Last minute Valentine’s Day deals; free redbox, cheap magazines & more

Trader Joe’s has a dozen roses for 9.99 and a package of dark chocolate hearts for 3.99.

Free Redbox rental, use the code BEMINE when you go to the kiosk.

THIS Vera Bradley “Love Me” collection is half off, today only. Don’t forget to go in via ebates if you see something you like.

Virginia and Maryland folks may want to check out Groupon, only $7 for 2-year subscription to Virginia Wine Lover Magazine. It’s the Baltimore Groupon today.

The Columbus, Georgia deal is a year of Glamour magazine for $6.

The Philadelphia deal is $$ towards Blue Dolphin, which has thousands of magazine titles available.

Locals, if you have the kids and still want to go out, check out Enzo’s in Kennett Square. Kids eat free Mon/Tues/Wed.

The Living Social Pole Dancing class deal in Glen Mills is back today.

I think what we’re doing is a nice dinner at home, and since I’m going to Acme anyway, I’ll pick up a free movie.

CVS looks good this week

Just checked out the CVS ad, looks good this week. First, if you scan your card at the coupon scanner, you’ll get a $3 off $15 cosmetics purchase, store coupon. CVS allows you to stack store coupons with mfr coupons. Look at the ad for the various cosmetic sales and Extra Care Bucks deals. I think if we combine the $3/15 with mfr coupons and Extra Bucks deals, should be some very cheap or free stuff.

Also, front cover has a Procter & Gamble deal for Toy Story 3. If you planned on purchasing this movie anyway, I’d purchase here. I don’t see how you’d find it any cheaper than $3.99 and you can combine the P&G sales items with the P&G coupons in today’s paper. Remember, the $25 threshhold they want for the movie is BEFORE any mfr coupons. I would think you can get your total down to at least $20 after coupons, so you’ll pay $20 plus $4 for the movie, not a bad deal imo.

And, when you’re all done with that, look for the Rayovac coupons and Toy Story 3 rebate deal. I haven’t read the specifics yet but I think we could stack the deals and get a rebate on the movie too.

Out to dinner-kids eat free!

My neighborhood trick-or-treat is tonight but I don’t think we’re going. My older guy has already done it three times, the little guy twice. Plus it’s supposed to be pretty cold here which means I’d have to cover up their costumes anyway and this is probably the last year that I can get away with not taking them. Next year they’ll both be begging to go.

We’ll go out to dinner instead. A few restaurants are offering free meals for kids.

Quiet before the storm–time to plan!

Hasn’t been much to post about lately. Back to School is over, xmas holiday season not in full swing yet. Really a lull as far as retailers are concerned. Sears is trying to liven things up by advertising “Black Friday deals” this weekend. From what I saw it looked like decent prices on things.

Right now look for good deals on Halloween items starting this weekend and progressively getting cheaper. Baking items will continue to be cheap too.

It’s a good time to sit down and think about the holidays and plan your budget! You’ll easily overspend if you don’t have a plan. And don’t just budget for gifts, think about holiday meals, holiday cards and pictures you send out, gift wrap…..it all adds up. But if you have a list, when a deal comes up, you can just look at your list & determine if that deal is good for you. Too many times I’ve found a fantastic price on something, purchased it, and since I didn’t really have anyone to give it to, five years later it’s still in my basement. Only a good deal if you need it!

And don’t forget those energy-saving home improvement tax breaks. Just two months left to get those items purchased and paid for.

I’ve read blogs online where moms have done all of xmas for $100. Takes lots of planning, but it can be done. The holidays do not have to be a bduget-breaker, and you can still have an enjoyable holiday.