“Clean-up in aisle seven! There are happy bridal tears all over the place.” Nine couples won a promotion from 99¢ Only Stores—and the prize was a wedding ceremony that cost (yep) just 99¢, held among aisles of canned vegetables, cookies, and party favors in the discount chain’s Hollywood location.
Smart Spending
It’s a Deal: Free Brownies and More at Panera Bread
Today, Thursday, September 10, Panera Bread bakery-café locations are offering free samples of new menu items, including a breakfast sandwich, brownies, blondies, and a new chicken salad and a sandwich. More details and info about locations here.
Irresistible? Leather Pants Marked Down from $3,300 to $1,000
You know what? That’s still nearly a thousand bucks more than you need to spend on a pair of pants—even a pretty nice pair of pants.
It’s a Deal: Bestselling Books for Free in the Kindle Store
Many of the bestselling books for use with Amazon’s Kindle are being offered for free. The freebies include classics like Treasure Island and Pride and Prejudice. More details here.
It’s a Deal: 50% Off Second Night at Wyndham Hotels
The “Weekender” promotion from Wyndham offers guests 50 percent off of a second night, or 50 percent off of a second room. The promotion is valid during stays from Thursday to Sunday through the end of 2009. More details here.
Online Bargain Shoppers Unite! The Spread of Group Coupons
Call it the incredible bulk: An increasing number of websites are offering discounts for everything from groceries to salon services to flower bouquets, but only if shoppers team up and opt into the promotion in bulk. If too few people sign on, no one gets the deal.
What Really Motivates Back-to-School Shopping?
It’s not just about glue, protractors, and binders. We’re buying stuff—new clothes, backpacks, sneakers, cell phones—in an attempt to make kids feel secure, more confident, more “with it.”
It’s a Deal: Up to 60% Off at Crate&Barrel
Outdoor furniture, dinnerware, serving bowls, rugs, and bedding are among the items being discounted by up to 60 percent at the Crate&Barrel outlet.
Affluent Consumers Clip Coupons. Poor People? Not So Much
Some 1.6 billion coupons were redeemed in the U.S. in the first half of 2009. That’s up 23 percent compared to last year. Who is turning all those coupons in to save on purchases? Odds are it’s a suburbanite who is fairly well off.
It’s a Deal: Kids Eat Free at IKEA This Weekend
From September 5 through September 7 at most IKEA stores, you can choose any three kids-size items to put together a customized kids meal—for free. Lower prices have been announced on dozens of household items too. More details here.
Two-Foot-Long Receipts: Love the Coupons, Hate the Waste
You pick up a few items at the supermarket or pharmacy, and what comes out of the register? A receipt that curls and streams out to a yard or so in length. There has to be a better way, no?
It’s a Deal: Buy One Pair of Crocs, Get a Pair Free
Purchase one pair of Crocs at regular price, and you’ll get a second pair (that’s the same price or less) for free. More than 30 styles to choose from. Free shipping too. More info here.