FSF: Freecycle

Everything posted on Freecycle is free -- that's right -- FREE! Posted items range from flashlights to old magazines to berets and various sundry in between. If you've never checked it out, it's worth doing so.

My roommate was going to buy a set of free weights until a nice couple replied to my request for them. It's also an excellent way to be a good steward and make sure usable items don't end up in a landfill just because you ran out of space in your closet.

Did you get a new blowdryer? Or spicerack? A bigger CD case? (All things I have posted for free on Freecycle). So far, my experience in both giving and receiving has been extremely positive.

New Flavor Day at Haagen Dazs: May 15, 2007

Here's the scoop: At participating Haagen Dazs tomorrow, between 4 and 8 pm, the company is giving away free 4 oz scoops of one of its new flavors: sticky toffee pudding or cinnamon dulce de leche. The only hard decision will be figuring out which one to pick!

FSF: Free Screening of Waitress

This new Keri Russell film has received some pretty great reviews. Way to go, Felicity! If you're interested in seeing Waitress, but don't want to shell out the cash, why don't you see it for free?

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there are free screenings everywhere, but check out if there's one near you. It's just like the tagline line says: It's easy as pie!

FSF: Cascade Action Pacs and Some Do-Gooding

If Cascade Action Pacs actually do what they propose to, clean dishes completely without having to handwash anything, they will have a convert here. Yes, I am a nerd, but I can't wait to try these out.

I also wanted to present you with a chance to do some free do-gooding. How? It's simple. Burger King has generously agreed to donate $100,000 to the needy Gulf Coast area to a particular non-profit for work they are doing. The money will be awarded to whatever non-profit has the most votes. I know first-hand of several very needy organizations, but few who are more deserving than the Harry Thompson Center, a day facility for the large population of homeless men and women of New Orleans.

To cast your vote for the Harry Thompson Center, please visit Campaign for Your Cause, and type in the name of the Harry Thompson Center, your date of birth, and click Nominate Your Cause for New Orleans.

That warm fuzzy "I just helped someone out of the kindess of my heart" feeling? That's free. Happy Friday, fellow do-gooders!

FSF: ArtDC and Post-Its

Art, art, everywhere I look! DC has long been a cultural hub, but the up and coming arts scene is finally giving DC its just deserts with ArtDC. Featuring over 85 galleries, including some homegrown ones, the four day fest promises to be a feast for the eyes. And, today, the normal $12 admission is waived! Doors open at 11 am and close at 7 pm. Check it out if you are in the area.

Though none of my doodles would probably qualify for ArtDC, it's always useful to have some goods on hand in case inspiration strikes. Check out some free supplies for your next masterpiece (or just a masterful to do list): Post-It Sortable Cards.

FSF: Folgers Sample

Weeks like this past one made me yearn for a good pick-me-up (and Ryan Adams was nowhere to be found). This sample from Folger's could have been a good fall back choice . Check out the free sample here.

Free Time?

My current answer to that would be, "what's that?" For all of you faithful readers out there (hi Mom), you may have noticed that my usual steady trickle of posts has dropped off a bit of late to a bare drip. Things are hectic at work, etc., but that doesn't stop me from dreaming of the things I could be doing. For example, some handy dandy DIY projects! (I adore arts and crafts). Here are two courtesy of Wikihow that I plan to complete once the dust settles: How To Turn a Book Into A Picture Frame and How To Make an Orange Juice Picture Frame. Both sound like oodles of free fun and involve doing a few of my favorite things -- saving money, repurposing something, and DIY.

FSF: Free 16x20 Digital Print

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Thanks to Andrew for letting me know that the link below seems to be DOA. They must have pulled it. Sadness. I hate to be a misinformer. To make it up to you, at least those of you on the East Coast, Baskin Robbins is offering a free scoop of ice cream until the 13th, which I hope you can enjoy. Check out the link here.

With spring in the air, trees a-blossoming, bunnies a-hopping, and people a-smiling at the thought of warmth on the horizon, get out and capture some of those great spring moments with your digital camera. Take advantage of Kessler Color's offer for a free 16x20 print of one of your better snapshots.

FSF: That's Bioré

"When the moon hits your eye and your face looks like a big pizza pie, you need Bioré." Check out today's free sample for Bioré skin products here.

