OK, you all know I love a good deal, but I think this would have been a bit too much even for me...

An Atlanta-area man whose girlfriend is addicted to deal Web site Dealnews.com contacted the editors of the site with a unique 'proposal.' He and the editors worked together to craft an online marriage proposal for his girlfriend, who checks the site several times a day.

The proposal, posted as a deal, offered a free engagement ring with purchase of engagement using coupon code I DO. To help sweeten the pot the site added this: "With free on-one-knee delivery, that's the best deal on marriage you've seen from Brian in eight years. It's also the lowest total price we've seen for any marriage proposal, excluding refurbs."

Apparently, she has redeemed her coupon code. You can read it here.

Just posting this to help spread the word.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a huge recall that covers more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, some of which carry the Fisher-Price logo. The cribs apparently have plastic pieces that can break and create a space where the child can become caught between the crib's side that drops down and the mattress. There is a free repair kit available.

You can find further info on the CPSC Web site here.

Like a lot of people, I keep a separate e-mail account for all the e-mail lists that I've signed up for. And today my inbox is darn close to exploding. I'm getting special holiday shopping offers faster than I can delete them, and I expect this rush to continue through at least Monday (which is now called Cyber Monday since so many people shop online on that day).

If you have a favorite retailer or one that you've been watching in hopes of finding a discount on something you want to buy, sign up for their e-mail list now. Then keep an eye on your inbox all weekend. It's likely you'll be able to score a deal.

This weekend, I was reminded yet again that sometimes patience is one of th ebest weapons in a shopper's aresenal. My husband and I have had our eye on a set of folding chairs. Since we are having guests this Thanksgiving, we had to buy them this month. But I decided to wait until the final weekend before the holiday.

Wouldn't you know it? The chairs, which normally retail for $39.99, were on sale for $29.99. And since it was at Bed, Bath & Beyond, I had two 20 percent coupons. All told, the two chairs cost $51.70, including tax. Just because we had a little patience.

(Of course waiting till the very last minute is probably not a good idea if you are looking for a really hot item. But on chairs, I felt it was a pretty safe gamble...)

On Monday, I sent a package to my cousin, who is currently stationed overseas with the military. I've never sent a package requiring a customs form before, but that's another story...

At any rate, I thought it wouldn't hurt to post a friendly reminder to those of you who will be sending gifts to loved ones overseas. The suggested USPS deadlines for holiday shipping are Dec. 4 or Dec. 11, depending on where the person is located and what type of shipping you use. That's coming up awfully quickly... But, for those of you looking for a shipping deal, the post office does offer a flat-rate military mailing box that is 12" x 12" x 5.5" and goes for $11.95 to APO/FPO destinations, regardless of weight, up to 70 pounds.

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!