Take a close look at any of the items around you now and you’ll likely go on a tour around the world.

You’ll see “Made in China,” “Made in Taiwan,” “A Product of Canada,” or maybe even “Made in U.K.” — those are just a few labels from the items on my desk. Then there’s the “Made in USA” stamp many folks are yearning to see on more of their purchases.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, unless the product is an automobile, a textile or a wool product, there’s no law that requires them to include a “Made in USA” claim — though I’m not sure why companies wouldn’t.

The FTC also recognizes that since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Americans are more interested in buying American-made products. However, if a business claims to make its products in America, “all or virtually all” of the manufacturing must be done on U.S. soil.

That means all significant pieces of a product must be made stateside. There is plenty of fine print that goes along with specific products, especially food and the three mentioned above.

Consumer Reports also notes that if products are manufactured or go through a “substantial transformation” in a country other than the United States, it must be stated clearly. That’s why you may have some confusion over meat, seafood or prepackaged products in the grocery store that say they’re from a certain state, but also list that they’re made in another country.

For example, in the seafood department you could find “North Carolina-caught shrimp” that was sent to another country to be shelled, processed and frozen before being sent back to your grocery store. That’s considered a substantial transformation, so it may be listed as caught in North Carolina but “made” in another country.

Some manufacturers try to mislead shoppers by including an American flag or other patriotic symbols on their product labels. If you want to be sure you’re buying American, read closely — you might find that the product was manufactured in another country. There’s no law that says companies can’t include patriotic images on their labels as long as the product also states where it was made.

But there are a few brands that are manufactured in America or are even moving their operations back.

KitchenAid and Master Lock are just two companies that have in-sourced some of their labor to the U.S. Other popular names that do some or all of their manufacturing on U.S. soil, according to Consumer Reports, include Crayola, Little Tikes, Maglite, Pyrex, Stihl, Lynox, Oreck, Gibson, Martin, Sharpie and Wilson.

American-made clothing can be difficult to find. Stetson, Brooks Brothers, New Balance, Orvis, Woolrich, L.L. Bean and Lands’ End are all doing some manufacturing in the U.S.

If you’re interested in finding out if your favorite products are manufactured in the U.S., it’s best to contact someone directly from the brand. Often a phone number and/or Web address is listed on product labels.

You also can visit websites such as Consumer Reports , the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Trade Commission, www.madeinusaforever.com, www.americansworking.com or www.madeinusa.org to see lists of American-made products and guidelines.

On a more local scale, shopping farmers markets and locally owned stores is the easiest way to find Virginia-made products.

You can speak to the people directly involved in growing, harvesting, crafting or purchasing for their business and know exactly where the products are coming from. The website Shop Virginia’s Finest also has a selection of agricultural and food products approved by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Are you more likely to buy a product if it’s made in America? What are your favorite products that are made in the U.S.?

Heads up CVS shoppers!

If you are a pharmacy customer, head over to the website now and sign up for an online pharmacy account. Once you create your account you’ll be rewarded with a coupon offering $3 off your next shopping visit.

You can also earn ExtraBucks by managing your prescriptions online. Read more details in this blog post from January.

While shopping around for car insurance recently I was surprised at how easy it was to rack up discounts.

Consumer Reports says that more than 60 percent of drivers have been with the same insurance carrier for 10 or more years — those are some big numbers. If you haven’t checked on your rates lately it’s worth shopping around because you could save big.

It’s extremely easy to get rate quotes now with the online programs most companies offer. Enter some basic information and you can get a quote instantly.

However, it’s wise to call your local office before making a commitment. Local insurance representatives can often dig up even more savings for you and tailor your plan even more to meet your needs.

Some discounts drivers aren’t aware of include deals for good students, long-time customers, drivers with good records and members of certain clubs, fraternities and societies. Some universities even have a connection to various insurers, so your degree could save you some cash. If you’re willing and able to pay your bill in-full instead of making monthly payments you’ll often get a lower rate, as well.

Another easy way to save is by bundling insurance policies. Keeping all of your policies with one carrier can lead to hefty percentages off your bill.

For example, when I bundled my renter’s insurance and car insurance I saved an additional 20 percent. But compare each of the policies you’re considering bundling before committing — if all of the details of each policy aren’t exactly what you need then a discount may not be worth it.

If you have been a long-time customer and would prefer not to change insurance carriers, it’s still worth a call to your local agent. Your needs can change through the years and you may need more or less coverage in certain areas.

For example, if you have changed jobs and are driving fewer miles per year, you could save a little extra. It never hurts to check in and ask where you could be saving money. Mentioning that you’re shopping around isn’t a bad idea either. At times agents can offer extra discounts to customers who are considering a switch.

Some companies are also coming up with ways to track your driving, which can lead to discounts.

Progressive’s Snapshot program is the most well known. Upon signing up, you’ll receive a device that plugs into your car and tracks your driving habits. The data can be tracked online where you can see projected savings. If you choose to renew your policy those projected savings can become actual savings.

When was the last time you shopped around for insurance? What discounts were you able to track down?

To be perfectly honest, I don’t enjoy getting my hair cut.
Even though it’s a necessity of life, I usually get stressed out by the process: making the appointment, blocking out time, worrying if my cut and style will look right, pulling out my debit card for the inevitable bill — it’s just not my favorite way to spend an afternoon.

Luckily, I’ve learned a few ways to cut corners and make the process a little more affordable, and therefore a little more enjoyable.

One positive thing about haircuts is that you truly can pay what you want for them.
Whether you are brazen enough to bring out the trimmers at home or prefer the full salon experience, there’s a price for every budget. Decide what your price-point is and start calling around.
Some salons have different levels of stylists who vary in price. It’s also possible to save by requesting a dry cut (skipping the shampoo). If you’re just looking for a basic trim and not a full cut and style, there could be a price difference, as well.

Most chain locations are significantly cheaper than full-service salons. In between those extremes you’ll find local barbershops and hairdressers that offer a variety of services for a mid-level price. Also, coupons for chain salons are common. They can be found on the backs of grocery receipts, online and in the newspaper.
It’s also possible to find deals for local businesses, though. Salons and beauty shops often offer daily deal vouchers or advertise monthly specials, frequently on their Facebook pages or websites. These deals are great ways to support local businesses, get pampered and save. Keeping an eye out for new salons offering grand opening or seasonal specials (such as back to school) is another option.

Beauty institutes training students often provide affordable services to the public. In most cases, the students have reached a certain point in their education and are closely monitored by instructors while they work. Allowing students to practice on you helps them and can save you 50 percent or more off the cost of a professional salon service.
To get an idea of what’s offered locally, both the Regency Beauty Institute (www.regencybeauty.com) in Roanoke and P.Zaz the School (www.pzaztheschool.com) in Daleville have their services and price lists posted online. You can find other schools by using the Beauty Schools Directory at www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com.

