It's semi-annual sales calendar time

Patience is the watchword for shoppers in this economy. The "buy it now" and "just do it" campaigns have been replaced by "when does it go on sale?" or "when is the next markdown?"

More than 30 sales are included in our semi-annual sales calendar, but a few favorites have bitten the dust. The following sales look unlikely this year, according to company reps -- the Gina B greeting card sale, Creative Kidstuff tent sale, Odegard's rug sale, and the Oh Baby! warehouse sale. Check Steals+Deals on Thursdays for updates. Some of these sales might resume after all.

Some retailers change sale dates or locations, so call or check the website before heading out. If you know of a good sale I left out, send me an e-mail.

22-26: Steeple People thrift store dandelion sale (2004 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-871-8305). Everything is discounted 25 percent.

23-July 5: Ikea's summer sale (north of Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-854-8212, www.ikea.com). Savings up to 60 percent on clearance to make way for new items.

24-27: Omaha Steaks friends and family sale (Shops at West End, 1627 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-545-6079, www.omahasteaks.com). Everything in the store is discounted 50 percent or more -- four 6-ounce filet mignons for $30 (regular $84), four 6-ounce marinated salmon fillets for $20 (regular $54) and six 6-ounce ahi tuna steaks for $25 (regular $67).

25: Kiwi Beach final warehouse sale (1530 E. Cliff Rd., Burnsville, www.kiwibeach.com). Save 50 to 70 percent on girls and juniors swimwear, girls' 7-14 clothing, women's clothing from small to XL and 1-3X, flip-flops and jewelry. Mention discount code "World Cup" and get an additional 50 percent savings.

26: Fun Sisters tent sale (4253 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-822-9872, www.thefunsisters.com). Savings of 50 percent and more on purses, jewelry and shoes. Nothing over $15.

26-27: Kids' consignment sales (www.twincitieskidssales.com). Go to the site for a calendar of sales held, month by month, including June 26-27 in Lakeville.

26-29: Angel's Attic warehouse sale to benefit local cancer patients and their families (1820 Quentin Av. S., St. Louis Park, 612-396-3125, www.mnangel.org). Angel's Attic, which is part of the Angel Foundation, offers its first sale with many departments. Admission $3 on June 26, half-price June 29.

13: Twin Cities Originals discount gift certificate sale (www.tcoriginals.com). Save 30 percent on $25 and $50 gift certificates to indie restaurants such as Azia, Murray's and Town Talk Diner. The sale starts at 10 a.m. Many certificates sell out within 30 minutes.

15-18: Half-Price Books tent sale (2041 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, 651-699-1391, www.halfpricebooks.com). Books, CDs, and DVDs for $3 or less. Other sales: 20 percent off storewide at all locations Nov. 26 and Dec. 26-29.

22-26: American Cancer Society discovery sales (Park Place Shopping Center, 6731 Boone Av. N., Brooklyn Park, 651-255-8716, www.cancer.org/mndiscoverysale). These smaller sales replaced the big October sale. Other dates: Aug. 26-30.

30-31, Aug. 27-28: GH2 storewide 50 and 90 percent off sales (318 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-378-0509). Spring/summer items will be discounted 50 percent at the end of July, but the discount jumps to 90 percent at the end of August.

5-7: Mode designer boots sale (7788 Main St., Maple Grove, 763-391-6102, www.shopmodestore.com). Luxe boots from Australia for $53 to $129, regularly up to $435. Other sale dates: Sept. 9-11. Buy two pairs of designer jeans for $40 each, get the third pair free.

12-14: The Sale Room @ IMS (275 Market St., Suite 196, Mpls., 612-877-4173, www.thesaleroom-ims.com). Additional markdowns on high-end furniture samples from IMS showrooms. Save an additional 10 percent if you mention discount code "IMS." Other sale dates: Oct. 7-9.

13: Spa Week signup begins (www.spaweek.com). Appointments can be made starting Sept. 13 for spa week specials Oct. 11-17 at area salons. About 10 salons will feature deals on massages, facials, pedicures and body wraps. Check the site for details.

24-25: Bibelot anniversary sale (four locations, 651-646-5651, www.bibelotshops.com). Save 20 percent storewide on gifts, home, clothing and jewelry.

7-9: Thymes warehouse sale (location TBD, 612-338-4471, www.thymes.com). Save 50 to 70 percent on discontinued and overstocked scents and soaps.

12-16: Stroke of the Heart warehouse sale for greeting cards (3792 Williston Rd., Minnetonka, 952-945-9495, www.strokeoftheheart.com). Locally designed cards, notepads and magnets from 10 cents to $4.

29-30: Bloomingdale's home sale (Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-883-2747). Good deals on towels, sheets and small electronics.

29-31, Nov. 5-7, 10-14, Dec. 3-5: Gage & Gage gift wrapping/accessories sale (660 Industrial Circle, Shakopee, 952-233-2081, www.gagewarehousesale.com). Bows, 25 cents or less, gift bags and boxes 10 cents to $2, ribbon, tissue, wrapping paper and paper plates. New: Italian bakery boxes with food safe lining for holiday cookies 50 cents.

10-13: North Aire Market soups/gourmet foods sale (1157 Valley Park Dr. S., Shakopee, 952-496-2887). Maggie and Mary's gourmet soups ($4), cheeseball or smoothie mixes ($3).

13-14, 20-21: Spectacle Shoppe $39 frame sale (Burnsville Center, 915 County Rd. 42, Burnsville, 651-636-3434, www.spectacleshoppe.biz). Thousands of frames for $39 each, regularly $150 to $300. A lens purchase is not required.

13-14: Warners' Stellian Extreme warehouse appliance sale (550 Atwater Circle, St. Paul, 651-222-0011, www.warnersstellian.com). Overstocked or scratch-and-dent appliances, including some high-end brands.

19: Manhattan Toy sale (430 1st Av. N., Suite TBD, Mpls., 1-800-541-1345). From the maker of Groovy Girls and other toys, a small but popular sale of discontinued items, usually marked $3, $5 and $10. The sale starts at 9 a.m. but nearly everything is gone by 1 p.m.

19-20: MCAD art sale (2501 Stevens Av. S., Mpls., 612-874-3700, www.mcad.edu/artsale). Nearly 7,000 pieces for sale between $5 and $1,000. Admission is $40 Fri., free Sat.

4: Papo d'Anjo warehouse sales for kids clothes (2325 Endicott St., Suite 11, St. Paul, 651-294-3900, www.papodanjo.com). Fall and winter European children's wear for boys and girls 6 months to 14 years.