Fun and Frugal » Free Birthday Meals & Treats

Sign Up Now to Get Birthday Freebies for Your Family; Plus Get Some Free Offers Now Just for Signing Up

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:54:59 +0000

Take a few minutes to sign up yourself, your spouse, and your children for birthday clubs this week from various restaurants and stores so that when your birthdays roll around, you’ll get lot of freebies in your inbox. Some of them will email you a thank-you offer (some for a free meal) just for signing up! Below is what I posted this past summer after my birthday and at the bottom is the list of kid birthday freebies.

Here’s all the following free coupons I got by email (except the Starbucks and Hallmark coupons came in the regular mail.) Sign up for each birthday club below online by clicking on the links for each company. Some are for free items with no purchase required and the majority of them have expiration dates a week or two past your birthday, so you don’t have to try to use them all in one day or anything. Even if your birthday won’t be here for a while, go ahead and sign up for these clubs. If you know of a birthday freebie I missed, please leave a comment!

NEW FOR ME THIS YEAR

Swagbucks – sent me an email for 50 Swag Bucks! Have you joined Swagbucks.com? It’s a Search Engine (similar to Google) that randomly rewards you with digital dollars called Swag Bucks that you can spend on a variety of items in the Swag Store, including gift cards for itunes, Amazon.com, Target, Starbucks, O’Charley’s, CVS and lots more! All you do is use Swagbucks.com to search for things online that you would search for anyway. It’s completely legit. My husband and I use it nearly every day and have received the prizes we have earned.
Old Navy – (click on “Email Sign-Up” at the bottom) e-coupon for $15 off an Old Navy purchase of $50 or more on an Old Navy card
The Melting Pot – e-coupon for free chocolate fondue for two (with purchase of any Big Night Out or any two entrees and a cheese fondue)
Panera – notified me by email they loaded a “special surprise” on my MyPanera card. It was a free pastry of my choice. Ask for a MyPanera card next time you’re in Panera.
Rave Motion Pictures – e-coupon for a free medium soda.
Ruby Tuesday – e-coupon for a free handcrafted burger (no purchase required, must show ID and printed copy of email)
Big River Grille – e-coupon for a free entree with purchase of any other entree of equal or greater value (they have restaurants in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Chili’s – e-coupon for a free brownie sundae with purchase of one or more entrees.
Steak ‘n Shake – e-coupon for a free double steakburger with cheese and fries (no purchase required)
T.G.I. Friday’s – e-coupon for a free dessert with purchase of an entree
Sephora – e-coupon for a free bottle of Vanilla Birthday Cake scented shower gel (some Sephora stores are located inside larger J.C. Penney’s with makeup counters)

RETURNING OFFERS

Sonic Cruisers Club – choice of one printable e-coupon for a free medium drink, tator tots, or regular CreamSlush treat
Firehouse Subs – Get a free medium sub on your birthday when you show your ID or birth certificate. Sign up for the Firehouse Copy That e-newsletter (ages 13+) and they’ll send you a reminder a few days before your birthday to come in for your free birthday sub.
Baskin Robbins – e-coupon for a free 2.5 oz scoop (I actually didn’t receive my free icecream coupon this year, like their website states I should as a member of their birthday club. I just got a coupon for $3 off an icecream cake. Has anyone else gotten their free icecream cone coupon this year?)
Red Robin – email notifying me they loaded a coupon for free gourmet burger of my choice on my Red Royalty Card (ask for one of these free cards next time you’re there; there’s a Red Robin at Hamilton Place Mall.)
Fazoli’s – e-coupon for free dessert (no purchase required)
Cold Stone Creamery – e-coupon for a free creation with purchase of any creation
Marble Slab Creamery – e-coupon for a free regular cone and $3 off any icecream cake (expired on my birthday)
Moe’s – e-coupon for a free entree (no purchase required, excludes fajitas) – my coupon expired 3 days after my bday
Starbucks – postcard in the mail for a free drink of your choice. To sign up, you must join the Starbucks Rewards program and register a Starbucks gift card (doesn’t have to have a balance on it.) You can earn free Starbucks gift cards for free from the popular search engine Swagbucks!
Hallmark – I got a birthday card in the mail and coupon for 20% off at my local Hallmark, Sara’s Hallmark in Cleveland.
Captain D’s – e-coupon for my choice of one of these dinners for free or $5 off any other dinner: 2 pc fish dinner, fish & shrimp dinner, or seasoned Tilapia dinner.
IHOP Pancake Revolution club – e-coupon for a free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity (or any menu item of equal or lesser value, no purchase required)
Great American Cookie Companie – e-coupon for a free cookie cake slice with purchase of a regular soda (last year it was for a free cookie cake slice with no puchase required)
Marco’s Pizza – free medium one-topping pizza with purchase of equal or greater size pizza (pick-up only.)
Bruster’s – e-coupon for free waffle cone when you buy a waffle cone of equal or greater value
Arby’s – e-coupon for 12 oz shake with any purchase
Logan’s Roadhouse – e-coupon for a free Nutter Butter Fudge Slide with any entree purchase
Smoothie King – e-coupon for a free 20 oz smoothie with purchase of a 20 oz or greater smoothie.
Provino’s – (click here for locations, including Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta & Roma, GA, and other GA cities) will give you a free pasta specialty dinner (up to $12.75 value) with your ID on your birthday.
Not sure if this deal is still on (it was June 2010): Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner – free meal on your birthday (located at 1223 Hwy 64 Ocoee, TN 37361) Does anyone know?
Not sure if this deal is still on. As of 3/14/11 Antonio’s Corner Restaurant in Cleveland at 3700 Michigan Ave Rd NE – free meal on your birthday with purchase of an adult meal of equal or greater value. Must show ID if 16 or older. Please call ahead before making a special trip to see if they are still offering this because it was to be a trial offer. (Thanks, Leslie for the tip!)

