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We received coupon savings, without the coupons!

We had some clothing returns to take care of which had been sitting around for quite a while. Why not take advantage of Labor Day sales while we were at it? By shopping for end-of-season sale items we’d be saving some money. But, by shopping sales and using our favorite simple shopping savings trick, we were able to cash in on even bigger savings!

We went to Lord & Taylor with a 4-month old gift return.   They took the item back with no problem. At the same time we wanted to buy two shirts.

Shirt ‘A’ at full price would have been $98.00  It was on sale for $48.98  (savings: $49.02)

Shirt ‘B’ at full price would have been $98.00. It had been reduced to $69.99, but when it was rung up we discovered it was on sale for an additional mark-down, bringing it to $49.99 (savings: $48.01)

At checkout we asked our favorite shopping value question, “Are there any other special offers or coupons in effect that we might be able to use?”  Our sales person said, with a smile, “I will check.” She found a coupon sitting behind the counter, scanned it and cheerfully informed us that we received an additional 15-percent off our total purchase!  (savings: $14.85)

Total Lord & Taylor Savings:  $111.84

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We had another return to take back to Macy’s. This return was almost 12 months old. We did have a receipt, and they also took the item back with no problem.

We selected a sports jacket. Original full price: $375.00.  Sale price: $204.99.  (savings: $170.01)

We found a shirt  which unfortunately was not on sale and full price was $49.50.

Once again, at the counter, we asked our sales person if they could accommodate further savings for us. We mentioned that we had coupons from Macys, but they had been left at home, and  ”Was there anything they could do for us?”  And once again, our sales person said, “I think so”.  She too scanned a coupon from behind the counter for an additional 20-percent off our entire order! (20% off  savings: Shirt: $9.90  Jacket: $40.98)

Total Macy’s savings: $220.89

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Simply by shopping sale items, we were able to save $267.04.

We received an additional “Just Ask” savings of $65.75 which we would not have gotten had we not asked.

Total Shopping savings: $332.79

Yes, Another, “Just Ask” Ca-Ching Moment!  We just could not resist bringing the “Just Ask” tip to you again because it just plain works!

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Related Topics:

Money Saving, 5 Top Spend Less TV Tips
Author, personal finance advisor, & radio host, Garrett B. Gunderson, interviews SpendLessTV.com’s co-founder, Michael Fishman, who reveals SpendLessTV’s 5 top shopping savings tips.

Cheapest Days to Shop
Nikki Key from HowCast TV gives easy shopping pointers that could save you a bundle.

Haggle for Discounts!
Susan Koeppen on CBS’ The Early Show gives tips to finding the best deals, and how to haggle for additional discounts in-store and online when shopping.

Secret Deals You Have to Ask For
MSN Financial Advisor, Liz Weston, gives not-so-obvious pointers for getting discounts & deals on everything from coffee to children’s clothes & coupons to checkout scan errors

How did Adam save $150.00 off the purchase of his new bike?

SLTV follower, Adam was solidifying his plans to return to college in the fall.  Trying to figure ways to save more money, he decided that using a bike this next semester would save him on transportation costs, and also save him time over walking. However he realized he had outgrown his former bike and would need to purchase a new one.  Usually a used bike would be a great option, but he would be relying and depending on this bike very heavily for the next 4 years for college and work, and so he preferred to have a new one over a used one.

But, he could not shell out full price.  So, how did budget-conscious Adam save $150.00 off the purchase of his new bike? By taking just 10-minutes to look through local publications and flyers, he found a 10% off coupon, and combined that with a trade-in of his old bike, along with another bike from a family member who wasn’t using theirs anymore.  It was that easy!

P.S. We love that  the new bike is a Trek “eco” line, which uses as many eco-friendly materials as possible, for example: the cork handle covers.

Some Related Videos for College Tuition Savings and Getting Around With Your Bike:

Using a Bike Rack on a Public Bus – It’s Easy!

College Creative Financing part 1 of 2 – Bankrate

College Creative Financing part 2 of 2 – Bankrate

Get Free Money for College – Fox News Report

Get the Best Deals on Student Loans – Kiplinger’s Report

Never Pay Retail for College – Dr. Gary North

More school and education savings videos now playing on our School & Education Channel

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Dog Food, Shredders, Burgers, and Bed Linens: What do these things have in common?  Not much except that we were able to enjoy good deals on all of them!

How we saved over $111.55 with almost no  effort!

