Let The College Football Begin

Charlotte will see thousands of visitors this weekend. Some will be donned in garnet & black, others draped in purple and gold.

Whichever team you pull for at Bank of America stadium (we'll be head to toe in garnet), the deals abound!

Let's start with the Pirates. The alumni association will host a 'Pirates' Night Out' celebration Friday night. It's at Whisky River in the EpiCentre from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. It's a free event with light bar snacks. They also offered a free drink ticket to the first 100 people to RSVP (but the deadline has passed). For everyone else: a cash bar.

The Gamecock alumni association in the queen city hopes to paint Charlotte garnet. From 6 until 8 Friday night: Free food at Moe's in the EpiCentre for anyone in Gamecock attire. Then it's onto live music and a pep rally atop the EpiCentre at the Pavilion . After 11, it's onto Blackfinn and Wild Wings. It also looks like the fine folks at @CLTGamecocks have some plans for a few yards:

The Gamecocks are also hosting festivities at the NC Music Factory including game ticket giveaways

So there you have it. Who has the better plan? Rival fans pre-gaming in the same location Friday night could get interesting. Let us know what you think at @savingonclt (and as you can probably tell, our money lies on the Gamecocks).

Making The Super Double Count

Anytime a receipt from the grocery store is this long, it must be a good thing.

Harris Teeter is in the middle of its Super Double coupon event right now. It lasts through Tuesday night (official rules). Here's the basic rundown for coupon newbies: Harris Teeter will double any coupon you have. The highest the store will go is $1.98 (example: a coupon for 50 cents becomes $1. A coupon for $1 becomes $1.98. A coupon for $1.50 also cuts off at $1.98).

We did some late-night shopping Sunday at the Uptown Harris Teeter location (map it). We spent $80.21 and saved $50.33 (with coupons combined with the VIC card). The coupons we use are 100% from the Charlotte Observer over the last few weeks or from Harris Teeter (the printouts they give you when you check out). The best trick to maximize savings is to use coupons for items already on sale.

Here are the best places to save if you gather coupons the same way.

Best Buy: 
Sure Deodorant
Normal Price: $2.85
VIC Price: $1.99
Coupon: The Observer had a coupon on 8/14 for $1 off (doubled to $1.98)
Total: 1 cent
Savings: $2.84

Decent finds:
V8 Splash juice (2)
Normal Price: $6.70 for both
VIC Price: $5 for both
Coupon: $1 off 2 from Observer (doubled to $1.98)
Total for 2: $3.02
Savings: $3.68

Bic Disposable Razor (we bought Soleil)
Normal Price: $6.49
VIC Price: $4.99
Coupon: $3 off from Observer (too high to double)
Total: $1.99
Savings: $4.50

Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner
Normal Price: $8.90 for both
VIC Price: $7 for both
Coupon: $1 off both from Observer (doubled to $1.98)
Total: $5.02
Savings: $3.88

Ragu Pasta Sauce (3)
Normal Price: $8.37 for 3
VIC Price: $6.87 for 3
Coupon: 60 cents off 3 (doubled to $1.20)
Total: $5.67 for 3
Savings: $2.70

Playtex Tampons
Normal Price: $5.29
VIC Price: $4.99
Coupon: $1 off from HT printout coupon (doubled to $1.98)
Total: $3.01
Savings: $2.28

Your Home Toilet Paper (12 pack)
Normal Price: $7.49
VIC Price: $6.77
Coupon: $3 off from Observer (too high to double)
Total: $3.77
Savings: $3.72

Your Home Paper Towels (8 pack)
Normal Price: $7.99
Vic Price: $5.99
Coupon: $3 off from Observer (too high to double)
Total: $2.99
Savings: $5

We will never brag about our math skills. So please feel free to double check our work (yes, we did use a calculator for this post). Let us know what super double steals you were able to find and we'll share them. Just tweet us (@savingonclt) or e-mail us (savingoncharlotte@gmail.com).