75% off costumes at Target!

Thanks to my mom for this hot tip!

Costumes & other Halloween stuff is marked down 75% at Target as of today 11/4 (I am imagining it will be gone in a day or so - so hurry!)

She said it was a big mess at the Vista Target - but totally worth it! She got four kids costumes (including Disney's Rapunzel!) for less than $18!

Yes - Halloween is over, but if your kids enjoy dress up this is a great discount! You could always wrap up a Halloween costume as a Christmas present right?

I'm bummed I didn't find this out in time for the 11/4 newsletter - but hopefully several people will be able to take advantage.

Enjoy ~ Kate

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Saturday 7/17/10 Deals & Steals

Target Art & Wonder ~ FREE Admission at THE NEW CHILDREN'S MUSEUM downtown - so fun! make sure to wear play clothes!  so much fun!

Lakeshore Learning Center always has a free craft 11am - 3pm

Borders ~ FREE event promoting Ramona & Beezus at 2pm - activities, prizes, giveaways, & more (while supplies last)

Petco ~ 'Reptile Rally' show (call your location) San Marcos Petco IS participating! 11am - 1pm

Festival of the Bells is all weekend long & will offer lots of entertainment - 10am - 9pm Sat (check link for more details)

Grape Day Park ~ free crafts and activities 3-5pm & then come back for the free movie (showing 'Planet 51' at 8pm)

San Marcos Civic Screen is showing 'Astro Boy' free!

*check your local library for craft times & special events - SEVERAL going on this weekend - simply too many to mention in this list without getting crazy long!

FREE art events for the kiddos sponsored by the good people at Target

Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event, July 16-18 is completely FREE at several locations all over the US - thank you Target!!

Here are a few right here in San Diego!

'The New Children's Museum' - Saturday & Sunday

'San Diego Museum of Art' - Sunday

'San Diego Symphony' - Sunday

Click Here for more details

These events appear to be free - although I am not sure if museum admission is free too? Normally it will say 'with paid admission' - but I am not positive - as always, I suggest you check links and info too before making plans!

Enjoy ~
Kate

I rocked it at Target today...coupons & clearance!

So today when Daddy got home, Mommy needed a trip to Target (who else has those days??)

Anyway, I went to Target with coupons & reusable bags in hand with only three things on my shopping list - loofa, shampoo, baby shampoo - that was it.

But I also had a couple other very important things - lots of free item coupons, several sets of stackable Manufactures AND Target for the same single item coupons, and most importantly...time.

Long story short -

Original Price $74.85 (it is important to point out this original number is actually much higher because several items were on clearance & were marked down as much as 1/2 off - but I don't want to tally all of what it could have been, but I really want you to know the number is actually EASILY another $20 higher)

Kate's Price $28.37....I know, I'm awesome.

Now I am not gonna lie - some of it is not stuff I would have purchased anyway- but it was free.  But LOTS of it was stuff I would have bought - fresh boneless skinless chicken breast (who knew they even had that at Target??), fresh steak (again - who knew??), shampoo, crackers, brownie mix, cottage cheese, yogurt, 12 double rolls of toilet paper, body wash, a watermelon plant (I will likely kill this before Monday - but it was $1 so I am gonna give it a whirl), baby wipes (my kids are out of diapers but I am putting them in a shower gift) and the list goes on.

There was a time when I would go to Target with a list of three things and I would end up spending $150 (I think most of us do that right?) Today I went way off my list but still only spent less than $30 - yay!

Stick with me friends! I will show you how!  Not sure if this is blog worthy...but my husband was very impressed and so was everyone in line behind me, so I thought I would put it out there.

Enjoy ~
Kate

Hot Tip ~ TONS on clearance at Target (like more than normal - worth a trip)

I am not sure if this is blog worthy - but I went to Target today (side note - I spent $16 & saved $12 - but that is a different story) and they have TONS on clearance right now! I went to the Target on University in Vista (or as we like to call it - 'the old target').  It seems every endcap is loaded with clearance stuff.  The kid's section has TONS of 50% & even some 75% off racks. I know they have these all the time - but they are FULL.

Normally I would have stocked up on one of everything but I only allowed myself one new T-shirt for my little guy - a cute tee that says 'I 'heart' Cheerios' because never has there ever been a T-shirt that was more appropriate.  It was $3 - not too bad.

