Savvy Shopper Alert

I remember seeing a list like this when I was younger about the best months to buy everything and thinking it was just brilliant for those who like to plan ahead, shop and save.

I like to think of myself as organized, but this is true organization to the max. Usually when I shop for these types of items it is on a "as needed basis," but now as I have found "the list" I could try to keep it in mind more. Check our the "best time to buy everything" list here!

$10 gift card on birthday

Sign up for your local mall’s email club and you’ll get a $10 gift card for your birthday. They’ll send you an email and you just print it out and bring it to your local mall’s customer service desk to get a free $10 gift card.

I just signed up with Jordan Creek Town Center and will let you know in a few months.

Caribou Coffee: Buy One, Get One Free (this weekend)

The crisp Fall weather has brought on the return of my coffee pot. I rarely drink coffee in the summer months, but absolutely LOVE it in the fall and winter. Now matter how I tweak my coffee preparations at home, it still doesn't taste like Caribous Carmel Northern Lite Latte (only 90 calories)!

Now, this will help get me through 4 soccer games this weekend. Print out your coupon for a free hot or cold drink at Caribou Coffee when you purchase another. This coupon is valid September 25-26, 2010.

Mimi’s Cafe: Buy One Breakfast, Get One Free

Once upon a time, I signed up for Mimi's Cafe e-mail club. I probably get a "deal" e-mailed to me every day; which is a little much. I don't know if their business is hurting, but thisdeal is pretty good and their breakfasts are super yummy so I feel better about passing it on.

I also love how its good all day tomorrow, September 21, 2010. Print your coupon here for a free breakfast at Mimi’s Cafe when you purchase another breakfast.

Picaboo: Free Large Hardcover Photo Book through Aug 31st, 2010

Now that I have mastered Picaboo's photo tools and options, I really like their site. I have used a lot of online photo book making sites, but this is now the favorite. They do have an online tutorial that I mistakenly thought I didn't need. Turns out, I probably would have saved myself quite a bit of time if I would have just listened through it. ;-) Sigh, isn't that how it goes!

I really do love online photo books! You can still position the pictures, write captions and chose backgrounds and borders. All without all of the messy endless supply of scrapbooking tools and materials. This is definitely my way to go!

Here is how to get your free book through August! You still pay for shipping, but at $8.99 its still a great deal!

*Go to Picaboo and enter your email address.

*Design a 20-page Photo Book.

*Use coupon code FREEBK at checkout and it should take off the price of the photo book and only charge you $8.99 for shipping.

$1.50 Cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory

Click on the “Like” button on the The Cheesecake Factory Facebook Page and then go to the “Fan Exclusive” tab and you’ll be able to print a coupon to get a piece of cheesecake for only $1.50 on Thursday, July 29, 2010. I went last year (it being packed last year wasn't the hardest part...it was the decision on what kind to get!)

(Free) Real Fruit Smoothies at McDonalds!

Word on the street st that in the Sunday edition of USA Weekend and Parade magazine, there’s a coupon for a free 12-oz. Smoothie or Frappe from McDonald’s.

If you don't find the coupon of you just love them so much, print off a coupon here for $1 off any Frappe or Real Fruit Smoothie at McDonald’s. This coupon is good through August 15, 2010.

Great Magazine Deals

What does $7.88 get you? 2 year long subscriptions! I chose Inc, which is perfect for small business and all things related to marketing and entrepreneurialism. There are tons of ideas and am excited because I am currently working over a few business ideas of my own. I'll share the magazine with Dave too.

I am also trying out Nautural Health. It has information on naturally-oriented food and nutrition, alternative health practices, exercise and self care.

Find these and others in the $4.69 specials box at Best Deal Magazines and then use coupon code RENEW16 at checkout which saves an additional 16%.

Dollar Movies at Jordan Creek Town Center

Looking for something fun and cool to do on Tuesday mornings this summer? Last year these movies were at hit at the Jordan Creek Town Center movie theater. Its back again this summer.

July 6: Flushed Away
July 13: Kung Fu Panda
July 20: Over the Hedge
July 27: Shrek the Third
August 3: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs


Each movie begins at 10 AM and costs $1/ticket.
visit cinemark.com for more info.

