March is Nutrition Awareness Month ~ Resources + Giveaway

Each March is Nutrition Awareness Month, where dietitians across Canada remind us of the importance of eating a healthy diet and the impact it has on our overall well-being. This year the Dietitians of Canada chose the theme of debunking food myths. To 'Get The Real Deal On Your Meal', click here.

Eating healthy takes some careful thinking on your part. It requires you to plan balanced meals which provide your daily recommended intake of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, a shopping list and if you're a bargain hunter, match your list to sales, coupons and price matches; all staying within your budget. There are a number of services which provide menu planning for free and for a fee.  

Let's take a closer look at these:

• Eat Right Ontario offers a free online service with a wide variety of dietary options for your menu. Click here to start using the My Menu Planner right away.
• SOSCuisine.com offers both paid and free menu planning service that incorporates the sales and specials at the grocery stores in your area. The free service is for weeknights only and has limited modifying capabilities. The premium paid service is from $1.99 per week. Visit the site for complete details.
• CanadianLiving.com has a new, free online Meal Planner that will keep you on track and help you plan a week or a whole month of eating. 

However, if you prefer to plan your own menu, you can download this handy menu planning template to get you started. Here are some handy tips to keep meal planning simple:

• Make a grocery list and display it where everyone can see it and contribute
• Gather up your favourite recipes and dishes to make, ask for everyone's input
• Know what you have on hand in your pantry and what you'll need to buy
• Check flyers, coupons, etc for the specials to help keep your meals within budget
• Plan three meals and two snacks daily, keep it simple when you're busy (don't forget to drink lots of water, they recommend 8 glasses each day)
• Use up leftovers to save time making lunches and use time saving appliances like a slow cooker while you're working and come home to a cooked meal

Eat Right Ontario even has meal plans to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes specifically for women and for men.

The one resource that I always have on my refrigerator or near by is the Canada's Food Guide. It's an invaluable resource for planning healthy, balanced nutritious meals. Click here to order a print copy or download the PDF.

And now the giveaway details....enter below for a chance to win a $25 grocery gift card! Winner may choose from Walmart, Zellers, Sobeys, No Frills, Zehrs, Foodland and Shoppers Drug Mart.

• Limit of 1 entry per person
• Open to Canadians only
• Valid from March 1 at 12:01am EST to March 31, 2012 at 11:59pm EST
• Winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org on April 1, 2012
• Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winner announcement

Good luck and be sure to eat healthy!

EDIT: Entry Form Removed

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER....BECKY WALLACE! 

Free Thinsations Sample on March 1

Head over to the Thinsations Facebook page, "like" them and mark your calendar to check back tomorrow for free sweet samples!

Offer valid on March 1, 2012.

Watch the Thinsations Facebook wall for updates.

$10 PayPal Cash Back Offer for Shopping on eBay (February 29-March 4)

Watch for a special invitation via email from eBay.ca to get $10 cash back on your next $50 eBay.ca purchase. You must pay with PayPal online or on your mobile. 

This offer is valid from February 29 to March 4 and only for those who receive the special invite link.

Click here for full offer terms.

Q107: Win a Trip Instantly Every Day in March (Ontario only)

If you live in Ontario, you should gear up for Q107's Trip Everyday Giveaway! That's right, you can win a trip instantly everyday in March!

Here's how it works: 

Starting March 1st, listen for the Q107 Classic Rock Song Of The Day. When the song is played, be the 107th caller to call 870-ROCK or 870-ROLL and you will instantly win a fabulous all-inclusive beach vacation from Tripcentral.ca, Nolitours and Transat Holidays!

Click here to view the Q107 Newsletter and good luck!

Frugal vs. Cheap - Which Are You?

Many people confuse the difference between being frugal and being cheap, including people that are in the business of being frugal. What's the difference?

Being frugal means that you are making smart spending choices or getting the most for your dollar. On the other-hand, being cheap or a miser by definition means to be a stingy hoarder of money and possessions. Clearly these reference two very different behaviour types when it comes to spending and saving money!