I am not sure if this is every Target, I know they all have clearance items on a regular basis, but there is WAY more than I have seen in a long time. 

Enjoy ~
Kate

Free Re-usable bag at Target for Earth Day!

My first rule - never purchase a reusable bag - NEVER - because if you wait long enough you will have a collection much bigger than you could ever use even at your biggest Costco trip - trust me - anyone need a reusable bag? come on over, I've got a few to spare.... I have two Target bags already, also several that came through the mail as promos for products and for some reason we always end up with a couple each time we go to a street fair / festival - my point - just let them add up - don't buy them in the impulse section near the register!

And to prove my point - Target (I LOVE TARGET) is giving away a free reusable bag in honor of Earth Day that is cleverly made out of plastic bottles.  They will give away 1.5 million bags with purchase starting the first day of Earth week - APRIL 18th.

click here for the advertisement - there is no purchase necessary

rememeber Target offers 5 cents credit back on your purchase for every bag you bring in. Not gonna make you rich, but it's something for nothing - my favorite! Target, Sprouts, & Ralphs all offer 5 cents back per bag - do you know others?

Remember to search this blog for my previous entry on a FREE CAP at the Disney Store the same week!  There will be more, I can almost guarantee it! Make sure to check back.

Enjoy ~
Kate

Target's customer service number

So a reader just told me their Target's manager told them they could not coupon stack.  Unless the corporate policy changed literally yesterday this manager was wrong.  I just tried calling corporate to double check, of course they are closed, so I will try again tomorrow....if I am wrong, I will repost - but corporate policy allows for two coupons - one Target coupon & one Manufactures coupon to be used for one item (not two Target coupons or two Man coupons, but one of each)

Here is their customer service number - 1-800-440-0680

click here for a printable copy that clearly states they allow 'stacking' (this is awesome - the last time i searched for it online i was told this info did not exist online - SO NICE that it can be printed out now!)

SHould an employee tell you that stacking is not allowed (even a manager) you can school them (kindly of course - but they should know their corporate policy).

I have several blogger friends all over the country who have had similar complaints over the years - managers or employees making up their own rules - but as far as I know the corporate policy continues to be the same as it always was.

A BIG THANK YOU to Cyndi who alerted me that they now have the policy in print! Thanks so much!!

Happy Shopping ~
Kate

Target Printable coupons!

Target allows you to 'coupon stack' - meaning you can use one Manufacturers coupon as well as a Target coupon for the same single item - nice!

Browse through the coupons, I like to find the coupons that match items I already have Manufacturers coupons for - I almost always get something for free!

Enjoy ~
Kate

$10 off 'The Princess and the Frog' DVD

OK - not San Diego specific - but an awesome deal!

Our family is SO excited about Princess and the Frog coming to DVD!!! click here for a $10 off coupon of the DVD / Blu Ray combo pack.  Also, check back here because I am guessing there will be a Target coupon for a few dollars too coming up that you can combine. 

Don't forget to get your Disney Movie Rewards points too!

Hot tip - I had the 'blu ray' Tinker Belle coupon and brought it to target, they were out of the blu ray so I thought maybe they would use it on the regular DVD non combo pack (which is cheaper to begin with) and guess what  - it totally applied - no issue at all - it does specifically say 'blu ray' - so I would not suggest fighting it, but worth a shot.

Thanks to DEAL SEEKING MOM for alerting me of this awesome online coupon!

Target Trifecta

I have spoken of what I like to call the 'Target Trifecta' before - sale + coupon (or multiple coupons) + added bonus for purchase - and today I came across one again that I thought I should share....

I went to Target today - armed with two three year olds, a Dave Ramsey approved envelope of cash, coupons, and a shopping list.

One of the things on my shopping list - Laundry Detergent - and this is how the Trifecta works...

1. Tide Detergent on sale for $9.99 (I think it is normally $12.99 which is still cheaper than at a grocery store)

2. A) I had with me 3 coupons for Tide - one Target coupon for $1.50, one Manufacturer's coupon for 75 cents & one for 50 cents - as many of you may know - Target will allow you to 'coupon stack' - a manufacturers coupon AND a store coupon for the same item. For those of you who didn't know this yet - cool right?
B) Target took it upon themselves to put a hang tag coupon for $1.50 on each bottle - so now I actually had two target coupons and two manufacturers coupons.

