Archive for September, 2009

There is no cheap way to go to Disney parks. Sure, you can save a few dollars here and there, but unless it’s your birthday, it’s nearly impossible to get in without at least a little pinch in your pocket.

Here’s a way to go for free in 2010.

The theme parks have partnered with the HandsOn Network to link volunteering and ticket admission. The promotion is called “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”

One million certified volunteers who donate a day of service in 2010 will get a one-day ticket to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. or Walt Disney World in Orlando next year.

HandsOn Network has 70,000 affiliated agencies, from Habitat for Humanity to local food banks, churches, health care centers, and educational programs. Once their service is verified by HandsOn, volunteers print out an online certificate that can be redeemed at a Disney park.

Will you volunteer in order to get a free ticket? What type of volunteer service do you already take part in?

Over at Inside Access, Jamie …

Continue reading Volunteer and get a free Disney ticket in 2010 »

Take the Starbucks VIA Challenge

Starbucks has unveiled its new instant coffee, one it says rivals the taste of its fresh brew. You can judge for yourself, and get a freebie, too. From Oct. 2-5, go into the store and participate in the VIA Taste Challenge: you’ll taste the Colombia Starbucks VIA Ready Brew and the fresh-brewed Pike Place Roast, and try to tell which is which. After you’re done, and surely all caffeniated, you’ll get a coupon for a free Tall brewed coffee for your next visit, and a coupon for $1 off off a VIA purchase.

Free Stevi B’s Pizza

Participating Stevi B’s pizza restaurants are going all out to prove it has a delicious pizza buffet. The first 100 customers to come into one of the restaurants starting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 will get a free medium to-go pizza. For those who don’t make the first 100, Stevi B’s will provide coupons for two to dine for $10.99. Read more about the promotion here.

Free Muffins

Lots of bakeries give out samples of their goodies. …

Continue reading Deals galore: Free Starbucks brew | Free pizza | Free muffin »

Tax-free appliance holiday starts Thursday

If you’re in the market for a new appliance, this would be a good time to make your purchases. October 1-4 marks Georgia’s tax free holiday for energy and water efficient appliances and products. Purchases must be intended for home use, rather than commercial, and cannot exceed $1,500. The products must be “Energy Star” approved, and include:

Air conditioners

Fluorescent light bulbs

Dishwashers

Refrigerators

Dehumidfiers

Ceiling fans

Clothes washers

Windows (including skylights)

Programmable thermostats

Doors

Bathroom sink faucets or aerators

High-efficiency toilets and urinals

If the timing isn’t right for you, keep in mind that Georgia is in line for $9.3 million in federal stimulus money that will be directed toward a rebate program for Energy Star appliances. The details of the deal are still being hammered out and aren’t due until Oct. 15, but $300 million in federal dollars is being distributed to states based on population.

Continue reading Tax-free holiday for appliances starts Thursday »

Chaos and clutter are monumental issues for some homeowners. Reality television shows exposing colossal household disorganization are popular and in many cases, those at a complete loss turn to professionals to help bring order where this is none. Still, there are measures you can take yourself to help make sense of messiness. We’ve asked Monica Ricci,  a Certified Professional Organizer, speaker, trainer and author, to give us 10 affordable DIY tips on organizing your home.

Here are Ricci’s suggestions:

1. To corral toys inexpensively, purchase white bankers boxes at an office supply store, and with a blade, cut a large “notch” in the front to make the contents easily visible for kids to store and retrieve their things.Approximate cost: $3 each.

2. Instead of drawer dividers, save the boxes your checks and shoes come in and use them to separate different categories of items inside drawers. Approximate cost: Free

3. Organize and store jewelry, beading and small crafting …

Continue reading DIY: 10 cheap tips to organize your belongings »

The High Museum is nearing its debut of  “Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of Genius,” another highly anticipated exhibition to come through the city. For the first time in the museum’s history, the High will offer a free preview on Monday, Oct. 5, from noon-7 p.m.

It’s a rare and special treat for Atlantans to see such an acclaimed exhibition free of charge before the official opening on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The last ticket Monday will be issued at 6 p.m., and no advance reservations will be accepted.

The exhibition features approximately 50 works, including more than 20 sketches and studies by Leonardo, some of which will be on display for the first time in the United States.

