It’s the most wonderful time of the year… right? Well a lot of people have already begun taking their anxiety medication for the upcoming holiday season and theres no big surprise reason as to why. With the current state of the economy, its going to be quite a challenge getting all those “must-have” gifts for the ones you care most about. So, here to help are some online shopping codes to provide some economic relief. Just be careful to not sink into un-necessary buying! Enjoy!

Toys R Us: Save $15 on $100 or more
(offer ends 1/15/2010)
www.toysrus.com/HOLIDAY

FAO Schwarz: Save $25 on $150 or more
(offer ends 01/15/2010)
www.FAO.com/HOLIDAY

NFL Shop: Save $20 on $100 or more
(enter WINTER20 at checkout)
www.NFLShop.com

Dockers: Save 20% off any order, $100 or more
Valid thru 1/4/10
(www.dockers.com/HOLIDAY)

Zales: $50 off $300 purchase
(use promo code HOLIDAY 10)
www.zales.com

NHL: 15% off your order
(enter code NHLTRU)
http://shop.nhl.com

iRobot: $25 off $200 / $50 off $300 / $100 off $400
(use code HOLIDAY)
http://store.irobot.com

Aeropostale: $10 off $100 or more
Valid thru 1/4/10 – Enter code 10HOLIDAY
www.aeropostale.com

NY & Company: $25 off $75 / $50 off $125
Use Promo Code 2586 – Valid thru 1/9/10
www.nyandcompany.com

Dicks Sporting Goods: 20% off any single item
Promo code: DSGHOLIDAY
www.dickssportinggods.com

Levi’s: 20% off $100 or more
Valid thru: 1/4/10
www.levi.com/HOLIDAY

Bath & Body Works: $10 off $40 or more
Valid thru 1/31/10 – Promo Code 1419
online or in stores www.bathandbodyworks.com

NBA Store: 15% off any order
Use Promo Code: NBASLAM – Valid thru 1/31/10
www.nbastore.com

Timberland: $20 off $100 or more + free shipping
Use Promo Code: HOLIDAY09 – Valid thru 1/4/10
www.timberland.com

Enjoy!!!

Publix:
Sample items purchased include NY Texas Toast, Betty Crocker Au Gratin Potatoes, Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta, Dreamfield Pastas, Yoplait Yogurt, Aunt Jemima Pancakes and Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Dough (amongst other items). Most of the items you see here were either BOGO or 3/$5, etc.
Total (without any discounts): $109.77
Discounts from in-store promotions (BOGO, Sales, etc): $35.15
Discounts from manufacturer’s coupons: $17.35
Total Discounts: $52.50
Final Price: $57.27

Walgreens:
Items purchased here include, Cottonelle Toilet Paper, Folgers Coffee, Keebler Crackers, Ocean Spray Juice, Airwick refills & warmer, Progresso Soups, Colgate toothpaste and Scrubbing bubbles bath cleaner (amongst other items)
Total of purchase (without discounts): $61.80
Walgreens Promotions & Sales: $20.16
Walgreens Coupons (including register rewards) $4.98
Manufacturer’s Coupons: $16.19
Total Savings: $41.33
Final Price:  $20.47
Bonus: $1 in Register Rewards received after sale.

Winn-Dixie
Sample items purchased include: Snuggle Fabric Softener, Haagen-Dazs Ice cream, Dole Lettuce Bags, Jimmy Dean Breakfast Meals, amongst other (regular shopping) items (fruits, veggies, eggs, milk, bread, etc)

Total of purchase (without discounts): $60.81
Winn-Dixie Promotions / sales: $15.59
Manufacturer’s Coupons: $5.00
Total Savings: 20.59
Final Price: $40.22

Recap:
Total Purchases without discounts: $232.88
Total savings from various methods: $114.42
Final Price after Discounts and savings: $118.46

A note: Our household is a hearty-eating household of three (2 adults, 1 child). In addition we have 5 cats and 1 dog, so food and supplies really add up fast. We have (until recently) averaged a monthly grocery bill of appx $800.00, and we are already starting to see significant changes in that. Our goal? To reach $350 a month max. Can we do it? Absolutely!

General Mills cereals (participating brands) on sale 4/$10.00
WYB 4, get $4 back (with your CRC)
Click here for General Mills Coupons 2 / $0.75 off + 1/ $1 off 2
Total Savings: $4 plus $2.50 in coupons
Final Price: $3.50 for 4 boxes

Green Giant Bagged Veggies (19-24 oz) 2/$5.00
Two Smart Source Coupons – $0.50 off 1 = $1.00 savings
Final Price: $4.00 for 2 bags

Pillsbury Products: Get Free Large Eggs WYB 4 Pillsbury Products
Four Smartsource coupons - $0.50 off 1 = $2.00 savings
Final price: Varies + Free carton of eggs

Nabisco Crackers: 2/$5
Smartsource coupon - Save $1.00 WYB 2 = $1.00 savings
Final Price: 2 / $4.00

Coffee Mate Creamers: 3/$5.00
Coupons.com coupon  $1.50 off 2
Final Price: $3.50 for 3

Snuggle Fabric Softener: BOGO
2 Coupons.com coupons for $1.00 off = $2.00
Final Price: Varies, but close to free!