Let's look at examples of being frugal opposed to being cheap or a cheapskate:

Frugal: Concerned about value
Cheap: Concerned about cost

Frugal: Thinks about the long term
Cheap: Thinks about the short term

Frugal: Saving packets of ketchup left over from takeout to use later rather than dispose
Cheap: Stopping into a restaurant to pickup ketchup packets so they don't have to pay for it

Frugal: Will order according to budget at a restaurant, so they afford a tip
Cheap: Refusing to tip at a restaurant or under-tipping so they can get whatever they want

Frugal: Help family and friends with their knowledge of saving, budgeting, coupons, etc
Cheap: Often keep a running tally with friends, family and co-workers

Frugal: Generally, more generous in nature
Cheap: Generally, more selfish in nature

Living a frugal lifestyle is all about the choices that you make. Making use of low cost and free resources around your city or town will save you a bundle and help you achieve your goals for financial freedom. Visit the FDR Frugal Living Forum for ideas on making subtle lifestyle changes and how to live more frugally.

Free Stuff To Watch For On Leap Day 2012

Leap Day only comes around once every 4 years and there are a number of celebrations happening! Consumers can enjoy freebies and free stuff with purchase from the following companies:

David's Tea is offering free tea. For more details, click here.

Subway is giving free cookies with any purchase. For complete details, click here.

Quaker Canada will be giving away free product coupons for instant oatmeal. Visit the Quaker Canada Facebook page to watch for the opening announcement.

Taco Bell is offering a free burrito with the purchase of a burrito combo. Click here for more details.

Listia is giving a bonus of 29 credits when you list something on Leap Day. Received via email newsletter.

Vaseline has a voucher for a free bottle of lotion through Facebook. Click here to request one.

There's a possibility that Oh Henry Canada may host a giveaway too! Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more details!

Many companies are offering discounts and free shipping too! We'd love to hear about the deals you got for Leap Day since it won't be here again until 2016! Feel free to comment below!

You'd Be Surprised What You Can Just By Asking

Years ago I attended a seminar at a former job about selling. The speaker gave the attendees a piece of advice that has never left me and I haven't been shy about utilizing it either. I'm ecstatic to report that this single tactic saved over $12,000 on my last vehicle purchase alone!

As the picture above states, "Ask and you shall receive," it's the practice I follow in every day life!

Asking for a discount or something free does come with a downfall too! You must be prepared to receive a negative response with a "no" answer. At this point it's good to remember that it doesn't hurt to ask, even if the answer is no. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Here are a few real examples from my experiences:

• During my recent vehicle purchase I purchased a fully loaded model from the lot with a only few kilometres on it. I was happy with the price but it didn't hurt to ask what my bottom line price was. To my surprise the salesman offered $12,000 off MSRP. This was a whopping savings of 18.8%. On average car salespersons will drop roughly 8%-12%; so this was an extremely valuable use of "Ask And You Shall Receive."
• Today during a trip to the big city, my hubby and I stopped at a farmers market for some great produce and fresh goodies. During checkout my husband asked "is there anything free today?" While I expected the answer to be negative, the cashier replied for him to take a bunch of 6 fresh cut tulips. They're on the dining room table right now and looking nice!
• A while back I was looking at a fridge but the store (Costco) was not ordering the model anymore and only had the floor model left in stock. The floor model was great but had a scratch on it. I asked the department manager if they would consider discounting the price if I were to buy it and was offered 20% off. The deal was great for me and I ended up buying the fridge.
• My husband has a AM Mastercard which has an annual fee, but the issuing company allows their customers to ask for one perk per year. Lower rate, waived annual fee, or another added benefit service as available. My husband calls once per year to ask if they can waive the annual fee and voila, it's done! We get the extra Air Miles rewards without the added cost.
• During a summer shop at Walmart, with only 1 register open, I waited 10 minutes in line when the manager cut in front of me and told the cashier to process a return without saying a word to me. Needless to say the return took 15 minutes and I waited patiently for my turn (there was nobody behind me in line). When I got to the cash register I asked if I could speak to the manager and explained how I felt having to wait for this return when I already waited so long. I really just wanted my feelings to be acknowledged; and the manager apologize profusely and gave me 50% off my 2 lawn chairs that I was purchasing. An "Ask And You Shall Receive" discount at Walmart felt triumphant!