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Now for birthday freebies for kiddos! This is what I posted last March after my older son just celebrated his 6th birthday. I kept track of all the birthday freebies he received so that I could share them with you so you can sign your kids up for them, too. There’s still some places that offer a freebie with no purchase required (although the list shrinks each year). Some of the things we got last year did not come around again this year (Steak n Shake, Moe’s, Children’s Place, Olan Mills), but I found a few new ones, too (which I starred at the bottom). Do you know of any birthday freebies for kids I missed? Please leave a comment!

Zaxby’s – coupon in mail for a free kids meal (no expiration date, no purchase required)
Sonic – coupon by email for free Wacky Pack Kids Meal (expires 30 days from birthday, no purchase required)
Chuck E Cheese’s – coupon by email for 20 free tokens (I think expires 2 weeks from date you print coupon.) They also some coupons for extra free tokens when you book a birthday party.
Captain D’s – coupon by email for free kids meal with purchase of adult entree (expires 30 days from date sent)
Baskin Robbins – coupon by email for free 2.5 oz scoop (If I remember correctly, you have to sign up yourself for the bday club, then it will let you add members of your household for their bdays. This one has a short exp. date. It was only good for 5 days after my son’s bday.)
Brusters – coupon by email for free waffle cone when you buy a waffle cone of equal or greater value
Great American Cookies – coupon by email for free cookie slice cake with purchase of regular soda (expires 1 week from date sent)
The Children’s Orchard – coupon by email for “special birthday surprise” when you print and bring in the email. Expires one month from date sent. I haven’t redeemed it yet, but last year they said we could get $3 off any purchase of $3 or more, so we got a pair of free shorts for this summer.
Toys R Us – coupon by mail for $3 off any purchase of $3 or more. (Expires about two months after your birthday.)
*New* Barnes & Noble Kid’s Club – coupon by email for a free cupcake or cookie from their cafe (expires one week from birthday)
*New* Old Navy – (click on “Email Sign-Up” at the bottom) coupon by email for $10 off any purchase of $50 or more online or in stores (I don’t see an expiration date, but I’m sure there is one.)
*New* Marble Slab Creamery – coupon by email for a free regular cone + $3 off any cake (they emailed it one week before his birthday and it expired on his birthday)
*New* IHOP – coupon by email for a free Rooty Jr or menu item of equal or lesser value (no purchase required, expires one week after birthday)

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-New coupons for 2012! FunandFrugal.com would like to thank one of it's sponsors, Caywood School of Karate in Cleveland! Check out their coupons on FunandFrugal.com/Coupons : Free trial class w/ no purchase required or 25% off purchase of uniform or 1/2 off first month with purchase of uniform (limit 1 per family, may not combine with any other offer) exp. 12.31.12. Thank you for supporting FunandFrugal.com by supporting our sponsors!
-February is the month of Love. Fall in love with Scentsy's "Flutterby" and Scent of the month "Pixie". Also February is a great time to Introduce the new product "Pink Pepper". To learn more about "Pink Pepper" and "Scentrend" contact Heather Carver with Scentsy to find out more at 423.476.8341 or visit her website at heathercarver.scentsy.us .

Birthday Freebies Updated 2011

admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:15:17 +0000

I recently had a birthday and here’s all the following free coupons I got by email (except the Starbucks and Hallmark coupons came in the regular mail.) Sign up for their birthday clubs online (just click on the links for each company) so you can get freebies and discounts for your birthday, too! Some are for free items with no purchase required and the majority of them have expiration dates a week or two past your birthday, so you don’t have to try to use them all in one day or anything. Even if your birthday won’t be here for a while, go ahead and sign up for these clubs. Some of them will email you a thank-you offer (some for a free meal) just for signing up! If you know of a birthday freebie I missed, please leave a comment or email me!

