Pay 50 to 75 percent less at acupuncture student clinics The idea of students with sharp needles might freak out some patients, but others might be willing to give a student a break to save money. At the Edith Davis Teaching Clinic at the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2501 W. 84th St., Bloomington, 952-885-5450, www.nwhealth.edu/natcare/mcaomed.html), patients pay $35 for 60- to 90-minute sessions. Licensed practitioners charge $60 to $120, said Mark McKenzie, dean of the Minnesota College of Acupuncture. Some of the most common ailments that acupuncturists try to relieve are back, neck or joint pain, headaches, female fertility and stress reduction. Before students can poke the public, they spend about a year and a half in a supervised clinical program learning anatomy and practicing on each other, McKenzie said. The clinic is part of Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington.

The other acupuncture school in the Twin Cities is the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. It has two student clinic locations, in Minneapolis (2930 Emerson Av. S., Suite B, 612-823-6650) and Roseville (1925 W. County Rd. B2, 651-631-0204). Prices are $32 per hour, but print a 50 percent off coupon at www.aaaom.edu by scrolling down to "Intern clinics half-price coupons."

Specify "student rate" when making an appointment. For a list of schools that offer free or reduced-rate massages, check out Dollars & Sense in Tuesday's Variety.

Upscale bridal sample sale Brides had plenty of moderately priced gowns to choose from at last week's sample sales. The bar is raised this week when Priscilla of Boston (3926 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-922-2106) offers about 80 bridal gowns for $199, $499, $999 and $1,999, regularly $1,500 to $8,000. Size 8, you've hit the jackpot for selection. There are only one or two to choose from in sizes other than 8. Sizes range from 2 to 18 for nearly 200 special occasion and bridesmaids' dresses at $20, $50 and $200. Brands include Priscilla of Boston, Melissa Sweet and Vineyard Collections. The sale starts today and runs through Monday.

A sweet reward for your child's visit to the dentist With the purchase of an adult admission ($19) at Underwater Adventures, get a free child's admission (regularly $12.49). To get the deal, go to tinyurl.com/n3jmg4. Print the Sharky's Bright Smile Club certificate, have the dentist sign it after the child's dental checkup, and turn it in to Underwater Adventures (Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-883-0202, www.sharky.tv). The coupon expires Dec. 31.

Warehouse sale devoted to greeting cards for pets Greeting card company Stroke of the Heart (3792 Williston Rd., Minnetonka, 952-945-9495) will have its semi-annual sale Oct. 13-17, but today only from noon to 9 p.m., Stroke will focus on pet products. The sale includes greeting cards for dogs and cats (sympathy, birthday, congrats on your new pet) for 50 cents each. Some of the cards will be for veterinarian's offices, including "thanks for the referral" cards. Memory stones and memory boxes are $7.50 and $40, respectively. Note pads and magnets with pet themes will be $1.50. Most items are half off the regular retail price.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.