave. (Staunton)

The P&G Gather Together booklet is back! They release this coupon book every couple months, and it’s full of great coupons for P&G products — this month has $25 worth.

Sign up for the booklet here. There is a limited number available so there’s no guarantee you’ll receive one, but it’s definitely worth a try.

Did you remember to re-set your clocks last night? It’s time to spring forward!

Be on the lookout for your coupon insert today from Redplum.

Kroger has started its March to Savings promotion today. Mix and match any 10 participating products and you’ll instantly save $5. Combine this deal with coupons and you can save a lot! Some participating products include: Pepsi soft drinks, Dannon yogurt, Lay’s chips, Coca-Cola soft drinks, Kraft mayo and Miracle Whip, Nabisco crackers, Capri Sun, Kellogg’s cereal, Cheez-its, Oreos, Tombstone pizza and Simply Juice.
Also, now through April 7 you get four-times the fuel points when you buy gift cards. With gas prices on the rise, this is very good news. Consider picking up a Kroger gift card to buy your gas — you’ll get the points for something you had already planned on buying!

This week at Kmart you’ll find footwear for the family buy 1, get 1 half off. Also, clearance apparel is marked down to as low as $4.99. Your Meal Deal this week is a dozen free eggs when you buy Bar-S bacon and Tropicana orange juice.
All week the retailer will also be doubling manufacturer coupons up to $1 on grocery and household items. There are some restrictions: there’s a limit of 5 coupons per costumer, per day with the purchase of $25 or more in grocery, beauty or health merchandise. If this all works out for you, though, it could mean big savings.

At the Sears Spring Sale you’ll find select apparel and accessories up to 40% off. Additionally, you can use the coupon from the ad to earn an extra 15% off clothing, intimates, accessories, fragrances and cosmetics.

Michaels is showing off its new paper crafting section in this week’s ad. The section is bigger, and this week you can get 40% off Recollections products. Additionally, there are coupons available for 40% off a regular priced item, %25% off frames, art and display cases, and 15% a custom framing purchase.

Meanwhile, over at AC Moore you’ll find bargains on all things Spring related this week. This week’s coupons include: 20% off your entire regular and sale priced purchase (tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. only) and 50% off any regular priced item.

Today at Kohl’s you’ll get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent. There are also tons of doorbusters today only.

Once again Walgreens has a full page of store coupons in their ad. This week they’re all food and kitchen related, so combine them with your manufacturer coupons for the best deal.

The CVSCash Card promotion continues this week at CVS, so check out what products are participating and stock up. There’s also a great deal on Easter candy — spend $10 and you’ll get $3 ExtraBucks back. Combine this deal with all the candy coupons that have been available lately.
If you use Olay products, visit cvs.com/PGBeautyRebate and you can get a rebate form offering $15 back after purchasing $50 in Olay products.

Toys R Us has tons of BOGO deals on games and toys this week. Brands like Squinkies, Star Wars, Hasbro, Lego, Marvel, Playskool and more are all buy 1, get 1 half off.
There is also a coupon available for Huggies or Babies R Us value boxes of diapers.

Rack Room Shoes has a new $10 off of a $60 purchase coupon available today. Combine it with their everyday BOGO deal for some big savings.

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Google Play is offering the latest track from Taylor Swift, featuring the Civl Wars, for free. The song is featured in the new movie “The Hunger Games” — which I know many people have been excited about.

Taylor Swift and a taste of “The Hunger Games” all for free? Sounds like a winning combination.

**This track will play on iTunes if you save it on your computer and add it manually.

Be sure that the price reads “Free” before downloading this song, the price could change at any moment.

Graphic by Back on the Rack.

The Back on the Rack consignment sale is happening now in Tanglewood Mall (the former Stein Mart space), and tomorrow through March 14 you can get even deeper savings.

Starting Saturday, the consignor will have 50% Off Days — everything included in the sale will be an additionial 50% off.

