A little Black Friday tip – this will help you miss the crowds and guarantee that you’ll get that deal that you want.

Here’s what you do.

Scan the ads early – as in TONIGHT. The best place I have found to do this shop early trick are at Target and at Kohls.

Go buy the deals that you want, TONIGHT (Wednesday before the big day). Pay full price. Keep your receipts!

On Black Friday – rather than fighting the crowds, just wait in line at Customer Service and do a price match. You’ll be refunded the difference between the price that you paid on Wednesday. That’s it! Just remember – you MUST do the price match when the item is on sale. Ex. if you buy a door buster and its only valid from 6 am – 9 am – you MUST get the price match during that time frame.

Something to make note of:
Walmart’s Black Friday door buster deals typically include a unique bar code and are not put out until the actual day.

Happy Shopping!
Bargain Mama

Photo Credit: The One and Only Natalie Dee

So this whole 2nd trimester thing has totally not allowed me to wear any of my normal clothes.  The great maternity clothes that don’t make you look entirely like a whale search has begun.

Here are some discount site that i’ve found that offer maternity clothes that don’t look like something from 1980′s. By the way, I do know that the 80′s are back fashion-wise – I am just praying to sweet Jesus that maternity 80′s clothes don’t follow that trend. This mama is NOT wearing acid-washed overalls for the next 6 months.

I have found some cute things in the store – after digging. The selection is okay. I have found better luck shopping online. The good is the clothes are cheap, stylish and last a heck of a lot longer than anything I’ve found at Motherhood.

Here is a link to the maternity clothes

Even better: here is where you can find the clearance maternity clothes

Old Navy’s store collection just down right sucks. I think they carry a larger selection of underwear than they do maternity clothes in store. And to top that, not all stores carry their maternity line. Again, online seems to be the better option.

This week Old Navy is having a Maternity (and Baby) sale. I found several cute things at really good prices.

Shop Old Navy Maternity

Walmart B&M i’ve never had any luck purchasing maternity clothes. The section is limited and I’ve never found anything I really liked. In an effort to be fair – I checked out their online selection and I don’t know quality but it’s not too bad, and again priced fair.

Shop Walmart Maternity

I know several people that LOVE Kohls. It’s not that I don’t like the store, I just don’t LOVE the store. The prices are fine – as long as the items are on sale. I have learned if I like something there that isn’t on sale, I just need to wait a week because the price will drop once the item is on sale. They have totally trained their customer base to wait for the sale.  The maternity clothes are sparse in the store. They are made by Motherhood – which I am not a fan of. The clothes don’t seem to last but a few months. The sizing never seems consitent. The styles are just not that cute.

On the other hand – Kohls does have a great shoe and jewely department (but again, shop the sale!).

Shop Kohl’s Maternity

Some of my greatest B&M finds have been at Ross. Ross has a varied collection. You have to be in the mood for the hunt. Fortunately for me (and unfortunately for my husband), a Ross went in about a mile from our house. I run up there a few times a week since the stock changes frequently. Often I find nothing, but its those days when I hit the motherlode that make those trips worth it.

Finding a $9.99 pair of maternity pants is common. Shirts are often around $7.99. The jeans do go up to $24.99 but seriously designer jeans for under $30? Thank you! Another thing that I have come to adore are dresses. Ross has a great collection and though they might not be specified “MATERNITY”, they will definately work – and usually under $20!

Ross is offline only. Each store has different but simliar stock. Often they aren’t the cleanest of stores – I find the newer stores are the best ones to shop.

P.S. don’t miss the purses! Ross carries GREAT bags!

I shop Ebay for a lot of things – personally have never shopped for maternity – but I have friends that swear by it. This is also a good resource for dumping those maternity clothes once bambino is born.  Definately another stop to consider. If I am forced to attend a dreaded dress-up Christmas party – this will definately be my first stop.

Shop Ebay for Maternity

I hope this helps a little with your quest to find afforable maternity clothes. If you have any other good affordable resources – drop them in the comments! If you aren’t pregnant – pass this along to a friend that is. Believe me, finding clothes isn’t an easy task!

