Plato’s Closet is having a “create your own sale” event this Labor Day weekend – upon arrival to the store this Friday through Monday, you’ll receive a card which will enable you to receive one of three discounts:

• Free short-sleeved top with purchase of bottom
• 30% off any one item
• B1G1 Free shorts, skirts, short-sleeved tops, tanks, or dresses

More details on the sale here.  Don’t forget that Arc Thrift is having a 50% off sale all weekend long, too.

Just a note that there won’t be any coupon inserts this Sunday due to the Labor Day holiday.  If you want to put your paper on hold, here’s the info you’ll need to know:

Start a Vacation Hold Online
Put the Denver Post on vacation hold
Put the CS Gazette on vacation hold

Start a Vacation Hold Via Phone
Denver Post: 303-832-3232
Gazette: 1-866-632-6397

Enjoy your break from clipping!  If you’d like to find out the insert schedule for the read of 2010, check out the 2010 Coupon Insert Schedule on the coupon database.

Kids ages 5-12 can participate in a free workshop this Saturday, September 4 from 10 AM to noon at Home Depot: they’ll be building the above football stand.  Workshops are free and include a free apron and other fun stuff!  They take place on the first Saturday of every month at Home Depot stores.

These and other free and cheap events are on the local calendar!

Just a reminder that Whole Foods will have grass-fed ground beef on sale for $3.99/lb tomorrow (Friday) only! I would probably get there early if you want to stock up – this is a nationwide sale, but I’m not sure if it’s “while supplies last” or if you’ll be able to get rainchecks. More info here.

If you want grass-fed and certified organic, they also have 85% lean organic grass-fed beef patties on sale for $4.99/lb through September 14.

Organic Gala apples are $1/lb through September 14th as well.

You can get a couple of freebies at Safeway this week – thanks to Andrea for the tips!

Del Monte Fruit Soothies – $1
Use $1/1 Del Monte Fruit Smoothie – RedPlum.com
or $1/1 Del Monte Fruit Smoothie (IE) or Printable (FF) – Bricks
or $1/1 Del Monte Fruit Smoothie – 8/15/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: free!
Rating: 5 – I think these are found in the produce section?

Cara Mia Marinated Artichoke Hearts – $1
Use $1/1 Cara Mia – Safeway August Fresh Ideas Magazine (found in-store)
Net cost at checkout: free!
Rating: 5

Don’t miss the rest of the deals at Safeway this week.

If you haven’t gotten a knock on the door yet from someone selling Entertainment Books for their school, you probably will soon!  The 2011 book is out (you can buy it online with free shipping right now), and there are 297 dining coupons, 159 shopping coupons, and more.  You can see the full list of coupons in the 2011 book here.

I just glanced at the list and saw some great coupons for local businesses, but didn’t see any mention of the $10 off $50 Safeway coupons that were in last year’s books.  Does anyone know if those coupons are included in this year’s book?

It’s a holiday weekend, and that means Arc Thrift Stores will be having a 50% off sale all weekend long!  All tags except current and green will be half-off on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.   And remember, every Saturday is 50% off, not just on holiday weekends.

By the way, if any of you ever spot sales at other thrift stores, I’d love to have you let me know so I can post it!  I know the Salvation Army Family Stores does 50% off days on occasion, but I rarely hear about it in time to get it up more than a couple of hours before the sale ends.

If you have any tips, feel free to contact me!

Thrift Store Reviews:

• Arc Thrift on Austin Bluffs
• Goodwill on South Circle
• Goodwill Outlet on El Paso
• Sunrise Church on Lee Vance View
• 2nd Chance Shop on South Circle
• …more coming soon!  I’m excited about getting back to this now that I’m not pregnant.

A pretty slow week at Safeway, but I like their price on ground beef!  May have to stop in to get a few packages of that.

Meat, Dairy, and Frozen

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (extreme value pack) – $1.99/lb
Rating: 2-3

80% Lean Ground Beef – $1.69/lb
Rating: 4

90% Lean Ground Beef – $2.49/lb
Rating: 3

Rancher’s Reserve Beef T-Bone Steak (extreme value pack) – $4.99/lb
Rating: 4 – chepaer at Rancho Liborio.

