How many old cell phones do you have in your junk drawer? Photo by Thief12|Wikimedia Commons.

I always have a hard time parting with my old electronics. Whether it’s a cellphone, laptop or point-and-shoot camera, it’s hard to forget that at one time they were all valuable items. But keeping broken or outdated technology around doesn’t do any good. Luckily, we have plenty of options for recycling or getting cash for these items.

Sell

If you’re trying to make a little money off of your electronics purge, you have a choice of credible sites. Amazon, Craigslist and eBay give you the most freedom to name your own price, but there’s no guarantee someone will buy your product. Other services give you a quote on the value of devices and buy them from you.

A website called Gazelle will make you an offer on your old cellphone or Apple product. The site accepts various smartphones, as well as iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macbooks and Macs. It’s quick and easy to get a quote through Gazelle, and if you accept the price it has named, the site will send you a box to cover the shipping for your device. If the product is in the condition you described during the quote process — anywhere from broken to flawless — you’ll receive your payment in the form of a check, Amazon gift card or PayPal credit within three to five days.

If you’re an avid Target shopper, you might consider using NextWorth. This site buys a wide variety of products including iPhones, iPads, iPods, various smartphones, cameras, tablets, e-readers, calculators, select DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, video games, and video game consoles. These items will be accepted in various conditions, even if they’re broken. NextWorth has a partnership with Target, so you can take your items to the Roanoke or Christiansburg Target locations to get a quote and drop it off. You also can get a quote online and mail your items into the site with a prepaid shipping label. After they inspect the item, you’ll receive a payment in the form of a Target gift card, check or PayPal credit within 10 days.

BuyMyTronics.com also accepts a huge variety of electronics, broken or brand-new. Cellphones, iPhones, iPads, iPods, tablets, digital cameras, video game consoles, e-readers, wireless air cards, MP3 players, PDAs, Macbooks, Apple accessories, GPS devices, camcorders, camera lenses, Macs and Apple displays (such as the Apple Cinema) all are accepted. BuyMyTronics.com provides an online quote and then gives sellers the option to download a shipping label or wait for the site to send a shipping kit. Then, usually within a week, you will receive a payment via check or PayPal.

Multiple other services available will buy your old electronics, but it’s important to make sure they’re trustworthy. Most sites will routinely remove any personal information from devices, though I’d recommend returning everything to the factory settings before sending it away. Also check to see whether it’s necessary to send any accessories, such as charging cables, with your device.

Trade-in/buyback

Some stores and name brands offer trade-in or buyback services, which allow you to bring your old device in and have the value applied to a new, up-to-date product. Best Buy and Walmart both offer this service and pay in store credit. If you have participated in Best Buy’s buyback program in the past, you can can use it, but they are not accepting new customers at this time.

These programs are convenient, but Consumer Reports found the payouts to be less than other options. It’s best to shop around and see what service can benefit you most.

Recycle

If you have electronics that are too old to sell, it’s important to recycle them instead of tossing them in the trash.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Electronic products are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.”

The EPA’s website has some valuable tips about recycling electronic devices. It also links to several other resources that keep track of recycling drop-off locations and events. It also includes a reminder to remove any batteries from devices. Batteries should be recycled separately.

One shocking figure noted on the website: “For every million cell phones we recycle, 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.”

How’s that for an inspiration to let go of that flip-phone from 1999?

Many cellphone retailers such as Verizon, AT&T and Sprint accept phones for recycling in their stores or at authorized dealers. Additionally, brands such as Samsung and Dell, which has a partnership with Goodwill, have drop-off locations that accept multiple electronic devices.

Some retailers offer to recycle old products for a fee, but there are so many alternatives that I wouldn’t recommend paying anyone. Goodwill, FreeCycle, The Salvation Army, the National Cristina Foundation and Recycling for Charities are all free options that accept old electronics.

How do you prefer to get rid of old electronics? What services do you like or dislike?

Photo courtesy of Starbucks.

I know there are tons of Starbucks fans out there that will be very excited about this deal.

Head over to Groupon today and you can pick up a $10 Starbucks eGift card for only $5. This gift card can be used at any participating Starbucks and must be redeemed by September 30. There is a limit of one eGift per person.

Groupon says: “Starbucks Card eGifts are digital gift cards that can be used for anything, such as a cup of the mellow Starbucks blonde roast coffee, a skinny mocha, or a hot or iced hazelnut macchiato. Use it all at once or across multiple visits, in participating stores.”

This deal is available for one day only, so grab your’s before it’s gone!

(Update: It looks like CVS had a print limit on this deal and it has already been reached. That was fast! Congrats to those of you who jumped on it early. If the retailer decides to add more I’ll update again.)

If you’ve never checked out the Deal of the Day section of CVS’ website, today would be a great time to start.

Head over there now and print your coupon for $2 off a purchase of $10 or more. This coupon won’t be available after midnight, so print it now before you forget.

This coupon is valid on purchases today and tomorrow (March 12 and 13) in stores only. Exclusions include alcohol, gift cards, lottery, money orders, prescriptions, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, tobacco products or items reimbursed by a governmental program. Additionally, this coupon cannot be combined with any other CVS/pharmacy coupons (like a percentage off coupon, it should still work with Extra Bucks).

Note: This is a popular deal so the website is moving pretty slow. Be patient and it will eventually load.

Graphic by MCT.

How much can you really learn from reading 140 characters? Well, if you follow the right Twitter feeds, the pay-off can be very valuable.

If you’re not familiar with Twitter, it’s a social media site that allows users to post messages to their followers in 140 characters (which includes letters, spaces and punctuation) or fewer. Due to the limited space, users can get important information and usually a link to read more in just a sentence or two.

I recently started a Shoptimist Twitter account and you can follow me at
@RTShoptimist. My goal is to find the most valuable Twitter accounts to follow so I can pass the best deals on to my readers, saving you time from scouring through hundreds of tweets.

However, if you’re interested in deal hunting on Twitter, I’ve figured out the easiest ways to get the best information.

In the same way that deal-finding blogs (like Roanoke.com’s Shoptimist blog) have exploded in recent years, Twitter is gaining popularity in the same arena. Businesses, brands and coupon sites are tweeting out their deals out into the social media world.

Diving right into Twitter can be overwhelming. Whom should you follow? How can you find what you’re looking for? Well, if you have any practice shopping and couponing online, doing the same on Twitter is very similar.

First of all, I’d recommend creating a Twitter handle just for bargain hunting. That will keep all of your deal news in one spot. If you have a personal Twitter account as well, try using a service like HootSuite, which will allow you to manage both accounts with one login on a computer or on mobile devices.

