This Friday, there is a lot to do on the Downtown Mall in terms of free entertainment. It’s a double whammy with Friday’s after Five, featuring 6 Day Bender and also Charlottesville First Fridays Art walk. Head downtown, find some free parking, enjoy free wine and appetizers, look at amazing artwork and head to the end of the mall for some free music! I can’t imagine a nicer way to spend the evening!
But that’s not all! There’s free events all day! The 19th Annual Clean Commute Day is offering great information on commuter information and free food! Check out local vendors and shops, do a little window shopping and enjoy the beautiful weather. Forcast calls for rain, but we are in Virginia, and there is always a chance of a summer storm. Enjoy the cooling raindrops and don't let them spoil your free day!
19th Annual Clean Commute Day
When Fri, May 1, 11am – 1pm
Where East End of the Downtown Mall (map)
Description Each day many of you take a step in keeping Virginia's air clean by carpooling, taking transit, walking or biking to work. On Friday, May 1st, RideShare and the Commuter Information Team are celebrating the 19th Annual Clean Commute Day on the East End of the Downtown Mall and outside of Clark Hall at the University of Virginia. Stop by between 11:00am and 1:00pm to learn about different commuting options while enjoying free food from Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, entertainment from 106.1 The Corner and enterting to win great prizes. Visit commuterinformation.com for a list of prizes, event locations, and options to make your commute cleaner everyday.
Friday’s After Five at the Charlottesville Pavilion
6 Day Bender
with Ali Marcus opening Friday, May 1st, 2009 doors 5:30 show 5:30 ALL AGES
"Mountain Rock 'n' Roll." Banjo picking meets drums, electric guitar and bass, merging plugged-in rock and old-timey music.
First Friday Art Walk Museums and Galleries
Galleries usually open early at 5:00pm and serve light refreshments and drinks.
Click here For a list of C’ville Art Galleries
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Need extra cash or more room in your budget?
Times are rough and even I have thought about getting a part time job just to bring in a little extra cash to stash away for emergencies. You may consider one of these ideas to help find some wiggle room in your budget.
Got a green thumb? – Consider starting a vegetable garden. Seeds are relatively inexpensive, $.99 - $2.50 per pack and you make that back 10 times over when you don’t have to run to the store for those tomatoes or bell peppers.
Not enough space to garden? - The City and the County have plots you can rent yearly for around $40, again this investment can be reclaimed with your vegetable harvest. Or you could consider using the container garden method. I have a garden plot that is 10’ x 15’ and I surround that with large pots filled with hot peppers, bell peppers and cucumber bushes. Less space needed, less work involved if you get the pots that self water, and you still end up enjoying garden fresh veggies at lower prices then the grocery store.
Got a green thumb? – Consider starting a vegetable garden. Seeds are relatively inexpensive, $.99 - $2.50 per pack and you make that back 10 times over when you don’t have to run to the store for those tomatoes or bell peppers.
Not enough space to garden? - The City and the County have plots you can rent yearly for around $40, again this investment can be reclaimed with your vegetable harvest. Or you could consider using the container garden method. I have a garden plot that is 10’ x 15’ and I surround that with large pots filled with hot peppers, bell peppers and cucumber bushes. Less space needed, less work involved if you get the pots that self water, and you still end up enjoying garden fresh veggies at lower prices then the grocery store.Join CLUCK – Charlottesville League of Urban Chicken Keepers, they have a facebook page 
under the same name. I have 5 chickens in my backyard and I get about 5 fresh eggs a day! They are easier then you think to keep and kids love them! I buy organic feed for around $20 every other month. If there’s no money for groceries, there’s always Brinner! (Brinner = Breakfast for dinner) Tractor supply sells little week old chicks for less then $3.00, or the price of a carton of eggs. And you don’t need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs! Check out http://www.backyardchickens.com/ to learn more about yard birds.
Need extra cash? - Try a part time job/business. There are several jobs or businesses you can start up to bring in a few extra bucks including, babysitting, elderly care, pet sitting, dog walking, house cleaning, mowing lawns, running errands, handyman services. Be creative, bake cakes, cookies or pies, have a yard sale, do grocery store demos or become a mystery shopper. Check out http://www.jobslinger.com/ to learn how to be a legitimate mystery shopper. You have to sign up, but it’s free. Never pay anyone to become a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping is legitimate if you go through the right companies. I use to do mystery shopping here, and my top month I made $400 in food, groceries, cash, gas and products.
And don’t forget you can turn your hobby or passion into a business. Are you a freak of nature when it comes to organizing homes and closets? Great at scrapbooking and could do it in your sleep? Does your yard look professionally landscaped? Turn it into a part time business. Or, barter these services! You never know what you’ll get in trade!
