Shop-O-Matic

Tell us about your best deal ever

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:03:21 -0500

One of our favorite deal sites, WalletPop.com, has started asking readers for the best deal they'ever received.

Acknowledging that imitation is the best form of flattery, we've decided to ask readers of the SunSentinel the same question.

There aren't any prizes, just bragging rights.

So tell us all about that trip to the grocery store, that deal on a car or how you managed to pay next to nothing for the house you live in.

We can't wait to see what you come up with.

PHOTO: Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images

Even Prada's on sale

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:33:57 -0500

When I was a teenager, my father took me to the big city, which was Chicago for us, and bought me a dress at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I felt quite sophisticated in my Saks dress, which was probably a little too old for me. But the experience of shopping with Dad -- not his favorite pastime -- was one I'll always treasure.

Saks is not a place I normally shop because, on a journalist's salary, I can't afford to be spending $300 to $1,000 on a item of clothing. But in this recession, everything is on sale.

At Saks Fifth Avenue in Town Center at Boca Raton, many designer fashions right now are up to 70 percent off. You'll see signs saying "50% off ticketed prices" all over the store -- on items that already have been marked down!

The Elijah strapless dress pictured, for example, is on sale for $99, regularly $300.

It's also a pleasure to shop where the sale clothing isn't in a pile or jammed on racks. At Saks, even the clearance items are neatly hung.

You've got until Sunday, July 12, to get designer fashions at a discount at Saks. You might just find Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs and Prada on sale. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Free sample of Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:05:57 -0500

Get a free 7-day sample of a Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex at “America’s Night to Repair” event from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at Estee Lauder counters.

Estee Lauder products can be found at major department stores including Nordstrom, Macy's and Dillard's in South Florida.

A 1 oz. bottle of Advanced Night Repair is normally $47.50.

For more information on the serum, to go Estee Lauder. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Bras 40% off at Macy's Saturday sale

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:57:23 -0500

Macy's having a one-day sale on Saturday, July 11, (with preview on Friday) and one of the better deals is 40 percent off its bras. The sale is in stores and online at Macy's.

This Maidenform satin demi bra is marked down to $19 from $33, for example.

Lots of other sales on bed and bath, women's swimwear, jewelry (a $59 diamond bracelet?) and more. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

30% coupon off NY & Company purchase

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:21:18 -0500

Take 30 percent off any in-store purchase at NY and Company or 30% off a $75 purchase online.

Coupon

Get this little black dress for only $19.97!
Looks like the perfect addition to my summer wardrobe. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Printable coupon: $1.50 off Blue Bell ice cream

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:52:19 -0500

This is going to be quick...no pretty pictures on this post. I'm packing for trip # 3...in a row. But I saw the $1.50 off Blue Bell coupon, and couldn't resist sharing. We know our readers LOVE Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Click here if you use Internet Explorer. And here if you use Firefox. You can print two from each computer, use the back button to print the second one.

Now, if you are new to the world of couponing, let me give you a strategic shopping tip. Save these coupons, and use them when Blue Bell is buy-one-get-one free or on a good sale. That will maximize your savings.

Back to school with LL Bean: $23 book packs

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:11:40 -0500

August is approaching and with that, the start of a new school year for most children.

What they always need is a backpack, shoulder or rolling, to carry their books. LL Bean, which calls them book packs, offers its original junior shoulder-strap for $23.95. Larger ones are $27.95.

Rolling varietes are nearly twice as much: $59.95. But kids' backs are priceless! So it might be worth more to invest in the rolling variety, as long as your child doesn't think it's uncool.

Get them monogrammed (I'd check with the child on that) if you want. Large variety of colors and pattterns available, including Army green. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

Coupon Chaos: Enter your shopping deals and steals here

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:16:24 -0500

Welcome to Coupon Chaos, where you can leave your best savings tips and be entered to win free coupons.

You all are leaving great shopping tips all over the blog, we love it!!! Thanks. But as Trish reminded me, it's nice to have an obvious place to go when you have a tip to share. I'm a day late, but if you saw my schedule you'd understand. Keep the great tips coming.

What are you finding at Super Double week at Kmart? Did you get good deals with the Office Depot coupon? (Don't tell anyone I got my wireless keyboard and mouse.) What's new, we love to hear from you.

Check us out on Fridays for a list in advance of the coupons that will be in Sunday's paper. Next week, over $175. --Super Saver Kathy

10% off plants through Home Depot Garden Club

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:07:23 -0500

Get 10% off ALL bulbs, plants, flowers, trees, houseplants and shrubs at Home Dept through the Home Depot Garden Club. They sent me a coupon, which I would love to share with you, but it says it can only be used by the recipient. Join the Garden club to get your 10% off coupon.

If you are not a Garden Club member, click here to register.

Fine print off the coupon: This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program and is not valid on: (a) the purchase of The Home Depot Gift Cards or Certificates or (b) prior purchases. Present to cashier at time of purchase to receive your discount. This offer is valid July 8, 2009 through July 22, 2009.

Stein Mart coupon: 20% off Red Dot clearance good though July 7th and 8th

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:41:56 -0500

Another Stein Mart coupon! If you didn't have a chance to go this weekend, this is another coupon for 20% off Red Dot merchandise. Click here to print coupon. --Super Saver Kathy

Update on Office Depot $20 off $75 coupon

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:44:43 -0500

I used my $20 off $75 coupon to buy my Epson printer ink and it worked like a charm. (There was a question, since it didn't work on technology, would it work on printer ink.) At first the cashier said no technology, but I told him Office Depot customer service said it would work. I ran that total as close as I could to $75, the percentage of savings is best if you stay right at $75. It was fun seeing the $20 come off the total.

Attention all you eBayers!!! Don't spend all your profits on packing materials, Office Depot packing tape is on clearance, (6) 50m rolls for $7.41. I am scared to buy off-brand tape, you know how it shreds as you're using it? (Don't you hate when cheap tape unwinds in skinny strips and you can't get a whole piece off the roll?) I bought one pack to test it. It's thin, but with a tape dispenser, it's okay. It sure beats the brand name Scotch packing tape that costs almost $5 for one 50m roll.

I've already printed another $20 off $75 coupon for my return trip.

Kashi deals: Stack manufacturers coupons with Target coupons for great deals

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:36:25 -0500

If you love Kashi products, this is a good week for you. Target has Kashi coupons that can be stacked with manufacturers coupons for double savings. We'll thank MoneySavingMom for sharing the list, click here.

See how the Krazy Coupon Lady gets $20 worth of Kashi products for $4 here.

New 'Home Made Simple' coupon booklet with $30 in coupons

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:11:45 -0500

Sign up here to get $30 in coupons from Home Made Simple. Even if you already have the coupons from an earlier promotion, it has been reset, so sign up again.

Super Double coupons at Kmart this week - July 5th - 11th

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:25:58 -0500

Just a reminder, we mentioned this last week, that it's Super Double coupons at Kmart this week. While you're there, if you spend $50, you can get $5 off with this coupon. Make sure you give them the coupon first, before any manufacturers coupons, while your total is at least $50. The rules for Super Double coupons below:

* Manufacturer Coupons up to $2
* Does not include Kmart Store/Pharmacy Coupons
* No copies of manufacturer coupons
* You may only purchase 4 of the same item using double coupons
* Limit 10 total coupons per customer / day
* Doubled up to current retail price of a single item

As we've discussed, sometimes double coupons at Kmart are still not the best deal. Let us know what you've found that is worth buying there this week.

Acer laptop mystery continues

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:37:55 -0500

I wrote on Thursday about a $300 laptop that Staples was advertising in its weekly ad. On Friday, Staples sent out e-mails saying the 15.6-inch Acer notebook wasn't available in South Florida.

For those still looking for that laptop, check out today's (Saturday, July 4th) Brandsmart ad in the Sun Sentinel. The store is advertising the 15.6" screen laptop with 2GB for $348.88 and a smaller Acer notebook, with an 8.9-inch screen and 1 GB ram for $248.88.

Again, shop and compare, and make sure the laptop is going to fit your needs or those of the high school or college student who needs it for class in the fall.

The hunt goes on for the inexpensive laptop. Let me know what you find out there! -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds