JoeTheCouponGuy.com Deals Blog

LOWES
Buy-one-get-one-free deal at Lowes for a 10 lb bag of birdseed. A $4.48 value. Limit 2 free bags per customers. What will all the store birds eat if they sell out!? Cannibalism? Pecking at customers savory heads? I say they will raid the candy section at night…mmmm, birds love Snickers and Trident Layers gum..

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

PD
The PD is doing a haggle story follow-up poll on whether you’ve haggled or not.
Click here for the story and to vote:
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/03/have_you_ever_got_a_deal_in_a.html

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

JET BLUE
JetBlue is offering $10 fares between New York’s JFK airport and the carrier’s first 10 destinations in celebration of its 10th year of operation. Today Only, 3/8! The deal is on all remaining seats for travel Tuesday and Wednesday to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Rochester, N.Y.; Oakland, Calif.; Burlington, Vt.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Salt Lake City; and Fort Myers, Fla.

Click here to get tickets:
JET BLUE DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

RESTAURANT.COMGet restaurant gift certificates 60% off PLUS get a $50 Orbitz gift with purchase! Spend $4 for $25 gift certificates! Use code BONUS on any three of their popular products: Gift Certificates, Dinner of the Month Club, and Gift Cards. Ends 3/11.
Click here to order:
RESTAURANT.COM DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS
I’m now in the Guiness Book of World Records. For what you ask? World’s longest ear hair? Nope. I caught 79 quarters off the end of my elbow like the Fonz did? No, but that sure is something I’d like to be able to say in my diary. Playing the longest note on an instrument ala Kenny G? Again, that would be most impressive and I’m sure it would make every woman swoon knowing so, but alas no.

The reason I’m in the Guiness Book of World Records is because I was part of world’s largest gathering of people wearing fleece blankets. Not just any fleece blanket. A Snuggie! There were a few people that didn’t wear them – and they were appropriately displayed on the big screen jumbotron to embarrass them into wearing it since everyone booed them. After all, if we all decided to look like a doofus, we must be in this altogether.

Now I will brag about being in the book at every chance I get. That’s after I tell people I’m working on my next record… I plan to be the worlds tallest man. I believe I can do so by doubling up on my Centrum vitamins and eating more giraffe.

Before the game started a lady that was sitting next to me said she had a weird question to ask me. She asked if I was the Coupon Guy. She went to one of my classes in Wadsworth a couple years ago and said she’s saved thousands since the class. We both were eyeing some Snuggies that weren’t claimed since the people didn’t show up in the seats yet. The people did show up and we didn’t get to take home any extra Snuggies home. And we just missed getting a free Chalupa by one point! I was ready to run on the court and slam one in.

WAREHOUSE CLUBS
Warehouse Clubs reported good results this past quarter while regular supermarkets reported lower earnings. I have a problem with Warehouse Clubs. Why, you ask? Because they charge you to shop there for one thing. Another is that they don’t let you use coupons – although BJs does. BJs also lets you use more than one coupon on bulk items (package of 8 Bounty – you can use 8 different Bounty coupons). I have never come across anyone that saves 70% or more consistently at a Warehouse Club – same goes for stores that have everyday low prices like Marc’s and Wal-mart. I can consistently save 70% and more at Giant Eagle and Dave’s Supermarket, mainly because they that double coupons. Buying in bulk is not always cheaper too. If you buy food in bulk there is a better chance of it spoiling before you use it too. The $40 to $50 on the membership fee at a Warehouse Club is about what I pay for a months worth of groceries!

Here’s a story on Warehouse Clubs:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wholesale-clubs-grow-as-apf-3936241115.html?x=0

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER – HAGGLING STORY
The PD did a story on haggling in which they interviewed me. It was on the front page of their business section on Wednesday, March 3rd. One thing that I had mentioned that isn’t in the story is how the West Side Market is a great place to haggle. The produce vendors are good there at haggling. Price matching is also an “organized” price haggling method. Most stores will price match like Wal-Mart and Giant Eagle. Negotiate is a better word for haggling. We haggle almost every day whether we realize it or not from what’s for dinner, to chores, to whoopee time. The Fonz never had to haggle for whoopee time. He just snapped his fingers. To be a good haggler you have to in a position of no power be able to get what you want from someone with power. The key is to reverse the role by giving yourself the power and eroding theirs in a way that isn’t demeaning.
Here is the article:
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/03/shoppers_bargaining_for_a_bett.html

LOBSTERS
Lobstermen were getting an average of $2.93 a pound, about what it was in 1998. It was $4.39 in 2007. Prices should drop again in the summer.

