Frugal Family: Five Deals to Stretch the Family Budget

Welcome back to our weekly rundown of five local deals to help with your family’s bottom line. Since we do the scouting, we save you time as well as money.

With school soon starting again, we scoured our sources this week to round up some deals to help with that last-minute shopping (and those back-to-school items you may have overlooked). Remember to check with the merchant for any additional conditions, if any:

1. Hair and Beauty: Claudette's Braiding Gallery & Barber Shop, 7505 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 210, 301-434-3545.

Deal: Take $10 off any service with their coupon.

Good thru: September 21. Must present coupon.

2. School Supplies (plus Free Backpack/Lunch Tote!): , 8515 Georgia Ave., 301-565-4161.

Deal: Save $10 on a $50 purchase (in store or online) with their coupon. Also, Office Depot online is offering a free backpack-style lunch tote with any $15 or more purchase.

Good through: Coupon good through August 28; backpack available while supplies last (online only).

3. Shoes: Famous Footwear, 7495 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, 301-441-2436 (and other locations).

Deal: Buy one pair of shoes and get another one free--make the savings go even further while the clearance sale continues, with 40 - 60 percent savings on some styles.

Good through: For a limited time; check website for updates.

4. Clothing : 11301 Rockville Pike, Kensington, 301-984-9005 (White Flint Mall and other locations).

Deal: Save 30 percent on online purchases at Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic when you enter "THANKS" at checkout. (Also if you've recently shopped at Gap, get a code to save 20 percent on a regular-priced store item by completing their customer survey).

Good through: 30 percent offer good through August 24th (hurry!); survey offer ongoing. Check website for updates.

5. Meal Savings: , 8515 Fenton St., 301-587-6542.

Deal: Save $2 on an 8$ purchase with this coupon.

Good through:  August 31.

Happy Savings!