Just Plain Frugal

Summer vacation is around the corner and you know what that means right? Worried parents and kid boredom. How can you keep your kids safe and entertained on the cheap? As with all things, shop around.

A membership to your local YMCA might give access to classes, summer sports teams and a fitness center.

You can also search http://www.localhikes.com/ for hikes near you.

My local Auto Club usually has a flyer several pages thick listing days for kids to get into local museums and attractions for free.

If you’re a Southern California native you might want to consult http://www.daytrippen.com/

You’ve probably heard of free cab rides home on drunken holidays like today. AAA is taking it one step further. Not only will they take YOU home, they’ll bring your car. For free. AAA is offering its Tipsy Tow program on most drunken holidays.

The holidays include:

If you’re too drunk to drive, and your car is parked within a set number of miles from your home, you can get a free tow. You don’t even necessarily have to be a member depending on where you live. Just call 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357) and ask them what the rules are for the “tipsy tow” in your area. A driver will pick you and your car up, and give you a one-way ride home.

So, if you must drive, stay within 5 miles from your house, and AAA has your back. NICE!

You’ve probably heard of free cab rides home on drunken holidays like today. AAA is taking it one step further. Not only will they take YOU home, they’ll bring your car. For free. AAA is offering its Tipsy Tow program on most drunken holidays.

The holidays include:

If you’re too drunk to drive, and your car is parked within a set number of miles from your home, you can get a free tow. You don’t even necessarily have to be a member depending on where you live. Just call 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357) and ask them what the rules are for the “tipsy tow” in your area. A driver will pick you and your car up, and give you a one-way ride home.

So, if you must drive, stay within 5 miles from your house, and AAA has your back. NICE!

You’ve probably heard of free cab rides home on drunken holidays like today. AAA is taking it one step further. Not only will they take YOU home, they’ll bring your car. For free. AAA is offering its Tipsy Tow program on most drunken holidays.

The holidays include:

If you’re too drunk to drive, and your car is parked within a set number of miles from your home, you can get a free tow. You don’t even necessarily have to be a member depending on where you live. Just call 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357) and ask them what the rules are for the “tipsy tow” in your area. A driver will pick you and your car up, and give you a one-way ride home.

So, if you must drive, stay within 5 miles from your house, and AAA has your back. NICE!

You have to love any band that understands that recessions hit us hardest in our entertainment budgets. Coldplay, it turns out, is one of those bands. Their website statement says:

We’re pleased to announce that… on May 15th, LeftRightLeftRightLeft will be made available as a free download right here at Coldplay.com.

According to the band, the give-away is meant as a recession-busting mark of gratitude to everyone who’s supported them: “Playing live is what we love. This album is a thank you to our fans – the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen.”

The album was recorded over the past year in various cities around the world on the Viva La Vida tour. Its tracklisting is as follows:

1. Glass of Water
2. 42
3. Clocks
4. Strawberry Swing
5. The Hardest Part/Postcards From Far Away
6. Viva La Vida
7. Death Will Never Conquer
8. Fix You
9. Death And All His Friends

I’ve always liked Coldplay’s music but this is a particularly wonderful gesture. THANKS COLDPLAY!

Note the statement above was paraphrased for the complete statement and for other Coldplay news click HERE

Hallmark is celebrating Mother’s Day by allowing you to create a card on their site. Once you’re finished they will send that card to your mom or grandma or mother-in-law for free. Just use the code CARD4MOM. Create your card HERE.

ORDER TODAY to ensure delivery by mother’s day!!!

Babies R US has long been a staple for moms everywhere. It’s great that they’re celebrating motherhood by offering this chance to 22 lucky women. Click the image to go to the official page and sign up!

Palm is looking for recruits to become “Real” reviewers of Palm phones. If you’re selected, Palm will give you a free Palm phone to try out including a FREE data plan for six months. The only requirement is that you regularly post your thoughts about the Palm phone you’re using on the web (on blogs and social networking sites). You may also be asked to blog on Palm’s Facebook page or blogs (cool!)

Just fill out this eight-question survey and tell Palm a bit about yourself. You must be 18 years old and a US resident to be eligible.

Well, it looks like more free ice cream opportunities are just around the corner.

On May 12th Haagen-Dazs (yes I eat it but I can never remember how to spell it so bear with me it took me three tries to get that right) is giving away a free scoop of any Bee-built ice cream. I wasn’t aware of this but apparently a LOT of our food is thanks to bees and those bees are currently in danger so Haagen-Dazs is working hard to alert the public (good for them!) Click the image to find a local Haagen-Dazs location for your free scoop.

And click HERE to find out more about the Honey Bee Crisis and how you can help.

Okay first and foremost I’d like to state in writing that I do not encourage people to live on fast food. However, I received a survey in my email box this week as a Chick-fil-A® Email Insiders subscriber (I never know how this stuff happens but it goes to my deals email address so I’m not that worried about it). In the email it says by participating in the 2009 Email survey I will earn a chance to be one of 10 people selected to receive Chick-fil-A® for a year.

The survey will take between 5-10 minutes and is geared toward helping them figure out how to better market to me. Of course.

I’ll admit I filled it out more out of curiosity then anything else. According to the survey itself my odds of winning a Prize are approximately 1:51,943; however, actual odds will depend on the number of eligible entries received.

I’ve never met anyone whose won one of these things and some day I’d like to so I’ve decided to spread the word. The giveaway period ends on April 30th so hurry up and give it a shot. Just remember your “deals” email address!

For the survey click HERE (I have no idea if others can take it but you might as well give it a shot, right?) So let me know if it works for you…