Cheap Back to School Supplies

It’s almost back-to-school time—as unbelievable as that seems, and there have been some great freebies and “close-to-free” deals on school supplies in the drugstores and office supply stores lately. I hope you’ve been able to take advantage of these.

I didn’t have my kids’ school supply lists yet when many of these deals started, but I bought whatever was free or almost free anyway. I’ll be able to use most of what I got, and where I live there are plenty of places to donate extra supplies. Your area most likely has something similar, so I hope you’ll think about getting some extra items for children who need them.

This week, I’ve come across some freebies and good deals on school supplies at Walgreens and a money-maker make-up deal at CVS. Try saying that three times fast!

Editor’s Note: Before you go shopping, check out our article on 17 back to school supplies you can use from last year.

Cheap Walgreen’s Back to School Supplies

• Penway Filler Paper – price 49¢ (w/ in-ad coupon)
• Penway One-Subject Notebook – price 49¢ (w/ in-ad coupon)
• Mini Memo or Composition Notebook – price 19¢ (w/ in-ad coupon)
• Highlighters or Scented Gel Pen – price 19¢ (w/ in-ad coupon)
• Two-Pocket Folder – price 19¢ (w/ in-ad coupon)

Colgate Total Enamel Strength Toothpaste – price $2.99
Earn $2.99 in Register Rewards
Use the $1/1 coupon in the 7/26/09 SS insert
You earn $1!

Reach floss, toothbrush or Listerine – price 3/$9
Earn $6 in Register Rewards when you buy three
Use the $5/3 coupon in the 8/2/09 SS insert
You earn $2!

Jergens Naturals Lotion (16.8-oz.) – price $5.99
Earn $5 in Register Rewards
You pay – 99¢

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrient 3-Minute Treatment – price $3.99
Earn $2 in Register Rewards
Use the $1/1 coupon in the 7/12/09 RP insert
You pay – 99¢ 

Select Band-Aid products – price $2.99
Earn $4 in Register Rewards when you buy two
Use the $1/1 coupon in the 6/28/09 SS insert
Use the $1/1 coupon in the 8/2/09 SS insert
FREE after coupons and Register Rewards

Stayfree Maxi Pads (16 to 24-ct.) – price $1.99
Use the buy one, get one Stayfree product coupon in the 6/28/09 SS insert
You pay – 99¢

CVS

Note: this offer good only through Tuesday, August 11^th

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup – price $9.99
Earn $9.99 in Extra Care Bucks
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 7/19/09 SS insert
you earn $1!

Save more at CVS by watching a video on their Rapid Refill Service and taking a short survey. Then you’ll be able to print a $5 off $25 coupon.

Printable Coupons

Finally, for those of you near Giant stores, here’s a printable coupon to use on your next shopping trip: $5 off $50 at Giant.

Click the banner below to print any or all of the printable grocery coupons available this week through the coupon printer!   (Subscribers need to click through to this article to use the coupon printer.)

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Last week I wrote about Aldi. I hope some of you made the trip to your Aldi store (if you have one) or will consider it. I shopped there this past week, and got a loaf of bread for a little over a dollar, 64 oz. apple juice was $1.39, canned vegetables were 49¢, the big box (not sure of the count) of toaster pastries was $1.75, and I could go on and on.

Yes, I can get freebies and “almost freebies” with double and triple coupons, but not on all the items we use, and not all the time. Aldi is inexpensive and has good quality products, so I hope you’ll add shopping there to your list of ways to live frugally.

Back to School Deals – Expire 7/21/09

Did I just say “back to school?” I’m seeing all the stores stocking their shelves with school supplies, and we haven’t even taken our summer vacation yet!

If you want to get a jumpstart, CVS has some school supply freebies (only through Tuesday, July 21st).