The sale includes seasonal and upscale items for newborns through teens. Some things you’ll find:

• Newborn through Teen Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
• Maternity Clothing
• Toys, Games & Puzzles
• Children’s Books
• Videos
• DVDs, CDs & Video Games
• Baby Equipment
• Bedding
• Furniture
• Indoor & Outdoor Play

The hours are:
Today – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m.  to 8 p.m.
Sunday – 1 to 6 p.m.
Monday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cash, check, VISA and Mastercard are all accepted.

Daylight savings time is coming. Are you ready to spring forward? It does mean we’re one hour closer to this Sunday’s inserts!

There’s only 1 coupon booklet available this week, but it’s still packed with coupons to be clipped.

Kroger start its March to Savings promotion Sunday. Mix and match any 10 participating products and you’ll instantly save $5. There’s also a great promotion coming up with gift cards.

At Kmart you’ll great deals on apparel for the family. There’s also going to be an opportunity to save even more with your coupons next week.

At the Sears Spring Sale you’ll find select apparel and accessories on sale, plus a chance to save even more with a coupon.

Michaels is showing off its new paper crafting section in next week’s ad — and there are big savings with it. As usual, there are also coupons.

Meanwhile, over at AC Moore you’ll find bargains on all things Spring related next week, plus coupons.

Today through Sunday at Kohl’s you’ll get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent. There are also tons of doorbusters coming on Sunday.

Once again Walgreens has tons of store coupons available in their ad on Sunday.

The CVSCash Card promotion continues into next week at CVS. There’s also a special rebate deal available, and big savings for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Toys R Us will have tons of BOGO deals starting Sunday, as well as a coupon the parents will appreciate.

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

A full-size Signature Collection product, like these, could be yours for free with a $10 purchase at Bath & Body. Photo by Bath & Body Works.

[UPDATE]

Quiznos has just released this printable coupon good for $2 off of a $10 purchase. This coupon is valid through March 14.

[END UPDATE]

Bath & Body Works has a new offer, and this time you can get a free Signature Collection product ($12 value) with any $10 purchase. Just use this printable coupon to get the deal. This coupon is valid through April 1.

If you’re making a trip to Dollar General this Saturday, use this coupon to get $5 off of a purchase of $25 or more. This coupon is valid on Saturday (March 10) only.

At Old Navy you can use this printable or digital coupon to get $10 off of a purchase of $40 or more. To get this deal, which expires today, you can print off the email that is sent, or show it to the cashier on your phone at checkout.
You can also use this printable coupon to get 10% off your entire purchase at Old Navy. This coupon is valid through March 15.

Maggie Moo’s has a coupon available now offering medium or large combinations buy 1, get 1 free during happy hour. There are 10,000 coupons available, and 900 had been printed as of today at 10:30 a.m.

Now, this deal doesn’t involve a coupon — but it does involve bacon (that’s equally as great, right?). Every Tuesday in March Fresh Market will have its Regular Pork Tenderloin and Market Style Bacon buy 1, get 1 free. For more information, check out the grocer’s Facebook page.

Know of any other deals out there? Tell me about them!

Each year the Federal Trade Commission releases a list of its top consumer complaints. In 2011, more than 1.8 million complaints were issued, dealing with such varied things as imposter scams, sweepstakes, and telephone and mobile services. In all, there’s a list of 30 categories.

For the 12th consecutive year, complaints about identity theft took the top spot, garnering 15 percent of the total complaints filed. If you suspect you’re a victim of identity theft, some signs to look out for include unexplained withdrawals from a bank account, changes in monthly bills and daily mail, and bounced checks.

The FTC suggests you act quickly if you suspect that someone has stolen your identity.

First, place an initial fraud alert. You can do this by calling one of the companies keeping record of your credit history and ask them to place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud report will remain on your credit report for 90 days, after which it can be renewed.

