Free Stuff on Tax Day

With tomorrow being April 15, we all deserve something for free. Here are a few things that are free or discounted tomorrow:

Free HydroMassage (there's one near you)

Click here for more info

Starbucks:

Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S:

The seafood restaurant is offering $10.40 dinner and drink specials in the bar on Thursday -- a nod to the 1040 tax form. Bar guests who come in April 15 also receive a $10.40 gift certificate for a later visit. And professional tax preparers, who may have to work right until the midnight deadline Thursday, get their freebie Friday: dessert on the house plus a $10.40 certificate if they show a business card

P.F. CHANG'S:

Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.

The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market is now open in the Hingham shipyard. This store is great for many reasons, as you will see below. One of the things that I really like about the store is that they have people who help you out to the car with your groceries. They don't just help the little old ladies, they help everyone. I wondered why they would do this and then I realized why. There are virtually no carts in the parking lot. All of the shopping carts stay inside the store where they stay nice and dry. They also aren't denting peoples cars. The customer service is outstanding and the staff are all very nice and helpful. They had some wonderful samples on hand today, including ribs, that they were grilling outside. I know it seems strange to get excited over a grocery, but it's the little things in life that make us happy.

They have an extensive wine department.

I think I was drooling while looking at all of the cakes!

The meat department had lots to offer.

They have coffee beans by the barrel.

MGH Child Life Services

Most of you know that my niece, Meghan, has spent quite a bit of time at Mass General Hospital for Children. The staff there is wonderful, especially the Child Life Services staff and volunteers. They have a great playroom on the pediatric floor that she stays on. It's filled with games, crafts, computers, a television and DVD's that you can take back to your room to watch.

My sister, Kelly, and I are always on the lookout for a good bargain. We found some great games on sale recently. We've also been collecting crayons, coloring books and other items for the playroom for a while now. I went to the hospital today to drop them off. They were very grateful.

Ellison 18. The pediatric floor where Meg stays.

The elevators.

The playroom.

Below are some of the items that we donated.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Although the rain boots pictured below are cute, I hate to have to wear them three days in a row. It's been raining here NONSTOP! People who don't have a flooded basement know ten people who do. It's been crazy. It makes me want to stay home with a good book. There is some hope though. The forecast for tomorrow calls for sunshine and 50 degree weather. It can't get here fast enough. I hope wherever you are, you're staying safe and dry.

Obsessed

Those who know me know that I'm obsessed with chocolate. Another thing I'm obsessed with is lip balm. If I find myself without it, I immediately go into panic mode. Luckily, these times are few and far between. In fact, I have at least two within arms reach at all (well, most) times. I'm wondering if there is some kind of support group for this? Or 12 step program?

The Binder

Hi,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Kelly and I am Loopy's sister. She has asked to share some of my money saving tips with you. I have recently become an avid "couponer". I'm still fairly new to couponing but I do pretty well at the stores that I frequent. The first thing that I must show you is the binder. My family and friends have a great time giving me grief about it, but it saves me a ton of money. The most important thing about organizing your coupons is to figure out a system that works for you. Also, be sure to keep an eye on expiration dates. Start slow or you will become overwhelmed for sure. The grocery store is a good place to start. Did you know that most grocery stores AUTOMATICALLY DOUBLE any coupon under $1.00? Sometimes they even have a triple coupon promotion. Here's is a glimpse inside my binder. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions

Godiva

Aside from family and friends, there is nothing I like more than some good chocolate. Godiva is one of the best. Recently I became a member of Godiva Rewards. Being a member is free and you get to choose a chocolate of your choice from the case, once a month, when you stop by any Godiva store. They've also opened an outlet at the Wrentham Outlets. Who doesn't like a sweet treat when they're shopping? I got a little surprise treat when I went into the store the other day. Since I didn't get my "reward" from last month, they gave it to me this month. It's a beautiful little gold box with two chocolates inside. I'm saving the chocolates for a rainy day.

Yum!