The Reading is Fundamental campagin is back at Macy's this summer.

Through Aug. 31, customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 in-store purchase at any Macy's nationwide. Macy's will donate 100 percent of every $3 to Reading is Fundamental, which supports children's literacy efforts.

If you like to shop consignment sales for your kids (or for yourself), you can start marking your calendar. The fall round of consignment sales is approaching quickly.

Sarah over on our Mom2Mom blog has compiled a handy guide to area consignment sales. You can find it here...

The North Hills sidewalk sale is on... it runs through July 12.

From what I understand, many merchants are already taking additional markdowns... 

It's that time of year again... On Friday, if you dress like a cow and go to Chick-fil-A, they'll give you a free meal.

And, this year, Chick-fil-A is offering a kids' photo contest, a Facebook photo contest and a handy costume-making starter kit if you don't happen to have a cow suit hanging in your closet. You can find all of those things here...

I've said it before and I'm saying it again: one of the greatest things about couponing is that you can then be generous to others. With things like toothpaste routinely FREE after coupon and/or rebate, there's really no reason to be stingy!

So if you have a glut of items clogging up your pantry or closet, here's a good opportunity to purge for a good cause. The BJ's clubs in Raleigh (6301 Plantation Drive) and Garner (255 Shenstone Blvd.) along with the USO of North Carolina are collecting items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, protein snack bars, gum and lip balm through the end of July. Collection bins have been placed in both stores. After the drive, "welcome home" care packages will be assembled for troops.

From July 1 through Aug. 31, families are invited to donate school supplies at the Cameron Village Ten Thousand Villages store in Raleigh.

Organizers are trying to put together school supply kits with the following:
*four spiral or perforated notebooks (around 70 sheets)
*four unsharpened pencils
*one ruler (flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30cm and 12")
*12 colored pencils (in packaging)
*one large pencil eraser

The Mennonite Central Committee will place the kits in hand -ewn drawstring bags and distribute them around the world in areas hard hit by violence, natural disaster, or poverty. Keep this effort and others in mind as you do your back-to-school shopping...

The four Triangle Whole Foods stores are having a Peach Party on Friday afternoon (tomorrow).

Samplings and events will vary by store, but all stores are hosting their events from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sounds peachy!

Select Rite Aid pharmacies are hosting Diabetes Solutions Days on Tuesday and Thursday this week. The free events will feature free blood pressure screenings, training on selecting glucose meters, samples and more. If you attend, you will also be eligible to enter to win a $50 Rite Aid gift card.

Note that it's only at select Rite Aid stores. You can check the Rite Aid Web site here to search for a store near you.

In Chapel Hill, the nine-week series of free Locally Grown concerts will kick off tonight. The concerts will take place every Thursday through Aug. 20. Tonight's performer will be Will McFarlane & Big Mama E and the Cool. You can find all the details here.