Written by: Thrifty Lane

The public library is a great FREE resource that many people tend to forget about. When my husband lost his job about a year ago, we had to cut down on our budget in a big way. Luckily, we started looking into the library and were amazed at all the great opportunities it offers.

Movies: Our public library has an entire section of “Entertainment” DVDs. We’ve seen the first four Harry Potter movies, Twilight, I am Legend, and many more popular movies from this section. They also offer TV series like LOST, Burn Notice and Land of the Lost. But we really enjoy the non-fiction DVD section, which offers documentaries, biographies, exercise DVDs, and more. The important thing to keep in mind with renting DVDs is the late fee. It’s $1 a day (per movie) at my library, which adds up quickly.

Audio Books: The library offers audio books on CD and Tape, you just have to find the appropriate section. Here you can find popular fiction novels as well as books about finance, parenting, etc. We love this section when we have long car trips!

Books: I know you are thinking, “Of course the library has books…” But I was amazed at the selection of books they have! They have so much more than fiction novels. Photography, arts and craft idea books, history, parenting books, travel guides, and a huge selection self-help books, all located in this one central place. My favorite part is the row of cookbooks – every kind you can imagine. I usually rent one or two a week and try a few recipes out.

CDs: My husband loves the CD collection. It’s a great way for him to listen to some new artists without having to purchase their CDs.

Kids Section: The kid section is incredible. It’s filled with kids books, movies, games and puzzles. Ours also has a librarian specifically to help kids find what they are looking for. And look into various story times, book clubs, etc. at your local library. It’s a great way to get your kids interested in reading.

Magazines/Newspaper/Large Print: The library has a great selection of magazines, large print books and daily newspapers for visitors to browse.

Online: Only within the last 3 months or so have I really started to learn about the online opportunities with my public library. They allow you to renew books and movies online, send email notices when an item is late (very helpful for someone forgetful like myself), and reserve books from other branches (to be delivered to your branch) which really broadens the selection. Also, most libraries will allow cardholders free access to the internet – so if you don’t have a computer at home, this is a great way to explore the Web.

With the current economy in particular, the library is even more beneficial. Individuals looking for a job have a ton of resources at their fingertips – everything from interview preparation to top jobs in America.

Make sure to look into your public library and see how you can start taking advantage of these great offerings!

About the author
Thrifty Lane is a mommy blogger and bargain hunter. She writes her blog at http://thriftylane.blogspot.com. Follow Thrifty Lane on Twitter @ThriftyLane.

Posted by Sok on October 20, 2010     Tags: Back to School

written by: Sari Holtz

Let’s face it – the challenge of taking your children to a store (ANY store!) is extremely overwhelming. From the whining and begging to the bathroom breaks and fast breaks away from you, taking your child to a store is a task that isn’t for the faint-of-heart. And in your rush to get out of the store, you may inadvertently throw so much stuff in your cart that you may need local movers to help you get home. Fortunately, the invention of the internet has made it possible to shop for your children without taking them to the store. Here are four children’s items that are highly worth buying online so that you can save both money and sanity.

1. Clothing. Children become fashion-conscious from a young age, and if your son or daughter loves getting new clothing, taking him or her to the store can become quite expensive. Instead, sign on to your favorite store (or stores) and browse the clearance sections for items that are in your budget and that you think your child will like. Don’t forget to look for online coupons to maximize your savings. You can also sign up to the newsletters of your favorite stores to get exclusive online deals that will make saving even easier. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, allow your child to choose from the items you’ve selected – you’ll be amazed at how quick and painless the experience can be.
2. Shoes. If you think that it’s too hard to buy shoes online without trying them on, think again. With children, chances are good that if they’ve outgrown their current shoes, they’ll advance to the next size – and that it’ll probably fit just fine. Dragging your child to the store to try on 15 pairs of shoes is a time-consuming, hair-raising experience that can easily be avoided by shopping online. If you order from a local chain retailer you can often return the shoes in the store to avoid return shipping charges. And, oftentimes shoes are cheaper online than they are in the store, so even if you must pay for shipping, you still won’t be overpaying.
3. Dinner. If you’re planning on a family dinner, a great way to save money is to order in. Not only will you avoid paying a steep tip, but you’ll avoid a scene as your child begs you for an expensive desert or can’t make up his mind about which entrée to order. Since most restaurants now offer free delivery and menus online you should have no trouble placing an order and enjoying your dinner at home.
4. Books. Your children either love reading or hate it. But whether they’re begging for every book in the store or refusing to accept any of them, a trip to the bookstore is just asking for trouble. Purchasing your books online can save you big money, especially if you purchase used editions. Make sure you factor shipping costs into the price of the book to ensure that you’re still getting a good deal. When you’re finished, sell your books back and use the money to purchase more books for yourself or your children.

