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 Get free roses while you can! http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/32956 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/32956 <p>As you may have heard, Log Cabin Florist in downtown Bakersfield is giving away a dozen roses, or 20,000 total, until they're gone. </p> <p>The florist is at 800 19th St. </p> <p>The idea is you should share the joy of flowers and friendship by passing along 11 of the roses to others &mdash; friends, co-workers, family, strangers &mdash; and keeping one rose for yourself.</p> <p>Reporter Jenny&nbsp;Shearer <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/541520.html">was there this morning,</a> and found out the supply may be gone by noon. Don't say we didn't warn you!</p> Cheap Thrills — Free or inexpensive things to do http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/32291 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/32291 <p>A Thursday-to-Thursday (and sometimes beyond) listing of free or inexpensive things to do, courtesy of the entertainment team.</p> <p><br /> SATURDAY (Aug. 23)</p> <p><strong>Circle of Hope Community Event,</strong> celebrating the grand opening of the second Hope Christian Stores; with vendors collecting clothing, baby items, canned food to give back to those out in the community, bands, activities for all ages, raffle, prizes, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., East Hills Mall, parking lot, 3000 Mall View Road. hopechristianstores.com or 827-1727. For more, turn to E12.<strong><br /> </strong></p> <p><strong>Mento Buru,</strong> 9 p.m., B Ryders, 7701 White Lane. Free.</p> <p>SATURDAY (Aug. 30)</p> <p><strong>Kids Free Day,</strong>&nbsp;CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. 872-2256.</p>


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Caption: Eduardo Castillo, holds his daughter, Mariana, during the Kids Free Day at CALM in June at the bear exhibit, where both bears were trying to beat the heat by dipping in the water and staying in the shade.
Credit: Casey Christie/ The Californian


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Caption: Eduardo Castillo, holds his daughter, Mariana, during the Kids Free Day at CALM in June at the bear exhibit, where both bears were trying to beat the heat by dipping in the water and staying in the shade.
Credit: Casey Christie/ The Californian

 Eduardo Castillo, holds his daughter, Mariana, during the Kids Free Day at CALM in June at the bear exhibit, where both bears were trying to beat the heat by dipping in the water and staying in the shade. Casey Christie/ The Californian Discovering the bakery outlet http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/32095 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/32095 <p>I've passed by the Oroweat Bakery Outlet at 222 Oak St. many times and not given it much thought. Saturday, I was curious.</p> <p>I ended up spending $7.27 and walked out with four items that would have cost at least $16.50 elsewhere, according to my price checks. (One item was the raspberry danish pictured to the left that I'm a little too fond of that costs $4.59 in several grocery stores.)</p> <p>The place is nuts &mdash; it seemed like the outlet was practically giving away Entenmann's, Oroweat, Francisco International, Thomas' and other brand-name foods. Items are priced depending on how close it is to the &quot;best if used by&quot; date.</p> <p>And before anyone says &quot;it's all expired,&quot; none of what I picked out had even reached the &quot;best if used by&quot; date.</p> <p>Here's a paraphrase of my conversation with the clerk:</p> <p>Clerk: Have you been here before?</p> <p>Me: No.</p> <p>Clerk: Well, then I'm going to mark out a whole punch card for you. (The punch card gets you two free items on your next visit.)</p> <p>Clerk: And today you spent more than $7 so you get a free item from the $7 shelf.</p> <p>Me: Really? Anything? (I got a whole loaf of bread I'll freeze and use for sandwiches later. That was the item that was closest to the &quot;best if used by&quot; date, and thus free.)</p> <p>Then she handed me a bunch of coupons for next time. The outlet also has special days &mdash; Sunday is Double Punch Day and bargain day; Monday is Double Punch Day; Wednesday is bargain day; Friday is senior day with a 20 percent discount.</p> <p><em>&mdash; Christine Peterson</em></p>


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Credit: Entenmann's Web site