Then, think about the most important things you’d like to find. Coupons? Travel deals? Specific restaurant or retailer promos? Make yourself a list.

This is an important step because it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information that’s available.

Once you’ve decided what your priorities are, start searching. A good place to start is your favorite shopping blogs. If you like the style of a blog, you’ll most likely like the style of its tweets.

If you love a specific brand it’s also a good idea to search for its Twitter account. Most popular brand names have feeds that publicize special deals, promotions and coupons. The same goes for specific retailers and restaurants.

Some of the best Twitter feeds I’ve found include:

* @Coupons.com: There are announcements every time new coupons are added to the site, plus online promo codes for other websites.

* @allyou: This feed for the popular magazine “All You” provides links to daily freebies, as well as links to short articles full of money saving tips.

* @SouthernSavers: Southern Savers is one of my favorite blogs. The author, Jenny Martin, tweets and blogs about deals specific to the Southeast. She is also great about tweeting only the best deals and not clogging up your feed.

* @SmartSourceCpns and @PGeveryday: SmartSource and P&G make regular appearances in the Sunday paper, but you can keep tabs on what other coupons the companies are offering through their Twitter accounts. They also give hints about what you could find in your Sunday paper from time to time.

* @bradsdeals: You may remember Brads Deals from a column I wrote in November. The website consistently finds the lowest price on popular items. The Twitter feed broadcasts the biggest savings the site hunts down.

It’s not always necessary to follow a specific feed to benefit from Twitter. Hashtags are used to point out keywords and categories tweets may fall under — for example, #coupons or #freebie. Try searching for a specific hashtag. Your search results will provide the public tweets of anyone talking about or publicizing that subject.

What are you favorite Twitter feeds to follow? How do you use social media to find the best bargains?

Just as we’ve seen iPods and mp3s replace CD players and CDs over the past decade, eBooks and eReaders have grown in popularity.

Whether you have a Kindle, a Nook or an iPad, it’s not necessary to spend a bundle on reading material. You also don’t necessarily need a tablet. It’s possible to download the programs associated with these eReaders on most mobile devices and computers.

I asked Shoptimist blog readers about their eBook habits and got some great responses. Even skeptics who thought they would never replace their paperbacks have enjoyed their space-saving eReaders. After doing some research and taking the advice of readers, I’ve compiled this list of the best options out there for buying or borrowing eBooks. Where possible I’ve included a short blog reader review.

Local library

Roanoke Valley libraries have an extensive collection of eBooks available for download — and it’s all free. Readers can check out up to three books at one time, though the lending period may vary from book to book.

Once the lending time is up the books will be removed from your device. Searching for books is similar to searching in a regular library, so the process is familiar and easy.

Additionally, this service works on numerous eReaders, mobile phone devices and desktop or laptop computers.
Web address: www.rvl.info
App: Overdrive
Blog reader Jbx2 says: “I will pay a few dollars for a book from Amazon but a lot of the new releases I will get electronically through the library. … You get two weeks to read them and then they will come off your Kindle. You can also return them early if you finish them early. Sometimes newer releases take a little longer for the library to get in electronic form, but to me it’s worth the wait. Overall, it’s been a great investment.” (Note: The lending period is different from book to book.)

Amazon

Amazon was mentioned the most in blog comments by Shoptimist readers. The site regularly offers a selection of free books and puts eBooks on sale often, some up to 80 percent off. There are also magazines available to read for free.

Anyone with a Kindle (Amazon’s own eReader), an Android or Apple mobile device, a desktop or laptop computer can access these titles.

With the Amazon Cloud you can store your downloads — a nice backup for anything that is accidentally deleted from a device. Anything on the Cloud can be restored.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member and have a Kindle, you can also access The Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. Here you can download one book per month for free and keep it for an unlimited amount of time. When you’re ready for your next free book you must “return” the previous free download.
Web address: www.amazon.com
App: Kindle Cloud Reader
Blog reader 3rd Fred says: “I’ve had a Kindle for about two years now. Have bought virtually all the ‘books’ from Amazon. There are some great buys for 99 cents to $4.99. A few duds too. But where else can you get a good edition of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare for about $2?”

Baen

If you’re a fan of science fiction or fantasy reads this is the site for you.

There are eBooks available for purchase here, but there’s also a wide selection of free downloads. One major negative to this site is you can’t sort titles by price, aside from looking at a separate list of free books. Books available for purchase generally range from about $4 to about $15.

Books are available for download on Nook, Kindle, and Apple and Android mobile devices. There are also some downloads that can be read on laptop and desktop computers.
Web address: www.baenebooks.com
App: None needed

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble created its own eReader called the Nook, so owners of that device tend to prefer this retailer’s selection of downloads. Some titles are available to download for under $2.99, and many other eBooks can be purchased for under $5.

Don’t have a Nook? You can still download the Nook App and read these selections on Apple and Android mobile devices, as well as desktop or laptop computers.
Web address: www.barnesandnoble.com
App: Nook
Blog reader Fincastle Mom says: “Before the library (and still do many now) I got free books from Barnes & Noble website. I love that I can delete a book (very satisfying when they aren’t any good!) and I can ‘test drive’ authors and books before I decide that I want to spend money.”

BookBoon

This site describes itself as “Books for Business Professionals,” which is pretty appropriate as it has a wide selection of textbooks, business books and travel guides. Titles range from guides to navigating Microsoft programs to college texts to world travel guides, specified by different cities, regions and countries.

One major positive of this site is that everything is available to download for free. There’s also no registration required. Any device that has Adobe Reader can open titles from BookBoon.
Web address: www.bookboon.com
App: None needed

BookBub

BookBub is a service that will email you the best book deals of the day.

In each email you’ll receive around 10 to 15 books ranging from free to about $2.99 per download. The site checks various sites for the best deals and then sends readers the link to each deal.

If you prefer Barnes & Noble over Amazon it’s no problem. If both retailers are offering the deal BookBub will supply both links for downloading. In addition to the daily emails, you can also browse the website for more deals.

The biggest positive of this service is that it sticks to one email per day — no spammy messages here.
Web address: www.bookbub.com
App: None needed
Blog reader Mary J. says: “You sign up, tell them your preferences, then they send you one (and ONLY one) email a day with selections from the categories you picked. Like other folks have experienced, some are duds, some are stellar. I’ve actually gone back and bought more of an author’s back list because I got one of their books from Bookbub and loved it.”

Books-A-Million

Like Barnes & Noble, this brick-and-mortar retailer is trying to keep up with the times by offering eBooks.

