Build-A-Bear Workshop – CyBear Monday Savings (online only)
select 5 animals will be $5 each
limit 5 $5 animals per person
Plus, free shipping on orders of $35 or more. Enter code 94620 at checkout.

Kmart
6 qt stainless steel roaster with porcelain cookwell $29.99 (reg $54.99)
extra 10% off diamond jewelry already 70% off
50% off 20 pc gold or platinum banded dinnerware set, $14.99 sale
free standard shipping on orders of $29 or more
Other online specials available.

Family Christian Stores
Take an additional $5 off any purchase of $50 or more with promotional code 1268629.
The Flow Show Creates a Buzz dvd $5 (reg $14.99)
The One Minute Collection $7.49 (reg $14.99)
The Bible Experience – audio $81.24 (reg $124.99)
Believe cd from 33 Miles $6.97 (reg $9.99)
Abe and the Amazing Promise from VeggieTales $5 (reg $14.99)
God’s Green Earth dvd $5 (reg $9.99)
More Cyber Monday sales available at FamilyChristian.com.
Also $.99 shipping available.

Kohls
Take an extra 15% off everything. Enter code CYBER15 at checkout. OR
Spend $75, take an extra 15% off plus free shipping. Enter code CYBER15. OR
Spend $100, take 20% off, plus free shipping. Enter code CYBER20 at checkout.
Other sales available.

Have you found any other great Cyber Monday sales?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

My hubby and I dropped by the local antique/furniture/junk store this week.  We just never know what we’ll find.  I have been dropping in there frequently lately because I was looking for something for my tv to sit on.  I found a beautiful big dresser but it was $350.  Ouch.  I even considered it.  After all, it would be a lifelong beautiful piece.  Thankfully, we went back a few days later and found this entertainment center.  We paid only $45 for it!  I’m so excited!

The cabinet also has room underneath for our dvds and such.  We plan to keep that television for only another year or two, so it’s best that we didn’t pay much for a tv cabinet.  After we get a flatscreen for the wall, we can move this entertainment center to our bedroom to use as an armoire (since it has doors) or to one of the kid’s rooms.

What deals have you found lately?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1) If you have young children, consider purchasing used toys and clothes for them or having a toy and clothing swap with friends.  Young children don’t know if the item is new or used.  They’re just excited to see a different toy.

2)  Cut out some names on your list.  This may sound horrible to some, but you don’t need to buy for every aunt, uncle, and cousin.  I started practicing this tip a few years ago.  Even though I was thrifty with my shopping, things were getting out of hand and the list needed to be shortened.

3)  Host a party.  Have a party for your friends and decide on something inexpensive to exchange such baked goods, ornaments, or a gag gift.  Have everyone bring one item and then play a game to exchange.  If you’re having a baked goods exchange, then provide bags or boxes for take home food.

4)  Give homemade gifts.  You’ve heard this tip for years and perhaps you think it can’t be done.  Actually, there are so many nice handmade gift ideas out there now.  From soap, candles, purses, cookies in a jar, hot cocoa mix, and more . . . you can find something to make.

Stay tuned to Thrifty Mommy.  During the upcoming months, we hope to share some inexpensive gift ideas.

What ways do you plan to cut back on your Christmas spending?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I was pretty pleased with the jeans and so were my kids.  Here are some reasons that I like thrift stores.

6)  I don’t have the guilt.  I can’t force myself to pay $10-15 for clothing. And even if I did, there would be some major guilt.

7)  Thrift stores usually give back to the community.  The thrift store where I shop helps others in need with food and other necessary items.

8)  No worries about wear and tear.  I told my daughter this week that I don’t like to buy her new clothes.  The reason is because she stains just about everything she wears.  I can’t tell you the number of times I have put something new on her and been so upset because she permanently stained it.  When I pay $1 for something, I don’t get so upset about stains.

9)  I am able to give to others.  When you’re only paying $1 for clothing items, it’s easy to purchase a few extra things for others.  Since you’re already searching the racks, many times you’ll come across items that others you know can use.  I try to remember the sizes that my younger cousins wear or my friend’s children.  When I was shopping this week, I remembered to look for athletic pants for my friend’s son.  She had mentioned duing an earlier conversation that he needed them.

10)  Sometimes you get your money back.  When I shop for used clothing items, many times I can get my money back for them when we’re done.  Sometimes I can sell them at my yard sale or local consignment store for close to what we paid for them.  It’s also easy to give them away since you don’t have much money invested.

Do you shop at thrift stores?

Please check out part 1 of 10 Reasons I Like Thrift Stores.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

You never know what you’ll find at a thrift store.  This week, I was blessed with some bargains.  I found 12 pairs of pants for my kids for only $12!  That’s $1 per pair.

I enjoy shopping at thrift stores.  Here’s some reasons I like them so much.

1)  Shopping at a thrift store is like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll find.  Sometimes you’re really surprised.

2)  The items are unique.  You don’t have to worry about seeing five other people at school wearing the same shirt.

3)  You can find name brand clothing.  I’m not one to sport a big name brand across the front of my shirt, but it is true that some brands hold up better than others.  Some of the pants I found this week were from Old Navy, Gap, Children’s Place, and JCPenney. 

4)  It helps the environment.  Shopping thrift stores keeps products from landfills.

5)  Shopping thrift stores usually saves so much money!  This is probably my favorite reason!

Do you shop at thrift stores?

