DEALS ROUNDUP: Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day is rapidly approaching, and many stores & restaurants are offering coupons, sales, and other promotions. Here are some highlights - let us know if you partake in any so we can plan our sale runs for next year!

For more hot deals coming at you this weekend (and other hot frugal tips), check out our "shared items" Google Reader list in the right-hand column of our homepage, or here directly at the Google Reader source - and pay a visit to fellow frugality bloggers.

Shopping
Babies 'R Us - the Great Trade-in Event. Get 20% off new baby gear or cribs when you bring in select used items, through 9/20. Go here for more details.

Carter's - Extra 30% off Labor Day Sale. Print this coupon for 20% off any purchase of $50 or more, good through 9/9.

Gymboree & Crazy 8 are both running big sales this weekend, 40% to 50% off. I've never been to a Crazy 8 store, but there is some really cute stuff (and cheap, compared to Gymboree!) on their website sale right now. Get the scoop at Baby Cheapskate.

OshKosh B'gosh - Extra 30% off Labor Day Sale. Print this coupon for 20% off any purchase of $50 or more, good through 9/9.

Payless - now through Tuesday, buy one pair get one at 1/2 price. Get one pair for you and one for hubby or little one! Payless is one of the few places that sells wide children's shoes. The stores I shop doesn't have a large collection, but you can ship to store for free if you order through the website. Ground shipping is $5.95.

The Children's Place - take an additional 25% off fall markdowns, plus summer sale items now $2.99 and under. Here's a printable coupon good for 15% off your entire purchase, good through Monday 09/07. Stockup time for next year!


Free Shipping
JC Penney - Free shipping on orders of $49 or more. Enter promo code LABOR49 when checking out online.

Lands' End - Free shipping sitewide through 9/9 with Promotion Code SEPT1 and PIN 00001145.


Restaurants
Bertucci's has a printable coupon out that is good through 9/30 for a free dessert with any food purchase over $25. Thanks, Coupon Cravings!

Borders - get a free small flavored cup of Seattle's Best coffee with this printable coupon. Thanks, Coupon Cravings! While you're at it, buy any one book for 40% off with this coupon. Both expire 9/7.

Boston Market - save 50% off any Family Meal or Market Feast purchase. This is significant - these meals cost at least $22! Print your coupon here. Thanks, Slickdeals!

Chick-fil-A - A. already posted on the Labor Day Giveaway and other coupons here, but don't forget to go pick up your free original chicken sandwich on Monday from 10:30 am - closing. All you have to do is wear any sports team logo. My husband & I wore our college t-shirts through the drive-through last year and didn't have any trouble getting our freebies. I'm sure we'll return this year!

Denny's - here's a coupon for a BOGO build-your-own grand slam breakfast. Expires 9/6. Thanks, Mommy Saves Big!

IKEA - kids eat free 9/5 - 9/7. No adult purchase is necessary. Kids 12 and under. Best part - choose your own 3 kid-sized items! Click here for more info. For all BOGO and half-price meal deals and regular FREEBIES (coffee, baby food, anybody?) at the IKEA restaurant through the new year, check out our recent post here.

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill has a $10/$20 printable coupon out that expires 9/9. Thanks Coupon Cravings!

Gymboree Circle of Friends Sale - Includes 30% OFF Coupon Good August 20-23, and $25 in Gymbucks for Future Purchase!

With thanks to The Bargain Jargon - we have caught wind of the Gymboree Circle of Friends Sale. It's Thursday, August 20, through Sunday, August 23. You can use this printable 30% off coupon at in-store locations, or if shopping online, use the code GYMFAMILY (online orders over $100 ship free). For every $50 you spend, you'll net $25 in Gymbucks; that is: The Gymbucks certificate that you earn during this Circle of Friends Sale will let you go on to save $25 off your next $50 purchase between Oct. 1 and 11. (Note: the Gymbucks earning period is July 29, 2009 - September 27, 2009.)

So, here's a sample two-trip scenario to show how the savings could play out:

August 20-23, go to a Gymboree Store and pick up around $75 worth of stuff.
Use 30% off in-store coupon linked above.
Spend just over $50 on the purchase; collect $25 Gymbucks certificate.

Oct. 1-Oct. 11, go back to the Gymboree Store and pick up at least $50 worth of stuff. (Stay as low as possible while still over $50.)
Use $25 Gymbucks certificate earned at Friends and Family sale.
Spend $25 on purchase.

So: you'd spend ~$75 on ~$125-marked worth of stuff. This is equivalent to a 40% discount. If you have a passle of kids to outfit (or kid gifts to buy for Christmas...), this might be worth considering.

As Liz pointed out (thanks! - and Mel echoed), participation in these deals at Gymboree outlets ranges from potentially accepting Gymbucks (but not the Gymboree coupon) to not accepting Gymbucks or coupons. If you're heading to an outlet, please call ahead to check their participation in this sale/deal.

Gently used Gymboree clothes are known for selling at a premium in the second hand market, including consignment sales and eBay.

Find your local Gymboree here.
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