Cheapskate - Cheapskate's Blog - Bakersfield.com http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate We're searching for the best deals in town. Because who has money to waste? We're searching for the best deals in town. Because who has money to waste? en-us NASCAR and free Coke http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/29411 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/29411 <p>Here's a &quot;raw report&quot; press release from the folks at Coke and NASCAR:</p> <p>ATLANTA, July 1, 2008 &ndash; For members of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, each victory in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series&trade; race is traditionally followed by a thirst-quenching chug of an ice cold Coke Zero in the winner&rsquo;s circle.&nbsp; This weekend, 13 of the sport&rsquo;s top drivers will attempt to give fans around the country their own &ldquo;taste of victory&rdquo; by taking the checkered flag in the inaugural Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway (July 5, 8:00 p.m., TNT).<br /> &nbsp;<br /> The Coke Zero &ldquo;Taste of Victory&rdquo; program will give fans an added incentive to pull for their favorite Coca-Cola Racing Family members during this weekend&rsquo;s race.&nbsp; If any one of 13 drivers sponsored by Coca-Cola wins, people across the United States will be able to enjoy the Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories of Coke Zero for free.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Participating Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers include Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Elliott Sadler, Jamie McMurray, Bobby Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer and David Ragan.&nbsp; Terry Labonte also is eligible as the driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge and substitute for Coca-Cola Racing Family member Kyle Petty, who is in the TNT broadcast booth this weekend.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Coca-Cola drivers have won the July race at Daytona five of the last six years &ndash; including McMurray&rsquo;s victory last season &ndash; and currently hold six of the top 12 spots in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series&trade; point standings.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp;<br /> If a Coca-Cola Racing Family driver takes the checkered flag Saturday night, fans will be able to visit <a href="http://www.CokeZero.com">www.CokeZero.com</a> July 5 through July 13 and follow the instructions to receive a coupon for a free 20-ounce bottle of Coke Zero.</p>


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Credit: Coke and NASCAR


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 Coke and NASCAR In honor of a new law http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/29402 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/29402 <p>You're not driving and talking on your cell phone without a hands-free device, are you? </p> <p><a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/485836.html">The law requiring drivers age 18 and over to use a hands-free device while driving went into effect today. </a>(Those under 18 aren't allowed to talk on cell phones will driving at all.) </p> <p>Reporter John Cox <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/1385/story/477700.html">found you can spend about $20 or much more</a> for devices that comply with the law. </p> <p>Have you found any good deals? Share them here. </p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p>


Title: California Hands Free
Caption: A Caltrans road sign warns drivers about the new cell phone law as they drive on westbound Highway 50 in Sacramento on Thursday, June 26, 2008. Chatty commuters and cell phone addicted motorists from San Diego to Crescent City face new restrictions starting July 1. Drivers over 18-years-old must use a hands-free device while talking. Drivers under 18 years-old will be prohibited from using phones unless making an emergency call to police, fire or medical authorities.
Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/ The Associated Press


Title: California Hands Free
Caption: A Caltrans road sign warns drivers about the new cell phone law as they drive on westbound Highway 50 in Sacramento on Thursday, June 26, 2008. Chatty commuters and cell phone addicted motorists from San Diego to Crescent City face new restrictions starting July 1. Drivers over 18-years-old must use a hands-free device while talking. Drivers under 18 years-old will be prohibited from using phones unless making an emergency call to police, fire or medical authorities.
Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/ The Associated Press