Happy Maternity Clothes Shopping!

@bargainmama

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24 Hour Fitness 2-Year Membership – $299

The only catch: it’s a Costco deal. No Costco membership?  You maybe able to purchase with the 5% non-member surcharge.

There is one thing that I hate more than buying a car. Buying a sports club membership. So you are thinking to yourself… I am getting a little thick – I’ll work out and get in better shape. You go to the health club where you might as well be buying a car. The club talks, pressures and makes you feel 50 lbs more than you are.  You walk out with a 3 year contract paying some UNGODLY fee each month, but they do throw in a free water bottle since you now also will be seeing a personal trainer 3x a week. Sound familiar? STORY OF MY LIFE!

Anywho – leave it to Costco and their brilliance to negotiate a great deal so you don’t have to go thru Sports Club Membership Sales Person hell… Get a 2-year membership at 24 Hour Fitness for $299! Yep – that’s it. If you can do math:

$299/24 months = $12.45 a month! BOOYAH to the sales team. This is a number that I like.

Here are the deets on the deal:

24 Hour Fitness is the official sponsor of the Olympic Games and the national television show, The Biggest Loser. 24 Hour Fitness has helped millions of people work toward and reach their personal fitness goals. Our Clubs offer comfort and enjoyment for people of all ages, fitness levels, and abilities. Our trained staff works with you to help you meet your own personal fitness goals.

Please review terms & conditions below before purchasing

All Sport Club Membership Certificate:

• Limit 4 per person
• Membership available for adults ages 18+  (19 in NE):
• Membership available for ages 12+
• Note:  Membership purchases for person(s) under the age of 18 requires a parent or legal guardian signature.
• Work out at any Express (Fitlite), Active or Sport Club without restriction.
• Excludes Ultra & Super Sport Clubs

Convenient locations:

24 Hour Fitness offers over 400 clubs nationwide

Visit the 24 hour Fitness website to find the club nearest you at   www.24hourfitness.com

• * Please review club listings in your zip code before your purchase

Amenities vary by club and can include:

Free weights, cardio equipment, group exercise classes,

basketball, swimming or lap pool, sauna,steam room -

the list goes on. Visit www.24hourfitness.com for complete list of amenities.

Group X classes:

Mix up your fitness routine with our fun and invigorating Group X, cycle, yoga, or other classes.

Personal Training:

Reach your goal sooner with a 24 Hour Fitness Certified      Personal Trainer and eliminate the guesswork involved in structuring a fitness program.

Kid’s Club:

Is available at most clubs.  You can workout with peace of mind while your child is cared for and having fun in our Kid’s Club.

Terms and Conditions:

• All-Club Sport Membership does not include access to Super-Sport and Ultra-Sport locations
• Offer not valid for current members
• Must be at least 18 years old (19 in NE), or 12 with parent/legal guardian
• Offer good for a twenty-four month All-Club Sport limited term non-renewable membership
• Limit four per person
• No other discounts with this offer
• State/local sales tax is included in the purchase price where applicable
• At the time of redemption, any other products or agreements being purchased must be paid for separately to 24 Hour Fitness
• Facilities and amenities vary per location
• Not all clubs open 24 hours
• Personal training and Kid’s Club available for an additional fee paid to 24 Hour Fitness
• Available at participating locations only
• Membership must be activated in club
• Non-redeemed certificate can be returned for a full refund
• Two year contract begins when certificate is redeemed at local participating club
• Not for re-sale
• No cash value
• No expiration date to redeem certificate

For more information about 24 Hour Fitness clubs please visit www.24HourFitness.com or call 800-224-0240 for additional terms and conditions.

A new AP report shows that frugality is the new norm out of necessity.

A year after “shop ’til you drop” stopped, the nation fixates on this question: Will consumer spending ever return to pre-recession levels?

