It’s always a great deal when you can get “money back” on gift cards — especially on those retailers and restaurants you already frequent. You were going to spend the money anyway, so you might as well earn some money back at the same time.
And now’s the time to head to CVS for a big deal on many popular gift cards.
 Photo: Bryan K. Chavez for Living On The Cheap From Aug. 2 to 15, 2026, CVS is offering $10 in ExtraBucks Rewards with the purchase of a $50 gift card from select retailers and restaurants. That’s just like getting 20% back on your purchase.
You must be member of CVS’ ExtraCare loyalty program. Join ExtraCare here. (The basic membership is FREE.)
Just enter the phone number tied to your account at checkout. Plus, don’t forget to grab your receipt for the $10 ExtraBucks Rewards coupon at the bottom. (The bonus will also show up in your account online.)
Limit one per household, per week. That means you can get the gift card bonus twice — once from Aug. 2 to 8 and again from Aug. 9 to 15.
If you take advantage of the offer each week, that’s an extra $20 to spend at CVS on health & beauty, food & beverage, facial tissue, paper towels and more.
As always, be sure to use the $10 reward before it expires!
The following are participating gift cards in the bonus offer:
Aéropostale
Bass Pro Shops
Bath & Body Works
Cabela’s
Chipotle
Cinemark
Domino’s
DoorDash
Fanatics
Fandango
Foot Locker
H&M
Panda Express
Spa & Wellness
Vudu
Zaxby’s
Extra mustard and savings, please!
For bargain hunters, there’s nothing ever corny about saving money, especially when it means dining on the cheap.
 Image: Sonic Drive-In Sonic Drive-In occasionally offers discounted corn dogs for one day only on select dates, typically holidays or other notable days. (Any add-ons are extra.) There’s usually no limit, so every family member can bite into a dog (or two) without breaking the bank.
If you want to be alerted when cheap corn dogs are available at Sonic Drive-In, sign up for the chain’s text updates.
UPDATE: On Aug. 6, 2026, Sonic Drive-In is offering corn dogs for just 99 cents at participating locations.
The corn dogs are regularly $3.19, so it’s savings of nearly 70%. Regular price may vary by location.
There is no limit. No promo code or coupon necessary. The discount automatically applies at checkout — in-restaurant and online via Sonic’s site or app.
Bestseller No. 1
Starbucks $10 Physical Gift Cards (4-Pack) - $40
- This item contains 4 separate $10 gift cards
- Starbucks Cards redeemable at most SB locations
- It’s a great way to treat a friend. It’s a convenient way to pre-pay for your own regular purchases.
The popular fast-food chain also offers a daily Happy Hour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — 50% off drinks and slushes. Even more delicious, bargain eaters can combine the two offers for maximum savings. (The bargain beverages are available all day via the Sonic Drive-In app.)
Get the inside scoop on all of Sonic’s best deals in our roundup.
NOTE: Not all locations offer the same national promotions. As a result, price and participation may vary. It's always wise to call ahead for verification in your area. We strive to keep up with “limited-time offers,” but deals may end without notice.
Hungry for more food deals?
There’s nothing better than a cool ICEE on a hot summer day!
Since 1967, ICEE has become the go-to treat on movie nights, amusement park adventures, road trips, convenience store stops and everyday celebrations.
 Image: ICEE And, after nearly 60 years of helping people cool off, ICEE is introducing a new annual tradition with the debut of its first-ever National ICEE Day on Aug. 18, 2026.
Timed to celebrate the final days of summer before the back-to-school season, National ICEE Day will return every August.
 Photo: ICEE National ICEE Day Giveaway
On Aug. 18, 2026, ICEE is giving away a FREE small ICEE at more than 1,800 participating locations nationwide, while supplies last.
The following retailers are participating in the giveaway:
Walmart Fuel (Be sure to click on “Gas station”) — No purchase necessary
Krystal — No purchase necessary
AMC Theatres — Valid ticket required
Regal Cinemas — Valid ticket required
Urban Air Adventure Park — Valid ticket required
National ICEE Day Prize Giveaway
Enter for the chance to win exciting prizes, including an At Home ICEE Machine.
Share an Instagram or Facebook story featuring your FREE ICEE on August 18, 2026 and use #NID2026 and tag @TheICEECompany to be entered for a chance to win cool prizes.
The grand prize winner will be announced on ICEE’s social media channels on August 19, 2026.
Review the details of the giveaway here.
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When the kids head back to school, life doesn’t slow down. It shifts into overdrive. Between morning rush hours, homework, sports practices, and school functions, staying organized is the only way to protect your schedule and your sanity.
Here are 10 budget-friendly hacks gathered from experienced parents to help your school year run smoothly without the daily chaos.
