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Check It Out:
What are your favorite local places for shopping, pampering or entertaining? Vote now in this year's Best Of Holiday Shopping readers' choice poll.
Tackle that clutter for a good cause
Having some clutter around the house is unavoidable. Lives are busy, so we often throw items in a junk drawer instead of putting them away, or we move boxes of old toys and clothes to the basement instead of finding them a new home. However, taking some time to de clutter and get organized not only improves the space where you live but could also put some money in your
Take a minute to check offers at drugstore clinics
In last Sunday’s Retail Roundup column, Amanda Codispoti reported that CVS Pharmacy will be opening six Minute Clinics — walk-in clinics inside the drugstore — in Southwest Virginia. In addition to Minute Clinics accepting various insurance providers and offering evening and weekend hours, there are some other perks shoppers could take advantage of once these locations open. I have been signed up for Minute Clinic email alerts for months. As
Show area businesses love with Best Of Holiday Shopping poll
Last year, we launched our first Best of Holiday Shopping poll to great success. We asked readers to vote online for their favorite places to shop, to eat, to buy “Only in Roanoke” souvenirs so we can share the results to help others navigate the holiday shopping terrain. Through the poll, we discovered several unique businesses in our region — and we hope to find more of them this year. In our second
Coupon landscape changing
Have you noticed any changes to your coupons? Whether you have or not, the way you spend and save is evolving. NCH Marketing Services Inc., a subsidiary of Valassis, the multimedia company that distributes many print and digital promotions (like Redplum coupon booklets, for example), recently released a report on the state of coupons after the first half of 2013. Avid couponers may be surprised at some of the findings.
Summer’s ending, but not the fun
Just because the kids have gone back to school doesn’t mean the fun is over. Plenty of affordable, family-friendly activities are just gearing up, and many will continue through the fall. Many venues will be lowering their prices or offering discounts now that school is back in session. Splash Valley at Green Ridge Recreation Center is only open a couple more weeks, so consider stopping by between noon and 6
There’s no catch to Money Mondays
I’ve warned readers many times about deals that sound too good to be true . So when I learned about Money Mondays, free financial seminars held at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, I was sure there had to be a catch. Are they trying to sell something? Where are the hidden fees? But I’m happy to report that this is one freebie with no strings attached. Money Mondays is a
Shoppers weigh in on digital receipts
Online shoppers are accustomed to receipts showing up in their inbox, but soon you could be receiving a lot more receipts via email. Brick- and-mortar stores and restaurants are offering digital receipts more often these days, and shoppers have found pros and cons to the system. So far, shoppers have the opportunity to receive digital receipts at stores such as Gap, Old Navy, Macy’s, Sears, Toys R Us and Kmart.
Local Goodwill stores to host fundraiser Thursday at Jefferson Center
Spotlights, high fashion, models strolling the runway — you’ll find all these things at the upcoming Second Runway event hosted by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. The fourth annual fundraiser for the nonprofit will be held in Fitzpatrick Hall of Roanoke’s Jefferson Center on Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. The show will feature 66 outfits selected from local Goodwill stores. The theme: The people and clothing that have received
Summer vacation’s last days mean scores of bargains
Virginians are in the midst of a back-to-school tax holiday weekend. School and office supplies have been deeply discounted, and fall clothing is taking the place of swimsuits on the racks. But these aren’t the only bargains to keep an eye out for this time of year. I spoke to Brett Billick, senior director of Deals2Buy (www.deals2buy.com), a website that seeks out the best deals for shoppers, and he provided
Take advantage of the upcoming sales tax holiday
Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing will take place Aug. 2 through 4. During this time period, shoppers can purchase eligible school supplies priced $20 or less per item and clothing priced $100 or less per item without paying sales tax. Though the timing of this holiday is to help parents prepare and save money for the upcoming school year, anyone can take advantage and save
Stay informed on product recalls