NEW FOR ME THIS YEAR

Swagbucks – sent me an email for 50 Swag Bucks! Have you joined Swagbucks.com? It’s a Search Engine (similar to Google) that randomly rewards you with digital dollars called Swag Bucks that you can spend on a variety of items in the Swag Store, including gift cards for itunes, Amazon.com, Target, Starbucks, O’Charley’s, CVS and lots more! All you do is use Swagbucks.com to search for things online that you would search for anyway. It’s completely legit. My husband and I use it nearly every day and have received the prizes we have earned.
Old Navy – e-coupon for $15 off an Old Navy purchase of $50 or more on an Old Navy card
The Melting Pot – e-coupon for free chocolate fondue for two (with purchase of any Big Night Out or any two entrees and a cheese fondue)
Panera – notified me by email they loaded a “special surprise” on my MyPanera card. It was a free pastry of my choice. Ask for a MyPanera card next time you’re in Panera.
Rave Motion Pictures – e-coupon for a free medium soda.
Ruby Tuesday – e-coupon for a free handcrafted burger (no purchase required, must show ID and printed copy of email)
Big River Grille – e-coupon for a free entree with purchase of any other entree of equal or greater value (they have restaurants in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Chili’s – e-coupon for a free brownie sundae with purchase of one or more entrees.
Steak ‘n Shake – e-coupon for a free double steakburger with cheese and fries (no purchase required)
T.G.I. Friday’s – e-coupon for a free dessert with purchase of an entree
Sephora – e-coupon for a free bottle of Vanilla Birthday Cake scented shower gel (some Sephora stores are located inside larger J.C. Penney’s with makeup counters)

RETURNING OFFERS

Sonic Cruisers Club – choice of one printable e-coupon for a free medium drink, tator tots, or regular CreamSlush treat
Firehouse Subs – Get a free medium sub on your birthday when you show your ID or birth certificate. Sign up for the Firehouse Copy That e-newsletter (ages 13+) and they’ll send you a reminder a few days before your birthday to come in for your free birthday sub.
Baskin Robbins – e-coupon for a free 2.5 oz scoop (I actually didn’t receive my free icecream coupon this year, like their website states I should as a member of their birthday club. I just got a coupon for $3 off an icecream cake. Has anyone else gotten their free icecream cone coupon this year?)
Red Robin – email notifying me they loaded a coupon for free gourmet burger of my choice on my Red Royalty Card (ask for one of these free cards next time you’re there; there’s a Red Robin at Hamilton Place Mall.)
Fazoli’s – e-coupon for free dessert (no purchase required)
Cold Stone Creamery – e-coupon for a free creation with purchase of any creation
Marble Slab Creamery – e-coupon for a free regular cone and $3 off any icecream cake (expired on my birthday)
Moe’s – e-coupon for a free entree (no purchase required, excludes fajitas) – my coupon expired 3 days after my bday
Starbucks – postcard in the mail for a free drink of your choice. To sign up, you must join the Starbucks Rewards program and register a Starbucks gift card (doesn’t have to have a balance on it.) You can earn free Starbucks gift cards for free from the popular search engine Swagbucks!
Hallmark – I got a birthday card in the mail and coupon for 20% off at my local Hallmark, Sara’s Hallmark in Cleveland.
Captain D’s – e-coupon for my choice of one of these dinners for free or $5 off any other dinner: 2 pc fish dinner, fish & shrimp dinner, or seasoned Tilapia dinner.
IHOP Pancake Revolution club – e-coupon for a free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity (or any menu item of equal or lesser value, no purchase required)
Great American Cookie Companie – e-coupon for a free cookie cake slice with purchase of a regular soda (last year it was for a free cookie cake slice with no puchase required)
Marco’s Pizza – free medium one-topping pizza with purchase of equal or greater size pizza (pick-up only.)
Bruster’s – e-coupon for free waffle cone when you buy a waffle cone of equal or greater value
Arby’s – e-coupon for 12 oz shake with any purchase
Logan’s Roadhouse – e-coupon for a free Nutter Butter Fudge Slide with any entree purchase
Smoothie King – e-coupon for a free 20 oz smoothie with purchase of a 20 oz or greater smoothie.
Provino’s – (click here for locations, including Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta & Roma, GA, and other GA cities) will give you a free pasta specialty dinner (up to $12.75 value) with your ID on your birthday.
Not sure if this deal is still on (it was June 2010): Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner – free meal on your birthday (located at 1223 Hwy 64 Ocoee, TN 37361) Does anyone know?
Not sure if this deal is still on. As of 3/14/11 Antonio’s Corner Restaurant in Cleveland at 3700 Michigan Ave Rd NE – free meal on your birthday with purchase of an adult meal of equal or greater value. Must show ID if 16 or older. Please call ahead before making a special trip to see if they are still offering this because it was to be a trial offer. (Thanks, Leslie for the tip!)
Click here to see birthday freebies for kids.

Birthday Freebies for Kids – Updated March 2011

admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:20:05 +0000

It’s time of year again – my older son just celebrated his 6th birthday yesterday and I kept track of all the birthday freebies he received so that I could share them with you so you can sign your kids up for them, too. Here’s what we got that you can sign your child up for, too below. There’s still some places that offer a freebie with no purchase required (although the list shrinks each year). Some of the things we got last year did not come around again this year (Steak n Shake, Moe’s, Children’s Place, Olan Mills), but I found a few new ones, too (which I starred at the bottom). Do you know of any birthday freebies for kids I missed? Click here for a list of birthday freebies for grown-ups, which I posted in June 2010, and will be updating after my next birthday in June 2011.