Aside from produce, other food can go up and down in price depending on the season. Lobster is cheaper during the summer than it is during the winter months. Harvests aren’t usually allowed during the reproduction periods of certain animals. If the population of certain edible animals are low, there may be bans on harvesting them.

Hunting and fishing are typically low-cost ways to stock up on food supplies. The cost of a hunting or fishing license is usually minimal, but the gear can sometimes be expensive.

The study, conducted at the University of New Hampshire, estimates that only 10% of lobsters that encounter a trap will enter and that only 6% will actually be caught
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100302/ap_on_bi_ge/us_lobster_catch

KMART
They are planning to double coupons from 4/4 to 4/10. They will be double coupons of $2 and less. So a $2 coupon will double to $4. They may have a limit of 5. What a pain. They used to have no limit, then 25, then 10 and now 5. Some cashiers will accept more. They need to make it worthwhile to stop there and at least accept 20 coupons. Too many rules will keep people from even bothering to take advantage of the deals. Not all stores will be participating. Call your store to see if they will be doubling before you go – depending on who answers you may get a different answer. Call customer service at 1-866-562-7848 to see if your store is doubling.

Sign up for their new Shopyourway rewards card and get 1% back on seleceted purchases. Go to the store to sign up or http://www.shopyourwayrewards.com.

There is a $25 transfer your prescription coupon in their ad this week – up to 4 with coupon for $100 total. Included with it is a $10 new prescription coupon.

GIANT EAGLE
Their rule to only take only one “save $X on your next shopping trip” coupon is lame. They usually expire in two weeks time, so if you get 4 of them it means you have to go back to the store twice each week. Most people don’t have time to do that. If it’s my next shopping trip, then they should take whatever coupons I have. Again, too many rules will just make people not want to shop there and take advantage of these deals. Granted, some cashiers will accept more than one, but the last thing I want to do is get a cashier in trouble even if they are taking the coupons on their free will.

Mentos – free after .50 coupon
No Yolks pasta – 16 cents after .75 coupon
Dawn/Febreeze – 25 cents after .50/1.00 coupon and purchase of 4 (get $5 on your next shopping trip)
Trans Ocean Crab – BOGO – go to http://www.smartsource.com for $1 coupon.

ALDIS
Onions – 3lb bag – 69 cents – most bags are 2 lbs so this is a great deal.
Red Potatoes – 99 cents – 5lb bag
Carrots – 49 cents – 2lb bag
Cabbage – 79 cents each

CHASE
Get $100 when you open a Chase Checking account and set up direct deposit. Offer expires 4/23. Go to http://www.chase.com/checking for details. May need coupon code from mailed promotion.

SAV-A-LOT
Apples – 3lb bag – $1.50
Bananas – 33 cents/lb

CVS
Kelloggs cereals – 4 for $5 after extra bucks – use recent $1 off 2 coupon – 4 boxes for $3
Oral-B Cross Action toothbrush – free after extra bucks – use .75 coupon – limit 2
Nivea Lip Care – free after extra bucks

FRANK & TONYS
Downtown Willoughby – large 1 topping pizza $5.99 on Momdays after 6 PN, 10 cent jumbo wings – Wednesdays after 7 PM, 20 cent boneless wings – Thursdays after 7 PM

OHIO LOTTERY
Check you mail for a buy-one-get-one free $2 scratch off lottery ticket coupon. Lottery tickets! Coupons! Wowee! Coupon expires 4/10. I got mine and I won…$2. Snap.