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 Entenmann's Web site Cheap Thrills — Free or inexpensive things to do http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31881 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31881 <p>A Thursday-to-Thursday listing of free or inexpensive things to do, with thanks to our entertainment team:</p> <p><strong>Thursday, Aug. 14</strong><br /> Summer Fun Day: Splish Splash Safari, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave. $2; children under 3 are free. Hot dog lunch available for $3. 852-5000.</p> <p>Concerts by The Fountain, with Truce and Tony O&rsquo;Brien, 7 to 9 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.</p> <p><strong>Friday, Aug. 15</strong><br /> Michael English, in concert, 7 p.m., Liberty Christian Center, 8801 S. H St. Free but a love offering will be taken. 836-9109.</p> <p>Movies in the Park, presents &ldquo;Alvin and the Chipmunks,&rdquo; starts at dusk, Deer Peak Park, Deer Peak Drive and Beckenham Parkway. 326-3866.</p> <p><strong>Saturday, Aug. 16</strong><br /> 45th annual Tehachapi Mountain Festival, pet parade, carnival, arts &amp; crafts booths, pancake breakfast, quilt show, parade, park festival, car show, rodeo and entertainment, Saturday and Sunday, Philip Marx Central Park, Tehachapi. Admission to the festival is free, but there is a charge for the carnival and rodeo. Visit the Web site tehachapi.com/chamber or call 822-4180.</p> <p><strong>Sunday,&nbsp;Aug. 17</strong><br /> Kutless, with special guest Eric Mizelle, doors open at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m., Valley Bible Fellowship, 2300 E. Brundage Lane. Free. www.vbf.org or 325-2251.</p> <p><strong>Thursday,&nbsp;Aug. 21</strong><br /> Concerts by The Fountain, with A.K.A., 7 to 9 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.</p>


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Caption: Brian Bowen of Bakersfield scurries through an inflatable water device at the Kern County Museum's Summer Fun Day.
Credit: Felix Adamo/ The Californian


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Caption: Brian Bowen of Bakersfield scurries through an inflatable water device at the Kern County Museum's Summer Fun Day.
Credit: Felix Adamo/ The Californian