Zaxby’s – coupon in mail for a free kids meal (no expiration date, no purchase required)
Sonic – coupon by email for free Wacky Pack Kids Meal (expires 30 days from birthday, no purchase required)
Denny’s – their website says kids 10 and under get their choice of a free Grand Slam or Jr. Grand Slam on their birthday at participating Denny’s.
Chuck E Cheese’s – coupon by email for 20 free tokens (I think expires 2 weeks from date you print coupon.) They also some coupons for extra free tokens when you book a birthday party.
Captain D’s – coupon by email for free kids meal with purchase of adult entree (expires 30 days from date sent)
Baskin Robbins – coupon by email for free 2.5 oz scoop (If I remember correctly, you have to sign up yourself for the bday club, then it will let you add members of your household for their bdays. This one has a short exp. date. It was only good for 5 days after my son’s bday.)
Brusters – coupon by email for free waffle cone when you buy a waffle cone of equal or greater value
Great American Cookies – coupon by email for free cookie slice cake with purchase of regular soda (expires 1 week from date sent)
The Children’s Orchard – coupon by email for “special birthday surprise” when you print and bring in the email. Expires one month from date sent. I haven’t redeemed it yet, but last year they said we could get $3 off any purchase of $3 or more, so we got a pair of free shorts for this summer.
Toys R Us – coupon by mail for $3 off any purchase of $3 or more. (Expires about two months after your birthday.)
*New* Barnes & Noble Kid’s Club – coupon by email for a free cupcake or cookie from their cafe (expires one week from birthday)
*New* Old Navy – coupon by email for $10 off any purchase of $50 or more online or in stores (I don’t see an expiration date, but I’m sure there is one.)
*New* Marble Slab Creamery – coupon by email for a free regular cone + $3 off any cake (they emailed it one week before his birthday and it expired on his birthday)
*New* IHOP – coupon by email for a free Rooty Jr or menu item of equal or lesser value (no purchase required, expires one week after birthday)

Coupon Clipping 101–Part 3

white — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:06:21 +0000

This is a guest post from Jennifer who is covering for Gloria while she’s working on another project.

We often get questions about how to get started clipping coupons. You see these amazing stories about people saving all kinds of money, and wonder how on earth they do it? Well, you could take a class or read websites for hours… or learn just what you need to know at Fun and Frugal!

Last week in Part 2: Finding Coupons we learned where to look for coupons. We explored our local newspapers, websites and magazines. Now we’re ready to go shopping! (Don’t’ miss Part 1: Pre-Planning either!)

TERMS

When you’re out and about in the couponing world, you will come across some terms specific to couponers – coupon lingo if you will. Here are some terms you might see on websites or in blog posts or even on coupons and in ads that you will want to be familiar with:

BLINKIES = In-store smartsource coupons near product, usually from red blinking box
BOGO or B1G1F or B1G1 Free = Buy One Get One Free
BTFE = Box Tops for Education
B&M = Brick & Mortar, as opposed to an online store
CAT or CATALINA = coupon you get at register with your reciept
CRT = Cash register tape
DND = Do not double
ECB = CVS Extra Care Bucks earned for purchases
FAR = Free after rebate
FREE ITEM COUPON = A coupon that allows you to get the product completely free
HBA = The health and beauty aid section in the grocery store
IVC = Walgreen’s Instant Value Coupon ( Found in the monthy EasySaver Catalog )
IP = Internet Printable Coupon
MFG = Manufacturer’s Coupon
MIR = Mail In Rebate
NED = No expiration date
NonSS = Non-Sunday Supplement. Coupons you did not get in your Sunday paper.
OOP = Out of pocket
OYNO = On your next order
P&G = Proctor & Gamble coupon insert found in the Sunday newspaper
PEELIE = Coupon that you peel off the package
POP = Proof of Purchase, which is usually the UPC bar code.
RP = Red Plum Coupon Insert found in the Sunday newspaper
RR = Register rewards – a Walgreen’s program
SS = Smart Source coupon insert found in the Sunday newspaper
STACKING = Using a store specific coupon with a MFG coupon (most stores allow this)
TEARPAD = A pad of coupons found hanging on a store shelf
UPC= Universal Product Code.. The bar codes on each item which stores usually scan to get the price.
WYB = when you buy
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary = Success of the attempt may vary at your store

So if I tell you “At Store XYZ you can STACK a MFG coupon with a TEARPAD WYB on Fridays, but be careful, YMMV” what I’m really saying is,” At Store XYZ you can use a manufacturer’s coupon with a tearpad coupon on the same item, but only when you are shopping on Friday, and all stores may not allow you to do that.” You may find yourself needing to refer to this list on occasion, but you’ll quickly pick up the lingo!

KNOW THE RULES

The most important thing is to know the rules of the different stores where you shop. Each chain has its own rules, and they even can vary between stores in a particular chain where each manager has discretion. Being familiar with each store’s rules will help you decide where you can get the most from your coupons – will they let you stack a MFR and store coupon? Can you use two coupons for BOGO items?

Remember, you get more flies with honey… not that anyone wants flies! But be pleasant, patient and polite and often you’ll get a “well, just this once” answer when you want to do something out of the ordinary!

