Frugal Forum November 11, 2012

I get asked a lot why do stores give you items for free? Grocery stores are set up very carefully, with the intention of you spending more than you had planned. Let’s review your shopping experience. Right from the start when you walk into the store you have lots of carriages available for you, not the small hand held basket that are usually around the corner. Taking a shopping cart makes it easy to carry more than you need. The layout of a store is key towards you having to spend longer in a store. As soon as you walk in they have the floral and produce section right near the entrance. Between the wonderful smells of the flowers along with all the beautiful colors of the products it will start your impulse to spend. If you are planning to just run in and get that gallon of milk or dozen of eggs most of the time they are located in the very back of the store past shelves of high mark up products and new items. When traveling down an aisle get a little physical. Manufacturers pay big bucks to have their products located at eye level. So before you grab that product do a little exercise by swatting down to the bottom shelf and reaching high to that top shelf. The hottest place in a grocery store is the end of the aisle they are called end caps. Featured items that are located there have a big signs but often these products are not on sale, you just think that they are. Be careful of related items being paired together on a shelf. Just say you are planning to buy a bag of chips but right next to them is the chip dip making it easy to put that item in your cart. Don’t fall for the numbers game. When Kroger says 10 for $10 you don’t have to buy ten products it just means each one cost $1. Nothing happens by accident in a supermarket. Everything is designed to sell products. So be the frugal shopper that you are and don’t give in to their temptation.

Send a free Holiday Greeting Card to Military Members from Card Gnome. http://www.cardgnome.com/cards-for-heroes

Like Shutterfly on their facebook page to send a Thank You card to a Hero https://www.facebook.com/shutterfly/app_525739750774135

Share a photo or message to Thank Our Troops and Bank of America will donate $1 to Wounded Warrior Project. http://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/military/upload.html#fbid=jOJV5-i2Zj0

Veterans Day Deals:

• Proof of Military Service. Most companies require some form of military ID. These include: a Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Drivers License with Veterans Designation, Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
• Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies.

Applebee’s offering free meal, on Sunday November 11 to military veterans and active duty service members. There is 7 entrees to choose from beverage and gratuity not included. http://www.applebees.com/veterans-day-menu

Bar Louie offering free meal up to $10 in value and a free non-alcoholic beverage to active duty military members and veterans on November 11, 2012

BD’s Mongolian Grills is offering half off stir-fry will valid military ID from November 5 to November 11.

Chili’s if offering a free meal to all military veterans past and present a choice of 7 meals. This offer is available from 11am to 5pm on November 11.

Denny’s is giving free pancakes from 6am to 2pm on November 12 to all active, retirees and veterans with valid military ID.

Golden Corral is giving free dinner on November 12 to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

Hooters offering 10 free boneless wings with drink purchase to military veterans and active duty military personnel all day on November 11. http://www.hootersveteransday.com/register.aspx

Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnet and small coffee for all active-duty, retirees and veterans on November 11.

Little Caesars Pizza is giving free crazy bread for veterans and active military member on November 11. http://www.littlecaesars.com/

Olive Garden is giving a free entrée from a special menu on November 11 with proof of service. Additionally some Olive Gardens are also giving out a $10 gift card to veterans for a future visit. http://olivegarden.com/Menu/Specials/#veterans_day

Outback Steakhouse is offering free Bloomin Onion and a Coca_Cola beverage November 11 and 12. You also get 10% off Military Mates discount from November 13 to December 31th for all active and retired military with a valid ID. http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx

Texas Roadhouse if offering free lunch for all military (retired and active) on November 12.

Stop in to TGI Fridays on November 12 from 11am to 2pm for a free lunch to all military personnel. http://www.tgifridays.com/

Free car wash sponsored by Grace for Vets check for locations. http://graceforvets.org/2012/participating.php

Free haircut ot active-duty military and veterans at SportsClips on November 11. http://www.sportclips.com/Hero

Everybody gets free entrance to our National Parks Veterans Day weekend, November 10 – 12, 2012. Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Home Depot offers a 10 percent discount up to $500 maximum to all active, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other military veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Independence Day.

Lowe’s offers a year around 10 percent discount offer to all active duty,National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled Service members and their immediate families. All other veterans receive the 10 percent discount on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

Get a free 20 oz. Peppermint Stick Shake with combo purchase at Arby’s coupon http://coupon.arbys.com/NovemberArbysExtras11072012/?CID=e_arbysextras11072012

10 free Holiday Cards from Tiny Prints just enter promotional code HOIDAYCHEER at checkout. This code expires 11/13/2012. www.tinyprints.com

Hardcover book deals at Amazon

William and Harry Behind the Palace Walls $1.30 was $24.95

The Motley Fool Million Dollar Portfolio $1.30 was $26.99

Larry King Truth Be Told $1.24 was $25 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y1NWZG

Oprah Winfrey Show: Reflections of an American Legacy was $50 now $1.58 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419700596/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419700596&linkCode=as2&tag=frugfrie-20

The Pop Revolution was $29.95 now $2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0878467440?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0878467440&linkCode=xm2&tag=frugfrie-20

Equine Angels: Stories of Rescue, love and hope was $24.95 now $2.42 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0878467440?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0878467440&linkCode=xm2&tag=frugfrie-20

Desperate Housecats was $4.95 now $1.30 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762429607?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0762429607&linkCode

Simple Stunning Bride was $24.95 now $1.51 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584798386?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1584798386&linkCode

More Amazon Deals:

Coen Brothers Collection Blu-Ray was $69.98 now $19.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00553K8FY/ref=as_acph_mv_coen_111_117?

 

 CVS Deals:

Colgate Toothpaste $2.75 use 75 cents Sunday paper coupon receive $2 extracare bucks

Pringles on sale four for $6 use $1 Sunday paper coupon

Olay Age Defying Lotion $9.99 use $2 Sunday paper coupon receive $1 extracare bucks

Olay facial cleanser on sale for $3.99 use $1 Sunday paper coupon

Poise Pads $10,99 use $1 Sunday paper coupon receive $2 extracare bucks

Rite Aid Deals:

Buy two Air Wick candles for $5 use $2 Sunday paper coupon receive $1 +UPs rewards

Zantac 24 or 30 ct $8.99 use $5 Sunday paper coupon receive $2 +UPs rewards

Walgreens Deal:

Progresso Soup on sale 4 for $5 use $1 Sunday paper coupon plus receive 750 wellness points (equals 75 cents)