The Blog Returneth on May 15th

Yep, you saw that right. The CB expects to resume regular posts on the 14th, a day after the new edition of the book is due to the publisher.

He’ll do his best to list really great deals as he gets a chance until then.

Until then, he has a question. Does anyone know if the Lakeside School Rummage Sale is still a good deal? Also, is there a pre-sale and how does one get into it?

Cheap Bastard Meet Tomorrow

Now that tax day is finally here and you’ve either filed or are busy figuring out how much you owe to the IRS, the CB is willing to bet that it probably stung enough that you’re wishing you could find ways to save to make up for it. Of course, you tell yourself this every year and the sting fades with time. You know you’re still going to go out to restaurants, attend movies, watch plays and go to concerts and pay full price. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The problem can be just figuring out where to start. 

The Cheap Bastard wants to help put you on the right path and what better day to start than the day after the income tax filing deadline? 

That’s why he’s holding his second Cheap Bastard meet up from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 16th at Third Place Books. Those who attend will not only learn a few cool ways to save some money that they might have missed, but they’ll also get a chance to share some of their favorites with the crowd. 

Who knows,? Some of them just might end up in the new edition of the Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Seattle. 

The Cheap Bastard knows this is the last minute, so he’s aware that there’s a chance no one will show up or a whole bunch of people might make it. And hes fine with that. If no one shows, he’ll be at a table at the  Commons at Third Place Books working on the new edition of the book. And if you stop by, you’ll get to see the writing process in action and even learn a bout a few new deals. Or you can come and share a few ideas. 

Remember, the person with the best Cheap Bastard idea tomorrow, gets a wonderfully kitschy prize and possible mention in the book. 

The Cheap Bastard looks forward to meeting you….if you show up. 

 

It’s Finally Here! Ben & Jerry’s Free Scoop Day (4/9)

Yep, you saw it right. Today from noon to 8 p.m. participating Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops across the country are saying thanks to their customers by giving away free scoops of their tasty ice cream…and the CB is happy to say that he’s sitting in a pediatric dentist office in Greenlake that just happens to be a floor above B&Js, so you know he’s going….and he’s taking his son and wife with him.

When last he checked, there was no line, but he did notice that people were starting to flock here. So, by the time his son gets out, there will probably be a line.

Say hello to the waving cow.

Seattle Library Book Sale This Weekend

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older or perhaps it’s because I value what little sleep I get, but this time around, I’m not getting up at 5 a.m. just to be one of the first in line when the doors open. Heck, I don’t really have a choice this time around because my wife is in the Army Reserves and she’ll be away on a training weekend and I’m pretty sure the kids won’t want to get up just for this.

So, I’ll either have to wait until late in the afternoon or Sunday. I’ll also have to remember the new location.

This time around it will be at North Seattle Community College Cafeteria, 9600 College Way N in North Seattle, of course and it will run from 9 to 5 Saturday and 9 to 4 on Sunday. All paperback books, CDs and DVDs $1, hardbacks $2, better and rare backs individually priced.

And Now For Something Completely Different…

Another Cheap Bastard meeting. 

Now that the CB is working on the next edition of the book, he’d love to meet with you all and hear your suggestions. He’s thinking about having a meet-up on Tuesday, April 16, possibly at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park….unless somebody comes up with a better suggestion. 

You can meet the CB, find out how he researches the book, why he does what he does and the type of stuff he’s looking for in the new edition. As always, the person with the best suggestion, gets a wonderfully kitschy gift. 

So, let him know what you think. Would you be willing, would you be ready and would you be able to attend a Cheap Bastard meet-up in two weeks? 

He looks forward to hearing from you. 

 

The CB Needs Your Help

Okay, fellow Seattle cheap bastards, the CB has begun work on the chapter about stuff for kids and he’s starting off with a section called “Destination Playgrounds.” Last time around the list included Crossroads Water Spray Play Area, Gas Works, Gene Coulon, Green Lake, the playground at Magnuson Park, Meridian Park, Powell Barnett Park and Saint Edward State Park.

Are there any that he’s missing? Are there any that should be removed? Let him know. he’s also working on story times….if you know of any new ones, please pass the word. 

Although he just turned in chapters about best happy hours, cheap restaurants, ways to see plays, movies and music for free, there may still be time to squeeze in a few of your favorites. So, please let him know if there are any truly spectacular deals he might have missed. If he uses your suggestion, he will mention you in the book’s acknowledgment section and the top five tips will earn the people who sent them in a wonderfully kitschy prize as well. The person with the top tip gets a free copy of the book. 

 

The First Sign of Spring: Free Cone Day

The Cheap Bastard is back. If only for a minute, to tell you about one his favorite signs of spring: Ben and Jerry’s Free Cone Day. 

Oh, sure, some say the true mark of Spring is March 20th or so. Others say the first day of baseball. The CB believes the real, true indication of spring is the start of ice cream season, which is kicked off with Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s. And it’s next week. 

Yep, you saw that right. 

Free Cone Day is noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 9th at participating B&J scoop shops. The only thing that the CB loves better than this news right now is the unexpected discovery that his son has a dentist in the same building as the Green Lake B&J and, as it turns out, his son also happens to have a dental appointment on that very day. 

Both the CB and his son are so excited and they just can’t hide it. In fact, they’re about to lose control and they think they like it!