“We know budgets are tight these days, but this is such an significant exhibition,” said Philip Verre, the High’s Chief Operating Officer. “With some of the most important works of art in the world, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience it. So, we’re giving Atlanta a gift. For the first time …

Continue reading Free ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ preview on Monday at the High Museum »

Hawks-Thrashers ticket giveaway with flood donation

I spotted this on Atlanta on the Cheap: The Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers are chipping in to help Austell’s Clarkdale Elementary School in its flood recovery efforts. Bring new school supplies with a minimum value of $10 to the Thrashers game on Saturday and get a voucher good for two complimentary tickets to the Oct. 22 game against the Washington Capitals or the Oct. 24 game against the San Jose Sharks. Drop-off locations will be at the Centennial Olympic Park Drive, CNN, Marta and First Horizon Club entrances to Philips Arena.  The drive will run from the time doors open through the end of the first period.

The Hawks school supply drive is Oct. 7. In exchange for your donation, you’ll receive two vouchers for the Oct. 28 game against Indiana or the Oct. 30 game versus Washington.  The giveaway runs from when the doors open through the first quarter. The drop-off locations are the same for both teams.

Phoenix …

Continue reading Hawks-Thrashers ticket giveaway with Clarkdale donation | Free Phoenix ‘concert’ »

68 cent Cheesesteaks

I love cheesesteaks, but can’t remember the last time I had one. Just the thought of this makes my mouth water: Philly Connection has 68 cent cheesesteaks all day long on Thursday, Oct. 1, to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The sports radio talkshow, Buck & Kincade Show on 680-AM The Fan” will do a live broadcast as well. The restaurant is located at 2980 Cobb Parkway in the Cumberland Festival Shopping Center.

Free cookie for National Cookie Month

October is National Cookie Month, and Great American Cookies is honoring the occasion by offering members of its e-mail fan club a free Original Chocolate Chip cookie. Just sign up on their Web site. People who are already members of the fan club will get a coupon for a free cookie automatically on Oct. 1.

Half off Zoo Atlanta

Tickets to Zoo Atlanta are 50 percent off — for $10.25 — when you make your purchase through HalfOffDepot.com. Only a handful remain, though, so don’t expect this deal to last much …

Continue reading Half off Zoo Atlanta tickets | 68 cent Cheesesteak | Free cookies »

USA Today’s Snapshot feature presented an interesting result this week with respondents answering questions about their financial concerns.

According to the poll results, four in 10 callers to a financial help line from April through June “complained of mounting debt.”

Specifically, the biggest financial worries in order were:

Debt: 39 percent

Budgeting/saving: 32 percent

Credit management: 7 percent

Real estate: 6 percent

Retirement planning: 5 percent

When it comes to personal finances, what concerns you most? Where doyou feel most secure?

Here are tips from Atlanta clinical psychologist Dr. Paula Bloom on dealing with financial stress.

Have a story idea? Email rcash@ajc.com

Follow me on Twitter @atlbargains

Continue reading More worry about debt than budgeting. What concerns you most? »

Free McDonald’s Angus Burger and MARTA ride

If you’ve been driving to work downtown, you might consider taking MARTA on Wednesday. From 4-6 p.m. on Sept. 30, folks coming through the MARTA Five Points station will get a free, one-way Breeze ticket and a coupon for a free McDonald’s Angus Third Pounder premium burger, while supplies last. The Breeze ticket can be used anytime in September and October.

Braves Tickets

While you’re downtown, you might as well take advantage of Wednesday’s ticket deal to see the Braves. You can two Field/Terrace Pavilion tickets for the price of one, a $22 value. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. If you missed the earlier post, tickets for Dave Ramsey night tonight are only $1 in the upper reserved section. You have to buy your tickets on braves.com/daveramsey. On Tuesday, it’s two-for-one upper reserved, $8 tickets.

Save on U2 tickets

This isn’t a huge discount, but every little bit helps. I found this deal on Travelzoo.com to save up to 30 percent on …

Continue reading Free McDonald’s burger and MARTA ride | Save on U2 concert tickets | $1 Braves + 2-for-1 tickets »

Save on The Nutcracker

As the holiday season approaches, shows like The Nutcracker are front and center. It helps when you can find discounts on them. You can save 25 percent on select shows of the Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker performance by purchasing your ticket online and using promo code ’savvy.’

The Nutcracker is at The Fox Theatre Dec. 11-Dec. 27. There are six discounted shows, including the 7:30 p.m. performances on Dec. 16-18, both the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows on Dec. 26, and the 2 p.m. performance on Dec. 27.

‘Top five affordable wine list’

Table Talk blogger Meridith Ford Goldman caught my eye with the words affordable and wine in the sentence. If you haven’t seen it, check out her weekly Top Five lists, this time featuring her favorite places for premier affrodable wines around town.

It reminds me to get on my search for restaurants in the area that will allow you to bring your own, and charge only a minimal cork fee. If you have any favorite places, send me a …

Continue reading ‘Affordable wine list’ | Save 25% on Nutcracker | Free Dance event | $1 Braves »