New loyalty program at Walgreens
This week Walgreens stores are debuting a rewards program called Balance Rewards that could add up to savings for your family.
"It's another loyalty program in addition to register rewards which they are continuing," said Carrie Rocha of Pocketyourdollars.com. "It's tied to a loyalty and you'll earn points when you make certain purchases."
You can sign up for the card in store and receive the card immediately or you can sign up online and get it in the mail. Then, use it it in the store in one of two ways. First, you earn points for the amount you pay at the register. Then, you can earn additional points for buying promotional products. You redeem your points through "Redemption Dollars" that can be spent at the store.
"What I'm hearing is different cashiers don't understand it and different store managers are giving different answers, so have a little patience in the next few weeks or maybe if that causes you stress, wait and get started a few weeks from now," said Rocha.
Coupons Accepted at Dollar Tree
Coupon clippers and blogs have been buzzing for weeks over Dollar Tree's new policy of accepting manufacturers coupons. The Dollar Tree features a variety of items where everything is priced at $1.
"It's really a big deal because Family Dollar has [accepted coupons] for years and Dollar Tree hasn't. Dollar Tree, although they carry some generics, they carry certain name brands as well," said Rocha. "So this week there are some products that are free after a coupons if you know which coupon to use per item."
The new coupon policy is simple and straightforward. It will accept original and intact manufacturers coupons. Dollar Tree will only redeem two print-at-home Internet coupons per transaction. It will not accept coupons for "free" items and coupons will not be redeemed for more than the purchase price of the item. To see the entire policy, check the Dollar Tree website.
"The big word of caution is that most coupons have size restrictions, like the Reynolds Wrap they are selling is a smaller package than what's allowed on coupon, so you want to make sure you read the fine print," said Rocha.
Interestingly enough, Rocha says since early July 35 percent of coupons from the Sunday paper have included limitation wording so people can only use a set number of coupons during a store visit. This could cut back on 'extreme' couponing measures.
Arc's Value Village Halloween "Bootique" Set to Ppen
If you want to save money on a halloween costume, mark your calendar for Friday, Sept. 21, when Arc's Value Village will open its annual Halloween Bootique. This is the busiest time of year for the thrift store and workers expect people to be lined up outside the door just waiting to get in at 9 a.m. Friday. Staff members are putting out more than 100,000 Halloween and fall items right now. In stores, you can find a Halloween costume or you can shop for fall décor for your home.
"We're putting out items everyday from now to Halloween, but the best choice merchandise really is out right away," said Pam Carlson, director of community relations at ARC. "We hope people will come check out Halloween boutique and they can certainly save a lot of money."
Murder on Main Street
As free spooky entertainment, head on over to the Maple Grove Library for the Murder on Main Street Series. The Friends of the Maple Grove Library is hosting three authors who specialize in mystery as speakers. This program series is for adults only.
Murder on Main Street Author Talk: Julie Kramer
Julie Kramer is a former television producer and now an award-winning mystery writer. Kramer will talk about her hot new mystery, “Shunning Sarah,” set in the Amish area of rural Minnesota.
Saturday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m.
Murder on Main Street Author Talk: Monica Ferris
Monica Ferris, a delightful writer of many murder mysteries, many featuring a needleworking sleuth! Ferris is an author with many hats and names: Mary Monica Pulver, Mary Kuhfeld, Margaret Frazer or Ferris. She’ll talk about her current "Threadbare," which features the popular sleuth, Betsy Devonshire. Ferris; newest book, "And Then You Dye," will be published December 2012.
Monday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Murder on Main Street Author Talk: Ellen Hart
Ellen Hart, another award-winning writer, author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway mysteries, who has also teamed up with other mystery writers to present programs as the Minnesota Crime Wave. Award-winning Hart will talk about her most recent book, "Rest for the Wicked." She will offer a glimpse into the "writer's life" and her thoughts on the modern mystery novel. Q&A will follow.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.
Shannon Slatton, reporting
sslatton@twelve.tv
Wednesday, September 19, 2012