Last week my sassiest pal Anna suggested we go out for steak. I was like, "YES." But we wanted to do it right. No T.G.I. Friday beef kabobs for these chickies. "Let's fake like it's an important event in our lives," we said. "Let's go somewhere expensive and nice."
Now comes the part of the story where we realize our hugest obstacle: We'd both stupidly chosen careers in publishing; a.k.a. we are poor. So, we asked ourselves the most logical next question: "Can we meet two reasonably handsome, non-vegetarian sugar daddies within the next week who aren't looking for any kind of, shall we say, return on investment???"
ANSWER: No. We cannot. So, instead we went to Restaurant.com... a web site that will change your life!
Check this out. You click over there, plug in your zip code, choose what kinda food, and then, whaaaaat-- there's restaurant gift certificates for sale. For half price! There's some fine print to them-- like, must buy 2 entrees, or not redeemable on alcoholic beverages, etc.-- but besides that, totally legit.
Awesome, right? But wait, there's more!
Now you go to RetailMeNot.com, which lists coupon codes for lots of stores online. You click to the promo code page for Restaurant.com. There you find codes to get 50% off of your purchase! (How crazy is this? Can you even believe this is happening?)
So then you buy your lil' gift certificate, which gets sent to you as a printable e-mail, to be redeemed whenever. Anna and I bought $50 off $100 for the nationally renowned AJ Maxwell's Steakhouse, where I had the most tender & delicious filet mignon I will ever have in my whole life, I'm almost positive.
I know what you're thinking-- Don't you seem like a cheesy asshole when you pay with a printed coupon? Eh, maybe. But let's keep in mind we're embarking on a full-fledged recession. This is how it's gonna be for a while-- coupons and looking like assholes-- or else no filet mignon, you guys.
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Post a Comment 11 comments:
who cares if you appear to be a printable coupon a*hole.
I LOVE COUPONS, save money on the things you CAN and spend full price everywhere else!
June 18, 2008 4:16 PM
I am a total dork when it comes to coupons and free stuff. Who cares if people think you're an a-hole for using a coupon? If it was such bad form, stores wouldn't create coupons to be redeemed in the first place. I love saving money, so I'll avoid paying full price if I can.
June 19, 2008 8:32 AM
the first thing i thought of when i read the title of this post was "duh, get some boy to pay. that's free".
but yes, when low on sugar daddies, restaurant.com is the answer!
i got $50 of $100 for pazzo, an over-priced italian restaurant next to the basketball hall of fame. and for only $10.
i love it. brava to you for finding out about this wonderfulness!
and if you join borders rewards, you often get coupon codes for 40, 50, 60% off!
June 19, 2008 7:22 PM
I am going to check out all the links in your post.
I don't like paying full price at what is normally an overpriced establishment.
The Masked Millionaire
June 23, 2008 12:17 PM
That's how the rich get richer, by being smart and ruthless. If that means using a coupon, then so be it.
June 30, 2008 3:10 PM
I have to say, your whole scheme here is going to make my trip to Cleveland later this month a whole lot cheaper, and therefore better. With the amount of money I'll save on food with these it'll practically offset high gas prices to drive down there.
June 30, 2008 3:37 PM
flyertalk.com, fatwallet.com,slickdeals.net, bensbargains.net, xpbargains.com, these should also be in your repetoire.
July 5, 2008 11:26 PM
A $50 coupon looks just like a $50 bill to me. I have no shame, only pride, in using coupons. I use restaurant.com all the time- I've found the food even tastes better when it's bought with a coupon.
July 7, 2008 11:10 AM
Do I understand correctly you paid $12.50 (coupon value = $50, half-off from restaurant.com, half-off again from retailmenot) for the coupon?
Did your two meals then come to $50 + coupon ($12.50?) (+ beverages?) + tip?
July 12, 2008 8:53 PM
Oh!! It's great information about best Restaurant!!
July 14, 2008 1:28 AM
This is some great money-saving advice.
I've used retailmenot.com for online purchases, but never thought to combine it the way you're using it. Brava!
My husband and I are on an open-ended road trip, and this should really help us save money when we're in the mood for an air-conditioned, sit-down meal.
Thank you!
July 14, 2008 4:24 PM