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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 froyo at Yogurtland

Posted Jan 9, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Jan 9, 2012 at 01:01 PM

Celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day on Feb. 6 with free froyo at Yogurtland.

Visit any Yogurtland location between 4 and 7 p.m. and receive free frozen yogurt.

Some of the unusual flavors the locations boast are Blackberry Lemon Mint Tart, Blood Orange Tart, Guava Pineapple Tart, Green Apple Tart, Key Lime Bar Tart, Irish Mint Cream, Matcha Green Tea, Peanut Butter Cookie, Taro, Superfruit Tart, Dragon Passion Tart, Boysenberry and more.

The local stores participating in the free yogurt promotion include: Grand Plaza, 14379 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; 4946 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg; and 10500 Ulmerton Road, Largo.

Visit www.yogurt-land.com for more locations.

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Score cheap dining deals in January

Posted Jan 6, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Jan 6, 2012 at 12:40 PM

USA Today is reporting that January is the month that fast food restaurants really pull out all the stops on offering bargain meals.

They are fighting against credit card spending remorse and healthy eating resolutions among their customers.

But all the food offers out there aren’t necessarily fast food. We found some other deals and discounts in the fast casual and finer dining categories this month, too.

Ikea in Tampa is bringing back their “eat for free” deal that pops up a couple of times a year. From Jan. 14 - Jan. 16 you can eat anything in the restaurant and deduct that total from any $100 (before tax) home furnishings purchase that same day.

Village Inn is currently offering free slices of pie with any purchase on “Pie Rush Wednesdays” through the end of the month. You can also sign up to get newsletters about restaurant specials on their website. The first one will include a coupon for a free slice of pie with adult entree purchase. Or you can visit the South Dale Mabry location which is currently advertising a free slice of pie when you dine during early bird hours of 3 to 6 p.m.

Sweet Tomatoes just sent out a batch of coupons to their Club Veg subscribers. Some of the offers include buy one get one free breakfasts or a $6.99 all you can eat lunch.

“Like” Maggiano’s Little Italy Favorites on Facebook and score a $5 off coupon off any entree.

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Share a breakfast when you dine

Posted Jan 6, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Jan 6, 2012 at 10:31 AM

Everyone know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Now it just got a little bit more important.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Tampa Bay residents are invited to “share the warmth” with those in need, by purchasing a Fruit & Maple or Apple Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal from McDonald’s. For every oatmeal ordered between 6 a.m. and midnight, McDonald’s will donate one oatmeal to Feeding America Tampa Bay.

Both varieties contain two servings of whole grains, half a cup of fruit, vitamin C and calcium for under 300 calories.

The oatmeal sells for $1.99 at participating locations.

So now you can meet your healthy eating resolutions in addition to your saving money and philathropic goals, too.

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BOA cardholders get free weekend admission to museums

Posted Jan 5, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Jan 5, 2012 at 01:52 PM

Folks not too fond of the cooler temps we’ve been experiencing can take shelter from the chill and get some culture this weekend for free.

Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers just need to show their bank-issued credit or debit card and photo ID
to receive free general admission to area museums on Saturday, Jan. 7 and Sunday, Jan. 8. The offer is not good on special ticketed events or in conjunction with other offers and is only valid for the cardholder.

The program, called Museums on Us, offers free admission to about 150 museums nationwide on the first full weekend of every month.

The locally participating museums are the Florida Holocaust Museum, Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg and Tampa Museum of Art.

Contact the museums to inquire about operating hours and days.

For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.bankofamerica.com.

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