Category: Saving Money

Everything You Need to Know About Finding Amazon Coupons

Ways the I am Saving Money – Using Coupons on Amazon.com

ICYMI, Amazon has coupons on its site. But did you know that you could shop the coupon section and easily add your coupons (and items) to your cart ?

Where can I find Coupons on Amazon

First sign in to your Amazon account so that you can save your coupons.  Also, if you have Amazon Prime or Amazon Family, there may be different (read that “better”) coupons and discounts for you.

After signing in there are two ways to finds the coupon section on Amazon.

1) Click on Today’s Deals. Click on COUPONS in the sub-menu.
2) Click here Amazon Coupons.  (Bookmark the page to save the link!)

What is the Best Way to Use Coupons on Amazon

I suggest starting at the coupon section and clipping “adding” coupons to your account.  Coupons are organized by:

  • Most Popular Coupons
  • Search by Brand Name (product name or category)
  • Department Name
  • Subscribe and Save products
    More about stacking saving later in the post.

If you want to take your savings a step further, click on the Department Name.  With these results you can sort the coupons by:

  • Most Popular
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Expiring Soon
  • Discount Percentage
    This is my favorite because if I am shopping for a specific product, but not necessarily a specific brand, I can increase my savings.

You can view your coupons by selecting Your Coupons in the upper left sidebar. Add the products to your cart from this page or when you are viewing the product page.

When you check out, coupons will be deducted from the total as well as any other discounts. Shoppers can stack coupon discounts with other savings, as long as it isn’t noted otherwise in the details of the discount code.

How to Stack Coupons on Amazon

Technically you can’t stack coupons.  However you can stack savings. For example, you can use a coupon with a Subscribe and Save promotion. The coupon discount will be taken off the first delivery.

Or you can use a coupon with Amazon Prime and Amazon Family discounts.

Other Ways to Save on Amazon

Besides coupons, find discounts when shopping on Amazon by checking out the following sections:

Amazon Warehouse [LINK]
Amazon Renewed [LINK]
Amazon Outlet [LINK]
Amazon Under $10 [LINK]

Amazon Rewards Credit Cards

If you shop often at Amazon (and who doesn’t these days), consider getting an Amazon Reward credit card just for purchases on Amazon, Whole Foods and gas stations.

Currently, Amazon Reward credit cards users get 3% (5% for Prime) back on purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods.  Plus 2% back for purchases at gas stations (Costco is currently 1%).  And no annual fee.

Reference List of Links

Here is a list of the links used in the post.

If you’ve saved money by using any of these suggestions, please share.

Thanks!

20 Pi Day Deals in the Bay Area

March 14th is Pi Day. As if you didn’t know!  The nerd in me rejoices as we celebrate this mathematical concept.

But Pi Day also means discounts on food.  I’ve listed below deals offered by Bay area businesses that are celebrating π or 3/14.

I’ve added some Kids Eat Free deals and activities that I found when reviewing the initial list. For that list I want to give a shout out and thanks to RetailMeNot for sharing the info.

Getting Geeky with Pi: With modern technological advances, pi has now been calculated to 31 trillion digits. However, only the first 39 or so are needed to be able to perform all calculations in our observable universe with virtually no error. Source: Pi.org

7-Eleven
To celebrate the holiday on March 14, participating 7-Eleven stores are serving up large pizzas for $3.14 each. Available in cheese, pepperoni and extreme meat varieties, this savory Pi Day deal will be available in stores through 7Rewards in the 7-Eleven app or can be ordered through the 7NOW delivery app for home delivery or order-ahead pickup!

In addition to helping you save with this yummy pizza deal, 7-Eleven will also donate one meal to Feeding America for every whole pizza purchased at participating stores on Pi Day. Customers can also round up to the nearest dollar on each purchase as part of 7-Eleven’s ongoing partnership with Feeding America this spring.

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BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse
Score a mini one-topping pizza for just $3.14 on Pi Day. This offer is available for in-restaurant only.

BJ’s regular Sunday discount is half off large pizzas. Enter promo code HALFOFF at checkout, Tuesday Through Sunday. HALF OFF pizza automatically discounted on Mondays, no promo code needed.

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Blaze Pizza
Download the Blaze Pizza app, signup for a Blaze Rewards account, and set your favorite Blaze Pizza location. You’ll be sent a reward to get a Blaze Pizza for just $3.14 on your next visit good through April 12.