GROCERY STORES AND CHAINS:

Bi-Lo

double up to $.60 (everyday)- must use a Bi-Lo bonus card
BOGO you can use 2 coupons
On BOGO, you do not have to buy 2, it will be ½ price if you buy just 1
Will not double store coupons or blinkies
Look for their Meal Deals
They will accept more than 10 coupons per same transaction, but they will only double 10 per transaction.
Look for mark-down stickers throughout the store: Red on products about to expire (mainly dairy); Purple on clearance/discontinued items; Yellow on meat
Ask for a rain check if they are out of a sale item.

Food Lion

BOGO you can use 2 manufacturer coupons
BOGO you can only use 1 store coupon (FLIP-Food Lion Internet Printable coupon)
Ask for a rain check if they are out of a sale item.
Sign up for the baby club at FoodLion.com. New coupons are available to print from their website every quarter.

Publix

double coupons up to $.50 (everyday)
BOGO you can use 2 coupons
Look for “penny” coupon in Wednesday’s paper ad / Mystery coupon
Look for coupons at the front of the store (or at the customer service desk at the Ooltewah Publix)
Some stores will take competitor store coupons, such as Publix and some Bi-Lo stores.
Sign up for the baby club at Publix.com. They will mail you coupons until your child turns two. Some coupons are for free products with no purchase required!

Wal-mart

BOGO you can use 2 coupons
Will price match, but not BOGO deals; will add 10% if price-matching Super Saver since they add on 10% at checkout.
You can read a copy of their coupon policy here.

Super Saver

Takes coupons
Adds 10% to your bill at checkout (regardless if you use coupons).

Target

Target.com updates coupons on their website weekly. They say Super Target, but can be used at regular Targets, too.
You can stack Target store coupons and manufacturer coupons
Will not give overage. (If you have a $1 coupon for a $.99 item, they will only give you $.99 off.)

K-Mart

Doubles up to $2 (during certain dates) but varies by region. Cleveland K-Mart doesn’t always participate. The rules get more strict each time. Lately, they have required you to spend $25 and limit 5 coupons to be doubled. Read the ads carefully before you go.

DRUG STORES:

CVS

has the Extra Care Bucks program – Money Saving Mom has a great explanation how it works here.
Watch for ECB items – they are marked in the Sunday flyer, and sell out quickly!
You also earn ECBs quarterly depending on how much you spend.
You can stack CVS store coupons and manufacturer coupons.
Scan your card at the price-checker kiosks inside the store and it will spit out random store coupons.

Walgreens

Has the Register Rewards program, similar to the CVS program, but you don’t need a loyalty card to earn RRs.
You can use an Instant Value Coupon with a Manufacturer coupon (plus apply for rebate)
Easy Saver Rebates – if you use a gift card you get more money
If out of a sale item, ask for a rain check.
There are several types of items you cannot redeem your rewards towards such as prescriptions, tobacco products, lottery tickets, gift cards. See all the rules here (note: for the holidays they were calling it Jingle Ca$h, and have not changed the website)

Rite Aid

will accept internet/ print at home coupons up to $5 off
Rite Aid coupons printed off the internet are not subject to the $5 maximum
+UP Reward coupons (earned with purchase) can be used in multiple up to the amount of purchase before sales tax.
will take more than one coupon on a single item, but no more than one Rite Aid coupon( UPC starts with 49), one Rite Aid Valuable coupon (UPC starts with 48) and one manufacturer’s coupon per item.
see all their rules here

OTHER STORES

Family Dollar

only accepts coupons for free items if they’re BOGO, not just for one free without purchase requirement
will let you stack a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on the same item, max 2 coupons per item
all coupons must have scan-able bar code (including internet printables)
will not give ‘cash back’ if the value of the coupon is greater than the price of the item
see the complete rules here.

Dollar General

coupons must have expiration date and barcode
coupons must clearly say “Manufacturers Coupon” or “Dollar General Store Coupon”
only accepts coupons for free items if they’re BOGO, not just for one free without purchase requirement
will let you stack a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on the same item, max 2 coupons per item
see the complete rules here.

Big Lots

does not take coupons
has started a rewards program called Buzz Club where you can earn up to 20% savings.

Sam’s Club, Costco – do not take coupons

Restaurants

most have online clubs where they will email you coupons or other offers.
some have birthday freebies for kids
some have birthday freebies for adults
here’s our list of Cleveland restaurants offering free or cheap kids meals
look for schools selling discount cards as fundraisers, some have BOGO offers on them.

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

So now you have:

checked your pantry and freezer
created a meal plan
gathered your recipes
made your list (s)
chosen recipes that work with the sales
matched coupons to your lists
looked for store coupons to stack with manufacturer’s coupons
registered for loyalty cards and rewards programs

and you’re ready to head out and save some money! You should now have an idea which store has the most items you actually use on sale. You can shop multiple stores if you have time, or pick the one with the best offers this week.

