How to Get Free Stuff

Every couple of weeks I get a free sample or a coupon for a free sample in my mailbox.

I've gotten free cereals, free breakfast bars, free yogurt, free baking ingredients, free shampoos, and even free face creams.

How did I get to be so lucky?

Vocalpoint.   They describe themselves as "a community of moms who love talking to other people, get energized when asked for their opinion, like searching for new knowledge and sharing it with others, and enjoy making a difference in people's lives."  What if you aren't a mom?  I honestly don't know.  I guess you can try to sign up and see what happens.

Also, KRAFT First Taste.  They say, "Be among the first to know about the latest featured products from Kraft Foods."   Nothing here about being a mom.

Some of my favorite things I've gotten from these sites include:

One of my two new favorite cereals.  (The other is Kashi GoLean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble, which I mentioned in this blog.)

Also:

Kool-Aid Fun Fizz, which was fun to try, but the kids and I keep forgetting that it exists and we never drink it.

And:

Philadelphia Cooking Creme, which I was really eager to try.  But it has actually sat in my fridge for a couple of weeks now because I can't think of what to do with it.  The recipes that came with it actually don't look very good.  Oh, well.  Now I know, and that's the point, right?

And my very favorite:

Olay ProX Wrinkle Smoothing Cream.  (Oh, I know what you're thinking: "Kendra, your skin is perfect and beautiful and you wouldn't need wrinkle smoothing cream!"  That's what you were thinking, right?)  Although it's designed as a night cream, I use this very sparingly as a morning moisturizer.  It's great for the Colorado climate.  My skin has been very soft - so much so that my sweet little Teo will occasionally come up and caress my face just because he likes how soft it is.

So check out Vocalpoint and Kraft First Taste and see if you can get in on some of these freebies!

Mothers Day Deals

Looking for something fun to do on Mother's Day?  Moms, you could drive around all day and go from place to place eating for free!  Well, that's only partly true.  Most restaurants require an entree purchase before you get something for free.

At TCBY Mom gets free yogurt.
At Mimi's Mom gets a free chocolate bar.
At Ruby Tuesday Mom gets a free red velvet cupcake.

The list goes on.  Check out Mothers Day Deals on DenverBargains.com.

Happy Mother's Day!

Fun for the Family

If you want to get out today with the family and are looking for something fun (and free!) to do, I have a plan for you!

Go to Glen Eyrie for the Eagle Lake Carnival hosted by the Navigators!  Today from 10 am-2 pm, there will be cotton candy, games, hikes, popcorn, inflatables, face painting and more!  And $2 will get you a hot dog lunch.

Here's the official info.

Thanks, SpringsBargains, for the heads up!

Free Pretzel for National Pretzel Day

Today is National Pretzel Day!  How are you going to celebrate?  Well, I have an idea for you.

If you're headed to the mall today (Citadel or Chapel Hills; out of towners, I don't know about you), stop by at Pretzelmaker, tell them that you want a free pretzel for National Pretzel Day, and ta-da!  Free pretzel.  Enjoy!

Thanks, Springs Bargains!

Free Food from Qdoba and Cold Stone today!

It's College Friday!  Wear gear from your favorite college team today and get free food!  (CC Tigers, anyone?  Wait, I mean UCCS Mountain Lions!  Wait, I mean CSUP T-Wolves!  I could be here all day...)  First, run by Qdoba and get free chips and queso; then head to Coldstone for dessert.  From 3-7 pm, you can get free Like It creation as long as you're wearing those college duds.

Click here for participating Qdoba restaurants.

Click here for participating Cold Stones.

Eat, eat some more, and be merry!

Thanks, Springs Bargains!

Frozen Goodness

Photo: http://www.cleanbreak.ca/

For some reason, I just can't get enough of yummy frozen treats!

When we asked our church college group to share their favorite ice cream, a lot of people mentioned Rizuto's, a mom and pop ice cream shop on the corner of Barnes and Oro Blanco.  I still haven't been there.  It's biggest draw is the cheap price for a very large ice cream cone.  From what I hear, it's perfect for a large family or for a group of college students.

I tried to get Steve to go there on Saturday (after an awesome lunch at Boriello Brothers Pizza; I can't rave enough about that place!), but he was convinced that the best way to go would be brownie sundaes at home with Blue Bell ice cream and chocolate and butterscotch syrup.  Well, I could see his point, so we'll have to try Rizuto's another time.

And he was right, the sundaes were amazing!  In fact, I have eaten five since Saturday!  (I love being pregnant!)