You can also consider requesting a credit freeze, which means potential creditors cannot get your credit report, making it less likely that an identity thief can open new accounts in your name. A credit freeze doesn’t affect your credit score, and during the freeze you can still open new accounts, apply for a job, rent an apartment, buy insurance, refinance you mortgage or do other activities that require a credit report.

Second, order your credit reports. As you’re placing the initial fraud alert, the company will explain your rights and how you can obtain a free copy from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian ­(888-397-3742) or TransUnion (800-680-7289).

During this process, you should also contact any businesses connected to the accounts that have been tampered with. Speak with a representative in the fraud department, and follow up in writing.

Third, create an identity theft report. This report can assist you in dealing with credit reporting companies, debt collectors and businesses that open false accounts in your name. The report can also be used to remove fraudulent information from your report, stop a company from collecting debts as a result of identity theft, place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, and get information from companies about accounts the identity thief opened or misused.

In order to create an identity theft report, you must first submit a complaint about the theft to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 877-438-4338. All of these written details about the theft make up an identity theft affidavit.

Next, file a police report about the identity theft and obtain a copy of the report. Bring the affidavit when you file the police report. Once the identity theft affidavit and police report are attached to the FTC report, your identity theft report is complete.

Some tips that can help you avoid this process altogether include locking up your personal and financial documents; limiting the identification, debit and credit cards you carry; picking up new checks at the bank instead of having them mailed; shredding sensitive documents; monitoring your mail carefully; opting out of pre-screened credit offers; and protecting medical information (shredding medicine labels and limiting the people who know your health care plan information).

New technology is wonderful, but it can also make protecting your personal and financial information more difficult. That said, never click links, open files or download files sent by strangers or unfamiliar companies via email, use anti-virus and anti-spyware software in addition to a firewall, and be sure to reset mobile devices to their factory settings and clear any memory cards before disposing of them.

To view sample letters, forms and more tips on how you can be a smart consumer and protect your personal information, visit www.ftc.gov.

The rest of the complaints rounding out the top 10 include:
*Debt Collection Complaints (10%)
*Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries (6%)
*Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales (5%)
*Banks and Lenders (5%)
*Internet Services (5%)
*Auto Related Complaints (4%)
*Imposter Scams (4%)
*Telephone and Mobile Services (4%)
*Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair (3%)

It seems these scams have increased greatly as the popularity of internet shopping and banking grows.

Have you personally had any complaints filed with the FTC? How were they handled, and what did you do to correct the issue?

Yesterday Stephanie Ogilvie, dayside delivery editor and leader of the engagement team for the redesign of roanoke.com, posted on the RefreshRT blog about reader comments.

She covers what we envision our role to be in the commenting process, as well as ways we’ve brainstormed to get your voice heard (via our Facebook page, Twitter and, of course, blog comments).

Now that we’re in the midst of a redesign for the website, we’re curious what you think about all of this. How do you prefer your voice be heard? What do you like or dislike about our commenting system?

I know I’ve heard of some people having issues with our CAPTCHA code, while others don’t like having to wait for their comment to get approved.

Here are some specifics Stephanie asks in her blog post:

1. What do you like/not like on other websites that allow comments?

2. If given the choice, would you post anonymous comments? Or use your Facebook/Twitter account to share your thoughts? Why?

3. What other ways would you like to engage with us? For example, would you participate in live chats with reporters/editors/photographers on particular stories? Any other ideas?

Share your answers in the comments section, or head over the RefreshRT blog and join the conversation there.

Cinderella’s Closet events are a great way to clear your closet of formal items you no longer need, and an even better place to shop for them.

My colleague Miranda Beck has all the info on her So Salem blog about an upcoming event to benefit the Glenvar and Northside High School After Prom committees.

Here are the basics:

* 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at Melrose Baptist Church at 3520 Peters Creek Road in Roanoke

* Dress Drop off: 12 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 16, and from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, March 17.

