Saving Money

Aldi Hours and Holiday Schedule 2019

April 17, 2019 By James Hendrickson 1 Comment

Are you planning a grocery shopping trip to Aldi? Make sure it’s open first. Check here for everything you should know about shopping at this grocery store, as well as the Aldi hours and holiday schedule before heading out.

Saving Money at Aldi Stores

Aldi is a grocery store known for amazing everyday prices. Smart shoppers who rely on Aldi can save a bundle, with some reporting cost reductions of up to 42 percent. Aldi offers great prices by using a non-standard business model. Not only do you have to insert a quarter to get a cart (though you get it back once you return it), but you’ll also need to bring your own bags. Plus, Aldi stores aren’t open 24/7, so you need to make sure your local store is open before making a trip.

Aldi Store Hours

Originally a German store, Aldi has made its way into numerous countries. Along with the United States, you can also find Aldi stores in Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Portugal. Additionally, many people don’t realize that Aldi is actually run by the same company as Trader Joe’s.

Aldi hours are typically the same as the standard hours of operation for many grocery chains. While each location may vary their schedule, the typical hours for opening and closing serve as a good baseline for planning purposes.

The standard Aldi hours are Monday through Sunday:

Monday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

If you are near an Aldi in a big city, you may find that they are open longer each day. However, some small-town Aldi stores open later and close earlier. For example, a small town location may operate from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm instead of 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Aldi Holiday Schedule 2019

Along with Christmas, Aldi locations also close for a few other holidays during the year. However, they are open on many too. Here is an overview of the Aldi Holiday Schedule for 2019:

January 1 (Tuesday): Aldi is closed on New Year’s Day
January 21 (Monday): Aldi is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 14 (Thursday): Aldi is open on Valentine’s Day
February 18 (Monday): Aldi is open on Presidents’ Day
March 17 (Sunday): Aldi is open on St. Patrick’s Day
April 19 (Friday): Aldi is open on Good Friday
April 20 (Saturday): Aldi is open on Easter Saturday
April 21 (Sunday): Aldi is closed on Easter Sunday
April 22 (Monday): Aldi is open on Easter Monday
May 12 (Sunday): Aldi is open on Mother’s Day
May 27 (Monday): Aldi is open on, but with limited hours, on Memorial Day
June 16 (Sunday): Aldi is open on Father’s Day
July 4 (Thursday): Aldi is open, but with limited hours, on Independence Day
September 2 (Monday): Aldi is open, but with limited hours, on Labor Day
October 14 (Monday): Aldi is open on Columbus Day
October 31 (Thursday): Aldi is open on Halloween
November 11 (Monday): Aldi is open on Veteran’s Day
November 28 (Thursday): Aldi is closed on Thanksgiving Day
December 24 (Tuesday): Aldi is open, but with limited hours, on Christmas Eve
December 25 (Wednesday): Aldi is closed on Christmas Day
December 31 (Tuesday): Aldi is open, but with limited hours, on New Year’s Eve
January 1 (Wednesday): Aldi is closed on New Year’s Day 2020

On any days where Aldi has limited hours, you’ll need to check your local store to confirm when they are open. You can use Aldi’s store locator to check each location’s hours of operation or contact your store by phone and request the information.

Many grocery stores deviate from their usual operating hours around Christmas and Aldi is no different. On Christmas Eve, many Aldi locations close early, giving their staff a chance to be home with their families.

If you need to shop at Aldi on Tuesday, December 24, 2019, make sure to check with your local store before you make a trip. Each location may have slightly different holiday hours on Christmas Eve, so it is wise to contact your Aldi and confirm they will be open.

On Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2019, all Aldi stores are closed. You cannot shop at any Aldi on Christmas Day, regardless of whether you are in a big city or small town.

Preparing for a Trip to Aldi

If you’ve never been to an Aldi before, but want to experience the cost-savings to make the holidays more affordable, you do need to prepare in advance. Along with a shopping list, you’ll need to have a quarter with you. The shopping carts at Aldi need a quarter to unlock them, making them movable. When you return the cart at the end of your trip, you get your quarter back.