Extending the time between cuts is an easy way to save money. If you have a short hairdo or color your hair, this can be a little more difficult, though.
At-home coloring has come a long way over the years and various brands now sell kits just for root touch-up, which is one way to stretch the time between salon visits. Some women do a daily check for split ends that need to be snipped. This upkeep can help hair look lively between cuts.

Alternating trips between your favorite salon and a more affordable barbershop or chain also is an option. Similarly, you can alternate at-home color with color done by a professional. Both of these options cut costs but still let you enjoy a special treat from time to time.

What’s your favorite tip for saving money on hair care?

Baseballs sit in the grass during a Red Sox practice. Photo by JOEL HAWKSLEY | The Roanoke Times

We’re finally getting some warm weather just in time for the boys of summer to hit the field.

The Salem Red Sox opened its home season Friday night against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and there’s a long season ahead (the last Sox game will be at home on Sept. 2), so you have plenty of opportunities coming up to catch a game.

What makes the start of baseball season even more exciting is that there are lots of ways to save on game tickets and lots of freebies to be earned.

Advance & flex plans

The simplest way to save a few bucks is to buy individual game tickets in advance. Any ticket purchased at least 24 hours before a game is $2 off. That makes premium seats $10, box seats $8 and general admission seats $6. There’s also a $1 discount off the walk-up price (which is $12 for premium seats, $10 for box seats and $8 for general admission seats) for kids 12 and younger or senior citizens 65 and older.

Anyone planning to go to multiple games throughout the season should consider purchasing one of two 10-game Flex Plans available.

The 10th Man Flex Plan is $60 and includes 10 general admission game tickets and your choice of one $5 meal voucher for concessions or a 47 Brand Salem Red Sox hat ($20 value).

The Ballpark’s Best Flex Plan is $80 and comes with 10 undated ticket vouchers good for Strike Zone, box or general admission seats, a 47 Brand Salem Red Sox hat and one $5 meal voucher.

There are also deals specifically for kids and seniors who plan to attend multiple games.

The Kids Club for children 12 and younger costs $30 and includes 10 undated general admission tickets.

With this package, kids also receive a membership T-shirt, two autograph sessions with Red Sox players, five vouchers for the Kids Zone, a 10 percent discount in the souvenir store, a 10 percent discount on baseball camps, two free tickets to each of the three family nights and a coupon booklet for concession items. Additionally, kids will get a free hotdog, chips and soda on each of the 10 Kids Eat Free Sunday games. The total value of this package is more than $250.

Todd Stephenson, vice president and general manager of the team, pointed out that a family of four can purchase two adult Flex Plans and two Kids Club memberships and attend 10 games throughout the summer for $180, plus enjoy the additional perks listed above.

For seniors, groups & dogs

Adults 55 and older might consider joining the Silver Sluggers club.

For $30 members receive 10 undated box seat tickets, a membership T-shirt, a coupon booklet for concession items, a 10 percent discount in the souvenir store, entry to two Silver Slugger events in the club level, an exclusive meet the team party and a shot to be chosen Silver Slugger of the Game. The Silver Slugger of the Game is selected at random during each Silver Slugger game and wins a prize package. The total value of this package is $180.

Scout troops, youth groups and other clubs should look into special group pricing. Groups of 30 or more people can purchase general admission seats for $5 or box seats for $7. Group tickets must be purchased in advance. Stephenson suggests 10 days in advance for general admission seats or 14 days in advance for box seats.

There’s even a special deal for furry friends.

Dogs are welcome to come and enjoy Bark in the Park during every Sunday home game. Dogs can enter the park for $5 per game, or you can buy a 10-game season pass for $20. Four-legged fans are required to bring proof of vaccination to enter.

Other promotions

Throughout the season there are also tons of promotions for all attendees. All weekend games include poster giveaways for the first 500 fans. May 17-19, the ballpark will be supporting breast cancer research with Pink in the Park. Before these games, 1,000 pink T-shirts will be given away on Friday and 1,000 pink tuxedo T-shirts will be given away on Saturday.

For more information about upcoming promotions at Salem Red Sox games, a full game schedule and to order tickets, visit www.salemredsox.com or call 389-3333.

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?

It’s easy to lose sight of your spending and debt when so many payments are automatically drafted and carrying cash is nearly obsolete.

With most banks moving away from paper statements, you could go for months without seeing what’s going into and coming out of your bank account each day. That makes it tough to stick to a budget.

With the help of some online tools, though, you can sort out your cents without the help of a pricey financial guru.

Here are some of the best free personal finance tools out there:

Credit Sesame

I downloaded this free app when I was about to buy my first car.

Enter some basic financial information and the program will calculate your credit score as well as your total debt and home value, if you want. I like the charts that show my debt-to-income ratio and how my payments have changed over time. For young adults this program provides an easy entry into personal finance, while seasoned money-crunchers will appreciate the facts and figures this app provides.

You can also visit the website for a detailed view of your accounts and more tips on how you can save.

Devices: PC, Apple and Android
Sign up: www.creditsesame.com

Mint

This is a popular free online service that can open your eyes to how much you’re spending. When you create an account you can link your bank account, retirement account, loans, property, investments and credit cards and Mint will go to work.

Set up budgets for yourself, like a monthly allowance on groceries and entertainment, and Mint tells you how much you’re already spending on each category. If you have over- or underspent, the program tells you by how much and where you can start saving.

Take some time to really utilize all aspects of this service. Check your finance trends to see what’s going on with your money. Set goals for things like paying off loans, saving for college or saving for retirement. The site will calculate a time frame and your total savings for each goal.

Devices: PC, Apple and Android
Sign up: www.mint.com

Ready For Zero

If your goal is to pay off debt, this is a valuable service.

Link your financial accounts to the program and it will help you make a customized payment plan. The basic free tools on Ready For Zero allow you to experiment and see how much you can save by entering various monthly payments. Once you find an amount that fits your budget, the service can take over your payments to ensure they’re done on time.

Your progress will also be tracked, and you can sign up for notifications when there are changes to any of your financial accounts (like large deposits or bank charges).

Devices: PC, Apple
Sign up: www.readyforzero.com

LearnVest

LearnVest is a budgeting program similar to Mint, where you can link and track accounts. The basic service is free, but if you need more assistance you can pay to unlock features of the site, such as one-on-one contact with a financial planner.

I think the best part of this service is the variety of articles available. There are some great tips that clarify a lot of the financial blunders we all encounter from time to time.

Devices: PC, Apple
Sign up: www.learnvest.com

Student Loan Hero

Whether you’re preparing for college or are about to bust into the post-graduate real world, Student Loan Hero is a great free service for understanding student loan payments.