Bartering - I know I’ve said it before, but as the economy has weakened, bartering has strengthened. The most common thing I hear when I mention bartering is “I don’t have anything worth trading”. You just need to be creative! Barter your extra garden veggies for veggies you didn’t grow this year, or swap veggies for eggs or vice versa. I’ve bartered my extra eggs for veggie plants for my garden, fresh baked muffins, homemade bread and even used them as gifts at Easter! If you have a green thumb offer starting a garden for someone who’s never done it before.
And what ever you do, don’t try to place a monetary value on your item. Each item is only worth what someone is willing to pay or barter for it. So trading 1 dozen free range organic eggs, which typically cost anywhere from $2.50 - $3.50 for 8 bell pepper seedlings, which if you bought at Lowes might cost you $2.00 per plant, may not sound like a fair trade. But the eggs were extra and so were the plants and neither one of us had to shell out hard earned cash to get the items we both needed. http://www.craigslist.com/ is a great place to see who is bartering and to place ads.
under the same name. I have 5 chickens in my backyard and I get about 5 fresh eggs a day! They are easier then you think to keep and kids love them! I buy organic feed for around $20 every other month. If there’s no money for groceries, there’s always Brinner! (Brinner = Breakfast for dinner) Tractor supply sells little week old chicks for less then $3.00, or the price of a carton of eggs. And you don’t need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs! Check out http://www.backyardchickens.com/ to learn more about yard birds.Need extra cash? - Try a part time job/business. There are several jobs or businesses you can start up to bring in a few extra bucks including, babysitting, elderly care, pet sitting, dog walking, house cleaning, mowing lawns, running errands, handyman services. Be creative, bake cakes, cookies or pies, have a yard sale, do grocery store demos or become a mystery shopper. Check out http://www.jobslinger.com/ to learn how to be a legitimate mystery shopper. You have to sign up, but it’s free. Never pay anyone to become a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping is legitimate if you go through the right companies. I use to do mystery shopping here, and my top month I made $400 in food, groceries, cash, gas and products.
And don’t forget you can turn your hobby or passion into a business. Are you a freak of nature when it comes to organizing homes and closets? Great at scrapbooking and could do it in your sleep? Does your yard look professionally landscaped? Turn it into a part time business. Or, barter these services! You never know what you’ll get in trade!
Bartering - I know I’ve said it before, but as the economy has weakened, bartering has strengthened. The most common thing I hear when I mention bartering is “I don’t have anything worth trading”. You just need to be creative! Barter your extra garden veggies for veggies you didn’t grow this year, or swap veggies for eggs or vice versa. I’ve bartered my extra eggs for veggie plants for my garden, fresh baked muffins, homemade bread and even used them as gifts at Easter! If you have a green thumb offer starting a garden for someone who’s never done it before.
And what ever you do, don’t try to place a monetary value on your item. Each item is only worth what someone is willing to pay or barter for it. So trading 1 dozen free range organic eggs, which typically cost anywhere from $2.50 - $3.50 for 8 bell pepper seedlings, which if you bought at Lowes might cost you $2.00 per plant, may not sound like a fair trade. But the eggs were extra and so were the plants and neither one of us had to shell out hard earned cash to get the items we both needed. http://www.craigslist.com/ is a great place to see who is bartering and to place ads. Email me any tips, suggestions or stories and I'll post them!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dogwood Activities!!
The Dogwood Festival!
A great way to support your community, have fun and not strain your wallet!
Before the big parade, head over for a $5 Pancake Breakfast!
Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake B'Fast
Proceeds from the Fifth Annual Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast will benefit The STAR Kids Program provided by Children, Youth & Family Services, Inc. Come to First Presbyterian Church at 500 Park Street between 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, to enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee, and juice. Tickets are available at the door for a $5 donation; kids under six eat free. Plenty of free parking available at the church, which is located just two blocks from the parade route of the spectacular Dogwood Festival Parade. Generous "Team Kiwanis" sponsors are Sam's Club, Pepsi-Cola of Central Virginia, and Starbucks Coffee.
After your belly is full, head downtown to watch the Free Parade!
Dogwood Festival Grand Feature ParadeDowntown CharlottesvilleSaturday - April 25th10:50 AM
Can't be a nice inexpensive breakfast and free entertainment! Kids will love it!
Check out other events at:
http://www.charlottesvilledogwoodfestival.org/Festival_Event.html
A great way to support your community, have fun and not strain your wallet!
Before the big parade, head over for a $5 Pancake Breakfast!
Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake B'Fast
Proceeds from the Fifth Annual Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast will benefit The STAR Kids Program provided by Children, Youth & Family Services, Inc. Come to First Presbyterian Church at 500 Park Street between 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, to enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee, and juice. Tickets are available at the door for a $5 donation; kids under six eat free. Plenty of free parking available at the church, which is located just two blocks from the parade route of the spectacular Dogwood Festival Parade. Generous "Team Kiwanis" sponsors are Sam's Club, Pepsi-Cola of Central Virginia, and Starbucks Coffee.
