IHOP Gift Card Deal

Who doesn't like a big breakfast?  IHOP is offering $5 off your next visit when you buy $25 in gift cards.  Your $5 will expire January 31, 2012.

Friendly's Gift Card Bonus

Right now at Friendly's, buy $25 worth of gift cards and received 2 $5 bonuses ($10 total bonus)!  Bonus cards offer only good in-store, NOT online.

Free Fries Friday at Burger King - THIS FRIDAY Dec 16th

Burger King has all new fries and they are giving them away!  December 16th from 10am through 11:30pm.  One free value size fry per person, per visit.  No purchase necessary, at participating locations, while supplies last.

Papa Gino's Gift Card Bonus

Get $5 on your rewards card for every $25 you spend in gift cards at Papa Gino's.  In-restaurant purchase only.  I'll probably do this for myself, simply because we go to Papa Gino's and D'Angelo alot.  Who would this be a good gift for?

Another Restaurant with a Gift Card Deal - Ruby Tuesday!

Ruby Tuesday is offering a free bonus $15 coupon with the purchase of $50 in gift cards.  Get there fast by clicking HERE.

Kohl's: 20% off and Free Shipping

Lots of retail company's are offering free shipping right now if you spend a minimum amount.  BUT if you're like me, you're not spending $50 or $69 at a time.  If you like Kohl's you can use the following coupon codes and still get you items in time for Christmas - and they have an easy return policy, so no worries!

Be sure to start your shopping trip through ebates.com for cash back. Whatever you're looking for, I'd check clearance first, and after adding the codes to your cart during chechout, make sure all items qualify.

20% off use code CC20DEC12  (or try PRESENTS4ALL for 30% off using your Kohl's Charge Card)
Free Shipping use code  XMASFREE

For more online shopping codes visit retailmenot.com.

"Free" AA or AAA Batteries at Staples

Be sure to join Staples Rewards in order to score free (or better than free) batteries!

Go to Staples and buy a 16-pk AA or AAA Duracell Batteries.  Valid on SKU 581672 or 618854 only.  Be sure to show them your Staples Rewards card.  You will pay 12.99 per pack (limit 2).  Later you will gett 100% of that back in Staples Rewards, at which time you might be able to score the same deal without paying for it, if they are having the deal again and you use your rewards to pay for it.

Make this deal even better by using 2 $1 off Duracell coupons found in your Sunday paper.  That way, you actually MAKE money on this deal!  You'll likely need these to go with battery--operated gifts anyway.

Valid until December 17th, but they may have same deal next week too - this has been going on for a while.

Free Sample of Arm & Hammer Toothpaste

Arm & Hammer is having a "Try it Free for a Week" Challenge, which includes sending you a free tube.  Sign-up at their website today, by clicking HERE.  One per household.

"As Seen on TV" Deals at at a Surprising Store!

You've got to admit.  There's something "As Seen on TV" that you think would be perfect for you or someone you love.  The first problem is, you know you're taking a risk buying it and don't want to pay full price.  The second problem is that they are usually sold everywhere for the same price, and usually don't go on sale.  Walmart generally can be cheaper for many things, but their prices for the "As Seen on TV" items are, from what I've noticed, the same as everyone else.

So how can we save money here?  I haven't seen too many coupons for these types of items (I actually have seen coupons before, but they are rare).  The best idea I came up with was Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Although most of their merchandise is expensive for my taste, these "As Seen on TV" items are priced about the same as anywhere else.  The great thing about this store is that you can easily come across a 20% any regularly-priced item or even $5 off $19 or more.  Since these items rarely go on sale, either of these coupons should work and I got my deal a few weeks ago...a $19.99 item with $5 off.  They have lots of these odds and ends that are great for gifts, even if you wouldn't think this was the store to find it in.

Let me know if you can think of another store that offers general coupons like this scenario that we can use toward "As Seen on TV" items.  I have noticed knock-offs of these items at Christmas Tree Shops for a lower price, but if you want the real thing, this is the way to go. 