About this Author
Sari Holtz is the blogger for Billy.com, an online savings club that provides great deals on everything from moving services to milk. Follow her on Twitter @Billy_Com.

Posted by Sok on October 20, 2010     Tags: Back to School , Savings for Babies

Since many of our children are running about our neighborhoods celebrating their last hoorah before gearing down for yet another school year, it is easy to forget that some districts are down to only a couple of weeks remaining before the first tardy bell rings. The amount of essentials that we are required to provide for our children nowadays may seem ridiculously extensive to some, but in this current economy the school budgets simply do not have enough to provide some of the basic essentials that they once could. It is important for parents to realize that any time your child goes to school without one of those required items their teacher will most likely provide it for them, and the funds for that item came straight from the instructor’s already diminished salary. This week Coupon Shack will focus on all of those school essentials that you need to be sure and pick up before the 2010 school year begins; and we will also help you find some of them at fantastic discounts.

1. The Basics
   The requirement list for student purchases normally varies by school districts and instructors also usually have a few requests of their own. For this reason alone, it is often a good idea to call or visit the actual school campus to obtain the list of items that need to be purchased, and many districts also post this type of information on their websites as well. Although we could not possibly name every item you’ll have to pick up over the next few weeks, here are most of them:
   • A sturdy backpack
   • notebooks
   • college rule notebook paper
   • Black and red pens
   • #2 pencils
   • highlighters
   • A ruler
   • A binder
   • a pencil sharpener
   • Index cards
   • A calculator
   • Sticky Notes
   • Graph paper
   • Gym clothes
   • a combination lock
   • Scissors
   • Scotch tape
   Of course, we also know about the huge back to school sales that the major retail stores like Walmart and Staples have each year, but one thing that you probably didn’t know is that these seasonal blowout prices are also available on their websites. This means no standing in line, fighting your way down crowded aisles, or searching for sold out items; just follow the above links and you’re done in minutes.
   
   
2. The Teacher
   We’ve already mentioned that your child’s instructor has several out of pocket expenses that the school board does not reimburse them for each year, and every classroom has a number of essentials that are constantly in need. Items to look out for on sale are:
   • Tissue paper
   • hand sanitizer
   • pencils
   • Construction paper
   • newspaper
   • staples
   • Crayons
   • mid-day snacks
   • seasonal decorations
   Be sure to ask the teacher if volunteers are needed as well, because many educational and leisurely field trips end up cancelled because of this reason. Also, if you breed small animals (fish, hamsters, etc) it would be a great idea to inquire if a small cage habitat could be placed inside the classroom for all of the students to enjoy.
   
   
3. Looking Cool
   If I could have just one wish granted by the Tooth Fairy or some magical genie that was once trapped within a lamp, I would probably spend it requesting that every single child throughout the entire world would have a new outfit to wear for the first day of school. This may not seem like a tremendously big deal to some, but that first day sets the tone for the entire year and new clothing makes us shine with confidence. Websites like Gap and Macys practically give their merchandise away during back to school sales, and the closeout styles on their websites can often be found at an even greater discount.
   
   
4. Tackling Homework
   Let’s face it; most of us rarely ever even open a magazine or a newspaper anymore because our cellular phones and office PC’s keep us constantly connected to the web, and if you’re not yet utilizing high speed internet for studying at home it should become a priority for your children. Of course, many of you probably have a great internet connection when it actually works, and that system you purchased a few years back could be humming and growling like it’s definitely on its last leg.
   
   One thing that absolutely robbed all of your computing power was viruses and spyware, and if you purchase a new system from Dell their award winning customer support team will make sure that never happens to you again. Their prices have become so competitive over the past few years that there really is no longer a reason to purchase anything but a Dell since they are the top manufacturer of computers on the planet, and if you shop their refurbished section there are steals to be had every single day.
   
   
5. Play Time
   Heading back to school isn’t only about studying; and of course your child will probably make several friends on the very first day that will introduce them to countless little games or activities that they had never before even dreamed of before. Dicks Sporting Goods carries most of the equipment your child may come home talking about, and not to be outdone by their competitors they are also having a back to school sale on everything from their licensed sports jerseys to sporting equipment and roller blades. Reward good study habits with great incentives like outdoor games and events, and your child is much more likely to take their studies seriously.
   
   Then again, if play time in your family means that it’s time to break out the band, we have found you some savings there as well. A website named Sam Ash is known to carry only the highest quality musical instruments, and since several of our children are active in their school bands we have worked out several exclusive discounts with them that can not be found anywhere else on the internet. Simple click the link above and use the coupon codes at checkout.
   
   
6. Attitude/ Diet
   One thing that many of us tend to forget is the actual peer pressure that is present within literally every school in the world, and as parents it is our responsibility to show positive reinforcement whenever possible when it comes to education. Get your young one to bed early several days before the first day of school so they can begin to get back on schedule, make sure to personally check their homework daily, and give them a great warm breakfast before heading off on the first school day. All of these things will help boost their spirits as well as their attention span while inside the classroom, and even though they make take most of it for granted it small changes like these help reinforce how important we value the entire learning process.

Posted by Keith on October 20, 2010     Tags: Back to School

An interesting article posted on About.com reveals some fascinating trends when it comes to back to school consumer intentions. From this article I also learned that the back to school shopping season is second only to Christmas! This being the case, I'm sure parents and back-to-schoolers are already feeling the burden of a large price tag as the school year draws near. In part one of our Back to School Savings we focused mainly on school supplies. Here, in part 2, let's broaden the spectrum a bit and take a look some other back to school necessities along with our suggestions on where to find frugal friendly prices.

1. First and foremost: Take the hand-me-down or re-use route when available. Backpacks, lunch boxes, 3-ring binders, calculators, rulers, scissors, pencil boxes, and clothing are all items that have dodged technological obsoleteness (it's a word, I looked it up ;) lol) and can be re-used for at least a few years. Remember to save these items if your back-to-schooler has a younger sibling that might be heading to school in the future.
2. If you or your student do need some new clothes for the school year, don't be fooled by in-store sales. Shop online where you can take advantage of some great back to school discounts as well as plenty of back to school coupon codes which keep rolling in through the end of September. Hatley and Rascals2Rockstars are great sites to visit for younger back to schoolers, and both retailers offer coupon codes for 15% off your entire order. If your child's school requires a uniform, stop by Cookie's Kids where you'll find a nice selection plus 10% off your uniform order. Older students, check out Alloy or CCS for some fresh diggs. After the school year starts is the best time to shop in-store sales.
3. Having a new pair of shoes was always the most important item on my back to school list (I know right; forget books, supplies, and learning. Gotta have my new shoes!). TriCity New Balance is the place to shop for casual and athletic shoes, especially with their free shipping and 10% off back to school offer. For more contemporary or laid back footwear, stop by Etnies where you'll find style matched with terrific prices, for boys and girls of all ages. Plus, take 15% off and get free shipping on your entire order with their back to school coupon code.
4. Another popular retailer worth mentioning for back to school shopping is Kohls. Although they don't currently have any online coupon codes, their in-store and online prices are hard to beat, and they carry some really fashionable styles. I personally love their (huge) selection of jeans and khakis, as well as their selection of short & long sleeve button-downs, but you'll find styles ranging from athletic to business-casual. Kohls' broad selection of budget friendly footwear is hard to beat as well.
5. I heard on the radio the other day that some schools are requesting ("requiring") parents and students to add items like hand soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, paper towels, and toilet paper to their back to school lists. I understand that many education budgets are suffering right now, but aren't ours as well? Unless you're a member of the PTA, School Board, or other educational organization, don't waste your money. These items are the school's responsibility, and rest assured that they will be in the classroom.

