Thrifty and Thriving

with code FREE_PHOTO_CLING_DEAL today (8/18/10 only) and you have to have it shipped (about $6) but it’s a $9.99 value!

Does your kid destroy backpacks? As in, carries everything and a hamster around and by the end of the school year its barely able to hold a folder? Yeah, thought so. I used to do that too. But wait! There’s hope! There are a lot of places you can get inexpensive backpacks for your kids, and not feel bad that they are ruined by the end of the year. Here are a few places to check out:

Target has backpacks on sale! You can get a nice backpack for your little dudes and gals for under $10. Check it out here.

Staples has 25% off Jansport Backpacks here. (The coupon is really tiny at the bottom of the ad)

School-Bags.com has a bunch of bags under $20 here.

eBags.com has 20% off site-wide on backpacks here.

And finally, don’t forget to check out Amazon and eBay for inexpensive bags.

Happy hunting!

Even though I’m not a student anymore, I still get really excited about back to school shopping. When I was a kid, it was the one time of year that I got a ton of new supplies that I could organize, decorate and shove into my backpack. It was awesome. These days, I still get a little thrill every time I have to buy a new folder or binder or pens. It takes me back to when Mom, Brother and I would head out to the Oscars Drug store and get to check all the items off our classroom lists. My mom was the original Super Saver and when it came to school supplies she was a master of savings.

Here’s some tips I learned from her over the years and that you can use for your back to school shopping:

- Buy the plain colored folders instead of the one with cartoon characters. Those cartoons won’t be cool in a few months anyways. Plus, if you get the plain ones, then there is more room for creativity and you can encourage your kids to decorate their own folders.

- Re-use colored pencils. I know they look dingy and boring, but a quick coat of paint and sharpening them makes them good as new.

- Do you have a ton of crayons? Melt them down and turn them into fun shapes! It is a little more work, but it means your kids will have the coolest crayons in the classroom

- Same as the folders, get the plain binders with the plastic covering. Then your kids can change out what they want their binder to look like throughout the year. Plus, if they don’t destroy them, then you can use them again next year!

- Instead of buying the top brand Elmer’s Glue, get the generic brand. It will hold macaroni on paper and keep a couple extra bucks in your wallet.

- Finally, buy in bulk! You know every year you will need paper, so why not buy a lot of it?

What do you do to cut back on school supplies costs? Any helpful tips?

Gap is having the give and get promo again: you choose a non profit, get 30% off coupon to use between March 18-21 and 5% of your purchase will go to the non profit organization you chose!

Get $4 to Spend at Amazon Video On Demand
Use Code AVODGIFT to Enjoy Movies, TV and More

Go here and follow the steps outlined on this page.

Promotion is valid through January 3, 2010 11:59 PM PST; you must redeem the code by January 3, 2010 11:59 PM PST.

As seen on slickdeals.net: Olay is offering a MIR for up to two Olay Quench Body Lotions. Purchase must be made by January 29, 2010 and submission must be made by February 12th, 2010. Here’s the rebate form

Tempting as it is to get some free lotion this time of year, it won’t really be free unless you submit the MIR. Just a thought.

Reminder: most retailers offer guaranteed Christmas delivery if you order by end of the day today or tomorrow so get your shopping in if you haven’t already done so!

Gap.com offers 25% off your entire purchase when you enter code HOORAH. To get holiday delivery order by December 17th 11:59PM EST

Bakers.com is offering 15% off your entire purchase one day only (it’s automatic, no codes); plus free ground shipping. Get your oder in by December 17, 2009 11:59pm PST to get it by Christmas using Standard Service

Sears.com is offering $10 off $75+ purchase and free shipping with code EXCLUSIVE

JCPenney.com is offering free shipping on orders $25+ with code COUNT25

Disneystore.com has Buy One Get One Free kids’ PJs wtih code SWEETDREAMS. Free shipping only starts at $89 (with code SHIP89). This deal is ok, they had better though ($5 PJs for boys and girls) so if you don’t have to buy them for your kids for Christmas wait till after the holidays.

Macy’s $10 off coupon only valid til 1pm today

JC Penney, on the other hand, offers you more time and options to use their coupon – $10 off single purchase of $25+ in stores, or use code 104YOU online. Valid till Monday Nov 23

Express is offering $25 off $75 purchase, or $10 off $30 with this coupon ; or use code 4368 online; valid through Sunday. It’s not their best offer, but an offer for this week nonetheless.

Justice, aka Limited Too, is having a permanent 40% off your purchase promo it seems. This time online code is 771, or ask me to forward you the email (that you can print out and bring to the store to get the discount). Offer valid through Nov 25th.

Gap is offering 25% off your purchase when you enter code GIFT123 at check out; valid through November 22 on regularly priced merchandise purchased online only; you will get free shipping on orders $50+
Or, shop in a Gap store with this coupon to get 20% off your purchase.

Enjoy!