Today’s list starts with three symptoms that indicate you probably have BSD—Bargain Shopping Disease, which you really don’t want to have.
food
Take It From Me: Money Lessons from 7 Very Different People
There are financial lessons to be learned from a single mom on food stamps who finagles Caribbean vacations, an Oscar-winning actor who is too cheap to play golf at private clubs, and a man who tricked himself into saving money by pretending he was going to be a father.
Why Oh Why: Why You Should Care About These 8 Consumer Questions Asking ‘Why’
For instance: Why in the world would you have to pay a fee just to pay your bill?
Money-Saving Insights and Tips: 19 New Resources to Take to Heart (and to the Bank)
In this week’s roundup, we’ve got myths to debunk (about used cars, coupons), things to avoid (absurd kitchen gadgets, preemptive brake jobs on your car, going into debt from calling psychic hotlines), and ways to trick your brain—and your belly—into thinking you’re consuming more, thereby helping you eat (and spend) less.
Good Service? You Tip Well. Bad Service? You Still Tip Well
Huh? Apparently, restaurant customers tip for all sorts of reasons, and the main reason we’re supposed to tip—good service—actually has little to do with how much we’ll leave on the table.
It’s a Deal: Chocolate Chip Giveaway from Great American Cookies
On Friday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great American Cookies is kicking off National Cookie Month by giving away one chocolate chip cookie to each and every customer. And throughout October, the retailer will give you a cookie of your choice when you donate a new or gently read book at a Great American Cookies location. Check out …
5 Cheapskate Conundrums: Is It OK to Use a Coupon on a Date?
Also: How do you avoid getting ripped off if you’re the world’s worst, most timid, most undemanding haggler? People concerned (obsessed?) with saving money have issues, such as …
Drink Up! Free Coffee & Free Beer Today
The stars have aligned for thirsty cheapskates everywhere.
It’s a Deal: Free Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery
On Thursday, September 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Cold Stone Creamery locations are hosting the World’s Largest Ice Cream Social, when all customers get a free 3 oz. serving of Kate’s Creation: caramel apple ice cream with chocolate shavings, graham cracker pie crust, and apple pie filling.
It’s a Deal: Spend $4, Get Free Papa John’s Pizza
Today only, when you place an order of at least $3.99 online at Papa John’s, use the coupon code TOYCAR (thanks dealnews) and you’ll get a free medium cheese pizza.
138 Money Tips: Smart Strategies for Dealing with Debt, Using Body Language to Land a Job, Selling (or Buying) Used Stuff, and More
Also, reasons why you’re unable to save, reasons why you should spend, mistakes that everybody should make at least once, and why you’re a sucker if you “lather, rinse, and repeat.”
3 Fast Food Trends: Cheap Prices and Promos Aimed at Getting You to Spend More
Cooking and eating at home is always cheaper than dining out. So, during a time period when most Americans are trying to live cheaply, fast food chains have gotten particularly creative and aggressive at enticing budget-conscious eaters out of their kitchens and up to cashier.