MoneySmart

The wind is whistling, the temperature has dropped and we're all looking forward to our favorite fall comfort foods. Wegmans kept that in mind with its Come Home to Dinner Fall Meal Ideas, picking a perfect focus for the season--the slow cooker.

Its always helpful Web site offers all kinds of great tips on how to make inexpensive, delicious meals in the energy-sipping, lifesaving, cheapskate's-best-friend appliance, which take just a little bit of prep time and cook beautifully while you're at work.

Each menu selection (which includes such greats as Slow-Cooked Italian Sausage Agrodolce for under $2 per serving) even comes with a wine pairing!

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Got a hungry, new puppy at home? Eukanuba is hoping to make your little furball a customer for life.

Just click here, put in your contact information and Eukanuba will mail you a voucher for a free bag of its puppy food. Bon appetit, Spot!

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Who says nice guys finish last?

The Cheesecake Factory is giving free slices of its new Stefanie's Red Velvet Cheesecake to the first 500 good Samaritans who bring two cans of soup to its Walden Galleria location.

The giveaway is part of the chain's Drive Out Hunger campaign, which is visiting 30 cities in 30 days during September--Hunger Action Month. The tour will make its Cheektowaga pit stop from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, September 24 on its quest to collect 100,000 cans of soup for hunger-relief charity Feeding America.

On September 30, as the tour comes to a close, the Cheesecake Factory will hold a national "You Dine, We Donate," event. Guests who bring two cans of soup will have 10 percent of their check donated to their local food bank.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

As "kids eat free" deals go, Boston Market's latest is pretty darn awesome.

From now until October 31, all day long and every day of the week, two of your kids will receive a free meal for every adult meal purchase of $6 or more. If you buy a family meal, you can get four free kids' meals! But wait, it gets even better: they define "kid" as anyone 14 years old or younger!

Kids meals generally cost around four bucks and include an entree, small side, cornbread and a drink. Find your closest Boston Market here.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Got a hungry kid?  

IHOP recently announced a "Kids Eat Free" dinner promotion, which will run until September 13.

Each night between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., IHOP will give one free Kid's Meal per every adult entree that is purchased. Kids 12 and under can partake. Drinks aren't included unless specified. Not valid with other offers or coupons.

Find your nearest IHOP here.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Revolution Foods, makers of organic lunchbox snacks, will be handing out free samples and coupons via its Lunchbox Express Lunch Bus.

The bus will be rolling through local communities August 7 through 9 and has scheduled pit stops at local Wegmans parking lots.

The bus will set up shop at the following Wegmans locations:

1577 Military Road in Niagara Falls, Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5275 Sheridan Drive in Williamsville, Aug. 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

3740 McKinley Parkway in Buffalo, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

651 Dick Road in Depew, Aug. 8 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

8270 Transit Road in Williamsville, Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3135 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst, Aug. 9 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Got a case of the Mondays? Maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Starting today, Ben & Jerry's is offering buy one, get one free ice cream sundaes at its Scoop Shops every Monday until August 31. Just print the coupon.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Who doesn't love free Beefaroni?

Click here to print a coupon for $1 off one can of Chef Boyardee. Since the little cans of heaven are usually priced at just $1 or thereabouts, you'll be getting a can for free.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann 

Need more flair? T.G.I. Friday's has a couple of great specials out now. The chain restaurant's Bring Your Own Buddies summer promotion is offering $5 off per entree for every buddy you bring to dine with you. Either text BYOB13 (296213) to MYTGIF (698443) or click here to print a coupon.

Since entree prices start at just $6.99, there is a potential for some serious savings. Click here to find your closest location. The offer expires August 31.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Starbucks is giving away a free pastry with the purchase of any handcrafted, iced or brewed beverage tomorrow, July 21. Click this link to print your coupon.  

The cheapest qualifying beverage is a tall drip coffee, which fetches $1.79.

The offer is good until 10:30 a.m. or until supplies last. It's not available at Barnes & Noble cafes. Click here to find your nearest store.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann