Valpak.com Shopper & Coupon Blog: August 2006

How to Cut Your Entertainment Costs

The entertainment that you choose to indulge in does not always have to cost a small fortune. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to cost anything at all. There are other options instead of always spending money.

Here are just a few ways on how to make this happen:

1. Go to local libraries and browse around their video and music sections. You would be surprised at the types of movies the libraries do carry.
2. Check local colleges. They sometimes have free art exhibits, concerts and lectures.
3. Eat dinner at home then indulge on coffee and dessert out.
4. Sit and enjoy the sunsets on the beach.

Those are just to a name few ideas. You can find more by clicking here.

Purse Sale

Going on now at eBags.com. Check them out and save up to 60%. They have a wide selection of brands and tons of different styles. Plus, they offer free exchanges and easy returns so go grab your end of summer handbag while the sale lasts!

Free Bluetooth Earpiece

Compusa.com is offering the Philips VOX130 Bluetooth Earpiece for free. Normally the earpiece sells for $39.98 but Compusa.com is offering a mail in rebate for $39.88 which gets you the earpiece free. Offer expires on 9/02/06.

Also, enter coupon code FREESHIP and shipping is free.

Free Samples

Free Coffee – Once you get to the site, simply click below, fill out a short form, click "submit" and your free coffee samples will be sent to you 100% postpaid and free! (U.S. and Canada only)

Degree Deodorant - Fill out a short form and get your free sample.(U.S. only)

Aquafresh – Two different samples to choose from. Simply fill out the form to request a sample of Aquafresh "Extreme Clean" toothpaste. (U.S. only)

Travel Guides - Planning to go on a trip? This site offers a large selection of free travel guides, vacation planners and travel brochures. You can use the helpful search engine here to find the specific travel guides you're looking for. (U.S. and Canada only)

Yogi Tea - Access the "Free Samples" link near the top of the page and fill out the form to request a tea sample from the Yogi Tea Company. Limit: one per household. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. (U.S. only)

Need Shoes?

Lady Foot Locker is offering up to 50% off all brands, including Nike, Reebok, Adidas and Saucony! Right now there are just over 550 and fifty types of shoes listed. No sign up required. Just click and save.

I love Kate Spade bags. However, my wallet does not. So, here is a great opportunity to get bags, wallets, shoes, and other goodies up to 70% off the retail price.

Kate Spade is having a Sample Sale from August 15th-17th.

If you go to www.katespade.com/samplesale right now, you'll be able to put your email address in to be notified when the sale begins. The last sale was in June and she offered up to 65% off.

Tax Free Days

Listed below are the different states offering tax holidays, the dates of the tax break and what items qualify.

Alabama (August 4-6): Clothing priced at $100 or less, school supplies valued at $50 or less and books under $30 each. A single purchase costing $750 of computers, software and school computer supplies is also covered.

Connecticut (August 20-26): Clothing and shoes that sell for under $300. The tax break does not cover athletic or protective clothing and footwear, jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets and watches.

District of Columbia (August 5-13): School supplies, clothing, accessories and shoes that cost $100 or less.

Georgia (August 3-6): Certain school supplies worth up to $20 each, and clothing and footwear valued at $100 or less are exempt. Computers, computer-related accessories and energy-efficient products priced at $1,500 or less are also exempt.

Iowa (August 4-5): No sales tax will be collected on clothing or footwear that sells for $100 or less per item, although accessories are not covered.

Maryland (August 23-27): Clothes and footwear priced at $100 or less.

Missouri (August 4-6): Clothing and footwear except for certain accessories that are priced at $100 or less, school supplies costing $50 or less, computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less, and personal computers and computer peripherals that retail for $3,500 or less.

New Mexico (August 4-6): Clothing or shoes under $100, computers retailing for $1,000 or less, and any associated monitor, speakers, printer or related items that sells for no more than $500. School supplies priced under $15, bookbags, backpacks, handheld calculators, maps and globes priced under $100 are also covered.

North Carolina (August 4-6): Clothing and school supplies priced at $100 or less are exempt from taxes, as are sports and recreation equipment that costs under $50, and computers priced at $3,500 or less. Clothing accessories, protective equipment, furniture and rentals not covered.

South Carolina (August 4-6): Clothing, clothing accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, printers, printer supplies, computer software and linens for the bed and bath qualify for the sales tax exemption. Jewelry, cosmetics and furniture, are not covered.

Tennessee (August 4-6): Clothing and school supplies priced at $100 or less, as well as computers retailing below $1,500 are also covered.

Texas (August 4-6): Most clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 are exempt from state and local sales taxes. Athletic or protective clothing and footwear are ineligible for the exemption. Clothing accessories and rentals are excluded from the holiday.

Virginia (August 4-6): Sales of clothing and footwear costing $100 or less are covered under the tax holiday, as well as school supplies valued under $20.