Stay tuned for part 2 of 10 Reasons I Like Thrift Stores.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1. Grab a basket: If you know you only need a few items grab a basket not a cart. You’ll be less likely to fill it up.
2. Shop late: Again, for those few item shopping trips, go to the store about 20 minutes before closing. You won’t have time to impulse shop.
3. Make a list then set a goal: Making a list before you shop is smart, but it’s really just a piece of paper. It’s not going to stop you from shopping for stuff you don’t need. A goal will though. Make a goal for yourself – try not to buy anything not on your list. No fair writing down excess stuff on said list before you go out though. I’m talking about when you need batteries and shampoo at Target and walk out with dishes, DVDs, and more.
4. Have a waiting period: On all big purchase and most small non-essentials. Shoppers don’t always stop and think, which is a major downfall if you’re trying o save money. A waiting period makes you consider and reconsider a purchase before you spend the cash.
5. Surround yourself with non-shoppers: Many of my pals in real life love to shop. Luckily I hate shopping, but I can totally see the allure of hanging out and shopping with other shoppers if you do like it. If you don’t have pals in real life who shop responsibly, check out thrifty forums, thrifty books, and thrifty blogs. It doesn’t matter if you surround yourself with live people non-shoppers or online pals – the point is that it’s easier to buy less stuff when you focus some of your attention on others who agree.
6. Anticipate future purchases: If you know that you’re going to need new fencing soon, you may be more inclined to spend less on the day to day impulse buys. Each month or so sit down and consider what expenses may be coming up soon.
7. Examine your actual need: Like I always say, ask yourself if you REALLY need a product before you buy. Say it out loud then actually consider the question.

How do you buy less stuff? What works for you?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

To save online or by phone:
Call toll-free 1-866-235-5443 to shop by phone.
Save $10 off your first $50 or more with code 30478530.
Save $20 off your first $100 or more with code 58180561.
Save $30 off your first $150 or more with code 72450213.
Also you can get free shipping on orders of $75 or more.

To save in the store, use these printable coupons.

This sale is valid August 7-9, 2009.

image from belk

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Free pourable glue

OD Clear Pencil Pouch – 5 cents

TUG Pencil Sharpener – 10 cents

10 count pencils – 25 cents

Enjoy the savings!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.  For more information on exempt items, visit the North Carolina Department of Revenue tax free weekend page.

Tax free weekend is a great way to save on all of those needed back to school items.  Stores also offer tremendous savings and specials as a way to lure you in.  If you can handle the traffic and crowds, there are great deals to be found.

There are many other states participating in the tax free weekend.  To find out if your state is participating visit the tax adminstration’s site, which has a helpful chart with the states, dates, and a link for more information.  Alabama, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia also have tax free sales this weekend.

Have you ever shopped during your state’s tax free weekend?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

5 Harris Teeter 1 lb bacon, buy 2 get 3 free
$3.79 reg each
$7.58 for 5 = $1.52 each final

3 Harris Teeter dozen large eggs
$1.29 reg each
$.88 sale each (limit 3)

2 packs boneless skinless chicken breast, bogo or $2.50/lb
(More than my target price, but I needed chicken.)

Luigi’s Italian Ice, bogo for $1.65 each
$.55 q, $.55 final

Mt Olive dill cubes
$2.29 reg
$.50 q (expires 8/2)
$1.29 final

Mt. Olive hamburger dill slices
$2.59 reg
$.50 q (expires 8/2)
$1.59 final

Hefty plates
$3.19 reg
bogo for $1.69 each
$.50 q
$.69 final

2 Honey Nut Cheerios
$3.75 each reg
$2 each sale
$1 q off 2
$1.50 each final

5 Ocean Spray Craisins, buy 2 get 3 free
$2.79 each reg
5 for $5.58 = $1.12 each final

3 Kleenex tissues
$2.29 each reg
$1.15 each bogo sale
$1 q off 3
$.82 each final

2000 Flushes
$3.49 reg
$1.75 bogo sale
$.55 q
$65 final

2 Peter Pan peanut butter
$2.65 each reg
$1.67 each sale
$1 q off 2
$1.17 each final

2 Swanson canned chicken 4.5 oz
$2.19 each reg
$1.79 each sale
$.75 q off 2
$1.04 each

Uncle Ben’s rice pouch
$2.19 reg
q for free package = FREE

Wacky Mac noodles
$1.49 reg
$1 sale
$.50 q
FREE

4 Bumble Bee tuna pouches
$1.39 each
$1 sale
4 $.55 qs
FREE

Colgate toothpaste
$2.75 reg
$1.38 bogo sale
$.75 q
FREE

Noxzema disposable razors
$5.99 reg
$2.99 bogo sale
$1 q
$1.99 final

Kerala Curry mango chutney Indian condiment
$2.63 reg
$1.36 close out

Kerala Curry Indian vegetable kurma sauce
$2.63 reg
$1.36 close out

Nature’s Pride multi grain bread
$3.69 reg
$1.85 bogo sale

10 Dannon yogurt
$.65 each reg
3/$1 sale
$1 q off 10
$.23 each final

Hefty Cups
$3.30 reg
$1.65 bogo sale
$.75 q
$1.15 final

Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts
$2.39
$.55 q exp 8/2
$1.29 final
(These were not on sale, but I wanted to use my coupon because it was expiring that day.)

I also saved $10 off my purchase because I am an eVIC member.

My pretax amount before sales and coupons was $130.95. After sales and coupons, my pretax total was $38.31. That’s a savings of about 70%! Woohoo! It feels good to save money!

What kinds of deals have you found this week?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy