Open Mic is a post every Thursday that is a mini-version of a discussion board. You can leave a comment with whatever coupon, money-saving or debt reduction tips or questions you have and other readers chime in and answer.
When you leave a comment on this post, you’ll be able to choose whether you’d like to be emailed follow-up comments or not. Getting comments via email is a great way to stay connected without having to visit the site a bazillion times (although I don’t mind if you come a bazillion times).
As always, I look forward to hearing the voice of the Pocket Your Dollars community. Read through the Open Mic archives here.
Your turn: Leave a comment with your money-saving, coupon or debt reduction question, thought or suggestion.
Two tips: 1) If you are reading this via email or an RSS feed, click on the title “Open Mic” to come back to the site and leave a comment and 2) If you are concerned about your privacy, just reference yourself by your initials and know that I will not share your email address with anyone else.
Can someone tell me how Cell Fire coupons work? Can you only use them at certain stores?
Yep, only certain stores:
Baker’s • City Market • Dillons • Fry’s • Fred Meyer • Gerbes • Hilander • JayC • King Soopers • Kroger • Owen’s • Pay Less • QFC • Ralphs • Scott’s • Smith’s
Carrs • Genuardi’s • Pavilions • Randall’s • Tom Thumb • Vons
ShopRite, Harps, giant eagle, D’Agostino, lowest, food town
https://www.cellfire.com/mobile/?cfm_tlc=dzz&cfm_stand=1&cfm_guest=1&cfm_showAppPanel=Android#p_help
Does Big Lots take coupons?
no they do not :(
Has anyone received the Snapple refund yet? I sent in mine without the official form on May 7th and my son said he sent one”with” the official form on May 27th. Neither of us have gotten the refund check. Also has anyone tried contacting Snapple if they haven’t received it?
No, I haven’t received mine either. To be honest, I had kind of given up ever receiving it.
I called them and finally got my check earlier this week.
Lori–
The rebate wad discussed last wk, too–maybe open Mic. Someone commented with a contact for snapple that you could look up and try. I am also waiting but haven’t contacted them yet.
Contact snapplerebate@fulfillplus.com. I sent them an email a few days ago and they said that mine should be in the mail in the next week.
Thanks Meghan. I emailed this morning and after verifying my address they emailed back that mine will go out next wk. They have prompt cs though the rebate takes awhile.
Savingsstrar.com just added some great e-coupons!
Buy two (2) Johnsonville Italian Sausage, Smoked Sausage or Brats (14 oz, 16 oz or 19.76 oz), Save $1.00
Buy any 1 Foster Farms Corn Dog or Mini Corn Dog 1.82 lbs or heavier, Save $1.00
Buy any ONE (1) package of Rhodes® Cinnamon Rolls, Save 75¢
Buy any ONE (1) package of Rhodes® Warm-N-Serv Rolls, Save 75¢
Buy 1 Weight Watchers® Frozen Novelty*, Save $1.00
I am having trouble locating this site, any sugestions?
http://www.savingstar.com
Original comment was spelled wrong.
Thanks JoAnna :)
Has anyone bought appliances at the Sears Outlet stores in either Coon Rapids or NE Minneapolis?
Yes, I have and I have used the Mpls Outlet store several times and have had great service. we even had a bad washer I bought there and they tracked down a replacement and had ti delivered with extra bottles of laundry soap..
We bought a tv from the one by northtown. The next day my young son tried to break the man out of the tv with a paint roller and put it right thru the projection screen. It was not covered by warrenty but they took it back anyway and said they would just put a new screen in it. Super nice!!!
We’ve had great luck with the Sears Outlet in NE Minneapolis. Although they have a smaller selection than the Coon Rapids location we’ve found that their salespeople are much more helpful and willing to negotiate.
I think I saw a deal from Snapfish for 5 free cards good thru September. Does anyone have the code? thanks!
Anyone know of coupons or codes for these Stores, zummiez,pacsun,hollister?
check out this website…it lists many coupon codes, and even ranks them!
http://www.retailmenot.com/
I printed coupons from “Coupon Network by Catalina” for the first time today and I am wondering if the stores will take them as they do not have an address printed on it for the store to mail it to. Are the stores able to scan that info off those coupons? I really do not like to take coupons to the store that will be suspicious.
I am moving soon and will be replacing the carpet in one room with linoleum or vinyl. I only have Home Depot and Menards in my area. I have seen the square “tiles” that I am assuming you glue (?) down. How difficult and time consuming would that be? I also just saw a large roll, 12x whatever length you want. Does anyone have experience with this? Would it be difficult to lay a single piece? Would it be cost effective to have a proffesional install? What is the cost comparison for DIY vs. proffesional? The large roll was much cheaper than the squares, so I thought it might be about the same to hire someone to install the roll as it would be to lay squares myself? Thank you!
The squares are easy to install (I’ve done it myself), but I’d only install in a home I was going to sell or move out from. Just be certain that the floor is extremely clean and you should be fine. Most have a glue on the back so all you do is slip off the paper backing and stick to the floor.
As far as remnants like the one you found, ask them if they have an install deal going on. Installation can be inexpensive with the box stores.
You’ll have to take the sq ‘ dimensions to both stores and compare per their quotes. I wouldn’t try to install a large sheet myself.
I plan to install in the home I am purchasing. Curious as to why you said you’d only install in a home you were to sell or move out from.
It’s difficult to get the seams just right so there isn’t a gap because the glue backing is extremely sticky (can’t just move the tiles around once they hit the floor). The floor has to be prep’d correctly and they’re not the best quality so in high traffic areas you might see some chipping along the edges. They’re difficult to cut without chips or breaking.
I’ve seen these chipped on edges and dirt accumulated in the seams. Just my opinion, but I’d spring for a professional install of better quality sheet flooring and/or install some laminate tongue plank board before I’d go with the sticky squares myself.
It all depends on the traffic in the room and how picky you are. You also have to consider your know-how in cutting pieces for edges and end pieces, it’s like installing tile (you have to cut some pieces well or it’ll look nasty)
There’s a place south of the Airport called Cannon Recovery http://cannonrecovery.com. I’ve purchased alot of building materials from them from remodeled 4 homes. You should see some great deals there and you can call ahead to see if they have any of the squares and/or I know they have great wood/laminate flooring as well. It’s a fun place for the do-it-yourselfer.
Personally, I’d just buy a nice piece of sheet laminate and have it installed. I think Home Depot runs a 50.00 install deal pretty often.
I have heard that the roll kind is better for bathrooms due to moisture and possible water issues (overflowed tub, sink, toilet). If the water gets under the tiles you can get damage. Harder to get under a single piece from a roll.
As someone who has worked in a flooring store, I can say that the rollout vinyl is usually much better quality. I would only put the squares in if you are trying to sell your house and make it look updated.
Is this for a kitchen or bath? FYI, there are two different qualities of vinyl. One for bathrooms and one is kitchen quality. Bathroom quality won’t hold up to chairs scraping and knives dropping. Kitchen of course, is more expensive!
I want to thank everyone for your suggestions. The flooring is for my daughters room because she has pets that she allows to run free in her room for exercise and she prefers a water resistant flooring as do I. It sounds like I need to get the roll type kitchen quality flooring and try to get in on an install deal at the time of purchase. This has been very helpful!
For a bedroom, another option is a floating wood or laminate look-like-wood floor. No need to glue down, and many of them just snap together. Lumber Liquidators has a great selection and display so you can see lots of options side by side.
If you are young and relatively strong, laying a piece of carpet is not that hard, especially if you have a simple layout. When I was a lot younger, I did it frequently in my house — a small squarish rambler. I did it both with and without a pad. You basically just nail it around the edges with carpet tacks.
I did use glue-down type things in a closet one time and didn’t really like it.
If you have a friend that can help you maneuver the carpet around, it is really pretty easy.
NN– Sorry I misread your post and thought you were going to use carpet. I also did not like the result I got when I used those glue down vinyl tiles. I don’t think they would wear well on a kids room.
I recently did a bedroom with laminate and it was a lot easier than I expected it would be. I use rugs or bound carpet pieces over it so it doesn’t get a lot of wear. Menards often puts 4′ by 8′ bound carpets on sale for $10. When they get grubby, I toss them.
Has anyone tried a Star/Tribune promo (like PYD has listed, good thru 9/5) that offers a gift card from Face 2 Face Solutions? I have no doubt I will receive the newspaper, but am skeptical about getting the gift card.
* I understand that my subscription will begin within 2 weeks and my gift card or water park passes will be mailed to me, from Face 2 Face Solutions, within 4-6 weeks after the initial start of my subscription.
The reason I am skeptical is because last year at Thanksgiving-time, I signed up for high speed internet through Qwest at my local Best Buy store. After 9 months, I have yet to receive the $100 Amex gift card that was part of that promo. Yes, I have made many, many calls to resolve this, and if Face 2 Face is anything like the third party used by Qwest, I don’t want any part of it.
Sue – The PYD team works with Face 2 Face and you email me personally if you don’t get the gift card and we’ll get it taken care of. We have sold over a thousand newspaper subscriptions and provided stellar service to every single one. I know it sounds cheesy, but you literally have my personal word that you’ll get the gift card.
Thanks, Carrie (and others) I signed up this morning.
Sue – I haven’t tried this particular promo, but I did the one that was 26 weeks of Sunday for $26 and then they send you a $25 visa gift card. Totaly happy. Got the gift card maybe 2-3 weeks after I signed up. Now problems at all. Just have to remember to cancel the subscription befor the annual renewal date (or I’ll get charged reg price).
I recieved the gift cards promptly in about 10-14 days. I highly suggest doing this offer!
Anyone in the NW suburbs (I live in Maple Grove) have a Blue ribbon Bargain Book for the State Fair that they no longer need and would be willing to give away? Maybe you are going to the Fair this weekend and will use some coupons, but not all of them. We are going to the Fair again on Labor Day and I’d love another book, since I already used some of my most favorite coupons from the book I have. Email me using the contact form (http://www.pocketyourdollars.com/contact/) if you might have one you’d be willing to pass along.
I gave mine away to a gal who was coming in to the Fair as we were leaving. Sorry! :(
We are going tmrw and I have a book. I will email you if we still have some good ones left in it. We are meeting a lot of people there, so we may use most of it. I am curious though, which coupons were your favorites? I have hardly looked at the book.
I have one I’d be happy to give you. I live in NE Mpls, so it would be on the way to the fair for you. I assume you will be able to see my Email. Send me a message if you still need a book.
Hi – I’m trying to figure out one last day of ‘super fun’ for the kiddos today – age 2, 4, 6. Anyone have any recommendations for something not ‘super’ expensive??? I was thinking something w/water….ideas? Deals???
Thanks,
Heather
Where are you located heather?
Como Town has a really neat splash pad, but it isn’t free. You can pack a picnic, enjoy the zoo, do a ride or two at Como Town, see the Japenese Gardens and make a whole day of it.
Go the Oak Hill Park splash pad in St. Louis Park. It may be crowded, but it is free. Bring some water toys/buckets along if you go but be sure to label them!
Actually, they now charge $1 per person for non-residents. But it is fun the little ones!
They do? Obviously, we didn’t go this summer. Thanks for the info.
Anyone know how to get discounted Gopher football tickets? I thought it would be nice for my husband and me to go – but they were $80 A PIECE!!!!! Thanks -
Depending on the opponent, Craigslist has many listings for reasonably priced Gopher tickets.
try stubhub.com We’ve bought tix there for various venues around the midwest & have had no problems. The closer to the date, the cheaper the tix are (people want to get rid of them). The day of they usually pull the tix about 2hrs prior to the start time.
Join the booster club.
Looking for a reputable company/contractor to replace my asphalt driveway with concrete. Any of you Pocketeers have recommendations??
To start ,where are you having the work done.?
What city or town.
Northern suburbs – near Blaine and Shoreview. But I believe many contractors travel to get the business.
Is anybody else having trouble using the $10 fuel card from the Kellogg’s rebate a while ago? I follow the directions that came with the card and none of the cashiers at the places I go can get it to go through. It’s very frustrating!
Purchase exactly $10.00 in gas. Go inside to pay and it will work. this is the easiest solution
Sometimes the simplest answers are the best!
My husband’s 40th birthday is coming up and we really don’t have the money for a big party or anything. He says that he doesn’t care and never really wants to do anything for his birthday anyway. I am a little bummed we can’t do something big because I have so many ideas and he would be sooo easy to surprise. I think we will use a gift card we were recently given for a nice dinner. But, does anyone have any thrifty ideas on how to celebrate this milestone bday?
