Are you Hooked on Tuesday?

  Today on the 30th of January I decided to take advantage of 3 deals.  Now for you I can at least maybe promise 2.  I went out for dinner and dining out is an expense but, if you do it right it doesn't have to break the bank (nor should it).  Welcome to my experience at Bonefish grill.

  I received several birthday treat's via local places and although you don't necessarily get to use all of them; some you definitely take advantage of right out the gate.

  I have enjoyed using a reward here and there throughout the month.  Some treats expire on your birthday, start on your birthday or others are available till the end of the month. Bonefish Grill gives you the month to use your freebie.

  Bonefish Grill offers you their delicious specialty Bang Bang Shrimp or a dessert for your birthday.  If you have ever been to this restaurant you know if your going to eat the birthday reward your going to also enjoy dinner.  There's no way I'm showing up for just that and not a delicious dinner too!

So deal number one!  I hope for your sake today was not the last day because if it is..... I am sorry!

  Hooked on Tuesday was today. I strategically planned to save money and dine out.  The deal gets you a 3 course meal starting at 15.9.  This includes a salad, entree and dessert!

Behold your options:

a house salad
a Caesar salad

Second course for us:


Cod Piccata


Chicken Teriyaki bowl

Final and most important course:
Keylime pie


Jamaican Coconut pie

  Second deal is to sign up for their loyalty program.  On the 4th visit you receive 50% off! Today I did not strike that deal but next trip I will.  Dinners on me! Who wants to come?  Their dining program also includes Carrabba's, Outback and Flamingos. So if you visit any of these places it counts every visit.

 Lastly, your third deal is sign up for that email!  You will get nothing but money saving offers. You will get the special menu notices, as well as a heads up on daily or weekly specials, and a birthday freebie!

  Now what are you waiting for?  Even if you don't have a Bonefish Grill near you, perhaps you have one of the other places instead.  I would start taking advantage of the deals they have to offer.  Even if you only go out a few times a year I'm sure it's at least right around 4 times. That's 50% off!

  I hope I have peeked your appetite.  I had a great dinner and even though it's not quite the last day of the month.  It's close enough to say goodbye birthday month it's been real.

 Disclosure...... I received nothing from Bonefish Grill for this post.  I had a great time and I am just sharing my honest opinion.

July Ipsy Bag (review)

   Before my August bag gets here let's look at what was in my July Ipsy bag.  Ipsy is a monthly subscription bag I receive every month for $10 a month with free shipping.  In your bag you receive 5 products slightly catered to you based on a survey you complete.  The survey questions range from skin tone inquiry, to favorite makeup color for eyes and lips.  There are even questions about skincare.  After you answer these questions they are put into consideration for the next upcoming box.  I just updated mine today and unchecked brushes. I got a different brush everytime.

  My favorite thing about Ipsy is the bags.  I'm not going to lie.  They change every month and sometimes they are so fun.  This month features Gudetama AKA the sleepy egg. He represented the lazy vibes of August.  This bag was so cute even the zipper tag was a speech bubble that said, "meh....".

My August brush was by So Susan. This blender brush will be put to good use if not by me then the the teen.

Rainforest of the Sea deep dive cleansing gel by Tarte.  This is a pretty little purple bottle.  It is a 0.25 fl oz sample or perfect for travel size.  Smells great and is very soothing.  You lather up the gel then rinse of for a cleaner face and makeup removal.

Next up Wonderwand gel kohl liner by Ciate London in black! Liner one side and brush on the other end.  I can't wait to use this!

Ultra lip moisturizing herbal lip balm by Hempz.  The scent wasn't spectacular but, it didn't make my lips smooth and soft.

Lastly was pressed eyeshadow by Mprincess in the shade called biscuit.

So there's my 5 items for the month if July.  August is in the mail already and because you can see what's in the bag already I can see my new brush coming!! Since I updated late I may not have one in September!

If your looking to try out Ipsy for yourself or to give as a gift to your teen feel free to use my link here.

Showtime Rewards at Cinemark

  Reward programs from stores and restaurants do have their own unique perks.  Some perks are not as good.  I will not necessarily run out my house for a buy one get one free deal.  A free burger from the restaurant down the street gets my attention and so does free entertainment.

  Last week I received an email promoting a special screening of Girls Trip for Cinemark Connections.  Cinemark's reward program works twice as hard as other programs.  I have the app on my phone and open it upon arriving at the location.  I have the staff scan my phone when I purchase tickets and food. For these scans I receive points.

   Another way I receive points is Cinemode.  You get points for not using your phone for the duration of the movie.

  Your points go towards discounts on food, drinks and even some special movie items!

