Java addicts can rejoice; today is National Coffee Day! Here are some places you can get a free drink on September 29, 2015.

Cumberland Farms: Text FREECOFFEE to 33733 for a mobile coupon.

McDonald’s:  Participating regional locations are offering free small coffee.

Dunkin Donuts: Free hot or iced coffee. Must be redeemed through the Dunkin’ app.

Peet’s:  Free small cup of coffee with a food purchase.

Pilot Flying J: Free 16-ounce coffee.

Sheetz: Free cup of coffee.

Wawa: Free coffee, any size.

Krispy Kreme: Free small coffee and glazed donut.

LaMar’s Donuts: Free 12-ounce cup of coffee

I have been so lucky all month getting free coffee at Panera, but I’m still going to stop by Dunkin and Cumberland Farm today anyway.

Tea lovers, rejoice! ALOHA is launching a free trial kit of their tasty teas. This Ultimate Tea Kit will contain one bag of each of their flavors (Lovers, Protect, Clean, and Beauty) plus their coconut sweetener—all for FREE!

I have been a daily tea drinker since I was in my teens and I love Aloha products. Their herbal teas help to balance and purify, plus their coconut water powder (ALOHA Coconut) adds a dash of hydration and refreshing tropical taste to any beverage. Both are made entirely free of chemicals, “natural” flavors, or artificial ingredients.

Tea is incredibly good for your health and definitely deserves a place in your diet. Here are 5 tips for how to incorporate more tea into your life:

Cook with tea: Replace the water in any of your favorite recipes with tea for a delicious, all-natural flavor boost. Try black tea in your morning oatmeal. Robust black tea-infused oatmeal with maple syrup and slivered almonds is always a stunningly easy-to-make gourmet breakfast.

Add tea to your workout regimen: Studies have shown that drinking green tea daily can help shrink fat cells and make muscle cells more active, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, due to the EGCG and caffeine in green tea. So drink up in order to move more quickly into that lean, toned body!

Make tea your afternoon pick-me-up: It’s 3:00 pm and you’re dragging. Try a refreshing tea instead of chemical-laden sodas, sugar-filled juices or heavily caffeinated coffees. Tea will give you a gentle energy uptick without the jitters or subsequent energy crash. 

Pair tea with your meals: Channel your inner sommelier and pair each course of your meal with a different type of tea. Try green tea with your appetizer, black tea with your main entrée, and white tea with your dessert. Tea can balance the flavors in the food and aid digestion.

Get your free sample of ALOHA’s  Ultimate Tea Kit and start sipping.

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing with you why you’d be wise to trade-in your old smartphone to Gazelle. It’s not only super simple, you’ll also earn cash in the process. But once you’ve traded-in your old devices, you’ll likely be in the market for a replacement. And once again, Gazelle is the place to turn to. They have an incredible selection of devices that have been gently used, but are in like-new condition because they’ve all gone through Gazelle’s 30+-point inspection process. Here are a few other reasons why Gazelle is the smart place to shop for your next device:

• Price and Affordability – Pre-owned devices typically cost less than their brand new counterparts of the same make and model. At a time when brand new smartphones often cost more than $500 or even close to $1,000, a gently-used smartphone can save you up to 50 percent or more off original pricing.
• Test-Drive Advantage – Instead of buying an expensive, brand-new smartphone that you might end up disliking soon afterward, you could purchase a used or refurbished device with a similar brand or operating system to the new phone that interests you. This way, you’ll get to test-drive that type of phone before making a significant investment in the new device of your choice.
• Better for the Environment – When you buy a gently-used device, you’re engaging in a form of recycling. Old gadgets and devices are otherwise disposed of, contributing to pollution. New phones require manufacturers to deplete more of the earth’s raw materials. By buying a pre-owned device, you’re investing in sustainability and a cleaner environment.
• Low Risk, High Reward – Many people want a practical phone that they don’t have to worry about how to use or what the consequences will be if it gets exposed to wear and tear. Unfortunately, most carriers don’t offer the type of entry-level smartphones that appeal to cost-conscious consumers. The solution is to purchase a certified pre-owned device that will be serviceable and functional without the cost and risk.
• Great for Labor-Intensive Jobs – For most people in labor-intensive fields, getting a gently-used smartphone is a no-brainer. Professionals who regularly perform factory work or operate heavy machinery don’t typically want to sink a lot of money into a fancy, expensive new phone that will be at risk on the jobsite. But even workers who hold office jobs may not want a top-dollar phone model in their pocket or purse all day.
• Less Worry if Lost, Stolen, or Broken – Twenty-five percent of Gazelle’s customers cite a lost, stolen or broken device as the main reason for replacing their phone, making buying a certified pre-owned model not only a practical solution, but also a cost-efficient one.
• Smart Choice for Kids – Today, most kids — even those in elementary school — have some kind of smart device, whether it’s an iPad, a smartphone, etc. In fact, a National Consumers League study found that 60% of parents offered their children cell phones at ages 10 or 11, a number that continues to skew younger. However, at six, seven and eight years old, most children do not understand the responsibility of owning a new iPad or smartphone, let alone comprehend the cost of replacing it when it breaks. For parents looking to fit their child with their first cell phone or tablet, a brand new, fragile device may not be the best choice – and for good reason. A gently-used device is a no harm, no foul approach to suiting children with their favorite shiny object.
• Can Get Around Contractual Obligations to Carriers – One of the biggest reasons that families buy a certified pre-owned phone is to get around contractual obligations to carriers. Americans keep their phones for an average of two years, but some manufacturers are pushing for more rapid device churn. What’s more is that many carriers have limited their smartphone offerings, only selling the newest models from particular manufacturers. So if someone’s phone is damaged before their free or discounted upgrade is available, they’re faced with buying a new phone from the carrier at high cost. By purchasing a certified pre-owned phone, consumers get a high-quality phone without having to deal with contracts or strings attached.
• Carefully Inspected for Quality – A certified pre-owned device is one that has been strictly inspected for any problems or issues that may have developed since the phone was originally shipped from the factory. Highly-trained inspectors look for all sorts of hardware and software issues, aiming to ensure the phone is as functional as when it was originally sold by the manufacturer.

Guess who finally found the $5.00 Panera reward in her dashboard? Yes, yours truly. I’ve been enjoying a ton of free coffee this month and today, I was able to also pick up lunch for less than a dollar!

The reward is good for anything at Panera and the only requirement is that you must place a rapid pick-up order. Because I love their soup, I got Cheddar Broccoli in a bread bowl. Regular price $5.29, plus $0.48 tax. After the reward was deducted, my final total was only $0.77!

I had never placed an online order at Panera before, but it was very easy and I loved not having to wait in line.