Bar S Jumbo Meat Franks (16 oz) – $0.88 with in-ad coupon, limit 5
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Rating: 3

Oscar Mayer Meat Franks, Ball Park Beef Franks, Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, Hebrew National Beef Franks or Hormel Pork Tenderloins (11-27.2 oz) – B1G1 free
Use $2/1 Ball Park Product – Facebook
or $1/1 Hormel Always Tender Product 8/1/2010 SS Insert
or $1/1 Hormel Always Tender Product – Hormel
or buy 2 and use $1/2 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs 8/22/2010 SS Insert
or $1/2 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs – Coupons.com
or $0.75/2 Ball Park Product 8/1/2010 RP Insert
or $0.75/2 Ball Park Product – RedPlum.com
Net cost at checkout: unknown
Rating: 3-4 – I’d probably wait until these products go on sale for 50% off, which would be a better deal because you could use two coupons for two products rather than just one.

Jimmy Dean Premium Bacon (12 oz) – B1G1 free
Net cost at checkout: unknown
Rating: ?

Kraft Cheese Natural Slices (8 oz), Shredded or Chunk (6-8 oz) – $1.69 with in-ad coupon, limit 3
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Use $1/1 Kraft Deli Deluxe or Kraft Deli Fresh Sliced Cheese (IE) Printable (FF) – Bricks
or buy five and use $5/5 Kraft Cheese – Kraft Foods
Net cost at checkout: $0.69 – ?
Rating: 5? – the $5/5 coupon is awesome, but since you have to buy five to use it and the in-ad coupon is limit 3, you’ll pay full price for the final two.

Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer (32 oz) – $1.99 with in-ad coupon, limit 3
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Use $0.75/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer – Coffee-Mate
or $0.55/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate – All You Sep 2010
Net cost at checkout: $0.99
Rating: 4

Eggo Frozen Breakfast (10.75-14.8 oz) – $1.77 with in-ad coupon, limit 4
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Buy 2 and use $1/2 Kellogg’s Eggo or Cinnabon Frozen 7/25/2010 RP Insert
Net cost at checkout: $1.27 each when you buy 2
Rating: 4

Produce

Del Monte Fruit Soothies – $1
Use $1/1 Del Monte Fruit Smoothie (IE) or Printable (FF) – Bricks
or $1/1 Del Monte Fruit Smoothie – 8/15/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: free!
Rating: 5 – I think these are found in the produce section?

Seedless Watermelon (whole) – $3.99 with in-ad coupon, limit 2
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Rating: 2 – much less at Sunflower Market, though I don’t know how the sizes compare.

Sakata Farms Bi-Color or Yellow Corn – $0.25 each
Rating: 3

Rakhra Farms White Mushrooms (8 oz, whole or sliced) – $0.99 each
Rating: 3

General Grocery and Household

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (14 oz) or Froot Loops (12.2 oz) – $1.99
Buy 2 and use $1.50/2 Kellogg’s Cereals – Kellogg’s
or $1.50/2 Kellogg’s Cereals – Coupons.com
or buy 3 and use $1/3 Kellogg’s Cereal – Kellogg’s
Net cost at checkout: $1.24 – $1.66 each
Rating: 3

Pepsi or 7-Up (12 pk, 12 oz) – B2G3 free
Rating: not 100% sure since the original price isn’t indicated in the ad, but their 12-packs are usually priced around $6.  If that’s the case, they would be $12 for 5 which is not that great of a deal.

Progresso Light or Reduced Sodium Soup (18.5-19 oz) – $1.33
Use $0.50/1 Progresso Soups – 8/8/2010 GM Insert
or buy 2 and use $0.50/2 Progresso Soups – 8/8/2010 GM Insert
or $0.55/2 Progresso Soups – Coupons.com
use $0.50/2 Progresso Soups – Shortcuts.com (will not double)
or $0.50/2 Progresso Soups – Cellfire.com (will not double)
Net cost at checkout: $0.33 – $0.83 each
Rating: 4-5

Best Foods or Hellmann’s Mayonnaise (22-30 oz) – $1.99 with in-ad coupon, limit 2
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Use $0.75/1 Hellmann’s or Best Foods Product – Hellman’s
Net cost at checkout: $0.99
Rating: 5

French’s Classic Yellow Mustard (20 oz) – $1.50
Use $0.50/1 French’s Mustard – French’s
Net cost at checkout: $0.50
Rating: 4 – may be the last mustard sale of the season!

Famous Dave’s Barbecue Sauce or Lawry’s Marinades (12-20 oz) – B1G1 free
Rating: 3?

