Smart Spending combines the best money-saving tips from MSN Money and the rest of the Web. Our team of experts on stretching dollars:
Karen Datko, lead blogger, is a veteran journalist in small-town Montana, where her mortgage is $310 a month.
Teresa Mears is a veteran writer in Florida. She doesn't clip coupons, but she does shop at Goodwill.
Donna Freedman, our "Living With Less" columnist, is a student, freelance writer and handywoman in Washington.
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Buy gift cards, get more free
Food, clothing and travel merchants offer deals.
Posted by Teresa Mears on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 4:42 PM
Partner site DealNews has come up with a slew of deals involving gift cards. Here's the scoop:
Clothing, accessories, and travel
- Amazon.com: Receive a free $5 gift card when you subscribe to select magazines at Amazon.com.
- Boscov's: Spend $50 or more online and receive a free $10 gift card.
- Eastbay: Receive 20% off gift card purchases of $10 to $500 via coupon code "IPEB9HC2". Deal ends Dec. 19.
- Expedia.com: Receive a free $25 gift card when you book a stay of two or more nights at select hotels. Deal ends Friday, Nov. 6.
- Kodak Gallery: Fill out a short survey at Kodak Gallery and receive a free $15 coupon. (Click on the "Get your free gift" banner to take the survey.) Deal ends Thursday, Nov. 5.
- L.L.Bean: Spend $25 or more in-store or online and receive a free $10 gift card. Deal ends Dec. 24.
- Marriott: Receive a 10% bonus with the purchase of any $50 or greater gift card. Plus, Marriott Rewards Members and Marriott Visa card holders can receive 10 points for every dollar spent when you enter your Marriott Rewards number on your gift card purchase or pay for your gift card with your Marriott Visa. Deal ends Dec. 31.
- Neiman Marcus: Activate coupon code "NOVGC" and receive a free $25 gift card with any online purchase of $250 or more (discounted items are excluded). Purchase from Neiman Marcus' Women's Fine Apparel, Premier Designer Shoes, or Premier Designer Handbags line and you can double the value of your gift card. Deal expires Wednesday, Nov. 4.
- Rite Aid: Receive a free $25 gift card when you transfer your prescription. Deal ends Nov. 30.
- Safeway/Kohl's: Receive a free $10 Kohl's Rewards Card for every $50 you spend at Safeway. Deal ends Sunday, Nov. 8.
Food
- Boston Market: Get a free $5 bonus card when you buy a $25 Holiday Gift Card. Ends Nov. 22.
- Coastal Flats: Purchase $100 or more in gift cards and receive a bonus gift card valued at 10% of your purchase. Purchase can be made over the phone by calling 703-645-0700 ext. 242 or online. (Enter coupon code "PATSY'S" in the message field of your gift card to receive the bonus. We recommend purchasing over the phone to avoid potential mistakes.) This applies to all Great American Restaurants including Artie's, Carlyle, Mike's American, Sweetwater Tavern, Silverado, and Best Buns Bread Co. Deal ends Nov. 17.
- Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Receive a free $20 gift card with the purchase of every $100 gift card. This applies to all OSI Restaurant Partners including Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's, and Roy's. Deal ends Dec. 31.
- Morton's Steakhouse: Receive a free $50 gift card when you purchase a gift card of $300 or more. Or get a free $100 gift card when you purchase a gift card valued at $500 or more. Offer expires Dec. 31.
- Ruth Chris' Steakhouse: For every gift card purchase of $250 or more, receive 10% back in bonus cards. Deal ends Dec. 31.
Related reading:

Saving money -- you can do it
Strategies for saving more and spending less. Here's how to build a rich nest egg one paycheck at a time.
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