How will you be celebrating mom on Sunday? Here are a few freebies and deals I’ve found to help you save a few dollars:

O’Charley’s is offering moms a free slice of pie on Sunday. Brunch starts at 9 a.m., so you have all day to take advantage of this deal.

Shoney’s is catering to those with a sweet tooth, too, by offering a free slice of strawberry pie to moms on Sunday with the purchase of a meal or entree.

If Mom is a fan of Outback Steakhouse they have a great gift card deal. From now through June 16 with every purchase of a $50 gift card you’ll get a free $10 bonus card that’s valid May 13 through July 15. Give the free bonus card with the gift card or keep it as a special treat for yourself.

Applebee’s has a similar promotion going on now. With each $50 gift card purchase — digital or hard copy — you’ll receive a free $10 Applebee’s bonus card now through July 1.

Walgreens is offering shoppers a free 8X10 print now through May 11 when you order online and use the code COLLAGE4U and choose in-store pickup.

Know of any other great deals? Share them below!

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

 JCP

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

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

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

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

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

Food Lion

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

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

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

Walgreens

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

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

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

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

Dollar Tree

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

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

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

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

Groopdealz

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

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

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

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

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

Qualifying products can be bought in stores or online.

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

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

Details are finally coming out about the new rewards program being offered by Walgreens.

With the new system you’ll earn points for every purchase you make in stores and online. You’ll also get points for other activities, like participating in the Walk with Walgreens program.

Points earned can then be cashed in for Redeption Dollars that can be used on products throughout the store. There’s even an app for iPhone and Android to help you track your points. Members can also scan their mobile devices at the register to earn points and savings and redeem awards without carrying around a plastic card.

Here’s the break down of the points system:
5,000 points = $5
10,000 points = $10
18,000 points = $20
30,000 points = $35
40,000 points = $50

The new program won’t take effect until September 16, but if you sign up early you’ll be entered to win 1 million points.

For more info, check out the video below or click here.

How do you feel about the changes being made at Walgreens?

From time to time, retailers update their policies and smart shoppers need to stay in the know. Here are some changes that effect shoppers locally:

Dollar Tree stores, where everything is $1 or less, are now accepting manufacturer’s coupons.

If you’re shopping in-store, you can use up to two print-at-home coupons per shopping trip and one manufacturer coupon per item. There are a few important details: Coupons for free items with no purchase requirements will not be accepted and coupons cannot be redeemed for more than the purchase price of the item. Management also has the right to refuse any coupon or limit quantities, so certain rules could differ depending on which store you shop. For more information, visit www.dollartree.com.

Target recently introduced Target Baby Alerts. Exclusive baby coupons, deals and other announcements will be texted to shoppers up to six times per month. Some of the deals for August include buy one, get one half-off Gerber onesies, $2 off Burt’s Bees Baby Bee toiletry items, $2 off Huggies and 10 percent off your first baby order. To start receiving these text alerts, text BABY to 827438.

Walgreens is reworking its shopping rewards program and will soon introduce Balance Rewards.

Shoppers can enroll in the new program online early at bit.ly/R7Ohr8, though the program won’t officially start until Sept. 16. Full details haven’t been released yet, but the new program will be points-based, giving shoppers the opportunity to earn points for shopping and redeem them for products and other rewards.

Walmart is bringing back layaway for the 2012 holiday season after a successful run in 2011. Layaway will become available again Sept. 16 and be available through Dec. 14. Customers who “like” their favorite store will have the opportunity to put items on layaway two days early.

This year’s program offers an extended list of eligible categories. Also, shoppers who make their final payment will receive a refund of the $15 layaway fee in the form of a Walmart gift card. According to the retailer’s website, the down payment for layaway is 10 percent or $10 (whichever is greater). To be eligible, individual items must be priced at $15 or more, and the total layaway purchase must be $50 or more. For more information, visit www.walmart.com/layaway.

I’m a big CVS shopper. If you can get in the right rotation with their Extra Bucks rewards program, a lot of money can be saved. If you’re just starting out or an avid CVS shopper, this promotion is very attractive.

From Sept. 16 to Dec. 15, CVS is offering 4 percent back quarterly — double the 2 percent they usually offer — each time you use your Extra Care card in stores or for online purchases. You will have to sign up at bit.ly/PrSO8H to take advantage of this deal, but this could have a huge impact on the Extra Bucks you receive. Have your Extra Care card handy when you sign up, you will need to enter the number on the back.

