August 3rd deal round up (12% off at Staples, BofA's Keep the Change!)

Spotlight Deals

Check your emails from Staples! Today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) they are having a 12% off sale on most items in the stores (excludes computers, gift cards, stamps, etc). All you have to do is print the email that talks about the offer and take it to the store with you!

Also from Staples, they have an in-store catalog (usually next to customer service area or as you walk in the store). The catalog has a special coupon offer on the front page: If you spend $100 or more with an online or phone order, you will receive a three-piece travel set. Travel set is item# 674512, a $60 value. Coupon code for the travel set is printed on the coupon. This offer expires 9/15/07, and while supplies last! The three-piece travel set is: a collapsible 19" roling suitcase with retractable handle and zippered pocket, a duffel and a toiletry bag. Made of durable black microfiber they say

Bank of America has come up with a new plan to attract new checking and savings account customers! The Keep the Change! program! Here's how it works: For every purchase you make (eg $5.64) they will round up the amount to the nearest dollar amount (eg $6) and transfer the difference (36 cents) from your checking to your savings acount (this is a bit bizarre, I agree). But here is where the bonus comes: For the first three months, they will match 100% of the amount for every Visa Check card purchase! So in this case you will get 36c as a bonus from Bank of America. After the first three months the bonus percentage drops to 5%. So in such a transaction you would get 1.8 cents. You can earn up to $250 in bonuses this way, and the bonus is paid annually. This is a creative approach to rewards for sure. Since there is no cost for this program, if you have a Bank of America checking and savings account with a Visa Check Card, it's a slam dunk!

Also from B of A, you (and your friend) can earn up to $50 each when you refer them and they open an account. Bonus depends on the type of accounts (checking and/or savings) and the opening amount ($1000+ gets the max reward). They also have similar programs for college student referrals (up to $20 each) and for Small Businesses (up to $220 each). Not bad eh? Well, as always, do the research, read the fineprint, and make sure the account(s) in question match your financial needs!


Everything Else

Digital camera deals at Fry's advertised in the Friday newspaper are here

Free after rebate Aug 5-11 at Longs: Heads up! One week only, free after rebate at Longs: Garnier Fructis Bold or Play style styling products (rebate up to $3) and BIC Soleil system shaver (up to $5.99).

Dish network has a special co-promotion with Radio Shack: for $5/mo more you can get the local channels in HD, and for $20 per month you can add HD (high definition) to any America's Top package. If you switch to Dish TV, they offer: free HD DVR receiver upgrade, free standard professional installation of up to 4 rooms, and no equipment to buy! One rather unique feature their HD service offers: On-screen Caller ID with history (you do need to sign up for CallerID with your local phone company). Interesting, eh? :)