(1MB Tip: For group buys that don't offer certs/codes redeemable on your phone, keep printouts in a folder in your car! That way when you're hungry you'll have all options ready to go - and won't be caught paying full price, or stuck with just the deal cert you originally brought out - allows more spontaneity! Works for me and most people in LA who don't go anywhere without hopping in their car...)
Blackboard Eats
E-newsletter with discount codes/offers for restaurants in LA/NY/SF/Everywhere
Typical deal: 30% off meal for two; free appetizer/bottle of wine
Note: Free to subscribe and/or follow on Twitter, but codes are for purchase unless otherwise noted - $1 per code or $20 annual membership
Website: blackboardeats.com
Twitter: twitter.com/blackboardeats
OpenTable
FREE site to make reservations at your major local restaurants online - then earn points each time you show up and dine. Redeem points for gift certificates that can be used at any restaurant in the OpenTable database!
Typical deal: Earn 100 points for each rez & dine (some restaurants will offer 1,000 points per rez & dine during off-peak hours). Once you earn 2,000 points, redeem for a $20 gift certificate.
Note: FREE to sign up for an account, FREE to make reservations online. FREE points. All you have to really pay for is your own meal.
Website: opentable.com
Twitter: twitter.com/OpenTable_LA (LA) twitter.com/opentable (national)
TravelZoo Local Deals
FREE newsletter and site with local deals at top restaurants (and travel deals as well).
Typical deal: 50% or more off special 4 to 5-course menu dinners at places like Oliverio, Drago Ristorante, Eva Restaurant.
Note: FREE to sign up for an account, FREE to see deals. You pay for deals you want to buy, at the discounted price noted.
Website: travelzoo.com/local-deals/Los-Angeles/deals
Twitter: twitter.com/TravelZooLA
BloomSpot
E-newsletter with exclusive experience / menus / deals for restaurants (and vacations, events, fitness, spas etc.) in LA and other cities.
Typical deal: $15 off $30 gift certificate to restaurant
Note: Free to sign up, for e-newsletter, but offer is for purchase. Must purchase deal within limited time or before limited quantity runs out.
Website: bloomspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/bloomspot
Restaurant.com
Search for and buy discounted gift certificates to be redeemed at thousands of restaurants in cities nationwide.
Typical deal: $10 gift certificates for $4, $25 GCs for $10
Note: Free to join and/or follow on Twitter, but gift certificates are for purchase. Also sign up for emails to get alerts on deal codes - typically 50%-90% off purchase price of discounted certificates!
Website: restaurant.com
Twitter: twitter.com/restaurant_com
iDine (American Express)
Benefit for American Express cardholders - earn up to 15% back on your bill at restaurants in major cities nationwide including Los Angeles.
Register any American Express Card and sample a spot on the program on an eligible day. Afterwards, complete a quick online survey. The more you dine, the higher the percentage you can earn, up to 15% during the course of your yearlong membership! And once your benefits build up to at least $20, they'll send you an American Express Reward Card.
Free to sign up and/or follow on Twitter, but percentage earned depends on purchase on American Express card.
Website: iDine.com
Twitter: twitter.com/iDineLA
Groupon
E-newsletter with daily deals for restaurants (and spas etc.!) in major cities nationwide
Typical deal: 50% off $xx voucher to restaurant
Note: Free to sign up for e-newsletter and/or follow on Twitter, but offer is for purchase. Must purchase deal within same calendar day of emailed offer, and a minimum number of people have to commit to buying the deal before the deal is closed in order for you to get it.
Website: groupon.com/los-angeles
Twitter: twitter.com/grouponla
***Groupon also offers GROUPON GETAWAYS where you can get insane discounts at the steep level you have come to know and love, to vacation packages in the US and worldwide!***
LivingSocial
E-newsletter with daily deals for restaurants (and spas etc.!) in major cities nationwide (offers ability to choose to receive e-newsletters with deals specific to your area - for example, San Fernando Valley)
Typical deal: 50% off $xx voucher to restaurant
Note: Free to sign up for e-newsletter and/or follow on Twitter, but offer is for purchase. Must purchase deal within same calendar day of emailed offer
Website: livingsocial.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LivingSocialLA (LA) twitter.com/livingsocialSFV (Valley)
GiltCity
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and vacations, events, spas etc.) in LA, SF, NY, Boston, Chicago and other cities.