Busy Saturday, full of errands taking care of little odds and ends that I had been putting off for some time.  First, I  headed to Petco, to take advantage of a coupon I had gotten in the mail for being a Petco loyalty member,  and picked up a FREE 4-lb bag of their Nature’s Recipe dog food (normally $11.49).

On to Staples to buy a paper shredder.  There was a woman standing alone in the isle in front of the shredders, holding a flyer covered with coupons.  I asked which shredder she was thinking of and she said they were out of the one she wanted but the sales associate was bringing one from stock that he thought she might like, however she wasn’t sure if the additional 25% coupon she had would still apply.  I asked to see the ad, and I noted that it said: 25% off ALL shredders.  The sales associate came back back with his selection saying it normally was $139.99, but was on sale for $59.90, (savings: $80.09) plus the additional 25% would bring it to $44.93 (additional savings: $14.97).  I mentioned that if there was another in stock that I would take it and I asked if there were any coupons in the store that I could use, and the associate assured me that he could take care of that for me, and fetched the same shredder from stock.  I asked why it wasn’t on the shelf, and he said it was a discontinued item.  That was okay with me… so I was able to get a $139.99 shredder for under $45.00.  If I hadn’t asked that woman and the sales associate, I never would have gotten that deal.  When I returned home I noticed that the additional 25% had not been deducted on the receipt.  I called Staples, spoke to the manager, and she told me that she would be able to apply a credit to my credit card.  That’s what I call value and service!

Then, I just couldn’t resist looking into a brand new Five Guys Burgers and Fries which had just opened up right next to Staples. I’d never been to one so it was kind of an adventure to check it out.  I was pleasantly surprised to find some terrific items of note:  ALL toppings on burgers (besides cheese and bacon) are FREE; you can help yourself to all the fresh peanuts in the shell you want, for FREE; soft drink refills are FREE, and the regular-sized fresh-cut french fry order was more than enough for two people, actually it was enough for three people!  All of that speaks well for their customer consideration and product value.

Then to Bed Bath and Beyond for a mattress cover, where I asked if they would accept my $5.00 off coupon that was dated 2008!  Yep! So glad they honor ALL their coupons, no matter what the “date”…  In reality, don’t expiration dates discourage shoppers? After all, isn’t the purpose of coupons to get the consumer to come in and shop?

With almost no effort at all I saved $111.55 on items I really needed.  Sometimes it all just comes together, and it’s happy all around: happy to finally have a shredder; happy to have tried a new burger joint and have some free fresh peanuts, happy the bed will be cozier, happy the dog will be full, and happy that I was able to do it all without breaking the bank!  Now, that was a nice, and frugal, Saturday afternoon!

Jamie, SLTV co-founder

Street Food Smart – Daniel Delaney, host of vendr.tv gives pointers to find quality gourmet street food to enjoy on the cheap.

Money Saving, 5 Top Spend Less TV Tips – Finance author and radio show host, Garrett Gunderson, discuss easy ways to save throughout your day.

Coupon Stacking Explained - Julia Scott, aka: The Bargain Babe, reveals how coupon stacking works, so you can get the most out of  a deal.

June 7 was National Chocolate Ice Cream Day in the U.S.

And we couldn’t resist – two of our favorite things:  Chocolate and Ice Cream.

We’ve found links to great coupons and deals, so you (and your budget) can enjoy celebrating!

And don’t forget about the Birthday Clubs that many ice cream shops offer. Sign up and you receive a free cone on your birthday!

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream – Save $1 on any two Pints of ice cream.  Expires 7/7/2010

Ben and Jerry’s Sundaes – Buy-1-Get-1 Free Every Monday through 8/31/2010

Cold Stone Creamery – (Van Nuys Cal. but maybe others) 20% Off Any Purchase coupon.  Expires 6/30/2010

Dairy Queen Buy-1-Get-1 Blizzard Treat coupon

Earth Fare Organic Ice Cream – Free Quart with $5 purchase.  Expires 6/8/2010

Healthy Choice – Save 50-cents on any one Ice Cream

Hopkins Farm Creamery – 25-cents off Hand Dipped Double Scoop.                 Expires 6/30/2010

Hopkins Farm Creamery – Coupons: 75-cents off Premium Banana split.            Expires 6/30/2010

Lactaid – Dairy Challenged? LACTAID Ice Cream – save $1 coupon

Marbleslab coupon $1 off any tasty creation ice cream combination. Expires 6/10/2010

Recipe: Chocolate Ice Cream Cake recipe (it’s not what you think…)

Nothing like your own fresh homemade ice cream! Into making your own?
Check this video for the real scoop on ice cream makers:

Ice Cream Makers – How to Pick the Right One

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