Downloads can be read on most eReaders (Books-A-Million does not have its own), as well as Apple and Android devices. Prices are a little higher on this site for new releases and popular titles, but it is possible to view a selection of special deals with downloads as low as 99 cents.
Web address: www.booksamillion.com
App: None needed

Free-eBooks.net

This site offers both free and paid memberships, but if you don’t want to pay it still has plenty to offer.

With a free membership you can access an unlimited amount of books in HTML format, which is supported by most eReaders, mobile devices, and desktop and laptop computers. Free memberships also give you access to five books each month that can be viewed in PDF formats; these downloads can be printed.

You can search the collection by genre or keyword, and textbook titles and magazines are included, but this site is more difficult to navigate than Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

With a paid membership, which is $7.95 per month or $39.97 per year, members get unlimited downloads of all formats, plus space on the website to store their favorite titles. The website says paying members also get priority when it comes to customer service.
Web address: www.free-ebooks.net
App: Free eBooks

GoodReads

This site has been popular among avid readers for years, but now it’s not just for sharing reviews of your latest read.

GoodReads now offers a list of eBook titles. If you’re browsing with no specific book in mind it’s handy because the titles can be sorted by price. Some classics are available for free and can be downloaded via PDF (these can be read on any computer with Adobe and can also be printed) or onto eReaders. Other downloads have a fee that starts at 99 cents.
Web address: www.goodreads.com/ebooks
App:Goodreads

Project Gutenberg

Are you a fan of the classics? If so, this site has everything you’re looking for — and it’s all free. The site is easily navigated and not cluttered with ads like some of the other smaller sites.

Downloads are available in multiple formats, so you can read these titles on most eReaders, desktop and laptop computers, and mobile devices.
Web address: www.gutenberg.org
App:Top10 Project Gutenberg
Blog reader Dusty says: “Gutenberg.org is a great place to get free books if you’re down for some classics.”

What is your favorite eBook site?

Click & save now at Walmart.com. Illustration by Rick Nease | Detroit Free Press

Finding deals on gift cards is one of my very favorite things — it’s like getting free money.

This deal by Walmart is especially nice,  it’s like cash back in your pocket and there are no hoops to jump through.

Head over to Walmart.com now and you’ll find these eGift cards on sale for 10% off:
*Domino’s Pizza $20 eGift Card (down to $18)
*Regal Movie $25 eGift Card (down to $22.50)
*Applebee’s $25 eGift Card (down to $22.50)
*Spa Week $25 eGift Card (down to $22.50)
*Logan’s Roadhouse $25 eGift Card (down to $22.50)
*Logan’s Roadhouse $50 eGift Card (down to $45)

These eCards would make great gifts, or buy one (or two…) for yourself. Each card will be delivered via email.

There’s no telling when this deal will expire, so if you’re interested make your purchase ASAP.

What do you “like”? Graphic by Wikimedia Commons.

I must admit, I have a Facebook acount just for “liking” pages and getting deals (you can find me here, btw). This keeps my personal feed clear of clutter.

Some of the most rewarding pages I’ve come across include Target (though unfortunately it will no longer be giving out beauty bags), Polished by Claire V., CVS, Edible Arrangements and Old Navy. Of course, that’s just a small sampling — Facebook has a seemingly endless supply of pages offering coupons and deals.

In the past some readers have expressed concern over “liking” certain pages for fear of spam or companies selling your information. You should always be careful about sharing certain details, but if you’re smart about it you can still get big savings. The easiest way to avoid spam is to create a separate account with an email address dedicated to coupons and bargains like I have.

So what are some of your favorite pages? Let me know what they are so I can “like” them and help spread the word of the best deals around.

I’m usually not a fan of digital coupons that are loaded onto a shopper’s card, but this one I like.

Click here to sign up for a digital coupon from Kroger offering $3 off a purchase of $10 or more on health and beauty items. That’s a great opportunity to stock up and save.

This coupon doesn’t expire until March 12, so you’ve got some time to use it. If you’re interested, load it on your card now — you never know when it will disappear.

To be perfectly honest, I can’t remember the last time I bought an actual CD. Amazon and iTunes are my go-to spots for digital music these days.

That could change now, though, with the release of AutoRip from Amazon.

Now, many CDs available on Amazon will come with a free MP3 copy when you purchase them. The digital songs will automatically be uploaded to your Cloud player, and from there you can add them to your iTunes (or whatever program you prefer).

I think this is great. I actually prefer hard copy CDs because I know that if there’s a freak computer accident I still have copies of my music.

However, it started to seem silly to buy the hard copy and immediately toss it aside after uploading it to my computer. Now I have no excuse. I can keep the back-up, but still automatically download the songs to my iPod. This is also especially convenient because my car doesn’t have an iPod jack, just a CD player.

Participating CDs will be marked with the “AutoRip” icon that you see above.

For more information about this offer from Amazon, click here.

Will you be taking advantage of this offer?

Video stores have long been a thing of the past. I remember spending many Friday and Saturday nights during my childhood and early teen years at the local Blockbuster, wandering through the aisles and arguing over which video to rent before heading back home to pop the VHS into the VCR.

Now movies are rented from kiosks placed outside grocery stores, drug stores and even fast food restaurants. For about $1 a night, a new release will glide out of the machine on a DVD.

But how long before these kiosks disappear, too? Instant video streaming is hot right now and more and more companies are vying for your attention.

Here’s what the most popular companies offer:

Amazon

Amazon.com offers instant video purchases and rentals of both TV shows and movies. With an Amazon Prime membership, instant streaming is unlimited. Otherwise, most rentals start at $3.99 for popular titles, though there are some offered for less or free. These rentals will be available for a 24-hour viewing period after purchase. Digital movies can also be purchased for prices comparable to physical DVD prices.

Supported devices: Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, iPad, Roku, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and computers.

Cost: Unless you purchase a membership for Amazon Prime at $79 per year (includes free two-day shipping on most products and other perks), Amazon instant streaming is pay-as-you-go. Select shows and movies are free.

Site: www.amazon.com

Blockbuster

The former brick-and-mortar retailer now offers movie rentals and purchases on demand. This service is not as tech-friendly as others, as it’s only available for streaming on Mac or PC computers. Once you have chosen a rental, you have 30 days to start watching and 24 hours to finish watching once you’ve started. You can re-watch rentals as many times as you want during that 24-hour period.

If you are a registered member of Blockbuster.com, select movies are available to stream for free. Many of these freebies are similar to DVD extras: featurettes, behind the scenes video and interviews with cast members.

Supported devices: Mac or PC with Flash 10, supported browsers include Internet Explorer 6 and above, Firefox 3 and above, and Chrome 5 and above.