The financial directory can answer most questions students and recent graduates have and familiarize them with terms associated with loans. You can also send an email with specific questions and get personalized advice from the site.

Like the services above, you can link your loan accounts and it tracks and charts your payments. There are some practical tips for saving on monthly payments as well.

Devices: PC, Apple (no mobile apps are available at this time)
Sign up: www.studentloanhero.com

Before signing up for these services and linking your financial accounts to them, I recommend carefully reading their privacy policies. Each of these services is known to be safe and accurate, but there are plenty of scams out there too.

What’s your favorite personal finance service? How do you keep tabs on your money?

As a kid, I loved Easter egg hunts.

Running around outside in the early spring weather, or inside if it was rainy spring weather, hunting for brightly colored eggs was always exciting.

On Easter morning, the bunny always stuffed my eggs with some chocolate and special treats, but the egg hunts were all about who could gather the most — bragging rights were very important, as most of the time those eggs were empty.

However, if you’re hosting an egg hunt and want to add a few surprises, here’s a list of 50 fun egg fillers that cost less than $5.

 1. Stickers

2. Erasers

3. Mini nail polish

4. Matchbox/Hot Wheels car

5. LEGOs

6. Barbie or doll clothes

7. Bouncy balls

8. Hair bows and clips

9. Beads

10. Army men

11. Silly Putty

12. Marbles

13. Balloons

14. Temporary tattoos

15. Stick-on earrings

16. Mini nail file

17. Mini lip gloss

18. Earphones

19. Costume jewelry

20. Little People figures

21. Colorful socks

22. Magnets

23. Plastic animal figures

24. Seed packets

25. Puzzle pieces (may need to split into multiple eggs)

26. Pencil toppers

27. Mini highlighters

28. Colorful Band-Aids

29. Mini bottles of bubbles

30. Whistles

31. Stamps

32. Glitter

33. Mini football helmets

34. Paint pots

35. A clue to a bigger hidden gift or treasure hunt clues

36. Homemade coupons for special treats or favors

37. Mini toy kaleidoscope

38. Play-Doh

39. Grow capsules (they turn into sponges in water)

40. Glow-in-the-dark stars

41. Key chain

42. Mini glow sticks

43. Foam craft shapes

44. Mini stapler

45. Sports cards

46. Chuck E. Cheese tokens

47. Bicycle spoke beads

48. Pocket mirror

49. Window clings

50. Mini playing cards

What else do you like to stuff into your eggs?

After a great discussion on the Shoptimist blog a few weeks ago about the popularity of e-books, I realized that there are ways to save on other reading material too, like magazines.

Whether you prefer to read your magazines on an e-reader or the old-fashioned paper form, there are tons of ways to get subscriptions for free or cheap. Personally, I subscribe to four different magazines, none of which I’ve had to pay for. It’s great to have so many freebies show up in my mailbox monthly.

Survey panels

One way I’ve gotten free subscriptions is through e-Rewards, an opinion panel I was invited to participate in.

I take surveys on a variety of topics for the website and earn digital e-Rewards dollars in return. There’s a full list of magazine subscriptions (as well as other rewards) I can cash in my survey money for, and many of them are popular titles.

Unfortunately this website is only available by invitation, but it works with many different retailers. I got my invitation on a receipt from the retailer Express. What’s great about the e-Rewards system is that I don’t have to enter any credit card information when I sign up for a magazine, so there won’t be any tricky charges.

Not all survey panels are invitation only. MySurvey, Pinecone Research, Inbox Dollars, Vindale Research, Opinion Place and Ipsos are all legitimate survey sites that pay cash or offer rewards, like magazine subscriptions. Each site opens up for new survey takers at various times throughout the year.

Websites

I’ve also signed up for free magazine subscriptions through Mercury Magazines. The best way to get notifications about deals from this website is to sign up for email alerts, which you can do at www.mercurymagazines.com.

About twice each week I get notifications about free magazine deals. Some of the offers are for digital subscriptions while others are hard-copy subscriptions. Also, the number of issues you receive can vary; some deals are as few as two months while others can be a full year. You don’t have to enter any payment information on this site either.

Other websites where you can find free or deeply discounted subscriptions are Amazon, ValueMags (www.valuemags.com), Discount Magazines (www.discountmagazines.com) and Rewards Gold (www.rewardsgold.com). Prices fluctuate daily, so check back often if you don’t see what you’re looking for.

Go digital

If you are a subscriber to a magazine already, chances are you also have a digital subscription that can be viewed on youre-reader. If that’s not the case, there are still some outlets for you.

Amazon Prime members can access many magazines for free and at special promotional prices through the Kindle Store. The Nook app, Zinio and Next Issue also offer discounted digital-only subscriptions for various eReaders, tablets and smartphones.

Split a deal

Magazines often advertise buy one, get one free or buy one, get one half-off deals. If you have a friend or relative who’s also interested in getting a subscription, these can save money or make great gifts. Just watch out for the fine print. Important details to verify include how many months are included and whether the deal is on auto-renewal.

Auto-renewal, promotional prices

If you do find a subscription that automatically renews itself, call well in advance to cancel the next pay period if you’re not interested in continuing the deal. This option should be available to you right after subscribing, so don’t wait until it’s too late.

On the other hand, auto-renewal magazines are often some of the best bargains, so if it’s a publication you know you want to keep receiving, they can be great in the long run.

As a subscriber, you do have some power. If you notice the subscription price of a magazine has gone up, it never hurts to call and ask the company to renew your promotional price. Even if you can’t get the exact deal, they may offer you something else that will save money. Mentioning you may not keep your subscription because of rising costs is a surefire way to get a bargain. 

What great magazine deals have you found? Have you made the transition to digital, or do you still prefer hard copies?

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?

Graphic by MCT.

In addition to this blog and my Facebook page, there’s a new way to follow me and find freebies, deals and money saving tips.

You can now follow RTShoptimist on Twitter, where I’ll be re-tweeting the best deals that I find and sharing some links of my own. Basically, I’ll follow all of those other Twitter feeds so you don’t have to — that’s a pretty sweet deal in itself, right?

If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can still keep tabs on what’s going on with the widget on the lower right side of the blog. From there you’ll still be able to see what I write and click on any links that are posted.

For those of you who are experienced on Twitter, I’d love your suggestions on what feeds to follow (or which to avoid).

The hype around extreme couponing seems to have slowed recently, maybe because shoppers are returning to their normal habits, especially those who are only shopping for one or two.

That’s the category I fall into. As a 20-something woman who only shops for myself and the occasional visitor, I have certain items I keep back-ups of and hunt for certain coupons, but I don’t have (or need) an entire room dedicated to a stock pile of stuff.

So, what are some ways you can reach this happy medium of couponing and saving money without going overboard? It’s pretty simple.

