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. Old Navy
The deal: Get tank tops for the whole family for as little as $2 during this one-day in-store “Tankathon” special. There is a limit of 10 tanks per customer, and popular sizes usually sell out quickly. For those unable to get into the store early, it is possible to exchange sizes once the stock is replenished.
Good through: Saturday, June 25 only.

2. Barnes & Noble
The deal: Sign your little ones up for the bookseller’s Kids Club and receive a coupon for 30 percent off the list price of one kids’ book or toy, a cupcake from the B&N Café on their birthday and a free digital book created by your child.
Good through: Ongoing.

3. Southwest Airlines
The deal: Need to get away? Celebrate 40 years of low-cost fares with a sale that offers tickets as low as $40 one-way. The one-way prices of $40 (destinations up to 450 miles away); $80 (451-1,250 miles) and $120 (1,251 or more miles) are valid in select markets. This could be a great deal in a summer of high gas prices and ever-increasing airfare costs.
Good through: Book by June 23; travel Aug. 23-Nov. 16.

4. iTunes

The deal: Got a little “Dora the Explorer” fan in your household? Download a free quintet of episodes from Seasons 3 and 5 for viewing on your computer, iPad, iPod or other digital-media device. Episodes include “Dora Had a Little Lamb” and “ABC Animals.”
Good through: Ongoing, but online prices change regularly.

5. Red Robin

The deal: Join the popular burger joint’s E-club and receive a gift (either a free appetizer or free dessert) just for signing up and a free burger or chicken sandwich on your birthday.
Good through: Ongoing.