What's in a Dame

Stores on Tax Day: 'Happy returns'

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette /CHRIS DEAN - 01/28/08 - Bonefish Grill in west Little Rock is one of the first local eateries to enact the policy of taking credit card fees from waiters tips.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette /CHRIS DEAN - 01/28/08 - Bonefish Grill in west Little Rock is one of the first local eateries to enact the policy of taking credit card fees from waiters tips.

You finally finished your taxes (Seriously? You haven't even started? They're due Wednesday!).

What do you want, a cookie?

Well, you can have one -- as well as other goodies from a variety of businesses -- tomorrow for free, as Tax Day has transitioned into Treat Day.

Great American Cookies recognizes its annual Tax Day tradition by offering a free regular cookie, this year a sugar cookie "topped with fun and celebratory colored sugar flakes," to customers at participating stores Wednesday, and, according to the offer, "No purchase or proof of completed taxes is necessary." But you really wanted a White Chunk Macadamia or a Double Doozie? Well, that's the way the free cookie crumbles.

Maybe save that for dessert for after your discounted dinner at Bonefish Grill, which has a tax-time deal good through Monday. Print the $10 coupon at bonefishgrill.com/specials/10-off-spring-gift and go fish.

"Here's a Tax Return you'll actually enjoy finishing," says Schlotzsky's about its Wednesday-only deal: Buy a 32-ounce fountain drink and get a free The Original small sandwich. Featuring lean smoked ham, Genoa and cotto salamis, and melted cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses layered with black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard and signature dressing, it's a sweet deal on sourdough.

On 4/15, $4.15 is all it costs for an up-to-16-ounce yogurt (your choice of some 16 flavors) with toppings at Orange Leaf locations by claiming an offer that will post today on facebook.com/orangeleafyogurt. This can be a real peachy -- or chocolatey or peanut-buttery -- deal considering how the price of toppings can add up to a mint.

HydroMassage can't offer tax relief, but can offer tension relief in the form of a free massage during its seventh annual free massage week, running through Friday at participating locations. Visit hydromassage.com for locations and call ahead to relieve your pressure with water pressure.

We all have a beef with paying taxes. But we can have another kind of beef on Tax Day: Sonic's cheeseburgers are half-price on Wednesday.

(But expect no fries with that. Arby's, which for several years served up free Curly Fries on April 15, appears to have dropped that like a hot potato, giving me this Facebook response when I inquired about a promotion this year: "Hi Jennifer, not this year.")

At Boston Market, Wednesday's Tax Day Special is: "Buy One Individual Meal and Get One Individual Meal FREE!" valid on any Individual Meal, Whole Sandwich, Whole Sandwich Combo, Salad Bowl or Market Bowl. Of course, it's only free if you actually have a Boston Market in your market (we don't, just their commercials) and don't have to spend gas money driving to Missouri or Texas to redeem it.

A shorter drive (Memphis) can result in a free Local Legendary Burger ("Prepared with local flavor and flair, our 'Local Legendary' is unique in each of our cafes!") at the Hard Rock Cafe during its Sing for Your Supper Promotion: "On Tax Day we're cutting taxpayers a break by asking them to lay down their wallet and pick up the mic!" Some theme-appropriate songs to sing on stage are The Beatles' "Taxman," ABBA's "Money, Money, Money," and Johnny Paycheck's "Me and the IRS." And anything by artists who have had tax problems: Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, etc.

From now through May 2, Staples will shred up to 5 pounds of paper for free (coupon at staples.com/coupons). But not those tax records! Keep them for at least three years in hopes you don't end up like Willie Nelson and company.

It's always free to email:

jchristman@arkansasonline.com

What's in a Dame is a weekly report from the woman 'hood.

Style on 04/14/2015

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