From Taking Stock

Retail reporter and coupon queen Sue Stock offers news, deals and advice on her blog, Taking Stock. We run excerpts of her best stuff here. For her full report, or to share a tip, visit takingstock.newsobserver.com.

Track your savings

Last year about this time, I shared with readers of Taking Stock a simple spreadsheet for tracking your savings using coupons and buying on sale. My totals are on the left-hand side of my blog, all combined more than $4,600. For those of you who wish to try this, I've posted the blank Excel spreadsheet that I used to track my savings on my blog. The first "tab" is the actual spreadsheet, and the second tab is the directions on how to use it. (To change tabs, look toward the bottom of the page and click on the tab you want.)

Also, I wanted to invite any of you who did track your savings this year to share your totals. Maybe you will inspire someone!

Clip coupons on Facebook

Many of you know coupons.com already as a great site where you can print coupons to use on groceries (note that store acceptance policies of these coupons can vary). If you are a fan, coupons.com is now on Facebook. You can now print and share coupons with your friends directly from your Facebook page. Pretty cool! Visit facebook.coupons.com to check it out.

Get freebies from birthday clubs

I heard from reader Don, who recently celebrated his birthday by gathering a lot of free stuff from companies with birthday clubs. Don says he received:

* A free medium sub at Firehouse Subs.

* A $15 coupon from Lone Star Steakhouse.

* A free burger and fries from Red Robin.

* Free ice cream cone from Maggie Moos.

* One free scoop of ice cream from Baskin Robbins.

* Free ice cream with one mix-in from Cold Stone Creamery.

You can check out my favorite listing of birthday freebies at Freebirthdaytreats.com. Finally, for those of you who are wondering: No, Don did not make himself sick eating all that food. He says most companies give you a two-week window in which to collect your birthday freebie.

Color entices shoppers

I was interested in a USA Today story about consumers buying new iPods, computers, cell phones and other items simply because the manufacturer rolled out new colors. It seems that changing the color can drive some additional sales, even in a down economy. I certainly have been a victim of wanting the newest, greatest thing. And when Apple first rolled out its new line of iPods in vivid colors, I even considered buying a blue or purple one for myself. But to buy a new one simply because I like the color better didn't seem particularly frugal to me. How about you? Anyone out there bought something new just because it came in red, lime green or cotton-candy pink?

For your favorite fan

An Apex company called Number One Fan has signed an agreement to distribute its items at Triangle-area Hallmark stores.

The company produces a number of collegiate sports-themed products, including N.C. State items, many with a No. 1 theme. It is in the process of obtaining the appropriate licenses from UNC, Duke and ECU, so you may soon see items from those schools in Hallmark stores.

Here come the hearts

The Consumerist beat me to this one, but has anyone else noticed the sudden emergence of Valentine's Day products? The aisles that were until recently red and green are turning all red -- quickly. To me, this is an extension of the trend we saw in 2008, in which retailers launch one "seasonal" event immediately after the last one ends, regardless of how much time is between the two. What do you think? Does it bother you, or could you not care less?

Gab to Go by iPhone

About a year ago, I wrote a story about David and Holly Greene, a Cary couple who invented a family game called Gab to Go. The game is a series of questions selected to promote conversation and get your kids talking. (For example: Name a song that makes you cringe every time you hear it, or Who was your favorite teacher and why?) The original game is a series of cards with the questions, all housed in a cup that fits nicely in the cup holder of your car or on a shelf in your home.

But now, for all you tech-savvy folks, Gab to Go can be downloaded as an iPhone app ($2.99). There are twice the number of questions in the iPhone game. If you are interested in the non-electronic version ($9.95), you can find it at several local stores. There's a list on the company's Web site, gabtogo.com.

New place for kids to play

The new children's play area at The Streets at Southpoint is now open. Called the Duke Medicine Kidzone, the play area is on the lower level near JC Penney. To get there easily, I'd try the entrance near Panera Bread.

IKEA fans planning road trips?

I know of at least one group from the Triangle that is already busy making plans for a road trip to Charlotte when IKEA opens its first store in the Carolinas on Feb. 18. Do you know of others? Are you planning to be there? I might just want to talk to you.