Caliber or CVS/Pharmacy memo book 50-80 sheets – price 99¢
Earn 99¢ Extra Care Bucks (Limit 2)
FREE

Caliber or CVS/Pharmacy No. 2 Pencils (24 ct.) – price $1.99
Earn $1.99 Extra Care Bucks (Limit 2)
FREE

1″ Vinyl Binder – price $3
Earn $3 Extra Care Bucks (Limit 2)
FREE 

Paper Mate 1.2 pens (10 ct.) – price 99¢
Earn 99¢ Extra Care Bucks (Limit 2)
FREE

Caliber or CVS/Pharmacy filler paper (150 sheets) – price $2
Earn $2 Extra Care Bucks (Limit 2)
FREE

These CVS Specials Are Good All Week

CVS/pharmacy pantiliners 22 ct. – price 89¢
Earn 89¢ Extra Care Bucks (Limit 1)
FREE 

Speed Stick Pro deodorant 2.7 oz. – price $2.99
Earn $2 Extra Care Bucks (Limit 2)
you pay – 99¢

Kodak Picture Movie DVD – price $9.99
Earn $9.99 Extra Care Bucks (Limit 1)
FREE

Duracell batteries AA, AAA (4 pk.), C, D (2 pk.), or 9V (1 pk.) – price $2.99
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 6/28/09 Smart Source or 7/12/09 Smart Source insert
Earn $1 Extra Care Buck (Limit 1)
you pay – 99¢

Kmart, McDonald’s, and Starbucks Savings

Use this coupon to get a $25 K-Mart gift card for each prescription you transfer (up to $100)

Remember every Monday now through August 3^rd to get a free mocha (hot or cold) at McDonald’s from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. These are “sample” size, which is 8 oz. I don’t think that’s too bad for a sample, and I plan to get mine every Monday. The hot and cold mochas there are both good, in my opinion.

Tuesday at Starbucks, use this printable coupon to get a free pastry with any beverage purchase. If you read the coupon’s fine print, you’ll see there’s a good selection of pastries to choose from. You need to get to Starbucks in the morning though. This is only good until 10:30 a.m.!

Printable Coupons

Click the banner below to print any or all of the printable grocery coupons available this week through the coupon printer!   (Subscribers need to click through to this article to use the coupon printer.)

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• Cheap Back to School Supplies at Walgreen’s

Regular Tablescape and Household Searches

First, you’ll want to search for these regular table setting items and brands on eBay.  Depending on demand, you can usually find pretty good deals on tablescaping supplies, dishes, etc.

• “vintage table”, “vintage tea”, “tea set”, “table set”
• “table setting”, “table pad”, “table topper”
• “tablecloth”, “table runner”, “table pitcher”
• “tableskirts”, “table skirts”, “table covers”
• “napkins”, “mats”, “placemats”
• “napkin rings”
• “chargers”
• “place setting”
• “table decor”
• “Oneida”
• “Martha Stewart”
• “Better Homes and Gardens”
• “Pfaltzgraff”

Commonly Misspelled Household Items

If you didn’t find the low prices you were hoping for on eBay with your first searches, try our secret next.  Search eBay for commonly misspelled items and typing errors to get the advantage on bidding.  Common misspellings for tablescapes and household items:

• “dinning” instead of “dining”
• “table clorh” instead of “table cloth”
• “brocadd” instead of “brocade”
• “naplin” instead of “napkin”
• “platew” instead of “plate”
• “tes set” or “tee set” instead of “tea set”
• “saucerw” or “saucere” instead of “saucers”
• “table tunner” instead of “table runner”
• “centerpiecs”, “cebterpiece” or “centerpeice” instead of “centerpiece”
• “cebterpiece” instead of “centerpiece”
• “wine glsss” instead of “wine glass”
• “tabble” instead of “table”
• “flatwear” instead of “flatware”
• “vinntage”, “vintige” or”vintaje” instead of “vintage”
• “pfalzgraff”, “falzgraff”, or “pfaltzcraft” instead of “pfaltzgraff”

Have you found any super low prices for table setting and household items on eBay by using this secret?  Let us know in the comments.

For more great tablescape photos and information, check out Tablescape Thursday!