Strategic Shopping

Once you’ve been doing this for a while, you will notice that some types of items frequently have coupons available, while others almost never do. By being alert to these cycles, you can maximize your savings by shopping strategically. When you find an especially good deal (i.e. item on BOGO at the store, with BOGO manufacturer’s coupon or sale item with store coupon and manufacturer’s coupon and reward $) get as many as you can. This is why people often purchase multiples of the same coupon online or buy more than one newspaper. If you use a lot of paper towels, and they go on sale for $2 off, and you have a $.50 coupon that will double and a $1 store coupon, you might get the towels for $.99. That’s worth stocking up on! But remember, play fair and leave some for someone else. Clearing a shelf of available items is bad manners. Don’t assume the store has more “in the back”. Most retail stores have very little storage space, and what you see is what they have. Sharing the deals with others is fair and helps to ensure that you won’t get to the store with your carefully honed lists and coupons only to find an empty shelf! (And if you do, don’t be shy about asking for a rain check!)

We hope you’ve found these posts helpful, please feel free to share them with your friends!

Sign Up Now for Lots of Free Stuff on Your Birthday

admin — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 01:00:50 +0000

Here is another one of my favorite old posts (from June 2010) that I think bears repeating. Who doesn’t want a bunch of free birthday stuff?

I recently had a birthday and here’s all the following free coupons I got by email (except the Firehouse Subs, Starbucks, and Hallmark coupons came in the regular mail.) Sign up for their birthday clubs online so you can get freebies and discounts for your birthday, too! Some are for free items with no purchase required and the majority of them have expiration dates a week or two past your birthday, so you don’t have to try to use them all in one day or anything. Even if your birthday won’t be here for a while, go ahead and sign up for these clubs. Some of them will email you a thank-you offer (some for a free meal) just for signing up! If you know of a birthday freebie I missed, please leave a comment or email me!

Sonic Cruisers Club – choice of one printable e-coupons for a free medium drink, tator tots, or one other thing I forgot. I opted for the free drink.
Firehouse Subs – I got a postcard in the mail for a free medium sub. I just read on their website that they will no longer be mailing out birthday postcards, however, beginning 7-1-10, you get get a free medium sub on your birthday when you show your ID or birth certificate. Sign up for the Firehouse Copy That e-newsletter (ages 13+) and they’ll send you a reminder a few days before your birthday to come in for your free birthday sub. They have a short, funny video clip about their new way of doing the free birthday sub here.
Baskin Robbins – e-coupon for a free 2.5 oz scoop
Scholtzsky’s – e-coupon for a free small The Original Sandwich
Red Robin – e-coupon for free gourmet burger of your choice (there’s a Red Robin at Hamilton Place Mall.)
Fazoli’s – e-coupon for free dessert.
Cold Stone Creamery – e-coupon for a free “Like It Create Your Own Creation” (ice cream + 1 mix-in served in a cup.)
Marble Slab Creamery – e-coupon for a free regular cone and $3 off any icecream cake (expired on my birthday)
Moe’s – e-coupon for a free entree (excluding fajitas) – my coupon expired 3 days after my bday
Quizno’s – e-coupon for a free cookie (I actually didn’t receive my coupon this year like I did last year. I went to their website and it still says they will send you a coupon for a free cookie on your birthday.)
Starbucks – postcard in the mail for a free drink of your choice. To sign up, you must join the Starbucks Rewards program and register a Starbucks gift card (doesn’t have to have a balance on it.) You can earn free Starbucks gift cards for free from the popular search engine Swagbucks!
Hallmark – I got a birthday card in the mail and coupon for 20% off at my local Hallmark, Sara’s Hallmark in Cleveland.
Captain D’s – e-coupon for my choice of one of these dinners for free or $5 off any other dinner: 2 pc fish dinner, fish & shrimp dinner, or seasoned Tilapia dinner.
IHOP Pancake Revolution club – e-coupon for a free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity (or any menu item of equal or lesser value)
Great American Cookie Company – c-coupon for a free cookie cake slice
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – e-coupon for free dessert with purchase of any entree
Marco’s Pizza – free medium one-topping pizza with purchase of equal or greater size pizza (pick-up only.)
Bruster’s – e-coupon for free waffle cone when you buy a waffle cone of equal or greater value
Arby’s – e-coupon for 12 oz shake with any purchase
Logan’s Roadhouse – e-coupon for a free Nutter Butter Fudge Slide with any entree purchase
Smoothie King – e-coupon for a free 20 oz smoothie with purchase of a 20 oz or greater smoothie.Wendy’s – e-coupon for $1 off any premium combo meal
Provino’s – (click here for locations, including Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta & Roma, GA, and other GA cities) will give you a free pasta specialty dinner with your ID on your birthday.
Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner – free meal on your birthday (located at 1223 Hwy 64 Ocoee, TN 37361)
Click here to see birthday freebies for kids.

Birthday Freebies Updated 2010

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:16:03 +0000

I recently had a birthday and here’s all the following free coupons I got by email (except the Firehouse Subs, Starbucks, and Hallmark coupons came in the regular mail.) Sign up for their birthday clubs online so you can get freebies and discounts for your birthday, too! Some are for free items with no purchase required and the majority of them have expiration dates a week or two past your birthday, so you don’t have to try to use them all in one day or anything. Even if your birthday won’t be here for a while, go ahead and sign up for these clubs. Some of them will email you a thank-you offer (some for a free meal) just for signing up! If you know of a local birthday freebie I missed, please leave a comment or email me!

