If you have an iPod then you’re familiar with iTunes, so go check out the Podcasts! There are literally thousands of other ones on there. Leave a comment on which podcast you listen to.

Want to know about the free songs?

iTunes highlights some newer artists and always has a few free song downloads. It’s not gonna be anyone you’ve probably heard of but what better way to be hip, a conversation starter, and a new artists scout with friends.

If you loves 80s music, check out Pop Culture Buzz - they have some awesome Music Video Flashbacks: Early 80’s Pop Songs.

Earn credits with companies such as:
AirTran
Delta Skymiles
Macy’s
HiltonHonors
Borders
Pizza Hut
ProFlowers
Blockbuster
Omaha Steaks
and more

If you’re saving up all those airline miles and haven’t decided where to go, check out this list of the Top 5 Must See Countries.

It’s a FREE membership and they offer discounts on concession stand items and can earn credits for free movies.

Every Tuesday you use this card when purchasing your ticket at a Regal Cinema you get a coupon for a small popcorn for $1. You really can’t beat that price these days.

To join - just visit their website.

Plus - There are some GREAT movies still coming out this summer:

Like Bruno - July 10th
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE .. can you tell I’m really excited about this one.. July 29th

For more movie insight - hop on over to Cinema Hype.

1. Throw a barbeque or accept an invitation to one - BBQs are really inexpensive parties to throw. If you’re a Sam’s or Costco member, go there to get your bulk amount of hamburger meat, hotdogs, buns, chips, and soda. Also - you can always ask guests to contribute a side dish or drinks. Ask guest to bring alcohol - this will save you alot of money.

2. Go to Old Navy for a $1 pair of flip flops - What better way to get ready for summer than to get a new pair of flip flops and you can’t say no to only spending a $1 - Get more info about this sale at Bargain Styling

3. Hang out at the park - Grab a new book at the library and your shades and hit the park for some sunshine and fun reading!

Want to read the rest of my top 10 ideas..

4. Visit a local state park - Be adveturesome - take an hour or two drive away from home and go to a state park you’ve never been to.. grab friend, borrow a dog, or just GO!! Experience Mother Nature!

5. Go to the zoo - When was the last time you went to the zoo? Bring your camera, an open mind, and splurge on something like a snowcone or flamingo grabby thing at the store..

6. POOL TIME - This is when the pools are all opening.. If you don’t have one where you live, think about who you know that lives somewhere with one.. This is a great time to rekindle that friendship..

7. Spring Cleaning - Okay.. I know.. lame of me.. But Clean out your wardrobe closet. Here’s a good tip: If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it. But please make sure to donate to a local Goodwill or clothing donation center.

8. Try out some new recipes - Challenge yourself to make all new dinners this weekend. Grab those cook books and hit the FARMERS MARKETS..

9. Summer cocktails - This may just be my favorite thing about the summer: Sangria, Pina Colada, Margaritas, Daquiris - like music to my ears.. Treat yourself to some fabulously tasty beverages..

10. Sleep in!! - Don’t dare set that alarm clock this weekend.. It’s your weekend off!

So I challenge you to try it out somewhere challenging and see how it goes.. Here’s some tips too..

I understand this takes some balls - but the worst case scenario is they say no and realize you are a smart consumer.

1) Do your research - Know what the competitor is offering.. Maybe an online store or competitor is offering the same product or something similar cheaper. Tell the store about it and see it they will match it or if it’s the same as a competitor ask if they’ll beat it. These stores have the capability of hitting the 10% off key on the register.

2) Be prepared to walk away - Any good haggler has to be prepared to walk. Some great practice is haggling for purses or items in China Town.

3) Don’t be afraid to ask - If you’re eating at Applebee’s or some chain restaurant, tell them you want your fountain drinks for free if you’re ordering food. Most servers will say yes. But maybe don’t do this on a first date, business lunch, meeting the in-laws, etc.

4) Ask for who’s in charge - The server or retail employee may not realize he can offer a deal or may not have the authority. But the manager does - so feel free to ask for them.

5) Be a good customer - If you’re at a boutique or a local restaurant, make friends with the owners. If you’re buying multiple items, point it out to them and just say “Hey - Can you offer me a deal on my purchase IF I buy all these items.” Or talk to the manager.. tell them you want to come to this restaurant frequently - can they offer you any incentives.

**Really most people just don’t ask. If you don’t ask, you’re not getting anything. If you do ask, you have nothing to loose.

When you’re done haggling, take some time to relax with the FREE album from Coldplay. Learn how to get it at Men’s Interests. Althought, women like Coldplay too.. Holla!!

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10th.

If you still don’t have a gift and money is tight - then here are my top 10 ideas on what to get mom this year that she’s sure to love.

1. Plant her an herb garden -

Fresh herbs are so great to cook with. If all she needed to do was go to the yard or potted plant area to grab some basil, it’s sure to make her smile and enjoy her meals. Check out a Whole Foods or a local nursery to buy these plants.

2. IOU household coupons - Make some coupons with sayings like - Redeem this coupon for a night off from cooking, wash your car, vacuum the house, do the grocery shopping. But the REALLY important thing to remember is if you make this coupon book - Promise yourself that when she goes to redeem them - you will do what the coupon says and without complaining.

3. Cook her lunch or dinner on Mother’s Day - She won’t care if it’s just mac n’ cheese. The thought and quality time together will be meaningful enough. To take it up a notch, pack it as a picnic and go eat outdoors together.

