Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program=free books!

Who: Barnes & Noble

What: Imagination's Destination summer reading program for children grades 1-6. Details here.

When: May 24th thru September 6th.

Where: Find your nearest Barnes & Noble here.

How: Kids can earn ONE book from Barnes & Noble when they read 8 books of their choice over the summer and submit the list to Barnes & Noble in the form of a Journal.

BONUS: It's available in English (pages 1 & 2 of Passport) and Spanish (pages 3 & 4).

Thanks to Mommy's Wish List!

Target beats out Wal-Mart prices on many items

While I've always liked Target a lot, and even found some good prices--plus the fact they "stack" store issued and manufacturer coupons, I was surprised to learn they beat out Wal-Mart in the low-price war!

In an article from Jeanine Poggi at MSN-partner site "The Street"
details:

According to pricing studies conducted by Customer Growth Partners, a consumer research firm, January, February and March all revealed Target's prices were lower than Wal-Mart's. The monthly study, which is conducted in four states, compares products across segments, including 30 fresh, frozen and nonperishable groceries, eight household chemicals, paper and other consumables like detergent, seven health and beauty aids like shampoo and counter medicines, and 10 general merchandise items like apparel and toys.

There is a caveat in the article, though: "According to the Kantar study, Wal-Mart was cheaper in edible grocery items by about 1% and has a 3.4% advantage over Target with non-grocery home goods."

You can read the entire article here. The moral of the story: It pays to compare prices and match coupons with store sales.

Which store do you prefer, Target or Wal-Mart?

33% Off Grocery trip to Kroger

It's not secret I love Kroger! Even before my son started working there, I shopped Kroger for the prices, coupons, quality products and discount gas. Now that he is a Kroger employee, we benefit even more by receiving 10% off all Kroger-branded items!

Today I only needed "fill-in" items. I received a pack of Kroger brand coupons earlier in the week (these are generated based on my buying habits - tracked via my Kroger card usage.

I had 5 reusable bags, so saved 25 cents right off the bat! I had a $5 off coupon when you spend $50 coupon and a $1.50 off coupon when you spend $10 on sodas (any brand). I don't usually buy sodas, but the guys like them for their lunches, so stocked up in order to use the coupon.

I had these additional coupons for:
2 packs of Kroger shredded cheese (40 cents each-doubled) (on sale)
1 pack of Frigo Cheese sticks ($1.00)
1 bag Fresh Express Salads (40 cents-doubled)
Kroger brand pizza ($1.00) (on sale for $6.99)
2 Pillsbury refrigerator breads (40 cents-doubled)
Oscar Mayer Hot dogs ($1.00).

Most of my other items were Kroger brand, except for a cucumber, and marked down pork chops (which I will divide into three freezer bags for meals later).

Total before coupons and discounts? $97.43. Amt. paid at checkout: $65.30

My total savings with coupons, discouts and marked down items: 33%!

Coupons and Bonus Savings like Free Money

I saved a ton from my trip to CVS. My husband had purchased something earlier in the week and received a "Save $5 on a $15 purchase" coupon at the bottom of his receipt.

I checked the CVS ad on line and found the Maybelline Mascara I use was on sale AND offered a $2 Extra Bucks coupon when you spend $7. I bought the mascara as a separate purchase and my total for the Mascara was $12. 16.

Then I scanned my CVS card and received 2 coupons for savings on Twizzlers and Milky Way bars. (I'm not a big fan of buying candy, but my husband and son get really a little panicky if I don't keep some in the house:-)

I bought
2 cans of Deluxe Mixed Nuts (saved $2.65 each),
2 bags of 75% off chocolate eggs
1 bag of Twizzlers and
Mother's day card for my mother-in-law.
At the check-out I used the $5 off coupon, the $2 EB coupon from the Mascara purchase, $.25 off two Milky Way Bars and $1.00 coupon off Twizzlers (also on sale).

Total paid: $12.42
Total savings: $17.75

I haven't been shopping too much at CVS, but I think I'm going to be more vigilant about potential saving opportunities again!



How have you saved money at CVS this week?