Cara Mia Marinated Artichoke Hearts – $1
Use $1/1 Cara Mia – Safeway August Fresh Ideas Magazine (found in-store)
Net cost at checkout: free!
Rating: 5

Nabisco Wheat Thins (5.5-10 oz) – $1.88
Use $1/1 Wheat Thins – Facebook
Net cost at checkout: $0.88
Rating: 5, but slightly cheaper at Albertsons.

Lay’s or Lay’s Kettle Chips (8.5-11 oz) – $1.79 with in-ad coupon, limit 4
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Rating: 3

Safeway Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns (8 ct) – $0.79 with in-ad coupon
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
Rating: 4-5

Duracell Batteries AA or AAA (8-10 ct), C or D (4 ct), 9-Volt (2 ct), Ultra AA or AAA (8 ct) – $2 off with in-ad coupon
Coupon requires minimum purchase of $10
And use $1/1 Duracell CopperTop Batteries – 8/29/2010 P&G Insert
Net cost at checkout: unknown
Rating: 3-4 – hard to say for sure, but a total of $3 off is probably a decent deal at least.

See anything else?

Here’s a roundup of some of the hot restaurant coupons currently available:

Chili’s – free order of chips and queso when you join their email club.

Boston Market: half off a Family Meal or Market Feast with this coupon through September 6.

Qdoba Mexican Grill: play the Burrito Boredom game and get a coupon ranging from a free entrée to B1G1 free!  You can play every day in September.

Mimi’s Cafe: $10 off your $30 purchase with this coupon.  Valid through September 3.

Waffle House: free waffle with this coupon through September 19.  Thanks, Mojo Savings!

Image from redspotted on Flickr

Erika asked this question on Facebook:

Have you ever thought about a post on ATM fees in the Springs? We don’t bank locally and I would love to know where I can go and not pay an arm and a leg to take out our money!

Just as I was trying to decide if I had the courage to call 100 different credit unions and banks to find out about ATM fees, Michelle posted this link to Ent’s blog with information on how to find surcharge-free ATMs across the country!

The CO-OP network is a credit union only network of over 28,000 ATMs nationwide. If your bank or credit union is part of the CO-OP network – our current sponsor, Ent Federal Credit Union is! – you can use any CO-OP ATM free of surcharges.

There are 25 participating ATMs in Colorado Springs – go here to find one.  I think it’s pretty cool that Ent is Springs Bargains’ current sponsor and is part of this network!

Love it when you guys help each other out! Thanks so much for the info, Michelle.

Albertsons is doubling, tripling, and quadrupling coupons again this week, making most of you below-$1 value coupons multiply up to $1!

There are also four in-ad coupons for Kraft mayo, Kraft salad dressing, Crystal Light, or Oscar Mayer hot dogs.  The coupons don’t specifically state that they are manufacturer’s coupons, but I think they are since they have redemption instructions for the merchant and the bar codes look just like a manufacturer’s coupon, not a store coupon.  So, I probably wouldn’t try stacking these particular in-ad coupons with other manufacturer’s coupons.

And, as I mentioned on the King Soopers post, this is probably the last sale for picnic-type items, as summer is pretty much over and we won’t be seeing sales on hotdogs, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, etc. for quite awhile.

Meat, Dairy, and Frozen

Pork Loin Baby Back Ribs (bone-in) – B1G2 free
Net cost at checkout: $2.33/lb if you buy 3 packages of the same weight
Rating: 5

Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless) – $1.99/lb
Rating: 2-3

8-Piece Fried Chicken (2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 legs, 2 thighs) – $3.99, limit 2
Rating: 5

Hebrew National Beef Franks (11-12) – $1.97, limit 4
Rating: 5

Yoplait Yogurt (4-6 oz) – $0.38 when you buy 10
Use $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups or Smoothies – 7/11/2010 SS Insert
or $0.50/8 Yoplait Yogurt Cups or Smoothies – 7/11/2010 SS Insert
or $0.50/4 Yoplait Yogurt Cups or Smoothies – Yoplait
or $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups – 8/1/2010 Betty Crocker
or $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups or Smoothies – 8/8/2010 GM Insert
or $0.50/8 Yoplait Yogurt Cups or Smoothies – 8/8/2010 GM Insert
or $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups – SmartSource.com
or $0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups – CoolSavings.com
Net cost at checkout: $0.28 each when you buy 10
Rating: 4

Albersons Sour Cream (16 oz) – $0.88
Rating: 4

Cool Whip Topping (8 oz) – $0.88
Rating: 4

Blue Bunny Ice Cream (56 oz) – $2.50
Use $0.75/1 Blue Bunny Novelty or Packaged Ice Cream – All You Jun 2010
or $1/1 Blue Bunny Frozen Yogurt 56 oz – Blue Bunny
Net cost at checkout: $1.50
Rating: 5 – not positive the above coupons are for products that are included, but I think at least the frozen yogurt is.