MURPHY OIL
Click here for a $2 off a $10 purchase coupon. Expires 3/16.
http://offers.murphyusa.com/2dollaroffmarch.html
Ohio locations:
Amelia, OH 45102
Bellefontaine, OH 43311
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Cambridge, OH 43725
Canton, OH 44705
Canton, OH 44708
Celina, OH 45822
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Clayton, OH 45315
Coshocton, OH 43812
Findlay, OH 45840
Franklin, OH 45005
Fremont, OH 43420
Hamilton, OH 45011
Hillsboro, OH 45133
Jackson, OH 45640
Kenton, OH 43326
Lima, OH 45804
Logan, OH 43138
Madison, OH 44057
Mansfield, OH 44903
Marysville, OH 43040
Mentor, OH 44060
Moraine, OH 45439
Napoleon, OH 43545
Newark, OH 43055
Oberlin, OH 44074
Piqua, OH 45356
Salem, OH 44460
Sandusky, OH 44870
Sidney, OH 45365
Springfield, OH 45505
Tiffin, OH 44883
Van Wert, OH 45891
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Washington Courthouse , OH 43160
Wauseon, OH 43567
Whitehall, OH 43213
Wilmington, OH 45177
Xenia, OH 45385
Zanesville, OH 43701
Find exact addresses and other stores in other states at:
http://www.murphyusa.com/locator/

CELLPHONESHOP.NET
Clearance sale on cell phone accessories. Get cell phones and cell phone supplies at up to 80% off. Get 10% off with a minimum $10 purchase – use code: DMAR2010. Get 20% off with minimum $30 purchase – use code: DMAR2020. Free shipping with minimum $20 purchase – use code: fship.
Click here to order:
CELLPHONESHOP.NET CLEARANCE SALE

BEST DEAL MAGAZINES
Deal of the Day:
3/8 Parents 1 Year $4.29
3/9 Interview 1 Year $3.29
3/10 Sherman’s Travel 1 Year $4.29
3/11 Every Day with Rachael Ray 1 Year $9.49
3/12 Taste of Home 1 Year $4.29
3/13 Sporting News 1 Year $4.29
3/14 Motor Trend 1 Year $4.29
Take An Extra 15% Off Most Titles – Code: PXCJ314 Offer Expires March 14, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $5 OFF $30 ORDER COUPON – Code: MNDCJ314 Offer Expires March 14, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $7.50 OFF $40 ORDER COUPON – Code: MQQCJ314 Offer Expires March 14, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $10 OFF $50 ORDER COUPON – Code: MQPCJ314 Offer Expires March 14, 2010
Click here to order:
BEST DEAL MAGAZINES DEALS

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS
Alvins – Great Lakes Mall – 70% to 81% off now.
Norka Futon – Akron – wonder how they got the name Norka? It’s Akron spelled backwards.
K-Mart – Eastlake, Wadsworth, Cleveland – now 20% to 30% off – still not worth going at this low percent.

OPENINGS
Tommy’s Old Fashion Jerky & Smokies – downtown Chardon

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

WEST END BISTRO
Get a $40 gift certificate for $20. Located in downtown Chagrin Falls overlooking the river at 79 West Street. Link for the restaurant: http://www.westendchagrin.com
Ends Sunday, 3/7.

To order the gift certificate click here:
WEST END BISTRO DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

RESTAURANT.COM
Get restaurant gift certificates 60% off! Spend $4 for $25 gift certificates! Use code MENU on any three of their popular products: Gift Certificates, Dinner of the Month Club, and Gift Cards. Ends 3/7.
Click here to order:
RESTAURANT.COM 60% OFF DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER – HAGGLING STORY
The PD did a story on haggling in which they interviewed me. It was on the front page of their business section on Wednesday, March 3rd. One thing that I had mentioned that isn’t in the story is how the West Side Market is a great place to haggle. The produce vendors are good there at haggling. It’s the closest to a Moroccan Bazaar you can get on this side of the Cuyahoga.

Price matching is also an “organized” price haggling method. Most stores will price match like Wal-Mart and Giant Eagle. Negotiate is a better word for haggling. We haggle almost every day whether we realize it or not from what’s for dinner, to chores, to whoopee time. The Fonz never had to haggle for whoopee time. He just snapped his fingers.

To be a good haggler you have to in a position of no power be able to get what you want from someone with power. The key is to reverse the role by giving yourself the power and eroding theirs in a way that isn’t demeaning.

Here is the article:
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/03/shoppers_bargaining_for_a_bett.html

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

THE LIMITED
Check your mail for two coupons for the store. Get $15 off a purchase – which means get something for $15 for FREE! Or you can get $50 off $150 or $30 off $100. Do they have a Dude section?