4. Make a donation to an organization - Make a small donation $20 or less, the amount doesn’t have to be mentioned to an organization she may like. If you don’t know of one, some good general ones are The Red Cross or Doctors without Borders.

5. Take her to the movies - It’s hopefully less than $20 for the two of you, and let her pick the movie. Be open and happy to go to whichever one she wants to see. Even if you’ve already seen it.

6. Make a card with a special memory - Sometimes a card is all someone needs or wants. And a home made card is so much nicer than a store bought one because it will be personalized. Share with mom one of your favorite memories together. She will treasure it.

7. Go on a walk together - Maybe it’s a walk around the neighborhood or at a local park, but this time together will allow you to talk without distractions. Leave your cell phone at home or in the car. It’s great to catch up.

8. Call her - This one is simple but so important to mention. If you live out of town, you know a card or gift won’t get there in time. Just give her a ring and let her be the one to end the call. Don’t call and rush off.

9. Rent her favorite movie and get her favorite snack food - Spend Sunday together on the couch, watching her favorite movie and chowing down on her favorite snack food - maybe it’s a soda, candy, potato chips. It’s cheap and shows you put thought into it.

10. A great big hug and I love you - This one is as simple as the phone call. But sometimes it’s the little things we forget to do everyday that mean the most.

On the blog, Mom is Teaching, they listed a mother’s day special from Flash in the Pan.

I recently got one (and actually used it) for a free roastburger with the purchase of a drink. So my lunch that day cost me like $2. Also, I think around the holiday season, I got a coupon for a free shake (forgot to use that one). And now I have one in my email box for a chicken sandwich with the purchase of a drink or fries.. cant recall.. but I know again my lunch will cost less than $5.

That’s a frugal find!

Here’s a direct link to join - click here.

For even more info on Arby’s extras - keep reading..

I’m not too big headed of a blogger not to mention other blogs. But check who else is talking about Arby’s Extras: Thrifty is Cool, MommySavers, Mommy in Colorado, and more..

Since there seemed to be alot of mommy blogs there, maybe this entry will reach out to alot of parents.. If so, check out Parenting Children on the 451 network - she just wrote about Snack Ruts.

I was speaking to another NYC friend who had the similar problem (as I assume millions of Americans do also - maybe with a different vice). We came up with a solution to stop using them for unnecessary items.. And here are a few tips for you.

1. Give your card to someone else. This way you have to explain to them why you need it and hopefully they can help talk you out of it.

2. Freeze it in a bag of water - By the time it defrosts, you’ll have had time to decide if you really needed it.

3. Put it in an envelope with your long terms goals written on the envelope. One more swipe of that card is money taken away from retirement, car, home, dream vacations, and more.

In the meantime of all this non-spending, here’s a place to get stuff for FREE: http://www.freebiesforus.com/

Buy meats in bulk and freeze portions with marinade inside a plastic zip top bag. As it defrosts, the meat will become infused with the marinade and stay moist.

1. Don’t throw out your leftover rice! Use it to make fried rice, rice cakes or quick rice pudding.

2. Almost out of Dijon? Don’t let those last tablespoons go to waste. Add vinaigrette ingredients straight to the mustard jar and shake for mess-free salad dressing.

3. To get the maximum amount of juice out of lemons and limes, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds. This will break down the fibers inside, allowing juice to flow.

How about a recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken with Rosemary, Apples and Onions??

Slow Cooker Chicken with Rosemary, Apples and Onions
Cook Time: 4 hr 0 min
Level: Easy
Yield:4 servings

Ingredients
2 cups sliced onions
2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 pounds cut up chicken pieces (with bone), with or without skin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup cream of celery soup
2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
Directions
Arrange onion and apple slices in bottom of slow cooker. Place chicken pieces on top and season all over with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle rosemary over chicken.

In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth and soup. Pour mixture over chicken.

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Serve chicken, sauce, apples, and onions over rice

Now check out these cool tips I just read about lemons on Household Tips — I really can’t wait to try the one about cleaning your microwave. I do not look forward to doing that, so I really want to check out this tip.

I have used ING Direct in the past and currently use HSBC. I transferred over when HSBC had a temporary, promotional high rate awhile back.

Wether you go with ING, HSBC, Emmigrant Direct or some other online savings account - not only is it easy to use but it’s a really good idea.

Keep reading to find out their current rates and just how easy they are to use..

Rates as of today, 2/5/09:
HSBC Direct: 2.45%
ING Direct: 2.2%
Emmigrant Direct: 2.4%

Hey yo - mad props to myself for being with the highest interest rate company.

So anywho - this is what I heart about online savings accounts.

1. Higher interest rate than banks. Bank of America’s rate as of today is .20% .. Um, that ain’t cool.
2. No minimum balances and no fees. Alot of banks make you keep a minimum balance of say $300. If you’re just starting out, why not put in $10 or $20.. it will add up eventually.
3. You can do it all from your computer. When you open your account, you make online transfers from your checking account to your online savings account. It does take a few days (2-4 days) for money to transfer into and out of your online savings account. So if you need money out of your online savings account in 24 time period, that is gonna be a problem. Just plan ahead.

Here’s another great free tip - Over at Freebies for Us - you can find out how to get a free audiobook of the 7 habits of highly successful people. I know I am headed there next. Enjoy!