Typical deal: Varies from exclusive packages to events to % off offers
Note: Free to sign up, for e-newsletter and/or follow on Twitter, but offer is for purchase.
Website: giltcity.com/los-angeles
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/GiltCityLA
Urban Daddy Perks
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and events, designer wear sales, spas etc.) in LA, NY, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, and national.
Typical deal: Varies from exclusive packages to events to % off offers
Note: Free to sign up, for e-newsletter and/or follow on Twitter, but offer is for purchase.
Website: perks.urbandaddy.com/los-angeles.html
Twitter: twitter.com/urbandaddy
LAWeekly VOICE Daily Deals
FREE newsletter and site with deals at local restaurants (and discount buys in other categories including fitness etc. as well).
Typical deal: 50% or more off certificates to local restaurants like El Cid.
Note: FREE to sign up for an account, FREE to see deals. You pay for deals you want to buy, at the discounted price noted.
Website: deals.voiceplaces.com
Twitter: twitter.com/VOICEDailyDeals
Yelp Deals
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and entertainment, healthy & beauty etc.) in LA and other major cities.
Website: yelp.com/deals/la
Twitter: twitter.com/YelpLA
DailyCandy Deals
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and fashion, entertainment etc.) in LA and other major cities
Typical deal: 50% off food and drinks
Website: deals.dailycandy.com/los-angeles
Twitter: twitter.com/CandyLosAngeles
Tippr
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and health & beauty - salons, spas, tanning - etc.) in LA and other major cities.
Typical deal: Typical deal: 50% off $xx voucher to restaurant
Note: Free to sign up, for e-newsletter and/or follow on Twitter, but offer is for purchase. Must purchase deal within same calendar day of emailed offer, and a minimum number of people have to commit to buying the deal before the deal is closed in order for you to get it.
Website: tippr.com
Twitter: twitter.com/TipprLA
Social Buy
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and other deals including health & beauty and concerts! etc.) in LA and other major cities.
Typical deal: 50% or more off $xx voucher to restaurant / xx concert
Note: Free to sign up, for e-newsletter and/or follow on Twitter, but offer is for purchase.
Website: socialbuy.com
Twitter: twitter.com/SocialBuyLA
SpreeBird (formerly Screamin Daily Deals)
E-newsletter with deals for restaurants (and health & beauty, entertainment etc.) in LA (including San Fernando Valley, Burbank/Glendale, San Gabriel Valley and South Bay/Gateway Cities specific deals).
Typical deal: $25 for $50 gift certificates to restaurants
Note: Free membership, emails and/or to follow on Twitter, but offers are for purchase. Must purchase deal within same calendar day of emailed offer, and a minimum number of people have to commit to buying the deal before the deal is closed in order for you to get it. 5-10% of proceeds donated to local schools and non-profits!
Website: SpreeBird
Twitter: twitter.com/spreebird
KGB Deals
Local deals for restaurants (mainly lower end fare) shops, spas, home services and more.
Typical deal: 50% off local restaurants ($10-$15 for $20-$30 worth of food & drink)
Note: Free membership, emails and/or to follow on Twitter, but offers are for purchase.
Website: kgbdeals.com
Twitter: twittetwitter.com/kgbdeals_usa (national)
Yipit
Aggregating service for local deals for restaurants, shops, spas, home services and more.
Typical deal: $25 for $55 certificate to local restaurants like Woo Lae Oak
Note: Free membership, emails and/or to follow on Twitter, but offers are for purchase. Offers vary by originator.
Website: yipit.com
Twitter: twitter.com/yipitla (LA) twitter.com/yipit (national)
KCRW Fringe Benefits
Join KCRW at as low as $50 membership and receive a Fringe Benefits card good for 10%-20% off discounts at over 1000 restaurants, museums, theaters, stores and other vendors in Southern California! All this while your payment for membership goes towards a great cause - supporting independent radio!
