Always look for promo codes when shopping online! Google the store name + promotion code and you can save tons of $$ and a lot of the time get free shipping. :)

Find coupons in the sunday paper Example Near east rice pilaf $1.00 off. Than look at the ads for were it is say 10 for a dollar that makes it FREE or if you can get multiple coupons you will never run out of rice again LOL

Think memberships - a great gift and you can help an organization at the same time. A membership at the Museum of Science also gets you into many places across the country, including the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island. You can use the free tickets that come with the membership pass to the museum/omni/planetarium for gifts or donate to local organzations for their raffles.

You can save money at museums, restaurants, etc by just showing your Charlie Card http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/CharlieCard_Discount_Book/

Use your AAA membership card for discounts all over town. Also use it for discounts on great holiday gifts, like Canobie Lake Park or movie theater tickets. Visit http://www.southernnewengland.aaa.com/sne/discounts/index.php or the AAA office on Rt. 1 in Saugus for more information.

Gift certificates to local restaurants are always appreciated as gifts!

Best tip I can give: Do ALL your shopping online. Just make sure to do it early enough to allow for shipping. I haven't shopped at a retail store for Christmas gifts in about 5 years. It alleviates all the stress and "humbugginess" that comes with fighting the crowds. Also, comparison shopping is way easier online. You can find exactly what you're looking for at the cheapest prices and 99% of the time shipping is free also. Enjoy your holidays.

Buy the Reading Girl Scouts "Sights of Reading" calendar. Your recipients will get a fabulous gift that lasts 12 months and the teen girl scouts will have even more money for the community service project. You will be giving two gifts actually!
www.calendarofreading.com

Make sure you establish a budget and plan for plenty of time to shop.Make sure you check credit card statements and receipts so your not overcharged for anything.

Lastly, ALWAYS make sure you keep receipts and know any stocking or return fees that may be associated with the gift you buy.

At Whole Foods Market, each register has a keychain-ring of coupons they keep in their drawer. Next time you are going through the checkout there, ask the cashier if they have any coupons for any of the items you are purchasing.... they usually do! And it is not limited to Whole Foods brand items, oikos, Pacific, Clif, Indiana Popcorn and many more products are included!

Looking for a fun family outing for the Holidays? Sign up for free or reduced entrance for local museums, etc. through the Stoneham Library.

How about shopping locally ? Support our business, save on gas and mall lines. You'll get great customer service at Beanstalk toys. We bought an ornament of the library at Mitre Bitre last week. There are still a few left.

Atlas Glen Mor customers
Heating Oil Rebate for AAA Members

Restaurant.com has discounts for local restaurants: use the code STOCKINGS and get $25 GC for $2.00 (make sure you read rules for each restaurant)
CnD's BBQ Grille Wakefield
Aldo's Cafe & Lounge Stoneham
Melissa's Main Street Bistro Stoneham
Ristorante Pavarotti Reading
Porto Bello Wakefield
Sato II Stoneham

Thanks everyone for all the good shopping tips. This week's contest is over and no more entries can be made. We'll announce a winner tomorrow.