Walgreens: 5x7 Photo Book for $1.99 shipped-- October 2, 2009!

You have 30 days from now to make your book, just log in so you can get the deal by midnight tonight.

click this link and follow the instructions, you can get a Photo Book for $1.99 shipped.

Christmas gift for someone?!

Quiznos: Buy one sub and a drink, get a free sub

Print a coupon here for a free sub when you purchase another sub and a fountain drink at Quiznos. This coupon expires October 12, 2009.

Panda Express: Buy 1 Get 1 Meal Free

Ok, I don't think they should really classify themselves as gourmet chinese, but it will do in a pinch. Through September 30, 2009, you can use this coupon here to get a free Single-Serving Entree at Panda Express when you purchase any 2-Entree Plate.

Free $10 gift card at Jordan Creek Town Center

If your local mall is managed by GGP (and the one nearest me is!), you can get a free $10 gift card! Just go here and enter your zipcode to see if there's a mall near you which is participating.

When you enter your email address, you'll receive a confirmation by email which you can print and redeem at your mall on specified dates in order to get a completely free $10 gift card.

Ruby Tuesday: One Free Entree with Purchase

Sign up here for the Ruby Tuesday email newsletter and you'll get a free Buy One Entree, Get One Entree Free coupon by email within 24 hours.

McDonald's: $1 = 12 free items: After School Snack Coupon Book

Many McDonald's locations are currently offering $1 After School Snack coupon booklets which contain coupons for 12 free snacks:

3 free Baked Pies
3 free Apple Juices or Milk Jugs
3 free small cones
3 free Apple Dippers or Small Fries

These coupons do not expire until December 31st.

McDonalds is going to be on our weekly circuit for awhile now anyway. I never advocate going there (except during Mocha Free Mondays!), but their Happy Meal Toys are now American Girl items and we love American Girl at our house.

We will actually be dining there today for lunch to celebrate last day of summer and to pick up our Kirstin, the Pioneer book. While we are there I am definitely grabbing one of these Snack Coupon books! Wouldn't that be fun for for after school outing?!

Free Bowling and set a World Record!

I haven't been bowling forever, but since I heard about National Bowling Week August 29th-September 5th, it kind of made me want to give it a try again.

Read more about setting the World Record and You can bowl a free game on September 5th by downloading a coupon from here. Sounds like some good family fun heading our way!

Almost Free Veggie Tales DVD

If your kids love VeggieTales you might want to go ahead and sign up for the Big Idea newsletter. Doing so will entitle you to one VeggieTales DVD for just the cost of shipping—$2.99!

Toys "R" Us:Birthday Freebie

If you have a youngin' at your house, you'll want to sign them up for the Toys R' Us Birthday Club. They'll get a card with a free $3-$5 gift card on their birthday along with some other fun freebies in-store when you register here.

Restaurant Week is Back in Des Moines 2009

What: Restaurant Week in Des Moines

When: August 21st-30th, 2009

Why: Gives the savvy diners like you and me a chance to try new places and menu items. Look out New York City!

Cost: Your pick! Lunch (for 2) or three course dinner (just one) for $25.00

Where: Your choice of 42 restaurants including my picks of Django, the downtown and delicious and "feel like you've been somewhere" French restaurant, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (love the seafood skewers!), and Irina's, who I feel got the shaft big time as they had to wait a year for the liquor license to be restored because of the previous occupants.

What to skip? Sbrocco because I went there last week for restaurant week and they barely knew themselves that it was going on and Shane's Rib's Shack (although tasty-how could you eat $25 worth of BBQ at a fast food place).

Sara Says was one of the few sites to report on the 2008 Des Moines Restaurant Week. I feel like it may have been a better deal then (20.08 prix fixe meals since it was 2008), but I still think its creative and love how the restaurants are somewhat banding together to get us out of our homes and eating beans and frozen pizza in this slow economy.

Its National Cheesecake Day! Get your half-price cheesecake!

Got a Cheesecake Factory near you? Grab a slice for half price today only (July 30th, 2009). Now the tricky part is figuring out which kind...