What You Need

The quarter is actually a way that Aldi controls some of their overhead costs, even though they don’t keep the quarters. Getting the coin back encourages shoppers to put away their carts. This ensures that employees don’t have to retrieve the carts, allowing Aldi to keep their staffing costs down and to pass the savings on to shoppers.

Additionally, it is usually best to bring your own reusable shopping bags. Aldi does not provide bags or boxes to carry your purchases for free. If you do not bring your own, you’ll have to pay for bags at Aldi. Again, this helps each store keep its operating expenses low, giving the ability to offer big savings to you.

Use the Aldi Mobile App

The Aldi mobile app is also handy. Not only can you use it to find your closest store, check hours of operation, and a place to make and store a shopping list, it also makes viewing the weekly sales flyer a breeze. You can see it all in the app, ensuring you don’t miss out on a great deal when you shop.

Do you shop at Aldi? Share your experience in the comments below.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

Photo: Flickr/Mike Mozart

Here Are This Year’s Tax Day Deals and Freebies

April 12, 2019 By Tamila McDonald 1 Comment

Tax Day falls on Monday, April 15 in 2019. Usually, this is a day filled with money stress — at least for those who wait until the final day to file their taxes or pay their IRS bill. However, there are also some exciting Tax Day deals and freebies if you know where to look. Here’s how you can save some money on Tax Day specials and sales in 2019.

Restaurants

There are a surprising number of restaurant deals on April 15, 2019. If you need a chance to de-stress and would appreciate a nice meal, snack, or beverage, here are some options to check out on Tax Day.

Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt: Free small frozen yogurt on Tax Day
Boston Market: $10.40 meal special featuring a half chicken meal, two sides, cornbread, and regular fountain drink
Bruegger’s Bagels: Get 13 bagels and two cream cheese tubs for $10.40 (must be a Bruegger’s Inner Circle member or have claimed the offer at the company’s website
California Tortilla: Free chips and queso when you tell the server “1040”
Cici’s Pizza: $4.15 adult buffet with coupon and the purchase of a large drink
Firehouse Subs: Free medium sub with purchase of a full-price large or medium sub, chips, and a beverage (with coupon)
Great American Cookies: Free Original Chocolate Chip cookie (at participating locations)
Hardee’s: Free sausage biscuit between 7:00 am and 10:00 am when you say, “Made from scratch” (while supplies last)
Hot Dog on a Stick: Free veggie or turkey hotdog
Menchie’s: Free $5 frozen yogurt by downloading the app by April 15
Noodles & Company: NoodlesREWARDS members get $4 off mobile and online orders totaling $10 or more (must sign up for the rewards program by April 9)
Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Mention it is Tax Day and get a BOGO free deal for entrees
Schlotzsky’s: Free small original sandwich with chips and medium drink purchase
Smooth King: $2 off a 20-ounce smoothie (through the Smoothie King Healthy Rewards mobile app)
White Castle: 15 percent off any order (with a coupon that will be posted to social media and emailed to subscribers)

Retail

There aren’t as many retail deals for Tax Day. Usually, retailers focus on holidays, and April 15 is more like a deadline. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great Tax Day deal or freebie, including those listed below.

Office Depot / Office Max: Free shredding (with coupon) for up to five pounds of documents
Planet Fitness: Free HydroMassage chair sessions (with a coupon that will be available starting April 11) for members and non-members

Travel

You may be surprised to learn that there are travel deals available on and around Tax Day. If you want to take a trip soon but haven’t started booking your accommodations, here are some deals to look into this April 15.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Guests who book a stay at the Miami location on April 15 get 20 percent off a future stay (future stay must be a minimum of two nights)
Hotwire: With promo code TAXGETAWAY15, get $15 off a $150 Hot Rate hotel deal
Orbitz: Sign up for Orbitz Rewards and book a hotel or vacation package on April 15 and the company will refund your sales tax as Orbucks Rewards points when you head to this site (which will be live on April 15).