Cost: Rentals come in three categories: Free, $2.99 or less and $3 or more. Movies available for purchase range from $9.99 or less to $20 or more.

Site: www.blockbuster.com/download

Hulu

Hulu offers tons of clips and trailers for popular TV shows, video games and movies for free. Select movies can also be viewed in their entirety for free, though most are not popular or new releases. Much of the free selection includes documentary and independent films. A larger selection of entire TV shows is available for free compared to movies, though most are only available to view for a limited amount of time.

For more features and new releases, you can subscribe to Hulu Plus and access full seasons of television shows and a larger selection of movies.

Supported devices: Smart TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, mobile phones, Roku, Apple TV, and more.

Cost: Hulu Plus is available for $7.99 per month. Select shows and movies are free. Note that there are ads on Hulu and Hulu Plus.

Site: www.hulu.com

Netflix

This service was the first to experience an explosion in its instant streaming sector. However, when the company raised prices and lost the rights to stream certain titles in 2011 it took a big hit.

There are still plenty of subscribers, despite the limited selection of new releases on instant streaming, and more will consider joining now that the company has made a deal with Disney to begin streaming its films in 2016. Of course, a lot could happen between now and then.

Currently you can stream entire seasons of TV shows (no ads) and select films. There is a huge selection of documentary and indie films. DVDs can still be sent to your door for an additional subscription cost.

Supported devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, PS3, Wii, Xbox, Roku, Apple TV, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and computers

Cost: $7.99 per month (streaming only); for an additional $7.99 per month, you can add unlimited DVD rental (one out at a time).

Site: www.netflix.com

Redbox

Verizon has collaborated with Redbox to offer instant streaming through Redbox Instant by Verizon.

The new program is still in the beta version with select users testing out the features, so changes could be made before it’s offered to the public. According to the website, popular titles will be made available to rent or purchase via instant streaming, plus credits will be provided for subscribers to rent DVD titles at Redbox kiosks.

Supported devices: No information available yet.

Cost: $8 per month

Site: www.redboxinstant.com

Vudu

Like Amazon, Vudu offers instant streaming a la carte — you only pay for what you watch. The website claims that Vudu offers the most HD movie titles, and new titles are added each week. TV shows and movies are available to rent or purchase, though the selection of TV shows is smaller than that of the movies. The company just added TV shows to their selection in the fall of 2012 and more shows are being added.

Once you have chosen a rental, you have 30 days to start watching and 24 hours to finish watching once you’ve started. You can re-watch rentals as many times as you want during that 24-hour period. However, some documentaries have a 48-hour viewing period.

Supported devices: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, HDTV, Blu-ray players, Android tablets, Roku, iPad and computers.

Cost: Many rentals are $2 for two nights, though the cost of select titles can be more or less. Each day there is a new featured 99-cent rental. The purchase price of TV shows and movies varies.

Site: www.vudu.com 

Have you tried any of these instant streaming services?

Once I find a retailer that has a website that’s easy to navigate, commonly offers coupon codes, offers free shipping and has great customer service there’s a 99% chance I’ll become a repeat customer.

To my surprise, I found all of the above this week on Kmart’s website. I’m not a regular Kmart shopper, but I’ve been searching for an affordable microwave for a few weeks now and spotted one in the store’s ad.

The microwave was already $50 off. Then, I found a coupon code for an additional $5 off and I received free shipping. On top of all that, I’ll get over $10 back in Shop Your Way Rewards.

What made this deal even more awesome was that I got the microwave delivered the very next day since it was shipped from a nearby warehouse. Next day delivery. For free. I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced a 24-hour turn around without having to pay a significant amount more.

Next time I’m searching for a basic, name brade product you can bet I’ll be checking out Kmart again.

Here are some other sites I brag on whenever I get the chance:
*Nordstrom: Free shipping and free returns, plus awesome sale prices on some brands not normally sold around Roanoke.
*Drugstore.com: There are always promos running and coupon codes to be found. I also get free two-day shipping on most products with my Shoprunner account.
*Amazon: For such a large company, the customer service is great. They get back to you quickly and get things sorted out without causing the shopper a big headache. I also love the Prime service. Before I was a Prime member, I utilized the Amazon Student service and Free Super Saver Shipping often.

These are just a few of my favorites.

What sites do you love or loathe? Let it out in the comments section below.

The biggest shopping news of 2012 included big changes at J.C. Penney and Food Lion, the continued explosion of daily deals, and changes to store rewards and coupon policies.

 JCP

J.C. Penney has remained a hot topic on the Shoptimist blog since it made changes to its coupon policy (they’re no longer accepted), named Ellen DeGeneres its spokeswoman and altered its sale schedule.

Since the initial changes last January, the retailer has done away with the monthly deals and “best prices.” Now, shoppers have two options: everyday prices and clearance prices (the final markdown of the product). The retailer did hold a sale on Black Friday, but otherwise the cheapest prices to be found in stores will be the regular clearance markdowns. There are no other scheduled sales to date.

However, shoppers still miss their coupons and aren’t as pleased with the current selection. The weekly sales are also missed by many.

Still, there are a few things that could get shoppers’ attention in the future. There’s still a chance that Sephora cosmetics could be added to Roanoke J.C. Penney stores by 2015. Additionally, the specialty “shops” in stores will increase to 40 (there are currently 11 in the Valley View location) this year. Even more will be added by 2015.

Will these changes appeal to the angry shoppers who have abandoned the store since early 2012?

Food Lion

Last March, Food Lion made some in-store changes. Aisles were widened, prices were lowered and the produce section was expanded. Local shoppers left mostly positive comments on the blog about the changes. After visiting a Food Lion, I appreciated the ample room for navigating a cart and have noticed the prices are more competitive than in the past. The produce section seems to have a better selection as well.

Additionally, kiosks that dispense Food Lion coupons were installed in stores. These coupons cannot be stacked with manufacturer coupons, which are still not doubled by the grocer, but the coupons offering dollars off your total purchase are attractive.

Doubled coupons and more self-checkout lanes remain on the wish list of many shoppers, which is something we’ll keep an eye on in 2013.

Walgreens

Walgreens introduced the Balance Rewards program in September. It allows shoppers to earn points for purchases that can later be traded in for store discounts. Rewards start at $5 for 5,000 points and go as high as $50 for 40,000 points.

To earn additional points, shoppers can enroll in Walk with Walgreens, which will give them 10 Balance Rewards points for every mile walked and tracked through the website.

This new program did not end Register Rewards, a program similar to the loyalty program at CVS. However, the introduction of Balance Rewards did cause some confusion because shoppers can now receive both points and Register Rewards for purchases.