After your belly is full, head downtown to watch the Free Parade!
Dogwood Festival Grand Feature ParadeDowntown CharlottesvilleSaturday - April 25th10:50 AM
Can't be a nice inexpensive breakfast and free entertainment! Kids will love it!
Check out other events at:
http://www.charlottesvilledogwoodfestival.org/Festival_Event.html
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Finding a good deal!
Finding ways to cut the budget is becoming an art form. Bartering is on the rise and people are saving more and cutting corners even if they haven’t lost their jobs. Backyard gardens and even backyard chicken coops are making a comeback and I’m one of the people looking to become more self sufficient in that sense. I live in the city and am cultivating my vegetable garden as well as enjoying fresh eggs from my small flock of chickens. So cut corners and pinch pennies, what ever makes you feel safer and more secure in today’s shaking environment.
Here are a few stores nearby that offer great discounts. If heading over the mountain seems like a waste of gas, make sure you utilize the trip like I do and check out the local Goodwill and Super Walmart while you’re on that side of town.
Main Street Discounters – Main Street Waynesboro –
This store offers liquidation prices on overstocked and closeout items of food, clothing, restaurant supplies and tons of miscellaneous items. From $1.99 brand new tan t-shirts, ham stock and individual ketchup packets in bulk, you never know what you’ll find.
Sharp Shopper - 2800 A West Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Again, these are overstocked and closeout grocery store items. Not just canned goods and frozen items, this store has a nice produce and dairy section. Make sure you check the dates, but also read the stores info on food expiration dates to give you an idea of what you’re looking for. Stock up on good deals, because they hardly ever have the same thing twice! I’m still kicking myself over not buying to boxes of the Bumblebee Tuna lunch packs, the kind with the tuna salad already made and it comes with crackers and a spoon. I picked up 1 box of 9 for $4.99, making them $.55 each! Now that is a nice cheap lunch.
Just remember, if you are able to find an excellent deal but don’t necessarily need to stock your personal “bomb shelter” with food, you could help out the local food bank.
Here are a few stores nearby that offer great discounts. If heading over the mountain seems like a waste of gas, make sure you utilize the trip like I do and check out the local Goodwill and Super Walmart while you’re on that side of town.
Main Street Discounters – Main Street Waynesboro –
This store offers liquidation prices on overstocked and closeout items of food, clothing, restaurant supplies and tons of miscellaneous items. From $1.99 brand new tan t-shirts, ham stock and individual ketchup packets in bulk, you never know what you’ll find.
Sharp Shopper - 2800 A West Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980Again, these are overstocked and closeout grocery store items. Not just canned goods and frozen items, this store has a nice produce and dairy section. Make sure you check the dates, but also read the stores info on food expiration dates to give you an idea of what you’re looking for. Stock up on good deals, because they hardly ever have the same thing twice! I’m still kicking myself over not buying to boxes of the Bumblebee Tuna lunch packs, the kind with the tuna salad already made and it comes with crackers and a spoon. I picked up 1 box of 9 for $4.99, making them $.55 each! Now that is a nice cheap lunch.
Just remember, if you are able to find an excellent deal but don’t necessarily need to stock your personal “bomb shelter” with food, you could help out the local food bank.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Deals That Offer Some Tax Relief
Sweet Tax Relief
Companies that are giving perks for Tax Day! Hurry and take advantage.
Chick-fil-AVisit a participating restaurant April 15 and hang onto your receipt. The “Tax Relief Day Special” lets you return before April 30 to receive the same order for free.
CinnabonStop by Cinnabon from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 15 for free cinnamon-roll bites (regularly $2.49 for four).
JacuzziThe Tax Relief Sale offers savings of up to $2,000 on select models purchased on or before April 15.
Kimpton HotelsThrough April 30, ask for the Sweet Tax Relief Package and the hotel will pay the tax on your room. (At the Sky Hotel is Aspen that saves you the 10% that would have been tacked onto the $187-per-night deluxe room.) Dine at a property's restaurant, and they’ll pay the sales tax there, too.
Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and TreateryOn April 15, get one free scoop of ice cream.
McCormick & Schmick’s On April 15, the chain offers a $10.40 menu of entrees. (Entrees regularly range from $16 to $33.) Each diner also receives a $10.40 “tax relief” gift certificate for a future meal.
PF Chang ’s China Bistro Dine at one of P.F. Chang's 130-plus restaurant locations across the country on April 15, and save 15% on the total bill.
Taco Del Mar Sign up online to receive a coupon for a free taco (regularly $1.89) during the “Taxes Suck, Tacos Don’t” promotion April 15.
T.G.I. Friday’s On April 15, diners receive a $5 gift card when they spend $15 to $25. They earn a $10 card for a purchase of more than $25.