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Boston Market
March 14th only, you can get a free chicken pot pie with any pot pie and drink order with this coupon.

Kids Eat Free March 1 – 31 with this coupon. Kids must be 12 and under. Child must be present. Plus other details.

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California Pizza Kitchen
Through Sunday with orders placed on the Postmates app, get $10 off a $30 purchase with promo code CPKDAY.

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goPuff EXPIRED
This deal has expired, but I am leaving the link and text in case you see the deal on another site.  goPuff is a delivery service.

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Kitchen United Mix
Use the code PIDAY at checkout to get $3.14 off your order. Known as Mix at Westfield Valley Fair, Mix allows users to order from multiple restaurants at one time.

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Marie Callender’s
Get a free slice of pie on Pie Day when you buy an adult meal at participating locations on Pi Day.  Click here for coupon.

Marie Callendar’s has Kids Eat Free nights on Tuesday and Saturday (Tuesday only in the Bay area). No coupon needed. Click for dates and details.   For more updates, visit CelebrateFamily.us Kids Eat Free.

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Mountain Mike’s
Customers using promo code PIZZA314 can receive $3.14 off any large pizza on Sunday (multiple locations).

Mountain Mike’s (depending upon location) has great specials on Tuesdays. Up to 30% off on all pizzas with the exception of XL and Specialty. Check with your local Mountain Mike’s for details.

My favorite location: Mountain Mike’s San Jose/Willow Glen, 2306 Almaden Road (near the Cinelux Theaters). Tel: (408) 979-0900

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Papa John’s
When you order one large pizza, you’ll get a second for just $3.14.

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Papa Murphy’s
Get 3.14% off orders over $20 with code PIDAY.

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Pieology
Pieology is celebrating its 10-year anniversary along with National Pi Day with fan favorite rewards. Get $3.14 off your purchase of $10 or more on March 14 in-store for Pie Life Rewards guests. Guests who sign up for Pie Life Rewards now through March 14 will receive the offer in the rewards section of their Pie Life account beginning the morning of March 14.

Pieology is giving away a Free Pizza on Fridays through the entire month of March. Also, Kids can enter to win 10 free pizzas at Pieology Build-A-Birthday-Pizza coloring page.

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Pilot Flying J
Get discounts on pizzas from March 9 through March 15. Take $5 off whole pizzas when you order through their app. Download or open the Pilot Flying J app on March 12-14 and find an exclusive one-time National Pi Day offer redeemable at more than 350 participating Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers.

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Round Table Pizza
From March 12 through March 16, get $3.14 off any medium, large or XL pizza with the promo code 314PI.

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Sprouts
On Sunday, March 14, 8-inch Apple and Vegan Apple Pies will be $3.14 at Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide.

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And in conclusion the fine print: Some deals are while supplies last. Please check web sites for details. I have tried to verify all deals listed, if I missed anything, please let me know in the the comments.

Have a great Pi Day.

10 Things to Know About the White Elephant Sale

Here are at least 10 things to know about the sale to help you have a great day at the White Elephant Sale.

The OMCA White Elephant sale is January 26, 2025 (Preview), Jan 29 – Feb 22, 2025 ($7 admission) and March 1-2, 2025 (Blow Out Sale).  Here are at least 10 things to know about the sale to help you have a great day.

10+ Things to Know About the Oakland White Elephant Sale

  1. There are two locations to check your purchases so that you do not have to hold your stuff all day.
  2. Bring a large shopping bag to hold your items as you shop.
  3. Make a list of the items you want (in priority order).
  4. Set yourself a budget.
  5. If you expect to try on clothing, wear a sports bra and workout shorts to make it easier to change.
  6. Bring a bottle of water.
  7. Food is available for purchase outside the sale.
  8. No cash is accepted just debit and credit cards.
  9. Check the map online. Familiarize yourself with the departments.
  10. The warehouse is 96,000 square feet.
  11. There is a free shuttle to the Fruitvale Bart Station. Parking lots are nearby.
  12. People will begin lining up for the Preview sale at 3 am.

Known community wide as a not-to-be-missed event, the legendary White Elephant Sale has become a destination for both collectors and bargain hunters. With all sale proceeds benefiting the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), shoppers can take pride in knowing that their purchases help support OMCA educational programs, galleries, collections, exhibits and more.