P.S.  If you're looking for a Snuggie, the best deal I found was at Five Below for $5.  And although the selction is limited, it's the real thing.   And you don't have to pay shipping and handling!

Gift Card Bonuses for the Holiday Season

This time of year many restaurants are offering bonuses to your gift card purchases.  Buy $25 and get a bonus $5 gift card for yourself, for instance.  Even with all the money we're spending on gifts this time of year, why not take advantage of these bonuses for yourself?  Buy a gift card to a reastaurant you regularly visit and get the bonus that comes with it.  Then save it for next time you go there.  It's like giving a gift to yourself.

I know of the following restaurants offering bonuses.  If you know of others, leave a comment so we can share ideas.  Thanks!
T-Bones (Get $1 bonus for every $5 gift certificate you buy - no limit!)
Chili's (Save 10% when you buy $100 or more)
Smokey Bones (Buy $50 in gift cards, receive $10 for yourelf.  See store for details.  Valid through 12/24/2011)
Weathervane Seafood Restarant  (I don't see that they are offering anything at the moment, but occassionally they offer 20% off!)

10% off Valentino's Gift Certificates

For those of you living in and around Hudson/Nashua NH area, Valentino's Restaurant in Hudson, NH is offering 10% off gift cartificates until 12/31/2011.  Buy one as a gift or for yourself to use throughout the year.

$10 off $50 at Christmas Tree Shops

Click HERE to print your coupon, then take it to Christmas Tree Shops!

What Was Your Best Holiday Find So Far?

Tell me about the best sales and most successful shopping trips you have had (or are planning) for this holiday season.  I'd love to hear what you found!

$4 off Sweaters at Target, too!

While you're at Target.com Coupon Page, be sure to print the $4 off Women's Sweater and so see what you can find...even works on clearance items!  Coupon expires on 12/24/2011, so I'm waiting to see what goes on sale next week. 

Click HERE to get to the coupon page fast!

$7 Woman's Pajamas Sets (Top and Bottom) at Target!

Please tell me you've already done this - either for yourself or as a gift...

Click HERE to get to the Target coupons page for apparel & accessories.  Find the "$3 off Woman's sleepwear item" and click on it to select it, then click "Print Selected Coupons".  You can go back and print it twice.

Target currently has Gilligan & O'Malley 2-pc sleepwear sets on sale for $10 (normally $17.99).  With the $3 off you can get it (top and bottom together) for $7!  That is a great savings!  That is better than anything I found on clearance at my store, but by all means, if you print 2 of this coupon, you might find top and bottom separates and can use both coupons...let me know how you make out.  There were at least 5 colors to choose from in my store. I ended up with 4 of the 5 colors.

Coupon expires 12/24/2011.

Save When Giving Gift Cards this Season and All Year Round!

If you plan to give gift cards this holiday, there's still time to shop for discounted gift cards.  Visit the following websites to see what's available and to order:

cardpool.com
plasticjungle.com
giftcards.com

Remember, many times these come to you as merchadise credit, so they may not be pretty enough for gifts (although I've taken them to the stores and used them to buy new gift cards at times) and the physical cards generally take 7-10 days before your received them (although in many cases I get them much sooner) so give yourself some time. 

If you will be ordering something online, you may find an electronic gift card for the retailer you are ordering from...the websites usually ask that you allow 24 hours to recievd the electronic gift cards, but my experience, at least with cardpool.com, is that I receive the electronic gift card within an hour.

Remember that you can go through ebates.com when you order from plasticjungle.com and you will receive a % back from your order.  I usually go through ebates.com to order my gift card via plasticjungle.com, then go back through ebates.com to order the actual item (and use my gift card to pay).  You will get a % back in both instances.

Unfortunately, cardpool.com does not work through ebates.  As a side note, I have not personally used giftcards.com.