A Tale of Two Settees

Before.... (photo taken at our yard sale, where it didn't sell)

We bought our first sofa as newlyweds in Maryland. After sitting on boxes for a few weeks we happened upon a sofa in the clearance section at Hechts (now Macy's) at Prince Georges Ghetto Plaza.  I wanted the $500 fancy sofa, but settled for the Bauhaus special - $199 minus a 10% discount. Seemed like a lot of money then, but now I know it was a steal. Eight years, two kids, plenty of spit up, marker, milk and more later, it wasn't looking so hot. Not terrible, actually, but the edges were worn out and the cushions were saggy.

So we started shopping. Remember this post? I guess we shopped over a year, but most actively this summer. We shopped low (Family Discount Furniture and Unclaimed Freight), and high (Crate & Barrel, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams). And in between (had to go back to Bob's for the free ice cream & cookies). It was hard to find what I liked, especially since I didn't know all the lingo exactly. Jerry was hoping for brown leather, but while I think that look is classic, its a little blah. Luckily we could usually agree on shapes of sofas, and the need for something comfortable and durable, most of all. I cringed at the lack of quality (and taste) at the low end shops, and at the price tag at the high end shops. But I'd rather not buy a new sofa in two years, so we were leaning towards a high end sofa.
Along comes Craigslist. (It was always there, actually).  I started searching for a second hand Crate & Barrell "Axis" sofa we fell in love with at the store. There was one in Connecticut. There was a loveseat version. I watched  and searched for a few weeks. Then one day, I broadened my search to another Craigslist (there are MANY around NYC), and saw a post for a FREE Crate & Barrell sofa. ha ha ha.  I blinked.  I clicked. I read. It really said that. "One year old... non-smoking home...donate to charity or someone in need".   Must be a scam.  But I've handled my share of CL scammers (virtually), so I went ahead and responded. It wasn't the same model sofa we wanted, but it was, as I said, FREE.  Within 10 minutes I got a call from the owner. Within a few hours I called to hire movers, but the price was not right.  Not when Jerry could do it himself, anyhow.  We were van-sitting, so my man had a van and called a benevolent buddy to help lift the 230 lb. sleeper sofa.  It was a 3 hour round-trip, but there was no scam about it. He came home with a beautiful new-to-us Crate & Barrel "Cameron" sleeper sofa.  Sigh. I love him. And our new sofa is great too!
Lest you believe that some guys have all the luck, I must profess that I have a good explanation for our $2000 blessing. As my African friends say, God is good!  We've opened our home to a young woman needing a place to stay for 8 weeks this summer and, I feel like this is our payment. I love how karma goes.

After!

I'm just browsing...

The psychology behind the place is all too devious. Imagine a candy counter where everything is free. Plus, warm baked cookies on the counter. And if you're not a cookie person (and your obviously not related to me) there are 4 choices of Haggen Daaz hand-dipped ice cream cones to choose from. And its all faaareeee. And you don't have to die to go there.

All you have to do is walk through the front doors and be accosted greeted by several salespeople. Tell them you're just browsing for a sectional sofa, and head to the right. Maybe sit down on one or two of the sofas. But don't get too comfy... the treats are calling....and there, back in the far right corner, is the heavenly candy/cookie/ice cream store where money is no object. In Bob's Furniture store.

It doesn't seem right, but I love it. I do hate that Bob wants me to come eat treats and sit on my behind in a cooshie couch- and BUY that couch. Or go home and think about going back to Bob's Furniture just to eat more free goodies, so that I will be one step closer to buying his furniture. But I think Free (or Freeda?) was supposed to be my middle name, so Bob's keeps calling me.

I succumb to a transparent marketing ploy.

So what do you think of this couch?

Another freebie: Country Bob's sauce

Hey, at least this sample is a full bottle. And its free. And the name makes me laugh. I don't know why. Here's to Country Bob!

Kashi Free Samples

Go here to pick out a sample of Kashi's latest offerings. Hello- the Dark Chocolate Coconut bars are calling!!

I used to think it was silly to bother filling out forms for samples of one dinky little snack or 1/2 oz of lotion, but I guess my exciting life has come down to getting these things in the mail. :)

I sign up for one a week probably, and that keeps the mail box a fun place.

Free Lunch (or dinner) this week

Its fast food, but its free! Print this coupon for Arby's FREE Bacon cheddar Roastburger with ANY drink purchase !
I imagine the drink will run you $1.39 or something, depending on what size you get. The coupon is good just until THURSDAY so go enjoy a free(ish) meal! Make it spontaneous picnic on a nice summer day.
Anyone tried these sandwiches before? I haven't been a big roast beast kind of person in the past... baby thinks it sounds good though. Especially for free.
Thanks to all the other bloggers (like Hip2Save) posting this so I can't forget about it.