Temptations Cat Treats: 2/$3.00
Manufacturer’s Coupon from Sunday Paper: $1.00 off 2
Final Price: 2 /$2.00

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls / Entrees: 2 / $5.00
Manufacturer’s Coupon: $1 / 2
Final Price: $4.00 / 2

Gillette serioes deoderant (Old Spice) 2/$7.00
Manufacturer’s Coupon – $1 / 2
Final Price: 2/$6.00

Enjoy the savings!!!

Well, several major retailers have been leaking their Black Friday ads in an attempt to drum up early consumer interest in their products. Since the savviest shoppers shop early, I thought I would share some of these leaked ads so you can gauge whether or not it is worth it to wait for a super sale or buy early. Here they are, without further ado…

K-Mart
Sears
Harbor Freight Tools
Wal-Marts Pre-Black Friday Sale
Lowes
Toy’s R Us – Big Toy Book

And if you haven’t already, register to become a Best Buy Black Friday VIP by clicking here!

We’ll keep you updated with newly released ads as they are available!

Many thanks to the Baby Cheapskate Blog for announcing the arrival of the Target Toy Coupon Pack! They’re here and they’re good until November 25th, so enjoy these great savings on toys from Target!

For all you 2009 Entertainment Book holders, this is a friendly reminder that your coupons will soon be expiring from the book. Keep in mind that even though the NEW book is out and available, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot still take advantage of the coupons and rates from the old book. Though most coupons (especially the local ones) are expiring on or about November 1st, there are several (mainly the national ones) that are good until December 31st.  Here are some still great deals to take advantage of:

Promotions good through December 31st
Fashion Bug: 15% off your purchase – Enter 776214306
Wet Seal – Free ground shipping on orders over $15 – Go to wetseal.com/ent
Liz Claiborne - $25 off of $125 plus free shipping – Code ENTER259
Lane Bryant – $10 off $50 or more – Code 010004906
Shoes.com – 20% off – Code ENTSHOES09
Pajamagram - $10 off $60 or more – Code PETBK8
Brookstone – $10 off $70, Code ENT5SAVE;  $20 off $140 Code ENT6SAVE or $50 off $350, code ENT7SAVE

Be sure to let us know if you were able to save with these!!!

Truvia Natural Sweetener ($1 off coupon available in most coupon sections of last sunday’s paper)
M&M Brand Premiums Chocolate Candies
Nestle Toll House
Qulted Northern Ultra Plush
Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice
General Foods International
Eucerin Calming Body Wash
Fruit2Day
Head & Shoulders
Honeybaked Ham
International Delight
Jergens

Send info to:

Real Simple “Holiday” Savings $5 Rebate Offer
c/o USSC
625 Panorama Trail
Bldg 2, Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14625

Rebate details:

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Limited time offer, while supplies last. Only one rebate per household. Purchase of qualifying products must be made between 10/12/09 and 11/15/09 and must equal $15.00 or more. Proof of purchase must be in the form of original store receipt(s) with the qualifying products and purchase date circled and must be postmarked by 11/19/09 and received no later than 11/21/09. Sponsor not responsible for lost, late or misdirected mail. Any attempt at fraud may lead to disqualification and further legal action. Void where prohibited by law.

Idea No. 1   Recycled vessels + BACKYARD GREENERY

Shopping List:
Greenery: From the Yard – Free
Linen Napkin: From the cupboard – Free
Empty Cans : From the recycling bin – Free
Green Milo Berries: save-on-crafts.com - $4.99 for 8 oz.
Twig Boxes: B&J Florist Supply 212-564-6086 – $5 and $6.95
Bottles: West Elm – $9 & $12.00
Carpet Tape: Lowe’s – $4.98
Tags & Twine – Office Supply Store – $3.59 & $2.78
Total – $49.29

Idea No. 2 – wax-art plates + CRAYON BOUQUET

Shopping List:
6″ Styrofoam Ball – Michaels – $5.99
10 Boxes Generic Crayons – $9.99
Silicone Cupcake Molds – $10.00
Blue Finger Paint – $1.49
Total – $27.47

Idea No. 3 real blooms  + PAPER FLOWERS

Shopping List:
Manzanita branch – save-on-crafts.com – $9.99
Floral Tape and Wire – save-on-crafts.com – $6.00
One stem of cymbidium orchids – Flower Shop – $15.99
Tissue Paper – Stationery Store – $5.99
Total – $37.97

Idea No. 4 – buckets of color + HAND-PAINTED STRIPES

Shopping List:
2 Quarts Behr Paint in Appletini & Peacock Tail – The Home Depot – $18.98
Two Flowerpots – The Home Depot – $9.98
Paper Tablecloth & Napkins & Tissue Paper- Party City – $5.99 & $3.99 & $2.49
Two Bunches of Carnations – Supermarket – $7.98
Total – $49.41

To see the full article on how to pull off these designs, click here.