Get Freebies from Local Businesses using the Paypal Mobile App

Every once in a while there's a deal that just seems too good to be true. When a friend excitedly told me he had gotten free breakfast for a week using the PayPal App, I was skeptical. But never one to pass up a chance for a freebie, I downloaded the app to see what the hype was all about. Here's the skinny:

What is Paypal? An international e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet (Thanks Wikipedia!) Or in other words, it's a way to pay for items without cash or a physical credit card

How does it work? Once you've downloaded the app onto your phone (it's free and compatible for iOS, Android and Windows Phones), you link your account to an existing credit or debit card. You'll be asked to take a photo so that when you make a purchase, participating retailers can verify your identity. The app uses your location to display restaurants and retailers that accept Paypal in the area. Then you can select a restaurant and in some cases order ahead.

How can I get free stuff? The app's "Offer" section is where you'll find freebies and discounts. Businesses that are doing promotions are displayed in this section. The Bean, Pomme Frites, Viva Crepe, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream are among the business that currently have offers which range from $3 to $10 off any purchase. What's great is that unlike a lot of couponing apps, there's no minimum purchase. In fact, you can redeem the offer for less than the promotional price and save the rest for another visit. For example, I used the $3 off offer at The Bean for an ice coffee and still have 50 cents I can use the next time I order there.

So go ahead and treat yourself to a free cone or coffee or muffin- you deserve it for being so frugal! 

How to Save When Buying Textbooks

Don't we all remember the good old days of school supply shopping as a kid? My mom would drive me to CVS and I'd walk the aisles, school supply list in hand, picking out brightly colored notebooks, mechanical pencils, and locker accessories. This year, as I return to school after taking a year off, I wish I could say my school supply shopping experience was as pleasurable. But alas, my shopping list no longer includes frilly erasers and colored pencils. Instead, the bulk of my school supply budget is going to textbooks. And as anyone who has ever bough a textbook knows, that shit is expensive! So what's a penniless prima donna to do? Read on to find out how I saved on textbooks this year...and it's not just Chegg!

1. Comparison Shop! My three go-to online retailers for textbooks are Amazon, Half.com, and Chegg. All three have the option to buy new, used, the e-book, or rent for most books. I comparison to shop to see which of the three sites has the best deal on a book and I then choose the lowest price. 

2. Consider the Return on Investment! Contrary to #1, it's not always the wisest decision to always choose the lowest priced book. There are several factors that should affect whether you rent, buy a book new, or buy used. I bought a used copy of my French II book even though it was $10 more expensive than renting it, because I know I can sell it back to my campus's bookstore at the end of the semester for more than $10.

3. Use Your Campus Library! Your campus library almost indefinitely has a copy of that $200 statistics book for in-library use. Just set aside some time each week to get the reading done in the library. And you can always photocopy important pages or snap pictures of tables and graphs with your phone to review at home.

4. Use Other Libraries! My Shakespeare class requires me to read five plays by Shakespeare. Instead of buying each individual book, I've put them all on hold at the NYPL. These books can be renewed online so in most cases you can keep them for the duration of the semester. 

5. Communicate with your Professor! Ask your professor if it is okay to buy an earlier edition of the book, or whether they might have a spare book they'd be willing to loan you for the semester.  When I confided in my Algebra Review teacher about the financial burden of buying textbooks, he told me not to bother buying the assigned reading; all the information in the textbook could be found by simply googling each topic. And after stressing out over buying a $90 online course code for my French class, my professor assured me that although it was helpful to have access to the online content, it was not imperative.  Most professors are very understanding and want their students to succeed so they'll be willing to accommodate you.

It takes a little more effort to save on textbooks as opposed to just stopping into your campus bookstore and buying all your books. But for those of us on a tight budget, the extra effort really pays off. I'd love to hear if any of you have tips for saving on textbooks. Tell me in the comments below!

Free Greek Yogurt at Pinkberry in April

Greek yogurt has grown in popularity immensely in the past few years. What once was regarded strictly a health food consumed by yogis and health-obsessed has become staple in many people's diet...mine included. It seems like Greek yogurt is everywhere these days. (If you don't believe me, check out this Huffington Post article)

Pinkberry is the latest franchise to hop on the Greek yogurt bandwagon. And what better way to celebrate than giving out free, full size samples of the stuff! Each Wednesday in April between 11 AM and 2 PM stop by our neighborhood Pinkberry and indulge in this sweet treat! I'm planning on hitting up the one on St. Mark's Place tomorrow to get mine. Check out their store locator here to find one in your hood!