What about having a big potluck with family and friends? You could do it at home or at a local park or beach.
Are you in the twin cities area? Do you have an entertainment coupon book? I have one and would be happy to share coupons with you. Or I have actually gone to b-day parties at resturants where guest were told ahead of time they would be paying for their own drinks and meals.
My husband’s birthday is coming up and we are doing an iron chef party. Each individual, pair, or family of guests can be one “team”. We usually do it so that each team is entered into two “battles” with an opposing team. A few days before the party, send out match ups, secret ingredients, and total number of party attendees. Secret ingredients we have used in the past have been cinnamon, honey, basil, mango, bacon, etc. I usually try to take into consideration the food preferences of guests before I send out lists.
Before the party have each guest prepare their entries at home. Each entry should have enough servings for everyone at the party to try their dish. Recipes can be from a cookbook, a modified recipe, your guests own imagination. Final preparations, plating, and reheating can be done at the host’s home. For judging, everyone judges the dishes they did not submit. Judging criteria can be things like taste, presentation, originality, and use of secret ingredient. Take a secret ballot, and the team with the highest score wins.
If you want, you can buy “prizes” for the top 3 winning teams. I’ve found some pretty inexpensive kitchen utensils in the past. The great thing about this type of party is that it cuts down on food expenses and innately provides a wonderful form of entertainment.
I agree with the potluck idea with family and friends. We just went a few weeks ago to a friends 40th b-day and everyone brought something to share. It was a great time!
Wow! Thanks for the great ideas everyone. I guess it is not so uncommon for the host to NOT provide the whole meal. I am feeling inspired to really look at the budget and come up with a workable party plan. Thanks for the inspiration! And, yes, I am in the Twin Cities!
Anna- I just had my husband’s surprise 40th party last Sat. If you are short on time to find deals for drinks etc. then a potluck is a great option. I had several people even ask if they could bring something.
some other tips: I priced paper products at Walmart, Target, Sam’s, Walgreens, and Aldi’s and it was FAR cheaper at Aldi’s then anywhere else.
I bought ice from Arby’s. You can get 10lb bags for $1.07
I kept the menu simple. Hot dogs, chips, veggie tray, baked beans, watermelon and cake. The buns, chips, veggies, beans and watermelon all were bought at Aldi’s.
The drinks I watched for deals and stocked up a few weeks before. I ended up with 16 cases of soda, 6- 24pks. of water, and several boxes of juice boxes and it all cost me under $20.
I invited around 75 people and 55 said yes and we had probably about 40 come.
I used to do my school shopping for the kids this weekend so thought this might come in handy for those with children still in school. I’d suggest you go early, it’s going to be a madhouse there this weekend.
Big sales at Premium Outlets (Albertville) this weekend PLUS sign up for VIP and use VIP coupons for further discounts:
Polo 25% off through 9/7, plus this weekend only an additional 20% off entier purchase 9/2-9/5… 45% savings
With VIP you get a coupon book (print-out), and can select to print coupons for any one of these deals listed below.