Can the retailer come up with a better way to combine the two programs in 2013?

Dollar Tree

It seems too good to be true, but Dollar Tree, the store where everything is $1, started accepting coupons in August.

With coupon values regularly reaching 50 cents to $1, this meant lots of freebies and bargains. The retailer regularly has name-brand products that often have corresponding coupons such as Ziploc, Glad and Campbell’s.

But just a few months later, in early December, the store made some policy changes. Now, shoppers can use only two Internet coupons per household, per day and no retailer-specific coupons will be accepted.

I think the first change is the biggest. The previous policy limited it to two Internet coupons per transaction, so you could check out twice if necessary. I’m a little shocked that retailer-specific coupons were accepted in the first place.

Groopdealz

One of my favorite new online retail sites is Groopdealz, which specializes in flash sales and daily deals of boutique and Etsy vendors.

Etsy continues to grow in popularity, so a marriage between the two sites means fantastic deals on unique items. Of course, there are multiple sites like this to choose from, but this is one I can attest is legitimate.

I have found many pieces of jewelry and art prints for $10 or less on the website, and shipping often is free or minimal. I suggest “liking” the site on Facebook. The retailer sends out updates every time a sale is starting or new merchandise has been added.

What retail/shopping changes are you hoping to see in 2013?

Brad Wilson, 32, founded BradsDeals (www.bradsdeals.com), a website specializing in price comparisons, coupons and deals, in 2001 as a self-proclaimed “broke college student” at UNC Chapel Hill. Since then BradsDeals, now based in Chicago, has exploded and expanded into a second site and smartphone app devoted to the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday.

Shoppers can visit Black Friday by BradsDeals (www.blackfriday2012.com) to view leaked ads, store hours and some of the best deals of the big day as chosen by the site. And it’s never too early to start your research; in fact, Wilson says that’s key to having a successful shopping trip. 

“It’s really the one day a year where we get this kind of transparency where we can see what the stores are doing this far in advance. Start researching and make a plan,” he said.

So before you lie down for a long nap after dinner Thursday, plan your route and gather your ads. But Wilson also warns shoppers not to forget about the stores who aren’t advertising.

How to snag the big buys

“It’s really a retail-wide event. The big box stores get the most attention for putting out large ad circulars, but you can basically shop anywhere and they’ll be having some sort of promotion,” he explained.

Some of the most popular items that will be sought this year will include TVs, Kitchen Aid mixers, Dyson vacuums and apparel. BradsDeals tracks the number of clicks on products, and last Black Friday, televisions received four out of every five clicks on the site.

But just because TVs and electronics get the most attention doesn’t mean they’re the best deals available. Wilson suggests being open to any deals you see. Plus, prices will usually go back up for a couple weeks in mid-December.

Avoid the rush

Shoppers can expect the usual madness in stores this coming year, but most retailers are taking steps to reduce the rush.

Stores are staggering sale hours more this year, offering certain promotions for only a couple hours throughout the day, and some will be handing out tickets to shoppers who arrive first.

“In years past you got one bite at the apple,” Wilson said. “Now you get two or three at least if you incorporate sale times.”

The limited quantities of some of the best deals are the main cause of stress and conflict for shoppers, and this year Walmart has a solution.

“For the first time Walmart has guaranteed availability for their biggest deals,” Wilson explained. “The limited quantity thing has been a staple of the Black Friday phenomenon, but Walmart has said that anyone who’s there between 10 and 11 p.m. on Thursday will get a voucher for their best products.”

He believes that will be a game changer for the big day.

Watch out for warranties

The top concern for shoppers this year shouldn’t be return policies, as most stores extend those during the holiday season, but store warranties.

“We make a lot of big ticket purchases on [Black] Friday, and you obviously shouldn’t buy the store warranty because it’s really overpriced. Most products we buy come with a one-year warranty,” Wilson explained.

Instead of the store warranty, he suggested shoppers check with their credit card company to see if they offer extended warranty protection. Many American Express cards and VISA Signature cards offer this service.

With extended warranty protection, credit card companies can reimburse you the purchase price of products bought with select cards if the items break. Wilson explained that in many cases you end up with more money than the product costs to replace due to depreciation. If you have a card that offers this service, use it for your Black Friday purchases.

Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday

Even though Black Friday dwarfs the number of purchases made on Cyber Monday, Wilson says it’s one of his favorite ways to shop.

“The discount of online coupon codes jumps by about 5 percent that day. Pricing is a little better, discounts are aggressive and there’s a big sales tax benefit for many,” he said. “If I had to pick one day to shop, I’d pick Cyber Monday.”

While it’s true that some of the big door buster sales on Black Friday aren’t replicated online, many of the other bargains throughout the day could be.

 “If I was standing in line on Black Friday, I’d be on my phone cruising the Internet to find the same items I’m shopping for to see if I can find them for a similar price,” he said. 

What are you shopping for on Black Friday, and which stores do you plan to visit?

Whether you’re ready for it or not, Christmas is approaching — and fast.

If you’re already in the spirit, check out this free holiday music playlist from People Magazine. These free downloads feature some of today’s most popular country acts.

Here’s the full playlist:
* Brad Paisley, “Away in a Manger”
* Lady Antebellum, “The First Noel”
* Sara Evans, “O Come All Ya Faithful”
* Scotty McCreery, “Jingle Bells”
* Gloriana, “O Holy Night”
* Sammy Kershaw, “Up on the Housetop”
* Katie Armiger, “I Just Want to be with You this Christmas”

Click here to download your songs now. This deal expires on Jan. 4.

You can get this "Indivisible" bracelet for free by visiting Starbucks today.

Texas Tavern in downtown Roanoke is offering a free bowl of chile to any customers who come in with an “I voted” sticker between 6 a.m. and midnight. Click here for more details.

Bojangles is offering those with an “I voted” sticker a free cup of coffee with any purchase today. Click here for more details.

The New York Times (click here) and Wall Street Journal (click here) are both offering free unlimited website access today while the numbers unfold. Of course, you can also get all of your local updates for free from The Roanoke Times here.

Visit Olive Garden with your “I voted” sticker and you’ll be rewarded with a free dolcini (one of the restaurant’s “little dessert treats”) with the purchase of any adult entree. Click here for more details.

Chili’s is offering customers a free appetizer with this printable coupon.

Also, here’s a list of online retailers offering special promo codes today.

[UPDATE: The River and Rail on Crystal Spring Avenue in Roanoke is offering customers who visit today with an "I voted" sticker $5 off each entree and one complimentary "For the Table" order per table. To view the menu, click here.

Also, I've seen reports on other blogs and news sites about Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven and Chick-Fil-A locations offering voters special freebies. I've been in contact with the companies and all of these reports are false.]