Website: kcrw.com/join
Prix Fixe, Happy Hour, Late Night etc. Deals
Restaurants will often offer prix fixe meals with set menus that are less expensive than ordering a la carte. They may also offer Happy Hour and Late Night specials to draw customers during off-peak hours. I've started a separate page called Daily Specials for easy reference of the recurring ones that I've found for every night of the week, in order from lowest to highest priced deals - check it out!
Upromise Dining
Register a credit / debit card with the program. Then dine at one of the restaurants in their massive national database during an eligible period, and you can receive contributions towards a college fund, or to pay down existing student loans (Sallie Mae or Dept of Education owned loans).
Typical deal: Preferred Diners can earn 4%-8% of total dining bill, while other members can earn 2%-4%, up to a maximum of $600-$1,000 monthly depending on the restaurant.
Note: Be sure to check individual restaurant details on the Upromise Dining site before your visit to ensure they are still participating, and what the offer details are. Though I do find it a happy surprise when I dine at a restaurant I forgot was on the list, and get an email after saying I earned money towards my student loans!
rn.upromise.com
Follow your fav restaurants on Twitter and/ or Facebook
The beauty of Twitter simple-to-use instant-mass communication - lots of restaurants will tweet deals of the day, some of which are exclusive to their Twitter followers...I've found everything from free cupcake samples to 'secret' happy hours to simply being alerted to last minute table availabilities! Same for Facebook - 'friend' the President of Gyu-kaku, Toshio Hayakawa, for example to get deals of the day via his status updates. 'Like' your favorite restaurants to get updates in your newsfeed on your home page of the latest news and deals. Of course, sign up at your restaurant's site as well to get email alerts about deals or special events or menus.
Check out websites for local neighborhoods
To promote traffic and business, local neighborhoods will sometimes have dedicated websites with offers to restaurants and shops in the area, for example: West Hollywood Insiders is an awesome site with offers and info on prix fixe meals at great restaurants including Gordon Ramsay's Boxwood Cafe, Boa and BLT Steak starting from just $19.
Once in a while, we all have to dine at the mall...
And not all mall dining is the stuff of foodie nightmares. Century City is a great example with many foodie friendly venues. They, and other Westfield malls, also offer a Rewards program - check each shopping center's website for details. Below are some examples:
- Westfield Century City: accumulate minimum of $600 in purchases at participating retailers in the mall including eateries to redeem various perks (e.g. $600 in spending gets you 2 free movie tickets). It's not a huge return but might as well get something for money that you're spending anyway, right? Mall concierge will track your spending for you - just bring them your receipts within 7 days. Rules and restrictions at: westfield.com. Other Westfield locations may offer free discount cards that can simply be shown to restaurants/food vendors in the mall to get a % or $ off food purchases.
- The Americana at Brand: this one requires much more spending in a shorter time than Westfield: accumulate $500 worth in spending at restaurants in the Americana complex, in a SINGLE month, and receive a $25 gift card. Spend $5,000 in a month and get a $50 gift card!*
*Single calendar month. You have until the 7th of each month to register your receipts from the month prior.
My Starbucks Rewards
This helps me out a TON as I have a Starbucks at my office so I am there every day at least once. FREE membership. Just get a gift card - register it online and load it up. For registering alone you get a free beverage of your choice on your birthday. Use the gift card to make your purchases at Starbucks and earn 1 star for every purchase. Earn 5 stars and attain 'Green level' - which translates into free syrups, milk (including soy which is normally $0.50 at my location!), refills on brewed coffee / iced coffee or tea, free beverage with whole bean purchase, and free samples. Earn 30 stars to get bumped up to Gold level for one year - which means all the benefits of Green level PLUS a free drink every 15 stars, personalized gold card and custom offers/coupons. Check starbucks.com for full details.
National Shopping Service
Mystery shopping company that often offers restaurant / food delivery assignments in major cities nationwide - and will compensate you in return for a report on the restaurant's food, venue, service etc.
Typical compensation: Reimbursement for meal of up to $20
Note: Requires a lot of work! Only recommended for starving students - otherwise not really worth the time. Involves filling out a sometimes fairly lengthy report after your meal, submitting any digital images, then waiting about at least a month and a half - for them to reimburse you by paper check.
nationalshoppingservice.com
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A Penny Saved...
Save in other areas of your life so that you can divert the money towards your next bite...
