1. Sign-up to get deals emailed to you from your favorite retailers.  Sometimes having a heads up early is the only way to scoop of the very best deals, before they are sold out.
2. Always search for online coupon codes before buying anything on the web.  Seeing that you could have gotten 20% off once your purchase is complete won’t do you much good.
3. Also check for printable coupons or newspaper insert coupons before going on any significant shopping trip.  During the holidays, stores often have percentage off coupons available.  If you forget inquire with the cashier if there are any active coupons going on right now.  Sometimes they have one in the drawer they can use for customers.
4. See if the manufacturer has any rebates out.  Often stores will advertise that there is a rebate available, but sometimes they miss them.
5. Some stores have their own rebates available, which can be combined with manufacturer rebates.  When making purchases on large electronics and such, it is a good idea to get an extra copy of your receipt.
6. The sales have started early this year.  Waiting for the crowds on Black Friday may not be necessary this year.  Grab a deal on the items you want now.
7. Sometimes it pays to be  a night owl.  There are many stores that have been doing overnight sales online.  No need to drag sleepy kids out to the store to grab a great bargain.  Order online and have it shipped to your home, or a local branch of the store.
8. Check reviews before buying major purchases.  Many items, such as electronics have re-stocking fees.  Don’t waste money by having to return items that do not meet your expectations.  Check out several reviews, before making any big purchases. 
9. Check the return policies at stores before buying your gifts there.  While most retailers are very accommodating about returns, especially after the holidays, some are not return friendly at all.  A few retailers will not accept any return with receipt, even if the item is exclusively sold by that store.
10. Double check on what kids want for Christmas before shopping.  They are notorious for telling five people they want XYZ toy, or changing their minds entirely.

These are just a few commonsense tips to help with your shopping this year.  Do you have any you would like to share?

KMart Coupon Code : 5OFF30FAMILY

Basic Editions Jeans – Mens & Womens $8 and Kids $7 sale ends 11/7

To those adding a link:

1. This linky is for Holiday Gift Guides only.  If you are not doing a gift guide, please do not link up.
2. Please link directly to you Holiday Gift Guide, not a particular contest, or homepage.
3. Please wait to list until your Gift Guide is live (it doesn’t need to be complete, but there should be something ready for readers).

*The image buttons are only 125×125, if your Holiday Gift Guide button is larger than that, feel free to use your regular blog button image, or a seasonal picture, as long as you link to your gift guide.

Online Only! Save EXTRA $5 off any $50 Toy order from Sears.com with code S5OFF50TOYS11 11/3-11/30
Exclusive Online Only Holiday Savings! EXTRA $5 off Sears.com orders of $50 w/ code SNOW 11/1-12/25
Online Only Save EXTRA $10 off $100 on Christmas orders with 10BESANTA100 10/31-11/6

Online Only! EXTRA $10 off any $100 Toy order from Sears.com with code S10OFF100TOYS11 11/3-11/30

Online Only! EXTRA $20 off any $200 Toy order from Sears.com with code S20OFF200TOYS11 11/3-11/30

Online Only! EXTRA $10 off any $100 Toy order from Sears.com with code S10OFF100TOYS11 11/3-11/30

$10 off Gund Twas the Night Before Christmas Storytime Bear only $14.99 11/5-11/6

$5.50 off Colormate Basics Towels now just $2.49 on sale 11/5-11/6

$8 off 2010 Holiday Barbie $34.99 on sale + ALL Barbie on sale 11/5-11/7

 New Balance Men’s or Women’s Running Shoes select styles starting at $29.99 on sale 11/5-11/6

$100 off 7.5 ft Wakefield Blue/Green Slim Christmas Tree with Multi Lights $159.99 on sale 11/5-11/7

$50 off Char-Broil 3 Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner $129.98 on sale 11/5-11/6

 $80 off Forecast Zuma 3 Pc Luggage Set $39.99 on sale 11/5-11/6

$10 off Colormate 5-pc Quilt & Tote Set $29.99 on sale Any Size 11/5-11/6

$50 off Kenmore 14pc Stainless Steel Cookware Set $149.99 on sale 11/5-11/6

 US Polo Assn. Fleece Hoodies for Men $19.99 on sale 11/5-11/6

The Toy Story 3 Classic Mr. Potato head  is currently just $5 online at Kmart.com.  A great developmental toy, that won’t drive parents crazy.  After all, classic toys have been around so long for a reason…kids like them.

Grab a few more gifts and  use the $5 off $50 coupon code: 5OFF50, pretty much making Mr. Potato Head free.

Columbus Day weekend has started, and all the elves are now taking up bar stools at Frosty’s Pub (hopefully none of them will get arrested).  Even the reindeer aren’t around, they are off at training camp.  To cut the boredom, I’ve decided to spread a little early holiday cheer, and give my reader’s a shot at crossing one gift off their list, without opening their wallet.

The nice folks at CSN stores have offered to send the winner of this giveaway a $35 gift code.  There are a ton of great gift choices you could scoop up with that.  Here are a few children’s gift options from CSN, that caught my eye. All are well under $35.

To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Visit CSN Stores and tell me what you would pick.

Extra entries:

• Subscribe via email
• Subscribe via RSS
• Follow both @PoorSanta & @CSNstores on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway with a link back to this page. (can be done once per day)
• Like Poor Santa on Facebook.
• Enter the CSN giveaway at Yankee Kitchen, for a chance at another gift code. (leave a comment here telling me you did)

One winner  will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be selected.  Contest ends October 27, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to residents of the US and Canada, age 18+.

Grab your Yankee Candle Printable Coupon now, and stash it in your purse or wallet. 

Here are a few of Yankee Candle’s new products for fall.  Why not grab yourself a nice candle and grab some tea lights or minis for filler items (they would be great additions to homemade gift baskets)

1-Day Online Only Family & Friends Event! Save EXTRA 5-20% off Almost Everything* Sunday 8/15

I also have an online discount code for you to use while you take advantage of the sale!

I am usually about Christmas, but KMart has some great back-to-school sales too. These are good all week long

FREE Shipping on School Supply orders of $49 + EXTRA $10 off $50 with code BACK2SCHOOL 8/15-8/28 

Online Only! Save EXTRA 10% off Kids’ School Uniforms with code UNIFORM10 8/15-8/21 

FREE Shipping on Shoes for the Family & Juniors’ Apparel orders $39+ with code FREESHOESHIP 8/1-8/28

Up to 30% off Young Men’s Back to School Apparel + 30% off Joe Boxer Loungewear for Him 8/15-8/21

Here are the codes:

Large = CRM911L
Medium = CRM911M
Small = CRM911S

These would make nice gifts, and half price isn’t bad at all.  Flat rate shipping for orders under $100 is only $5. Some shoppers are reporting, that although this says it can’t be combined with other deals , if you add the Collector’s edition candle in your cart, before anything else, it will show up at the discounted price of $5 with $30+ purchase.

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