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/index.asp
Aeropostale $25 off a purchase of $100 or more
Aeropostale Aug 22 – Sept 18 $10 off every time you spend $50 or more or $25 off every time you spend $100 or more
Aerosoles 20% off your purchase of $39 or more
Alfred Dunner Sept 2 – 5 Additional 20% off any one item*
Banana Republic Aug 30 – Sept 5 20% off your purchase of $100 or more
Bass $10 off purchase of $60 or more
Calvin Klein 15% off purchase of $100 or more
Carter’s Sept 1 – 7 20% off your purchase of $40 or more
The Children’s Place Outlet 20% off purchase of $50 or more
Clarks Bostonian 15% off your purchase of $50 or more
Converse $20 off a purchase of $75 or more
Eddie Bauer Outlet 15% off a purchase of $75 or more
Fragrance Outlet $5 off purchase of $50 or more
Gap Outlet Aug 30 – Sept 5 20% off your purchase of $75 or more
Guess Factory Store 25% off purchase of $100 or more
Guess Kids 25% off purchase of $100 or more
Izod $10 off purchase of $60 or more
Jockey Sept 2 – 6 Additional 20% off your entire purchase
Jones New York 15% off purchase of $100 or more
Kenneth Cole $25 off a purchase of $100 or more
Kids Supercenter 25% off any single item of $15 or more
Lane Bryant Outlet $25 off a purchase of $100 or more
Motherhood Maternity $15 off a purchase of $100 or more
Mrs. Fields/TCBY $.25 soda with $5 purchase
New York & Company 15% off entire purchase
Nine West Outlet 20% off one regular priced item
Old Navy Outlet 15% off a purchase of $50 or more
OshKosh B’gosh Sept 1 – 7 20% off your purchase of $40 or more
Polo Ralph Lauren Sept 8 – Oct 5 20% off of your purchase of $150 or more
Reebok Sept 1 – Oct 10 30% off Lowest ticketed price
Rockport Sept 1 – Oct 10 30% off Lowest ticketed price
Samsonite $20 off any purchase of $100 or more
Stride Rite Keds Sperry 15% off entire purchase of $75 or more
Tin’s Tailor Sept 1 – 30 10% off all service alterations
Tommy Hilfiger July 22 – Sept 5 25% off $250 or more; 20% off $150 or more; 15% off entire purchase
Tommy Hilfiger Kids July 22 – Sept 5 25% off $250 or more; 20% off $150 or more; 15% off entire purchase
Ultra Diamonds $100 off any purchase of $249 or more
Ultra Diamonds Aug 31 – Sept 6 Spend $0- $249 – Receive 10% off any single purchase; Spend $249 – $949 – Receive 15% off any single purchase; Spend Over $950 – Receive 20% off any single purchase
Under Armour 10% off a purchase of $150 or more
Van Heusen $10 off purchase of $60 or more
Vince Camuto 25% off entire purchase
Vitamin World Aug 23 – Sept 5 20% off your purchase
Wilsons Leather $25 off a purchase of $100 or more
Yankee Candle Sept 2 – 6 20% off purchase of $25 or more.
There are good deals to be found there but I really wish they didn’t allow non-outlet stores at an outlet mall. I feel that it is false advertising.
PYD I know you “rent” your coupon database, but is there any way you could contact them and tell them to improve their service? I use the database to do two coupon ad matches for a couple of my local stores and they never remove the coupons I report as expired or no longer available. Plus they don’t add the coupons I suggest. Perhaps the most frustrating part is their terrible spelling. They need to spell an item exactly as the manufacturer does. Carrie, I don’t know how you and the girls put up with them without pulling your hair out!!
Emily…I feel the same way; 99% of the time I leave frustrated wondering why I even tried it again! I have even given it an easy coupon to find that I have and where I got from to see if it works at all….I just don’t use it here anymore. I think the All You site had a good coupon finder…or I have used other sites coupon databases
coupontom.com is another good coupon database that I use quite frequently. I think it’s much more user friendly than the one on PYD.
I saw the Albertville store deals but was wondering if anyone had any luck at any of the bigger department stores (specifically in Burnsville or Mall of America) in finding great deals for pre-teen/teen clothes? I usually do garage sales and Goodwill but it’s becoming harder and harder to find clothes for my 9 year old daughter and 12 year old son without spending a fortune…
Have you tried the Salvation Army or Unique Thrift store, which are both in Burnsville? Also, try consignment stores.
Traci,
I’ve had some good luck with Mayc’s over the years. I’ve scored some great deals off of their clearance racks, but I haven’t been shopping for children. I get emails from them that contain Qs and sometimes they have Qs in the Sunday ad or papers. Maybe give them a shot – I shop at the Burnsville, MOA, and Southdale Macy’s.
If they don’t mind second hand then Plato’s Closet is a bit more “upscale” – they are very selective about the clothes they take as opposed to Goodwill.
http://www.platoscloset.com/locations/list/MN
I also am a big fan of Savers stores and they will be having a huge sale on Monday. And if you sign up to be a member of their Savers Club I think they might even have an exclusive sneak-peak on Sunday night.
http://www.savers.com/Find-A-Store.aspx
Don’t forget Savers in Apple Valley. I was there last week & got dd 2 hoodies/jackets from Gilly Hicks & Hollister. They had a lot & most were in very good condition (check for stains!). The most expensive I saw was $9.99.
