For those of you who read my Friday Retailing column online, please note that the link to my columns home page has changed as a result of our new Web site launch.

The new page is: www.newsobserver.com/business/columnists_blogs/stock/index.html

Please update your bookmarks, and thanks for reading!

As the daughter of a former librarian, I was upset to hear that the Wake County Public Library System has cut the budget for children's books by 12 percent this year. But I applaud Quail Ridge Books and the Raleigh Rotary Club, who are stepping up to try to help fill the budget gap.

Starting today and running through Sept. 27, Quail Ridge Books on Wade Avenue in Raleigh is hosting a book drive. Shoppers may visit the store or call 919-828-1588 to purchase books on the library's approved reading list. You may also shop online at quailridgebooks.com. The store is offering a 21 percent discount on all titles that are on the library's list. You may also make a monetary donation to the cause that will be used to purchase more books.

Today's Lowes Foods sales flier had a little typo in it, and I just couldn't help myself.

I am pretty sure they mean "disinfecting" wipes.

If they really mean "disinfesting" wipes, then those are some seriously powerful wipes!

I heard yesterday from Elizabeth Altman, the marketing director for the Ten Thousand Villages store in Raleigh. According to her note, the store's annual school supply drive was a tremendous success. The store collected more than 600 kits full of school supplies, more than twice the number of any previous year.

Altman wrote: "One lady sewed 98 drawstring bags and filled each with the needed supplies. A little girl counted up her money and asked her father to take her to the store to buy the school items. Members of a student group from NC State each committed to buying a set of school supplies when they went to Target to purchase items for their own school needs. Several church groups brought in baskets full of items."

Thanks to all who participated!

Many of you know I am a big fan of writing to companies and asking for coupons (see my 2006 story about that here). But here's another option: If you are on Facebook, see if you can become a fan of your favorite companies. Not only will you be up to date on new developments, but you may also be able to enter special contests or promotions. Some companies have even started doing special coupons and giveaways just for their Facebook fans.

Herbal Essences would be a good one to start with...

And, if you sign up as a fan on the Jumpin' Jonny's Steaks & Subs Facebook page by Sept. 28, you will receive a voucher for a free sandwich on the 28th. (NOTE: In order to get the voucher, you must sign up for the Facebook page AND the company's free loyalty club here...)

Those of you who are IKEA fans may have considered living in the store once or twice. But how about filming a melodrama there?

That's what one group of fans did in the Burbank, Calif. store. The show is called "IKEA Heights." It's like a soap opera met Swedish design, and it's strangely fascinating...

You can check it out here.

I had an e-mail this week from reader Deidre, who wanted to know when to say when on stockpiling. She asked a totally great couponer question: "Am I making a mistake on passing up potentially great sales because I already have enough for 3-4 months (more on toothpaste!)?"

Here's my answer:

I think that in general, it pays to be prepared and have a reasonable amount of stockpile on hand for things like toothpaste that you know you will use. However, you CAN go overboard and most of us do not have extra rooms in which to store all our free toothpaste, so space can definitely be a factor. You can get scientific with things and figure out how much of the product you use between good sales.

That takes some time and will probably require you to keep a pricebook (Or better, yet, contribute to the Triangle Pricebook!). But with something like toothpaste that goes on sale regularly, I'd say a good rule of thumb is to keep three on hand. That gives you time to start looking for deals before you totally run out. If you have a big family or just go through a lot of toothpaste, you may want to adjust that figure to be four or five.

Other thoughts?

If you shop regularly at Michael's, you probably should sign up for the company's e-mail list.

The company sends you e-mail reminders and links to printable coupons. Also, if you sign up now you will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card. You can find the details on that contest and a link to sign up here.

I got an e-mail recently from a reader (who wished to remain anonymous).

The reader said: I just thought I would let you know that I went to Food Lion to begin buying my milk and racking up a free gallon [FL is offering buy six gallons get one free].  Here's the problem. A gallon of milk at FL is $3.29. So 7 gallons of milk (buy 6, get one free) costs $19.74. The regular price of milk at Kroger is $2.79. That means that 7 gallons of milk purchased at Kroger only costs $19.53. The "free milk" at Food Lion is actually costing an EXTRA $.21! Like you, I'm all for a great deal - but only if it is really a deal.

Now I'm not sure if the prices at either store have changed since I got this letter. But it's a good lesson in comparison shopping nonetheless. 

I got an e-mail this week from reader Dale asking when the best time for buying a riding mower would be.

Turns out, the answer is just about now!

If you're interested in such information, I'd recommend this guide on when to buy certain items. It's fun!