For those of you who are unaware, Kroger and Procter & Gamble have partnered in a new electronic coupon program called eSaver. Basically, you register and create an account on the eSaver Web site. You link your Kroger card to your account, and then you can choose P&G coupons on the Web site and electronically "load" them onto your card. Then when you go to the store, purchase the item and scan your card, the coupon automatically is deducted.

It used to be that you could use both a paper coupon and the e-coupon together. I am honestly not sure if that is still the case or not (anyone?). But I got an e-mail today telling me that there are new e-coupons available. If you belong to the program, you may want to reload your card. Or you can register on the Web site here.

In Couponland, we all refer to our stockpile of mayonnaise, salad dressing, toilet paper and Ziploc bags as our "overstock."

I will be the first to admit that some people are out of control. But even disciplined, not out of control couponers tend to eventually run into a problem finding room to store all their stuff. I've seen people load up spare tables, like in this photo. I personally have taken over half my linen closet.

Where do you keep your overstock? And, if you are willing to share, my colleague Andrea Weigl is asking readers to upload photos of their overstock stashes on our Triangle.com Web site here. Or, just pop over to look at the photos...

Puppies are so cute... but so much work sometimes! I speak from personal experience...

If you have a puppy in your house, you might want to check out this freebie from Eukanuba dog food. It includes a free puppy training video, a puppy health guide and a $5 coupon on food. 

This morning, my colleague and fellow business writer, Jack Hagel, has an interesting story about how developers' plans are being slowed down by skittish retailers who are hesitant to sign new leases.

Here are the first few paragraphs:

Triangle retail developers were living in a wonderland two years ago: Jobs were plentiful, homes were being sold and built at a record clip. And the price of a gallon of gas still started with a $2. People spent and shops flourished.

Now, as higher prices prices pinch consumers, employers cut back and a credit crunch slows home sales and construction, retailers are holding back.

The fallout: one of the Triangle’s busiest real estate sectors is taking a breather.

To read the full story, click here.

Or, to visit Jack's home page, click here.

I got an interesting e-mail from Dunkin Donuts today...

The first item in the e-mail announced the introduction of a new DDSmart menu, full of healthier selections for those who come to Dunkin Donuts craving something beyond a gooey chocolate-covered doughnut. (Ummm, that would NOT be me...)

Second, there was an announcement for a contest to promote the chain's Auto-Charge program that automatically recharges your Dunkin Donuts card for you. If you set the program up to recharge your card each month through December, you could win a bonus reload for free. You can find out about that program here.

Well it’s a pretty decent deals week out there. There are plenty of deals to be had if you are willing to go get them. There are a ton of BOGO deals this week, I think because of back-to-school shopping. All kinds of snack-type things that would be good for kids’ lunchboxes are on sale this week. Most notably, Lowes Foods is having a one-day sale on Friday during which it will be selling gallons of milk for $2.99. (Limit two.)

I also like the deal on Duracell batteries at both Walgreens and CVS. Batteries usually cost an arm and a leg, but with the sale and the right coupon, you can buy some for the much more reasonable price of $2.24. And at the pharmacies there are just a couple of free after rebate items that you could pick up.

Deal of the week: I think this week I’ll go with the Dove SkinVitalizer deal at CVS. Normally, even if you catch these things on sale, they are still $10. But this week at CVS, not only is the SkinVitalizer on sale for $9.99 but then there is a $3 ExtraBucks rebate. Combine that with the $3.50 coupon from this past Sunday, and that makes your final price a much cheaper $3.49.

Click “Read more” to see the list! And remember, if the store has a loyalty card, you’ll need it to get the sale price. 

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Raleigh's Falls River Town Center off Durant Road will host a back to school safetly fair on Saturday (Aug. 23) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Highlights include:
• Raleigh police car and fire truck demonstrations
• Games with Raleigh Recycling
• Weather safety with Bill Reh, NBC-17 Meteorologist
• Candy guessing games with WakeMed Injury Prevention
• Bicycle safety information and posters from the NC Department of Transportation
• Buster the Bus demonstration by WCPSS
• Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull
• Free face painting with Mimi the clown
• Inflatable bounce castle and slide

A Rhode Island company called Simmering Soup Inc. is recalling almost 1,000 pounds of its TRADER MING'S Yakisoba Noodles with Sesame Chicken Breast, which were sold at Trader Joe's stores in the District of Columbia and nine states, including North Carolina.