More Tax Day Deals and Freebies to Come

There is still plenty of time for more retailers, restaurants, and other businesses to offer Tax Day deals, so don’t be surprised if you spot a few more before Monday, April 15. Here are a few places that offered Tax Day freebies and deals last year, but have yet to announce any official plans for 2019:

Bite Squad
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Captain D’s
Chili’s
Outback Steakhouse
F. Chang’s
Piada Italian Street Food
Staples

While there is no guarantee that the above restaurants and retailers will offer a deal on Tax Day, it could be worth keeping an eye out. Usually, information about the specials and sales is available on company websites and social media accounts. Additionally, email subscribers might receive notification directly.

With a little planning, you can easily take advantage of several of these Tax Day deals. If you find yourself near a participating location, consider stopping in so you can enjoy the freebies and discounts.

Do you know of any other Tax Day deals and freebies people should know about? Share them in the comments below.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

Here’s the Cost of Easter Spending and How You Can Save

April 11, 2019 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

When you think about costly holidays, you probably think about the winter holidays. Many of us spend a big chunk of change between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. However, Easter is a surprisingly pricy holiday.

Average Easter Spending in America and the UK

Retail Gazette reports that UK shoppers are expected to spend £1.1 billion on Easter in 2019. That is certainly a lot of money. However, it’s not even close to what Americans plan to spend.

How much do Americans spend on Easter candy? A lot. In fact, Candy Industry reports that Americans will spend more than twice that amount on Easter candy alone. In total, Americans will spend $18.11 billion on Easter. That’s an unbelievable amount of money, but it’s actually down slightly from last year’s Easter spending.

Interestingly, while Americans collectively are spending less on Easter this year than last, shoppers in the UK are spending more. More Brits plan to splurge on Easter shopping this year than in 2018. Each person will also likely spend more.

Average Easter Spending Per Person

Sixty-nine percent of the UK population plans to shop for Easter this year. Each person will likely spend about £30.41. People aged 45-54 will likely spend the most at about £32.25 each. In contrast, UK Easter shoppers aged 18-24 will only spend about £25.28 each. Of course, this makes a lot of sense, since older consumers are probably shopping for their children this Easter.

There is also a geographical spending difference in the UK. People living in the West Midlands will spend the least at about £25.57. In contrast, those living in the Northeast of England will spend the most, averaging £44.97 each.

Obviously, people in America will be spending more on average than people in the UK. There will also be more shoppers. Whereas not quite 70% of the UK population will celebrate Easter, approximately 80% of Americans will choose to celebrate. Each of them will spend about $151.25 this year.

Although Americans collectively are spending a bit less than last year, they’re individually spending about $1 more each. There are just slightly fewer shoppers this year, so the total spending projection is a tad lower. This year is the record low for the number of Americans celebrating Easter since this annual spending survey began about ten years ago.

What Americans Spend Easter Money On

Of the people who are shopping for Easter this year, nearly 90% will buy candy. In total, Americans will likely spend nearly $2.5 billion on Easter candy. However, that’s less than half what they plan to spend on food.

Many people enjoy Easter meals with their families and friends, so they’ll be spending about $5.74 billion on food. More than half will cook their holiday meal — however, about 16% plan to purchase an Easter meal from a restaurant.

Here are some of the other projected expenses:

Easter clothing: $3.27 billion
Gifts that aren’t flowers or candy: $2.87 billion
Flowers: $1.29 billion
Easter decorations: $1 billion
Easter greeting cards: $780 million

Of course, the majority of people will spend their money on or before Easter. However, a surprisingly large percentage of people don’t plan to spend money until after the holiday. More than 20% of shoppers don’t intend to celebrate Easter but do intend to shop the post-Easter sales. They will likely spend $19 per person on average to take advantage of sales on candy and other Easter items.

You Don’t Have to Spend to Enjoy Easter

Many people think of Easter as a time to spend money on candy, chocolate, photos with the Easter bunny, brunches, and more. However, you don’t have to pay money to celebrate the holiday. You certainly don’t have to spend a lot of money. According to the UK survey, 9% of the population intends to celebrate Easter but not to spend any additional money to do so.