Sonic Cruisers Club – choice of one printable e-coupons for a free medium drink, tator tots, or one other thing I forgot. I opted for the free drink.
Firehouse Subs – I got a postcard in the mail for a free medium sub. I just read on their website that they will no longer be mailing out birthday postcards, however, beginning 7-1-10, you get get a free medium sub on your birthday when you show your ID or birth certificate. Sign up for the Firehouse Copy That e-newsletter (ages 13+) and they’ll send you a reminder a few days before your birthday to come in for your free birthday sub. They have a short, funny video clip about their new way of doing the free birthday sub here.
Baskin Robbins – e-coupon for a free 2.5 oz scoop
Scholtzsky’s – e-coupon for a free small The Original Sandwich
Red Robin – e-coupon for free gourmet burger of your choice (there’s a Red Robin at Hamilton Place Mall.)
Fazoli’s – e-coupon for free dessert.
Cold Stone Creamery – e-coupon for a free “Like It Create Your Own Creation” (ice cream + 1 mix-in served in a cup.)
Marble Slab Creamery – e-coupon for a free regular cone and $3 off any icecream cake (expired on my birthday)
Moe’s – e-coupon for a free entree (excluding fajitas) – my coupon expired 3 days after my bday
Quizno’s – e-coupon for a free cookie (I actually didn’t receive my coupon this year like I did last year. I went to their website and it still says they will send you a coupon for a free cookie on your birthday.)
Starbucks – postcard in the mail for a free drink of your choice. To sign up, you must join the Starbucks Rewards program and register a Starbucks gift card (doesn’t have to have a balance on it.) You can earn free Starbucks gift cards for free from the popular search engine Swagbucks!
Hallmark – I got a birthday card in the mail and coupon for 20% off at my local Hallmark, Sara’s Hallmark in Cleveland.
Captain D’s – e-coupon for my choice of one of these dinners for free or $5 off any other dinner: 2 pc fish dinner, fish & shrimp dinner, or seasoned Tilapia dinner.
IHOP Pancake Revolution club – e-coupon for a free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity (or any menu item of equal or lesser value)
Great American Cookie Companie – c-coupon for a free cookie cake slice
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – e-coupon for free dessert with purchase of any entree
Marco’s Pizza – free medium one-topping pizza with purchase of equal or greater size pizza (pick-up only.)
Bruster’s – e-coupon for free waffle cone when you buy a waffle cone of equal or greater value
Arby’s – e-coupon for 12 oz shake with any purchase
Logan’s Roadhouse – e-coupon for a free Nutter Butter Fudge Slide with any entree purchase
Smoothie King – e-coupon for a free 20 oz smoothie with purchase of a 20 oz or greater smoothie.
Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perks – e-coupon for BOGO pretzel item (Georgann just informed me there is no longer an Auntie Anne’s Pretzels at Hamilton Place Mall and now the nearest one is in Atlanta.)
Wendy’s – e-coupon for $1 off any premium combo meal
Provino’s – (click here for locations, including Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta & Roma, GA, and other GA cities) will give you a free pasta specialty dinner with your ID on your birthday.
Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner – free meal on your birthday (located at 1223 Hwy 64 Ocoee, TN 37361)
3/14/11 addition: Antonio’s Corner Restaurant in Cleveland at 3700 Michigan Ave Rd NE - free meal on your birthday with purchase of an adult meal of equal or greater value. Must show ID if 16 or older. Please call ahead before making a special trip to see if they are still offering this because it is in a trial period. (Thanks, Leslie for the tip!)
Click here to see birthday freebies for kids.

Friday Freebies & Frills – June 4

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:30:50 +0000

Here’s some freebies to celebrate Friday, sprinkled with some coupons and other good deals. Enjoy! Have a great weekend!

Friday, June 4, 2010 is National Doughnut Day. Krispy Kreme is giving each customer a free doughnut (no purchase required, limit one per customer.) Dunkin Donuts is offering a free donut with any beverage purchase. (Thanks, Money Saving Mom)

Join the IHOP pancake revolution and get a coupon by email for a free meal just for joining, plus get another coupon on your birthday and one year after you sign up. You can also sign up your family member’s birthdays. (Thanks, Freebies 4 Mom)

Click here to read how to get two free Jergens Natural Glow Facial Moisturizers after register rewards and coupons at Walgreens (Thanks, Money Saving Mom)

Print this coupon to save 15 % off at The Children’s Place (in store) thru June 20, 2010. (Thanks, Baby Cheapskate)

Click here (click on “sample both” on the right) to request a free sample of Cottonelle Ultra toilet paper and fresh moist wipes from Wal-Mart (Thanks, Freebies 4 Mom)

Free trial pair of Acuvue Oasys contact lenses here.

Go here to print a coupon for $1.50 off Huggies Little Swimmers disposable swim pants.

Free Fun and Frugal t-shirts–I gave away 3 Fun and Frugal t-shirts on facebook last night. I have more to give away this summer. Don’t miss out! Go to facebook.com/funandfrugal and click on “Like” to become a fan and be on the lookout for an announcement soon for another giveaway on facebook.

Friday Freebies – February 12, 2010

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

Here’s a few freebies to celebrate Friday, along with a few other coupons, bargains, and such. Happy early Valentine’s Day!

