I got an interesting note from Taking Stock reader Keri today. Keri and her husband are on a mission to become debt-free and are therefore staying away from credit cards this Christmas. Keri has a couple of those folks who are really tough to shop for and is looking for ideas. Here's what she said:

Share what you do for the ones on your list that either have what they need and want, are the types to just go and buy it themselves, or are picky.  I am fully aware of a few paths around this issue, such as donating money to a worthy cause in a person’s name or honor, or making homemade gifts. The trouble with the homemade idea is that, besides baking, I am so not a crafty person! My best idea (but not sure I will actually follow through) is to ask my artistically gifted son to render an image that we can have copied and framed. But that’s a lot of pressure for an 11 year old...who doesn’t work well under pressure, nor would describle himself as an artist! 

Mary Cornatzer reports over on our .biz blog that Durham will get the first Nordstrom Rack store in the state next fall!

The store will be going into the Renaissance Center shopping center, the one right across the street from The Streets at Southpoint.

Great for fashionistas or bargain hunters (or both!).

Just in time for Black Friday and the Return of the Gift of Savings program, here's a great $3 off $15 coupon for Rite Aid.

It's good through Nov. 28.

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who came out for coupon class on Saturday!

I had a fabulous time talking about coupons and saving with you, and I hope you had fun, too!

Also, thanks for the donations everyone brought for the food back. They were very much appreciated!

Updated to add: We collected 405 pounds of food for the food bank, amazing!!! 

On its Web site, Kraft has a whole bunch of different promotions for shoppers.

One of the best is a $2.50 mail-in rebate when you buy the Merry Madagascar DVD and any Kraft product (since there were coupons on Nov. 15 for some Kraft items, that could be a great deal!)

You can also fill out a pledge to put a note in your child's lunch box and Kraft will donate a meal to a child in need.

Or you can enter to win a trip to Orlando.

Here's the link. 

If you're not a member of the PetSmart Pet Perks club yet, there's a good reason to sign up now.

When you join, you will be able to send an e-card to a friend that comes with a coupon for a free Greenies chew.

That could be cool for your friend's dog. Or tell them to get the chew and donate it to the local SPCA.

If you're already a member you can also send a card. Here's the link.

There was a really interesting Wall Street Journal story recently about the psychology of gift cards.

According to the story:

So why have gift cards grown in popularity when we already have something better sitting in our wallets? The answer is a combination of consumer psychology and opportunistic retailers and card issuers. Consumers see giving cash as crass, and retailers have taken advantage of that to push gift cards.

So what do you think? Would you rather just get cash, or do you think that's a bit tacky? 

There was one lone coupon insert in this Sunday's paper. We got a Smart Source, but no Red Plum, so don't feel like you were cheated if you were looking for the second insert.

I should note that there are about 300 coupons getting ready to expire this week, so now's a good time to look through your coupons to make sure you've used all the ones you wanted to use before the end of the month.

As always, you can download the new version in Excel below.

Happy clipping!

Anyone in my family will tell you: I know nothing about cars.

But if you know more than I do and are able to change your own wiper blades, here's a good rebate for you.

Trico is offering up to $20 back when you register on their site and buy select wiper blades. As I understand it, the purchase must be made by the end of the month.

Here's the link. 

The folks at Rocky Top Hospitality are offering a free entree to customers on their birthday.

Show up at Michael Dean's, Bogarts, Hi5, The Red Room or The Twisted Fork and show your ID to claim your free meal.

The new offer is effective immediately, so if you know someone with a birthday this weekend, let them know!

RTP company ChannelAdvisor has put out its second annual holiday discounts catalog, featuring special discounts from more than 40 retailers.

There are some big national retailers participating, including Ann Taylor, Dell and Petco.

You can at http://www.channeladvisor.com/holidaycatalog

I got a press release telling me that TGI Friday's will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

There are several other restaurants (both chains and independents) open if you don't feel like cooking. But make your reservations soon.

See the full list on our Mouthful blog HERE.

If you're looking for a holiday bargain on eBay, you may want to take note of a Texas merchant's blog post.

David Goldstein says that you can find a bargain just by misspelling the name of the thing you want.

Looking for a Playstation? Try "Playstaion" or "Palystation."

Ebay makes suggestions to buyers who are searching the site, he says. But no such courtesy is offered to sellers. And that can add up to a great deal. 

You can read his post here.

Tonight's the night they light the Christmas tree at North Hills. The lighting won't happen until evening but there are events all day starting at 11 a.m.

From 3 to 7 p.m. there will be ice skating on the Commons lawn and miniature pony rides. From 4 to 7 there will be horse and carriage rides, train rides and other entertainment. The lighting itself is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. 

If you're going with your kids, take your camera. Children will be allowed to visit Santa and parents will be allowed to take photos.

It's Friday, so let's do some freebies...

*Oriental Trading is offering a free 2010 calendar here.

*Walmart has a Always Infinity sample here. 

*Beneful is giving away free dog toys to the first 2,000 people who review a site or a photo on their WagWorld site here.

*And there's a company giving away free doggie sleeping bags. (I know... just the picture is worth the click.) Here's the link.