Freebies sweeten tax pain
The good news is that Tax Day this year falls three days later than normal.
The bad news is that day is — shudder — today!
The better news is that, as with every year, there are some deals and freebies offered by businesses (call ahead to make sure your nearest location is participating). Please note our list is not all-inclusive. Some businesses didn’t make their discount announcements by press time. And some deals we couldn’t quite verify (for example, that printable coupon at passionforsavings.com for Firehouse Subs for the free medium sub with the purchase of another sub, chips and a drink that is good from today through Thursday looks real enough but we cannot guarantee it).
Here are some ways to help numb the pay-up pain.
Did someone say pain? This is the ninth year for Hydro-Massage (in partnership with Planet Fitness) to offer free massage sessions not just on Tax Day, but all through Tax Week. Visit hydromassage.com.
Even if Tax Day has left you in a crumb-y situation, Great American Cookies sweetens things with its annual tradition of giving out free cookies — Birthday Cake flavor, limit one per customer. After all, says the company’s president on the website: “There’s no reason why April 18th should be taxing on your happiness!” Visit greatamericancookies.com.
Patrons of Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar who enroll in a rewards program by today will get a free order of wings but not exactly for Tax Day. They are calling April 18 “National Wing Gilmorgan Day.” Apparently, the “Gilmorgan” is “the meaty backside of a wing.” We figured it was the name of some guy who owed a lot in back taxes. Visit bostons.com.
Here’s a way to shake the blues: Sonic’s shakes and ice cream slushes are half price after 8 p.m. this time of year, and their cheeseburgers are half price today. Visit sonicdrivein.com.
Schlotzsky’s is chipping in with savings again this year. “Here’s a return on your investment,” the sandwich shop posted on social media, offering this deal: Buy a bag of chips and a 32-ounce drink and they’ll serve you a free small Original Sandwich (“Lean smoked ham, Genoa and cotto salamis, and melted cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses layered with black olives, red onion,
lettuce, tomato, mustard and our signature dressing on our Fresh-from-Scratch toasted Sourdough bun”). Visit schlotzskys.com.
Taxes have you sweating? Cool off with an icy treat. On its website, Kona Ice says “Our motto is ‘No taxation without relaxation!’ It’s free shaved ice for all of working America on Tax Day. Come chill out with us!” Visit kona-ice.com.
Hard Rock Cafe brings back an encore of its “Sing For Your-Supper” promotion. Perform onstage and score a free Legendary Burger. Of course, without a location in Arkansas, taking advantage of this Hard Rock Cafe offer is … hard.
Penny for your thoughts, email: jchristman@arkansasonline.com
Spin Cycle is a weekly smirk at pop culture.You can hear Jennifer on Little Rock’s KURB-FM, B98.5 (B98.com), from 5:30-9 a.m. Monday through Friday.