            

I am slowing building up my points and when I see the right reward I'll know it when I see it! For now I am just collecting away.  It's hard to remember to have them scan for tickets and food so that's a hit or miss deal for me but the Cinemode is easy to remember.

So next time you visit Cinemark don't forget to get your points.  Cinemark provides several movie viewing options to include digital, XD and 3D! I always love that Tuesdays at my local theater is matinee ALL day! 

What's the next movie you plan on seeing?

Coffee with benefits

  I wanted to write this post as I'm not sure how many people are fully aware of their coffee benefits.  Most people find a brand or restaurant and stay loyalty to it.  I was like that myself until I consciously started looking at what I'm getting back.

  Flavor is an important part of coffee too but price is second if not first in some cases.  We pay more for some brands when other coffee establishments or convenience store offer the same if not more or less of a variety.  The price is an obvious difference that's what you will see first over taste.  My question to you is what else do you get for that purchase of coffee?  I have the rewards cards.  One card gives me points and I earn a free drink basically every month while also being my gift card that I load every month for the purchase but what makes this a better deal, one that helps me stretch my money, a huge benefit to my coffee allowance is discounts.  You can earn discounts with the purchase of the establishments cups.


  A cup depending on where you get it can range anywhere for a couple dollars on up.  The benefits from the cups also depending on where you get them saves you drastically or very minimally.  I don't know about you but I choose huge over little savings.

These are some of the cups I have.  I do have multiple cups for some places.  Everyone may need a his and her or a mom and child cup.    I even have a Tim Hortons cup that I picked up back home.  I am not endorsing the purchase of any of the cups I am merely suggesting you to look into purchasing a refillable cup to minimize your coffee expense.  

  Even before you so that try other locations.  Most locations have the same flavors.  Some flavors actually taste the same and some do not.  After you have decided your go to place whether it it a new or not look into the other benefits.

  Dunkin Donuts benefits of a refillable cup is the price of a small coffee or small latte.    I can't tell you an exact price of a cup and there are several to choose from but you are saving money with nit being charged for a medium or large size.

  Starbucks has a variety of cups for a variety of prices there discount for reusing their refillable cup is .10.

  Tim Hortons also sells refillable cups but as they are not plentiful in my area I am not sure what their discounts are.

  Lastly, Wawa has a special for the month of October.  All refills are $1.00 this month but, the price will increase to 1.30 depending on the size after the special is over. (I was also told you can refill anything even a thermos for a special rate)

  There are a few local/national stores that I am not aware of their coffee refillable benefits such as 7-11, Royal Farms or Shell.  Feel free to comment with any benefits for refillable cups.

What is in your wallet? Membership cards part 2

  Continuing on my series of what's in your wallet.  My second card is almost as loved as my first card with the Botanical Gardens.  This is my card to the Norfolk virginiazoo.

This card was the second year of a 2 year subscription.  Again with all these membership cards come perks that are only privy to the members.  The zoo offers special discounts throughout the park to include the gift shop, and restaurant.  Another zoo perk is early or extended admission.  Special night programs after the zoo is closed are a great benefit.  Summer camps or school holiday camps are offered at a discount to members as well.  They also have a special story and an animal hour not just for members that my daughter loved she had her first up close encounter with an

  We hold a family plus one visit to this establishment.  Meaning we can bring our entire family plus an additional person.  This is great for when an out of town visitor is with us.  It is good for anyone and not any particular one.  From grandma to cousin or even a friend of one of the children. (One friend is plenty since I have 4 kids I can't imagine everyone taking someone).

  This zoo has several areas to explore.  There is the nocturnal area where you may catch sight of a sloth or porcupine.  The reptiles building where the snakes

 are slithering on an unlucky day.  I prefer to see them just laying around and less active.  Outside areas are spread out where you travel to areas such as Asia to see a tiger

or to spy an Ostrich

 in Africa.

  Pick up a token for the train that takes you around the grounds and through a tunnel for an exciting time!

  There is a lot of information on the website and from several visits and the ever lovely pinterest.  I made up several different scavenger hunts for my youngest to do throughout the park.  She enjoyed the zoo more that day as she was able to check things off.

  I printed off hunts for finding different colors,  keeping track of quantities such as 1 fire hydrant, 2 flowers, 3 camels.  There was one for animals and it was still fun even if all the animals were not at our zoo.


  As I stated with my gardens pass I have gotten so much more from this membership well past the price of the pass.  This is another membership that just keeps on giving.  Check out your zoo and see what kind of rates they have and then think about it.  You have all year to use, throughout the seasons and the learning that comes from a visit regardless of the ages.