It is not surprising but still upsetting that coupon fraud is on the rise. But with the economy still slow and more people exploring the use of coupons, I suppose it's predicatable.

CNN Money had an interesting story on the rise in coupon fraud recently. I encourage you all to do the right thing and not engage in fraudulent activity. While there are lots of coupons for free items that are legit like the Uncle Ben's rice pouch coupon two weeks ago, remember that if it seems fishy, it very well may be. Here's a post with some basic guidelines on spotting fakes.

Starting today and continuing through Aug. 1, Sears is offering customers an assurance promise similar to those that the car manufacturers have been offering lately.

If a customer purchases a major home appliance over $399 with a Citibank-issued Sears card and oses his/her full-time job after 60 days and up to 1 year from the date of the purchase, 1/12th of the purchase price will be credited to the account each month that the customer is unemployed. This credit covers the appliance and related accessories, extended warranties, maintenance agreements, protection and service  agreements, delivery haul-away, installation and sales tax.

If the customer is still unemployed one year after the purchase, they will receive a credit to their account for the remaining purchase amount. The customer keeps the appliance and will owe nothing on that purchase. The customer can make their
purchase at a Sears store or at sears.com.

Ben & Jerry's scoop shops nationwide are offering customers a BOGO deal on sundaes every Monday from now through the end of August. No coupon is required to get the deal.

However, the company says, "we do encourage responsible ice cream sundae intake; therefore, the larger-than-life Vermonster Sundae is not included."

Alas...

Remember that the price book only works if people participate!

Please take some time to enter your purchases into the price book.

You will be helping others to save!

Greenpeace recently released a survey that ranked the country's largest grocery stores in terms of their seafood sustainability. Northeastern favorite Wegman's scored the highest. Others such as Whole Foods were not a surprise. North Carolina based Harris Teeter and Food Lion ranked No. 6 and 8, respectively.

But the shocker for me was Trader Joe's, which ranked toward the bottom of the list at No. 17.

Click Read More to see the top 20.

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Today there was only a P&G Brandsaver insert.

We'll see the return of Red Plum and Smart Source inserts next week.

As always, the new version of the database is available for download below...

The Galatea botique in Raleigh's Seaboard Station has announced that it will be closed on Sundays during July and August.

However, a visit on a Monday this summer could turn into a particularly lucrative shopping trip. The store is running a promotion called Motoring Mondays during which it will give away a $25 gas card each week. The drawing will take place at 7 p.m. on each Monday until Labor Day.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Like most of you, I am taking the day off to celebrate with some patriotic festivities.

If you're going shopping, it's a good weekend to snag some deals on furniture, appliances, apparel and just about anything else. (If you find a good one, feel free to share...)

And if you want to view the N&O's list of July 4 events, it's on our Mom2Mom blog, and you can find it by clicking here.

Office Depot is asking customers to submit their most unique photos showing support for the # 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS and driver Tony Stewart.

The grand prize pacakge comes from Hewlett-Packard, and includes an HP TouchSmart Desktop Computer, HP Mini Notebook computer, HP Photosmart Premium Fax All-in-One Printer, HP printer/photo ink packs and HP Premium Plus Photo Paper. Everyone who enters the "Show Us Your 14" online photo contest will receive an Office Depot coupon for 14 percent off their next qualifying purchase.

You can find the contest here... 

It's Friday, which means it's time for freebies!

*This is a great one... Tide is offering a $1.50 coupon on its new Tide Stain Release. Go to this Web site and click the button to get the coupon. When you do, it will bring up a screen for P&G Everyday Solutions. Log in if you're registered, or register. And once you do, you get a new screen with a number of samples and coupons available, including Charmin wipes and Tampax. Be sure to answer all the questions in the drop down menus or the page won't take...

*I think I might have mentioned this one before, but there are Aveeno hair care samples here. 

*And, not quite a freebie, but when you sign up for the DQ Blizzard Fan Club, you get a coupon for a BOGO Blizzard deal...

Last weekend I was at home in the Philadelphia area visiting my family. I am trying to convince my non-couponing sister to start clipping, so I went to the store with her, binder in tow.

In all, we saved about $28, and she was very impressed. But the funniest part was when we got to the register...

The cashier scanned her store card and then my sister declared, "We have a TON of coupons!" The cashier just smiled and said, "OK." I laughed out loud because I thought it was so funny (we actually didn't have that many coupons, at least by my standards). But it is a good reminder that you should actually talk to your cashier. Especially if you have a rain check to redeem or some other coupon that may be out of the norm, they really appreciate the heads up. Plus, most of them are super nice folks...

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.

Remember that many of the area's malls and stores will hold special hours this weekend because of the July 4 holiday. When in doubt, it is always best to call ahead to make sure the mall or store is open.

Saturday seems to be the day when there are the most changes to normal hours of operation. For your convenience, here are a few:

Cary Towne Center: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Crabtree Valley Mall: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Northgate Mall: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Streets at Southpoint: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Triangle Town Center: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Retailers continue to aggressively promote their one-hour photo services... I'd expect a few more deals in the sales fliers on Sunday with July 4 being such a big photo-taking holiday...

Through Saturday, July 11, Walgreens is offering 10-cent prints when you use the coupon code JULY4.

Rocky Top Hospitality is offering BOGO entrees this weekend at its restaurants, which include Michael Dean's, Bogarts, Hi5, Red Room and the Twisted Fork. As with most BOGOs, the cheaper of the two items will be free.

The promotion is good today through Sunday. You will need the coupon below. That's a good deal, but do be aware of the fine print: "18% gratuity added to pre-discount total."