Well, hopefully this helps you along the way as you tread towards another school year. Keep your eye on CouponShack's Back to School Savings for all the latest deals and coupons, and enjoy the remaining days of your summer vacation!

Posted by Ryan on July 26, 2010     Tags: Back to School

written by: Amy Edmiston

It happens every year. It cannot be stopped. Its time to go back to school! Could it be the kids or the parents who are more excited? Its not long now until we all start thinking again about going to bed early, making those school lunches and back-to-school shopping. Its right around the corner and buying those school supplies can get pricey with all the lists and required items needed for class these days.

There are ways to lighten the load on your back-to-school wallet with these simple tips:

1. See what you have. Check out what your child might have left over from last year before rushing out to buy a new one. Even reusing things like pencil boxes or binders can help to save a little money.
2. Start early. This is probably one of the best and less hectic tactic for buying school supplies. The closer that you get to the school year beginning, the more likely you will be to knocking elbows with the last minute procrastinator who can't decided between a blue and a green calculator.
3. Come prepared with a list preferably. Most schools will provide you with a list of supplies needed, but if they don't make your own. Walking in knowing what you need will cut down on distractions and temptations and in the end will save you money.
4. Watch sale ads and circulars. Do your homework! Stores like Walmart and Target will lower their prices starting early in the summer and they will get even lower by the beginning of the school year. Yet, with so many office supply stores nowadays, they all compete for back-to-school sales and lower their prices drastically to get you in their doors. The downfall to office supply stores is they tend to run out of stock for items that are very low-priced and sell quickly. Your best bet is to watch all their sale ads and get there early.
5. Shop during a Tax Free Weekend. A lot of states are now offering an annual Tax Free Weekend. This is a great time to rack up extra savings on your school supplies. You'll not only save on the tax of your purchases, but many stores will have major sales to get you to buy from them. You can find out if your state offers a Tax Free Weekend here.

Before they start brushing up on homework-help skills or setting those bedtimes, many families will hit the road for a last summer road trip or getaway before its back to school. We all know that vacations can be costly, but once again there are small things you can do to save your family some money by planning.

1. Budget, budget, budget. This is my #1 tip for saving money on and during a vacation. Know how much you are going to spend before you spend it. This will keep your money in check while you are off in paradise. Allocate amounts for different activities like dining, entertainment, souveniers, etc.
2. Once again, research and do your homework on the area that you are visiting. If its a big city, find out if there are hotels on the outskirts and stay there. Hotels inside the city are always higher in price while a hotel even just a few miles down the road might save you up to $50 a night. Cabins, condos or houses can be cheaper to rent by the week, so see if these might be available in the area. Check online for free activities in the area like state parks or museums. Places like these will not only save you money, but will provide entertainment while being educational at the same time.
3. Cook your own meals if at all possible. If where you stay has a kitchen, you can save loads of money by cooking your own meals, even if just one meal a day. Eating out can become very expensive, especially with larger families and a short trip to the local grocery store can help you save on food throughout the whole vacation. If you do go out to eat, order water with your meals. Sodas cost a lot these days and only add to your restaurant bill.
4. Say no to touristy traps. Many big cities or vacation spots know that travelers come their way and can try to lure you in with big advertisements. Be sure to think again before jumping into a tourist trap which are sometimes not what they are cracked up to be and can be a waste of money as well.

About the Author:

Amy Edmiston writes on her blog Saving with Amy, where she shares her passion of saving money with other moms (and dads) through coupons, fabulous deals and steals, freebies and more.