How to Save Money on Easter

Americans could take a hint from people in the UK about how to save money on Easter. After all, many of them are shopping, but they aren’t spending as much on average as Americans do. Americans could cut their individual Easter spending in half and still have a bigger budget than what those in the UK will spend. All Americans need to do is embrace moderation when it comes to their Easter shopping.

Of course, there are also many other ways to save money on Easter.

Wear What’s In Your Closet

Americans will spend more than $3 billion on Easter clothing this year. People like to dress up to go to church, brunches, and egg hunts. They also enjoy doing springtime family photos. That’s all great, but it’s completely unnecessary to spend a lot of money on brand new clothing for this day.

Shop your closet first. If you truly don’t have anything to wear, then consider doing a pre-Easter clothing swap with friends. You might find the perfect new-to-you Easter dress in a friend’s closet. This is a particularly great way to get new clothes for children to wear on Easter.

DIY Decorations

Americans will spend $1 billion on Easter decorations in 2019. They’ll also spend more than 1/4 billion dollars on greeting cards. If you take the time to make those items yourself, you can save a lot of money. Handmade greeting cards – or even just a short letter – will be more personal anyway. As for decorations, you can easily find a tutorial to upcycle items you already own to create a beautiful Easter display without spending any money at all.

Use Coupons for Food Shopping

Americans will spend nearly $6 billion on food, not including candy, this Easter. Therefore, if you can cut your food costs, then you can significantly cut your Easter spending. If you’re planning to use a restaurant for your Easter meal, then you might want to think twice. At the very least, look for a place offering a good deal on Easter.

If you’re making your food at home, then make sure to do meal planning in advance. Consider a potluck approach if you plan to have a large gathering. Shop with coupons at the grocery store. Switch from a meat-heavy meal to a more affordable plant-based meal. There are many ways to cut costs on food, and it won’t compromise the quality of your Easter experience at all.

Generally speaking, focus more on spending quality time with people for Easter. Enjoy the spring weather together. Connect with nature. Participate in spiritual activities if you wish. Take the spending out of the equation and really connect with what Easter means for you.

What Is Your Insurance Score and Why Does It Matter?

March 19, 2019 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Do you know what your insurance score is?

Everyone knows what a credit score is, and nowadays, it’s fairly easy to access for free.

However, many people don’t know what an insurance score is, let alone what their own number is.

What Is an Insurance Score?

As you might have guessed, an insurance score is similar to your credit score. However, it applies specifically to insurance rates. In other words, an insurance company will consider this number when determining your rates. Like with a credit score, if you have a good insurance score then you’ll get better rates.

Your score is directly linked with your credit report. The insurer evaluates the data in that credit report. They want to know the likelihood that you will file a claim in the future. To determine this, they examine your past. If your credit report indicates that you aren’t likely to file a claim, then your insurance score is better. As a result, you get offered better rates. Essentially, the insurance company rewards you for being unlikely to require their services.

Basically, research shows that there is some correlation between specific aspects of your credit report and the likelihood that you’ll get into an accident or need to file an insurance claim. Therefore, starting in the 1990s, some states began allowing insurance companies to use these numbers to determine customer’s rates. However, not all states allow this, even today. Therefore, whether or not your credit impacts your insurance rates will vary depending on what state you are in.

Insurance Score vs. Credit Score

It’s important to understand that these two scores are not the same thing. Obviously, they are related. If you have a good credit score, then you are also likely to have a good credit-based insurance score. In both cases, you have good credit. Therefore, lenders will trust you to make your payments on time and in full.

However, just because you are good at making payments doesn’t mean that it’s smart for them to give you insurance. Yes, you’ll likely make your monthly insurance payments. They do take that into consideration. However, if your credit report indicates the likelihood that you’ll file frequent claims, then your insurance score might not be great in spite of your good credit score.

