Each Monday through August 3, McDonald’s is giving away free samples of their McCafe Mocha. I had read online that this may only be a regionaly deal, but have confirmed that it is indeed being given away here in Greenville (visited the Traveler’s Rest location last Monday).

The current Publix circular (ending TODAY Tuesday, July 14) has a Publix store coupon for $10 off a $50 Shell or BP gas card. This is basically like getting 20% off whatever the pump price is. We already use BP gas almost exclusively, so this is a great deal for us since 20% off is better than our BP Credit card gas rewards.  Most stores still have the weekly Publix ad, and many even have taken time to cut out the coupons and put them with the gas card.

Additionally, there is a Kraft/Publix rebate for a $10 Publix gift card with any purchase of $50 or more (after coupons) in one order that includes 4 of the listed items from Kraft. The fine print does not exclude gift cards from being part of the $50, so here’s a great way to do it…

• Buy $50 gas card (minus $10 off coupon)
• Buy $10 or more worth of other groceries, including 4 of the participating items from the Kraft/Publix rebate. (See items listed and rebate form here.

I was also able to use a $5 off $20 coupon from Save-A-Lot (yes, there is one in Greenville) here to get even more “bang for my buck,” and there are a couple of deals that also give overage:

• (ending July 14) Kashi frozen items are 50% off. Kashi frozen waffles are normally $2.79, so at half off they are $1.40. There is a coupon here for $1.50 off, making them FREE with $.10 overage.
• I’ve been getting $.60 to $.40 overage for each pack of Apple & Eve organic juice boxes I purchase. More details here. (I saw plenty of the Smart Summer Savings booklet at the S. Pleasantburg location yesterday, and you can view what the booklet looks like here.)

Last night I picked up a $50 gas card and $40 worth of groceries for…$40! Not what I’d normally spend on groceries, but with the gas card deal I was getting free groceries AND discounted quality gas! Great deal; hope someone can still do this!

Today from opening to 2:30p.m., you can swing by Long John Silver’s to get a FREE fish taco!

Update: The Cherrydale location is offering this until 5p.m., though the website states otherwise.

Wal*Mart currently has 70-page spiral notebooks for 25 cents, Elmers Washable Glue for 30 cents, Rose Art 24 ct crayons for 20 cents, and Crayola 24ct Crayons for 30 cents. If this follows last year’s trend, this type of sale may last for several weeks. But you may want to stock up before everyone else attempts to! Great stocking stuffers, too!

A Saving in Greenville reader asks:

We are new to this area and would like to find a good thrift store.  I’ve been
to the Goodwill on Woodruff Rd. and was so disappointed!  Do you have any
suggestions/advice?

Some of my favorite thrift stores are:

• Miracle Hill Thrift Store (on Wade Hampton) - has a $1 clothing section
• Goodwill Store (Greer) - have dollar days, where certain colored tags are $1
• Nearly New (off Laurens Road/Pleasantburg) - nice, brand name clothing
• Hope Chest (near Cherrydale)
• SOS Thrift Store (near Bob Jones University) occasionally have stuff a bag for $5 sales

As a general rule, it is much more difficult to find men’s clothing in thrift stores, but it is possible, particularly if you fall into the “norm” size range. Admittedly, we do shop more for some of my husband’s clothing at outlets and at the OOPS! Clothing Company, as his sizes are not always what I can find at thrift stores.

I also do a lot of clothes shopping at yard sales for myself and my little girls. Most often, people really aren’t buying clothing at yard sales (not so great if that’s what you’re trying to sell at your yard sale); but if you go yard saling particularly in the more upscale neighborhoods, you can find some very nice clothes. I try to stick with less then a dollar per item (it’s rarely even that high), and have found this as a wonderful way to clothe our family for less.

There are a LOT of other thrift stores that I haven’t even visited, and many consignment stores, as well. And, thrift stores carry a LOT more than clothing, as well. I’ve been to the Habitat for Humanity Homestore off of Rutherford, but did not find it to have many quality items. Anyone know of any other similar locations?

What are your favorite thrift stores in the Greenville area?