Cheap Trick Thursday: free entertainment and coupon tips
Consuming Interests has long strived to be a frugal resource, whether we're telling you how to improve your fuel economy, make your own microwave popcorn or host a party for next to nothing.
Starting today, we're embarking on yet another a new weekly adventure: Cheap Trick Thursday.
Each week, we'll feature ways for you to save more, spend less and enjoy what you have --- as well as celebrate the virtues of frugal living.
Since we're also realistic, we'll be sure to point out the downsides to any and all offers we present --- whether a free offer requires a minimum purchase, for example, or could just inspire some emotional spending.
Also, our inboxes are open if you've got tried-and-true methods for pinching pennies --- and dollars! --- and maximizing value. Feel free to share, and we'll credit you here.
Without further ado, here are this week's picks:
1. Kids: Free tokens at Chuck E. Cheese.
Here's how to reward your progeny for good grades. Take them --- and their good report cards --- over to Chuck E. Cheese and receive up to 15 tokens for free.
The catch? Food purchase required. And how many games can you play with even the maximum award of 15 tokens?
2. Free television and movies at OVguide.com.
The site catalogs the best sites to watch free content, whether you're interested in dorm-room favorites such as Family Guy or the Simpsons or current films and reality television.
The catch? Some of the sites linked there are completely legit, such as hulu.com ... others may run you the risk of a visit from law enforcement. Read the fine print before you click!
3. Print coupons at Target.
Running to Target? Don't forget to clip coupons from the weekly circular, or print them out from Target.com. But what if you don't own a computer or a printer?
Just stop at the baby/wedding/gift registry kiosk and use it to access Target.com. You can print the coupons at the Target store and redeem them when you check out.
The catch? Coupons are only good at Target, and they may inspire you to spend more time in the store and make some other impulse purchases.
(photo: Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Neilsen, by Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)
A native of Vietnam, 
Comments
Another benefit to the Target coupons...they will accept a Target coupon AND a manufacturer's coupon for the same item. :)
Holly, you sound like a coupon master ... I've heard of 'stacking' multiple coupons or saving them up to redeem when the item goes on sale, but I've never tried it. Are there places that *don't* let you redeem more than one coupon at a time for the same item?--- lfk
Posted by: Holly | June 5, 2008 2:37 PM
Most places don't let you. Toys R' Us/Babies R' Us used to let you use as many coupons as you had for diapers and other misc baby products but they stopped about two years ago.
Most places I shop no longer accept internet coupons due to people altering them somehow. target is the only place I can still use home printed ones.
I get coupons from wherever I can and trade with friends and family for things I use but they don't and vice versa. I also save coupons and then buy the items on sale with a coupon whenever I can. In our house it's mostly with the baby items like Huggies Pull Ups. We are in solid pursuit of a potty trained 2 year old BUT I use those $1.50 and $2.00 off coupons every time they go on sale. Now the original $13.99 item is on sale for $10.99 and I have my coupons. This method works great for things that go on sale frequently (Pillsbury, huggies, pampers, shampoo, cereals...) and that often have coupons in the circulars.
Holly, that's some smart shopping! Good luck on the potty training --- lots of benefits in that for so many reasons, financial and otherwise. :] --- lfk
Posted by: Holly | June 5, 2008 2:50 PM
To find more ways to cut costs and live better, visit www.eversave.com today. Find articles, tips, coupons and more, all in one place.
Posted by: Eversave | June 6, 2008 1:27 PM
I see you used a photo of Rick Nielsen of the band Cheap Trick. So don't forget to buy the band's CD "Rockford" - in stores now.
Posted by: Bud E Carlos | June 7, 2008 11:04 PM