 Photo credit: Deposit photos Centralize the Family Schedule
Keeping everyone on the same page prevents forgotten field trips and last-minute panic.
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Use a Large Visual Board: Hang a dry-erase wall calendar or a magnetic whiteboard in a central area like the kitchen or hallway.
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Log Events Immediately: The moment a permission slip, practice schedule, or parent-teacher conference comes up, write it on the board before adding it to your phone alerts.
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Color Code: Assign a specific marker color to each family member so anyone can see who needs to be where at a glance.
Foster Morning Independence with Alarm Clocks
Getting kids out of bed doesn’t have to fall entirely on your shoulders.
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Let Kids Pick Their Own Clock: Give children ownership of their mornings by letting them pick out a fun, old-school digital or analog alarm clock.
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Ditch the Phones: Using standalone alarm clocks allows you to keep smartphones and tablets out of bedrooms overnight, leading to better sleep and less morning screen distraction.
Streamline Transport & Commuting
Driving back and forth all day is a massive time and gas sink.
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Coordinate a Carpool: Connect with neighborhood parents to split pickup and drop-off duties for school or extracurriculars.
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Share Contacts: Ensure all participating parents have each other’s contact details printed on the fridge and shared with the school main office.
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Look into Student Transit: For older kids, check local public bus schedules; many cities offer discounted student passes.
Master Prep Work the Night Before
Mornings run infinitely smoother when the heavy lifting is already finished.
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Pack Lunches Early: Assemble lunches the night before and keep them refrigerated. Grabbing a pre-made bag at 7:00 AM eliminates morning debates over meals.
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Layout Outfits Entirely: Have kids choose their clothing—including socks, shoes, and hair accessories—the night before so there’s no last-minute search for missing items.
Adjust Bath and Evening Routines
Freeing up bathroom space in the morning reduces stress for everyone.
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Nighttime Baths: Shift younger children’s bath or shower times to the evening before bed.
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Stagger Schedules: Bathing kids at night leaves the bathroom open for teens and adults who need morning prep time.
Prep After-School Snacks Ahead of Time
When kids walk through the door starving, easy junk food is usually their first choice.
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Grab-and-Go Stations: Keep pre-cut veggies with dip, fresh fruit, or whole-grain muffins ready on a low fridge shelf or counter.
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Protect Dinner: Portion out reasonable snacks so kids get a quick energy boost without ruining their appetite for dinner.
 Photo credit: Deposit photos Enforce a “Homework First” Rule
Preventing late-night homework marathons starts with consistent habits.
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Set Clear Boundaries: Make it a family standard that homework is completed before screen time or video games are allowed.
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Review Assignments Daily: Check completed work every evening and keep track of long-term projects so science experiments and book reports aren’t tackled the night before they’re due.
Create a “Drop Zone” for Backpacks
Clutter builds up fast when kids dump their bags wherever they drop them.
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Use Dedicated Bins: Assign a plastic bin, cubby, or hook near the entry door for each child.
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Sort Daily: Have kids immediately place backpacks, permission slips, and flyers into their designated bin as soon as they walk inside.
Coordinate a Parent Backup Plan
Unexpected sick days and workday emergencies are bound to happen.
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Divide and Conquer: Decide with your partner in advance who can take off work on specific days of the week if a child stays home.
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Build a Network: Establish a backup list of trustworthy relatives, neighbors, or local drop-in childcare programs so you aren’t scrambling in an emergency.
Keep Things Flexible and Simple
No routine is perfect, and flexibility is key to surviving the school year. Focus on small, consistent habits rather than perfection, and clean out storage bins and schedules periodically to keep things manageable.
More back-to-school articles
What’s the forecast for bargain hunters and DQ fans? There’s a blizzard of savings at Dairy Queen this month!
It’s just not summer without enjoying one of the ice cream shop’s signature (and iconic) menu items — the Blizzard Treat.
 Image: Dairy Queen And fans have just a few more weeks to enjoy the seasonal lineup of summertime Blizzard flavors. Sweetest of all, DQ is offering a cool deal for fans to save money on the iconic summer treat in August.
Plus, get ready for fall and enjoy the ice cream shop’s new Caramel Apple Cheesecake Blizzard Treat — made with cheesecake pieces and caramel apple topping blended with its world-famous soft serve.
Bargain BOGO Blizzard
To celebrate the end of summer, Dairy Queen is offering a buy-0ne-get-one Blizzard Treat for 99 cents at participating locations — from August 3 to 30, 2026. (The discounted treat must be of equal or lesser value.)
The cool deal is only available for DQ Rewards members via the DQ site or app. Join DQ Rewards here.
Best of all, Blizzard fans can enjoy the sweet deal once per day
Limit one offer per member, per day.
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