Coupons

I don’t just write the weekly blog about Sunday inserts for show. I comb through my Sunday paper just like other bargain hunters scoping out the best deals of the week. I clip the coupons I need and at times will do a little trade with my mom. She takes the pet coupons I have no use for and I get coupons for snacks and beauty products in return.

I also print coupons from time to time. Once every week or two I’ll browse through Coupons.com, AllYou.com, Smartsource.com, Redplum.com and Target.com. In an effort not to waste paper I don’t print all the coupons available (there always seems to be an option for that), but instead flip through each page of each site and select which coupons I can actually use. This creates less trash for me and only takes a few minutes.

In addition to the websites, I’ll also check the Facebook pages and websites of my favorite brands when I’m about to run out of a product. More often than not I luck out and find a coupon waiting. It’s especially nice when I find store coupons on Target’s website, as those can be stacked with the manufacturer coupons found elsewhere.

Stocking up on basics

If there’s something on sale that I use a lot, usually pantry staples like chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and various sauces or spice packets, I’ll buy a few — especially if I have the coupons.

I don’t obsess over stacking coupons with sale prices but I do take advantage of the savings if I can. If a product is on sale and I have three coupons for it, I’ll go ahead and buy three to stock up. If it’s not on sale but I need it, I’m still saving a little with my coupons.

I always make a point to stop by the clearance racks. These are the absolute best places to find great deals. I have the most luck clearance shopping at Target and Kroger. More often than not the items I’m interested in purchasing also have coupons available. Most recently I’ve stocked up on Febreze candles, Sally Hansen nail products and Oral B toothbrushes all for about 80 percent off their normal retail price.

Meat is another product I’ll keep stocked. Products that freeze well like chicken breasts, turkey cutlets, ground beef and pork tenderloins can frequently be found discounted. I love finding these deep deals and storing them in my freezer for a future quick dinner. They’re on sale so often I usually just pick up one at a time and replace the product once I’ve used it up.

Luxuries

If I’m shopping for apparel, accessories, home decor or electronics it’s an extreme rarity that I ever pay full price. I love discount retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s. I’ll also scour the clearance racks at Macy’s, Belk and other stores at the mall. If it’s a retailer that frequently offers coupons, I’ll try to hold out for those extra savings, too.

I’ve found that comparing prices to online retailers is a good idea. These websites can be much cheaper than brick-and-mortar stores and seeing the price difference helps me decide on a price point I’d be happy with.

If the product isn’t new on the market, I’ll also check out eBay or the used section on Amazon. Online “outlets” are a good option, too. Sears, Best Buy and Amazon are just a few retailers that offer outlet sites filled with close-outs, refurbished, overstocked, as-is, and returned merchandise.

Shopping around

As I’ve already mentioned, Target and Kroger are my go-to retailers to clearance shop. Once you get in the habit of checking the clearance racks, you’ll really start to save. It also puts the regular retail price of merchandise in perspective.

I also save on my health and beauty products at CVS because of its Extra Bucks rewards program. With the Extra Bucks, store coupons, manufacturer coupons and sale prices, the retailer, whose normal prices can be higher than other retailers, becomes an affordable option.

I’m also a fan of Dollar Tree. This is another spot you have to check frequently because of the always-changing selection. Storage containers, Softsoap and certain frozen foods are a steal at $1 each if you can catch them — especially if you’re lucky enough to have a coupon as well.

Extras

I’ve also figured out a couple of extra little things I can do from day to day to save. Kroger is my most convenient grocery store, so I try to stick to buying Kroger gas because of the savings earned with gas points. I make sure I use my cash rewards credit card for gas, too. The cash back rewards add up surprisingly quick.

I also shop around for just about everything. Unless it’s an absolute necessity that I need immediately, I’ll visit various stores as well as online retailers before making a purchase. As an Amazon Prime member and Shop Runner account holder, I’m able to save on shipping if I do make an online purchase.

For me, it’s most important to pay attention to where my money is going and then decide whether a purchase is worth it. I admittedly buy plenty of everyday items full price, but if there’s any possible way to avoid that I will. For luxury or fun items, the thrill of searching for the best price just makes them that much sweeter once the products are mine.

What are your day-to-day money saving habits?

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?

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.

Based on my personal experience and those of the testers at Wisebread and Daily Finance, here are some generic products — or private label, as some stores call them — that are just as good as the brand name.

Worth trying

Medications:

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) keeps close tabs on medications and it requires that generic products have the same active ingredient as patented medications. It is possible that there could be some differences in absorption between the two, so consult your doctor before making a big switch.

Single-ingredient items:

Flour, sugar, pepper — each of these products contains only one ingredient, so what distinguishes a brand name from the generic?

In some instances quality may be a concern (products like olive oil, for example), but for your everyday household needs, the generic products are a perfectly suitable substitute. The brand name products rarely have coupons available, too, so it’s tough to find a better deal than your local grocery store’s brand.

Produce:

The story for produce is similar to single-ingredient products. What makes one head of lettuce better than another? If you can remove the brand label and not tell a difference in quality, go with the cheaper option. This is especially true for pre-packaged produce, like bags of salad mix, baby carrots or fresh herbs.

Baby formula:

This item came as a shock to me, but thanks to the Infant Formula Act you don’t need to worry the brand of your formula mix.

The act, signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, states that “commercially produced and marketed infant formulas meet accepted nutritional standards and that consistent quality is maintained in their preparation.” It also requires the formulas be tested and gives the Secretary of Health the authority to adjust nutritional standards as necessary.

All products on the store’s shelf must also be certified by the FDA.

Dairy:

In many cases the store brand of milk (and similarly fresh orange juice) is produced locally. That means it might go through even less transportation and processing than the big name brand.

Batteries:

Yes, the Energizer Bunny might keep going and going for a little while longer, but the difference in performance isn’t significant. The extra definitely not worth the price difference you could take advantage of with the off-brand. If you have kids with toys that eat up batteries, give them a try.

Household cleaners:

Unless it’s a brand new product that no one has thought of yet, most household cleaners are about the same. If you’re looking for something eco-friendly and cheap, you can even skip the generic products and mix up your own. Vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice can be just as effective as chemical-filled cleaners.

Hold off

Now, some generic products you may want to steer clear of:

Diapers:

While most diapers are made of the same materials, brand names tend to fit babies better. A bad fit could mean terrible things in the world of diapers and babies.

Paper products:

Toilet paper and paper towels can be a lot cheaper, but you often get less per roll than with the brand names. That means you’re not saving as much as you think. These products can also be much less absorbent, meaning you have to use more.

Trash bags:

Generic trash bags are made much thinner than brand names, contributing to their cheaper price. There are few kitchen disasters worse than a bag of trash busting before you can get it out the door.

Some products are totally up to personal taste, though they should be comparable to brand names. Soda and cereal top that list.

