Frugal Family: Great Buys For Parents

These days, we’re all watching every dollar. From coupons to Craigslist, local families are taking advantage of a variety of deals to stretch their budgets even further.

This weekly column is dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family save money, and, since we are doing the legwork for you, save time, too.

Your guide for this low-cost journey is a self-proclaimed coupon queen who can empty the Baby Gap’s sales racks and the cereal aisle at Safeway for mere dollars.

You, the reader, are a big part of this column. Feel free to share deals you have come across in the comments box below!

Check back each week to see what we have found to help save you money.

Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions to deals published here.

1. Shutterfly
The deal: Create a 5x7 Mother’s Day card using your own digital photos and just pay $.99 for shipping by using promo code MOMCARD at checkout. Choose from a variety of designs; this is a great memento for picture-loving grandmas. Added bonus: Shutterfly is offering 50 free 4x6 photo prints for new accounts.
Good through: April 28

2. Land of Nod
The deal: Get free shipping on all toys at this popular children’s store selling high-quality furniture, bedding and more. A great opportunity to purchase unique toys such as a mini-foosball table; child-sized teepee; and pink cradle and high chair for dolls without paying the standard shipping of at least $4.95. (The only retail location in Washington is at University Village in Seattle.)
Good through: May 9.

3. Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant
The deal: Sign up for Moctezuma’s online Fiesta Club and receive a free lunch or dinner on your birthday at their Tacoma or Gig Harbor locations, as well as E-mails for deals and specials, including a periodic coupon for fabulous free queso dip.
Good through: Ongoing.

4. See Kai Run
The deal: Get free shipping on all online orders from this Seattle-based company known for trendy, comfortable shoes for children. Navy fisherman’s sandals for boys and pink ruffly ones for girls are among their summer offerings. Shipping is traditionally $6.50 for orders under $60, making this a great deal for those wanting to buy just a pair or two.
Good through: May 4.

5. Gene Juarez
The deal: Purchase a gift card of $160 or more and receive a custom weekender tote full of sample-sized products and a discount passport good on a variety of services, valued at more than $100. For those unable to make it into the salon, buy a gift card in the same amount online and receive a bonus $15 gift card in addition to the same deals in the passport. This is a great idea for a Mother’s Day gift -- the “Be Relaxed” package, featuring a 60-minute tranquility massage and classic pedicure, is $150.
Good through: While supplies last.