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• Tablescapes: Budget Table Settings that Look Expensive
• Table Setting 101: How to Properly Set a Table
• How to Design Budget Tablescapes that Look Expensive
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Kmart Double Coupons 7/6/09

K-Mart is doing super-double coupons again right now (7/6/09). It is very “hit and miss” (from what I can tell) on which stores participate. The best idea is to call ahead and find out.

You may also want to ask about printable coupons to find out what your store’s policy is about accepting them. There seem to be more and more restrictions on K-Mart’s policies in general about their double coupon days, including a new $25 minimum purchase requirement. I am not listing their deals this week, but feel free to comment below and let me know if you found any good bargains there.

CVS Freebies 7/6/09

Colgate Total Advanced or Sensitive toothpaste – price $3.49
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 6/8/09 SS insert
Earn $2 ECBs
you pay – 49¢ 

CVS Pantiliners (22 ct) – price 89¢
Earn 89¢ ECBs
FREE 

Head & Shoulders Shampoo – price buy two at $4.99 each
Use the buy one get one free coupon from the 7/5/09 P&G insert
Earn $4 ECBs
you pay – 50¢ each 

Caliber or CVS Invisible Tape – price $1.49
Earn $1.49 ECBs
FREE

Caliber or CVS No. 2 pencils (10 ct.) or pencil sharpener – price 99¢
Earn 99¢ ECBs
FREE

 
Dawn Dish Liquid – price buy two at $1 each
Use 2 25¢/1 coupons from 7/5 P&G insert
Earn $1 ECB
you pay – 25¢ each

Rite-Aid Deals 7/6/09

Be Koool Gel Patch (4 ct) – price $1
Receive a $1 Single Check Rebate
FREE

Rolaids (3 roll pack) – price $1
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 6/7/09 RP insert
FREE

FeverAll Infants’ or Children’s Suppositories (6 ct) – price $1
Receive a $1 Single Check Rebate
FREE

Finesse shampoo, conditioner, or styler – price buy 2 for $6
Use the 2 75¢/1 coupons from the 5/17/09 SS insert
Receive a $4 Single Check Rebate
you pay – 25¢ each 

Crest Pro-Health toothpaste – price $2.59
Use the 75¢/1 coupon from the 7/5/09 P&G insert
Receive $1.84 Single Check Rebate
FREE

Gillette Venus Embrace or Breeze Razor – price $7.99
Use the $2/1 coupon from the 7/5/09 P&G insert
Receive a $5 Single Check Rebate
you pay – 99¢

 
Sally Hansen Nail Enamel – price $1.99
Use $.50/1 coupon from 6/28 Red Plum insert
Receive $1 Single Check Rebate
you pay – 49¢ 

Walgreens Deals 7/6/09

Walgreens has a couple of good deals this week too.

Keebler Fudge Stripes Cookies – price 4/$10
Use two $1/2 printable coupons from coupons.com below
Earn $5 in Register Rewards
you pay – 75¢  

Starbucks Ice Cream – price 2/$4.79 (BOGO)
Use two $2/1 coupons from the 6/21/09 SS insert
you pay – 40¢ each

Printable Coupons

Finally, here are two great sites where you can send for $85 worth (total) in coupon savings.

$30 in coupons from Home Made Simple

$55 in coupons from Nabisco

Click the banner below to print any or all of the 85 printable grocery coupons available this week through the coupon printer!   (Subscribers need to click through to this article to use the coupon printer.)

SAVE $1.00 Reser’s Fine Foods

Save $1.00 Fischer & Wieser

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We have offers for free magazines all the time, one of a frugal homemaker’s secret free treats.  However, our favorite magazines aren’t always available for free, so cheap magazines are the next best thing!

We listed out a few of our favorite home and garden, homemaker, women’s, and cooking magazines below, but there are lots of others we didn’t have space to show.  The complete magazine list is here.

$10: All You Magazine 1 yr subscription.  This magazine is awesome, as it is normally packed with grocery coupons and health and beauty coupons.

$13: Food Network Magazine 1 yr subscription.

