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. The Disney Store
The deal: Snag character backpacks for $12 and lunch totes for $6 bearing the images of the Disney Princesses, Lightning McQueen, Buzz Lightyear and more. The sale ends tonight, which makes getting up to Bellevue or Lynnwood a challenge, but you can get free shipping with any back-to-school purchase online. Use promo code SCHOLARSHIP at checkout.
Good through: Aug. 3.

2. Stride Rite
The deal: Receive 20 percent off your purchase of $50 or more from this popular children’s shoe company using this printable coupon. Deal is also valid online. A great deal for back-to-school shopping for shoes ranging from Mary Janes to sneakers.
Good through: Aug. 7.

3. Similac
The deal: Sign up for the formula company’s Strong Moms program to start receiving $5 checks by mail good toward the purchase of any infant formula. Quart-sized bottles of ready-to-feed formula are $5.49 at Target, which would make them a mere $.49 with the use of a check (similar to a coupon).
Good through: Ongoing.

4. Old Navy
The deal: Shopping for school clothes? Earn $10 in Super Cash for every $20 you spend between now and Aug. 18, and then redeem the "cash" on every $20 you spend between Aug. 25-29. Clearance and sale items are eligible for earning Super Cash. In-store only.  
Good through: Aug. 18.

5. Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant
The deal: Enjoy two-item combination plates for $7 on Mondays and Tuesdays at this family-owned local favorite.  Options include enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, tamales and chile rellenos; all are accompanied by beans and rice. The Gig Harbor location is currently closed due to construction at neighboring Safeway, but the Tacoma restaurant is open for business.
Good through: Ongoing.