Zazzle.com Save 10.4% (it's advertised as 10.40%) on all orders at this T-shirt and apparel web site using code TAXDAYZAZZLE at checkout. Offer only good on April 15.
Companies that are giving perks for Tax Day! Hurry and take advantage.
Chick-fil-AVisit a participating restaurant April 15 and hang onto your receipt. The “Tax Relief Day Special” lets you return before April 30 to receive the same order for free.
CinnabonStop by Cinnabon from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 15 for free cinnamon-roll bites (regularly $2.49 for four).
JacuzziThe Tax Relief Sale offers savings of up to $2,000 on select models purchased on or before April 15.
Kimpton HotelsThrough April 30, ask for the Sweet Tax Relief Package and the hotel will pay the tax on your room. (At the Sky Hotel is Aspen that saves you the 10% that would have been tacked onto the $187-per-night deluxe room.) Dine at a property's restaurant, and they’ll pay the sales tax there, too.
Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and TreateryOn April 15, get one free scoop of ice cream.
McCormick & Schmick’s On April 15, the chain offers a $10.40 menu of entrees. (Entrees regularly range from $16 to $33.) Each diner also receives a $10.40 “tax relief” gift certificate for a future meal.
PF Chang ’s China Bistro Dine at one of P.F. Chang's 130-plus restaurant locations across the country on April 15, and save 15% on the total bill.
Taco Del Mar Sign up online to receive a coupon for a free taco (regularly $1.89) during the “Taxes Suck, Tacos Don’t” promotion April 15.
T.G.I. Friday’s On April 15, diners receive a $5 gift card when they spend $15 to $25. They earn a $10 card for a purchase of more than $25.
Zazzle.com Save 10.4% (it's advertised as 10.40%) on all orders at this T-shirt and apparel web site using code TAXDAYZAZZLE at checkout. Offer only good on April 15.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Double Coupons
Hey there !It looks like some retailers are lending us a hand, and in turn helping their sales, by doubling and super doubling coupons!
Harris Teeter has always doubled coupons up to $.99 every day. Which means that if you have a coupon for $.99 off an item, you actually get $ 1.98 off. This means some items come in either free or under a dollar! Now, while I have never seen a $.99 coupon, this means that those $.55 and over coupons are much more valuable.
Giant Food Stores have jumped on the bandwagon to double up to $.99 every day. This week only, they have a coupon in their flyer (you can pick one up in the store) for new or transferred prescriptions. Bring in the coupon, along with your new or transferred prescription, and they will give you a $20.00 Giant Food Gift Card. I transferred my prescription that I normally get from Sam's Club, and it didn't cost my anymore then usual. They handed me my $20 Gift Card immediately. My husband did the same with his prescription, it cost him only $2.00 more for the transfer. We ended up with $40 in Giant Food Gift cards which paid for both prescriptions and around $10 in free groceries!
I just love the remodeled look in their Seminole Trail store. The self scanning option is great! 
You swipe your Giant card at the scanner kiosk as soon as you walk in, pick up a scanner and some bags and off you go. Find an item you want (make sure you match up your coupon) scan it, and bag it! When you're done, head to the register, hand the cashier your scanner and your coupons and pay! It quicker, makes lines shorter and you can keep track of how much you're spending while you shop! I've only done this once and I'm already a big fan.
You swipe your Giant card at the scanner kiosk as soon as you walk in, pick up a scanner and some bags and off you go. Find an item you want (make sure you match up your coupon) scan it, and bag it! When you're done, head to the register, hand the cashier your scanner and your coupons and pay! It quicker, makes lines shorter and you can keep track of how much you're spending while you shop! I've only done this once and I'm already a big fan.
Super Deal! This week only, Feb 22 - 28, Kmart is Super Doubling up to and including $2.00, which is essentially doubling $.99 coupons.
So, if you don't already have the Sunday Paper, go get 1 or 2. The savings will be well worth the $1.50.
TIPS!:
Take your UVA I.D., School I.D. and your own bags for extra savings. Saving the planet can save you money!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Magazine Deal !!
| Here's a Deal I'm passing on to my loyal readers! Think holiday/Birthday gifts, save time and money! Dear Amazon.com Customer, | |
| | |
| As someone who has shopped for magazines at Amazon.com, we wanted to invite you to save an instant $5.00 on select subscriptions through August 31. using the coupon code AUGMAG05 at checkout. Here are some of the great deals you can get with your secret code, which you can use as many times as you like: - Wired: $5.00 after discount - Vegetarian Times: $7.00 after discount - Yoga Journal: $9.95 after discount - Bon Appetit: $10.00 after discount - Vanity Fair: $10.00 after discount - Gourmet: $10.00 after discount You can use this offer to renew an existing subscription, or to start a new one. Just be sure to use it before it expires on August 31 |
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