 California Hands Free A Caltrans road sign warns drivers about the new cell phone law as they drive on westbound Highway 50 in Sacramento on Thursday, June 26, 2008. Chatty commuters and cell phone addicted motorists from San Diego to Crescent City face new restrictions starting July 1. Drivers over 18-years-old must use a hands-free device while talking. Drivers under 18 years-old will be prohibited from using phones unless making an emergency call to police, fire or medical authorities. Rich Pedroncelli/ The Associated Press $1 or $2 bucks for a movie rental http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28930 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28930 <p>One of the news staffers rented a movie at <a href="http://www.blockbuster.com/">Blockbuster</a> over the weekend and found out the current prices were $2 a day for a new release and $1 for an older title.</p> <p>He let us know, and reporter Courtenay Edelhart checked it out with the company. <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/479571.html">Turns out Bakersfield is a test marketing for this pricing</a>. Of course, keep the item longer than a day and you'll keep paying.</p> <p>What do you think of the pricing?</p> <p>Will you be going to Blockbuster? Or are you a Netflix customer?</p>


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Caption: The outside of a Blockbuster in a 2007 photo.
Credit: The Associated Press


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Caption: The outside of a Blockbuster in a 2007 photo.
Credit: The Associated Press

 The outside of a Blockbuster in a 2007 photo. The Associated Press $5 off at IHOP http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28909 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28909 <p>The last time I said anything about <a href="http://www.ihop.com/">IHOP</a>, a bunch of bloggers protested, saying they don't like the food. Fair enough. </p> <p>When you're looking for inexpensive breakfast &mdash; say with a large group or a family &mdash; it can be a great deal. And right now the Rosedale Highway location and the one off Buck Owens Boulevard are handing out $5 coupons for your next visit. </p> <p>Not bad if you're buying a $6 or $7 breakfast to get $5 off. </p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p> The great 88 cents deals http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28908 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28908 <p>It's sale time at <a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx">J.C. Penney. </a></p> <p>One deal the store is running right now is buy one, get the second one for 88 cents, on all kinds of items.&nbsp;</p> <p>I can be skeptical of that &mdash; who wants two of the same shirt or shoes? Or, alternately, is the price of the first item so high that a second for 88 cents really isn't a deal?</p> <p>So I checked it out, and bought four shirts, all very different (I won't be wearing the same thing every day), that were part of the promotion. </p> <p>They ended up being about $16 each. Worked for me.</p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> 35.336495 -119.031263


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Caption: This week's sale flier.
Credit: J.C. Penney Web site


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Caption: This week's sale flier.
Credit: J.C. Penney Web site

 This week's sale flier. J.C. Penney Web site Free tacos with gas receipt http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28770 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28770 <p>You gotta love this headline: <i><b>Jack Feels Your (Gas) Pain!&nbsp;&nbsp; </b></i></p> <p>That comes to us today from the PR folks at <a href="http://www.jackinthebox.com/twofreetacosday/">Jack in the Box</a>, who want you to know they're handing out two free regular tacos on June 26 to any customer who brings in a gas receipt. (No copies! No cheating!)</p> <p>&quot;The rising price of fuel is really putting the pinch on consumers,&quot; said Terri Graham, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Jack in the Box Inc., in a Jack's press release. &quot;Giving away free tacos is our way of letting guests know that Jack's got their back in these tough economic times.&quot;</p> <p>No taco hogs &mdash; one order of two free tacos per customer!!!!</p> <p>The deal's good from midnight until 11:59 a.m. that day.</p> <p>Now before you bloggers point out the obvious, let me say it: Yes, I do realize that if you go there you'll likely spend money on a soda and fries or other stuff.</p> <p>(An aside. Ever wanted to interview Jack? Well, the Fast Food Maven blogger at the <i>Orange County Register</i>, Nancy Luna, wanted to. <a href="http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2008/06/20/exclusive-interview-clowning-around-with-jack-box-the-iconic-mascot-of-jack-in-the-box/">Read it here.</a> So there's a shout-out to Nancy, a former co-worker of mine!)</p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p>


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Credit: Jack in the Box Web site


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 Jack in the Box Web site Save $5 at Outback http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28694 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28694 <p>Check out the $5 <a href="http://www.outback.com/">Outback Steakhouse</a> coupon in today's <i>Californian. </i></p> <p>It's for $5 off a Summer Days Aussie Graves entree with a minimum purchase of $25. </p> <p>It's good Mondays through Thursdays, through Aug. 19.</p>


