Through October 31, two kids’ meals (for children up to age 14) will be given away free of charge for each adult purchase of $6 or more at Boston Market. No coupon necessary, but kids must be present to get the freebies. More details here.
Smart Spending
Ten Ways the Mall Has Changed During the Recession
The shopping mall, that wonderfully iconic, most American of places, is changing, and the economic downturn bears a lot of the responsibility. Store names that were once ubiquitous have disappeared. Vacancy rates are seriously high. And just about everybody is discounting merchandise and looking for new ways to connect to consumers.
It’s a Deal: Free Coffee at Starbucks Now to October 5
From today, October 2, through October 5, if you go into a Starbucks and taste VIA, the company’s new instant coffee, you’ll get a free brewed coffee as thanks for your time. More details here.
It’s a Deal: Up to 40% Off at Garnet Hill
An October Clearance Sale knocks 20% to 40% off of Garnet Hill sweaters, boots, coats, children’s clothes, and other fall merchandise. More details here.
But Apparently People Do Like to Buy Weddings on eBay
A couple in England bid just $81 on eBay and won a wedding at a classy country inn, easily saving them more than $2,000.
It’s a Deal: £1 Hotel Rooms in London
The Hoxton Hotel in London periodically offers rooms for just £1, and the next sale starts tomorrow, October 1, at 12 p.m. London time (7 a.m. EST). At that time, 500 rooms will be offered for £1 per night for reservations between November 1 and January 31, 2010, and another 500 rooms will be offered for £29 (about $47). More details here.
Happier Hours: At Restaurants, Cheaper Drinks and More Hours in Happy Hour
To attract customers at a time when many are inclined to eat at home, restaurants are offering big happy hour discounts (and adding more happy hours period), slashing the prices of margaritas and wine, and introducing new drinks priced especially for the recession—like Benihana’s Scorpion punch, a mix of vodka, sake, and Southern …
Starbucks Instant Coffee: Cheaper Alternative to Starbucks Store-Brewed Coffee
Starbucks is introducing a new instant coffee called Via. It’ll cost a bit less than $1 per cup, and the company CEO, when comparing the new brew to the store product, says, “Most people will not be able to tell the difference.”
It’s a Deal: Kids Eat Free at Chevy’s on Tuesdays
At nearly every Chevy’s restaurant location, you’ll get one free kids’ meal with the purchase of each adult entrée all day on Tuesdays. More details here.
It’s a Deal: Free Chocolate at Godiva
Join the Godiva Chocolate Rewards club and you’ll receive e-mails with special discounts and promotions, along with a free piece of chocolate once a month. More details here.
It’s a Deal: Tons of Books for Under $2 at Alibris
The Bargain Books section of Alibris features dozens of new and used books being sold at big discounts. Many are available for $1.99.
Ten Odd Economic Indicators: Hot Waitresses, Men’s Underwear, Blacked-Out Football Games, and More
It’s hard for the lay person to wrap one’s brain around the rise or fall of GDP, new residential sales, money supply, and other traditional economic indicators. What do those numbers really mean? Well, here are some other indicators that do as advertised, truly indicating in simple terms how people are living, what they’re doing to keep …