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Yesterday I was at a department store to buy some shoes for summer. Specifically, I have been planning to buy some decent sandals to wear with skirts or shorts.

The ad in the Sunday paper had what I wanted — quality sandals for good prices — $19.99 or $29.99 or $49.99, depending on brand and style.

I tried on six pairs and picked two, each $29.99, I thought. And I had a $10 coupon.

I wandered to another part of the store because I needed one other item, and went to the cash register.

"One pair is coming up at $29.99 and the other at $45.99," the clerk said.

Hmm, I said. I thought they were both $29.99. She offered to call the shoe department. I thanked her, and said if I mistakenly thought they were $29.99, that was my fault, but I wasn't getting that pair. I had the money — I just didn't think they were worth $45.99 — and she agreed!

The clerk got off the phone and said the person in the shoe department told her to sell the shoes for $29.99 a pair. She said he said the signage was unclear.

Moral of the story — you just never know. Speak up about prices!

— Christine Peterson

In a tough economy, what do you say to kids? How do you explain to them that there won't be a fancy vacation this summer, or the cheap shoes rather than name-brand will have to do this summer?

Reporter Courtenay Edelhart delves into the topic in this story.

And she has plenty of tips for Cheapskate fun, if that's what you're looking for. Here's my favorite part of her story. I guess I haven't been to Disneyland for a while because I was astounded by the price. Check this out:

Fancy thrill: Disneyland
Anaheim, CA
www.disneyland.com
(714) 781-4565
Tickets: $56 age 3-9, $66 age 10-59, $64 age 60 and up
Parking: $11 cars; vans, campers and RVs $13
Gas: 278 miles round-trip from downtown Bakersfield at $3.85 per gallon=$53
Saturday: Lunch, snack and dinner: $192
One night’s stay at Disneyland Hotel: $300
Sunday: Breakfast: $40
Estimated total for a family of four: $840

What are you cutting back on? Have any advice for where to take kids for cheap fun?

— Christine Peterson

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Participating Carl's Jr. restaurants in Bakersfield will offer a free single Western Bacon Cheeseburger with the purchase of any version of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger on Thursday, April 17, according to a Carl's news release and its Web site.

No word on which Bakersfield locations are in on the deal. (They let us know too late to get the details.)

The effort is meant to tell the public that "no one does Western like Carl's Jr.," the company says.

— Christine Peterson

Food prices are going up, up and up while people are trying to keep their hard-earned money in their pockets for as long as possible.

Reporter Courtenay Edelhart found that schools are trying to control costs while keeping their commitment to healthy meals. Read more here.

And read her story on the higher prices.

How are you doing it? Do you have any tips on good places to shop or good buys?

Share them here.

— Christine Peterson

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Sonic is selling half-price fountain drinks and slushes from 2 to 4 p.m. each day in April

The drive-through's Web site says they're offering 168,894 drink combinations for half the cost.

There are at least 10 locations in Bakersfield and surrounding areas. Click here for maps.

— Christine Peterson

Here's a money-saving tip from reporter Steven Mayer:

Did you know turning off your computer when it’s not in use can save the price of lunch for two at Valentien?

According to Overclockers.com, a high-end PC costs about $54 a month to keep powered up 24/7 — about 7.5 cents per hour. Turning off your computer for 15 hours per day translates to a savings of about $33 per month.

Bon Appétit!

Evan Jones, a copy editor here at The Californian, offers these tips for low-cost and no-cost filing of tax returns:

If you’re the type who has done your own taxes and you like to keep things simple, instead of using TurboTax or an overpriced tax preparer, go to the IRS Web site and use FreeFile. There is a maximum income level for this program, but if you qualify, it will save you a bundle.

IRS will refer you to a company that will let you do your federal taxes for free, but there is an option to pay around $12 to file your state also.

My strategy is I do my federal on that site for free, then I switch to the California state tax Web site and use their FreeFile program to do the state for free as well! I used direct deposit and got my refund in three days.

At Denny's restaurants, kids eat free Tuesday nights and in some locations, Saturday nights, as well. The offer is for children age 10 and younger and is good between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.   Bakersfield has five Denny's locations.

At Applebees, kids age 10 and younger can get a meal for $1.99 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays. There's one at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave., Bakersfield.

Kids eat free all day, every day at Logan's Roadhouse, 3310 California Ave. at Highway 99 in Bakersfield. Valid with purchase of one adult entree, for children ages 12 and under only, through May 31, 2008.

--Courtenay Edelhart

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I received my new Newsweek in the mail last night and found something interesting.

Inside the front cover, there was an ad/freebie. It said to seperate the cover of the magazine from the remainder, fold it into an envelope with tape on the sides, stuff it with old Target plastic bags and mail it in to the pre-printed address.

In return, you're supposed to receive a free resusable bag (presumably for many return trips to Target) and help the environment.

This week's cover story was on how presidential candidates are doing on environmental issues, so the offer was timed for maximum marketing opportunity.

But if you need a free tote — here's how to get one.

— Christine Peterson

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I've had occasion to dine out a lot lately.

Imagine my shock at what some local eateries are charging for soda.

$2.39? Yes, you read that correctly. $2.39 for soda. And yes, refills were included ... but nobody came by to offer one to me, so does that really count?

The day before I paid $1.99 for my Coke at a restaurant.

Now I know that restaurants have to make money, but I once heard that soda costs for restaurants weren't high at all.

Maybe this will force me to drink more water — until they start charging for that too.

— Christine Peterson

I've seen at least two television news reports lately about haggling at big-box and department stores.

Really? This actually happens?

The essence of the reports was that in these tough economic times, you'd be surprised how many store owners and managers are willing to bargain on price.

Here's an ABC News report on the topic, and one from CNN.

Really? This actually happens?

Where?

— Christine Peterson

Working late on a recent night, I went through a fast-food drive-through in northeast Bakersfield.

It was taking quite a long time and no cars were moving. When I arrived at the window, I found out why: None of the cash registers worked for a few minutes.

The worker had given up, and after taking my $10 bill, returned with it, handed over the $8 or so of food I'd ordered and gave my $10 back.

She said people would "start getting mad" that they had to wait so "here's your order, have a nice day."

"Are you sure?" I asked. (Poltieness counts.) Yes, she said.

Smart business. I've been back more than once. They've got me.

Anyone else run into this kind of thing at restaurants or drive-throughs?

— Christine Peterson