The Cheapskate

Vote today and get free stuff

Mmmm...free donuts.

Not that most people need extra incentive to get out and vote today, but just in case: Krispy Kreme (store locator) is offering a free star-shaped donut (with patriotic sprinkles, no less) to anyone who shows up wearing an "I Voted" sticker.

Other freebies you can score using that all-powerful sticker:

A free tall coffee at Starbucks ( YouTube ad) A free ice cream at Ben & Jerry's from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Some Chick-Fil-A stores are reportedly offering a free chicken sandwich.

I know this has nothing to do with tech, … Read more

Get a Logitech Harmony 550 for $49.97 shipped

Tired of juggling remotes? Replace them all with the Logitech Harmony 550, which sold for $150 when it debuted a couple years ago, lists for $129.99 now, and is available from P.C. Richard & Son for just $49.97 shipped. No rebates, no refurbs: These are new units.

In case you're not familiar with them, the Harmony remotes are renowned for offering (relatively) easy programming via desktop software, which is available for both Windows and Mac systems. Just choose your home-theater hardware from an extensive (and frequently updated) database, then set up your desired activities ("Watch … Read more

Meet 'The Cheapskate' in person, in Michigan, on Monday

Hey, Michiganders! Want to talk tech? Maybe even win a prize? Then come to the Novi Public Library this Monday, November 3, 7 p.m., for some no-holds-barred geek talk.

The official topic of discussion: Tech Gadgets for the Holidays. I'll offer buying advice on everything from digital camcorders and MP3 players to netbooks and notebooks, and I'll have some cool products to demo. Of course, the discussion doesn't have to end there. We can talk freebie software, sweet Web services, the best places to get pizza (I'm liking Benito's these days)--whatever.

I'll … Read more

Download full seasons of popular TV shows for $5

In an effort to push its new-ish Video On Demand service, Amazon is offering cheap deals on full seasons of popular TV shows. For example, you can get the first three seasons of Battlestar Galactica for just 5 bucks each. Also in the bargain bin: House (four seasons' worth), Heroes (seasons 1 and 2), The Office, and, if you're really hard up for entertainment, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Saved By the Bell.

In case you're not familiar with it, Amazon Video on Demand lets you stream shows and movies right in your browser (Mac or PC), no … Read more

Get a Samsung Blu-ray player and four Blu-ray movies for $177.78 shipped

Remember the $195 Sony Blu-ray player from last week? Feh. Amazon has a promotion going that blows it out of the water. In a nutshell, you can save $100 instantly when you buy a Blu-ray player and four Warner Home Video movies. Choose carefully and you can get out the door with all that loot for just $177.78 shipped. Possibly even less.

Start with the player: You can choose the $199.98 Sylvania NB500SL9 (never heard of it, but it comes with an HDMI cable), or the better-known Samsung BD-P1500 for $207.98. I started with the latter, then … Read more

Pick up a PlayStation 3 for $339.99 shipped

This one's for you, MakaiOokami: Sony PlayStation 3 deals are few and far between, but Dell is currently selling PS3s for $339.99 shipped (with coupon code PWXNZVNDRWWX1P, which expires October 29 or after 3,000 uses). This isn't some old refurb, either: It's a new PS3 with an 80GB hard drive.

Needless to say, the PS3 is a killer gaming console, notable not just for state-of-the-art graphics and gaming but also for doubling as a Blu-ray player. I'll cop to being an Xbox 360 and Wii guy myself, but some of the stuff I've … Read more

Get a Linux-powered HP Netbook for $299 shipped

In the market for a Netbook? Amazon has the baseline HP 2133 on sale for $299, down from $499. Right away that solves one of the HP's main problems: its high price. Best of all, this is a new unit--not a refurb--and you don't have to deal with any rebates.

The HP 2133 is the one Netbook I've actually reviewed, and I liked it well enough, except for two issues: price and performance. But my eval unit came with Windows Vista and a $799 price tag; the model Amazon is selling has SUSE Linux and costs $299. … Read more

Return of the $2 Restaurant.com deal

Remember the Restaurant.com deal from a couple weeks ago? Well, it's back! From now until Halloween (aka October 31), you can get a $25 gift certificate for a restaurant in your area for just $2. Just enter coupon code TREATS when you get to the shopping cart.

There are a few conditions, of course, usually in the form of a minimum food or drink purchase. However, it's not as if you have to order a case of wine or anything. And you can print the coupon right on your own printer: It's immediately ready for use. … Read more

Get a Logitech Harmony 880 remote for $69.99 shipped

Among home-theater enthusiasts, Logitech Harmony remotes have always rated fairly high. They're easier to program than most (thanks to browser-based software), they're packed with features (most notably built-in help), and they're quite comfortable to use. However, the higher-end models tend to be pretty pricey: witness the Harmony 880, which originally sold for $249. If you don't mind a refurbished remote, you can pick up a Harmony 880 for just $69.99 shipped.

Although this model is a couple years old, it's still one of the top options in the Harmony line. It features a color … Read more