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

RESTAURANT.COM
Get restaurant gift certificates for 50% off – pay $5 for a $25 gift certificate or a $50 for $10. PLUS get a free $10 restaurant gift certificate. Get them before they sell out!
Deal ends 3/7.
Use code: DINE
Click here to order:
RESTAURANT.COM DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

MISERABLE CITIES
So Forbes rated us the most miserable city… Yes, we do have our warts, but most miserable…c’mon.. I’ve been to all 50 states and to tons of different cities and have seen some of the best and worst in the U.S. Cleveland is a very livable city. It has everything you’d want in a city and is very manageable, especially the traffic. The people are the friendliest around and have a great sense of humor. The list also included Chicago, Memphis, St Louis, and Miami in the top ten miserable cities, so I’d take the list with a grain of salt.

Forbes used some tired old quips about Cleveland. They might as well have thrown in that the glaciers plowing through town are clogging up the migration of dinosaurs.

The city has one of the world’s biggest and best theater districts, best medicial institutions, best cultural district with one of the world’s best orchestras and art museum, best rated parks, best libraries, and so on.

Many new projects are in the works from a new casino, convention center/medical mart, new Flats construction, and great dinner and entertainment venues packed on West 6th and East 4th – right where the hookers used to line up near Prospect many moons ago of all places!

Crab #1: Some people crab about our winter. Yes, it can be too long but it is one of four seasons – unlike some areas that have one season…boring. Ever lived in a town that isn’t prepared for snow like many cities were this past winter down south – it’s like trying to get milk from the teat of a sparrow. It’s not pretty…and it’s dangerous.

Crab #2: Crime is bad. But crime is typically relative. Stay away from the vices that cause crime and it won’t find you. Every big city needs to clean up their crime.

Crab #3: Jobs stink here. It’s much worse elsewhere. The unemployment rate in Cleveland was 8.9%. Even the state wasn’t in the top ten states in unemployment. The worst: Michigan – 14.6%, Nevada – 13%, Rhode Island – 12.9%, South Carolina – 12.6%, California – 12.4%, Florida – 11.8%…

Crab #4: There is tons of corruption in the city. Yep, got me there. But there is tons elsewhere too. Some people don’t like the one-party system in Cleveland dominated by Democrats. Interestingly, the states above with the highest unemployment rate – all but one have Republican governors. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but better checks and balances will help make sure no hanky-panky goes on. I like when the parties share power – one controls the House while the other controls the Senate, etc. Forces them to work together for the better good of the people. Total power corrupts.

Crab#5: Our sports teams stink. We’ve had some lean years and also some great teams that can’t seem to win it all. The Cavs made the finals recently and are on the verge of what looks to be a championship. The Indians had many great runs including some World Series appearances. The Browns had some great runs in the 80s. We just haven’t won the Big Kielbasa. Although, that’s if you don’t count the indoor soccer Crunch teams many championship wins. Makes us crave a winner – we’re passionate – LA can’t even support a football team! What other city has brand new venues like Cleveland – Progressive Field, The Q, and Browns Stadium. One pock on Cleveland – we need to be more positive and appreciate what we have. Positive thoughts bring positive outcomes and breeds confidence. Something we have to work on here… kumbaya everyone…

Crab #6: Many of the people that down Cleveland haven’t even been downtown or to any of the cultural institutions in years. I take vendors from out of town to various restaurants in the area and they all say they want to come back for a vacation to the city with their wives they love it so much.

I can go on and on about how Cleveland is maligned. Sure we have some things we need to fix – the schools, empty and foresclosed homes, etc. but this city has resolve and will see it through. Volunteer to help turn things around. Instead of complaining – do something to fix the issues!

Now for some fun. A contest run by Cleveland+ is offering some great prizes. They want you to tout Cleveland’s many great aspects. To enter go to: http://www.whattheforbes.com/

Here’s the story:
http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business-beltway-miserable-cities_2.html

DEAR ABBY
Did anyone catch last week’s Dear Abby about the farting wife? Some husband was up in arms about his wife continuously farting no matter who is around. Sound like anyone you know? Dear Abby pretty much said she ought to see a doctor. I say her husband should spike her coffee with beano or even better… ex lax…one fart and she will cut one last fart to remember for a lifetime…

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

COUPONS.COM
New internet coupons loaded for the month of March. Click here to print them: COUPONS.COM

KOHLS
Use code MARCH30 when shopping at http://www.Kohls.com to get 30% off on your purchases.