Consumers are constantly being bombarded with information about the products we buy. Ads promoting products are everywhere and it seems new warnings about the dangers of other products are popping up all the time. It’s easy to become desensitized to it all, but that can be unsafe when it comes to product recalls. Patty Davis, spokeswoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the government agency charged with protecting the
Technology helps scammers target entire population
Though we would like to trust people, in this day and age you should have your guard up against scammers. Threats can come from a knock at your door, a phone call, an email or even a message over social media sites. Most of us think we’re too smart to ever get duped, but just as technology progresses, so do the schemes of criminals. “The scam artists follow technology. So
Even in heat of summer, you can save energy
July is here and with it comes what’s normally some of the warmest days in Southwest Virginia. Many of us will be cranking up the air conditioning to stay cool, but that means you could be feeling the heat when your monthly utility bill comes. Luckily there are some small adjustments you can make in your home that will conserve energy and save you a few dollars. Virginia Energy Sense
Counterfeit coupons can end up costing shoppers
Have you ever been browsing the Internet and found a coupon that seemed too good to be true? Chances are, it probably was. Counterfeit coupons are a valid problem. Luckily, there are a few things to tip you off that a coupon might be fake. Is the dollar amount higher than the usual cost of the product, or is the coupon offering the product free without any additional purchase or
Style Street: Summer breezes in Roanoke
Whoever said wearing too much of a single color is a faux pas has been proven wrong, because June was definitely the month of matching colors. Whether it was matching shoes to tops, or only wearing gold accessories, the centerpiece to the outfits I saw was a unifying tone. Shorts and sandals are making their presence known, but I’m looking forward to seeing what summer styles will really stand out
Cool down at the pool without busting budget
Though we’d all love to sit by the water and relax all summer, many of us have neither the time nor the budget to invest in joining a swim club. Luckily there are many public pools and beach access on lakes with affordable entry fees. If you’re planning on visiting the pool multiple days each week throughout the summer, especially if multiple family members will be included, it’s best to
Become a Shoptimist ‘power user’
Craving more shopping news, tips and deals throughout the week? That’s what the Shoptimist blog is for on Roanoke.com. I update the blog during the week with coupons, sale notifications and bits of news, some of which never makes it into print. While the easiest way to stay up to date is to visit often and scroll through, there are a few other tricks to getting the most out of
Dollar Tree voted favorite dollar store among readers
The dollar store business in Southwest Virginia is booming. In March, Roanoke Times retail reporter and blogger Amanda Codispoti reported that between March and April, three new dollar stores were opening in Roanoke alone: one Dollar Tree and two Family Dollar locations. A Dollar General location is also set to open by the end of the year in southeast Roanoke. These are the three major dollar store chains in our
Deal updates at CVS, Kroger
There has been a flurry of deal news lately that affects Roanoke shoppers. Here’s a roundup of some items that have been popular on the Shoptimist blog, as well as some new updates. End of bag tags at CVS CVS has multiple ways for shoppers to earn Extra Bucks, but one program has recently been discontinued. As of Friday, the company ended the Green Bag Tag promotion. With this program,
Seniors can find many ways to save
Discounts for senior citizens are fairly common but unfortunately rarely advertised. I had to do some major digging to get details for this column. Often the information wasn’t listed online or posted in shops, so what’s the average consumer supposed to do? I recommend you ask — ask everywhere you do business. Part of the reason some businesses don’t widely post their discounts or offers for seniors is that they
1. Britney Spears spotted at Lynchburg restaurant
2. Roanoke resource officer's quick action saved young girl
3. One person injured in Friday night shooting in Roanoke
4. East Carolina poses new challenge for Virginia Tech football
5. Captive in Roanoke County describes harrowing time with angry friend
6. Lowe's tapes may hold clues to Roanoke woman's death
7. Roanoke County electrical short quiets 5 Wheeler radio stations
8. William Byrd stuns Salem in football win
9. History says this one will matter for Virginia Tech
10. Concert review: Timeless Willie Nelson plays to appreciative crowd
THE ROANOKE TIMES
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