Thrift Stores Really Are Thrifty

I'll admit - I used to turn my nose up at thrift stores.  Who wants dirty, worn USED items?  Not me!  However, family members urged me to go with them to the stores and I became hooked.  I soon learned that there are great deals to be had if you are willing to rummage through all the junk (yes, no matter what thrift store you go to, you are bound to see a lot of junk).

Believe it or not, some thrift stores have sales. "Sales??!" you are thinking. "Aren't you getting a steal of a deal already?" I don't know why they have sales, but I'll take it. I have seen multiple stores give a 25% discount on Mondays and a 50% discount on holidays.

Guess how much the clothes, book, and goodies (in their original packaging) pictured above cost?  $2.89 + tax!  See the table below?  It retails for $40. I got it for $1.49(!!) and it works perfectly.

Okay, I'll stop bragging. On to the good stuff - here are some tips that I have learned:

1. Bring hand sanitizer for when you leave the store...not all the items are in pristine condition.

2. Don't bring the kids if you can help it.  They are sure to touch all those less-than-pristine items.

3. If thrift stores in your area have sale days, go on those days if you can.  Go early to avoid the crowds.

4. Most thrift stores have a return policy: No Returns.  Even if you'd be getting a killer deal, make sure you really want and could use the items before you purchase them.

5. Buy clothes for your children - they grow out of them so quickly, so who wants to pay full price for them?  Don't buy too far in advance, though, as it is difficult to predict what sizes will be appropriate in the future.

6. Children's toys are great items to buy as well.  Make sure any electronic toys work before purchasing.  I only like to buy plastic toys that can be wiped down with sanitizing wipes.  I personally avoid stuffed animals.

7. Bring cash in case your thrift store does not accept credit cards.

8. Give yourself ample time to find the deals.

I challenge you to put your preconceived notions aside for an hour or so and...

...Go get your thrift on!

Go Get Your Cup-of-Joe On...

If you looooooove Caribou Coffee (I know I do) then you'll looooooove this!  I just signed up for a free Caribou Coffee account on their website and the next morning I awoke to find a most delightful deal in my inbox!  I received a $1.00 off any blended beverage coupon!  Mmmmm...I'm liking this Caribou Coffee website already.  Plus, I entered my birthdate to receive a free drink on my special day!

If you really love their coffee but prefer to make it at home, coupons.com has a great coupon for $1.00 off a 12 oz bag of Caribou Coffee (use zip 43210 if needed).  This would be really awesome if paired with a sale....I can't seem to find any this week, but I'm keepin' my eyes peeled!

And thats not all....I have more good news for you coffee lovers!  While you're at coupons.com be sure to print a $1.00 off coupon for any 12 oz bag of Seattle's Best Coffee (use zip 90210 if needed).  I was at Walmart today and noticed they had them priced at $6.00 a bag.  This appears to be their normal price so with my coupon I got it for $5.00 a bag....not to shabby for a great brand of coffee!
Also, don't forget about the great deal going on at Target this week on their Archer Farm's Organic Coffee.  Check out our earlier post about it here.

 So grab a mug and go get your cup-of-joe on!

DSW Online Clearance Event

DSW.com is having a 50% clearance event with over 300 styles to choose from!  Plus, if you are a DSW Rewards Member (which is free to join) you can get Free Standard Shipping on Orders of $35 or more through August 15, 2011, with offer code SHIPR.  Each time you buy shoes you receive points and once you have 1,500 points they mail you a coupon for $10 off any purchase. If I remember correctly, you receive 10 points per dollar.  Plus, they send you a $5 certificate on your birthday!  In the past I have used the certificates to get some free high performance socks.

Also, ShopAtHome is offering a Special Event during which you get 10% cash back on any purchases made through their link (normally it's 4%).  If you are new to ShopAtHome, you will get a $5 "signing bonus" on top of all that.  If you prefer Ebates, you'll get 4% cash back with a $5-$10 gift card bonus.
So go get your shoes on!

Do You Stonyfield?

If you are an organic nut then you are probably acquainted with Stonyfield dairy products.  If you aren't, I'm about to enlighten you.  Stonyfield makes delicious yogurts, including the Yo' Baby and Oikos Greek Yogurts line.  Their products are made with all natural, organic ingredients and taste delicious (I recommend the peach yogurt)!  Like most companies now days they have their own rewards program.  Now before you roll your eyes and say "not another rewards program," let me tell you a little bit about it.  
You can sign up for the rewards program at www.stonyfield.com.  Each time you purchase one of their products you can enter the code from that product on their website to earn rewards.  For instance, a 6oz yogurt earns you 1 point, a 32 oz yogurt earns you 5 points.  There are a lot of great rewards in the 10-25 point range. These include things like free Stonyfield products, free magazine subscriptions to organic magazines, and other free organic food products (not just Stonyfield brand).  Also, each month there is a new yogurt top with free giveaways.  For example, last month they had a US Open Getaway Sweepstakes.  This month, they are offering a free e-cookbook!
Another bonus to signing up for the rewards program is you get access to printable coupons!  Plus, their website is full of great videos, newsletters and great info on eating organic.
So if you haven't already, try Stonyfield yogurt.  I like to use it in my bread baking!  Head on over to my other blog, domesticallyinept? to get a great homemade bread recipe that uses Stonyfield yogurt!

Some NEW Great Toys R Us Deals!!!