As with all of the products mentioned above, give the cheaper option a test run and see how you like it. You may be pleasantly surprised, or you may go running back to your favorite brand.

What are your favorite off-brand purchases? What products do you remain brand loyal?

We’re only on the second day of February, so you’ve got plenty of time to shop for Valentine’s Day. Right?

That may not be so. Stores are flipping inventory earlier than ever, so unless you’re strictly looking for the cheapest deals, now is the time to start shopping around.

Shopping around

Most stores already have Valentine’s Day-themed candy and gifts on sale or clearance. It’s the perfect time to shop for specific gifts — you’ll still be saving some money and the merchandise won’t be as picked over as it will be closer to Feb. 14 (the big day, for those of you frantically searching your calendar).

By the week of Valentine’s it’s likely that most stores will have moved that merchandise out to make room for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter goodies.

However, if you’re just interested in stocking up on chocolate for everyday snacking or picking up some random little gifts for the fun of it, wait until the big day or after. That’s when you’ll really see the big deals of 70 percent off or more.

If you’re picking up Hershey’s or Mars candies, always look for coupons to combine with store sales online or in your Sunday newspaper.

Daily deals

Don’t have a big budget, but you still want to impress with a gift that seems high dollar?

Between now and the holiday, daily deal sites will be sending out a plethora of deals for romantic gifts. I’ve already seen offers for flowers and spa packages.

Even The Roanoke Times Daily Deal is getting in on the action. Now through Monday you can pick up a deal for 50 percent off Valentine’s Day floral arrangements in Roanoke by Caroline LaRocca Event Design. If you order your flowers by Monday, you’ll also get free delivery. That’s a sweet way to support local business, save some cash and make someone feel very loved.

Daily deals are also a great option for taking your date to a nice restaurant. I know some folks aren’t comfortable using coupons or deals on dates, but I think that’s a faux pas that needs to be forgiven. You’re still eating the same food and enjoying the same company — what does the cost matter? I do suggest calling ahead to make sure these deals will be accepted on the holiday.

If you’re interested in getting deals like this sent to you, sign up at www.dailydeal.roanoke.com, www.groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com.

Other daily deal sites offer national deals that aren’t specific to Roanoke but could still come in handy, like www.local.amazon.com, www.spreebird.com and www.halfoffdepot.com.

Stay in

To really save some cash, consider staying in to celebrate.

Grab a bottle of wine and make a nice meal for starters. Even if you buy pricier foods than you normally would, you’ll still end up saving on gratuity and other factors of dining out. And who wouldn’t enjoy getting cozy by candlelight in the comfort of their own home?

Top the evening off by watching a movie. Skipping the movie theater, which is likely to be crammed full of couples, will put at least $20 back in your pocket.

Along the same lines, skipping flower delivery and picking up your own from the market is an easy way to save. The best perk of hand-delivering flowers on your own? You get to see the happy reaction firsthand.

Get crafty

A great way to show someone you care and save a few bucks is to get crafty and cater your gift to his or her personality.

Is your significant other a hopeless romantic? Make a card or hand write a letter telling them how much they mean to you. Has a comedian stolen your heart? Make a collage of goofy photos you’ve taken together. Celebrating with the kids? Spend the day creating heart crafts out of construction paper or baking special treats.

Photo gifts are an affordable option at retailers like Walmart, CVS and Walgreens, though you will need to order well before the big day to ensure they’re ready in time. Holiday craft and paper products are discounted at craft stores in our area, and both kids and adults can appreciate some handmade professions of love.

What are your favorite, budget-friendly ways to keep the romance alive?

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and whether you’ll be watching for the commercials, the half-time show or the actual game there’s a good chance you’ll be doing so with friends and family.

 Here are some money saving party tips for hosts and guests:

*Don’t stress over what to bring the host or prepare for guests, there are some great party foods that don’t require many ingredients (we’re talking 5 or less). Such as: these simple lemon bars, avocado hummus, pumpkin brownies, caramel apple grapes, Snicker salad, beer-cheese fondue , honey mustard chicken bites and pimiento cheese rolls (just to name a few).

*Skipping the prepared food in the grocery store will definitely save you some bucks, but if you’re really short on time (like, on your way out the door as you read this) check out these Hormel coupons on Coupons.com. There are coupons for Hormel chili, pepperoni, party trays, deli meats and more — tons of products that can be transformed into tasty game day treats in a hurry. There are also some great offers from other brands. If you can find any of this stuff on sale and use a coupon you should get a Super Bowl ring of your own.

*I’m usually not a big fan of “buy more, save more” sales because they can trick shoppers into spending more than they should, but that’s not always the case with beer or wine.
Kroger will give you 20% off wine when you purchase six bottles that are 250 mL or larger. Similarly, you can get 20% off beer when you buy four six-packs. If you’re stocking up for a party or would like to give the host(ess) a treat, this is a great deal.
It’s also possible save by purchasing larger cases, or buying your beverages at Sam’s Club. As always, be sure to drink responsibly.

*Invest wisely in your party. Let the TV be the main event and go minimal on the decor. What’s most important for a Super Bowl party? Plenty of seating, cups, ice, plates and napkins. Don’t be shy about asking guests to bring a little extra of a specific item or BYOB if necessary.

*If you do feel the need to dress up your home a little for the event check out the clearance section at Walmart, the dollar store or the grocery store. I’ve seen football-themed items on sale already and they’ll keep getting cheaper as we inch closer to Sunday.

 *Outside of Black Friday, the best time to buy a TV is around before the Super Bowl, and it’s no coincidence. If you’re dying for a new big screen or a fancy smart TV take this opportunity to pick one up and show it off during the big game.  For more details, check out this article from The Wall Street Journal.

If you use the pharmacy at CVS, you could be on your way to earning even more Extra Bucks.

The new Pharmacy & Health Rewards program is offering CVS customers $5 in Extra Bucks for every 10 pharmacy credits a customer earns. Combine this with any rewards you receive with your Green Bag Tag and you can really rack up the rewards by visiting the pharmacy. 

This new program reminds me of the new Walgreens Balance Rewards program, which is also based on points.
Here’s the break down:
* New prescription = 1 credit
* Refilled prescription = 1 credit
* Fill or refill a 90-day prescription = 3 credits
* Get a flu shot or vaccine from a pharmacist = 1 credit
* Add prescription management and take care of prescriptions on CVS.com = 3 credits
* Sign up for prescription text alerts = 1 credit
* Sign up for refill reminder emails = 1 credit

So, the easiest way to get your points/Extra Bucks is to fill 10 prescriptions, and by signing up for any programs you’re intrested in on cvs.com.  You do have to enroll in this program to get your points – click here to do so.

I don’t love that this system is based on points, it makes me worry that other changes are on the way, but it seems simple enough.