$13: O, The Oprah Magazine 1 yr subscription.

$5: Country Living (1-year subscription).

Browse the 176 magazines subscriptions on sale right now.  Here are some of the best ones we found:

• $13: Pregnancy magazine (2 year subscription)
• $10: House Beautiful magazine (2 year subscription)
• $19: Cooking Light magazine (2 year subscription)
• $6: Smart Money magazine (1 year subscription)
• $4.99: Woman’s Day magazine (1 year subscription)
• $10: Good Housekeeping magazine (1 year subscription)
• $14.97 Southern Living magazine (1 year subscription)
• $6.95: Family Fun magazine (1 year subscription)
• $9.97: Better Homes and Gardens magazine (1 year subscription)
• $4.97: Parents magazine (1 year subscription)
• $9.97: Family Circle magazine(1 year subscription)
• $6.97: Ready Made magazine (1 year subscription)
• $21: Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine (1 year subscription)
• $6.97: Working Mother magazine (1 year subscription)
• $6.97: Parenting Early Years magazine (1 year subscription)
• $8.97: American Baby magazine (1 year subscription)
• $14.97: Do It Yourself magazine (1 year subscription)

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We talked about how to save 90% off kids’ clothes by shopping thrift stores out of season last week.  To make this strategy work, you’ll have to make an estimate of what size your child will be wearing at a certain point in time.  Always guess a bigger size instead of smaller, and if the clothes happen to be a bit too big, they’ll be able to grow into them.

The store sales and clearance schedule below lists the best times and places to buy kids’ clothes for the best price.  “Do not buy” indicates when the clothes will be at their highest prices of the year.  Bookmark or print out this list for future reference.  To all you mommy bloggers- if you like this list and think it will be helpful to others, please link to it for your readers!  The permalink is:

http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/buying-cheap-kids-clothes-store-sales-clearance-schedule. Thank you for helping support this site!

Kids’ School Clothes 

Buy long-sleeved shirts, jeans, pants, sweaters and other fall / winter type kids’ clothes in spring and summertime.  The best time to buy school clothes is April or May, when stores are trying to make room for summer clothes.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: spring and summer.
• Do not buy: August or September.
• Retail store clearance time: April, May.

Halloween Costumes

For the best prices on kids’ Halloween costumes, look for them to appear at thrift stores all year round or at garage sales during the summer.  Consignment stores are a great source for cheap Halloween costumes as well.

• Best time to buy at thrift stores: November-August.
• Do not buy: September or October. 
• Retail store clearance time: November 1st-7th

Christmas Costumes and Themed Outfits

Retail stores start putting out cute kids’ Christmas outfits, like santa suits and elf costumes, around Thanksgiving time, but you’ll pay the highest prices possible if you buy them then and there.  eBay stores have super clearance sales on kids’ Christmas clothing the week after Christmas.

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Tomorrow is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  Are you ready for Black Friday bargain shopping to snag all the great deals on Christmas presents?  Black Friday sales flyers have been flying around the internet in the last week, allowing frugal shoppers to plan their plans of attack to get the best Black Friday deals.

Black Friday is known as the biggest shopping day of the year, and for good reason.  Retailers will be wooing wary holiday shoppers this year with deeply discounted merchandise and early-morning doorbusters.  Some stores, such as Walmart and Fred Meyer, will be opening their doors as early at 5 am.

If you’re planning to brave the mobs and attempt Black Friday shopping tomorrow, be prepared!  Read the sales flyers first, make your list, and coordinate a plan with a shopping partner.  You’ll find helpful links to Black Friday sales flyers for many popular stores below, as well as shopping tips from around the blogworld.  Happy sale shopping!