[UPDATE: Growler's American Grill and Venue in Towers Mall is offering customers with an "I voted" sticker 10% off food purchases, plus other specials. See the restaurant's Facebook page for more information.]

[UPDATE: Growler's American Grill has extended its deal to all customers who make food purchases this evening, no voting sticker required.]

Additionally, Politico posted this interesting article earlier this week explaining why it’s actually illegal for companies to offer freebies and discounts to voters. If no proof of voting is required, however, the deal is legal (like the coupon from Chili’s or the bracelet from Starbucks). It will be interesting to see how restaurants and retailers react.

Check out this list of Election Day promo codes from PromoCodes.us.

After you vote, treat yourself to a little something special.

1. My M&Ms
Through Nov. 6, save $10 on orders of $65, or 15% off orders of $100, with promo codes CHOOSE10 and CHOOSE15, respectively.

2. Macy’s
Click here to save 15% or 20% on select items with Macy’s promo code ELECT through Nov. 6.

3. Elizabeth Arden
Get 15% off $60, 25% off $75, or 35% off orders of $150 through Nov. 6 with code VOTE.

4. Old Navy
Take 25% off any order through Nov. 7 with promo code ONTAKE25.

5. Lands’ End
Get free shipping with every order through Nov. 7 with code ELECTION and this pin.

6. Amazon
Save 20% on $80 or more orders of select handbags, sunglasses, accessories and more through Nov. 16 with code BAGSFALL.

7. West Elm
Get free shipping on all orders through Nov. 7 with promo code VOTEFREE.

8. Famous Footwear
Take 20% off any order through Nov. 10 with code WINTER12.

9. Sierra Trading Post
Save 20% on any order through Nov. 7 with code ACJPUMPKIN2.

10. Build-a-Bear
Get the Patriotic Bear for just $5 with any purchase of $30 or more through Nov. 29 with code 98280.

Know of any other great deals in honor of Election Day? Share them!

FreeShipping.org sent me this great list of online promotions happening in honor of Columbus Day. Enjoy!

CLOTHES AND SHOES

Gap
Take 30% off your order at Gap through Oct. 8 with code GAPCOLOR.

Ann Taylor
Use a coupon code to save 30% on any order through Oct. 8.

Calvin Klein
Take 30% off shoes and 40% off sweaters and outerwear through Oct. 8.

Maidenform
Get 20% off sitewide plus free shipping through Oct. 8.

ShoeMall
Take $14.92 off your order of $50 or more through Oct. 9 with coupon code COLUMBUS.

Kohl’s
Through Oct. 8, save 15% on all orders with code BUYMORE15, or 20% on orders of $100 or more with code BUYMORE20.

Lord & Taylor
Save an extra 10% on regular and sale products through Oct. 7 with code CDAYPLUS.

OnlineShoes
Get free shipping plus 20% off through Oct. 9 with promo code 2FALL4U.

Nine West
Take 30% off “Wear Now” styles through Oct. 8.

Macy’s
Save 15% on most orders through Oct. 8 with promo code DEALS.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Bath & Body Works
Get free shipping on orders of $50 or more plus $10 off orders of $30 or more with code FALL1050.

Shu Uemura
Get free shipping on any order through Oct. 7 with code FSHIPPING.

Vitamin World
Save 25% at Vitamin World through Oct. 10 with code TAVCD25.

Elizabeth Arden
Get a free 12-piece gift plus free shipping with your purchase of $65 or more through Oct. 10 with code FALLGLAM.

The Body Shop
Save $20 on orders of $60 or more through Oct. 31 with code OCTOBERISH.

Know of any other great deals this weekend? Share them below.

Today (Wednesday) only, shoppers who spend $30 or more and use their Balance Rewards card at Walgreens will earn 5,000 points, which equals a $5 reward.

Qualifying products can be bought in stores or online.

Use your coupons and look for sale products so you can really stock up!

If you haven’t signed up yet, click here for more information about the new Balance Rewards Program.

Graphic by scottbrand.com.

If you haven’t signed up for Scott Shared Values yet, now is a great time.

The site is offering a free $5 Amazon mp3 credit to members who answer one simple question about their buying habits — that’s it!

Once you answer the question you’ll be given a one-time-use code to enter on Amazon and retrieve your $5 credit.

Your mp3 credit won’t expire until Jan. 31, and Amazon runs specials on individual mp3 songs and albums all the time, some as low as 99 cents or $2 per album!

The site was a bit slow when I was entering my codes (presumably from all the sudden traffic), so do be patient.

Smartphone users have access to thousands of apps, so sometimes it’s hard to know where to start if you’re searching for something specific.

Shopping apps are especially popular these days, but there are hundreds to choose from. It’s disappointing to download an app only to figure out it doesn’t work well in your area, so I did some research. I tested some of the most popular shopping apps and how they’d work in Roanoke. Some were more successful than others.

Here are some notes from my experience:

Shopkick

Free: iPhone, Android

Shopkick rewards the user with points, or “kicks,” for visiting participating stores. Start the app when entering a store and shoppers can get a certain number of kicks just for visiting. More kicks can be earned for making purchases, and the app offers exclusive deals and coupons for users. Kicks can be cashed in for gift cards, movie tickets and more, or donated to different causes.

While reading up about this app, I loved the idea. Rewards start as low as three kicks to donate to Carbonfund.org and go as high as 6,250,000 kicks for a Princess cruise. In between there were gift cards for various retailers at about 1,200 kicks.

Unfortunately, this app is very temperamental. You have to activate the app and stand in just the right spot at the front of a store to get your kicks. The only store I visited where the app actually rewarded me was Target, where I got 60 kicks. The app didn’t recognize any of the stores I visited at Valley View Mall, such as Barnes & Noble or Macy’s.

If the kinks can get worked out, this app could ultimately be rewarding — but it’s not quite there.

Wrapp

Free: iPhone, Android

The offer of free gift cards seems too good to be true, but somehow Wrapp manages.

This self-proclaimed “social gift-giving service” has various free gift cards from retailers available for users to give as gifts to Facebook friends and anyone on their phone’s contact list. Wrapp gift cards also can be purchased or users can add money to a free gift card.

The app encourages users to “celebrate” their friends, so they can send gifts for any occasion, or choose to have a gift card sent on the friend’s birthday.

I got a free $5 gift card to Gap upon signing up for this app — an encouraging start. I tested the gift card in the Gap at Valley View. The store employee had never seen or heard of Wrapp, but tested the barcode for me. Sure enough, I received a $5 credit off of a scarf I had found on clearance. Be careful: Once you open the gift card and select “Use in store,” it will expire. The app also suggests that you keep an ID handy in case stores need verification.

