OT: President Obama!!

This is totally off topic, not related to saving money, being frugal, or free deals in San Diego. WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!!! So completely stoked. Our 44th President, Barack Obama. Yes we can, and we sure as hell did.

Gonna Vote Tuesday? Have a Donut!

The folks at Krispy Kreme Donuts want to thank you for taking the time to vote on Tuesday. Anyone wearing an "I Voted" sticker will be rewarded with one free red, white and blue donut. And who doesn't love donuts? Read more about this offer here. Pretty cool, no? Tuesday, November 4 people - get out and Barack the vote! Then get sugared up at Krispy Kreme.

Proud to be a Yelper

I am Edwin R, and I am a Yelper!

Have you been to Yelp.com? It is one of the most popular sites online. With millions of users, doing hundreds of millions of reviews of some of the most popular restaurants and services in your city, Yelp.com is just what the Free King ordered.

Why is this site important to the frugal community? Because if you follow it, you will find dozens of freebies in your town. Whether in San Diego (where we are from) or New York City or New Orleans, Yelp.com has a presence in most major cities.

Besides the events and freebies, Yelp can save you hundreds of dollars by steering you to all that is good and discouraging you to go to all that is not so good in your city. The reviews, all user generated, are useful, funny and cool! They give the reader an invaluable resource to what is hot and happening at the moment. Best of all, it is real reviews by real people giving their real experiences.

Once you start getting involved in the website, doing reviews, posting on the threads, setting up events and uploading photos of your favorite businesses, Yelp will recognize you as an Elite member. Elite members are privy to some of the hottest parties and events. Best of all these events are free to the Yelp Elite Squad (YES!)

Some of the free and discounted events that I have been to in the last few weeks include:

• Yelp Elite event at some of the best restaurants and lounges in the city
• Discounted food at a local restaurant for the Presidential Debates
• Discounted pizza and beer at a local restaurant for soccer matches
• Organized event at a local pumpkin patch for the Yelp Kids
• Discounted tickets to local Haunted Houses
• Unofficial Yelp Events at local restaurants and bars

I am totally into this website, can't you tell?

I encourage you to at least check out the site to read up on your favorite restaurants. Once you get to reading, I am sure the next step will be joining! Yelp.com...your insider information to all that is happening in your city.

See my reviews at: http://edwinr.yelp.com

Frugal Move of the Day

This is not a tip on a free event, but it is a note about my frugal suffering for the sake of saving money. Yes, suffering. Here's the thing: I just got a new lipgloss, the super shiny kind, and for some reason, this thing is the leakiest lipgloss I have ever had. So did I run to the shop and buy myself one that doesn't leak? Noooo! That would be so un-frugal. Nope, I am enduring this lipgloss to the end. It's made all kinds of lovely marks on the inside of my purse, so I have resorted to keeping it in a plastic baggie, which is now full of lipgloss too. I even have to take it out with a paper towel so my hands won't get mucked up. It's ridiculous! But also...frugal.

Free Ice Cream for Obama Supporters

Want some free ice cream and STILL haven't registered to vote? You're in luck. Monday, October 20 is the last day for San Diegans to register to vote. From 4-8 p.m., Baskin-Robbins is offering a free 3 oz. cup or cone of their new Election Flavors. Do the right thing and get a scoop of Whirl of Change (representing Democratic Senator Barack Obama), or go with the same-old, same-old, and get a scoop of Straight Talk Crunch (representing Republican Senator John McCain). You can go to any of the 29 local Baskin-Robbins located throughout San Diego county. You will also get the chance to vote for your favorite Election Flavor. (Limit one scoop of ice cream per voter registration.)
Volunteers from League of Women Voters will be available during the local San Diego event to provide voter registration forms and additional election information. To find your closest San Diego Baskin-Robbins location, visit http://www.baskinrobbins.com/.
Darn, too bad I'm already registered. But if you're not, this is a sweet way to get it done.

Free Weekend Activity Idea

Looking for something to do this weekend but turning out lint from the pockets? Here's one: Everyone has some home videos of themselves, and the rest of the world does too. Believe it or not, there's a little thing called Home Movie Day, which is recognized internationally as a day when folks should gather to watch and appreciate the DIY aesthetics of home videos. Join in the festivities (and sometimes cringe-inducing) movies at the Geisel Library on UCSD campus from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Why not join the act? If you have a movie you think might be share-worthly, film drop-off starts at 1 p.m. Don't forget that unless you have amazing parking buddha (like our own Free-King), bring some quarters because you will be paying the meter. http://www.homemovieday.com/. Cost: FREE

I Love Me Some CVS

Hi all! Couldn't help but do a post to brag just a tiny bit about my savings at CVS this week. Got the flyer and overall, not a lot of items for me this week. But there were some deals for my family. Also, I had a $6.50 in ECB's from the previous week. After scanning my card when I walked in the store, my summer ECB bonus of $6.00 printed out! So cool! Here's what I bought this week:

• Miralax Laxative. This is the laxative my son has to use and the giant size bottle was on sale. They were offering it for $20 with a $3 ECB. I also had a $2 off coupon so my total cost was $15. Judging by the size of the bottle, I may never run out.


• Tide Liquid Detergent. On sale for $4.99, regularly $9.99, and I had a $1 off coupon for a total cost of $3.99. This is great - Tide is expensive!


• Cascade Liquid Gels Dishwasher Detergent. On sale for $3.99, had a $1.00 off coupon so I only paid $2.99. This is a new type of detergent in these little packets instead of a liquid bottle. It's probably not as cost effective as using the liquid, but it looked cool so I wanted to try it.

I did indulge in a couple of additional impulse purchases - a couple chocolate bars and some pringles for only $.99. My initial total was $36 (remember, that Miralax was expensive), and after my coupons and ECB's, my total was $24. Totally stoked! I love me some CVS.