Hurry!! get free lunch (or dinner) from KFC (er KGC)

You've got to print this out today to get your FREE 2-piece Grilled Chicken Meal with two sides and a biscuit! I hear you can print out 4 per computer, so you can take some friends or your family! The coupon expires in a couple weeks, so think about how much KFC you can stomach in a short period of time too ;).
Thanks to my fave deal blogs for the heads up: Faithful Provisions, Hip2Save, and MoneyWiseMoms!

a free lunch - a quizno's sub

Hurry hurry and sign up to get a free Quizno's sub! They're giving away a million subs, and they're about a third of the way there last I checked.
Be careful to print the coupon when you know you'll use it soon because it will expire 5 days later. But sign up for it now, and you'll receive an email to print from.
I'll have mine for dinner on Thursday! Anyone want to join me? :)

Since I owe you...

I'm paying up for all the birthdays, thank yous and wedding gifts I've slacked on by paying it forward! How do you get in on the good karma to come? Read on.

Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it Forward". I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive!

What you need to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO 3 PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.

Other comments are welcome, but only the first 3 will be my Pay It Forward recipients. Actually if you have any good ideas for me to make with these hands, feel free to chime in!

TGIF - Free Meal at Fridays!

I didn't think it could be for real, but it is! TGI Fridays is circulating a coupon for B1G1 entree. We went out last Saturday and enjoyed a meal of steak, ribs, and shrimp for 3 adults for $20. Sure its the epitome of a chain restaurant, but there's something for everyone on the huge menu. And the price- free is good!!
The coupon is not valid on Valentines Day but otherwise you can print it and go as many times as you like before March. If the website doesn't work for you I can email you the pdf.
Hurray for Fridays!

Plant a Tree for Free!

Whether you've always known about AMERICAN FORESTS or just found out about them here and now, take this quick, 5-minute survey, and AMERICAN FORESTS will plant a tree for every person who takes it. Take the Survey

American Forests is a wonderful non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. They lead projects on the local level to encourage urban reforestation, and globally with their Global Re-Leaf program. I am guessing the tree they plant in your honor will be at one of the Global Re-Leaf projects.

Even if you don't have a good answer for all the survey questions, please complete the survey so your tree will be counted! You can feel good about planting a tree without lifting the shovel. :)

Get a plan QUICK and get to CVS!

CVS has 37 free items for sale (sounds like a misnomer, but that's how it goes) today and tomorrow ONLY (free meaning after extracare bucks). Wahoo! I'm getting out there early tomorrow, and hopefully I can snag at least 17 of the 37 items. Believe it or not, I will resists buying somethings I do not need- like the Icelandic joint relief, for example.
Use your manufacturer's coupons to make money off the sale, after your extra care bucks. How so? Say you want to buy the Listerine for $2.99, which gives you back $2.99 in ECB. Bring in your Listerine manu coupon for $.75 off (from rp 10/5/08), and you'll only pay $2.24 out of pocket (plus tax in some states), and you still get the 2.99 in ECB. This means you are 75 cents richer in ECB to spend next time you go to CVS. You turn the manu coupons into ECB that you can spend on anything.
I'll be rolling over my ECB from Thanksgiving... I couldn't post that trip because it has some presents in it that should not be spoiled!
P.S. After viewing the physical CVS ad I noticed that the # items didn't look like 37 at all. I think that number is based on buying the "limit" for each item (up to 5 on somethings).

Reminder: Best guess gets free aeropostale jeans

OK, so I know my brother won't win the jeans. Nor my slim SIL. So someone out there needs these jeans- so spread the word. I'd love to hear your comments, and its fun to guess about coupons (well I think so). If you don't think its fun you can tell me, that's OK too.
Deadline is Friday at midnight.
While you're at it, if you want to win more free stuff, check out Jacquie's Scentsy giveaway too.

If it's good enough for Jacquie O...

GIFFORD'S GIVES WASHINGTONIANS ANOTHER REASON TO VOTE: free hot chocolate on election day!!
"– Gifford's Ice Cream& Candy Co announces they are giving out a free cup of Hot Chocolate toVoters on Election Day. Anyone who enters a Gifford's location on November 4th 2008 wearing their "I Voted" sticker will receive a free 12 oz cup of Gifford's Signature HotChocolate.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and actress Goldie Hawn are counted among a long list of loyal Gifford's fans...Gifford's offers factory tours" (anyone want up for a field trip with me??) "ice cream socials, birthday parties, giftbaskets, ice cream cakes, and corporate gifts. Gifford's products are also available at the manufacturing facility in Silver Spring, MD and online at *www.giffords.com.*"

The new University Town Center location will be where I turn up next Tuesday to sip away my chocolate indulgence. Giffords has another great ongoing promotion called Sundae Mondays, where ice cream sundaes are just $3. This is actually a good price for Giffords. Really.

Shopping in a recession

What would you do with 24 cents? This is why I HEART CVS! I handed over my quarter and got all this, and a penny in return! This is a great week for free stuff at CVS, after ECB (ExtraCare Bucks). If you aren't familiar with my coupon clipping, cheap drugstore buying antics, or want to know how, check out cvs for newbies. If you are so unfortunate as to live where there are no CVS stores, you might find solace in iheartriteaid.com (Rite Aid), or iheartwags.com (Walgreens).