REGAL CINEMAS
They decided to take their ads out of the newspapers. Now you have to call in for the movie times and what fun is that to listen through tons of junk before you find out the information you need, if they even have the info you need on the recording. What a pain. You can go online too, but it’s just so much easier to check the paper. Speaking of movies, make sure you get a discount ticket before you go. Find them in the Entertainment book now 50% off plus free shipping here: Entertainment Book Deal or the Our Town book for $25 at http://www.joethecouponguy.com/merchandise/index.htm.

CREDIT CARD RULES
The government did a good job with tightening up credit card rules. A new law that went into effect on 2/22/10 adds rules to help consumers. It helps rein in fees and other credit card issues. Credit card bills will now show how long it will take to pay your bill when you pay the minimum.

Be sure to check for any changes to your current credit cards. Make sure you aren’t getting charged a super-high interest rate and an annual fee. Some credit card companies made changes before the law went into effect.
Click here for an article on new rules:
http://www.defendyourdollars.org/CC%20summary_1.25.2010.pdf

CREDIT CARDS
Want to get the best card that rewards you for your purchases. Check out CREDITCARD.COM. You can get a card that gives you the best travel awards, gas rebates, lowest APR, or purchase rewards. It ranks which are the best.

DANNON YOGURT
Dannon settled a $45 million class action lawsuit about false advertising on the Activia, DanActive products that they said helped regulate the digestive system. Apparently they don’t do anything different to your digestive system. You can get $15 to $30 with no receipts or $30 to $100 if you have the receipts by filling out this form: http://dannonsettlement.com. Call 888-418-6122 if you have any questions. The deadline to apply is October 1.

Under the terms of the settlement, Dannon must agree to remove the words “clinically” and “scientifically proven” from labels and ads of Activa yogurt. The word “immunity” must be removed. They must also note that Activa and DanActive yogurts are food, not treatments or cures for any medical disorder or disease. If you ask me, I think if you need help with your digestion and colon cleansing – two words – Taco Bell.

At Giant Eagle Dannon yogurt is on sale for 20 for $10 minus $3 when you buy 20. Use the .75 cents off coupon for 6 here: DANNON COUPON and get them for less than 20 cents each after the coupon doubles.

BAHAMA BREEZE
Get a free $10 gift card from Bahama Breeze. They are located in Beachwood locally.
Click here to get the gift card:
https://www.bahamabreeze.com/fsi/default.asp

RITE AID
99 cents after rebate:
Listerine Pocketpaks – plus use recent coupon
Suave shampoo or conditioner
Efferdent – plus use recent coupon
Gillette/Satin Care shave gel – plus use recent coupon
Adult Acnomel
Anti-Monkey Butt – yes, yes, this is a real product.
Albolene moisturizing cleanser
Proantinox Liquid Urinary Tract Cleansing Complex

Click here for a $3 off a $15 purchase coupon – break up your order to use this coupon multiple times: Expires 3/31.
http://content.riteaid.com/coupon/SCR_quarterly_statement_coupon_20100331.pdf

WALGREENS
Free DVD transfer from a movie film, videotapes, or slides – ends March 6th.

NEWS-HERALD
Get the paper (Monday through Saturday) and a cup of coffee for $1 at Lake County Convenient Food Mart, RediGo Food Mart, Chestnut Food Mart, D’abates Madison Market, Lakeland Marathon, Marc’s Avenue Beverage, and Sunoco Mini-Mart in Eastlake.

STORE CHANGES
Dave’s Supermarket is buying the Zagara’s Marketplace store in Richmond Heights. That will leave Zagara’s with one store and Dave’s with fourteen. Apparently the final straw was the newly-opened Aldi’s store on Mayfield Road that hurt their business to much so they decided to sell. The store will shut down on March 13th and reopen as Dave’s on March 20th.

