The Art of the Deal: So Many Offers, So Little Time

The proliferation of online deals through providers such as Groupon and Living Social has "Patch" Regional Editor Holly Edgell taking solace in clipping coupons.

Confessions of a digital journalist: First, I still get the newspaper delivered to my doorstep. Second, I clip coupons each Saturday morning. With regard to reading the paper version of theSt. Louis Post-Dispatch each morning: With regard to clipping actual coupons: The art (and science) of the deal There's a method to the madness of group-buying online coupon websites. They harness the power of social networking with good old-fashioned buying in bulk.  And there's more! Pet peeves v. cashing in Critics of deal dealers point to a few pet peeves, which ring true for me: Still, if you have the flexibility, it's hard to pass up offers of up to 75 percent off of a classy meal, skydiving outing, spa day or dance lesson. Although I have yet to …

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Denise Bertacchi

1:06 pm on Monday, November 28, 2011

I usually go to coupons.com when I'm in the mood to "clip." No inky fingers, just click, print and cut down to size. My problem is clipping coupons when the whim strikes, then forgetting them in the corner of the pantry.   more ›

Black Friday Shopping Guide in St. Louis

The stores, sales and strategies you need to optimize your all-night shopping blow-out.

Here’s a new holiday tradition to try: Say grace, eat turkey, head to the mall. Black Friday sales start at midnight this year at some of the regions biggest stores, including Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy. We’ve read through the ads and compiled everything you need for the best all-night holiday shopping blow-out possible. And for each sale, we've highlighted the items we think would make the best gifts (at the best prices!) Check back on the morning of Black Friday for updates and tips. Hour-By-Hour Openings 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day: Walmart (toys, home, apparel) Midnight: Walmart (electronics), Target, Kohl's, Best Buy, Macy's, Old Navy,Chesterfield Mall, Mid Rivers Mall, St. Clair Square, South County Center, West County Center …

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Two for One Deal at Starbucks

The coffee giant is offering two holiday drinks for the price of one from Thursday through Sunday.

Did you know that Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee each day? According to CoffeeStatistics.com, that’s the equivalent of 146 billion cups a year. Starbucks is making the holiday season a little brighter for all those coffee lovers with a special BOGO deal starting Thursday and going until Nov. 20. From 2 to 5 p.m. on those days, Starbucks patrons will get a second free holiday beverage when they buy the first one. The BOGO deal is good on several holiday drinks, including the peppermint mocha in regular and “skinny” versions, caramel brulée latte, ginger bread latte and the company’s standing holiday tradition, the eggnog latte. You can find a Starbucks in Manchester at 14128 Manchester Road and in Town and Country at 13448 …

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The Business Break-Down

Missoni Madness Lures Out Shoppers

Shoppers flooded Target stores nationwide seeking bargain priced designer goods from Missoni, an Italian designer.

The demand for merchandise labeled “Missoni for Target” has been surprising, to say the least. Last Tuesday marked the first—and possibly last—day of Target's limited offering of budget-priced Missoni goods. The design house created pieces especially for Target and were sold at prices Target shoppers would expect. For example, a Missoni for Target infinity scarf sold for $25, while the same type of scarf at Neiman Marcus costs $200. Are they the same product? Of course not. The Target scarf is 100 percent rayon and half the length of the “real” Missoni scarf which is a blend of acrylic, polyamide, mohair and polyester. The scarf is nowhere to be seen in St. Louis stores and is sold out online. Yet eBay has more than 30,000 listings for “…

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Check Out Patch Deals of the Day

Sign up now to receive deals and discounts from nearby businesses.

We're happy to announce yet another new, great feature on Town and Counry - Manchester Patch: Patch Deals of the Day.  Patch Deals of the Day will help readers save up to 90 percent on local products and services from some of the best businesses in the area. They will appear at the top of our homepage, above the stories. (Check out the current deal). You can sign up for the deals by going to the "Notifications Settings" in your profile and click Patch Deals. Or just sign up for our daily e-newsletter. We'll have more information to come. Otherwise, you can "like" us on Facebook or "follow" us on Twitter for updates. Business owners interested in advertising a Patch Deal of the Day should contact Senior Advertising Manager Scott DeClue-…

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The Best Back-to-School Buys

"Patch" has gathered up all of the best local back-to-school sales. Use this list to get the best deals.

