Pay taxes! Get Free Food!

April 15th can be a stressful day. Everyone dreads paying taxes, filling out the forms and even going to the post office. I bet you don’t dread the refund! Here are few tips to remind you about tax savings.

• File an extension instead of rushing to get it done. You may miss out on crucial tax credits by not evaluating your entire situation. File form 4868 for your extension. Don’t forget to file your state tax extension. It is a separate form. 
• If you owe, try to pay at least 90 percent of your debt. The extension granted is for filing not paying taxes. The interest rate is 4% on tax debt.
• If you are not able to pay your tax bill, call the IRS. The IRS has a number of programs that you can use in order to pay your tax bill. Contrary to popular belief, I found the IRS to be very helpful and courteous. 
• Use the IRS.gov to file your taxes. It’s free!
• Sign your return.

Many companies are offering sweet deals to help celebrate your finished tax return. Check out these specials. 

• All Cinnabon restaurants are giving away a free order of Cinnabites to each customer.
• Chick-fil-A: At participating locations, hold on to your receipt tomorrow and return before April 30th to receive the same meal for free.
• Papa John's: Get a large cheese pizza with up to three toppings for $10.40 when you activate coupon code "1040" now through midnight on April 15th.
• Subway restaurants want to give taxpayers a reason to look forward to the typically dreaded April 15 by offering everyone who walks into a Subway on tax day a free cookie.
• Bring in your travel mug to Starbucks and get a free coffee.
• McCormick & Schmick’s will reward any professional tax preparer who dines on April 16 with a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entrée at lunch or dinner. Professional tax preparers will also receive a $10.40 dining certificate in exchange for their business card.
• Boston Market: For a "last-minute tax break" — one free meal for each one you buy through Sunday — show this coupon: chicagotribune.com/bostonmarket.
• IHOP: The restaurant chain is offering free dinner for one child age 12 or younger with each adult meal purchased from 4 to 10 p.m. all month long.
• P.F. Chang's: Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.
• MaggieMoo's: Get one free slice of ice cream pizza — ice cream with red frosting to look like sauce and white chocolate to look like cheese — at participating locations from 3 to 7 p.m.

(Thanks fatwallet.com, CBS Morning Show, IRS and Emma for your contributions to the blog.)

SMOOCHES,
The Diva

Please be advised that this advice is one Diva’s opinion. This advice is from research, observation and personal experience. No solution is guaranteed.

I will not compromise!

Recently I was shopping at the grocery store and came across an advertisement that claimed –make the switch to generic and save money. Being a true frugal-nista, I made the switch. After all, the ad claimed it would save me money without skimping on the taste. I made the decision and tried the challenge with my purchase of American cheese slices. Who can mess up cheese slices? It’s a simple food-like item. I left the store, proud of my purchase, all the while dreaming of my delicious grilled cheese sandwich I would make when I got home. At home, I unwrapped the generic cheese slices and immediately noticed the difference in color. Instead of a creamy pale buttery yellow, the generic cheese was bright yellow. No worries, I thought to myself. It’s just a different brand.


I began the process of making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. For some reason, my cheese wasn’t melting as expected. This was cause for concern. How can I have the perfect grilled cheese sandwich if the cheese didn’t melt over the entire sandwich? Now, I’m worried. The true test is in the taste. Bite one… Bite two… Now swallow. Oh my GOODNESS! This is NOT cheese! I want my money back! It tasted like …I can’t even describe it.

From my dastardly experience, I learned that it is ok to have a “I will not compromise" list. Everyone has to have one. For me, it’s Kraft and Borden cheese all the way. I just can’t compromise. There are just some things you can’t buy generic. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t search for the best bargain or use coupons. Try to find coupons in advance of your shopping trips. That way you won’t be forced to pay full price. Here’s a sample of my list. In your free time, comprise your own.

Shoestring Diva’s “Brand Name (no generics) list”

1. Kraft or Borden Cheese

2. Heinz not Hunt’s Ketchup (Thank Tracy)

3. Miracle whip

4. Spanx

5. Lotion- Suave is the cheapest I will go

6. Perfume

7. Applewood bacon

8. Dove Men's Care Soap

9. Alka Setlzer

10. Ramen Noodles

Bills, Bills, Bills

Greeting Everyone! I was posed with this question on the Shoestring Diva Facebook page this week.

Dilemma: Mista Johnson wrote: How do I pay rent at an apartment, 1/2 house mortgage, child support, lights, student loans, credit cards, eat and live on public service pay?? Tell me that?

Diva Solution: Ok Mista Johnson, you have a lot going on in your world. Hopefully I can help alleviate some of the stress. You may find getting a roommate will help reduce cost. I bet you have a lease on your apartment. Some complexes will reduce your monthly lease if you pre-sign a longer lease. If they know you are staying around, they mayl give you a break on the cost.

Like any faithful parent, you want to make sure your kids are well taken care of. Consider petitioning the court to consider your ½ of the mortgage payment as part of your child support. If your children live in the house in which you are paying the mortgage, you are providing for them. If there is any difference based on the state standard of configuring child support, have that amount deducted directly out of your paycheck. Make sure before the end of the year, you and your children’s mother discuss income tax child credit and deductions. Daycare, incidentals, and college plans may all be considered as a deduction by the IRS.

Try to use energy efficient light bulbs. Set your thermostat below 70. Really it’s 68 but we are from the south and that is kind of cold. Unplug any unnecessary electrical items. Most importantly, turn off lights when they are not in use.

Student loans and credit cards are the nemesis of most Americans. Many student loan companies have programs that allow you to get on your feet while keeping you good credit. By filling out a simple form, your student loan can be place on forbearance or deferment. Either of which postpone or delay payment. Interest does accrue. You may also want to try interest only or reduced payment plans. Consult your student loan company and your financial planner to figure out which program is best for you. This great website http://www.finaid.org/loans/publicservice.phtml will help you with public service loan forgiveness programs.
Some credit card companies will reduce your interest rate if you have a good payment history. Call your credit card company to negotiate. A lower interest rate means lower payments.

Try cooking at home and taking lunch. Did you know that one jar of spaghetti, ground turkey and pasta can cost as little as $5.00 and can feed a single person for at least 3 meals? Use coupons when eating out and at the grocery stores. Just between you and me, I occasionally go grocery shopping in my parents’ pantry and eat at my in-laws when funds are low. Sometimes, happy hour at your local pub or restaurant has free food. Free always saves money.

I know living life on a modest is not glamorous and it takes some finagling but it can be done. I wish you the best of luck and thanks for calling asking The Shoestring Diva. Smooches!





Please be advised that this advice is one Diva’s opinion. This advice is from research, observation and personal experience. No solution is guaranteed.