Organization Helper: Gubb

I am back in DC with an overwhelming amount of things on my to do list and jet lag making me a bit weary. If you find yourself in a similar situation (even sans lag), you may want to check out Gubb, a great way to always have access to your to do list, whenever you have your computer, BB, or cell phone handy. I like the archive feature because it reminds me of what I got done and when and gives me that warm feeling inside whenever I am productive. Since I've found that being organized personally is critical to being organized financially, this is a free and a useful tool to becoming both!

Free Movie Screening Tonight in Select Cities

In the same vein as my earlier post, check out this free screening from Fox Searchlight films to see "I Think I Love My Wife." Even if this movie isn't any good, at least you can say you didn't waste $10 on seeing it!

FSF: Flat Earth Fruit and Veggie Chips

Allegedly, this offer starts to be good today. Check out the website to see if you can score a free bag of these new snacks. When I tried it out, the website wasn't up and running yet, but had a note saying that it would be on March 9, 2007 (today), so you may have better luck this afternoon or tomorrow.

Happy Friday!

Caffeine Jitters? Free Fixes to Ease the Shakes.

Since many people seem to be on an IV drip to some sort of caffeinated beverage, here are a few places where you can get a free fix in the next few weeks:

March 8 (today): Participating McDonald's. (This will vary by franchise). Ask at the counter and you shall receive a free cup of coffee. Allegedly, McD's beat the Bucks in a blind taste test recently, and they are out to celebrate. If you are really pining for a cup, make sure you have a few bucks in your pocket in case that particular franchise is deciding to be stingy.

March 15: Starbucks is not to be outdone -- The Bucks is hosting a nationwide "coffee break" by giving away free 12oz cups of house coffee between 10am - noon.

March 21: Dunkin' Donuts wants to put a spring in your step by providing you with a free 16oz cup of iced tea to celebrate the end of the winter doldrums.

If I liked coffee or iced tea, this would be great, but since I don't, hopefully you'll enjoy! Thanks to G for passing along the info from YumSugar.

Photojojo

The declaration by the editors of the Photojojo newsletter that they have a damn fine newsletter is bold, and even better, true! The free photo newsletter is chock full of fantastic, mostly free ideas of what you can do with those hundreds of (or thousands if you are an addict like me) digital photos you've taken. Every time I get a copy of the newsletter in my inbox, a smile pops on my face because I don't know what fun, creative project is in store for me! You can subscribe here. You won't be sorry you did!

FSF: Lemon Substitute Sample

Due to the lengthy post(s) yesterday, I thought I would try and keep it short and sweet today. If this tastes anything like lemon Propel, I will drive this bandwagon. Get your free sample here. Thanks, G!

Moving and Miscellany

As I may have mentioned, I recently moved to a new apartment. With added square footage comes the need to fill that space (a pretty good reason to stay in a cozy place!) With the move, my shopping list includes a host of new items:

- new mattress/sheets
- bookcases (partial to the leaning/ladder variety)
- chaise lounge (IKEA has a very comfortable looking one for $299)
- lamp
- and MOST IMPORTANTLY, new drapes with noise/light blocking capabilities (I believe there was a reason the leasing agent showed us the apartment at 3 pm on a Saturday).

My goal is to keep all of these purchases under $1000 -- crazy you might say -- but here has been my plan of attack so far:

- Craigslist - good for everything except the mattress/linens. While I might normally lean towards scrounging for a used bed, my mother was appalled at the idea and insists that I get a new one, per an incident at a hotel and bedbugs. Since her concern also includes some financial assistance, it has been dutifully noted. I am using this comparison site to do some fact-checking and comparison shopping on different mattresses.
- Overstock - Especially for high-quality linens. They also have a lovely looking chaise that was a bit off from what I am looking for, but their $2.95 shipping on everything, including furniture, is incredibly appealing.
- JCPenney - allegedly have the best selection on blinds. Also, the website features a closeout section that is right up my alley.
- Ebay - everything
-IKEA - chaise, bookcases

I would love any tips or price comparison tools anyone might have. Have you recently moved and found a great discount furniture place? Let me know! I plan to do an updated post on any great deals or helpful sites I find.

(Since I may go broke saving money, the only activities I can partake in are those that are free or near free -- good thing Goldstar was to the rescue! In the event update I received, I was able to get FREE tickets to Kiss Me, Kate. All that I had to pay was the service fee ($13 for two!) So, for the price of a drink, I get to see live theater! Sign me up!