Insurance companies will look at your history of accidents and claims to determine your rates. Your credit score and report play a part but aren’t the only determining factors. Insurance companies also look at information in two big databases (called A-PLUS and CLUE) to get a sense of the risk they take on when they insure you. As a consumer, you are entitled to one free annual report from each of these companies. Therefore, you can order yours to get a sense of what insurance companies might see when they consider your rates.

Where to Get Your Insurance Score

Major credit businesses, such as FICO and Transunion, generate credit scores. Moreover, individual insurance companies sometimes use their own methods of calculation to get your credit score. For example, Progressive has its own data calculation tool. Therefore, there are slight variations in credit scores depending on who does the calculations.

This may sound odd, but if you think about it, it’s similar to getting your credit score from each of the three major companies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). The scores are all similar, but they may not be exactly the same.

What Does This Score Affect?

If you live in a state that allows insurance scores for underwriting and rate determination, then you might want to know how this can affect you. Typically, you’ll see these scores used in two situations:

Auto insurance (including other vehicle insurance such as boats and RVs)
Home insurance (including homeowner’s and renter’s insurance)

These types of insurance are often mandatory. If you drive, then auto insurance is mandatory. If you have a home mortgage, then most likely homeowner’s insurance is mandatory. Therefore, you are probably affected by your insurance score even though you might not have known before today what that score even was.

Sometimes health insurance and life insurance also consider insurance scores, although this is less common.

Calculating Your Insurance Score

Since there are so many different places that might calculate your insurance score, it’s difficult to know exactly which factors will be taken into consideration. However, the companies all consider a variety of factors.

In terms of your credit report, they all look at the same basic information. What is your credit score? How good are you with making on-time payments? Do you have high amounts of debt? The lower your credit score, the lower your insurance score is likely to be.

In terms of other factors, it will depend on which type of insurance you’re applying to get. For example, auto insurance companies may look at:

Overall driving history
Tickets you’ve received in recent years
Auto accidents
Claims that you have filed with previous auto insurance companies

If you are looking at homeowner’s insurance, then you might be aware of the following:

Claims that you have filed with previous home insurance companies
Safety features such as house alarm systems

It’s important to be aware that there are certain factors that insurance companies are not allowed to take into consideration. Your home’s location, your race or cultural background, and your marital status are all off-limits. In other words, they can look at your potential risk as an insurance consumer, but they can’t factor your personal details into that risk assessment.

Like with a credit score, you’ll receive a number as your score. It’s typically between 200 and 997. Generally speaking, if you have a score of over 770, then you have a good score. In contrast, if your score is under 500, then you have a poor rating. However, this may vary depending on the company.

How to Improve Your Insurance Score

If you have a good score, then you get better rates on insurance. Therefore, a good score means that you don’t have to pay as much for coverage. As a result, it makes sense to do all that you can to improve your insurance score.

First off, you should take all steps necessary to improve your overall credit score. After all, it does play a big part in determining your insurance score. When you consistently make on-time payments, have a strong debt-to-income ratio, and meet the other demands to achieve good credit, it goes a long way towards reducing your insurance costs.

Furthermore, the more time that passes without filing a claim, the better your insurance score will be. Therefore, unless it’s absolutely necessary, avoid filing claims with your insurance companies. Although you may have to pay a bit more out of pocket at first to get that good score, the score means you’ll pay less on your premiums over time.

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6 Things You Might Not Consider When Looking to Save More Money

March 15, 2019 By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

You already operate on a tight budget. When you needed a new car, you chose a used one. You clip coupons religiously and even visit thrift shops when all current pairs of jeans are well beyond fashionably-shabby. Believe it or not, there are still more ways to hold onto your money. Check out the following six tips, which permit a comfortable life — without eliminating all wants and needs.

Economy is About Reducing Waste — Not Deprivation

Buying a yacht on your budget may not be feasible, but you can afford many luxuries simply by putting in a little time and effort. After using typical methods for budgeting and smart spending, the following ideas can help bring you closer to living like royalty.