For those of us who stay attuned to the deal world, we already know about some great Toys R Us deals going on this week.  Here are some of the popular ones, just in case you don't already know:

•  Buy One Get One Free on Crayola products including: crayons, pencils, markers, paint, dry erase boards and accessories, color wonder and color explosion. 
• Plus, spend $9.99 or more on Crayola products and receive a FREE Giant Game Pad ($11.99 value)
• These make great stocking stuffers or birthday gifts!  If your kids are constantly being invited to birthday parties then stock up now!
• Here is an example of a great deal I was able to score:
• I purchased one Crayola Dry Erase Activity Center for $14.99 and got a second one free
• Because I spent over $9.99 in Crayola products I got a FREE Giant Game Pad ($11.99 value)
• Total price with tax $16.04

• Any Pampers Splashers or Huggies Little Swimmers Diapers on sale for only $5.00!

• I've seen a few coupons for Little Swimmers floating around, if you can scrounge them up it makes for an even sweeter deal!
• Thanks hip2save!

As I was rushing through Toys R Us trying to get the above great deals I found quite a few others throughout the store:

• Now through August 27th, the following Disney DVDs are on sale for $11.99 and include an extra "prize" in the package (a tin and stickers)
• Oliver & Company
• The Great Mouse Detective
• The Hunch Back of Notre Dame
• An Extremely Goofy Movie
• Disney Have a Laugh Vol 1
• Disney Have a Laugh Vol 2
• My Toys R Us also had another wall full of Children's DVDs marked 3/$10.00 (Must buy 3, otherwise they are $4.99 a piece).  These included DVDs like Curious George, Thomas the Train, and Little Einstein's just to name a few.  (I was even able to find a cool Yoga DVD for me)!

• Even better, I just found a new coupon this evening for $3.00 off two Curious George DVDs.  So a potential deal scenario goes like this:
• Purchase 3 DVDs marked 3/$10.00 (Two Curious George plus any other of your choosing)
• Use the new $3.00/2 coupon found at coupons.com (use zip code 45176 if needed)
• Get 3 DVDs for $7.00????  I haven't tried it but I don't see why it wouldn't work!  (Please let me know if this works for you)!

So head on over to Toys R Us and get your coupon!  Its never to early to start Christmas shopping!

Another GREAT Razor deal this week!

Just in case you missed the AWESOME Gillette Fusion razor deal at CVS last week, they have another great razor deal going on this week!  Here is the deal scenario:

• This week the Schick Hydro 5 and Hydro 3 razors and 4 count cartridge refills are on sale for $8.49 with your CVS Extracare Card (regularly $10.49)
• Receive $5.00 in Extra Care Bucks at the register, so its like getting them for $3.49 each
• Use the $2.00/1 coupons for both the razor and cartridges found in the 8/7 smart source insert
• Like paying $1.49 each!
• So get a great new razor + 4 cartridge refills for $2.98!

If you are not already a frequent CVS shopper....then you should be!  To see why, check out hip2save's CVS store guide found here.

Axe Shower Gel on Sale + Deal Scenario

For all you guys out there who love to use Axe products (or ladies who want their guys to use Axe products), be sure to head on over to Kroger to score a great deal on some Axe shower gel!!  Here's the deal scenario:

• This week, Kroger has all Axe shower gel on sale for $2.99 for a 12 fl oz bottle
• Use the 7/31 Red Plum Buy One Get One Free coupon
• Score two bottles for only $2.99, or $1.49 each!  

So go get your "coup" on and smell good doin' it!

These Meijer Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty!

This week (8/7/11 - 8/13/11) Meijer brand pretzels are 1/2 price.  Since the normal price is $1.99 for 10-15 oz bags, this brings the price down to $0.99.  As it is, this is a pretty good deal.  However, it gets better because there is a Catalina* promotion:

• If you buy 3 bags of Meijer brand salty snacks (including the pretzels), you get a coupon for $1 off you next salty snack purchase (no brand specified).
• If you buy 4, you get a coupon for $2
• If you buy 5, you get a coupon for $3

So the best deal is to buy 5 bags of pretzels for $0.99 x 5 = $4.95 and get a coupon for $3 to buy more salty snacks...a savings of $8! 

*Catalina coupons are the ones that print out at the register that you receive with your receipt.

If you didn't get the title of the post, it's a twist on a famous Seinfeld quote :)

Earth's Best Family

Do you love Earth's Best Organic products for your baby or toddler?  Well if you haven't already, then you should check out their website and consider joining the Earth's Best Family.  Its free to sign up and members receive special promotions/offers and lots of great information about raising healthy kids.  Even better, right now they are having their "Perfect Play-Date Sweepstakes."  Just for joining the Earth's Best Family you will be entered to win one of two grand prize family trips to Sesame Place (three days/two nights including hotel, airfare and park tickets)!  Don't worry, even if you don't win the grand prize you could still win free Earth's Best Organic products!  Also, be sure the check out their printable coupons for great savings on their products!

Great Organic Deals at Target This Week!

I love to buy organic but it gets pretty hard on the pocket book.  So when I find great deals on organic products I get really excited about it!  Target has some awesome deals going on this week on some of my favorite organic products!  Here are just a few:

All Archer Farms organic coffees (12 oz) are advertised as on sale for $6.99.  My Target actually had them on sale for $6.56/12 oz bag.  Some select flavors were on clearance for even lower such as $5.56/12 oz bag.  Even sweeter, you can go here to print off a $1.50/2 coupon.  I purchased 2 bags of whole bean coffee (keeps longer that way) for $6.56/bag, used my coupon and got them for $5.81/bag!!!  Not bad for high quality ORGANIC coffee!!! 

.....and all the parents screamed, "whoo hoo!"  If you've got little kiddos then you are probably very familiar with Annie's products.  They have great tasting kids products made from organic ingredients.  Target currently has Annie's Mac n' Cheese and Pasta products on sale for 5/$5.00!  For those of us trying to feed our kids organic but we're on a budget, this deal is heaven sent! 

So go get your "coup" on and get over to Target!