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Free and Cheap

Janine Dorsey

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

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

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

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.

Richard Mullins

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 Swartz

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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Free bagels Thursday at Bruegger’s Bagels

Posted Feb 8, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Feb 8, 2012 at 11:35 AM

Check out today’s South Tampa or Central Tampa section in The Tampa Tribune for coupons for free bagels and more.

There is an ad for Bruegger’s Bagels announcing their 29th anniversary on page 7.

Included in the ad are three coupons, good for a free coffee, $1 off a lunch sandwich and three free bagels.

The coffee and sandwich coupons are good through Feb. 29, but the three free bagels coupon is only good on Thursday, Feb. 9 until 2 p.m.

You can also check out Bruegger’s website.

Bruegger’s is located in downtown Tampa at 501 E. Kennedy Blvd.

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Traveling Amtrak exhibit to visit Tampa

Posted Feb 7, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Feb 7, 2012 at 01:49 PM

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Amtrak, America’s Railroad is offering the public an opportunity to view an exhibit train, a traveling display showcasing the railroad’s history.

On Feb. 18 and 19 the exhibit will visit Tampa’s Union Station, which is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The free exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to showcase Amtrak history over the decades, displaying memorabilia such as vintage advertising, past menus and dinnerware, and period uniforms.

There will also be train-themed kids’ activities at Chuggington Depot, based on the popular children’s animated television series on Disney Junior.

Information about each stop can be found on the official website at Amtrak40th.com along with other information about Amtrak history.

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Free Bath & Body Works spray

Posted Feb 6, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Feb 6, 2012 at 01:50 PM

“Like” Bath & Body Works on Facebook and get a free travel size bottle of their signature collection body spray.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, you can visit their page and send sweet greetings to friends and family along with a coupon for the free bottle of body mist.

As a bonus, you’ll get the free coupon in your email, too!

Yes, you will have to “allow” the app to post as you or else it will not work. You’ll be stuck in an endless loop, never progressing to the free coupon part.

The travel size body mist has a retail valus of $5.

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Save on Strawberry Fest tickets

Posted Feb 6, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Feb 6, 2012 at 01:33 PM

If you plan on attending the Florida Strawberry Festival (and who doesn’t want to gorge themselves on that divine shortcake?!) when it opens in March, plan ahead and save yourself a few dollars by purchasing your tickets in presale.

The 77th Annual Florida Strawberry Festival opens Thursday, March 1 and runs through March 11, on the festival grounds in Plant City.

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 9, Sweetbay Supermarkets will be selling discounted admission tickets for the festival.

The advance discounted price is $8 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $4 for children. Adult tickets are normally $10 and children $5.

Children 5 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult.

You can also save with Sweetbay Supermarket Day on the Midway which saves you $2 off the regular price of $20 for the Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Bring any “My Essentials” non-perishable product to the Festival and receive a midway voucher as you enter the festival for $2. Any “My Essentials” non-perishable product brought in will be exchanged for a $2 off voucher.

“My Essentials” non-perishable products are only available at Sweetbay Supermarkets. All non-perishable items will be donated to the local food bank.

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Not too late for free flu shots

Posted Jan 30, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Jan 30, 2012 at 03:10 PM

MedExpress Urgent Care will be offering free flu shots to everyone over the age of 4, starting Monday, Jan. 30 through Feb. 12, or while supplies last.

This year’s vaccine can help prevent against the three main flu viruses (H3N2, Influenza B and H1N1).

Visit MedExpress Urgent Care online for a map of Bay area locations.

The centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

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