Father's Day freebies and deals
Here are 8 great ways to show Dad that you care -- and that you're taking his advice about saving money.
This guest post comes from Lou Carlozo at Dealnews.
Sometimes we put so much focus on Mother's Day gifts that we run low on ideas (and perhaps funds) for dear old dad come Father's Day (as our list of the things you should avoid buying aptly points out).
Luckily, cool freebies abound this Dia de Los Daddies, if you know where to look. And if the dad in your life is anything like me -- constantly asking my sweetie, "Where are my keys?" and "Have you seen my iPhone 4S?" -- then you know it's not prudent to leave the looking up to him.
That's why we've made it easy by vigorously combing the deal universe to give you our list of Father's Day Freebies for 2012. You're sure to find something on this list that will make your pappy happy, and you won't have to expend mucho dinero to do it.
Free yogurt at TCBY
TCBY (aka, The Country's Best Yogurt) will dish out the Father's Day love with free yogurt for the Big Guy on June 17. However, note that this will be a store-by-store offer; in years past, TCBY offered this sweet freebie nationally, but this year, you'll need to check with your local TCBY store to make sure it's taking part in the promotion.
Free Father's Day card at Cardstore.com
While Dad is worth more than just a piece of cardstock, no matter how fine, this free greeting card is certainly a bargain, as well as an easy way to say what you feel when the words are hard to find on your own. Snag a free Father's Day card at Cardstore.com with free shipping when you use the coupon code LUVDAD2 at checkout.
Free $25 gift card at Fleming's Steakhouse
Take Dad to a brunch or dinner at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar on June 17, and he'll walk away with a free $25 gift card to use on a later date. Many dads are known to like red meat, especially steak, so this could be a slam dunk for your favorite carnivore. Note that brunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., and reservations at this national chain are strongly advised. (Post continues below.)
Free sundae and eCard at Denny's
Head over to the Denny's website for an excellent Father's Day two-fer: Start by sending Dad one of the restaurant's free eCards, and then receive a coupon for a free Pancake Puppies sundae for both pops and yourself. So save some room for dessert, OK?
Free subscription to Car and Driver magazine
It may be a stereotype that men are hardwired to care about cars, but in the (somewhat likely) scenario that your father is an auto enthusiast, consider signing him up for this deal: Mercury Magazines offers a Car and Driver magazine 1-Year subscription for free, in exchange for information about you and your company. (As such, only "qualified" individuals are eligible.)
Free XM OnyX Radio bundle
If Dad does enjoy cruising around in his set of wheels, then perhaps he could use some improved tunes. Weighing in as the best deal we've ever seen from XM Satellite Radio, the company currently offers its XM OnyX Radio with an XM PowerConnect FM Transmitter Vehicle Kit and 30 Days of XM Satellite Radio for free.
You will, however, have to foot the $11 shipping fee, and if you don't cancel before the 30-day trial ends, your credit card will automatically be subscribed to a recurring quarterly subscription plan at the current rate every three months. (This plan is currently $43.47 for three months.) See the terms and conditions for more information.
Free Father's Day iPad app
Visit the Apple Store and you'll get the Father's Day iPad app by The Rosa Group, which comes with suggestions for the top gifts, things to do and facts about Father's Day. Consider this freebie a risk-free investment in helping to find Dad a great gift -- and an app that Dad will get a kick out of too. Because who doesn't love trivia, after all?
Free samples galore
OK, so free samples are perhaps not the best freebie to give to Dad, but that doesn't mean you can't benefit from one of these deals, after all that diligent shopping for someone else, right?
The manliest of the bunch includes this New York Yankees fragrance sample, which we actually think Dad might appreciate (when it eventually arrives) since it probably smells exactly like Derek Jeter. There's also a Clear Men Scalp Therapy sample on the table (which you can receive after "liking" them on Facebook), as well as these offers.
Feeling inspired now? We hope so. Go for it, because Father's Day marks one of the few can't-miss chances to thank Dad for all he does for you. Besides, there's nothing wrong with greasing the skids in advance of the next time you have to hit him up for some cash, borrow the car or work him for a new toy. And we're not necessarily talking to the kids here, either.
More on Dealnews and MSN Money:
If it was Mother's Day freebies, there would have been at least 35 suggestions, for free facials, massages, dinners, brunches, pedicure, manicures, bottles of wine etc...
How about from now on, Dad's get a free bottle of Scotch, or 10 free varied cigars, a free round of clay bird shooting or a round of golf, now freebies like those really show how much Dad's are appreciated!
RELATED ARTICLES
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Morningstar Inc. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Morningstar Inc. Quotes delayed by up to 15 minutes, except where indicated otherwise. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by Morningstar Inc.
ABOUT SMART SPENDING
Smart Spending brings you the best money-saving tips from MSN Money and the rest of the Web. Join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Editor Bev O'Shea lives and works in the foothills of the Appalachians. A former copy editor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Orlando Sentinel, she joined MSN Money in 2007. She's a fan of sunsets, college football and free shipping, among other things.
Having worked as a writer, reporter and editor for more than 25 years, Editor Julie Tilsner is the sort of person who can't help but correct grammar in Facebook postings and on billboards. She's written for BusinessWeek, the Los Angeles Times, Parenting, Redbook, AOL and others. She lives in Los Angeles County with her family and loves to drink wine and practice yoga, although not generally at the same time.
A writer for MSN Money since January 2007, Donna Freedman won regional and national prizes during an 18-year newspaper career and earned a college degree in midlife without taking out student loans. She also writes about smart money tactics for magazines and on her own site, Surviving and Thriving.
Mitch Lipka has been warning people about scams and shining light on questionable business practices for more than 20 years. Mitch, the consumer columnist for The Boston Globe, has also been a reporter and editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Consumer Reports, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and AOL. He won the 2010 New York Press Club award for best consumer reporting online and was honored in 2011 for his reporting on child product safety.
Marilyn Lewis is an award-winning writer with a passion for getting readers clear, straight information that helps them stay out of financial trouble. A former reporter for The San Jose Mercury News, she works from her home in Port Townsend, Wash. Contact her at MarilynLewis@Outlook.com.
LATEST BLOG POSTS
Those shackled with student loan debt are increasingly being targeted by scams and shady companies promising relief.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
TOOLS
Best rates on savingsFind the highest rates on savings accounts, CDs and money market accounts.
- Are you saving enough for retirement?
- Find a great credit card
- Car insurance premiums by model
