Frugal Family: Customer Loyalty Programs Offer Savings, Rewards

Many stores offer a special customer loyalty program. It's an easy way to save money. Rewards programs are usually free and take only a few minutes to join.

You'll be able to save money on weekly sales. Did you know that you can also earn cash toward future purchases or gift cards?

offers a couple of different rewards programs. One is called Shop Your Way to Rewards, where you earn points every time you shop. Each $1 in purchases earns 1,000 points.

You can use the cash to pay future purchases. Be sure to have the cashier scan your card each time you shop to accumulate the credit.

Another Kmart promotion is called Payday Plus program, where you'll earn 10,000 points for every $100 you spend. Selected items must be purchased within one week.

If you buy $100 in selected products (including many back-to-school items this week), you'll receive $10 toward a future purchase.

Use your rewards card and shop this week's best deals on back-to-school sales, including supplies, apparel and decor.

Deals: Many items qualify for the Payday Plus deal, including:

• Route 66 boys' hoodies and jeans, $10
• French Toast uniform polos, $7
• Character backpacks and book totes, $10
• Coexist by Canon mint comforter set (twin and twin XL), $14.99 (a savings of $10 off the regular price).

Good through: August 20

Deals: Get your kids settled in their dorm with sales on home items, such as:

• Sunbeam microwave, $44 (a savings of $20)
• Emerson 2.8-cubic feet refrigerator, $79 (a savings of $50)
• Room Essentials butterfly chair, $18
• Room Essentials fast dry bath towel, $3.50

Good through: August 20

Deals: Buy one, get one free deals on the following:

• Oxford, Corner, Wexford or Acco binders
• Meed Five Star 4-pocket portfoliio
• Ivory bar soap (3-pack)
• Walgreen's cotton, quilted squares (200-pack)

Good through: August 20



Deals: CVS continues its free gas card promotion. Buy $30 in selected products in one week, and you'll receive a $10 free gas card.

Here are some of this week's qualifying products:

• Nature Made supplements, Cholest Off, All CoQ10, fish oil, flaxseed or vitamin D are buy one, get one free
• Nestle Pure Life 24-pack of water, $3.39
• Buy two Cheez-it or Special K multi-grain crackers for $4

Good through: August 20



Deals: Save money on supplies and room decor, including:

• Scientific calculator (TI-30X IIS), $11.97
• Filler paper (college or wide ruled, 150 pages), $0.75
• Desk or clip lamp, $4.97
• Mainstays floor lamp (71-inches tall), $7.97
• Selected backpacks, $4.88

Good through: August 20