#1. Eat well for less

Even if you already cut coupons and avoid shopping while hungry, more can be done so you can eat well. First, you can afford to have that ribeye steak once in a while if you buy steaks on sale and then immediately pop them into the freezer. If you buy steaks in bulk, be sure to divide them into individual portions and store them in freezer bags Then, be sure to shop your freezer before adding items to your shopping list.

Did you know that you can also buy delicious restaurant pizzas and other meals in the freezer section for a fraction of the restaurant’s price (especially when you buy on sale)? If you like cooking, the Internet is full of authentic recipes, so have some fun by cooking at home before running out to expensive restaurants.

If you have a yard (or even a sunny windowsill), you can pick fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs from your own garden while enjoying fresh air and a little sunshine. Compare home-grown produce with store-bought options. They taste better, they’re fresher, and you can be sure that they’re organic, too.

#2. Reduce entertainment costs

With TV screens so large, you can get the big-screen movie experience at home without getting your seat kicked. If you already have Internet access and a wireless router, then connecting one of many affordable streaming devices to your TV is kind of a no-brainer. Even if your TV has only one HDMI connection, adding an inexpensive switch box to that port turns it into two or more. If this sounds too technical, anyone who can plug one thing into another thing can do it.

Of course, streaming is not just about movies; you can binge-watch new and old TV shows, and even play a variety of video games. With all the free and low-cost subscription options, you might discover that you can give up high-priced cable or satellite TV by customizing your viewing choices to only the things that you actually want to see. The popcorn’s cheaper, too.

#3. Think twice about bringing in more equipment

These days, the Internet has provided an increasing number of services online, from ordering vehicle licenses to backing up computer data in the cloud. It’s even possible to obtain medical attention from Internet doctors, although it’s not always advisable.

In some cases, you can also avoid buying space-consuming equipment by choosing an online option. For example, even if you send and receive faxes regularly, do you really need to spend money on your own machine, along with a phone connection, costly paper, ink, and repairs? Good news: there are reasonably-priced online fax services. A quick way to find one that meets your needs is to use a comparison service like FaxCompare to view popular options and find the one that meets your specific needs.

Before running out to buy equipment, check to see if online options exist. You’ll save money, of course, but you’ll also save space.

#4. Address the maintenance needs of equipment that you have

Whether it’s your car or household appliances, maintenance costs less than repair or replacement costs. You’d be surprised by how much longer your furnace will last if you just replace the filter every month. And, while having your car regularly checked and lubed seems like an expensive hassle, you’ll get better gas mileage while avoiding the need for costly engine repairs.

#5. Shop via wish lists

With virtually everything available for online ordering, it’s very easy to act on too many shopping whims. One simple habit can help prevent you from buying things that you don’t need — and don’t even want.

Replace hitting the Buy button with hitting the Wish List button. This habit helps satisfy the shopping rush without actually spending the money. When you’re ready to put Wish List items into your Shopping Cart, you’ll be surprised by how many items no longer interest you while allowing you to budget for the items that you actually need or really want.

#6. Examine all insurance coverage

Most people view insurance as a necessary evil. We don’t want to spend money on it, but we could spend more money if we don’t have the coverage we need to handle the costs of car accidents, health emergencies, or natural disasters that can destroy everything we own in a few minutes.

You never want to save money by dropping insurance coverage entirely, but you can make smart choices. Regardless of the type of coverage, find out how much you can save by choosing a higher-but-affordable deductible. Also look at the specific risks covered by a policy; do you still need maternity coverage at age 65? Granted, reading insurance policies is akin to reading a book written in a foreign language, but be sure to get answers for anything you don’t understand. You’ll end up with coverage that meets your specific needs.

Finally, file auto and property claims judiciously. A quick preliminary call to your insurance agent may stop you from submitting a $100 claim that will trigger a larger premium increase.

The Sayings About Money are Generally True

You’ve heard many times that you need to spend money to make money. Sometimes, you can save money simply by choosing not spend it. Other times, shelling out a little extra cash now results in bigger long-term savings. Open your eyes to all of your options. In the end, you’ll discover that life isn’t as expensive as it seems.

