Hope everyone’s Thanksgivings were as wonderfully joyous as mine! As always, my savings were bountiful. I was able to get 2 free turkeys, side dishes, salads, beverages, and desserts – all at great discounts. There is no trick; just a bit of planning, organizing, and watching for the best time to buy.

As we enter the Holiday season, and we plan our gift-giving, there are many ways to save. The department stores all have online, as well as in-store, coupons. Here’s one great example:

Bed, Bath & Beyond always has discount coupons (they accept expired ones too), and the clerk will help determine the best coupons for each item. But behind the courtesy desk is a list of about 50-75 rebated items. My son just bought a Keurig coffee maker using a 20% coupon. He then took advantage of the $50 rebate offered at BB&B. A double discount!

Some other rebated items include Emerilware, Pyrex, and Kitchenaid. The best part? You can keep the rebate on these gift items and have more money to spend or to save: your choice!

Need stationery items? Staples, among other stationers, offer rebates. I received almost $200 in rebates this past month: paper, pens, printers, software, and more. My husband Steve got a great deal on a new Canon printer with a $150 rebate. A nice gift (for himself)! https://www.stapleseasyrebates.com/img/staples/paperless/pages/Landing.html

Don’t forget toys! Every toy store has sales, coupons, and discounts, especially around this time of here. Combine as many as you can. Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us have mega savings.

Toy manufacturers like Hasbro also offer their own coupons: http://www.hasbrorewards.com/:b=firefox16/coupons.html?cid=cy.default.1353278458.wKHNe7uSZGZuZ-KKlTk8qM8a40yJTV4kXuIhLtx-YFMbaI4BkU7yfljtJnlQOpGfBBtcH9_35b3wVMtEEnXkrQ3HIuD8Zwed7sn-dpnRMxspIeDW6JP7e4Ifnmxt0Uyh.6b9c5b8f3c94e8ff759897de264c95b2.2

One of my favorite sites, www.ebates.com, offers online rebates. They have about 500 or more partners, including Kohls, Walmart, Sears, Amazon, and more. Go to the ebates site, click on the partner you want, and make your purchase. You can use online codes, sales, and more, plus you get additional cash back from ebates itself. They offer almost daily double cash back. I got 12% back from Lancome, 6% back from drugstore.com, and 35% back from the Entertainment book. And that’s just me getting started!

Make your Holiday shopping pay you too. In a year, I get between $2,000 and $2,500 cash. Checks in the mail (after the Holidays are over) are a great bonus. Happy Saving!

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Mypoints.com. It’s been around for a while and it allows members to trade, buy, and exchange airline points. I’ve been a member for some time. Recently, they’ve come up with a very unique concept.

Mypoints.com is partnering with lots of companies to give out mileage with the purchase of a gift card from specific merchants. For example, MyPoints members can earn 500 points for each Marriott $75 Gift Card they purchase (subject to change). Panera bread, Darden restaurants, and Bath & Body Works all offer points, as well as dozens of others. Most of the promotions are available for a limited time. I plan to purchase some of these gift cards since these are places I frequent.

My only concern is to make sure these cards are used, and not placed in some drawer and forgotten.

Sign up is easy. Make sure to have all your airline cards handy to enter your frequent flyer numbers. Let me know your experiences, and start racking up those airline points to use for more gift cards or trips you plan to take!

http://www.mypoints.com/emp/u/login.do

Food Lion is now participating in the e-Labels for Education program through their Frequent Shopper card. You register your card & earn 250 bonus points to give to the school of your choice.

In case you’re not familiar with the Labels for Education program, it offers schools an opportunity to earn needed equipment, supplies, and more through a label saving and submission concept.

It’s a great way to supplement needed computers, schoolyard equipment, and much more. This may be a program you’d like to introduce in your own school or to other participating schools to help with their collections. It’s fun, free, and easy.

You can check if your own store is currently participating in the e-labels program by logging onto the web site.

From Labels for Education: “The Labels for Education program is proud to welcome new participating brands: GLAD Food Storage, Emerald Nuts, Dannon kids yogurts, and select magazines purchased at retail, including People, Real Simple, and more.

“There are now over 2,500 participating Labels for Education products that can help your kid’s school earn even more FREE educational merchandise.”

http://www.elabelsforeducation.com/Sites/Campbells_eLabels/Page/HomePage?utm_medium=email&utm_source=SC&utm_campaign=3/20/2012_03.21.12+-+Shoppers%27+Companion-My+Essentials&utm_content=LabelsForEducationPromoImage

A few months ago, Upromise sent an e-message: “You don’t have to use that money strictly for college. It’s never too early to start looking for ways to help pay for your child’s college expenses. With Upromise you can start saving faster by doing the things you already do every day. And, you can join for FREE.”

If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews, you can help them save for their college educations with Upromise. The program is free, and all you have to do is sign up and register all your store loyalty cards.

You earn a percentage of the amount spent, which goes into a 529 account for the college-bound student. It’s easy, and the more participants there are, the faster the account will grow.

I started one for my son Adam, and now since he’s finished with school, I’ll start one for my granddaughter, Ava. Join me in saving for your family or friend.

https://lty.s.upromise.com/secure/join-upromise-free-save-for-college.do?&ax=acqemail-080911-partner-af-pontiflex

Over the years, certain companies have offered coupons and refunds on a regular and consistent basis. Langer’s is one of these companies. I’d like to share some of the most current ones.
Here are a bunch of mail-in promos from Langer’s Juices. Mr. Argentinosaurus promo, Ragg’s Rockin Book & DVD and free video games, among other items.
This is a great site to bookmark. They always have great offers.
If you find an equally great site, let us know or post it on our discussion board. It’s fun to share.

http://www.langers.com/