Will you be taking advantage of this new 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?

Have gifts to return? Do your research before you hit the mall. Stock art.

Chances are, you have a few Christmas gifts to return. It’s inevitable that gifts get repeated, clothes don’t fit or something is just not your style — and that’s OK. Here are some tips for braving the post-holiday return rush:

Hopefully you didn’t tear off packaging and tags on Christmas morning. If so, be prepared for the retailer to reject the return. This is especially true for video games, DVDs, CDs and computer software. If you can’t return the item, consider selling it on Craigslist, eBay or Amazon if it’s something you absolutely can’t use. Donating unwanted items is another alternative.

If you know where a gift came from, check the store’s return policy. This can give you all kinds of useful information. Important things to look for include restocking fees, how long returns are accepted after the purchase date and what items are eligible to be returned or exchanged.

Ask for a receipt. While etiquette experts may frown upon this, I think it’s perfectly fine to ask for the receipt for an item in most cases. I would hate for something I gifted to sit unused rather than hand over the receipt. This is especially true for family and friends I’m close to. With the introduction of gift receipts in recent years, which hide the cost, I think this process is less awkward than ever.

Review your shipping options. If one of your gifts was mailed to you, shipping it back may be necessary. In some cases shipping will be paid for so always check your options. Also remember to get a receipt and tracking number from the shipping service for anything that’s sent back. These will come in handy if the package is lost. Of course, if there is a brick-and-mortar location nearby, check to see if they’ll accept the return in person.

Don’t feel the need to rush back to the store. Most stores extend their return deadline if an item is purchased in November or December. If you can take advantage of this extension, you can avoid the rush to return items during this first weekend after Christmas.

A lost receipt isn’t the end of the world. Some retailers can look up the purchase if you have the credit or debit card the product was bought with and some have special barcodes that are placed on each item upon purchase (like Macy’s). You may only receive store credit without a receipt or not get the full purchase price back in cash. Speak to a store clerk to learn about your options.

Check out Consumer Reports’ list of hassle-free return policies. Not only can this help you now, but it might influence where you make future purchases. Some of the stores on the list with excellent return policies that I can vouch for include Kohl’s, Lands’ End, Nordstrom and CVS.

What store return policies do you love or loathe?

If you have a flexible spending account your FSA money is most likely use-it-or-lose it by Jan. 1. If this is the case — make sure you use it!

You don’t have to spend this money at the doctor’s office. Many products in drug stores are FSA eligible, and after purchasing them you can submit your receipt to insurance.

Some  commonly eligible items include bandages, over the counter prescriptions, contact lenses, reading glasses, sunscreen, pregnancy tests and more. Look up your company’s policy and stock up on any items you need to use up that money.

Here is some helpful information from CVS and Walgreen’s about FSA merchandise.

Tip: I know CVS tallies up all of your FSA eligible purchases at the bottom of each receipt. That can be very helpful!

This week is the cut-off for many companies for guaranteed shipping by Christmas. Also, today is Free Shipping Day. There are over 1,000 retailers offering free shipping and you’ll get these orders by Christmas Eve. Some of the retailers participating include: Kohl’s, Oriental Trading Company, Land’s End, Office Max, Best Buy, Gander Mountain and more. Many of these stores will also be offering special discounts in addition to free shipping.

Now, below you’ll find some of the most important dates if you have other gifts you’d like to arrive by Christmas.

According to the USPS website:
*The cut-off for most Express Mail Military Service is today. Some cut-offs have already passed.
*The cut-off for most international shipping (Express and Global Express) is between today and Dec. 20, depending on where you’re shipping to. Some cut-offs have already passed.
As for Domestic shipping:
* Dec. 20 is the cut-off for First-Class Mail Service
*Dec. 21 is the cut-off for Priority Mail Service
*Dec. 22 is the cut-off for Express Mail® Service (Some Express Mail destinations may have extended service commitments)
*Dec. 19 is the cut-off for Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship
*Dec. 21 is the cut-off for Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship
*The cut-off for Parcel Post Service has already passed.

UPS:
* Dec. 21: Normal pickup and delivery service for air, international and ground packages.
UPS Next Day Air packages picked-up today will arrive Monday, Dec. 24. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked-up today
will arrive Wednesday, Dec. 26.
* Dec. 22: Delivery of UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Next Day Air and UPS 2nd Day Air packages processed and labeled for Saturday Delivery. Pick-up service available for air and international packages only.
* Dec. 24: Normal delivery service for air, international and ground packages.
Pick-up service provided to scheduled pick-up account customers for air and international shipments if prearranged by Friday, Dec. 21. UPS On-Call Pick-up service and all UPS Drop Boxes also are available for air and international
packages to all customers.

FedEx:
* Dec. 17: Last day to ship FedEx Ground and Home Delivery
* Dec. 19: Last day to ship FedEx Express Saver
* Dec. 20: Last day to ship 2Day
* Dec. 21: Last day to ship overnight

Other popular retailers that you may have ordered from have these deadlines:
Toys R Us:
*Dec. 18 is the last day to order using standard shipping
*Dec. 19 is the last day to order using expedited shipping
*Dec. 21 is that last day to order using express shipping
*Free store pick-up will remain available through Dec. 24

Amazon:
*Gift cards (that come with a nifty gift box) will be available with free one-day shipping through Dec. 22
*Dec. 18 is the last day to order with free Super Saver shipping
*Dec. 19 is the last day to order with standard shipping
*Dec. 20 is the last full day to order with two-day shipping
*Dec. 21 will offer two-day shipping through 7 p.m. and is the last full day to order with one-day shipping
* Dec. 22 will offer one-day shipping through 3 p.m.
*Dec. 23 has local express delivery available when possible

Target:
* The last day to receive Seasonal Shipping is Dec. 19.

 Walmart:
* Dec. 19: Last day to order using the “homefree,” site to store and standard shipping options.
* Dec. 20: Last day to order using expedited shipping.
* Dec. 21: Last day to order using rush shipping.
* Dec. 22-24: Items with same day store pick-up will be available.
* Dec. 24: Items labeled “as soon as today” that are ordered by noon will be available for pick-up before 6 p.m.

I gave a warning about purchasing gift cards in my column a while back, and here’s some more information courtesy of the Better Business Bureau.

BBB’s Guide to Gift Card Giving

Black Friday has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be found. You still have 24 more shopping days until Christmas to find a little something for everyone. Here are some tips for making it through the holidays, and beyond, while still saving money.

Add items to your online shopping cart and step away. Some retailers will recognize that you’ve left items in your cart and send a coupon code as an incentive to close the deal. I most recently experienced this with Pottery Barn.