Try the new Gordman’s at Burnsville Center tween and juniors clothing. Sign up on their website for a 20% off coupon. This store is similar to TJ Maxx, but I think has better deals and is better organized. They carry everything from clothing to housewares.
Try Opitz Outlet on Excelsior in St. Louis Park.
Any way to get a good deal on a second newspaper subscription to Star Tribune for the South Minneapolis area? All the deals seem to be for first timers or for the suburbs (inluding the PYD deal). I’d really like a second subscription as it’s a pain to get to the store to buy an extra every Sunday. Thanks!
I bought one twin pack of deodorant today and I used a coupon that said “get 1.00 of purchase of two”. I was not sure if it would be accepted or not, but it was. So I’m just wondering if anyone knows if this is o.k.
Lita–
I’ve seen comments that others have done this with twin pks but I have not tried it. Seems like it would be ok as long as it wasn’t a bogo free pack.
Does anyone else have problems when using coupons that say “buy one item get one item free” and the cashier has to enter in a dollar amount on the coupon. It seems to me the cashiers feel pressured when they have to look up price of free item and that can cause mistakes. Happened to me today. I purchased multiple suave items and cashier entered in incorrect amount of free item. It shorted me about 1.50. Kind of frustrating.
Lita–
As I shop I fill in the price on the receipt for the free item. Most cashiers trust me and a few choose to dbl check.
What a great idea! I often get eye rolls and the like at check out when they have to look up the amount. Although a few of my favorite cashiers always ask up front if I have any bogo’s, then they fill them in as we go.
Thanks :) I also group all my bogo products to go through last and the coupons to go through first so if the cashier does want to dbl check the price it is at the end of the trans.
Concrete referral: Did a neighbor’s driveway recently and they are happy. Called Concrete Creations: 763-442-1335, owner Ryan Plonske.
Does anyone know of a company that has home based employment? I’m open to either part time or full time?
Good question. I would be interested as well.
Hey, I know it’s late but I just got home from work. Does anyone know where the cheapest place is to buy propane? I live in Blaine, MN and haven’t bought it since the beginning of the season. The best price I got then was at Menards, with the exchange.
How much was it at Menards? I just got a coupon in the mail that Clark gas station in Blaine will exchange for $16.99. I don’t know if that’s a good price or not though. Sorry I’m not more help!
I can get propane for $2 a gallon at my local farm supply store. So that is $10 a tank. I’d look up bulk propane providers in your area. Having your tank filled versus an exchange is much cheaper.
U-Haul in Coon Rapids refills tanks, and you only pay for what the amount they actually use. Works out much less than the flat-rate refill, and you don’t feel like you have to empty the tank first.
Coupon.com just had a coupon for $5 off american propane. They sell it at Home Depot and it’s $19.99 plus tax for the exchange.
I am hoping someone can help me…all of a sudden every time I try to print bricks coupons they say I need to download the software, so I download and still can’t print the coupon. Does anyone have an suggestions as to what I am doing wrong? Sooo frustrated!
This happened to me too! I haven’t found the solution though as I install the software, then it tells me I still need to install it. Would love to hear from anyone who has a solution to this! :-)
Try deleting all temporary internet files(aka cache) in your web browser. Close the web browser. Then open it again and try to print.
I have this problem on my husbands computer when using Chrome. . if I switch to Internet Explorer it prints fine . . not sure why or what to do either, but that is one way around it for us
I’m going up north to the Brainerd Lakes area (Crosslake to be specific) this week and I am looking for coupons for area restaurants or attractions. Anyone know of any?
Carrie, I love your site. Thank you for teaching me to coupon. I am wondering if you or any of your readers have a method to track savings. I would like to have a spreadsheet so I can accurately assess how much I am saving. I don’t know if I should count the items I received the ECB’s as free or the items I buy with the ECB’s. I mainly coupon at CVS, Walgreens and Fry’s. Thanks!
Linda, you commented on an old open mic, so don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a response to you question. But since I was subscribed to this post, I did see your comment and I think I have what you need! Check out http://thecouponproject.com/downloads/savings-tracker
Emily – Thanks for helping out! I also use the savings tracker from The Coupon Project (well, I used to until I stopped couponing for a while after my baby was born in April) and love it!