* Registration is $5 per dress. Dresses must be clean and on hangers.

Get ready to start clipping! There are 3 coupons books available today: Redplum, P&G Brandsaver and Smart Source.

Michaels has its new spring arrivals on sale, generally 40 t0 50% off. Scrapbooking accessories, framing merchandise, and beads and beading accessories are also on sale. Additionally, you’ll find the details about National Craft Month, including the schedule for make-and-take activities for kids in the store.
This week’s coupons include 40% off your entire purchase of artist acrylic paints, brushes, pencils, pastels and markers and 40% off any regular priced item.

AC Moore is advertising their lowest prices of the season in their ad this week. There are tons of BOGO deals and many discounts of 50% or more.
There’s only 1 coupon this week good for 40% off a regular priced item.

Walgreens has another full page of coupons in their ad this week — combine them with sales and manufacturer coupons for the best deals.  There are also multiple photo coupons  available.

Target is starting summer early with a sale on swim suits for the family. There are also some other apparel bargains to be had, like men’s polos for $10 and women’s knit dresses for $15.
If you’re a fan of Coke Zero, check out the sale on Coca Cola products. When you buy three 12-packs of Coke products (including Coke Zero), which are on sale 3/$11, you’ll get a free 12 pack of Coke Zero. That’s 4 for $11!

At Kroger this week there some great 10/$10 opportunities. Bell peppers, Kroger bread, Rice A Roni, Pasta Roni, Chicken of the Sea Tuna, Bar-S Franks, LaraBars, Armour LunchMakers, Gwaltney Great Bolony, ZonePerfect Bars, Fage Greek Yogurt, Kroger Shrimp Poppers or Salad Shrimp and TransOcean Seafood Snackers are all 10/$10.

CVS is offering tons of freebies this week. There are multiple BOGO deals, batteries, Nature’s Bounty supplements, Arizona Tea, Easter candies and more, plus a buy 3, get 1 free sale. With the buy 3 promotion you can mix-and-match with some very popular products, like Febreze, Charmin, Cascade, Tide, Gillette, Pantene, Tampax, Pampers, Vicks, Swiffer and more. Use your coupons with the sale to get the most for your money!

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Visit Auntie Anne’s in Valley View mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday (March 3) and you’ll receive a free original or cinnamon sugar pretzel — no purchase necessary.

Who wouldn’t love a free snack while shopping? Pretzel.

Get ready to start clipping! There are 3 coupons books on the way.

Michaels will have its new spring arrivals on sale, and as usual there will be some coupons.

AC Moore is will have their lowest prices of the season next week.

Walgreens has another full page of coupons in their ad next week — combine them with sales and manufacturer coupons for the best deals.

Target is starting summer early with swim suit specials next week. There’s also a great deal on soda coming your way.

Next week at Kroger you’ll have tons of 10/$10 opportunities.

The CVS is full of freebies next week.

Remember, all of these ads may not appear in your paper. However, many retailers post their ads online, so always check there if you’re interested in finding out more details. You can also get printable coupons at both SmartSource and Redplum websites.

Big time events can be big time expenses, but the folks from the Piccadilly Circus are giving your wallet a break.

The circus will be in town for 3 shows (1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.) on March 11 at the Salem Civic Center. Pick up your tickets now from the circus’ website and you can take advantage of a buy 1 ticket, get 1 free offer.

Enter the code CIRCUS when purchasing your tickets to get the offer. These tickets are printable and will be available until 10 a.m. on March 11 (the day of the show). At that point, you’ll have to buy your tickets from the box office.

Children under 13 can also get in free by using one of the coupons available at various schools, pre-schools, day care centers and churches. Select businesses sponsoring the show also have these coupons available. Once I find out more about who has these coupons, I’ll be sure to update this post. The folks at the civic center are telling me the circus has distributed the coupons to most local convenience stores and gas stations. The civic center box office also has some available.