 Brian Bowen of Bakersfield scurries through an inflatable water device at the Kern County Museum's Summer Fun Day. Felix Adamo/ The Californian Incredible shrinking products http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31718 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31718 <p>When you're watching your dollars, you're probably also watching how many ounces or gallons you're getting in that yogurt container of milk jug. </p> <p>One friend of mine commented that cereal boxes were getting smaller while the price held steady. Another noticed a few brands of ice cream were shrinking their package size while holding the price. </p> <p>And I found my own example while grocery shopping this weekend. The 8-ounce fat-free store brand yogurt I've bought for years is now 6 ounces. I did a double-take, but quickly knew my eyes were not deceiving me when I spotted a few 8-ounce containers were still left. </p> <p>The price was the same, the size of the product was not.</p> <p>What incredible shrinking products have you found? </p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p> $5 buys at Gottschalks that's closing http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31589 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31589 <p>Last night I bought three winter dresses for the grand total of $16.09 with tax. </p> <p>They were originally tagged for $89, $99 and $109, although I would have waited until they went on sale for about $45 each or done without. </p> <p>The occasion? The store closing sale at the <a href="http://www.gottschalks.com/">Gottschalks</a> (former Harris location at East Hills Mall). Last day: Aug. 23. </p> <p>The newly consolidated Gottschalks store at the east end of the mall is open and fully functioning, and operating as a regular store. (<a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/137/story/455757.html">Read reporter John Cox's story about the store consolidations here.</a>)</p> <p>I arrived at the location that's closing about 7:20 p.m. By 7:45 p.m., sales associates were walking the aisles, calling out to get in line as the store would close at 8 p.m. </p> <p>Bottom line: Just about everything in the store is $5. I spotted a few bins of items for $2 each, and store fixtures such as display tables were priced per piece, many at about $25. </p> <p>The store wasn't packed, but was definitely busy. </p> <p>The merchandise spanned all seasons &mdash; winter, spring, summer and fall. Bathing suits? Check. Cheesy Christmas sweaters with snowmen? Check, if that's what you really wanted!</p> <p><b>Here are the catches I observed:</b></p> <p>&bull; No fitting rooms. That meant I saw a lot of people trying on clothes over their shirts and dresses. It also meant I did a double-take when I saw a woman pull off her shirt, revealing her bra, to try on a shirt she might buy. Not sure the Gottschalks folks would be pleased!</p> <p>&bull; Cash or credit card only. No checks. </p> <p>&bull; All sales final, no returns, no exchanges. (In other words, be careful to pick the dress with the sash attached, not the one where it was clearly missing.)</p> <p>&bull; You of course need to go through the racks, but thankfully everything was pretty well organized by color. </p> <p>&bull; Hours at the closing store: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday though Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. </p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p> Deals at Leather Town http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31484 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31484 <p>Reporter Courtenay Edelhart writes that <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/1385/story/516727.html">Leather Town at Valley Plaza is going out of business</a> as of Aug. 31. </p> <p>In the meantime, clothing and accessories are on clearance. </p> <p>The store's at the east end of the mall, near JC Penney. </p> <p>(Don't say we didn't tell you!)</p> Cheap Thrills — free or inexpensive things to do http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31456 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31456 <p>Our good friends on the entertainment team share this:</p> <p>A Thursday-to-Thursday listing of free or inexpensive things to do. </p> <p>THURSDAY (Aug. 7)<br /> <b>Concerts by The Fountain,</b> with J.J. Brown, 7 to 9 p.m., The Marketplace,<br /> 9000 Ming Ave. </p> <p>FRIDAY&nbsp; (Aug. 8)<br /> <b>Jazz Concerts,</b> enjoy performances from local jazz musicians, 6:30 p.m. to 8<br /> p.m. Fridays, East Hills Mall, Center Court, 3000 Mall View Rd. 872-2000.</p> <p>SATURDAY (Aug. 9)<br /> <b>Double Feature Movie Presentation: </b>Casablanca &amp; North by Northwest, doors<br /> open at noon, starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St.<br /> Admission is free with ticket; movie tickets now available at the Fox<br /> Theater Box Office and are limited to four tickets per person.<br /> <a href="http://www.foxtheateronline.com/">www.foxtheateronline.com</a> or call 324-1369. </p> <p>SUNDAY (Aug. 10)<br /> <b>Matt Brouwer,</b> 7 p.m., Calvary Chapel Westbrook, 6501 Schirra Court. Free.<br /> 397-6000. </p> <p>NEXT THURSDAY (Aug. 14)<br /> <b>Summer Fun Day:</b> Splish Splash Safari, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kern County Museum,<br /> 3801 Chester Ave. $2; children under 3 are free. Hot dog lunch available for<br /> $3. 852-5000.</p> <p><b>Concerts by The Fountain, </b>with Truce and Tony O'Brien, 7 to 9 p.m., The<br /> Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.<br /> &nbsp;</p>


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 foxtheateronline.com Starbucks offers $2 iced coffees** http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31363 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31363 <p>An iced grande drink from Starbucks for a paltry $2 has to come with conditions, right?</p> <p>Right.</p> <p>* Must be ordered after 2 p.m.</p> <p>** Customer must present receipt from the same day's morning visit.</p> <p>According to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,397624,00.html">the AP story</a>, the promotion goes nationwide today (Tuesday) and lasts until Sept. 2.</p> Looking for a cheap computer? http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31164 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/Cheapskate/31164 <p>In these penny-pinching times, have you ever thought about buying a refurbished computer? Is it worth it?</p> <p><a href="http://ttp://www.smartmoney.com/deal-of-the-day/index.cfm?story=20080730-refurbished-computers">SmartMoney.com</a> has a good story about what to look for and ask about if you're thinking about buying one from a manufacturer or third party.</p> <p>Me? I'm happy with my <a href="http://www.apple.com">completely new laptop</a> I bought earlier this year.</p>


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