Retail Stores – Black Friday Sale Flyers

• Best Buy Black Friday, opens 5am (tickets handed out at 3am)
• Circuit City Black Friday, opens 5am
• KB Toys Black Friday, most stores open at midnight
• Kmart Black Friday, sale 6am-11am
• Kohl’s Black Friday, opens 4am
• Macy’s Black Friday, opens 5am (click to print savings pass)
• Office Max Black Friday
• PacSun Black Friday
• Radio Shack Black Friday
• Sears Black Friday
• Target Black Friday, opens 6am
• Walgreen’s Black Friday, opens 7am
• Walmart Black Friday, sale 5am-11am

Online Shopping – Black Friday Sales

• Amazon.com Black Friday
• BestBuy.com Black Friday
• Dell.com Black Friday
• Frys.com Black Friday 
• Go Daddy $7.49 .com sale
• KBToys.com Black Friday
• Kmart.com Black Friday
• Kohls.com Black Friday, sale starts at 1am
• Macys.com Black Friday, free shipping with coupon code GOBBLE
• NewEgg.com Black Friday
• OfficeMax.com Black Friday
• PacSun.com Black Friday
• RadioShack.com Black Friday
• Sears.com Black Friday
• Staples.com Black Friday
• ToysRUs.com Black Friday
• Walmart.com Black Friday

Black Friday Shopping Tips & Advice

• Black Friday deals from Your Coupon Buddy
• 8 Tips For Surviving Black Friday from LifeHack
• Black Friday Sales Are Emotional Shopping Trap from Frugal Dad
• Get Organized for Black Friday from LifeHacker

Black Friday Sales at Walmart

I know a lot of us have been waiting to find out just how good the Black Friday sales would be this year, in light of retailers’ anticipation of low holiday sales.  If you’ve had your eye on big-ticket items, like TVs, DVD players, printers, video game consoles, computers, or video cameras, you’ll want to check out  Walmart’s Black Friday Sales ad flyer, released this morning.

The sale starts at 5 AM Friday, November 28th (the day after Thanksgiving), but it is definitely worth getting up early to grab some of these sale prices.  Here are a few of the items I spied:

• Emerson 32 inch LCD TV $388
• Sansui 19 inch TV $178
• Our favorite holiday doll $35
• Brother sewing machine $59
• Magnavox Bluray player $128
• Portable DVD player $49
• HP printer/copier/scanner $29
• Miscellaneous kitchen appliances $4 and $15
• 6.5 foot prelit Christmas tree $25
• Kids’jeans $4 and $8
• Coats for the whole family $8
• There is WAY too much to list!

Black Friday sales shopping is definitely early in the morning and hectic, and no doubt the stores will be packed with fellow bargain hunters.  I know I won’t be the only frugal homemaker out there braving the crowds to get my hands on some of these great Christmas presents at budget prices. 

Two few tips for surviving Black Friday shopping:

1. Make a list before you go.  You may be running to the section to get your hands on an item with limited quantities, so make sure you go to the most important departments first.
2. Go to bed early the night before.  5 AM comes early, and people will probably be lined up outside the store waiting to get in when the store opens.  Being grumpy from lack of sleep will not make the stressful store any easier to deal with!

Good luck on your Black Friday budget shopping.  Maybe I’ll see you there!  Which Christmas presents are you hoping to snag on Black Friday? 

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to watch Walmart’s clearance items.  Many times their lowest price tag will still ring up LOWER at the checkout.  Here is my shocking find from this week as an example.

Maternity business button-up tops, by the brands Oh! Momma and Announcements:

• Regular price:          $16.87
• 1st clearance price:   $9.00
• 2nd clearance price:  $5.00
• 3rd clearance price:   $3.00
• 4th clearance price:   $1.00
• Rang up at checkout for just 31 cents EACH!

In the picture below, you can see some of the markdown stickers, the others were on the back of the tag.  I got 5 shirts for $1.55 total!  This is a great way to buy clothing for gifts, or even sizes that your kids can grow into.  The Walmart clearance trick applies to items besides clothing as well, such as housewares and toys.  Watch for crafts and kits on clearance and stock up your gift-giving drawer.

Homemaker Barbi Says: Watch your clearance racks for spectacular savings!

For more Super Saturday Savings, check out Money Saving Mom.

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