Discount school uniforms at Goodwill

Posted Aug 15, 2011 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Aug 15, 2011 at 11:25 AM

If your elementary school student has to wear a uniform to class, you may want to stop by Goodwill to see what they have in stock.

A large supply of brand new plaid jumpers was spotted this weekend at the Hillsborough Avenue location.

There was also a long rack of new and used khaki pieces and collared shirts in traditional uniform colors like red, green and blue.

All items were priced in the $4 - $5 range. 

While you’re there shopping, consider making a donation and get a coupon for a free admission to the Florida Aquarium.

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Sweetbay shows biggest yearly price hike

Posted Aug 12, 2011 by Dennis Joyce

Updated Aug 15, 2011 at 01:10 PM

There’s a whopping $20 difference between the cheapest and most expensive stores in this week’s Market Basket, our survey of 30 typical grocery items at five major local supermarkets.

Here’s the rundown: Walmart $62.71, Target $73.08, Sweetbay $82.86, Winn-Dixie $83.52, and Publix $83.59.

If it seems to you grocery prices are going up on everything from bacon to vegetable oil, you’re right.

Click here to check out the fever chart we’ve been keeping for 96 weeks now and you’ll see a lot of peaks and valleys but a general trend upward.

And all five of the supermarkets are charging more now than they were a year ago for our market basket of 30 items.

How much more, though, varies widely.

Sweetbay is up $13.88 over Aug. 12, 2010; Winn-Dixie is up $9.78, Publix is up $5.49, and Target $3.87.

Walmart, though, which advertises everyday low prices, is up only 78 cents.

As we’ve noted here, many of the stores - none moreso than Walmart - have dropped their prices in recent weeks..

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Chipotle makes good on free-meal error

Posted Aug 12, 2011 by Dennis Joyce

Updated Aug 12, 2011 at 12:51 PM

The folks at Chipotle Mexican Grill said one thing, meant another, and bless them, they’re making good on the discrepancy.

But not before one diner, at least, got turned away angry.

Here’s the story:

Chipotle announced in a press release we received that it was offering its Tampa Bay area guests free food during the back-to-school tax-free weekend under way today, Saturday and Sunday.

Just eat at any Tampa Bay or St. Petersburg Chipotle on Tuesday, Aug. 9, or Wednesday, Aug. 10, save the receipt, and return during the weekend for a free burrito, bowl, order of tacos or salad.

Turns out, they meant to say Monday or Tuesday, not Tuesday or Wednesday, as some of their other communications indicated.

Well, we took them at their word here at Free & Cheap and mentioned Tuesday-Wednesday in a post on Aug. 4.

A TBO commenter named “chipotlelover” took us at our word and planned to redeem a Wednesday receipt, only to learn it wouldn’t work.

Thursday, Free & Cheap’s Janine Dorsey asked Chipotle what gives.

Here’s the response from a public relations representative in Dallas: “Yes, anyone that visits a Chipotle this Aug. 12 -14 with a receipt from Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday will get the free item.”

Burritogate ends happily.

Chipotlelover, get back to that restaurant. We hope you have a receipt.

Click here to see the original Free & Cheap blog post and comment.

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Reserve your free Chick-fil-A

Posted Aug 12, 2011 by Richard Mullins

Updated Aug 12, 2011 at 12:22 PM

Chick-fil-A fans, behold.

The chicken chain will soon launch another free breakfast offer, this time for Sept. 6-10. Breakfast chicken biscuits, multigrain oatmeal and other items. 

Like previous food giveaways, Chick-fil-A will take online reservations. Click here to go there.

The site goes live Aug. 29.  Patrons can then can show up at a restaurant Sept. 6-10 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and present a printed copy of their invitation from the website.

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Ikea has free food for kids every day

Posted Aug 12, 2011 by Richard Mullins

Updated Aug 16, 2011 at 02:37 PM

At this point, Ikea is just handing out a free lunch. Not figuratively. Literally.

The giant Swedish home-goods store already has the occasional free food deal here and there.

Now, it has expanded the kid’s-eat-free deal to every day through August 21.

Here’s the official menu:
Combo 1 – 5 meatballs, mashed potatoes and beverage
Combo 2 – 2 chicken tenders, french fries and beverage
Combo 3 – mac & cheese, steamed veggies and beverage
Beverages include choice of: plain or chocolate milk, apple, Lingonberry, or elderflower juice packs or fountain soda. Kids choose one combo meal valued at $2.49. Children under 12 only. Child must be present. Limit one combo meal per child. No purchase necessary.

Just load up the munchkins with free food and park them at the kid’s area with a big-screen TV and Disney movies.

The staff will give you a pager they’ll buzz if anything goes wrong.

That, or sit together and have meaningful conversations about their hopes and dreams in life.

And don’t forget the free Ikea bibs.

Before you go, it’s worth checking Ikea’s website for the Tampa store because it occasionally has craft nights, with tables full of art supplies, or cupcakes to decorate.

Click here to check for the details.

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