Don’t Miss Out On These St. Patrick’s Day Specials and Sales

March 13, 2019 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. In 2019, it falls on a Sunday, which may make it easier for people to celebrate the holiday. Restaurants and retailers are already planning their St. Patrick’s Day specials and sales, giving you an opportunity to figure out where you want to go and what you want to do in advance.

St. Patrick’s Day Specials and Sales

Various restaurants and retailers are planning to offer customers freebies and discounts to get them in the door this St. Patrick’s Day. Some even have special items that are only available this time of year. Here is a look at some of the most exciting options available in 2019.

Aldi

For a limited time, you can get two green cheeses – the English Sage Derby and the Pesto Gouda – at Aldi for just $3.99. They also have an Irish Cheese Truckle Assortment for $3.99, an Irish Cream Cheesecake for $8.99, and an Irish Soda bread for $3.99, all in celebration of the holiday.

Arby’s

Through March 24, you can buy a Mint Chocolate Shake at Arby’s.

Bar Louie

If you are looking for a green beer this St. Patrick’s Day, Bar Louie has you covered during the St. Patrick’s Daze celebration, which runs from March 15 through March 17.

Bennigan’s

A chain with Irish roots, Bennigan’s is offering the Lucky ’76 Meal Deal to celebrate the holiday. With the deal, you get an appetizer or dessert and two entrees for just $19.76. Some locations will also have other special menu items, like corned beef and cabbage or beer cheese soup, as well as other Irish-themed drink specials.

California Pizza Kitchen

On St. Patrick’s Day, the CPK Irish Mule is just $5.

Chili’s

Enjoy a Lucky Jameson – an Irish version of a margarita – for just $5 in March.

Claire’s

Claire’s is offering up to 50 percent off on St. Patrick’s Day items.

Dairy Queen

Through March 17, you can buy one Blizzard and get another for just 99 cents, including the Blizzard of the Month, the Mint Oreo.

Hobby Lobby

You can get up to 30 percent off of St. Patrick’s Day décor and craft items at Hobby Lobby.

Kohl’s

In Kohl’s stores, the St. Patrick’s Day collection is on sale. Along with discounts, you may find buy-one-get-one-free options on select green apparel.

McCormick & Schmick’s

All day on March 17, you can enjoy special food and drink options to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

McDonald’s

Through March 24, you can get your hands on a Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s at all participating locations.

Mrs. Fields

Shamrock-shaped cooks and a cookie cake with a St. Patrick’s Day theme are available at Mrs. Fields this month. Use the code MARCH to get an extra discount on qualifying orders.

Ninety Nine Restaurants

If you order from the special St. Patrick’s Day menu, available on March 16 and March 17, you can get items like corned beef and cabbage and green beer to help you celebrate the holiday.

Ruby’s Diner

Ruby’s Diner’s shake of the month is the Mint Chocolate Shake. It is in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Spencer’s

By using the code STPAT20 at Spencer’s online, you can get 20 percent off of a single item.

Target

St. Patrick’s Day shirts, novelty glasses, hats, and party supplies are available at Target, including some items that are on sale.

World Market

From March 15 to March 18, you can use a coupon code to get an extra discount on various Irish food items when you shop World Market online.

Local Bars

St. Patrick’s Day is a big holiday for bars and clubs. It isn’t uncommon for there to be a variety of drink specials, entertainers, and themed snacks to attract patrons.

Each bar or club usually sets their own St. Patrick’s Day specials. If you are considering heading out for a drink, contact your local options or check out their websites to see what they have planned.

A Note About St. Patrick’s Day Specials

It is important to understand that deals may or may not be available from any given restaurant or store location. In some cases, a retailer or dining establishment may run out of freebie offerings early, so customers who arrive later in the day will miss out.

Additionally, independent franchises may choose not to participate in a chain’s sale or daily specials. If you have your eye on a particular deal, it is wise to contact your nearest location directly to make sure they are taking part in the St. Patrick’s Day specials.

How are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? Share with us in the comments below.

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