I scream, You Scream, We all Scream for (cheap) Ice Cream

I don't know about you, but I could use a pick me up in the middle of this week, and I've found one.

Starting today (April 22 - April 24) Baskin Robbins is hosting Scoopfest! This was the first I've heard of this, which is an annual tradition where all Baskin Robbins stores offer one scoop cones for $1, two scoop cones for $2, and three scoop cones (for the ambitious) for $3.

This is a great way to get a cheap treat with your family, your friends, significant other, or just for you.  Enjoy!

Tax Day Deals

Happy Tax Day!  Whether you filed months ago or are completing your forms last minute today, everyone can benefit from some tax day deals.  For years all types of businesses have used April 15th as an excuse for a marketing promotion, and I say why not?  The more deals the merrier!

Here are a few links to lists of deals from the following sources:

ABC News
DealNews
Forbes
TIME

Some promotions are creative, like Hard Rock Cafe's Sing for Your Supper, where anyone who is willing to publicly sing one of ten songs gets a free entree tonight.

Others require you to download/print a coupon in advance, like Arby's free curly fries - coupon linked here.

High rollers can take advantage of the one day sale on Google Glass for $1500, which still creeps me out no matter how much it costs :)

What deals and promotions did you find today?

Cheap Fix - White Vinegar

A few years ago, while volunteering with a local tour of homes through Junior League, I was a docent in a home where the owners worked to live a life of zero waste.  Their spotless home was cleaned naturally with just white vinegar and baking soda.  Several of the other docents and I marveled at how clean it was, especially with children in their home and no traditional cleaning products.

That should have been enough of an endorsement for me to explore this miracle substance, but, alas, it was not.  However, when I was having issues with my garbage disposal, everything I read directed me to white vinegar.  I decided to give it a try. 

First, put 1/2 cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar.  Immediately after you pour the vinegar, cover the drain with a cloth.  This keeps it from completely bubbling out.  After ten minutes, pour boiling water down to flush out the disposal.

I was amazed at how well it worked, and impressed by the simplicity of it.  After cleaning the garbage disposal and the sink drains, I knew this was a household item I planned to keep in stock. 

I've since then discovered that mixed with baking soda, it makes a great cleaner for glass shower doors.  Also, when my boyfriend's athletic polo shirts still smelled right out of the wash, I was deeply disturbed and googled ideas for how to prevent/fix this. Again, I found white vinegar was the most popular remedy.  You can either pre soak the items in the vinegar or you can add a cup of the vinegar to the laundry load with your regular detergent.  I've found this to be effective, particularly the pre soaking.

What are your favorite cheap cleaning tricks?  Have you used white vinegar?

Miscellaneous Monday

Work has been pretty all consuming these days.  I started to think about what I should blog about today, and I realized that I could just share the intel about the free stuff I got today :)

1. Victoria's Secret - Ladies, sign up for their mailing list.  With a free card in the mail (that expired today), I scored a pair of free underwear (no purchase necessary!)  and I have another one that starts tomorrow. Also, for anyone who shops at Victoria's Secret regularly, check out the discounts on Retail Me Not.  They almost always have good discount codes to use.

2. CVS - I swear the goal was not just to recycle old posts, but I ran to CVS to pick up a few things for a work event tomorrow, and the very helpful cashier told me at the coupon center I could get a free roll of paper towels with my CVS card.  Major win. 

Happy Monday.  I hope you all have a great week.

Free Slurpee at 7-11

Text DIETCOKE to 711-711 for a free small slurpee at 7-11 in honor of the new Cherry Diet Coke flavored slurpees.  You're welcome.  Happy Monday.

Last chance to set up a 2013 Roth IRA & a reason to do so

Have you filed your 2013 taxes?  If not, you can still make a Roth IRA contribution for 2013. My post on saving for retirement outlines some of the benefits of a Roth IRA. However, I missed out on a compelling reason, especially for those who may be hesitant to commit the money. You can withdraw your contributions for any reason with no penalty at any time.  How amazing is that?? You could incur penalties for withdrawing your earnings on that money, but you can withdraw up to the amount you contributed at any point in time, penalty free.  (For full withdrawal rules on earnings, check out this post by the Oblivious Investor.)

Because you can always take out the money you contributed, it makes sense to put as much savings as you can here. Obviously, if possible, it's ideal to leave the money there for retirement and truly maximize the benefit of starting early, but even if you need the money later down the road, you can withdraw some of your contributions and still leave the interest you have earned in the account.  Most importantly, I think this helps alleviate the fear of putting this money away that prevents people from putting money away for retirement.

  

Lancome at Macy's Gift With Purchase

This weekend I scored the Lancome gift with purchase available at Macy's. With only a $35 purchase, you get a wealth of high quality products.  I scored 2oz of Lancome body wash, 2oz of clarifying cleanser, Advanced Genifique concentrate, night lifting and firming cream, mascara, lipstick, and a cosmetic bag, all free.  For my purchase, I went with a basic high quality black eyeliner and a shimmery gold (technically burnt sand) eye shadow.  The splurge on these two products was totally worth it.  They are both staples that will last a long time and are great for every day wear, and are made that much sweeter by the high quality freebies that accompany them.

I have great memories of Lancome, dating back to a childhood trip to New York City to visit my Grandma. My grandma was getting a few products and had them do my makeup and then offered to buy everything they used for me.  Even at that age, I knew that was too generous, but we settled on the lip gloss and I was thrilled.

Visit your local Macy's soon if you're interested.  For the makeup option, they were out of both blushes and one lipstick (good thing I liked the neutral one better anyway!).  Supplies are genuinely limited.