Other ways to utilize "Ask And You Shall Receive"

• Cellular phone subscribers can ask for the "Retention Department" to see if there is anything that they will offer rather than switching to a new carrier. This has also worked for television programming.
• Received poor service at a restaurant? Let the management know in a calm and polite manner. Sometimes you will get a condolence for the troubles and sometimes they may offer you a free meal or a gift card for your next meal.
• If you see a lower price at another retailer but the one where you are shopping doesn't offer a formal price matching policy, it doesn't hurt to ask if they would match the price (if you can prove it). Some small retailers will gladly do this to retain your business.

Sharing ideas with one another can shed light on ways that we can all save money. Have you ever used the "Ask And You Shall Receive" tip for getting discounts and/or free stuff? Tell us, we love hearing from our readers!

Sears National Brand Sale: Save Up To 20% On Major Appliances

Sears is having a National Brands sale! Save up to 20% on select appliances. Including the following brands: KitchenAid, Bosch, LG, Samsung, GE and Frigidaire.

Plus they offer 60 day Price Protection Plus Guarantee.** If you find it for less someplace else, they'll beat it for up to 60 days after your purchase.

**Applies to the lowest advertised price on appliances, mattresses, furniture, sewing machines and vacuums. Conditions apply, see site for details. 

Click here to shop now

Costco Canada: Baby Event Starts February 27

Costco Canada is having a Baby Event! Starting February 27, save on baby gear. Some deals include:

- Save $40 off Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite 65 Car Seat Proton, pay only $199.99 (beats Babies R Us price of $219.99)
- HOT!! Safety 1st Traveller Travel System With Diaper Bag Added, pay only $199.99 (beats Toys R Us price of $259.99)
-  Save $30 off Safety 1st Peaceful Lullabies Crib Mattress, pay only $189.99 (beats Sears Canada price of $229.99)
- Save $10 off Braun ThermoScan IR Ear Thermometer, pay only $59.99 (beats Walmart Canada price of $79.97)

Click here to shop all baby deals!

RONA: 3 For The Price Of 2 On Paint And Flooring (March 2-4)

From Friday March 2 to Sunday March 4th, enjoy 3 for the price of 2 on flooring and paint at RONA.

Valid on 12mm laminate flooring packs selected in store and 3.78L cans of interior and exterior paint of the same brand, available in store. Limited quantities. Cash and carry only, cash debit and credit cards only. Not valid with in-house or commercial accounts.


Click here to print your coupon

Facebook Fan of the Week Announcement!

Congratulations to Kathy Hawkins Downey! You're the lucky Fan of The Week winner, randomly chosen by Random.org at Freebies Deals And Reward for Canadians. The prize for the top fan this week is a Try it Free Air Wick Scented Oil Starter Kit Mail In Rebate (valued up to $11.99).

Kathy, please send us an email at freebiesdealsandrewards@yahoo.ca with your mailing address!

You could be a "Top Fan" too, simply participate at our Facebook group and make it into the top 10 for a chance to win a prize! There is no limit to the number of times you can be a top fan! Plus the #1 fan each week (before we randomly choose a winner) will receive a $2 cash rewards deposit if they are a FDR forum member. There is a limit of 1 cash rewards win per month!

Taco Bell: Free Burrito Supreme With Combo Purchase

Redeem this printable coupon at participating Taco Bell locations to receive a free chicken or steak burrito supreme when you buy a chicken or steak burrito supreme combo.

Coupon is valid February 27 to March 18, 2012.

(Thanks FreebieQueen)

Feb 27: 50% off at Value Village Canada

From 9am to 9pm on February 27th, Value Village is discounting clothing, shoes, accessories, bed and bath for Canadian stores only.

Offer may not be combined with other coupons or discounts. Sale excludes jewellery, books, housewares, furniture and new merchandise with red tags.

For complete details, click here.