Waze app (free GPS for iPhone users) Download this free app for your phone and you'll not only save hundreds from not having to buy expensive GPS equipment, you'll also have a very portable system that's with you at all times. It gives you directions based on crowd sourced real time traffic (with very accurate ETAs, in the time that I've used it), vocal prompts and hazard alerts! Sometimes it takes you on lots of turns and asks you to make left turns from small streets onto massive ones without a light, but those are minor negatives in my opinion for a generally great app that is totally free!
Sample Sale Sites
Sign up at SampleSaleSites.com for free email newsletters with alerts to sample sales in your area. Shop designer / luxury clothing / accessories / beauty brands for 30-80% off retail prices! Sometimes you will even get invites to private sale events!
Fashion Clubs - designer stuff for less
Free membership. Sign up for (flash) sales for designer handbags, sunglasses, clothing etc. 75-85% off retail
Billion Dollar Babes
Gilt Groupe
Workout for Less
Break a sweat from physical exercise, not from stressing out over costs of gym membership / workout equipment. If you live within reasonable driving distance of Santa Monica or any of the major beaches, save yourself hundreds and check out a 'by donation only' yoga class or free bike trails along the beach. More on this in my Calories Out, Calories In page.
Spa & Wellness
Everyone needs a pamper break / Me Day. But you don't have to be independently wealthy to be able to afford an occasional indulgence. SpaFinder and SpaWeek are my enablers for this, with $50 spa treatment deals around the city for treatments that normally run $95 and up. Sign up with SpaFinder or SpaWeek to receive alerts of when SpaFinder / SpaWeek Wellness Week takes place and to check out their directory of participating spas in your city. Also, DO ask how long your chosen spa will run deals for - many run the deal a whole MONTH vs just a week.
Whole Foods - Doesn't Have to Take Your Whole Paycheck
Check their website for e-coupons that you can print and redeem in-stores - updates every month or so. Or print out coupons from organic food producers / health product manufacturers who sell to Whole Foods, courtesy of Mambo Sprouts.
Ralphs - Real Rewards
Join the grocery chain's loyalty program, accumulate points for every purchase, and when you reach enough points they will automatically send you 'rewards dollars' ($7) that you can use towards your next purchase, as well as coupons for many brands / types of products you already buy. Also sign up to receive coupon alerts via email - your selected offers then automatically load onto your Ralphs Rewards card - so you don't even have to remember to clip / print / bring coupons, the discounts just get applied when you swipe your rewards card at checkout.
MyPoints.com - Get More For the Shopping You're Already Doing
Shop online at your fav stores, but sign up and click through the MyPoints site first to earn points - that you can then redeem for gift certificates (usually worth $25 to $50) to over 75 national merchants from Amazon to Best Buy to Omaha Steaks. Free to sign up for program - purchase required on some offers to earn points. You can also earn points by signing up to receive emails from them and clicking through to view advertisers' messages, or by answering surveys.
Goldstar Events
Get up to 50% off tickets to events in LA ranging from food festivals to theater performances to concerts and more at Goldstar.com (LA and other major cities). Free to sign up to receive e-newsletter alerting you to deals; deals are for purchase with a service fee added (varies according to deal), though on rare occasions the tickets are offered for free. Get up to date info by following them on Twitter: twitter.com/goldstarla
Birthday Specials
Most companies will offer you deals or freebies on your birthday to earn your loyalty. Usually all that this costs you is your email address (sign up for free newsletters i.e. spam in return for the deals).
Examples of good ones:
Teuscher Beverly Hills - get free full size drink and a free chocolate truffle (coupon good for redemption anytime during your birthday month). Sign up at store or online here
Catalina Express - get free ride to the island on your birthday
The only certain things in life...My Least Fav: Taxes
You can't avoid paying taxes, but you can save on tax preparation. Bank of America customers get 35% discount while filing their taxes with TurboTax. For example, if you file your Federal Return using 1040A, and you click through the discount link first, you will only need to pay $32.95 instead of the regular price of $49.95 for the Deluxe package with free e-file. ($48.70 instead of $74.95 for Premier package with free e-file)
*Information subject to change. This is just a rough guide to some of the offers available in the past - please check individual websites for details and current offers.
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