Produce

Seedless Grapes (Red, Green or Black) – $0.88/lb
Rating: 5

Broccoli Crowns or Cauliflower – $0.50/lb
Rating: 5

Hass Avocados (medium) – $0.88
Rating: 3

General Grocery and Household

Pepsi (12 pk/12 oz or 6 pk/24 oz) – $2.22 each when you buy 4, limit 1 reward per transaction
Plus get free Crystal Geyser Water (24 pk, 16.9 oz) when you buy 4 Pepsi packs, with in-ad coupon
Rating: 5

Albertsons Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns (8 ct) – $0.88
Rating: 4

Nabisco Wheat Thins (5.5-10 oz) – $1.67, limit 3
Use $1/1 Wheat Thins – Facebook
Net cost at checkout: $0.67
Rating: 5

Pringles Super Stack (5.71-6.73 oz) – $1.50
Buy 4 and use $1/4 Pringles Super Stack Cans 8/29/2010 – P&G Insert
Net cost at checkout: $1.25 each when you buy 4
Rating: 2

Mission Tortilla Chips (14 oz) – $1.99
Use $1/1 Mission Tortillas – 8/1/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: $0.99
Rating: 5

Pace Picante or Salsa (24 oz) – $1.67, limit 3
Buy 2 and use $0.40/2 Pace Salsa or Picante Sauce – 8/29/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: $1.27 each when you buy 2
Rating: 4?

Kraft BBQ Sauce (16.25-18 oz) – $0.88
Rating: 4

Mt. Olive Whole Kosher Dill Pickles (80 oz) – $2.49
Use $1/1 Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers, or Relish Product – 8/1/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: $1.49
Rating: 5 – this is a huge jar!  At first I thought it was cheaper at King Soopers, but realized the jars that are on sale there are only16 to 24 oz.

Clif Bar (1.59-2.4 oz), Zone Perfect (1.58-1.76 oz) or Power Bar (1.4-2.29 oz) – $0.88
Rating: 4

Olive Garden Gift Card Deal

Buy $50 in Olive Garden gift cards, get a $10 coupon to use on your next Albertsons trip.  Might be a good deal if you already have plans to spend $50 at Olive Garden, plus you could probably use any Olive Garden coupons with the gift card.

See anything else?

Here’s your King Soopers deals for Labor Day!  It’s worth noting that while some of the deals aren’t the lowest prices we’ve seen, this is likely the last week for sales on “summer” items, like condiments and hot dogs.  So, if you’re loyal to, say, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, you might take stock of your pantry and see if it would be worth buying a few extra to get you through until next summer when the sales start again!

Meat, Dairy, and Frozen

USDA Choice Ribeye Steak (Bone In, Super Value Pack) – $4.99/lb
Rating: 4 – cheaper at Rancho Liborio, but this is USDA Choice beef if that matters to you.

Ground Chuck (80% Lean, Super Value Pack) – $1.99/lb
Rating: 3

Boneless Chicken Breasts (Super Value Pack) – $1.79/lb
Rating: 3, higher if you only shop at King Soopers

Johnsonville Brats (19.76 oz) – $3.99
Use $0.55/1 Johnsonville Brats – 5/2/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: $2.99
Rating: 4

Ball Park Meat Franks (16 oz) – $1.50
Use $0.75/1 Ball Park Franks KingSoopers – eCoupon
or $2/1 Ball Park Product – Facebook
or buy 2 and use $1/2 Ball Park Product – 8/1/2010  RP Insert
or $0.75/2 Ball Park Product – 8/1/2010 RP Insert
or $0.75/2 Ball Park Product – RedPlum.com
Net cost at checkout: free – $1.00 each
Rating: 3-5

Kroger Cheese Singles (12 oz) – $0.99
Rating: 3

King Soopers Sour Cream or Dips (16 oz) – $1.00
Rating: 3

Tombstone Pizza (17.5-29.5 oz) – $2.99
Buy 2 and use $1/2 Tombstone Pizza 8/15/2010 – SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: $2.49 each when you buy 2
Rating: 3

Bird’s Eye or PictSweet Vegetables (10-16 oz) – $1.00
Rating: 3 – I’m still waiting for a coupon!

