Stock Up and Save at Michael's, The Children's Place and More

You just know when it's going to be one of those months ... where you have birthdays anniversaries, important school events — things where you must purchase many extra things than you had the month before. So in the interest of saving money (always), I have searched around and found deals within a half hour drive on everything from crafting, to gaming, to clothing and much more.

It's always fashionable to save a dollar or two (or three or more), and despite my telling the kids that the stuff on the sale rack was up front the week before, its always a struggle to head them in that direction. After all, who wants to be seen scouring the sales racks with mom. But in the interest of saving a dollar, I have found that even they have picked up on a few habits or two. My eldest knows to recycle old video games (see below) for cash and an investment in a new game or two, my daughter always asks if we have a coupon for whatever restaurants we happen to drop in on for a quick lunch and my littlest guy just loves the fact that he can get two of something that's on sale instead of one item.

This column is continuing its quest to giving you five great local deals each week that will help save you time and money. So we did the legwork and found the best of the best this week. Get crazy.

1. Michael's:

• 2325 Route 66, Ocean
• Holmdel Commons, 2130 Route 35, Holmdel

Hang onto your hats everyone. This week, Michael's holding the most amazing sale with 60 percent and more on kids Valentine's Day crafts. These are the types of things that never go out of fashion and for 60 percent off, you can buy a few things to keep for next year so when the kids tell you how bored they are, you can go into your magic closet of tricks and shazaam! Something creative and interesting for them to do.

2. Kohl's:

• 1502 Route 35, Ocean
• 800 Route 35, Middletown
• 2145 State Route 35, Holmdel
  

Kohl's is holding their annual buy one, get one free sale for men, women and children. Buy any item in the store, and receive an item of equal or lesser value for free--that's right, our favorite word, FREE! We're talking about some of their best known brands like Craft and Barrow, Sonoma, MUDD and much more. Also, online you receive free standard shipping if you spend $50 or more. From Feb. 7 to Feb. 20, Kohl's Cash earned January 30 through February 6 is redeemable in store and online.

3. Target

• 2331 State Route 66, Ocean
• 55 Route 9, Manalapan
• 2105 Route 35, Middletown

Movie night has never been so simple. There are more than 30 titles that have been deeply discounted this week (up to 70 percent) on some of the hottest movies for you and your kids. Check out "Inception" (with Leo DiCaprio) for $9; "Toy Story 3" (Tom Hanks) for $9; "Grown Ups" (Adam Sandler) $9; "Iron Man 2" (Robert Downey Jr) $9; "How to Train Your Dragon" (Dreamworks) $9; "Eat, Pray, Love" (Julia Roberts) $9; and so much more. Take that big metroplexes with your high ticket prices and over $12 for a small popcorn and drink! Pick up some microwave popcorn from the Target grocery section, a pack of juice boxes and you're set.

4. The Children's Place

• Monmouth Mall, Routes 35 & 36, Eatontown
• Holmdel Commons, 2130 New Jersey 35, Holmdel 

This is the week to head yourself over to The Children's Place and stock up on essentials for your kids ages three months to 12 years. For your little princess, take 25 percent off of spring dresses for her to twirl in. In the ENTIRE STORE--(breathe!) take an extra 25 percent off all discounted items. Buy bigger sizes, pick up what they've worn out now--it's all worth it to save big bucks this week. Plus, with spring only next month, stock up on tees ($5), shorts ($10 and up) and skirts ($12 and up). It's a buyers bonanza if you shop well.

5. Game Stop:

• 2317 Route 66, Ocean
• 310 Route 36, West Long Branch
• 3118 Monmouth Mall, Routes 35 & 36 Eatontown
• 2143 New Jersey 35, Holmdel 
  

If you're the mom of a gamer like me, then you know that for each and every holiday, birthday, special event or just any old Tuesday, the gift of choice is a new game for their favorite gaming system. This week, Game Stop is having a sale where the price has dropped on some of the hottest games this season, such as Call of Duty, Black Ops, Call of Duty-Modern Warfare Collection, SIMS 3 Deluxe Pack, Just Dance 2 and Elmo's A to Zoo Adventure, with prices dropping anywhere from $10 to $20 per game. (Psst...as a mom in the know, buy pre-owned and save a couple of bucks, as well as investing in a Game Stop card. Even though it has a yearly fee, it is well worth the discount you get each and every time you shop. Also, make sure you trade in your games towards new games. You'll get credit on your Game Stop card, and you can use it towards new purchases. It's way better than picking up games that have seen their past glory all over your kids' floor.)