Increasingly, the answer appears to be no. Belt-tightening in bad times is normal. And after every other recession since World War II, penny-pinching quickly fell out of fashion and Americans resumed their demand for houses, cars and everything else.

This time it’s different. Like the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Great Recession seems destined to turn many Americans into lasting coupon-cutters, scrimpers and savers. Consumers dug a debt hole over the past decade from which there’s no easy climb out. The population segment that drives spending the most — baby boomers — faces special pressure: Boomers are running out of time.

A study by research firm AlixPartners concluded that once a new normal sets in after this recession ends, Americans will spend at about 86 percent of their pre-downturn level.

In an economy driven by consumption, the implications are far-reaching if that forecast proves correct:

• For every kitchen not remodeled, there will be lost sales of appliances and supplies, and fewer jobs for designers and contractors. As homeowners do work around the house themselves, there will be less work for gardeners, plumbers and handymen.

• For every shopper who trades down from luxury stores to discount stores, it will mean less profit for retailers and manufacturers. Retailers will continue to offer few product choices and leaner inventories, and they’ll reassess store locations and advertising.

• If sales of cars and trucks average closer to the recession level of 10 million a year than the 16 million in boom times, more suppliers will fail and further consolidation among automakers could occur. Taxes not paid on lost vehicle sales will continue to stress budgets of state and local governments.

Frugality may be good for family budgets, but it’s bad for the national economy. And that has the potential to reinforce and continue the miserly mood. A Gallup survey last month found seven in 10 Americans are cutting weekly expenses — a number that has been consistent through the summer.

What are your thoughts on this? Is frugality for you a necessity or a lifestyle?

To view the complete AP article click here.

Real Simple – Real Cheap!
$5 for a year subscription

I LOVE Real Simple magazine. This is one publication that lingers around my house for months on end, because the tips  are invaluable! (I’m not the only one – last week, my co-workers and I has a nice little convo on just how FABULOUS this magazine is.)

Act now, I haven’t seen a Real Simple magazine subscription this cheap before.  A subscription would also make a GREAT gift!

Happy Bargain Shopping!
@bargainmama

MONSTER SALE!

HUGE Savings at Children’s Place! Save an ADDITIONAL 30% off clearance!

I know what I am doing tonight. Back to school shopping for my 1st grader (that brings a tear to my eye!). Great deals to be had from infant on up to kid sizes. Shop early – stock goes QUICK!

Happy Back to School Shopping (bargain style!)

Bargain Mama

Hey DADS! Take your kiddo bowling and you get to bowl for FREE!

Click here to download the FREE BOWLING COUPON! (good 6/20-6/21)

Offer is good at Brunswick Bowling Alleys!

Any Father accompanied by a paying child under fifteen bowls Two Games FREE on Father’s Day weekend at Brunswick. It’s Dad’s special day – he shouldn’t have to pay.

Present this coupon at your participating Brunswick Center and Dad receives two
free games of bowling and shoe rental with the purchase of two games for an
accompanying child, age 15 and younger. Or receive 30 minutes of free bowling
when 30 minutes are purchased at centers offering an hourly rate. Limit one
coupon per dad in a single visit. Coupon not valid with any other coupons, discount
offers or during special events. Coupon must be forfeited at time of use. Void where
prohibited. Enjoy 6/20/09 – 6/21/09.

Find a Location Near You!

Happy Bargain Bowling!
-Bargain Mama

Buy One Ticket and Get a 2nd for $25  to Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas

*Offer valid for select performances May 11 through October 31, 2009.

First if you are going to Las Vegas — LUCKY!  A friend was recently telling me of the slumping economy, so I knew only a matter of time that the deals would start rolling in! This one is a pretty sweet deal if you are looking to catch a Cirque Du Soliel show.  We have seen Mystere and O – both were fabulous and definately a highlight of our trip.

These discount tickets are valid on Mystere, O, Zumanity, KA, Love and Believe. 

Have fun and GOOD LUCK!

- Bargain Mama

Freebies for Mommy’s on Mommy’s Day
Happy Mommy’s Day to all you bargain mamas!