Friday through Sunday is tax-free weekend. Unfortunately, Town and Country, Manchester, Ballwin and Ellisville are among cities that have opted out. However, shoppers in those cities will still have St. Louis County and Missouri sales tax waived this weekend. (Read Previous Story: No Sales Tax Break For Back-To-School Shopping) In an effort to make sure area shoppers get the best deals, Town and Country - Manchester Patch did some shopping around and price comparisons of its own. Here Patch readers can see which stores have the best deals on on many back-to-school items. Walmart (Manchester) Prices are valid through Saturday, Aug. 6. 20 cents    70-sheet, one-subject notebook 97 cents   School box   Fiskar flexible ruler   Two pack of …

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Natalia Motola

5:23 pm on Monday, August 8, 2011

Thank you for reading. We saved big bucks this year.   more ›

Debt Ceiling: Effects, Agreement and Local Reaction

Despite Sunday's news that lawmakers are closer to avoiding national default Tuesday, some Town Country and Manchester residents doubt there's an easy way out of the country's financial mess. See how it could affect you.

Though it's not a done deal until the U.S House and Senate vote, it seems as if Congress will avoid national default on Tuesday. According to the Huffington Post and CNN, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders reached an agreement Sunday to raise the debt ceiling while cutting spending and reducing deficit. A vote is expected by Congress Monday to beat the midnight deadline. But if a deal to raise the nation’s deficit ceiling is not reached by the Tuesday deadline, the sky will not fall — at least right away, said Ben Herzon, a senior economist with Clayton-based Macroeconomic Advisers LLC.  “We expect a more benign scenario,” said Herzon of the 28-year-old company that provides national economic forecasting and modeling to …

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Town and Country-Manchester Gas Prices: July 7

Here are today's lowest reported gas prices.

Here are the areas lowest gas prices as noted on StLouisGasPrices.com, in Town and Country and Manchester. Spot a lower price? Please add it in the comments. Here are today's lows:

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Frugal Family: Deals on Summer Fun

This week's deals will get your family and backyard ready for a summer stay-cation.

Remember to check with the merchant for additonal conditions. STEAK 'N SHAKE Deal: All you can eat pancakes are $3.99. This deal is dine in only. Date: Every day during breakfast hours WALGREENS Deal: Buy one, get one 50 percent off on Aveeno suncare, as well as Maybelline and L'Oreal cosmetics. Date: Good through June 4 KOHLS Deal: All swimwear is 40 to 50 percent off. Date: Good through June 5 WEST COUNTY FAMILY YMCA Deal: Sign up for a summer membership and receive all the benefits of a membership through August 31. Date: Good through June 15 MAKE YOUR MARK MURAL PROJECT Deal: Let your family's creative side shine and help paint the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee floodwall at Edison Avenue and Baxter Road. Free!            Date: 10 a.m. to …

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Frugal Family: Deals on Blu-rays, Area Rugs and Shoes

Want to keep the kids busy and satisfy their appetites? Frugal Family has found this weeks best deals for local families.

Remember to check with the merchant for additonal conditions. BEST BUY Deal: Get $5 toward select Blu-ray movies when you turn in a previously viewed DVD. Date: This deal is good through June 4. KIDSPLAY Deal: Get $10 off Kamp Kidsplay if you sign up before June 1. Date: This deal is good through June 1. MIKE DUFFY'S PUB AND GRILL Deal: Kids eat free on Tuesdays with paying adult. Date: This deal is good Tuesdays. MID WEST FLOOR Deal: Area rugs are 50 percent off. Date: This deal is good through May 31. DREAM PLAY AND RECREATION Deal: Receive $200 of Woodplay sets. Date: This deal is good through May 29. SHOE STOP Deal: Take $10 off every pair of shoes. Date: This deal is good through May 31. HOBBY LOBBY Deal: Summer items, including …

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