Photo: http://www.chicagofree.info/

 Another place I need to try is YoYogurt.  It has just opened on Powers and Stetson Hills.  Like Yogurtland, our favorite from California (and more recently, from our trip to Arizona), it's a bright, fun-loving restaurant that offers do-it-yourself yogurts and toppings.  Fill up your cup with whatever you want, and they'll weigh it and charge you by the ounce. I love the creative freedom!





And here's some good news for all you who, like me, are craving frozen goodness:  Today, until 10 pm, YoYogurt will be offering 12 ounces for $0.99, which, from what I understand, is about half price.  Any other day, check in at YoYogurt on Facebook and get 10% off.  Stop by and give it a try!

Thanks, Rachel and SpringsBargains!

Restaurant Deals

Through tomorrow (3/31) you can get a great deal at Restaurant.com using the coupon code TASTY.  Search by your city to see what restaurants offer gift certificates near you.  Or, if you plan to take a family vacation this summer, see what restaurants you can find at your destination.

Some of the fine print you should know:

• Gift certificates have a minimum purchase price.  For example, with a $25 gift certificate, you usually have to spend at least $35.
• Often certificates must be used for dine-in, dinner, and sometimes weekends aren't allowed.  Check the fine print.
• Gift cerificates usually expire in one year from the purchase date.

With the coupon code TASTY, you'll save an 80% off your certificate purchase price (get a $25 certificate for $2) AND you'll get an additional $10 Restaurant.com e-Gift Card

Gift Idea: A Photo Story Book

Today I came across something which would make a great gift for graduation or Mother's Day!

Stop by Mamapedia's Sweet Deals site and snatch up their daily deal for a Hardcover Group Story Book.  For $12 (regularly $35) you can make a hardcover photo book with captions.  You can even start a group and invite friends and family to add their own photos and captions.  Use coupon code SPRING10 and get an additional 10% off your Mamapedia deal.  This deal ends on April 1, but then you have until Dec. 31, 2011 to make your book.

Check out Group Story to find out more about these books.

Thanks, Coupon Cravings!

Dairy Queen Deals Today

The Dairy Queen near Stetson Hills and Powers (at 5440 Tutt) is having a customer appreciation day today!  Everything is 50% off!  Enjoy a blizzard as you wrap up spring break!

Thanks, Springs Bargains!

Chili's: Free Molten Dessert Today Only!

Looking to fill a chocolate craving tonight?  (That is, assuming you've recovered from your chocolate coma from my High Altitude Chocolate Chip Cookies.)

Get a hold of this coupon from Facebook, and get a free molten dessert with the purchase of one entree at Chili's.  Offer good today only!

Thanks, Springs Bargains, for the tip!

I Scream, You Scream

This is a great weekend for frozen yumminess in Colorado Springs!

Blue Bell ice cream is coming to stores in Colorado.  Today you can get free samples at several stores around town between noon and 6 PM.

• King Soopers, 1750 W. Uintah St.
• Albertsons, 7055 Austin Bluffs
• Sunflower Farmers Market, 1730 Dublin Blvd.
• Walgreens, 3480 N. Academy Blvd

And frozen yogurt can be on your menu tomorrow.

iTopit! is a new self-serve, pay-by-the-ounce yogurt place opening at 1610 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd on Saturday.  Go to their Grand Opening between 11 AM and 2 PM tomorrow for free yogurt, along with drawings, contests and prizes.

We are huge fans of self-serve yogurt places, and can't wait to try it out!  Check out their website at http://www.itopit.com/.

Chicken Korma and Bird Hats

Steve and I like to introduce our kids to unusual foods.  We figure we just never can know what they're going to like until we give something a try.  Granted, they turn out to be just as picky as most four and seven year-olds, but there are a few surprises.

One such surprise has been our favorite Indian restaurant, Mirch Masala, here in Colorado Springs. 

We reserved it for date nights for several years, and one day decided to try it out on the kids.  It was a hit!  Chicken Korma, unlimited rice, and buttery pieces of naan kept our taste buds busy and happy. 

And we played a game (which also kept us busy and happy) which we can only play at Mirch Masala.  Thanks to their large, playful mural covering one wall, we play a continuous game of "I spy" during dinner, trying each time to get more creative than the last.

Here, you try it: I spy with my little eye...a bird hat.

See, fascinating, isn't it?  Well, the kids like it.

The good news is, I have a deal for you!  Right now, through March 14, you can get Mirch Masala coupons from http://www.restaurant.com/ for 80% off, using the coupon code SAVE.  Notice the small print: for example, if you purchase a $25 gift certificate (for $3 with this deal), you must spend $35 at the restaurant.  (Essentially your meal will cost you $13.)  The certificates are valid only for dinner and dine-in.

Give it a try and tell me what you think!