Details about the evolving Walgreens rewards policy will be updated there as they are released.

Are cards worth the cost to you? I love finding a greeting card that's just right, but I love saving money on them even more.

After a recent column about the quirky things we all do to save a buck, I received multiple messages from readers about greeting cards. I personally love finding the perfect card for an occasion, but I do hate the cost involved. It’s common to find individual cards for $5 or more these days.

A reader named Michelle from Bedford lets her son draw her greeting cards. She wrote, “My son Jared age 10 enjoys drawing things on homemade cards that he knows is their favorite things to cheer them up or bring a smile. This past Mother’s Day he drew a card with butterflies since he knows butterflies are my favorite. He also likes to use construction paper to cut out designs and glue on the paper. It can be a fun together project as well.”

One reader had a humorous trick to share.

Jeri from Roanoke wrote, “I buy two cards at the Dollar Tree for each birthday, anniversary, Valentine. Since they lay them down and don’t pick them up, I take them and put them in an envelope. Then on that day, I give them one of them, then the next year, I give them the other one. Then put that one away. So each year they get a card from the year before and they never remember getting it. If they do, I just say oh I didn’t remember that, I just liked that card. You can keep doing this year after year.”

That’s one way to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Andrea of Fincastle has a special tradition with her husband on their anniversary: “My hubby and I do not exchange gifts to celebrate our wedding anniversary, but we do like to exchange anniversary cards. However, the price of greeting cards (the really nice, sentimental Hallmark-like cards) is really outrageous. So for last 20 years or so on our 8/16 anniversary, we have made our annual trip to Wal-Mart where we each search diligently to find the perfect card with the exact sentiment we wish to convey. My hubby’s goal is to bring tears to my eyes, which he has on more than one occasion. After we read one another’s chosen card, we simply put the cards back on the rack and walk away. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HONEY!!” she wrote.

If none of these solutions strikes your fancy, try out some of these tips:

* CVS, Target and Walgreens frequently provide coupons or run promotions on greeting cards. Sign up for Target’s mobile coupons and check out their website for printable coupons on cards. It’s also possible to break even by earning Extra Bucks or Register Rewards after the purchase from CVS and Walgreens.

* Hallmark and American Greetings provide coupons and promotions of their own from time to time. I’m a member of Hallmark Gold Crown Rewards and regularly receive coupons in the mail offering dollars off a purchase or free cards with purchase. Both card companies also post printable coupons on their Facebook pages and websites periodically.

* If you’re all about digital communication, there are tons of resources for free eCards. Evite by American Greetings is one of the most popular sites. It allows you to pick from a wide variety of invitations and greeting cards that can be sent with personalized messages. If you’re sending out invitations, the recipients can reply with yes, no or maybe and include a personal message for the host. Most digital options are free and you get to skip postage costs, making them especially attractive.

* Those of you with nice printers may be interested in print-at-home options. If you’re sending out 20 or more cards, the cost of ink can be a factor. But if you have a lone birthday card to send, this could work for you. American Greetings and Blue Mountain are two popular resources for pre-designed printables, but there are many other sites that also print cards. Etsy also offers various print-at-home options.

After graduating from college, I used cardstock and matching envelopes to create my own printable graduation party invitations. I chose a color I liked and designed my text on Microsoft Word. The process was simple, and with coupons regularly available for stores like Michaels, AC Moore and Joann Fabric, it was also inexpensive. If you’d like to add a little more flair to plain card stock, consider framing it with scrapbook paper or cutouts. All of these products can be found on clearance on a regular basis.

* It’s also possible to get free professionally printed cards. Websites such as Shutterfly, Cardstore, Snapfish, Treat and Tiny Prints regularly hold promotions offering free cards to new and current members. Each website also gives the user the power of personalization — choose your own text or add a photo. This option takes a little more research. Some sites require you to order select cards in bulk. Or if you want a free card, you’ll have to hunt for a promotion code.

* If you’re looking for something more instantaneous, photo postcards from stores such as Walgreens, CVS and Walmart can be a bargain if you seek out promotion codes or coupons. Each store regularly has promotions for online orders, which is very convenient if you have your photos uploaded to your computer, but there are also weekly deals in each store’s ad as well.

How do you save on greeting cards? Share your tips and tricks!