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS
Design Union (furniture) – Bedford Heights – 40% to 70% off
Mr. Chicken – Parma on Broadview & Snow
Luchita’s – Mentor

BEST DEAL MAGAZINES
Deal of the Day:
3/1 Woman’s Day 1 Year $4.29
3/2 Family Fun 1 Year $3.99
3/3 Nylon 1 Year $3.89
3/4 Shape 1 Year $4.29
3/5 Mac Life 1 Year $5.29
3/6 Weight Watchers 1 Year $4.29
3/7 Seventeen 1 Year $4.29

Take An Extra 15% Off Most Titles – Code: PXCJ37 Offer Expires March 7, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $5 OFF $30 ORDER COUPON – Code: MNDCJ37 Offer Expires March 7, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $7.50 OFF $40 ORDER COUPON – Code: MQQCJ37 Offer Expires March 7, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $10 OFF $50 ORDER COUPON – Code: MQPCJ37 Offer Expires March 7, 2010

Click here to order:
BEST DEAL MAGAZINE DEALS

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

TASTE
French-American restaurant in Cleveland Heights is offering a $75 gift certificate for $35. Fine print: Expires 08/29/2010. Limit 1 per person. Limit 1 per table, 2 for tables of 5 or more. Tax and gratuity not included. Reservation recommended. Not valid for special events.

Doesn’t say it isn’t good for alchohol, so it’s good for wine and other drinks!

Deal good until Sunday 2/28.

Click here to order:
TASTE DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

RESTAURANT.COM
Save 80%! Get $25 restaurant gift certificates for $2 (normally $10)! New restaurants every month – 100th Bomb Group, Naya, Captains Club, Sushi Rock, Luchita’s, Giovanni’s, Mallorca, Marbella, and many more. Call the restaurant before you show up and make sure they still take it and very the stipulations just to be on the safe side. Restaurant.com will give you a mega-certificate to use if a restaurant closes or doesn’t accept them anymore.
Use code SAVOR.
Ends 2/28/10.
Click here to order:
RESTAURANT.COM 80% OFF DEAL

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com

Damn you… you catchy jingle!

TACO BELL
Taco Bell is giving away a free Fresco Taco. Deals ends when 1 million are given away. Click here to get your coupon:
http://www.drivethrudiet.com/

IHOP
Free pancakes on Tuesday, Feb 23rd from 7 AM to 10PM at participating locations. Donations are encouraged for the Children’s Miracle Network for the event.

MCDONALDS FILET-O-FISH
Is it just me or does that “Give me back that filet-o-fish” commercial by McDonalds one of those creepily hypnotic jingles that just sticks in your head. Damn them for doing that. It comes up at the most inopportune times like when I’m at church. But then there is usually a bratty screaming kid that snaps me out of thinking about it.

If you can’t get enough of the singing fish, you can buy it at Rite Aid for $19.99. Click here for a $5 off $25 coupon at Rite Aid:
http://img.ionmx.com/ionmxweb2/MXOrgs/6008/Content/images/welcome/RA-FebCoupon5off-ADA.pdf

TRIDENT
Another commercial that is really bizarre is the one for Trident Three Layers. There is a UPS guy that is in the front bushes of a house eavesdropping on a conversation the family is having in their living room and he said he would get paid in Trident gum. I would’ve got the garden hose out and sprayed him away from the house.

Then there is a phone guy across the street with apparent super-hearing that moans about wishing he got paid in Trident gum. Yes, yes, hey business world, us workers have no need for cold hard cash. We would prefer gum. Chewy gum. Especially one from Trident that has three layers of flavors. If we were paid in gum, I wonder if we would still need to fill out W2 tax forms.

WENDYS
Sign up to http://www.wendys.com and they will send you a $1 off coupon for their new fish sandwich. Get other coupons during the year for other sandwichs when you sign up to get their e-mails.

DOLLAR MENU
Dollar menus at fast food restaurants are great deals. Some are such good deals; they are loss leaders. For the most part you can get three dollar menu burgers for the price of one regular sandwich.

MEAT
People always ask me, “Joe, where do you get your meat?” I tell them I always get it half off. And then I freeze it. There are always buy-one-get-one free deals on meat. Load up on it and it’s good for at least 6 months. Meat usually goes bad after 6 months, so there is plenty of time to enjoy your meat. Ask the butcher about his meat too. They will discount any meat that they need to get rid of before it goes bad and expires. Butchers are very proud of their meat. They always want to give their meat away at a discount when they know it’s going bad. Ask him to show you his meat that they need to get rid of. Hold your meat in your hand and then start haggling.

