The money-saving blog More With Less Today has compiled a list of 11 tax-day freebies to help soften the blow of your annual tax bill. Turns out, some national businesses with locations in Toms River are a part of the tax relief. So what can you get? How about: Free popcorn at AMC Theaters today through Sunday. Just visit the AMC Theater Facebook page for a coupon. AMC has a location in the Seacourt Pavilion on Bay and Hooper Avenues. Free curly fries at Arby's on Tuesday, April 17. Get your coupon on Arby's Facebook page and head over to their Toms River location on Route 9 and 70. A free …

Wishing it was July, and you were splashing in the waves of Island Beach State Park? Yeah, me too. You can help build the anticipation further. There’s special deals going on now for some summertime fun. Beach passes, amusement tickets and more are on sale. It’s a good time to secure a discount but also to give these items as gifts. (After you’ve bought your own beach badge, of course.) We may be wrapped up in winter but your gifts can be festooned akin to a summer's day. Here are some of the deals: • In Seaside Heights, Casino Pier is offering their popular Holiday Coupon Books. It is a more…

One of the larger family meals is Easter's and Passover's, which is right up there with Thanksgiving as far as feasts are concerned. You can shell out a lot of money for the fish, ham or lamb that is part of your traditional spring holiday meal. Passover is April 19 and Easter Sunday is April 24, about a month away in each case. Here in our Frugal Family column, we suggest that now is the time to start planning the big meal, in order to reap big savings. In many cases, you can save big by using a supermarket's value card or coupon card. Every time you make a purchase, the dollars spent are …

A night out at the movies can easily climb upward of $8 for a ticket alone. But we found some places where the tickets are free and the movies are high quality. Mostly that means a trip to the library, as branches throughout the area dip into their DVD collections for a recent release or seasonal choice. Check out our options to bring the kids or to enjoy an artsy flick. There's options galore and none cost more than a $1. Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch Dinner & A Movie Wednesday, Mar. 30, 6:30 p.m. It’s "Secretariat" for a Wednesday showing, where “You bring your dinner, we provide …

It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and it’s time to celebrate. As readers of our Frugal Family column, you are looking for a value, and that includes not getting ripped off by a scam. Here are some tips from local officials to protect yourself from falling victim to unscrupulous businesses that take your money and run. Because sometimes, when it sounds like a deal too good to be true, it is. Keeping your rights in mind is frugal, common sense. Cell Phones To get the best value and avoid being taken for a ride when purchasing cell phone service, make sure to inquire about “dead zones.” …

With spring only a few weeks away, most of us have a severe case of Spring Fever but don't want to break the bank trying to cure it. You need some inexpensive options to enjoy the spring you so desperately need after a winter like we've had. Here are some great outdoor activities to enjoy when the weather breaks, or even now. Lakewood Blue Claws – Lakewood What says spring more than the start of baseball season? There's plenty of deals for families at the Lakewood Blue Claws Stadium. Kids eat free Sundays and Mondays. All children, ages 12 and under, will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag …

For about a buck, you too can own a deck of cards. Hours of enjoyment lie there in. Especially if you have friends and family, dust off a deck of cards and try some poker, Go Fish!, gin rummy…Well, unless everyone in your family is an ultra-competitive jerk, you are bound to have some frugal, family fun. But if you are paralyzed with fear at the thought of you and your small children expertly shuffling 52 cards, fret not. Many libraries, coffee houses and other locales are arranging Game Nights to get you and your family out having some fun. Check out these options, for some steals and deals …