3. and here is the Trifecta - if you bought two you got a $5 Target gift card for any future purchase

so - here is the break down...

two bottles were on sale for $20 total
- $3 in target coupons
-$1.25 in manufacturers coupons
-$5 gift card

two bottles for $10.75

*added bonus although not part of the trifecta - I had a $5 off a $50 purchase coupon that I got when my kids attended the free Cat in the Hat party last weekend - I spent just 50 cents over $50 - so I look at that as an additional 10% off the whole purchase - so ACTUALLY that Tide purchase was under $10 - not too shabby =)

PS - I noticed that Pampers had a similar 'buy two get a $5 gift card' - I regularly stacked coupons when purchasing diapers (once I learned of the awesomeness of stacking) - if you have the right stuff you could easily spend less on Pampers than on the generic brand (which I personally never saw anything wrong with, but I know people are particular about their diapers)

I know some people think coupons are a hassle, but even if you just save for a few items it could really save quite a bit.

Happy Shopping ~
Kate

'Cat in the Hat' Party at Target Vista this Saturday

Target stores nationwide (confirmed at the 'old' target in Vista - I would call your local Target store) are celebrating Dr. Suess with a Cat in the Hat party!

Saturday February 27th from 9am - 11am

At the Target in Vista it will be up front in the Starbucks area.

Free event!!  Sounds like a great way to spend a rainy morning to me.

Enjoy ~
Kate

90% off Valentine's day stuff at Target (Vista)

Hot tip!

I was just curing some boredom at the Target in Vista (the old one) and noticed that Valentine's day stuff is 90% off.  They have TONS of stuff still - it is in the back section of the food - back right of the store.

My kids picked out their Valentine's day cards for next year already - Toy Story complete w/ tattoos - 27 cents, Princess with lolipops 19 cents - nice - even if they dont use them - who cares?

If you aren't interested in saving them til next year- they would still make great art projects for younger kids at any time.

I also bought some cute red with hearts wrapping paper (not necessarily just for Vday) for 34 cents & candy heart boxes that worked out to about 4 cents a piece (we are gonna put them in goodie bags at my daughter's princess party - i know, we are big spenders =))

This is confirmed at Target in Vista (the old one) - I am not sure about others - but I would imagine most do, I am not sure if it is worth a special trip - but thought I should mention.

want extra credit for frugality? bring in your reusable bags for 5 cents off (for each bag) and go across the street to the Hallmark store for your free card (9 designs to choose from) on your way out.

How's that for curing boredom?

Kate

Coupon stacking at Target = freebies everytime!

Today I got a Target coupon booklet in the mail - YAY! One of the reasons (and there are MANY) that I love Target is that they allow 'coupon stacking' and it is really easy to do.

Target makes several 'target' coupons for both Target brand and national brand items.  You are allowed to use the target coupon and the manufacturers coupon together for the same item - cool right?  I almost always get a freebie or two and always get several things for just a few pennies.

Example
Skintimate Shave Gel $2.54
- manufactures coupon for $1
-target coupon for $1
final price 54 cents - not too bad =) (and again, many times items are FREE - i cant tell you the last time I paid for toothpaste)

Target also has deals all the time where a specific item will be on sale and or if you buy a certain amount you will get a target gift card. It is awesome when you have both coupons for these items during the promotional savings too.

When all these deals add up I like to call it 'the target trifecta' and it happens more than you would think.

If you don't get Target coupons in the mail, ask the next time you go - in the meantime click here for a ton of printable target coupons, pick which ones you want and print. 

also - remember to bring reuseable bags - 1 - because it saves the world - 2 - because they give you 5 cents off for every bag you bring - that may not sound like alot - but if you saw a quarter on the ground would you pick it up? i would, and like i said - it saves the world too.

happy shopping!

Kate

Target 75% off Christmas stuff - still LOTS left!

Today I went to Target in Vista off Sycamore, although I am guessing this is the same sale everywhere.

All Christmas decor, wrapping, etc is 75% off - I bought several rolls of wrapping paper for next year - most under $1 each.

Also there is a BIG section of toys, stocking stuffers etc all for 30% or more off - for those of you who like to stock up.

Remember your reusable bags - you get a nickel back for every one you use!

Enjoy ~
Kate