Nobody likes meat that isn’t fresh, but what is gross is the packaged meats that use coloring and preservatives to make it look fresh. If you have to doll up your meat in order for it to look good then you have some nasty meat. The packages always seem to bloat up. Bloated meat doesn’t look healthy. It starts to turn green and slimy and smell. I think that is what finally killed Tops in Ohio – they decided to get rid of their butchers and go with pre-packaged meat. So tell your store that you go to not to ever wrap your meat in a package full of junk. Let them know you like it fresh.

There are coupons for meat – Hormel, Tyson, Perdue, etc. Pairing a coupon with BOGO meat will get me usually at least 70% off. I always give my meat to the cashier and have them gently scan it and then put it into two old bags. I prefer two bags than one. If something happens to the one bag I don’t want my meat to drop to the floor. Having two bags makes me feel more secure. I also always keep an eye on the cashier and make sure they don’t put something nasty like Comet on my meat. You’d think the cashiers are old enough to know better, but sometimes you have to tell them what to do.

SEA SALT
Get a Diamond Sea Salt coupon for .50 cents off that will double at Giant Eagle – one canister cost me 19 cents after the coupon. Aside from being a healthier salt, it’s great for killing slugs! Click here to get the coupon:
SEA SALT COUPON

ALDIS
Grapes – $1.59 for 2 lbs.
Mushrooms – 8 ounce – 99 cents

GIANT EAGLE
Get 20 cents off per gallon at GetGo gas stations when you buy $50 of restaurant gift cards at Giant Eagle. Remember – You’re allowed up to 30 gallons of discounted gas when you redeem your GetGo rewards. Limited time only.
List of restaurants here: http://www.gianteagle.com/GiftCards/browse.aspx?cntid=177291

FITNESS19
They have a $9 per month (with $59 initiation fee) or $9 initiation fee deal. Their new fitness center is located at 30240 Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe next to Big Lots. They have other locations in Parma, Stow, & Cleveland. Go to http://www.fitness19.com for details.

FITWORKS
The have a $19.99 per month with a $19.99 enrollment fee deal. Deal ends 2/28. Go to http://www.fitworks.com for details. Locations in Mentor, Downtown Cleveland, Parma, Richmond Heights, Rocky River, & Willoughby.

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS
K-Mart – Eastlake, West 65th, Dayton, Wadsworth, and Milton in Ohio. For a full list of store closures go to: eight stores in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Colorado and Washington. K-Mart has over 1,300 stores nationwide and 17 in Northeast Ohio yet. I’m surprised the store in Eastlake lasted this long. There was never anyone shopping at the store. Tons were there today. But don’t get caught up in lame 20% to 30% deals when stores initally go out of business. Wait for the deals to hit at least 50% off.

BEST DEAL MAGAZINES
Weekly Specials – all $3.75 annually – use code WKLYSPEC:
Parents
Weight Watchers
Taste of Home

Daily Specials:
2/22 Angels on Earth 1 Year $4.29
2/23 Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel 1 Year $8.49
2/24 Bridal Guide 1 Year $3.99
2/25 Yoga Journal 1 Year $3.99
2/26 Garden & Gun 1 Year $3.79
2/27 Men’s Fitness 1 Year $4.29
2/28 Smart Money 1 Year $10

Take An Extra 15% Off Most Titles – Code: PXCJ228 Offer Expires February 28, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $5 OFF $30 ORDER COUPON – Code: MNDCJ228 Offer Expires February 28, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $7.50 OFF $40 ORDER COUPON – Code: MQQCJ228 Offer Expires February 28, 2010
TAKE AN EXTRA $10 OFF $50 ORDER COUPON – Code: MQPCJ228 Offer Expires February 28, 2010

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BEST DEAL MAGAZINE DEALS

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
All books $19.99 and get free shipping. Click here to order:
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK DEAL

OUR TOWN COUPON BOOK
Find many fast food coupons including those for McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, and tons more. Hundreds of restaurant coupons – some up to $30 off! It’s like finding a gift card on every page. Many golf coupons, movie coupons, winery coupons, and West Side Market coupons. Coupons for businesses in the Greater Cleveland area East, West and South side – from Amherst to Ashtabula!
The book costs $25 – & Free Shipping!
Click here to order:
http://www.joethecouponguy.com/merchandise/index.htm

Joe
http://www.joethecouponguy.com