The product is being recalled because it may contain soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the label. Each box bears the establishment number "P-21166" as well as a "SELL BY" date of "8/26" or earlier. Consumers with questions should contact company Operations Manager Shawn Early at (401) 333-8848, ext. 228.

A PDF of the product label is included below, if you want to look at it to verify the product...

Thanks to my friends over at savvydollar.org for directing my attention to this hysterical blog post titled "I married a couponaholic."

In the post, a poor, unsuspecting husband named Ryan details his wife's spiraling descent into the world of coupons. I'll bet a lot of husbands out there can relate, including mine... There are many funny and quotable passages in the post, but here's one to get you started.

My wife started showing an interest in cutting our expenses several months ago. Great! I thought. Go for it! We were married young, with a newborn baby, the mortgage bills coming in—you know how it is. Obviously, any added frugality would help us meet our financial goals.

As I look back I pause to smile at my naiveté. I had no idea the new changes that were in store. Over the next few months I have seen my wife transform into a frugal warrior, armed with a new vocabulary, couponing-weapons, and shopping battle strategies. The change was more intense than I could have ever anticipated.

Replacements Ltd., the Greensboro company that helps shoppers find replacements for their existing sets of china, crystal and other dishware, is bringing back its big yard sale event after a four-year hiatus. This event pre-dates my time here at the N&O, but from what I understand, it's a pretty huge event.

Replacements will be selling more than 100,000 pieces of overstocked merchandise. Unlike previous years, shoppers will pay a $5 entrance fee and then $5 for a box that they can then fill with as much yard sale merchandise as it will hold. (Yes, you can buy multiple boxes.) Items in the separate sidewalk sale section of the event will still be priced per item.

According to Replacements officials, there has been no decision yet about whether the event will be held annually or not from now on. If you plan to go, the sale will take place Sept. 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, lines will begin forming at 5 a.m., but I'm told the inventory will be replenished every hour for both days in case you just can't get out of bed that early...

The other day, I got a report from New York retail research firm WSL Strategic Retail that says shoppers are now more proud to brag to their friends about the bargains they found rather than the designer clothing they bought. Ergo... saving is now more cool than fashion.

Those of you who have met me in person know that I live in my kakhi pants, so I am definitely not a fashionista. But FINALLY! I'm cool!

Really, it's about time...

North Carolina's Fresh Market stores have started stocking fresh shrimp that have been caught in NC waters. It makes me sad that there isn't more local seafood, so I see this as a good development.

The shrimp are available in stores now and are designated by a "Local Carolina Shrimp" sign in the store display. The are sized at 16-20 per pound and are mostly landed in Vandemere, NC. Fresh Market says the shrimp are "priced competitively" with other varieties sold in its stores. Shrimp cocktail, anyone?

The Associated Press is reporting that Mrs. Fields Famous Brands will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and may be forced to close some of its nearly 400 stores. What's a mall without the smell of fresh-baked cookies?

Local entrepreneur Reginald Savage will be one of a few local business owners featured tomorrow on Food Network's "Road Tasted with the Neelys." Savage is the proprietor of Azurelise, a Raleigh company that makes homemade chocolate truffles. He sells them from his own business and also at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill.

Already, since the show was announced last week, Savage said his Web site has had 3,000 hits. Right now he only sells truffles by pre-order, except for those sold at Southern Season. But he said he may have to expand his pick-up hours for orders if the show boosts business enough. Other local companies that will be featured on the Food Network show titled "Tasty Research in Raleigh" include Popalops Candy Shop and Ole Time Barbecue. The show airs tomorrow night at 9:30.

I never thought that chains would compete on the price of a passport photo, but I guess that shows what I know... Office Depot is joining the long list of retailers aggressively marketing its passport photo services to shoppers. Basically, you come into the store and a store employee snaps a headshot of you that will be acceptable for use with your passport application. Then you get a printed sheet of the photos to take with you when for when you submit your application.

But, if you need a deal on a passport photo, Office Depot is offering the service for $5 through Sept. 13, which is a lower price than most of the pharmacies charge, even with a sale. Office Depot is also providing a free Child ID Kit with the purchase of any passport photo from July 15 to September 13. It contains a photo, information card, self inking fingerprint strip and a protective case.