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. Stacey Atkin Photography
The deal: Save 50 percent on pricing on photography sessions from this Puyallup-based photographer whose passion – and camera – takes her all over the region. Atkin specializes in newborn, children’s and family photos. Contact staceyatkin@hotmail.com for details.
Good through: Book by March 19

2. Little Tikes
The deal: Adjustable basketball hoop for ages 3 and up is on sale for $25.99 from $48. It adjusts from 4 feet to 4 feet for growing kids. Get an extra 5 percent off by using the code SAVE2011, so the total with shipping should be about $35, well under the price at several competitors.
Good through: Ongoing, but online prices change regularly

3. Starbucks
The deal: Celebrate the Seattle java giant’s 40th birthday with a Petite Sweet, free with any drink purchase between 2-5 p.m. at all U.S. stores. The treats include cake pops, red-velvet Whoopee Pies, mini-cupcakes and Sweet Squares.
Good through: Valid March 10-12 only

4. Picaboo
The deal: New customers can get a free large Classic Photobook valued at $39.99 for only the cost of tax and shipping (about $15). Simply download the software and create your 20-page book from the many layouts and templates. Additional pages are $.99 each. Use promo code FREECC at checkout. Author’s note: These books are awesome; I made a book of my son’s first year during the last promo, and the quality was excellent.
Good through: March 22

5. The Children’s Place
The deal: Spend $40 now and receive $20 in Place Cash Back bucks to spend on a future purchase. A great way to get a deal on spring and summer clothes – Easter dresses, swimsuits, shorts and more are now available in stores and online.
Good through: Earn bucks until March 25; spend them March 26 to April 4