Check out these coupons and deals for Mommy’s Day:

Kodak – Free custom photo card ($2.49 value)
Use coupon: FREECARD

Outback Steakhouse – Free $10 gift card for your next visit

TCBY – Free cup or cone of yogurt

T.G.I. Friday’s – Free Brownie Obsession or Spiced Up Cupcake with entree order

Texas Land and Cattle – Mom’s get a coupon for a FREE entree (up to $15 value) during next visit

Olive Garden – $8 off 2 dinner entrees

Looking for things to do with the kids this summer?

Check these FREE events – courtesy of Target!

Arizona

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix – Target Kids Corner
Free arts activities with paid garden admission Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1201 North Galvin Parkway
Phoenix AZ, 85008-3437
480-481-8115

California

California African American Museum, Los Angeles – Target Sundays at CAAM
Free First Sundays
600 State Drive
Los Angeles CA, 90037-1267
213-744-7432

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco – Target Tuesdays at Asian Art Museum
Free First Tuesdays
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco CA, 94102-4734

Centro Cultural De La Raza – Sunday Zapateado presented by Target
Free Second Sundays, 2 p.m.
2125 Park Blvd.
Balboa Park
San Diego CA, 92101
619-235-6135

Los Angeles County Museum of Art – Target Free Holiday Mondays
Free Admission, MLK Day 1/21; President’s Day 2/18; Memorial Day 5/26; Labor Day 9/1; Veteran’s Day 9/11; Columbus Day 10/13
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
323-857-6000

Children’s Museum of LaHabra – Target Free First Saturdays
301 S. Euclid Street LaHabra, CA 90631
562-905-9793

Target Free Family Saturdays
359 E. First Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-625-0414

Colorado

Museo de las Americas, Denver – Target Free Family Days
Free First Saturdays
861 Santa Fe Drive
Denver CO, 80204
303-571-4401

The Children’s Museum of Denver – Target First Tuesday Nights
Free First Tuesdays, 4–8 pm
2121 Children’s Museum Drive
Denver CO, 80211
303-433-7444

District of Columbia

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – Millennium Stage
Free performances every day
2700 F Street, NW
Washington D.C., 20566
800-444-1324

Florida

Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville – Target Free Wednesday Nights
Free admission every Wednesday, 5–9 p.m.
333 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202 USA
904-366-6911

Young at Art Children’s Museum
Target First Fridays
Free First Fridays, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
11584 West State Road 84
Davie, FL 33325
954-424-0085

KidCity: The Children’s Museum of Tampa – Target Free First Fridays
Free First Fridays, 5–8 p.m.
7550 North Boulevard
Tampa FL, 33604
813-935-8441

Miami Children’s Museum – Target Free Third Fridays
Free Third Fridays, 3–9 p.m.
980 Mac Arthur Causeway
Miami, FL 33132
305-373-5437

Illinois

Chicago Children’s Museum – Target Free First Mondays
Free admission for kids 15 and under. First Monday of every month, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
700 East Grand Avenue, Navy Pier
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Chicago IL, 60611
312-527-1000

Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago – Target Free Tuesdays
Free every Tuesday
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL, 60611
312-280-2660

Congo Square Theatre, Chicago – Target Saturday Matinees
2-for-1 Tickets, Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Various locations
Chicago, IL 60657
312-587-2292

Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago – Target Saturday Matinees
Buy One, Get One Free, Saturday performances at 3 p.m.
821 North Michigan Avenue
Water Tower Water Works
Chicago IL, 60611
312-337-0665

Art Institute of Chicago – Target Free Evenings
Free General Admission every Thursday, 5–9 p.m.
Free General Admission every Friday from Memorial Day until Labor Day, 5–9 p.m.
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago IL, 60603-6110
312-443-3600

The Field Museum – Target Free Second Mondays
Free admission every second Monday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
1400 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312-922-9410

National Museum of Mexican Art – Target Free Admission at the NMMA
Free admission every day during museum hours, 10 a.m–5 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
312-738-1503

Millennium Park Family Fun Festival Presented by Target
June 3–September 1, 2008 Daily, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Summer-long free festival of music, performances and family activities for all ages, seven days a week in the Millennium Park Family Fun Activity Tent and on the Jay Pritzker Pavillion Performance Stage.

