Savings to Stretch Your Shopping Dollars

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column will be dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box.

Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

Many local shops and businesses offer special savings and credit cards that continue to save shoppers money as they shop. In this week’s Frugal Family column, we look at five of the best offerings.

Hightsaver

The Hightsaver card and matching keytag is a new program offered to shoppers of Hightstown shops and restaurants. For $20, or $10 to purchase the card for students and senior citizens, card owners can use the card at local businesses to get discounts each time the card is used. (Participating businesses have the Hightsaver logo posted in their window; a list of participating businesses is also online at DowntownHightstown.org.)

Among the participating businesses are Mannino’s 4 Pizzeria, (10% off a purchase of $10 or more), Da’s Slowdown Café and Thai Cuisine (10% off all purchases) and Mrs. Fixxit Home Repair (10% off any job, any size). For a full list of discounts, visit DowntownHightstown.org.

T.G.I. Friday’s “Give Me Stripes”

Sign up online for T.G.I. Friday’s free “Give Me More Stripes” card, and use the card at any of the chain’s restaurants to earn a stripe for each dollar spent. You’ll receive an $8 coupon for “free food” every time you spend $100 on food at the restaurant. Plus, you’ll receive email offers like a complimentary dessert on your birthday (with a purchase of an entrée), coupons, advance notice on promotions and new menu items, etc. Friday’s often emails its card holders with buy one entrée, get the other half off coupons.

Lands’ End Shop Your Way Rewards

Sign up online at no cost for the Lands End “Shop Your Way Rewards” card to get discounts and special offers at Lands End, Sears and Kmart. If you provide your email address when enrolling, you may get coupons and promotions for the stores via email. For each $1 you spend, get 10 discount points that can be applied to your purchases. Card holders get free shipping for any order placed at the Lands’ End Shop kiosk in Sears. Also, any Lands’ End purchase can be returned for free at Sears.

 Gap

The Gap’s card is not just a savings card, but a Visa card – which could be a drawback for those who don’t want to take on another credit card. But, when used at the Gap (including GapKids and babyGap), Banana Republic and Old Navy, the card will earn shoppers points to be used as discounts on future purchases. Card users get a $10 reward card for every 1,000 points earned and advance notice of promotions and sales. Card users get 10% off merchandise when the card used in the Gap and Old Navy on Tuesdays.

 Kohl’s

The Kohl’s Charge is, as its name implies, a charge card as well as a savings card. Kohl’s Charge card holders regularly receive coupons for 15% to 30% off their entire purchase at the retailer. Card holders also receive notice of upcoming sales and promotions and news on fashion trends.