Be sure to hug your Valentine(s) this weekend – I have three – my wonderful husband and incredible two sons.

If you haven’t already, join the Zaxby’s Zax Mail Club and they’ll send you a coupon in the mail for a free meal. Sign up your kids for the Zax Kidz Club (10 and under) and your child will get a coupon for a free birthday meal plus, they send out coupons for free cookies a few times a year. Our boys got some last week in honor of Valentine’s Day.
free trial pair of Acuvue Oasys contacts
Free sample of Emergen-C (Thanks, Money Saving Mom)
Get 4 $1 coupons for Cheerios by email. (Thanks, Baby Cheapskate)
Coupon by mail for a free bottle of Excedrin (Thanks, Money Saving Mom)
Wow, save 88%! Get a 2-year subscription to Good Housekeeping for only $10 right now on Amazon. (Reg. $83.76. Offer ends 2-28-10.)
Here’s some great coupons on Coupons.com: $1/1 Freschetta pizza; Olan Mills FREE 3-sheet portrait package; $2/2 Kotex pads (free after coupon at Wal-Mart); $1/1 new Yoplait Frozen smoothie; and more!
Free 8×10 Walgreen’s Photo Collage Friday only, Feb. 12 when you enter code VDAY. (Thanks, Southern Savers)
Printable coupon for free Quizno’s sub, with purchase of another sub and drink. Expires 2-21-10. (Thanks, Money Saving Mom)
And here is a reader tip from Donna: “There is a code you can use to get the Barnum & Bailey tickets even cheaper!! Use promotional code MAGIC when calling or ordering tickets online. You can get the tickets for $12 but is only for the purchases on the $15 or $21 tickets. Which is good for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The code is good for up to 6 tickets. And does not apply to the VIP seats or VIP floor seats. The ticket prices actually start at $15 and not $12 .Offer is subject to ticket availability. Of course if there are any last minute people out there, if they still have their MINT magazine that you get in the mail, the offer is in there and you need that when you purchase your tickets at the box office, if they decide to buy them when they arrive there. And the Mint magazine is where I got all this information from.”
And don’t forget…if you have not already…to register to win the Blissdom Swag Bag I’m giving away. Click here to read more. Contest ends Friday, 2-12-10 at 8:00 pm EST.

Reader Tip Round-Up

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:27:00 +0000

Here’s some reader tips that have been emailed to me lately. Send your tips on coupons, bargains, and events to tips {at} funandfrugal {dot} com.

Angela said Old Navy has their lace cami’s on sale for $2 (reg. $12.50) plus they have some coupons here.
Tara emailed me this link to get a free $10 coupon from Box Tops for Education. I’m not sure if it’s for new members or not. It said I was not eligible.
Ruthie asked me to let everyone know that there is a $1.50 coupon code for the Angel Food Ministries Signature box if ordered before 2-14-10. Use code Feb5 when you order at angelfoodministries.com. If you want to order through Grace Assembly of God orders will be in 2-20-10. Contact the host site director, Ruthie, for more info at 423.284.5638.
Johnny wrote to say the Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner located at 1223 Hwy 64 in Ocoee, TN offers a free meal on your birthday. You can see a list of other local restaurants that have free birthday meals here and free kiddie birthday meals here. The Ocoee Dam Deli & Diner
Thanks, Kelli, for the reminder that The Tennessee Aquarium is offering 50% off tickets all during the month of Feburary 2010 to the Aquarium and IMAX for college students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. Plus everyone in your party gets the 50% off discount! Click here for details.
And lastly, a reminder from me that All You magazine is still available for 50% off a one-year subscription from Amazon. I don’t know how long the sale will last. You can get a 1-yr subscription for $15 right now (reg. $29.88). This is my favorite magazine because it’s so full of great coupons every month. It also has recipes and articles on fashion, organizing, decorating, fitness, and more.

Friday Freebies – January 29, 2010

white — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:32:29 +0000

Found some great little freebies for you this Friday:

Get a free sample of Avery Label Pads from Box Tops 4 Education – and if you have school age children make sure you register there. They often send out bonus points you can donate to your school!

Starting today, Jan 29, you can get a FREE sample of new Pampers with Dry Max. And if you get a specially marked diaper in your sample you can win a free year of Pampers! (Thanks, Southern Savers!)

Denny’s will be offering a FREE Grand Slam breakfast day again this year Tues Feb 9 – read about it here. They also will offer a FREE burger and fries to the first 500,000 people who sign up for their Denny’s Rewards program between Feb 1st and 14th, 2010. So mark your calendar!

Get a free bag of Hershey’s Pieces candies by sending in a candy bar wrapper – offer expires 2/10 and must be postmarked by 2/17 – read about it here.

If you’ve got a Lego nut in the house, be sure you’re signed up for their free Lego Magazine. It’s a lot more than just a catalog or advertisement, your child will love looking at all the great features! Go here to sign up, click on United States in the right hand column to get started.

This will be my last post here as the end of the month is at hand! I know you’ll all be glad to see Gloria back (as will I) but it’s been fun to spend this time chasing bargains with you! Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!