Wasn’t it Sheryl Crow who sang that a change would do you good? Well, Sheryl would be proud of me. Since I last wrote, I’ve had my hair cut and dyed, began reading “Oprah”, started painting the master bedroom Showstopper red (two out of four walls), and changed my blog theme to “Bueno”. That’s my version of spring cleaning!
I’ve still been pinching my pennies. I found a “Jungle Babies” book at Barnes and Noble for $4.88, just in time for Jeremiah’s birthday. (Barnes and Noble is having great sales on Easter books for children.) I tried Chipotle for the first time ever with Chavon and, boy, was I impressed – great food at great prices and super healthy. (www.chipotle.com) Did you hear about the new Whole Foods store opening in North Raleigh at 8710 Six Forks Rd? I signed up to receive email newsletters from them. Check out the “What’s on sale?” icon in the top, right-hand corner of the local store’s website. (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) I tried Tijuana Flats with Grace Ann and have gone back twice since! I enjoyed BOGO coupons 2 of the 3 times. Think of a cross between Moe’s speedy service and Armadillo Grill’s trendy atmosphere. (www.tijuanaflats.com) Andrew and I enjoyed a FREE appetizer at Brixx, a BOGO deal at El Rodeo Grill, and $6 off at Shish Kabob. Brixx offers an awesome late night special of all appetizers and pizzas BOGO when ordered after 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and after 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. (www.brixxpizza.com) I also redeemed a coupon for a FREE fruit and maple oatmeal cup at McDonald’s. Through Living Social, I donated $5 to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Pacific Tsunami fund and Living Social matched my donation 100%, totaling $10. And, just today, I purchased from Lowe’s a Schlage doorknob/deadbolt combo at 30% off. Andrew purchased a wireless router for $49.99 ($10 off) at Target, which will save $11.95 per month on the Time Warner Cable bill as a home networking charge.
Speaking of painting, Sherwin Williams runs a sale on paints and stains about once every month and a half or two months. This past weekend, I was able to get 30% off. Remember, you can buy paint when it is on sale and have it injected with the chosen color at a later date, in order to get the sale price. The next sale will be April 8-10. (www.sherwin-williams.com)
Ulta is offering a BOGO MicroZone Skin treatment through 4/2. $20, 20 minutes, immediate results. (www.ulta.com)
Like Old Navy on Facebook and get a coupon for 15% off a single item purchased through 4/7. Also, like Suave Professionals on Facebook and receive a coupon for a FREE Suave Professionals product. You’ll receive the coupon in the mail in 6-8 weeks. (www.facebook.com)
Borders Final Week to Save – with the central Raleigh store closing (404-101 E. Six Forks Rd), get 50-70% off everything in the store. At all other Borders stores that are remaining open, 4/16 is the Springtacular special kids’ event for children ages 3-8. There will be FREE storytime, games, and crafts. Show your Borders eReading app and get a FREE small brewed coffee in the cafe. (www.borders.com)
The Race for the Cure registration fee will be $25 through 4/1. This is part of the early bird special, which expires on 4/2. Once expired, the fee increases to $30. Join Team Pink Floyd and help save some tatas! (www.komennctriangle.org)
Get a free men’s Dove sample delivered in 4 weeks. (http://see.walmart.com/dovemencare)
Sign up for the new Living Social Raleigh-Durham Family edition to receive deals on family fun outings such as visits to museums, zoos, and aquariums. (www.livingsocial.com)
We all love Trader Joe’s, but now that spring is in the air (well, it was and hopefully it will be back soon), stop by for amazing deals on gorgeous flowers – just a few examples are $4.99 for cut tulips and $2.99 for potted begonias. (www.traderjoes.com)
For all you folks with kids, Barnes & Noble is offering a grand deal on “Parents” magazine – a one year subscription (12 issues) for just $1. Enter code K4M8W9D at checkout. (www.barnesandnoble.com)
Continuing to support those affected by the Japan crisis and those interested in staying up-to-date, Time Warner Cable is allowing the FREE viewing of channel 880 TV Japan to digital customers through 3/31. (www.timewarnercable.com)
Shop for a good cause… For every pair of shoes purchased from TOMS, a pair of new shoes will be donated to a child in need. This is part of their “One for One” movement. (www.toms.com)
Too sick to leave home? Kerr Drug now delivers prescriptions for FREE. (www.kerrdrug.com)
In the mood for some Italian food, but don’t have much cash? Hungry Howie’s has 10 inch subs for $6.99 and salads for $4.99. And, they are open until 3:00am on Friday and Saturday nights – just in case you stay up late playing a mean game of Uno. (www.hungryhowies.com)
Love coffee? Check out It’s a Grind. With fun names like Nutty Cow, their drinks are tasty and cheaper than our beloved Starbucks. (www.itsagrind.com)
In a recent issue of “Reader’s Digest”, there was a list of popular gadgets and the 2011 price prediction. Not seeing these amounts yet? Wait a little while and pay less! Blu-ray Player – $39; Kindle eBook Reader – $99; 55-inch HDTV – $599; Full-size Digital SLR Camera – $299; 15- to 16-inch Dual-core Laptop – $199; Portable GPS – $40; and iPhone 3GS – $49
Lowes feeds kids’ curiosity with FREE Build and Grow clinics every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. (www.lowes.com)
Feeling creative? Stop by Ornamentea today between 10am and 8pm to give the Lovely Leather Necklace a whirl. (www.ornamentea.com)
So, as the weather finally warms up, think about what to plant in your garden. No yard? No problem. Many veggies grow nicely in pots on decks or porches.
Health.com recently rated the Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants. The list includes Panera, Jason’s Deli, Noodles and Company, Chipotle, and… McDonald’s?? Yep. McDonald’s is making changes to the menu to make it easier on the ol’ waistband. I am excited to learn that so many of our inexpensive favorites made the cut!