Be wary of rebate offers. Rebates often require the purchase receipt and a UPC code to be mailed in, which would ruin the product’s packaging. If the item is a gift, that could be a problem if it needed to be returned. Look into what’s required before springing for a rebate deal and always ask for a duplicate receipt if you do make the purchase.

Shop around for gift cards. Even though many stores, like Kroger and Walmart, offer gift cards to various restaurants, stores and online services they’re not always the best deal. Occasionally Target and CVS offer rewards or discounts on gift card purchases.
Some stores and restaurants offer incentives, like additional free gift cards, if you purchase them at the brick-and-mortar location. For example, Outback Steakhouse is offering a free $20 bonus card for each $100 purchased in gift cards.
It’s also possible to find discounts on gift cards online. Best Buy.com has offered discounted iTunes gift cards in the past.

Keep all of your receipts in one place. There’s nothing worse than having to return an item and not get the full purchase price back because the receipt went missing. Find a system that works for you.

You’re not safe if you only buy gift cards. It’s wise to hold onto those receipts as well in case there’s an issue redeeming the cards.

If you do happen to lose a receipt, check the store’s return policy. Some retailers, like Lowe’s, can look up the purchase with the credit card merchandise was bought with.

Research offers from your bank and credit card. Many banks and credit companies offer incentives during the holidays for extra cash back or discounts. You’re not always automatically enrolled, but can be as simple as calling or clicking to sign up. I recently received an offer for discounted hotels and airfare from Bank of America.

Look out for frauds. My rule: If a deal seems too good to be true it probably is. This is especially true with online shopping, but can be a problem in retail as well. Research companies before you make a purchase and if possible speak to a real person before you hand over any information.

There’s no shame in coupons. Just because you’re buying a gift doesn’t mean you can’t save as much as possible. Use coupons, daily deals, store rewards and any other discounts you come across. The recipient will enjoy his or her spoils no matter the cost.

Beware of flash sales. Yes, some of these are great deals — but not all of them. If a sale is timed or warns of “limited quantities” our first instinct is to snatch it up. Research all of the items on your shopping list in advance so you know what a good price is and you could avoid paying too much during a “sale.” There’s also a lot of fine print that can be attached to these deals, so research the return policy, shipping costs and any additional fees before you commit.

Consider freebies with purchase, but don’t let those seal the deal. Some freebies are worth it, while others are a decoy. A free $20 gift card with the purchase of a product could be used for more shopping or as an additional gift. Free products with purchase, like free games with the purchase of a game system, are often items with little value. You may not be getting a deal in that case.

Take store rewards into account. If there’s not a better offer available, buying gift cards at Kroger for four times the gas points (available at most stores through Dec. 9) is a good deal. If you’re an avid Walgreens or CVS shopper, buying gift cards at those retailers that are accompanied with big ExtraBucks or Balance Rewards can pay off in the long run.

Use common sense and be a smart shopper. Don’t stress over pennies and don’t shop around so much you run out of time. The holidays are about being around friends and family more than anything, even though finding the perfect gift can feel pretty fantastic, too.

What’s your best tip for making it through the holiday shopping season?

I have never used a Coinstar machine before because I wasn’t willing to pay the usual fee just to have my change cashed in — but this new promotion is tempting.

Coinstar now offering shoppers gift cards when they trade in their change with new “The Coin to Card” option. Better yet, there’s no fee. How convenient!

Here’s what the website says about the offer:
“Just choose Free Coin Counting and the eCertificate or gift card you’d like. Then cash in, keep it all. ”

Some of the gift cards you can choose from include Papa Johns, Gap, iTunes, Amazon, CVS, Lowes, JC Penney, Sears, Toys R Us and Old Navy.

I can never seem to find those little paper tubes whenever I’m actually in the mood to round up all of that loose change, so this might be my new go-to plan.

For more information, click here.

Increased traffic congestion is guaranteed Thursday and Friday, but some malls are making changes in an effort to ease some of the pain.

Check out Amanda Codispoti’s post on the Storefront blog about the changes at Towers. Shoppers can no longer drive through the parking lot parallel to Colonial Avenue.

Additionally, Valley View Mall has made these changes, according to an email sent out by Bob Clement, Neighborhood Services Coordinator in Roanoke City: 

   ·    No left turn from westbound Valley View West onto Ring Road.
   ·    No left turn from northbound Ring Road onto Valley View West.
   ·    No left turn from southbound Ring Road at the Valley View Boulevard
      access road.
If you go out shopping this Thursday or Friday, please drive safe and be patient.

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?

If you haven’t caught the holiday shopping bug yet and you’re in need of some inspiration, I’d suggest you check out our new Best of Holiday Shopping Guide.

This website and publication has tons of voting results from readers, as well as content from some familiar bloggers from The Roanoke Times (like myself, Lindsey Nair, Sarah Jones and David Verde).

Black Friday is right around the corner and you can bet I included some tips in the guide about prepping to shop on the big day.

Check out all of the results, and feel free to chime in if you think something was left out — it’s never too early to start campaigning for your favorites for 2013!

Veterans Day is coming up on November 12. Stock photo.

Ok, readers, time to chime in.

I’m working on a column about freebies and deals for veterans in honor of Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

I’ve got a great list so far, but I don’t want to miss your favorites.

If you’re a military vet, or know someone who is, share your favorite discounts in the comments section below. I’m especially interested to see if I can find any deals at local retailers and restaurants.

I know many of you have been suggesting this list for a while, so hopefully it leads to big savings for some people who really deserve it.

Note: The 3rd Annual Virginia Veterans Parade in Downtown Roanoke is happening Saturday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.

Over time I’ve come to realize that kids’ parties aren’t as simple as they used to be.

For many of my birthdays in June my mom invited all of my friends to come hang out at the local pool. Given some Popsicles, soda and cake (sugar high, anyone?), we were set for the afternoon. There was no way I could have talked my parents into an extravagant sweet 16 party, a la the recent MTV series “My Super Sweet 16.”

Simple parties can still be memorable, especially for the younger age groups. I spoke to Donna Dilley, the local area

director for the National League of Junior Cotillions, for some tips on how to throw an affordable party while still following the rules of party etiquette.

Invitations

While paper invitations are being used less and less today, Dilley likes the classic invites as opposed to digital eCards. And physical cards don’t have to be expensive.

Have a set party budget and let your child help you pick out invitations or make their own. Check out dollar stores, clearance sections and craft stores’ card stock, which can be easily decorated with scrapbooking materials. Postcard invitations are usually cheaper and also save on postage costs.

Donna Dilley

If you’re not up for inviting your child’s whole class, which can lead to overstimulation and overspending, Dilley recommends following a simple formula: age of the child plus one. Mailing out paper invitations will also help avoid disappointment from children who were not invited.

Favors

Party favors are not essential, but they can be built in to the activities for children.