Posted by Sok on October 20, 2010     Tags: Back to School , Travel Savings

Well, summer's not quite over but it is slowly winding down for students and teachers who, I can only imagine, can feel fall semester breathing down their neck. Now's the time to get your fill of fun in the sun, sleeping in, or just doing nothing before the end of summer blues sets in and you're summoned back to the classroom for a new school year. Students, a bit nervous with a hint of excitement in the anticipation of meeting new classmates and learning more advanced material. Teachers, anxious to meet their new flock of pupils and excited to fulfill their duties as an educator. But one worry that shouldn't bother your mind this time of year is spending too much money as you prepare to head back to school. Students and teachers alike require a number essentials in the preparation for a school year anew. Classroom & educational materials, organizational necessities, books, attire, etc. The list seems to go on and the cost can quickly add up. Let's try to avoid that, eh. So parents and back-to-schoolers, keep your mind on education and follow along as we offer a few suggestions on where to find the most budget friendly prices on back to school essentials.

I think it's safe to say that the number one essential for students is school supplies. Not only are these items the most important, but chances are they take up the most space on your list of back to school items. Pencils, pens, notebooks, binders, and paper are absolute necessities for students of all ages.

1. With one stop at your local Target you'll find a 12-pack of USA Gold wood pencils for only $1.77, or a 6-pack of mechanical pencils for $1.99. If you or your student prefer pens, you'll find a 12-pack of Bic Softee Ballpoint pens for only $7.34. You'll also find frugal friendly prices on glue-sticks(6-pack for $1.97), Sharpie multi-colored highlighters(8-pack for $4.19), and Crayola markers(10-pack for $1.00). Visit Target Online for additional or sold-out items.
2. For 3-ring binders I would suggest visiting WalMart's online store where you'll find durable binders for as low as $2.50. You can also find 6-packs of 8 tab Avery subject dividers for only $12.47.
3. Teachers, Wal-Mart and Target's back to school sections are a great resource for many of your classroom needs as well. You'll find hard to beat prices on items such as bulletin boards, dry-erase boards, markers, crayons, glue, and flash cards.

Some additional items you might want to keep in mind are calculators, scissors, pencil sharpeners, pencil boxes, graphing paper, erasers, rulers, and organizers. I was actually just browsing around and stopped by Staples' online back to school savings center. They offer some really good discounts and they even have checklists and supply categories for each grade level. That's convenient, saving you time and money! A good idea would be to inquire as to what supplies will be provided in the classroom. This way there won't be any wasteful spending.

Another necessity for students of all ages is a backpack. Hopefully you've been abiding by the frugal code and recycling each year, but if it is time for a new one, my budget friendly suggestion would be to stop by eBags where you'll come across a nice selection of both moderate and stylish backpacks, shoulder bags, and laptop bags. Find reliable backpacks for as little as $20, and choose from brands such as JanSport, The North Face, High Sierra and more. Plus, with eBags' back to school discount you can take advantage of savings up to 20% and shipping is free.

Here are a few suggestions for college students heading back to campus in the Fall.

1. Organize.com is the perfect place to shop for just about any of your back to campus needs. You'll find dorm room and apartment essentials, shelving, storage, school supplies and more. Take $10 off your order of $100 or more with coupon code 'bk2sch'.
2. If you're in need of some fresh diggs for the Fall semester, plenty of popular online retailers offer great discounts and coupons on clothing and shoes this time of year. Keep your eye on our Back to School Savings Center for all the latest coupons which keep rolling in through September.
3. And then there's the big one, textbooks. Textbook costs can easily add up to $1000 a SEMESTER, especially if you get them at your campus bookstore. Try getting them online this year and see how much money you can save. This allows you to shop around, compare prices, and find the best deal. Most campus book stores will only have new copies of certain books which are always way more expensive than used copies. You are almost guaranteed to find a used copy of just about any textbook online and this can really save you a ton of money. Many online bookstores buy back as well. eCampus is a terrific resource for new or used textbooks, and they even allow you to RENT textbooks which can save you a ton of money. Use eCampus' back to school coupon codes (which I love by the way) 'MRBELDING' & 'ZACKMORRIS' for discounts on textbooks, or 'ACSLATER' for a discount on rentals. Saved by the Bell, classic!
   
