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Free and Cheap
Janine is a 20-year veteran journalist who puts her sleuthing skills to use unearthing deals and discounts for families in the Tampa Bay area. Raising her own two daughters has taught her that some of the best things in life are “free” but not necessarily “cheap.” Gayle Guyardo co-anchors “News Channel 8 Today” weekday mornings with Rod Carter. She does a special segment, “Ways to save today,” each Monday between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Gayle is a third generation Tampa native and a graduate of Auburn University. She and her husband Mark raise four little girls - Katie, Lindsay, Ali and Ella. Todd Davis is a photojournalist with News Channel 8’s investigative team. When he’s not tracking down a story, he’s hunting down a good deal. Michael Egger, News Channel 8 photojournalist and father of three, gets four Sunday papers delivered so he and his wife can double up coupons on BOGOs. The deals are out there, so let’s find them. He vows never to pay retail. The Tampa Tribune’s retail reporter, Richard Mullins writes about consumer trends and everything you buy at the mall, grocery stores and restaurants. He believes credit cards are the window to our souls. And yes, he gets paid to wander the mall for work. Debbie, a 20-year veteran journalist, can typically be found at the end of Target aisles looking at clearance items. She’s also been known to send one her young daughters through the checkout lane to redeem a coupon. 
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Janine Dorsey
Gayle Guyardo
Todd Davis
Michael Egger
Richard Mullins
Debbie Swartz
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Wear red and skate free
Posted Feb 10, 2012 by Janine Dorsey
Updated Feb 10, 2012 at 11:56 AM
If you are looking for something fun to do with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, we have a deal for you.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, wear red and be admitted free to United Skates roller skating rink.
Skate rental will cost $2.50 if you do not bring your own skates.
The skate session is 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
United Skates is located at 5121 N. Armenia Ave in Tampa.
Free pancakes coming soon
Posted Feb 10, 2012 by Janine Dorsey
Updated Feb 10, 2012 at 10:58 AM
On National Pancake Day, Tuesday, Feb. 28, IHOP will give guests one free short stack of its signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at more than 1,500 restaurants throughout the United States. In return, IHOP will ask guests to make a voluntary donation to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities, hoping to break a record by raising more than $2.7 million.
For more information about National Pancake Day or to find a local IHOP, visit www.IHOPPancakeDay.com.
Want more free pancakes? Enter IHOP’s “Stacks For Good Acts” online contest, which invites good Samaritans to submit a story of 250 words or less about a good deed they or someone they know did in 2011. The author of the winning entry, who will be announced on National Pancake Day, will receive free pancakes for one year (defined as one free short stack of buttermilk pancakes per day for 365 days). Entries can be submitted anytime at www.IHOPPancakeDay.com before the end of the contest at 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 24.
Rays Fan Fest offers free fun
Posted Feb 9, 2012 by Janine Dorsey
Updated Feb 9, 2012 at 02:11 PM
The 2012 Rays Fan Fest scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18 from
10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Tropicana Field, will feature tons of free activities for kids.
Youth stations include clinics by Rays coaches; “Reading with the Rays”; running the bases; interactive activities for all ages and photo opportunities with Rays mascot Raymond and DJ Kitty.
Admission and parking are free.
Hitting and pitching clinics will be held throughout the day allowing kids to receive free instruction from the Rays major league coaching staff.
To promote “Reading with the Rays,” the club’s summer reading program, Rays players will read select stories to kids.
In addition, fans are encouraged to stop by the MetroPCS Call-A-Friend station to have the opportunity for Rays players Reid Brignac, Sam Fuld, David Price or Sean Rodriguez to call a friend or family member.
A new event this year will be a MLB Alumni Wiffle Ball game including former Rays players.
Rays TV and radio broadcasters and more than 25 former major league players will also sign autographs for free throughout the day.
Fans can call 888-FAN-RAYS or log on to raysbaseball.com for more information about 2012 Rays Fan Fest.
Free Flo Rida concert Sunday
Posted Feb 9, 2012 by Janine Dorsey
Updated Feb 9, 2012 at 12:34 PM
If you’re up and at ‘em first thing in the morning this Sunday, you can catch a free concert at the conclusion of the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in St. Petersburg.
Chart-topper, Flo Rida will perform his hits “Right Round,” “Low,” “Good Feeling” and others at North Shore Park.
Flo Rida performs from 10 until 11 a.m. The Flats are the show openers starting at 8:30 a.m.
Free and Cheap at the fair
Posted Feb 9, 2012 by Janine Dorsey
Updated Feb 9, 2012 at 10:07 AM
How do the Free & Cheapers go to the Florida State Fair? The same way we approach most things in life, with an eye on the bottom line. We’re there to have the most fun for the least amount of money.
Discount admission days:
If you can manage it, try to go during the least popular times and days. The crowds will be thinner, the lines shorter and the prices cheaper.
College student night, Thursday – purchase a $20 all-you-can-ride wristband, get free fair admission with student I.D.
Student days, Friday and Feb. 20 – Hillsborough County students are given a free admission ticket for Friday; Pasco, Polk and Manatee students get one for Feb. 20. All other students get discounts at the gate on those days: $6 for students ages 12 through 12th grade and $5 for ages 6 to 11.
National Salute to Veterans Day, Feb. 20 – free admission for everyone, not just vets, after 4 p.m.
$5 after 5 p.m. – Adult admission is discounted in the evening on Thursday, Feb. 13, 14, 15 and 16.
For the rest of the discount days and other money-saving tips, read the story .
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