Free Ices at Rita's on the First Day of Spring

This Wednesday is the official first day of spring...hard to believe since I just trudged through ice pellets on my way home from work! Luckily, it doesn't have to feel like spring in order for Rita's to continue their annual tradition of serving free ices on the first day of the season. On March 19th, head to any of the Rita franchises across the country between 12 and 9 PM to snag a full size, free Italian ice in your favorite flavor. The only Rita's in New York is on the Upper West Side (full address below) but don't think that's going to stop this downtown dweller from trekking uptown to enjoy one of their many delicious flavors. I mean, who would pass up the chance to try Swedish Fish flavored Italian ice? Check out their website to see pictures from years passed and don't forget to mark your own calendars so you can join in on the tradition.

Rita's: Upper West Manhattan 
2486 Broadway 
New York, NY 10025

Get a Free Small Plate at California Pizza Kitchen!

California Pizza Kitchen is a great family restaurants that specializes in innovative, oven-baked pizzas. Prices are good and portions are hearty. They have locations throughout the United States and luckily one on Park Ave South. As a means to promote their new small plate menu (found here) and to say thank you to all their loyal customers, the restaurant is offering a free small plate to customers until January 31st. Choose from one of six scrumptious options and get it totally free. Be warned that these are, in fact "small plates" so don't expect a full dinner. They are snack size dishes that should be ordered as a quick nosh or in combination with a drink or two at the bar. I stopped by last night and ordered the Asparagus and Arugula Salad. Very tasty and completely complimentary! Print this coupon to get your free small plate too!

Asparagus and Arugula Salad

California Pizza Kitchen

440 Park Avenue South

(212) 685-6700

Free Cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake Every Day!

Georgetown Cupcakes of TLC's DC Cupcake fame has been featured everywhere from the Today Show to the New York Times to People Magazine. With decadent flavors like Toffee Crunch, Bubble Gum Pink Vanilla, and Honey Banana, it's no wonder it's garnered such widespread popularity. Founded by sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne in 2008, the success of their first bakery in Washington DC, led them to open several other locations, including one in Soho. These cupcakes are not cheap, going for $2.75 a pop, and worth every penny. For a cupcake lover like myself, spending almost three dollars on a cupcake every once in a while is a well-spent indulgence but what's even better is getting these delicious treats for free. How, you might ask, does one go about doing that? Well, each morning at 9:00 AM Katherine and Sophie (or rather their social media manager) updates the Georgetown Cupcake Twitter with a special free (not-on-menu) flavor. All you have to do is be one of the first 100 customers at each location to order it by name and it's yours for free! I tried it out on Wednesday and got a free Vanilla Hazelnut Cupcake. Noms-pictured here! According to the cashier, the secret cupcakes are usually all snatched up by noon so be sure to head to the shop early if you expect to get one. Check out their other flavors and more about Georgetown Cupcake on their website!

Free "Skinny Slice" at Sbarro

For all you health freaks and pizza lovers (can you be both?) tomorrow's your lucky day. Sbarro is handing out free slices of their new "Skinny Slice." Advertised as being only 271 calories, each slice is topped with portobella mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted red and green peppers, and soft mozzarella cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. All you have to do is like Sbarro on Facebook and print the coupon. Not all Sbarro locations are participating in the giveaway but there are still several in NYC who will be handing them out. Check out the list below to see where you can get your free slice.

In Manhattan...

• 34th Street
• 5th Avenue And 46th St
• 33rd And 7^th
• 701 7th Avenue
• 49th And Broadway

And for you outer-borough folks...

• Kings Plaza Mall
• Staten Island Mall

I'll be dreaming of the cheesy goodness tonight! 

Free Gloves at American Apparel

American Apparel is giving away more free stuff! All you have to do is text "Apparel" to 23000. Then you'll recieve a confirmation text that entitles you to one free pair of fingerless gloves. The gloves are super warm (you can choose between an acrylic or wool blend) and are perfect for texting. Plus they come in a whole slew of fun colors! They sell for $12 dollars so be sure to stop in before December 10th when the promotion ends! Happy shopping!