Got kids starting or heading back to school this fall?
My oldest is starting kindergarten (and she’s sooo excited about it!), so I’ve been checking out all the best, frugal-friendly deals in the Twin Cities area. Here’s what I’ve found:
FREE PRE-KINDERGARTEN EYE EXAM – THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
The nonprofit Minnesota Optometric Association is launching a Pre-K Eye Exam Day, August 1, offering a one-time, no-cost eye exam for children entering kindergarten. This statewide campaign underlies the importance of good sight for learning. Vision screenings are not a substitute for eye exams, because screenings do identify a number of eye disorders that affect eye health and sight to learn. A list of participating offices is available at Minnesota.aoa.org. Spaces are limited.
Target Store Coupons
Visit this website for printable coupons to use for back to school items in Target stores.
Thrift Store Sales and Events
- Wednesday, July 24 – Club Card members get 30% off clothing, shoes, accessories, and bed & bath. Card required – Sign up for free in the store. 9:00am – 9:00pm.
- Every Monday – Club Card members get 25% off their purchase.
- From August 5th to 18th – (from their Facebook page)
With each donation of two bags or more made at your local Savers thrift store, receive a 30% off coupon for your next purchase and save BIG on back to school shopping! - Monday, September 2 – Labor Day Sale! 50% off clothing, accessories, shoes, & bed & bath. Excludes new merchandise. 9:00am-9:00pm.
- Check out my back-to-school Savers review from last year!
- Wednesday, July 24 – VIP members get 30% off clothing, shoes, accessories, and bed & bath. Card required – Sign up for free in the store. 9:00am – 9:00pm.
- Every Tuesday starting August 6th – Customer Appreciation Day (moved from Mondays)! All customers now get 25% off your entire purchase every Tuesday.
- Every Friday starting August 9th – All VIP members now get 25% off your entire purchase every Friday. (Sign up in store.)
- Monday, September 2 – Labor Day Sale! 50% off clothing, accessories, shoes, & bed & bath. Excludes new merchandise. 9:00am-9:00pm.
- The Back to School shopping season kicked off at Goodwill on Friday, July 19th and coupons were distributed in local Sun Post papers last week and in the local Sunday, July 21st paper. Coupons are for 50% off one item under $25 and are good through next Wednesday, July 31st.
- Every Thursday – All Children’s Clothing & Toys are 50% off.
- Monday, September 2 – Labor Day Sale! Save 50% on apparel with Blue, Green and Yellow Tags, plus all furniture.
- Arc’s Back to School shopping season kicks off Wednesday, July 24th.
- Visit their website for weekly colored tag discounts. On Sundays at the end of each tag week those colored tag items are only $.99.
- Every Monday – Village Rewards members can save 25% each Monday in August. The additional savings apply to all merchandise except sale items, orange tags (items donated from businesses) and white tags (items that are purchased).
- Monday, September 2 – Labor Day Sale! 50% off all merchandise including fall clothing. As with all of their 50% off sales, the orange (items donated from businesses) and white (purchased items) tags are excluded.
Once Upon a Child Grab Bag Sale – Saturday, July 27th
All day long! Put as many clearance items as possible in a bag for just $15. Yeah! Only $15! For more info click here.
Kids Consignment Sales
Just Between Friends – Maple Grove, August 10-13, 2013. Former Gander Mountain, 8030 Wedgewood Ln. N., Maple Grove, MN
Just Between Friends – Edina, August 15-17, 2013. Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN.
Just Between Friends – Blaine/Andover, September 6-8, 2013. Andover Community Center, 15200 Hanson Blvd Nw, Andover, MN.
Just Between Friends, Eagan, September 14-16, 2013. High Performance Academy, 2950 Lexington Ave., Eagan, MN.
More Back to School Shopping Tips:
- It’s still garage sale season, so check out sales including church and other community sales. Often you can find good school supplies & clothing here.
- Check out consignment stores for even more selection.
- Order used textbooks on half.com and amazon.com, and do so as early as possible for best selection and prices.