Low-cost bus service Megabus is selling 50,000 seats for $1 each (plus a nominal service fee) on departures from September 14 and November 19. To try to get the $1 seats, you must plug in the promotional code HOTDEAL. More info here.
Smart Spending
Ten Ways to Save a Little Money, or Make a Little Bit on the Side
Create a little side business to take advantage of the recession-era atmosphere. Start raising some chickens. Avoid car dealerships for oil changes and routine maintenance. Consider selling your home and relocating to a cave. And other ways to improve your financial outlook, if not necessarily your quality of life.
It’s a Deal: Give $3, Get $10 Off at Macy’s
Reading Is Fundamental is teaming up with Macy’s for a summer promotion that simultaneously supports children’s literacy and gives shoppers discounts. In exchange for a $3 donation to RIF, you’ll receive a coupon for $10 off of purchases of $50 or more in-store merchandise. The promotion is in effect through August 31. More details here.
It’s a Deal: Free Entrée Salad at Denny’s
To promote three new salads (cranberry pecan chicken salad, baja chicken salad, prime rib & bleu salad), Denny’s is offering them for free—with the purchase of another entrée and two beverages. The offer is valid through August 9, and a coupon is required. Print it here.
Prices for Solar Panels Are No Longer Sky High
Is solar power in your future? The combo of new government tax credits and incentives and manufacturers dropping prices to entice customers in a down market means that it’s less expensive than ever to equip your home with solar panels. That doesn’t mean it’s cheap. That also doesn’t mean solar power makes sense in all homes and …
It’s a Deal: Two Free Tacos at Jack in the Box
It’s Taco Tuesday at Jack in the Box. With a downloadable coupon, each customer can get two free tacos today only, August 4. Get the coupon here.
It’s a Deal: Buy One Smoothie, Get One Free at Jamba Juice
A “Summer Bliss” promotion offers two-for-one smoothies at Jamba Juice locations. The offer is valid through August 9, and a coupon is required, which you can print here.
Recession Ride Taxi Service: “Pay What You Want”
Eric Hagen may be the nicest cab driver ever. Perhaps he’s the smartest too. A full-time employee at the American Red Cross in Burlington, Vermont, Hagen recently started a new business: Recession Ride Taxi. He printed some business cards, and put the words “Pay What You Want!” on the back of the SUV that doubles as his taxi.
How Desperate Are Retailers? They’re Already Wishing Shoppers a Merry Christmas
It’s the retail equivalent of jumping the shark: Stores such as Sears, Kmart, and Toys “R” Us are already trying to merry up their sales with Christmas displays, online Christmas specials, and “Christmas in July” sales.
It’s a Deal: Free Mars Bar on Fridays
Candy manufacturer Mars is hosting a “Real Chocolate Relief Act.” When you register at its site, you can print out a coupon for a free candy bar every Friday through the end of the summer (max four coupons per household). More details here.
Commute, Run Errands for $40 a Year
This is probably not going to bolster the struggling car industry, but if it helps the environment, eases road traffic, and saves folks some money, people will get over it pretty quickly. Bike-sharing, which has long been available in cities throughout Europe, and got a brief preview during last fall’s presidential conventions, will get …
It’s a Deal: 50% Off Any One Item at Michaels
A coupon grants half off any one regularly priced item at arts and crafts specialty store Michaels. The offer is valid today only, July 29.