Phoenomenal Deal at Maggiano's Restaurant

I cannot believe the deal I got at Maggiano's. The Italian restaurant is upscale and moderately expensive, but the portion sizes are enormous. I received a coupon with my Mastercard statement, offering $20 off a $50 purchase if I paid with my Mastercard. In addition, the restaurant had a deal where if you bought a specific pasta entree, they would give you another pasta entree free to take home and eat the next day. What a fabulous idea! My husband and I bought two pastas and had plenty leftover, plus received 2 more full orders of pasta to go. We had rigatoni, lasagna, cheese ravioli and gnocchi. It was all delicious. I froze some of the food for a few days so it wouldn't spoil. I swear I have been eating from this $30 meal for a week. Cheap food that is of high quality always makes me smile. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Big Decisions to make at Kohl's

So last night I was shopping at Kohl's. I was selecting mostly winter clothes from the clearance rack because they are super cheap right now. My total came to $62 but I got 20% off because I am a Kohl's card holder. I planned to pay the remaining $50 with a gift card I received for my birthday. The cashier said if I did not use the gift card I'd get $15 Kohl's cash back (a voucher you can spend as cash during selected dates). I selected the Kohl's cash and kept my gift card for next time. But when I got to the car I thought, hmmmm, I went in there with the intention of spending zero money (just my gift card) and ending up spending $50. But then next time I go in, I have my $50 gift card plus $15 Kohl's cash to spend. Did I make the right decision? I don't know if I got a good deal or was simply tricked into doubling my spend. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Save Money on your Classy Resort Stay

Going to stay at a nice resort? How many nights are you staying? Do you find you have to check in after 4pm but check out before 11am due to hotel policy? So, for one of the days you are paying full price, you are really only getting 19 hours rather than 24. And what fun is it to check in after 4pm to find the sun going down, the pool closing, and you feeling too exhausted to do anything anyway.

I am classy but cheap when it comes to travel. I love going to the finest resorts, but am always trying to save money. When I want to splurge on an expensive resort, I book it for one less night than I'd like, but arrive around 10am in the morning. Although I often can't access my room, I am told I am welcome to enjoy the resort until check-in time. I keep a bag with me with swimsuits and sunscreen so I don't have to search my luggage. I leave my luggage with the bell hop, and I'm off to enjoy a cost-free 6 hours on the resort grounds before check-in time.

For example, I'm planning to visit the Amelia Island Plantation Resort for the 4th of July weekend. The room is about $200 a night, which is more than I normally spend. I was going to stay Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights, for a total of about $600. I realized I would be arriving late in the day Thursday, due to my long drive and heavy holiday traffic. I did not want to pay $200 just to crash in a room for the night so I booked the room for just Fri and Sat instead, now a total of $400. On Thursday, I will drive most of the way there and then crash in a $50 Econo Lodge type of place near the resort. I will be so tired after working and driving, I will be asleep within 15 minutes of entering the room (Note: To avoid staying somewhere filthy, use TripAdvisor.com to find cheap hotels with decent traveler ratings). In the morning, I will arrive fresh and rested at the Plantation Resort first thing in the morning. I've just saved $150. The hotel staff never seems to mind the early arrival. As long as you are not fussing to get into your room early, they are happy to let you use the pool. In fact, most guests end up spending money on food and drinks while they wait for their room to be ready, which makes the resort management happy. About 75% of the time, if it's a high-end resort, the front desk staff accommodates my early arrival and gives me my room keys much before 4pm.

To maximize your cheap travel, on check-out day, if your flight or commute home is late in the day, you can do the same. Most resorts have a changing room or restroom by the pool/beach. You can check-out, and stay until evening. Your two-night stay will easily feel like a 3-4 day vacation. Well actually, it is! [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Sign Up for Birthday Freebies

I like to sign up for birthday freebies. I have a separate email account I use just to sign up for restaurant offers. Here are some of the deals I received for my birthday:

Free drink at Caribou Coffee
Free ice cream at Coldstone Creamery
Free hamburger entree at Red Robin
Free hamburger entree at Ruby Tuesday
Free dessert at TGI Fridays

Most of these deals are good for a couple of weeks - not just on the actual day of my birthday. Better than cheap, it's all free! [END OF POST]

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I'm so Addicted to Restaurant.com

I love buying restaurant gift certificates on Restaurant.com. I've realized I like the shopping part maybe even more than the dining part. The way I have come to that realization is that I keep buying more and more of them, and have limited free time to redeem them. But it's SUCH a good deal! A $25 gift certificate costs $10 but you can get it for less by searching Google for 'restaurant.com coupon codes'. I normally pick mine up for about $5 each, allowing me to indulge in some cheap food. There is always that moment of awkwardness when you present the certificate to the server because some servers get an attitude about it (worried it will negatively affect their tip). But I always tip 15-20% on the full value of the meal, as is a standard guideline. If for any reason the restaurant won't accept the certificate, Restaurant.com gives you a credit so you can select a different restaurant. Same thing if the restaurant goes out of business. Restaurant.com is a great way to try new places. Tonight I'm trying a new Italian place that I drive by every day. When they take $25 off my bill, I will be delighted. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..