Chicago Children’s Choir – Target Free Family Concert in Millennium Park
Thursday, June 12, 6:30 p.m.

Indiana

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Target Family Nights
Free First Thursdays, 4–8 p.m.
3000 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-334-3322

Massachusetts

The Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston – Target Free Thursday Nights
Free every Thursday, 5–9 p.m.
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
617-478-3100

Boston Children’s Museum- Target $1 Friday Nights
$1 Admission every Friday, 5–9 p.m.
300 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
617-426-8855

Michigan

Flint Institute of Arts – Target Free Saturdays
Free every Saturday
1120 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48503
810-234-1695

Arab American National Museum, Dearborn – Target Family Free Sundays
13624 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn MI, 48126
313-582-2266

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit – Target Free First Sundays
315 East Warren
Detroit MI, 48201
313-494-5800

Minnesota

Walker Art Center, Minneapolis – Target Free Thursday Nights
Every Thursday night from 5–9 p.m.
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis MN, 55403
612-375-7600

Minnesota Children’s Museum – Target Free 3rd Sundays
10 West Seventh Street
St. Paul MN, 55102
651-225-6001

Missouri

The Magic House – St. Louis Children’s Museum – Target Free Family Nights
Free Third Fridays, 5:30–9 p.m.
516 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122
314-822-8900

The Coterie Theatre – Kansas City – Target Saturday Matinees
2-for-1 tickets on Saturdays
Crown Center
2450 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-474-6552

The Black Repertory Theatre, St. Louis – Target Next Generation Family Matinee Series
2-for-1 Tickets, free admission for ages 8-18 with purchase of one adult ticket – Thursday and Saturday Matinees – Performances at The Grandel Theatre
3610 Grandel Square
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
314-534-3810

New York

Museum of Modern Art – Target Free Friday Nights
Free Fridays, 4–8 p.m.
11 West 53 Street
New York NY, 10019
212-708-9400

Brooklyn Museum – Target First Saturdays
Free First Saturdays, 5–11 p.m.
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn NY, 11238
718-638-5000

Children’s Museum of Manhattan – Target Free First Friday Nights
212 West 83rd Street
New York, NY 10024
212-721-1234

New Museum for Contemporary Art – Target First Saturdays for Families
235 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
212-219-1222

North Carolina

Mint Museum of Art – Target Family Fun Saturdays
Family activities on Second Saturdays, 10:30–12:30 p.m. Free admission for kids 15 and under with adult purchase
2730 Randolph Road
Charlotte NC, 28207
704-337-2000

Ohio

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Community Festivals
Check www.rockhall.com for dates. Free family festival and entertainment.
One Key Plaza
Cincinnati OH, 44114
216-781-ROCK

Pennsylvania

Please Touch Museum – Target First Wednesdays
5–7 p.m.
210 North 21st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-963-0667

Texas

Amon Carter Museum – Target Family Fun Days
Family Activities on second Sundays, Noon to 5 p.m.
beginning November 11, 2007
Admission is always free!
3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-738-1933

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Target First Free Sundays
Free First Sundays, 12:15–7 p.m.
1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
713-639-7300

Nasher Sculpture Center – Target First Saturdays
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on first Saturdays
2001 Flora St.
Dallas, TX 75201
214-242-5100

Victory Media Network Outdoor Digital Art Gallery at Victory Park
Starting March 23, 2007
Free and open to the public daily
Victory Plaza
2500 Victory Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75219

Washington

Seattle Art Museum – First Free Saturdays presented by Target at the Seattle Asian Art Museum
Free First Saturdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
1400 East Prospect Street
Seattle WA, 98112-3303
206-654-3100