FSF: Healthfest

Due to no premeditated thought on my part, today's Free Stuff Friday (FSF) seems to have taken on a bit of a healthy theme. As I am sure you can tell, there's not often a lot of thought put into thematic elements here at The Financista, so this comes as a pleasant surprise! (I kid...well, mostly).

To start off with, get yourself in the right frame of mind with a free one-year subscription to Positive Thinking Magazine (while this is a bit tongue in cheek, I bet this could really come in handy when you are having one of those days). I would use a junkmail email address for it though, if you were interested. Otherwise, you will probably be receiving offers to join the Snail Lovers Fan Club magazine or Boat Shoe Fanatics trade magazines every other day.

So now you can check off taking care of your chakra and move on to taking care of your bones. Wal-Mart is featuring a free sample of an "easy to swallow" multi-vitamin and calcium pill. While my preferred method of dairy intake is ice cream, these certainly do have fewer calories.

Next up, once you take care of healthy bones and your inner glow, attend to your outer one with a free sample from Aveeno's Positively Ageless facial line.

Once you take care of all of these, you should be glowing from inside out! (I apologize to the men who read this blog -- I promise to have something tomorrow that is a bit more unisex!)

Free $25 Gift Certificate to McCormick & Schmick's

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants offer a free $25 Dining Certificate when you make your reservations online. Their food is tasty, though a bit cher ($$$) for just a regular night out. Great for special occasions or when you just feel like treating yourself. With a $25 GC, it might be pretty reasonable. Deal ends March 31.

To get this deal:
- Click here to make your online reservations;
- Print this form and write your online reservation's confirmation number on the certificate.

-- This info is courtesy of Dealnews, an excellent resource for great steals and deals.

Scissors and Shots

In honor of Mardi Gras, here's a little something to get you in that Carnivale spirit. In fact, I am surprised I am finding this in DC and not in New Orleans. A drink always seems to be a ready accessory in NOLA. I will have to suggest it when I am down there. On that note, starting tomorrow, through Mardi Gras, The Financista will be on hiatus while I am celebrating in the fair city of New Orleans. Posts will pick up again on the 21st! In the meantime, The Motley Fool is always a good read. Laissez les bons temps roulez!

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The price of a good haircut these days may drive you to want to hit the bottle, or so the Red and Black Bar in NE DC seems to think.

Here's the deal: The Red & The Black Bar, a New Orleans Style bar, now offers a haircut-and-a-shot deal every Tuesday, 9-11 p.m. Get coiffed and boozed up at the same time. It may make that pixie cut seem like a good idea, so be forewarned.

It seems like a great deal, if you are only looking for a simple shape-up. The cut is by a reputable stylist (allegedly), John Cullen of Salon Loule. The bartender's reputation is not described. You get a quick cut and a shot of your choice for just $12.

The Red & The Black, 1212 H Street NE, between 12th and 13th Streets (202-399-3201 or redandblackbar.com).

-- Thanks to Daily Candy DC for the tip. (Check them out for a free newsletter with tips like this one!)

Updated: Taxes Taxes Are (Still) No Fun

Below is my post concerning my contribution to the society at large (taxes). It was brought to my attention that if you clicked on the link I had listed to LibertyTax, and you signed up for their service that way, they would try to charge you $14.95! Wow, no way! Instead, please make sure that if you'd like to use their services (or any of the other tax providers) that you enter their website through the IRS Free File website, linked here, and in the original post. I hope this didn't hurt any one else! There's no reason to get frustrated and just shell out the money. As I put it to my friend, that's almost 3 burritos we're talking about (and 5 total when you file your state taxes for free instead of paying $15! That's a lot of Chipotle!)

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...But, thank the good Lord, they are done!

I took some of my own advice and filed my taxes for free online. The great commonwealth of Virginia may go broke with my $24 refund, but don't think I won't collect!

The Free File site from the IRS allows you to pick what service to use -- it seems all of them are free if you make under $52,000. I settled on LibertyTax mostly because I would liked the sound of the name (way to go, marketing department).

By and large, it was an easy process. There were lots of help options if you get lost (not difficult in the labyrinth that is the tax code). The federal portion can be filed for free, but they wanted $12.95 to file my state portion! No way was I going to fork over more than half of my state return just to save a couple of minutes! Instead, I went directly to the Virginia Department of Taxation website and filed my state taxes there for free. It was useful to have already received the estimate from Liberty Tax about how much my refund should be. Since the numbers matched up, I knew that I was on track. So, I submitted everything, breathed a big sigh of relief, and now I am finished until next year!