So mark your calendars, come early, wear comfortable shoes and see for yourself why the White Elephant Sale has become Northern California’s biggest and best rummage sale.

To get a head start on shopping, click here to see representative examples of what’s available in each department and to print a copy of the warehouse map.

White Elephant Preview Sale

A must for serious shoppers – is Sunday, January 26, 2025. Tickets to the Preview Day are $50.  There will still be more items for sale the first weekend in March.  Tickets go on sale December 13, , 2024 at 8 am.

White Elephant Sale Public Sale Dates

$7 admission for the February dates. Tickets for these dates go on sale December 18, 2024 at 8 am.

Public Sale Dates are:

  • January 29 through February 1
  • February 5 through February 8
  • February 12 through February 15
  • February 17; February 20 through February 22

Is the February White Elephant Sale still a deal? Absolutely yes! You will be shopping just after the serious shoppers, so there will be lots of merchandise to choose from.

If you don’t need to be first in line to treasure hunt, don’t like crowds, or maybe this is your first time and you don’t know what to expect, then the first days of the February sale should work well for you.

The March Weekend Sale – March 1-2, 2025

March 1-2, 2025, the Blowout Sale. Free admission and 50%-75% off most items on Sunday. 96,000 square feet of shopping bliss! Tickets are free and go on sale on December 18, 2024 at 8 am.

Clothing for everyone in the family plus wedding dresses, prom wear, and tuxedos. Sporting goods, art pieces, holiday cards, and electronics. Kitchen goods, jewelry, shoes, furniture, garden and patio.

CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet: Put the Preview Sale on your calendar! It is the last Sunday in January. Tickets are available online and the shopping is FANTASTIC!

Did you know that the Oakland Museum of California has great exhibits and family fun all year round? Check out the site for more info and subscribe to the newsletter for up-to-date information about happenings and events. [LINK]

White Elephant Sale Parking

There are two White Elephant Sale parking lots located under the 880 freeway. parking is free and the lots close 1 hour after the sale ends for the day.
Street parking is limited.  There is also a free shuttle from/to the Fruitvale Bart Station.

White Elephant Sale Tickets

Tickets for the White Elephant Sale are sold on the WES website [LINK]. Tickets make a great Christmas/Birthday/Holiday present.

White Elephant Sale Location

White Elephant Sale Warehouse, 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland
Look for the line and the giant white elephant. 

Food and drinks are available for sale outside the warehouse.

Should You Bring Kids to the White Elephant Sale?

Kids 12 and over can go to the Public Sales Days ($7 tickets). Kids of all ages can go to the free March Blow Out Sale. I brought my kids to try on clothes (jeans, tops, special occasion dresses). Otherwise, you may want to leave them at home. The sale is very crowded, there is no stroller parking, and the aisles are very narrow.

So What’s In the Image?

A quick collage of some of the items at the White Elephant Sale over the years. Wedding Dress $25 (get prom dresses for $20 each!). Miscellaneous kitchen gadgets are $10, a box of medical scrubs, a jewelry chest $30, and cookie cutters and stamps $.75 each.

My most favorite find? An Elna Quilting Sewing Machine for $105.

Scholastic Book Fair Warehouse Sale

Look for great bargains for the holidays, stocking stuffers, birthday gifts and incentive gifts. Look for the Build A Box bargains. Everything you can fit into a case for $25-$30.

CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet: Sign up for the email and get your discount coupon.

If this is your first visit, then take cash only so you won’t overspend. In addition to books, the warehouse sales have toys and kits, audio books, school supplies, adult books and gifts. Although the web site mentions teachers, volunteers, etc. I have never seen anyone turned away. So if you have a love of reading, this is your event.

Scholastic Book Fair Warehouse Sale Dates:
Dec 04-14, 2019
Weekdays: 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

This is a Build-a-Box event! Just an idea of what we have purchased in the past. $1 books, Adult cook books, audio books, dictionaries, thesauruses and atlases, science kits, activity kits, Christmas presents, calendars, erasers and small school supplies, posters, small items for class giveaways and incentives, PC games and software. The materials range from pre-school to adult (including teen).

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Check out the discounted activities at: Groupon | Entertainment Book | Free Museum Passes (Discover and Go) |Go San Francisco card | San Francisco City Pass

Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure Comes to the Bay Area

It’s October which means Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure at SAP Center, Oct 19 – 23 , 2016 and Oracle Arena in Oakland Oct 26 – 30, 2016.

Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the timeless worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Disney’s Frozen. You and your family will explore the African Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, voyage deep under the sea to Ariel’s mystical underwater kingdom and tour London with Peter Pan and Wendy before flying to Neverland to meet up with Tinker Bell.

See Your Favorite Friends from Frozen at Disney on Ice

Travel to Arendelle for an extraordinary adventure with sisters Anna and Elsa, rugged mountain man Kristoff and everyone’s favorite huggable snowman Olaf, as they journey to discover that true love is the most magical power of all.

Upbeat music, lovable characters and unforgettable moments make Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure an experience your family will cherish forever!

Tickets prices are $15-$85. Kids 2 and older require a tickets. $25 tickets are $15 for Oct 19 show. Don’t forget the COSTUME! Check out costumes for the whole family at Disney.com and Halloween Costumes.com

Where are the Best Seats for Disney on Ice Presents Passport to Adventure?

First there are no bad seats for the event, but that being said, there are always preferences and maybe different needs depending upon your child.  First the show layout.  Disney on Ice uses a |_| shaped performing area where the open end is the entrance for the performers and the audience seating around the three other sides.

  1. Best seats in the House $$$
    The VIP seats which usually include a character meet and greet, or at least close enough for the performers to say ‘Hi’ and wave.
  2. Front Row at the Corners $$$
    During the Disney on Ice performance there will be several times when performers need to enter the stage from a different area or sit during the performance.  For that purpose there is a platform at the corners of the |_| so anyone setting near by gets an extra wave or smile.
  3. Front Row Seats $$$
    You can rarely go wrong buying Front Row Seats.
  4. Opposite the Stage/Performers Entrance $$
    This is the lower level at the bottom of the |_| in the first section of permanent seats.  This is a personal preference for me, but several times that I have sat in the riser section my view has been blocked by people that let their children stand or sit in their lap so that the younger children could see better.  The riser section while closer to the ice does not have the height difference between the rows so it is harder to see over heads of the people in front of you.  If you have young children, I also suggest saving money on the seats and spend it on the souvenirs and costumes. 
  5. Side Sections of the |_|  $$-$
    The most popular seating sections the sides of the |_| in the middle of the venue.

Discount Codes for Disney on Ice

Kids tickets for $12 (regularly $20-$22) .  Use code CHAVEZ at Tickemaster.com.

How to Save Money At Disney on Ice

No doubt about it, if you have a family of four and you purchase tickets, food and souvenirs then Disney on Ice can be pricey.  Not that the show isn’t a great value because it is.  But still money is money so here are 6 ways to help you save money while still having a good time.

  1. Sign up for notices and discounts at DisneyonIce.com
  2. Buy tickets for the first night of the show. $25 tickets (which are lower level) are marked down to $15.
  3. Check Ticketmaster.com for Buy 3 Get 1 Tickets Free and Buy 1 Get 1 Free.
  4. Search social media like Twitter and Facebook for coupons.  Search for #DisneyonIce for news.
  5. Check out tickets at Groupon and Goldstar.  Remember that Goldstar adds a convenience fee.
  6. Eat before you go or check out the food policies at the venue.  Some places allow you to bring in food.
  7. Buy souvenirs and bring them with you.  Kids, no matter what age, want something to remember the experience.  But that doesn’t mean that you have to buy it at the show.  Buy it, hide it and bring it with you.

I hope you and your family have a great time at Disney on Ice.  Don’t forget to check out the other shows produced by Feld Entertainment. I’ve seen them all and they are all great family fun.
Disney on Ice
Disney Jr.
Monster Jam (Trucks)
Monster Energy Super Cross (Motorcycles)
Ringling Brothers Circus

Below are the date for Disney on Ice in the San Francisco Bay area.

Wishing you a great time at the show,

Marian
CelebrateFamily.us
FTC Disclosure: If you purchase a ticket using these links I may receive a small fee.

LOCATION
SAP Center
 DATES
10/19 @ 7 pm
10/20 @ 7 pm
10/21 @ 10:30 am, 7 pm
10/22 @ 11 am, 3 pm, 7 pm
10/23 @ 11 am, 3 pm, 6:30 pm
 See Tickets
DATES
10/26 @ 7 pm
10/27 @ 7 pm
10/28 @ 7 pm
10/29 @ 11 am, 3 pm, 7 pm
10/30 @ 1 pm, 5 pm
 See Tickets