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Caption: Bloomin' Onion
Credit: Outback Steakhouse


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Caption: Bloomin' Onion
Credit: Outback Steakhouse

 Bloomin' Onion Outback Steakhouse Over-the-top kids' parties http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28644 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28644 <p>I was just reading a story from one of our news services that offered tips for throwing nice, yet reasonably priced birthday parties for children.</p> <p>It pitched advice you've probably heard before &mdash; hold a party at home, pick a simple activity to keep children busy like staging a play with all the kids as actors or decorating cupcakes, etc.</p> <p>But what really caught my eye was a link to a <a href="http://www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org/">Birthdays Without Pressure</a> Web site.</p> <p>There you can &quot;rate your community's pressure&quot; when it comes to parties and read some outrageous stories. (Like the mom whose invitations requested gifts worth at least $35 because the $10 gifts from the previous year didn't cover her costs.)</p> <p>What are your tips for a party that's nice, yet won't break the bank?</p> <p>What outrage have you encountered?</p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p>


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 Birthdays Without Pressure Web site A coffee-junkie's tip http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28577 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28577 <p>Here&rsquo;s a penny-saving trick for those of us who absolutely MUST have our regular non-fat, half-caf, Venti latte &mdash; or maybe an iced, double-mocha blended coffee drink from Starbucks. </p> <p>If you&rsquo;re a card-carrying &ldquo;member&rdquo; of Barnes &amp; Noble bookstore on California Avenue, you can get a Venti latte for $3.19, rather than the regular price of $3.50. Just tell the barista you&rsquo;re a member and provide your phone number if you don&rsquo;t have your card.<br /> <br /> But don&rsquo;t drive too far out of your way. With gas at $4.30 a gallon, you&rsquo;ll burn up any savings by making a detour.</p> <p><i>&mdash; Steven Mayer</i><br /> &nbsp;</p>


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 Starbucks Web site Free days at CALM http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28576 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/28576 <p>Even the folks at the California Living Museum know economic times are tough. Check out this &quot;raw report&quot; press release:</p> <p>&nbsp;In an attempt to help in difficult economic times, the California Living Museum (CALM) will offer a monthly Kids Free Day at CALM on the last Saturday of the month through the end of 2008. CALM is located at 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway (between Lake Ming and Hart Park) in northeast Bakersfield. </p> <p>&ldquo;We know it&rsquo;s an economically tough time for some out there,&rdquo; said Lana Fain, zoo manager, &ldquo;We want people to be able to visit the zoo and not have it impact their budget. We hope to attract new residents to Kern County and this is one way of welcoming them to the area.&rdquo;</p> <p>The free day will also apply to Twilight at CALM on the evenings of July 26 and August 30. </p> <p>Another way to save dollars is to purchase a CALM membership which allows you entrance to the zoo at no additional charge. Memberships come in a variety of levels from individual to business, and applications can be downloaded from CALM&rsquo;s Web site at <a href="http://www.calmzoo.org">http://www.calmzoo.org</a>.</p> <p>Call (661) 872-2256 for more information about Kids Free Days at CALM or to purchase a membership.&nbsp; </p> <p>For more than 25 years, CALM has cared for animals that have been injured or otherwise cannot survive in their native environment.<br /> &nbsp;</p> 35.445836 -118.916831


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Caption: A close-up of one of the great horned owls eyes from CALM was shown to a group of seniors in this photo from 2007.
Credit: Casey Christe/The Californian


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Caption: A close-up of one of the great horned owls eyes from CALM was shown to a group of seniors in this photo from 2007.
Credit: Casey Christe/The Californian

 A close-up of one of the great horned owls eyes from CALM was shown to a group of seniors in this photo from 2007. Casey Christe/The Californian