Planning a Cheapskate Mall Trip: How to Have Fun at the Mall on a Limited Budget

The mall has several freebies and cheap deals if you plan in advance. Try to stop by the information booth first for flyers about promotions and to obtain any available free coupons. Here are a few of my favorites for when I visit my local mall.

Freebies are available in both food form and free product samples. Remember if you are not asked but know a restaurant or store offers a freebie, ask politely, and expect only one per person. Try to come back later if they are really busy, and if you saw the free offer in a flyer or magazine or on their website, bring that article along to show the employee - they may not even know about the free sample themselves.

Snack Food Samples:

1. Godiva - schedule of free samplings of truffles, hot cocoa, chocolate coffees, etc. Visit Godiva.com for their freebie schedules. For instance, in November and December, according to the Godiva.com website, the following samples are available:

GODIVA IN-STORE SAMPLING EVENTS

11/16 - 11/18: Biscuits and Coffee

11/23 - 11/25: Candy Cane Bark

11/30 - 12/2: Dark Chocolate pieces

12/7 - 12/9: Candy Cane Bark and Coffee

12/14 - 12/16: Seasonal Truffles G Collection (select stores)

12/29 - 12/31: Drizzled Brownies and Hot Chocolixir (select stores)

2. Pretzel time often gives out samples of their pretzels.

3. Panda Express offers samples of their fare - usually a piece of their orange chicken dish.
4. Many custom chocolate shoppes often offer a small sample near the register so you can taste their product.

Food freebies and discounts:

Most malls have some food court restaurant chain with free refillable beverages - a little known fact is that many restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's both do free soft drink refills on fountain sodas (those that come from the fountain like Coke and Pepsi, not opening a bottle like Snapple or a specialty root beer) . See if your favorite mall offers free drink refills. Also, many food court restaurants have no age restriction on who can eat a kids meal - I have stated to managers that I wanted it for myself and they state that is fine, there is no age restriction. If your kids' meal is the same entrée item but just a smaller drink (which may be refillable for free) and smaller fries, then that is a cheaper meal option for you. In a busy mall, keep your receipt to prove you bought a soda in the first place just in case they do not remember you when you request a refill.

Check the individual restaurant and stores websites for printable coupons. One example of currently available food court coupons include Nathan's, which offers a buy a hot dog get a hot dog free coupon. Find this coupon at http://www.nathansfamous.com/nathans/coupon.html

Check for senior discounts, including free senior coffee or other drinks. Senior age drinks and pricing can start as young as fifty at many establishments and offer discounts ranging from a free beverage to a discounted meal for the senior or even the whole dining party if the senior is paying. Enquire at your preferred restaurant or eatery. These discounts often also apply to the stores in the mall, so find out when the senior discount days are and how much of a discount is offered. One example is a well known expensive designer who frequently has stores in the mall and outlets offers 15% off for those over fifty on the first Tuesday of the month.

Student discounts. If you have your high school or college ID, you can often get a discount at many stores and mall restaurants. Student Advantage also offers a discount card good at many stores in the mall including popular clothing stores.

Bath and Body Works gives a free Bigelow lip gloss worth $7.50 with any purchase (like a $1 item or bath bead) or a 2 ounce scented lotion when you sign up for their online newsletter by clicking here . Print out the coupon you get in your email to redeem the offer in the store.

Many cosmetic counters have freebie samples geared towards those who cannot try their product at that time, such as a specialty shampoo or perfume samples for those already wearing a perfume and cannot use the spray testers. Some freebies need to be booked in advanced such as free skincare treatment or a makeover at Clarins, which require you to print a coupon by clicking here . Chanel counters often give away Chanel No 5 vials upon request. Look through fashion magazines for the ads that say in small print that you can get a free sample at your local beauty department store counters and bring them on your shopping trip.

Finally, check the mall website for events, concerts, entertainment and coupons on selected days so you can get the most out of your trip to the mall.