I also experimented with sending gift cards to my friends and was successful.

There were free gift cards from Gap, Sephora, Adidas, MLB.com, OmahaSteaks.com, Fab.com, The Wall Street Journal and more. The gifts can be sent via text message, email or Facebook, so it’s not necessary for the recipient to have a Facebook account. It was really simple to select a friend, select a gift card, include my own message and have the gift card delivered instantly.

Zoomingo

Free: iPhone, Android

This app is meant to alert the user of local sales and deals. The app also has its own Pinterest page with alerts to online sales.

The app works by collecting the shopper’s ZIP code once the app is opened, so the information provided is strictly local. Sales can be browsed by store, product or department.

I didn’t find this app very useful. Browsing through sale merchandise and stores is not very convenient on the small screen of a smartphone, and the navigation could use some work. The entire app operated very slowly. The sale prices at local stores did appear to be up to date, with the exception of a few clearance items I found.

Personally, I’d rather physically shop for specific products at stores I know and trust instead of browsing a large list looking for good prices.

Google Shopper

Free: iPhone, Android

Though this app can be used on iPhone or Android, it likely cooperates better on Android because it’s a Google program. Users can use the app to search for specific products and find price comparisons locally and online.

Shoppers also can use Google Shopper to scan barcodes or take a picture of a product and find price comparisons. The app will store the user’s history and a shopping list, plus it provides various lists, such as featured offers, popular items each week and weekly sales.

Price comparison apps have been around for a while, but this is the best one I’ve tried yet. The option to take a photo of a product and get price comparisons is especially impressive. I’m always a little leery of clearance prices at stores, especially if it’s a product I’m not used to buying. Is it really a good price?

I found a Crayola Washable Kaleidoscope 3-D Sidewalk Chalk Activity Set on clearance at Target and decided to test the app. The chalk set was on clearance at Target for $7.49, and Toys R Us right down the street had the same set for $9.99 — it was a deal. The app has up-to-date prices and will show you online deals as well as local deals, making it very convenient.

Barcode Scanner

Free: iPhone, Android

This app has been a popular download for a long time. The app is a no-frills program that allows shoppers to scan barcodes and get price comparisons. After scanning, there are three options: a product search, a Web search or a Google Shopper search.

The simplicity of this app was great, but the best results for each product I scanned came from Google Shopper. Since I had already downloaded that app, Barcode Scanner seemed a bit redundant. The product search and Web search results weren’t very helpful when it came to immediate, local price comparisons. I’ll stick with Google Shopper.

Coupon Sherpa

Free: iPhone, Android

Coupon Sherpa offers hundreds of in-store coupons. The app doesn’t allow retail results to be narrowed by ZIP code, but coupons can be browsed by retail store or grocery store. Grocery coupons can be uploaded to a store shopper card and retail coupons can be scanned from the shopper’s phone (if the store allows it). The expiration date and any limitations also are listed.

Despite being unable to limit the app’s results to Roanoke, I found this app extremely useful. It’s very easy to browse the store list and find coupons. Coupon Sherpa is user-friendly, quick and up-to-date.

The one problem that shoppers may come across is a store’s inability, or noncompliance, to scan the coupon from phones. Some stores have a policy that requires printed coupons, but it often depends on the cashier.

Always try, because the worst thing that could happen is they say no. Many local stores had coupons available, including Kroger, Macy’s, American Eagle, A.C. Moore, Bath & Body Works, Belk and many more.

Do you have a favorite shopping app? Which app are you looking forward to trying?

Some bargain hunters are just not early birds (this girl), so it’s hard to roll out of bed early on Saturdays to take advantage of the low-cost, high-quality items at yard sales.

Luckily, sites like www.craigslist.com make it possible to shop for inexpensive, or even free, stuff any day and any time of the week. I recently found a great chair on Craigslist for only $50. I emailed the seller on a Sunday evening and had it in my room by Tuesday.

Finding a site that allows you to search by a specific region or ZIP code is key. Craigslist allows you to pick a city and only see results in that area. From time to time, local shops even post some of their new merchandise on the site.

If you’re looking for freebies, there’s also a section specifically for those. You’d be surprised what some people are willing to part with at no cost if you’re willing to pick it up. Many sellers include photos, and if it’s not a freebie the seller is usually open to bargaining, helping you narrow down the listings.

FreeCycle is another great spot to find local freebies. Visit freecycle.org and type in your city and state and you can instantly see up-to-date listings of your neighbors’ free stuff. There are also “wanted” listings, so it’s another outlet for getting rid of your own clutter. Be aware that the site is experiencing some hiccups lately as it recently changed formats, so be patient.

As if you need another reason to log on to Facebook, it’s a great resource for buying and selling goods as well.

Montgomery County and the Roanoke Valley both have Facebook pages dedicated to locals trying to sell their stuff. Montgomery County Yard Sale has more than 5,000 members and the Roanoke Valley Yard Sale page has more than 7,000, so users can reach a large audience if they’re trying to sell. Facebook also allows you to view photos of the items for sale and have a direct interaction with the seller via personal messages or the commenting system.

Additionally, Facebook has its own Marketplace app, which is very similar to the two pages mentioned above. Narrow your search results by city and state, and you can see listings created by your friends and others in your area. You can even limit the search results to a specific neighborhood. The marketplace also has an area exclusively for free items.

All of these resources are free to post on and browse, but there are also ways to ensure your ad gets seen by paying for a spot in The Roanoke Times classifieds section.

The classified pages are a little more precisely organized both in print and online at classified.roanoke.com. You can guarantee your listing will be published as many days as you desire and it gets equal viewing with the other listings, unlike with the aforementioned online resources, which are live updated, so your post gets bumped down as the days go on.

Another positive to buying and selling products through these local resources is there are no shipping costs. I would recommend dealing with cash in all instances — it’s the safest and least complicated option.

What’s your favorite shopping resource for picking up local new, used and free merchandise?

Toys R Us is offering up to 60% off on much of its toy stock today only during its Cyber Clearance Event.

This is a great, uncomplicated deal — you don’t even need a coupon code! However, the deal is online only.

Orders today will also be eligible for  free in-store pickup. If you choose free in-store pickup, your order should be ready today.

Pizza can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights or a great way to unwind on the weekend when you don’t feel like cooking.

Cheap (yet still delicious) pizza makes both of those scenarios even better.

Now through Sunday, Domino’s Pizza is offering 50% off pizza orders placed on Dominos.com. This promotion is only valid on pizza and online orders, but it could still add up to big savings.