“Favors are a nice thing to have to send the guest home with, but they don’t need to be a necessity. You can build your favor into the activities you’re doing at the party — decorate your own cake, paint a picture, make a picture frame, bead your own necklace,” Dilley said.

Once the kids are through with the activity it will be time to go and they can head out with their homemade swag.

Some other affordable party crafts include cookie decorating, pizza making and model making. Have some of the basics done before the kids arrive, like baking the cookies or buying pre-made pizza dough.

Not only will these party favors keep partygoers occupied, they can be more affordable and better quality than toy trinkets and candy.

Food

The party activities that involve food can also help you knock out two expenses with one: You’ll need fewer snacks and have your favors taken care of. If it’s an afternoon or midmorning party, Dilley says you don’t need to feel pressured to provide a meal.

“Providing something salty, something sweet, like cake, and drinks is sufficient,” she said.

If you are having a party during meal time, keep it simple. Stick to finger foods that are easy for kids to eat and that a majority of kids have a taste for, like chicken nuggets, pizza, simple sandwiches, veggies, fruit and pretzels or chips.

If you opt to pick up food from a restaurant, like pizza or party trays, always search for a coupon or call ahead to see if they are offering a special group deal.

Extras

If you’re throwing the party at a location where certain children may want to enjoy additional activities, such as Chuck E. Cheese’s, parents should be prepared cover any extra costs. There’s no need to go over budget to provide supplementary tokens, food or treats outside of what you planned to offer.

“Parents should be mindful that hosts are on a limited budget, and it can be a learning opportunity for kids to be thankful for what’s provided,” Dilley said.

Gifts

When it comes time for kids to open gifts, it’s important to take note of who gave what for thank-you cards.

If there are gift duplicates, consider donating the duplicates to charity (another great teaching opportunity), passing them on to a younger sibling or, depending on your relationship with the gift giver, explaining the situation and asking for a gift receipt.

If the children are too young to be able to share the new gifts, hold them to be opened until after guests leave, Dilley suggested.

Thank yous

Thank-you cards seem to be on the verge of extinction, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important.

“As soon as they’re able to write, you can start teaching them about being thankful about the things in their life and how to be considerate to others,” Dilley said.

Like invitations, thank-you postcards can save on postage or kids can make their own.

I like the idea of taking a group photo at the party and creating a photo postcard that can double as a party favor and a thank-you note. Stores like CVS, Target, Walgreens, Sam’s Club and Walmart all offer affordable photo services. It’s possible to find coupons for prints, as well.

Budgeting is important

Throwing a party doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s a good idea to get the kids involved in the planning to help them learn about the value of things. Getting everyone together to celebrate can be a special experience in itself.

“I think the most memorable parties are when the children can sit down and be in a hands-on activity,” Dilley said. “It could be cooking together or making your own jewelry or putting together some type of model.”

The most important thing to remember is to stick to your budget. Think back to the stories other parents have told about kids playing with the cardboard boxes their expensive toys came in, rather than the toys themselves — kids can always find a way to be entertained.

What tips do you have for throwing a successful kid’s party?

Cue the “Twilight Zone” music — Halloween is sneaking up on us and you’d better be prepared. If you’re not careful, the cost of your Halloween candy alone will give you goose bumps. Follow these dos and don’ts for buying candy as you prepare for the 31st and your wallet will stay safe this October.

You should definitely …

* Combine manufacturer coupons with sale prices and store coupons. Companies are releasing candy coupons nearly weekly. Clip those coupons and combine them with any great sale or clearance prices. A common price point for many shoppers is $1.50 per bag.
Walgreens, CVS and Target often have store coupons for candy that can be combined with manufacturer coupons, so don’t forget to look for those as well. Also factor in any register rewards or gift cards that can be earned with purchases.

* Check out the selection at the dollar store. Family Dollar, Dollar General and Dollar Tree all carry name-brand products and accept coupons. You could hit the jackpot.

* Visit online retailers to price compare. Amazon and Oriental Trading Post both have specials throughout the year on candy and holiday-themed products. These are especially sweet deals if you can get free shipping.

* Buy candy that lasts. Milk chocolate has a shorter shelf life than dark chocolate and hard candies. If you’re concerned about having leftovers, invest in the latter and use the extras over Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Some products, such as caramels and chocolate-covered candies, can even go in the freezer.

* Wait until the last minute. Yes, I’m advising you to procrastinate. It’s always tempting to grab a few bags of candy when they hit the shelves, but the closer you get to the actual day, the cheaper it will be. Start stocking up the day after Halloween for future holidays or general treats.

You should definitely not …

* Only shop in the holiday-themed aisles. Go back to the regular candy aisle and compare prices. Sometimes companies price special holiday products higher, even if the only difference is the packaging. Kids won’t care that their candy is wrapped in orange and black.

* Buy your favorite candy. If you’re a chocoholic with little self-control, buy other sweets that won’t tempt you before the holiday. Otherwise, you may have to stock up twice.

* Assume Sam’s Club has the best price. Buying goods in bulk can lead to big savings, but sometimes the prices aren’t as low as at retailers that are having a sale and accept coupons. If you have time, visit the store to compare prices before you buy.

* Let the kids dig in. Hand out the goods yourself instead of extending the candy bowl to visiting trick-or-treaters. Try to be consistent with each child, a couple of pieces of candy per person, so you don’t run out too early or have to buy extra bags.

* Be concerned about being the coolest house on the block. For kids, part of the thrill of trick-or-treating is the hunt. Kids won’t know you picked up the cheapest bag of candy on the shelf, and passing out full-size candy bars will only give you a few seconds of fame. Stick with a candy within your price range and don’t stress; gum and lollipops are often the cheapest varieties.

* Forget there are other options. If you don’t want to hand out candy, consider handing out mini bags of popcorn or pretzels (prepackaged). Some readers mentioned handing out spider rings, nuts and colorful pencils.

Halloween freebies

Macaroni Kid Roanoke will be hosting its 2nd Annual Costume Swap on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At this totally free event, you have the opportunity to pick out a gently used costume for your child.

In order to participate, drop off your own gently used kids’ costumes today through Oct. 9 at the LFA Consignment Sale, 3419 Orange Ave. N.E., Roanoke. Upon turning in a costume, you’ll receive a swap ticket to attend the event on Oct. 14.

Drop-off hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon Monday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

For more information, email jamiec@macaronikid.com.

Looking for the Shoptimist column in today's paper? You'll need to wait 'til Saturday.

If you noticed a Shoptimist sized hole in your newspaper today don’t fret — the column will be running on Saturdays from now on.

In the meantime, read up on these deals that are still up for grabs:

* “Shape” magazine has a free workout playlist available to download
* Krispy Kreme has free doughnuts for pirates today only
* 202 Market in downtown Roanoke has an awesome happy hour deal on Thursdays

Know of any other bargains out there? Share them!