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. Toys R Us
The deal: Save up to $50 on any bike by trading in an old bike during the toy giant’s annual Great Bike Trade-In event.  Save $20 on any bike priced $99.98 or less; $30 on any bike $99.99-$149.98; and $50 on any bike more than $149.99. Additionally, save 25 percent on any helmet with the trade-in of an old helmet. Discount valid on day of trade-in only.
Good through: March 26

2. Safeway
The deal: Receive $5 off any frozen-foods purchase of $15 or more with in-ad coupon available in-store or in the mail. Meat and seafood are excluded; ice cream and frozen pizza are fair game.
Good through: March 29

3. Amazon.com
The deal: Purchase the Leap Frog Leapster2 learning game system for up to $30 off the regular price. The green version of this popular preschool toy is on sale for $40.25; the purple for $44, which is comparable to holiday prices. The Leapster2 comes with more than 30 learning games that teach skills in subjects including reading, math and science.
Good through: Ongoing, but online prices change regularly

4. Jamba Juice
The deal: Purchase any two 16-ounce smoothies or juices for $5 with this printable coupon. Popular flavors include Strawberry Surf Rider, which includes lemonade and strawberries, and Caribbean Passion, made of passion fruit-mango juice and orange sherbet.
Good through: March 30

5. Old Navy
The deal: Receive 30 percent off your in-store purchase with this printable coupon. A good opportunity to stock up on spring basics, including leggings, polo shirts and socks. Discount works on clearance, but cannot be combined with any other offer.
Good through: March 24