Just use the code 50OFF when placing your order.

If you’re a member of Shoprunner, you’ll also get free delivery.

Save some dough by searching for lovebirds you know at Macys.com. Photo: Macys.com screenshot.

We’re in the thick of wedding season, and being a guest can be pricey if you have multiple ceremonies to attend.

That’s why I’m loving this offer from Macy’s.

If you know someone with a wedding registry at Macys.com, you can get $20 off a $100 registry purchase by using the code GIFT at checkout.

If you’re not making a purchase of $100, try the code SUMMER to receive 15% off qualifying purchases (no minimum purchase is listed, but there are exclusions).

This offer is good through June 30, so you have some time to take advantage of it.

These offers are only available online.

There are few things I love more than a bargain on gift cards. A discount on a gift card means you’re literally getting more for your money, and who doesn’t want that?

Right now Best Buy is offering iTunes gift cards for 15% off (online only). That means you can pick up a $15 gift card for $12.75 or a $100 gift card for only $85. Plus there are various options in between.

The multipacks are also on sale — you could pick up a pack of three $10 gift cards for only $25.50.

Also, these gift cards ship for free, so that’s even more savings!

I know my dad loves receiving iTunes gift cards, so keep this in mind for your own pops on his special day (remember, Father’s Day is June 17).

There’s no word on how long this sale will last. If you’re interested, I’d recommend ordering ASAP!

Now through Thursday you can earn a free $2 MP3 credit from Amazon.

All you have to do is click here, name your favorite song of the moment and then share the information on your Facebook wall (you can always delete the post right after if you don’t want to continue using the app).

The credit will automatically be added to your Amazon account and you’ll be streaming free music before you know it.

Just be quick! You must use your credits by Thursday.

Note: Amazon MP3s can be streamed through iTunes. I’ve found that Amazon is often cheaper than iTunes and it’s become my go-to place to buy music, but I still keep track of all my files through iTunes.

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.

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.

Leap Day only comes around every 4 years, so be sure to take advantage of these deals before they disappear!

[UPDATE:

6pm.com is having a big $29 outerwear sale today. You can stock up on shoes, jackets and coats from big name brands like Nine West, Sperry, The North Face, Patagonia, New Balance and more. Plus, you’ll automatically get free shipping!

The Children’s Place is offering free shipping on every order today. Additionally, you can get 15% off your entire purchase with the code RETAILMENOT22. Looks like there are some great sale items available.

The Limited and Eloquii  (sister brands) have a special online-only deal today. When you buy any top or sweater, you’ll get another one free. Free item must be of equal or lesser value.  It doesn’t appear that clearance or sale items are excluded.

[UPDATE:

The Homestead in Hot Springs is having a sale of their own on Feb. 29. Book one night with their best available rate and get the second night for just $29 (taxes and 15% daily resort charge not included). For more information, call 839-1766.

Participating Chick-fil-A locations will be giving away free chick-n-minis from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 29. Click here to see a full list of locations. I’d recommend calling to confirm they’re participating before heading out early!
**The Southern Hills and Valley View (the location outside the mall) restaurants will be offering a different deal. From 1 to 4 p.m. small milkshakes will be buy 1, get 1 free on Feb. 29. This offer is being promoted through the Chick-Fil-A Roanoke Facebook page, so just mention the deal — no coupon necessary.
No word on what NRV and other restaurants will be offering.

Subway is offering a free cookie with any purchase on Feb. 29. Combine that with the $5 footlong deal this month and you’ve got a cheap lunch. Click here for more details.

Kendal Perez if FreeShipping.org passed along this big list of sporting goods website offering Leap Day deals:
1. Lids
Save 20% on hat orders of $60 or more through Feb. 29 with code 20LIDS2.
2. Finish Line
Take $10 off orders of $60 or more though March 15 with Finish Line coupon code GAN2011.
3. Under Armour
Get free shipping on any order through Feb. 29 with code FVMJHCJAD6Q.
4. Reebok
Get 50% off NFL items through March 1 with promo code NFL50.
5. Sports Authority
Through Feb. 29, save 20% on any single item during the friends and family event (no code required).
6. Famous Footwear
Get 15% off any order through March 4 with Famous Footwear promo code 15SPORT.
7. Sierra Trading Post
Take 20% off any order through March 7 with promo code ALSUPER2.
8. Eastern Mountain Sports
Get free shipping with orders of $48 or more through Feb. 29 (no code required).
9. Gaiam
Enjoy free shipping on any size order through March 31 with code AFLOGOFRSH7512.
10. Shoes.com
Get free shipping plus 10% off all orders through Feb. 29 with promo code CHEERS.
Additionally, any orders placed tomorrow on Zappos will fall under a special 4-year return policy. Wow! Check out more details here.

Know of any other Leap Day deals? Share them!

Discover Card holders should be pleased with this perk currently offered by Amazon.

Now through March 31 cardholders will receive free one-day shipping on items sold directly through Amazon by using the code DSCVRSHP and paying with their Discover.

This means other retailers selling their merchandise through Amazon don’t qualify. Look for the note that says “ships from and sold by Amazon.com” for confirmation that you’re product qualifies for the promotion.

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Easter are all coming up in the next few months, so it might be a good time to pick up some presents early and save on shipping costs.

Receive two $25 iTunes gift cards from Staples for only $40 now through March 3. Graphic by apple.com.

If you’re an avid iTunes shopper (this girl is), then check out this great deal Staples has on iTunes gift cards now.

When you order two $25 gift cards from the retailer, you’ll receive an instant discount of $10. In other words, you’ll get $50 worth of gift cards for only $40 — that’s like free money/music!

Additionally, shipping is free.

It may be tough to think of dropping $40 on a whim, but you can hold onto these gift cards for birthdays and holidays down the road or use them yourself. You really are saving in the long run if you have a need for the cards at any point in the near future.

There’s a limit of four gift cards per person, and this offer will expire on March 3 (or sooner, as they reserve the right to end the promotion at any time).

If you’re intrested I suggest you buy your cards sooner rather than later!

All You magazine is a favorite among couponers. The magazine is filled with great coupons and other money saving tips. The couponers I recently profiled even brought it up. 

Right now, Amazon has the magazine available for $1 an issue — so you’ll receive a full year for only $12! Usually the magazine retails for around $2.50.

Now, this is an auto-renewal deal, so that’s why it’s so much cheaper (the regular 1-year subscription goes for $19.95). That means if you’re not interested in keeping the magazine for over a year you’ll have to remember to cancel it.

Are you a fan of All You?

**Note: Amazon prices can change at any time, so look closely before you pull out the credit card!