Get $1.31 Scoops Tomorrow At Baskin-Robbins (1/31)

The Cheap Bastard is not saying he’s back on a permanent basis, but still wanted to mention this deal at Baskin Robbins.

In celebration of the 31st day of the month, participating B-R stores are offering single scoops for $1.31 (plus tax).

Happy eating.

That is all.

My Cheap Trip to China In North America

Like most people, the Cheap Bastard loves a good road trip, especially one to a foreign and exotic destination, but he always thought going somewhere like China was too expensive.

Until recently, that is.

That’s when I decided to go on the Dumpling Trail in Richmond, BC.

That’s right. Richmond, BC.

When most people think of the town just south of Vancouver, they think of it as home to Vancouver International Airport…if they think of it at all.

What most people don’t know is that the city is home to a large slice of Vancouver’s Asian population and, as a result, it’s also home to some of the best Asian restaurants this side of China. As the people at Tourism Richmond put it, it’s like going to China, only cheaper. And after having been there, I have to agree.

In fact, one three block area of Alexandra Street alone boasts more than 200 Asian restaurants. That doesn’t mean they’re stacked one on top of the other in anonymous, overcrowded, multi-floor buildings. Instead, they’re in walkable strip mall style buildings in a completely walkable neighborhood. The cuisines run the range from Chinese and Japanese to Thai and Vietnamese. There’s bubble waffles and bubble tea.

The best part is, thanks to the favorable exchange rate, it’s INCREDIBLY CHEAP!

Starbucks: $3 Fall Drinks from 2-5 pm

If you like Salted Caramel Mocha, Mexican Chile Mocha or, the king of all fall beverages, the Pumpkin Spice Latte, you can get a great deal on a grande from 2-5 pm today through Sunday at participating Starbucks.

There’s no coupon necessary or even a sweet treat receipt. All you have to do is find a participating Starbucks between 2 and 5pm and get it hot or cold.

Just one additional note. The Mexican Chile Mocha may sound great to people who want a little more spice or something a bit more exotic, but it isn’t really. In fact, the one I had when I stopped in a Starbucks near Smokey Point was mostly pretty flavorless. Not only was it barely spicy, it also seemed to be barely chocolate-y (if that’s a word).

 

A Crappy Deal: City Offers Free Toilets

A deal for a free toilet could well fall under the “what will they think of next” category, but no one else is covering it, which makes it perfect for me, one of the only male deal bloggers out there.

In case you haven’t heard, Seattle Public Utilities is (are?) offering free toilets, free installation of the commodes and even free recycling of your old toilets for low income homeowners who have toilets that were installed before 2004.

The reason is simple, really. Older toilets use a lot of water, which means that every time you use the toilet, you’re flushing money down the drain. Okay, not literally throwing dollars and cents into the whirlpool, but you get the picture.

Here’s the fine print on this deal:

You must own and live in the home, your toilets have to have been installed before 2004 and you must receive a Seattle Public Utilities bill (for some reason, Seattle Public Utilities are pretty insistent about this one. I guess they only want to serve their customers and don’t want to be obligated to install one in Portland, or something. Go figure.) And you must meet income guidelines. Here’s an example, though. To qualify, a family of 4 should have a Gross Yearly Income of $60,108 or less.

So, yeah, you could call it a crappy deal, but at least it’s a good one.

Chipotle: Kids Eat Free on Sundays in September

It’s hard to feel bad about eating at Chipotle, especially when your kids can eat free during Sundays in September. That is, if you have kids. Otherwise, you probably won’t care about this deal at all.

That being said, here are the details. Kids under 12 can get a free kids meal any Sunday in September with the purchase of a regular priced burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos.

For some reason, the folks at the restaurant chain felt the need to say that the deal is only good while you’re actually on premises and that it’s not good for catering.

Damn, they caught me.

Get Free Donuts Today on Talk Like a Pirate Day

One of the goofiest freebies of the year is coming on Monday, Sept. 19th when Krispy Kreme continues its annual tradition of giving away free donuts on Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Customers who come in and use pirate phrases like “Shiver Me Timbers,” “Ahoy, Matey” and “Illegitimi Non Carborundum,” will get one free glazed donut. Folks who wear at least three pieces of pirate wear (such as an eye patch, a peg leg and a bandana) get a full dozen free.

Who knows? If you’re especially ambitious, you might go to a local theater and watch the latest pirate-themed flick. It’s not for kids, though. I hear it’s rated “ARRRRRRGGGGHHHH!.”

Ivar’s Blue Friday Deal: 12 Cent Soda, $12 wine

Okay, a 12 cent soda is not an earth-shaking deal, but what do you want? It’s just the start of football season. And that doesn’t even include the wine.

Regardless, today and every Friday in September, all Ivar’s Seafood Bars are offering 12 cent sodas with purchase of a regular entree. If you live a little larger, though, and go to one of Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Salmon House or Mukilteo Landing, you can get a selected bottle of wine for $12.

My sources don’t say who gets to do the selecting, however, or what they’ve selected. Still, it’s Blue Friday and that’s good enough reason to celebrate.

Free Car Washes @Brown Bear Today (8/25)

Brown Bear Car Wash is offering free car washes at all of its tunnel locations throughout Puget Sound today (8/25).

You don’t have to do anything other than just show up at any of the company’s 22 tunnel locations between 8 am and 8 pm. and you’ll get a free “Beary Clean” car wash. Just in time for the end of the summer driving season when our cars need it the most.

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad I put off the chore until this week. Man, is this a great country or what?

That’s the good news. The bad news is that my wife tells me my kids and I are going to be spending a lot of time washing our cars today just to get the kids out of her hair.

Free Slurpees: Oh Thank Heaven It’s 7-11

If you love Slurpees, today is the day for you because 7-11s (get it, July 11th? 7/11) all over the country celebrate by giving away free 7.11 cups of Slurpee from 11 am to 7 pm. You can do all one flavor or make the slushy equivalent of a teenage zombie with multiple flavors.

Some locations will even have birthday cake flavored slurpees.

Look for me. I’ll be roaming around town with kids going from one 7-11 to another. My wife even said she might get in on the act this time. If you see us, whatever you do, don’t call her Mrs. Bastard or my kids….well…you get the picture.

Going Out of Business Sale @Sports Authority

In case you haven’t heard, the Sports Authority chain is going out of business and it started its big going out of business sale today with 30 percent off original ticketed prices on all merchandise in every store.

Sort of.

I noticed that the e-mail I received did have an asterisk saying “some exclusions apply.” To which I must say, “Dude, you’re going out of business. Why would you possibly want to hold anything back?”