Free fry day at Chik-fil-A, March 4th

That rhymes. And is awesome. I love fries and Chik-fil-A. Go March 4th to get your free fries by mentioning that you are there to try the new Heinz Dip & Squeeze. So here's a true story. I went to Chik-fil-A at the mall recently, and after getting our food, we weaved double stroller and other children through crowded table after crowded table. We finally settled down at the opposite end of a rather large food court. We did our eating business, and just when my cup no longer ranneth o'er (meaning I needed a refill), the Chik-fil-A lady showed up and asked if she could get me one. I expect that type of thing at their store because their service is over the top. But in the middle of a crowded food court? Those people are magic elves sent from the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or something else equally unreal. I will definitely be going for fries.

Discounted newspapers

Since moving to Birmingham, AL, we haven't started a newspaper subscription, for the coupons of course (to the horror of my former, news-oriented co-workers). Let's get real. We can get our news online or through status updates of our facebook friends (insert laugh here), and actually we can get coupons that way too. But sometimes it is nice to have some on hand. Mainly because I get so jealous when iheartpublix.com lists a coupon that I don't have. Arrrrgghh. And then I have to X it off my easy shopping-list-maker gizmo, which hasn't worked since I finally decided to use it. On to what we can get to work, and that is this fabulous deal on a newspaper subscription. In Birmingham, the selection I wanted (Wednesday and Sunday only) was over 60% off ... holla! So go to discountednewspapers.com to see if it's in your area (sorry, Gainesville, but you're not there, frown).

Book club is tomorrow, and the library is closed

Well, technically, book club is next week, and The Help is all checked out with precisely a million holds. Going to the book store: not an option. You would take that off the list too if you had seen my twins' reaction to a return at Best Buy today. I think they sold out of earplugs while we were there. Oh ... they don't sell those. Well, um, anyway. Ordering on Amazon: would arrive the day before book club meets if I chose 1-day shipping. I really want to go to book club, but not spend-the-mula-on-1-day-shipping want to go to book club. My library kept taunting me with e-books, but apparently that is only for the print-impaired. I thought that was a joke or some kind of clever advertising to get you to read the e-books, but it is an actual disorder that you have to prove you have before you can get access to these e-books. So after a little exploration I found onread.com, where I can read The Help online for free. Without having to download it. And though I hate reading on the computer, I thought this was good for emergency book-club situations. I am not equipped to answer any is-it-safe-and-legal questions, but feel free to share any info you gather.

Paper towel replacement

I have read many times over that you can substitute newspaper for paper towels when cleaning windows. It sounded like a great idea, but I just never got around to trying it. Until today! The newspaper was right beside the paper towels on the counter, goading me to try it. I recommend the more glossy print to avoid the ink rubbing off onto your hands. I cleaned about six windows with Rite Aid. What other things do you substitute to save funds?