   Well students and teachers, enjoy the remainder of your summer. Remember to check back often to CouponShack's Back to School Savings Center for more tips and all the latest discounts and coupons for students and teachers.
   
   
   Posted by Ryan on July 14, 2010     Tags: Back to School
   
   
   

Going green is more than just reducing CO2 emissions, it's a way of life. One of the biggest contributors to global warming are books. Just think of how many trees it takes to print all the media in the world. Downloading eBooks used to be trendy among a small group of people, but now it's hitting the mainstream. It's simple to do, costs less, and is better for the environment. Plus, to top it all off, you get the ebook instantly, instead of having to wait for it to be shipped.

Now, eTextbooks are becoming available. It's part of the green initiative from eCampus. Prices are 50% or more below the hard copy price. If you need a hard copy, just print out the pages that you need. There is no special reader required so you can access the content from any computer.

Another way to go green is to get your newspaper subscriptions delivered online. The Wall Street Journal offers online subscriptions for 30% less than the newsstand price.

So there are 4 advantages to online editions of books and newspapers. First, online editions of books and newspapers are cheaper than the hard copy. Second, online copies are delivered instantly. There is no need to wait. Just download and start reading! The third advantage is that online copies are search-able. You can search for exactly what you want to read with out having to flip through a bunch of pages. The fourth and most important advantage is online copies are much better for the environment. No paper means no trees were cut!

Posted by Sok on September 21, 2009     Tags: Back to School , Go Green

When you're headed back to school, things can get expensive pretty quick. As a recent college graduate I know exactly how fast your back to school expenses can add up; school supplies, dorm furniture and accessories, computer software, and the big one, textbooks. Textbooks can get extremely expensive and any given student can easily spend $500-$1000 a semester on books. This sounds outrageous, which it is, but that's the reality of it, especially if you use your college or local bookstore.

I would suggest buying your books online. There are a number of different online stores that sell textbooks, so you can easily shop around, compare prices, and find the best deal. Sometimes school bookstores will only have new copies of certain books which are always way more expensive than used copies. You are almost guaranteed to find a used copy of just about any textbook online and this can really save you a ton of money. Finally, many online bookstores feature coupons, which school bookstores almost never offer.

Phat Campus and eCampus are great examples of online bookstores. They allow you to easily search and find just about any textbook you'll need, new or used, at very competitive prices. Both of these online bookstores also have a number of terrific coupons specifically for students heading back to school. Just do a quick search on Coupon Shack for either store, or access our Back to School section, and you will be on your way to saving money! Shop online this year to find all your required textbooks at a fraction of the cost of the average bookstore.

Posted by Ryan on August 10, 2009     Tags: Back to School

Using Bill Me Later allows you to make your online purchase now and pay later. Up to 90 days later. There is no interest charge during this 90 day period so it's like having credit extended to you for an extended period of time. It's great for any purchase but is especially useful on larger or bulk purchases.

Take buying an HD Television for example. Once you have your television picked out, you simply add it to the shopping cart. Then choose Bill Me Later as your payment option. You will be asked a couple simple questions to verify your identity. If approved, your order will be processed and shipped to you right away and 90 days later you will get a bill for that exact amount. Simple as that!

Here is one way to save even more money. Some online retailers such as TigerDirect offer discounts for using the Bill Me Later service. Right now, if you purchase from TigerDirect using the Bill Me Later payment option you will get an additional $20 off any purchase of $100 or more.

Another way to save even more money is to check to see which stores offer Bill Me Later as an option. (a list is available HERE) When you decide on which store to make your purchase from, come back to Coupon Shack and see if we have a coupon for that store. If there is a coupon available, apply it to the shopping cart and then choose Bill Me Later as the payment option. If the store is running a promotion for using Bill Me Later you've effectively gotten two discounts, plus deferred payment for 90 days!

Posted by Sok on July 28, 2009     Tags: Back to School , Small Business Savings Center