Jill Cataldo

I just got back from a shopping trip to the Algonquin Meijer, where two aisles of toys are marked up to 75% off! An employee was in the process of retagging everything while I was there, so they've just dropped. (I don't know if all Meijers are dropping today, but it may be worth a call.)

Here's how corporate determines which toys to drop. The employee I spoke with said that any toys that were brought in for Christmas and did not sell are currently at 50% off IF there are 5 or more of the same toy in inventory. If there are less than 5, the prices are dropping to 75% off.

Just a quick note to acknowledge how much fun it was to meet so many of you at the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Business Expo this past weekend! Lots of blog readers stopped by the Super-Couponing booth to say hello, ask questions or show off receipts... and I presented Super-Couponing to the expo crowd too!

If you missed this expo, I'll do it all again on March 6 at the Cary-Grove Community Showcase Business Expo, held at Cary Grove High School, 2208 Three Oaks Road in Cary. For more information, visit www.carygrovechamber.com!

If you're not a regular reader of this blog's Forum, and you're a current or former Dominick's shopper who has had issues of coupon non-acceptance there, I have some required reading for you.

After hearing yet another story from one of my blog readers that a Dominick's cashier had denied coupons that she picked up in the store, I wrote an open letter to Dominick's. Dominick's Public Affairs department responded, and they are interested in what we have to say.

I invite you to read the letter, then post your comments in the response thread. Dominick's is listening.

Welcome to JillCataldo.com ... like you've never seen it before :) When I launched my blog 18 months ago, I never imagined it would turn into such a vibrant coupon community utilized by so many. The site's old server and blog setup were not capable of handling such a large number number of simultaneous users each week, so while you were sleeping last night, everything got upgraded! All of the content you enjoy is still here, along with some new features that many have asked for.

It's here! Each year in January, Old Navy reduces their already-marked-down clearance prices by half. Things are ridiculously cheap -- think $7 winter coats, $4 jeans, and kids' clothes under $1!

Old Navy opens at 9:30am... and don't forget your $10 off $50 coupon! (Thanks to Alice in our forum for finding it!)

Just as the after-Christmas sales have ended, and many of us have stocked up on holiday gear for next year...along come the clothing and toy sales. If you've taken my Super-Couponing 2 class, you know that January is my favorite month of the year to shop for clothes and toys!

Today I embarked on a shopping adventure that began at Old Navy for their 50% off clearance sale and ended at Target's 75% off toy sale...

This morning, numerous Target stores around Chicagoland dropped their Christmas toy overstock to 75% off! I do the majority of my toy shopping for next Christmas right now, in January, during these toy clearances. So can you! :)

The following is a forum post that was so good, smart, funny, and TRUE that I bumped it up to the front page! I think it pretty much encompasses what every Super-Couponer feels after their first whirlwind year of shopping smarter! -- Jill

Dear Jill,

How Do I Stop?

I learned so well and saved so much money that:

• My cupboards are jammed
• My freezers are packed
• My neighbors' freezers are packed with my food
• I've worn out my tires from running to the food pantry

Merry Christmas! As another year of Super-Couponing draws to a close, I thought you might enjoy reliving some of the best sales, stock-ups, and photos from 2009...

The Home Made Simple promotion is back too! Home Made Simple typically sends a coupon book with high-value P&G coupons, and it's free to sign up for! Here's a link...

... you never know what coupons may be in their mailer, but in the past we've seen really good ones, including a coupon for a free bottle of Cascade Crystal Clear (and... we do all like free things!)