Earth Day Freebies!

I do love the earth. It's pretty awesome. I love celebrating Earth Day, too! Not only do you get to take some time to appreciate the planet, but some really great freebies and events happen to encourage you to adopt habits that are good for the earth! Here's what's going on for Earth Day 2011:

*My absolute favorite Earth Day freebie (did it last year) - trade in any cleanser bottle (full or empty) for a FREE full sized Origins facial cleanser! Only on Earth Day (4/22). You have to fill out this form in advance, and I'd recommend going early before all the supplies run out!

*FREE coffee or tea at participating Starbucks on April 22nd when you bring in your travel mug!

*FREE coffee at Whole Foods when you bring in your travel mug, too! Check your nearby store to confirm they are participating.

*FREE eco-friendly workshops at select Home Depot locations!

*Lowe's is also celebrating Earth Day by giving out a million FREE trees on Saturday (4/23)! See if your nearby Lowe's is participating. While you're there, make a FREE birdhouse with the kids at 10AM with the Build and Grow program.

*The best way to celebrate Earth Day is in the great outdoors, right? FREE entrance to all national parks!

And don't forget - celebrate Earth Day by doing something good for the planet! Take a shorter shower, turn off your lights, turn down your heat (or AC, if you're having better weather than me!). Maybe even hug a tree!

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day Freebies and Deals

I love saving money - obviously. But I love it even more when saving money goes hand in hand with saving the environment. I honestly don't know why more people don't put an emphasis on going greener - it's good all around! As you probably know, Earth Day is coming up tomorrow, and some businesses are doing their part to get you to think about the environment AND take advantage of awesome deals!

*I found this hard to believe, but bring a beauty product container (empty or full) to your Origins store and get a FULL SIZED cleanser - either the Checks and Balances face wash or the Perfect World cleanser! Awesome, right? And it doesn't have to be an Origins product you bring in. And to think I was just about to go pay money for some more face wash...oh, and PS, any day of the year, bring in ANY cosmetic container to Origins (again, regardless of brand) and get a FREE sample of a skin care product as part of their Origins Recycling Program!

*FREE admittance to over 100 select U.S. National Parks, now through April 25th!

*FREE classes and a plant for kids at Pottery Barn from 11 AM - 3 PM on April 22nd.

*Send a FREE Earth Day e-card from the World Wildlife Fund.

*A chance to win a FREE reusable bag from Earthbound Farms when you answer 9 of 10 questions on a quiz right. Next chance to win is at this morning at 9 AM Pacific Standard Time!

*In a previous post, I mentioned the BBC's Planet Earth "Pole to Pole" episode for FREE, courtesy of iTunes. Download before April 26th.

I like Earth Day because it gives me a chance to refocus on doing good for the environment. I'm going to start bringing my personal mugs to coffee shops - it saves paper cups AND many cafes (including Starbucks) gives you a few cents off your drink! I'm also going to be much better about turning on the heat when I get chilled and reach for a sweatshirt (or Snuggie -ha!) instead.

What about you? What are your Earth Day resolutions?

Tax Day Freebies and Deals!

"Nothing is certain except taxes and death." - Benjamin Franklin

Unfortunately, that is probably true. Luckily, Tax Day has some good freebies and deals so while it's still certain, it's maybe just a bit more fun!

*Taco Del Mar will be giving away FREE tacos! Just fill out your Taco 1099 and bring to a participating location!





*Cinnabon is trying to make Tax Day less taxing, so they're offering 2 FREE cupcake bites from 6-8 PM!


*McCormick and Schmick's is offering a FREE $10.40 gift certificate to every customer on Tax Day (good for your next visit), plus a $10.40 dinner and drink specials! Oh, and if you are a tax preparer, go celebrate there on the 16th - you get a FREE dessert when you present your business card.


*P.F. Chang's is offering 15% off your bill (not including alcohol - I thought that might be important to add).


*Whole Foods will not be charging sales tax on Tax Day.


*Maggie Moo's Ice Cream and Treatery will be giving out FREE slices of their ice cream pizza (uh huh - ice cream pizza) from 3-7 PM. Check here for the participating locations.


*And while I think it's more Earth Day than Tax Day, Starbucks is giving you a FREE coffee if you plan to drink it in a reusable mug.


*File this in the Earth Day more than Tax Day category, too: iTunes is giving away FREE downloads of the BBC's Planet Earth Episode 1.



That should make filing your taxes a little less stressful and a lot more appetizing! If you know of any more deals, feel free to post them in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Why Your Birthday ROCKS

Clearly, you're aware that your birthday rocks. YOU were born! Don't you think that everyone should celebrate? Well, lots of people want to help you celebrate! Check out all the stuff you can get for FREE on your birthday!

*I scream, you scream, we all scream for FREE ice cream on our birthday! Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone Creamery, and Ben and Jerry's offer a free scoop on your birthday if you register online with their clubs.

*Register your Starbucks card and get a FREE drink.

*DSW offers $5 off a pair of shoes on your birthday when you join their Rewards program.

*Like beauty products? Sign up for Sephora's Beauty Insider program and you'll get something free on your birthday!

*Are you a movie buff? Hollywood Video gives you a free rental on your birthday! Check with a local theater to see if they offer you discounts or even free tickets (it's done differently in so many regions, so I can't confirm what chains offer birthday bonuses).

*There are loads of restaurants that do things for your birthday. Some of my favorites: Red Robin (free burger of your choice when you join their eclub), Qdoba (free entree when you buy a second one when you join their club) and BJ's (free PIZOOKIE when you join their club). Just in case you have never had one, a pizookie is a cookie pizza with a scoop of ice cream on top and it's ah-mazing. Nothing like putting on the pounds as your metabolism starts to slow down...

*Definitely check around your local area - some of your favorite restaurants may offer a deal. For example, Ray's Boathouse in Seattle offers free lunch on your birthday!

Make sure to check the fine print for each business. Some will give you the freebies on the DAY only while others have a two week window. Some are even good for the whole month of your birthday!

So cheers to you and your new year! Anyone else know of good things to get for free on your birthday?

Free Snuggie!

I'm not going to lie....I'm a Snuggie Lover. I received one for my birthday last year from my friend Nick because I did a fair share of making fun of Snuggies. Like it's so hard to grab the phone or the remote with a blanket?

Fast-forward 6 months and add the chilly fall weather, and I love it! Instead of turning the heat on, I reach for my Snuggie and stay cozy.

If you don't yet have a Slanket, a Snuggie or a bathrobe you wear backwards, now's your chance to get one for free! I was reading one of my favorite personal finance blogs, WiseBread, and found this promo! Check it out and get ready to feel the Snuggie love!

Free Theater!

Do you wish that you could go to the theater but think it's just too expensive? Well, now you can! In 120 cities across the country, Theater Communication Group is sharing the theater experience for free! Go to their website to see if your city is on the list and find out what's playing! There's 75,000 tickets and the ticket grab starts today in most cities. Thanks to Alysia for the tip! Have fun!

FREE Car Wash

Thanks to Joseph for pointing this out - FREE car washes at Brown Bear Car Wash today only from 8 AM - 8 PM! Check the website for details.