Here you will find all the best coupon advice, tips and how to make the most of all your coupons!
Are you looking for ways to stretch your dollar? 
Many companies are reaching out to help Furloughed federal government employees.
First, cell phone service. Most of the major wireless providers, including Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T, are working with government employees offering short term assistance or flexible payments.
Banks, credit card companies, lenders and loan servicers also have assistance options available. Experts say it's best to take advantage of this help before missing payments. Included in the list: Bank of America, Chase, Discover, Wells Fargo and more.
Huntington Bank will automatically waive all overdraft-related fees on existing Huntington checking accounts of customers identified as current government employees affected by the shutdown. Refunds on overdraft fees will be backdated to December 23 and will last until the government shutdown ends. In addition, Huntington is offering a low-rate, quick loan program for qualified Huntington customers who are federal employees needing special assistance during the shutdown. The program will be available for 30 days or until the shutdown ends, whichever is sooner.
Ally Financial is expanding its assistance program to provide aid and resources for customers affected by the partial U.S. government shutdown. Ally’s assistance program had previously included transaction refunds, waivers, payment deferrals and more during critical times, such as natural disasters and economic crises. Based on individual needs, expanded benefits may include:
- Refunds of transaction fees
- Refunds of non-sufficient funds fees
- CD early withdrawal penalty waivers
- Expedited check fee waivers
- Wire fee waivers
- Late charge waivers
- Payment extensions
There is a contact us link at the top of the Ally Financial website that shouts out federal workers.
At the Red Owl Tavern on Chestnut Street in Center City in Philidelphia, show your government ID and an email offer to your server to receive a complimentary meal for kids under 12 years old.
The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is deferring membership fees for furloughed employees and their families during the shutdown. Any fees for the month of February will be deferred at all 17 locations.
They are also inviting non-member government employees and their families affected by the shutdown to come to the Y for the month of February free of charge.
If the shutdown ends within the next month, the offer stands until the end of February.
To qualify for this program, federal employees need only present a federal employee ID. For more information, CLICK HERE.
The Hotel Association of New York City announced it would provide free hotel rooms to furloughed federal workers who need to travel to New York City for personal emergencies during the shutdown. Affected federal workers in personal emergency situations interested in applying for a free hotel stay should send an email explaining their circumstances with the subject “GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ROOM APPLICATION” to sandy@hanyc.org.
The Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association, which includes Beyer Auto, Fitzgerald Auto Mall, Alexandria Hyundai, and Brown’s Car Stores, are offering a Shutdown Assistance Program For Vehicle Owners. That is, federal employees who are currently furloughed because of the shutdown would be able to get their cars serviced and repaired at participating dealers but have payment for the work deferred until after the government fully reopens. Customers are encouraged to speak to the individual dealership chains to work out a payment agreement that works for them.
I know these offers can’t bring your paycheck back faster, but hopefully, they can help make this shutdown hurt a little less until it’s over.
Unfortunately, I don’t have solutions for helping people to pay the rent or their mortgage. However, I have been able to find companies and brands that are offering freebies or assistance offers to help out, just a little bit. Some of this help is in the form of a free meal or free entertainment. Visit the list below to see what freebies and deals are available. We'll be adding more offers to the list as we come across them, so be sure to check back.
FREEBIES:
- 2 Free Tickets to Harlem Globetrotters Game
- Free Great Harvest Bread Co
- Free Museum admission at Select Museums
- Free Notarizations
- Free 3-month Rosetta Stone Subscription
- Free Meal & Drink at Ruby Slipper Cafe
- 60 minutes of Free play Tuesday & Thursday at Sky Zone this month
- Free $20 Gift Card at Tanger Outlets
- Free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti from 11 am to 4 pm at Romano’s Macaroni Grill
- Free Beer at select Bars & Restaurants around DC
- Free food from World Central Kitchen
- Free Admission into Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Franklin Institute to the Museum of the American Revolution
- Free fried chicken from The Pineville Tavern in Bucks County and Pineville Fishtown
- Free donut and cup of coffee at Federal Donuts
- Free 2 Cool Traffic School - This is an online traffic school serving Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Its various courses are being offered for free during the shutdown.
- Free Pizza Baked Spaghetti with the purchase of regular-size or larger drink at Fazoli's
- Free Race at RPM Raceway - is an all-electric indoor karting and entertainment destination. Its locations in Jersey City, New Jersey; Stamford, Connecticut; Farmingdale, New York; Buffalo, New York; Rochester, New York; and Syracuse, New York, are giving federal employees a free race until the government reopens. Specifically, each federal employee will have the opportunity to hit the track and race like a pro for free.
- Free Classes at Both the Second City Chicago and Second City Hollywood locations - are offering government employees free classes on January 23 and free tickets to select performances with valid government ID. Here are links for more information about the offers at Second City Hollywood and Second City Chicago.
DEALS:
- Free Pizza Baked Spaghetti with the purchase of regular-size or larger drink at Fazoli's
- Flexible payment options with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint
- 20% off at Taco Cabana
- 25% off at Punch Bowl Social - FOLLOW CLOSET OF FREE SAMPLES ON INSTAGRAM WHILE YOU'RE THERE!
- BOGO Free Sandwich at Potbelly Sandwich Shop