Dreyer’s or Private Selection Ice Cream (48 oz) – $2.47
Buy two and use $1/2 Edy’s or Dreyer’s – All You Sep 2010
Net cost at checkout: $1.97 each when you buy two (Dreyer’s only)
Rating: 3 for Private Selection, 4-5 for Dreyer’s.

Cool Classics (9-12 ct) or Icee Novelties (4 ct) – $1.00
Rating: 4

Produce

Personal Watermelons – $1.99
Rating: 3

Honeydew Melons – $0.33/lb
Rating: 4

Black Seedless Grapes – $0.88/lb
Rating: 5

Sweet Corn – $0.25
Rating: 3

Organic Broccoli (bunch) – $1.50
Rating: depends on what size the bunch is, but probably a 3-4

General Grocery and Household

Quaker Cereal (14-16 oz) – $1.98
Buy 2 and use $1/2 Quaker Cap’n Crunch Cereal – 8/29/2010 RP Insert
or $1/2 Quaker Cap’n Crunch Cereal – Redplum.com
or $1/2 Quaker Life Cereal – Redplum.com
Net cost at checkout: $1.48 each when you buy 2
Rating: 3

Pepsi, Coca-Cola, or 7-Up Soft Drinks (12 pk, 12 oz) – $2.50 each when you buy 4, limit one reward per transaction
Rating: 3

Turkey Hill Tea (64 oz) – $1.00
Buy 2 and use $1/2 Turkey Hill Tea, Lemonade or Fruit Drink – 6/13/2010 RP Insert
or $1/2 Turkey Hill Tea, Lemonade or Fruit Drink – 8/29/2010 RP Insert
Net cost at checkout: $0.50 each when you buy 2
Rating: 5

Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce (18 oz) – $1.00
Rating: 4

Mt. Olive Pickles (16-24 oz) – $2.00
Use $1/1 Mt. Olive Pickles, Peppers, or Relish Product – 8/1/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: $1.00
Rating: 5

Kraft Salad Dressing (16 oz) – $1.67
Use $0.55/1 Kraft Dressing – 8/29/2010  SS Insert
or $0.55/1 Kraft Salad Dressing (IE) Printable (FF) – Bricks
Net cost at checkout: $0.67
Rating: 4-5

Doritos or Rold Gold Pretzels (11.5-14.5 oz) – $1.99
Rating: 3

Pillsbury Brownie Mix (19.5 oz) – $1.00
Rating: 2-3

Nabisco Wheat Thins Snack Crackers (5.5-10 oz) – $1.99
Use $1/1 Wheat Thins – Facebook
Net cost at checkout: $0.99
Rating: 5, but a little cheaper at Albertsons.

PowerBar (1.44-2.3 oz) – $0.88
Rating: 3-4

Colgate Toothpaste (6.4 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste – 8/29/2010 SS Insert
Net cost at checkout: free
Rating: 5

See anything else?

Wow! Thanks to Shannon for this one – there’s a new printable coupon for $5 off 5 Kraft cheese products!  When you print it, Kraft will donate five meals to Feeding America – similar to the Kraft cheese catalina deal last month.

Don’t forget about the other new printable coupons that went up today!

Just a reminder that today is FTD’s annual Good Neighbor Day – you can get a free bouquet of flowers to give to a friend or neighbor at participating FTD florists.  Here are the participating florists in Colorado:

Bloomfield Florist – Denver, CO
Flowers By Jeanne – Fowler, CO
The Cats Meow Flowers & Gifts – Castle Rock, CO
Wildflower Florist – Colorado Springs, CO

More details here. It’s while suppliest last! Thanks for the reminder, Kristine.

It’s the 1st of September, and a bunch of coupons have reset over at Coupons.com and Smartsource.com!

A couple of sure-to-be-popular ones are the ones for 50¢ off one Old El Paso product, which could make several of those products free or cheap when doubled, and the one for 75¢ off Betty Crocker Gluten Free Dessert Mixes.  I do believe that’s the first coupon I’ve ever seen for Betty Crocker’s new gluten free products!

There are a few other new ones at Coupons.com, and a bunch of General Mills/Yoplait/Betty Crocker coupons have reset at Smartsource.com, so if you’ve printed them in the past and reached the limit, you should be able to print more!

More printable coupons added to the Printable Coupons widget in the sidebar throughout the day!