Families just aren’t eating out that much. The number of groups with children visiting restaurants fell 5 percent over the last year, and it’s not because parents have suddenly tired of whisper-shouting and giving the evil eye to kids misbehaving in the booth.
Smart Spending
It’s a Deal: 50% Off at Savers on Labor Day
Thrift store chain Savers is discounting nearly all merchandise by 50 percent on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Stores are also opening an hour earlier (at 7 a.m.) for the sale. More details here.
It’s a Deal: Free Kids’ Dinners at IHOP
From now through September 17, IHOP is hosting a “Kids Eat Free” dinner promotion. Between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., families will get one free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée at participating IHOP locations. More details here.
It’s a Deal: $10 Off Purchases at Yankee Candle
Using a printable coupon in stores, or the discount code XF908R2 over the phone or online, you can receive $10 Yankee Candle purchases of $25 or more. Offer valid through September 7. More details and the printable coupon here.
Ten Back-to-School Sales, Deals, and Money-Saving Tips and Strategies
For whatever reason, going back to school is associated with pushing one’s credit card to the limits. Perhaps not so much this year. Back-to-school spending is expected to be down nearly 8 percent compared to last year. Here are ten links that may help you save more than the average pupil.
It’s a Deal: Up to 70% Off at BackCountry.com
Through September 2, some 12,000 tents, windbreakers, hiking boots, sunglasses, sleeping bags, and other outdoorsy items are on sale at discounts of up to 70 percent off at BackCountry.com.
Look What You Can Buy at eBay and Craigslist: It’s California!
To try and balance the California state budget, the Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger is emptying storage warehouses and rounding up anything worth selling. Lots of things that don’t seem worth selling too, or at least that don’t seem like they’d fetch much money at auction, such as coat racks, box cutters, and belt buckles. No matter. …
It’s a Deal: 20% Off of Godiva Chocolate
Orders of Godiva chocolates are 20 percent off if you use the discount coupon code ENJOY20 when making an online purchase. Valid through Friday, August 28 at Godiva.com.
It’s a Deal: Up to 50% Off of Champion Athletic Apparel
It’s a Deal: Flights to the Caribbean from $29
JetBlue is hosting a “Bikini Sale,” with flights to the Bahamas and the Caribbean for $29 to $149 each way. Tickets must be purchased by August 26 for travel between September 8 to November 18. More details here.
Last Call for Clunkers
The Cash for Clunker clock is running out. The government incentive program officially expires on Monday, August 24, at 8 p.m., so this is the last weekend you can score up to $4,500 for turning in your old gas guzzler in exchange for a more fuel-efficient model.
It’s a Deal: Laminate Flooring from 69¢ a Square Foot
Lumber Liquidators has issued a “Buyout Alert,” with inventory of laminate floor varieties selling for less than half of comparable retail price. A couple of styles are selling at 69¢ per square foot, and a couple more are under $1 per square foot. More details here.