What I’ve Been Up To

Frugal Friday: Dining Al Fresco

The weather is warming up in most parts of the country, and that likely has you thinking about the great outdoors — or at least your great backyard. So this week’s Frugal Friday brings you great deals on outdoor furniture — everything from dining tables to outdoor loveseats, occasional chairs, pillows and rugs. We’ll follow that up with some restaurant deals — and free yogurt.

West Elm. Up to 20% off outdoor items like dining tables, chairs, umbrellas and cushions. An example: West Elm’s Bend Bistro Table ($254, marked down from $299) and chairs ($211 each, marked down from $249).

Target. Target’s promotion offers 5 to 20% off select patio furniture and lawn and garden items, like this table with ottomans, which we thought was inventive for a small space. The set is priced at $239 (regularly $299). Sale ends 4/20.

World Market. This sale, 15% off all outdoor furniture, umbrellas, rugs, pillows and cushions, has a bit of fine print: If you want to order online, you can simply enter the code OUTDOOR. In stores, you’ll have to first sign up for their World Market Explorer Program, which is free to join online. Then you can print out a coupon and bring it to the store to snag your savings. The sale ends 4/21. We liked this occasional chair ($212.49, discounted from $249.99), loveseat ($254.99, discounted from $299.99) and coffee table ($101.99, discounted from $119.99).

Pinkberry. The yogurt chain has over 150 stores, and if you walk into one on Wednesday, April 24, between 11am and 2pm, you’ll get a free five ounce Pinkberrygreek, their new offering. This isn’t frozen yogurt — it’s Greek yogurt, topped with one of five recipes: Chocolate Berry, Strawberry Mango, Kiwi Strawberry, Tomato Basil or Sunflower Cucumber. Note that this promotion was going on all month, but April 24 is the last Wednesday of the month, so grab it while you can.

Subway. The sandwich chain is running a buy one, get one free deal on all six inch subs this month before 9am. So you can purchase a breakfast sandwich, and get your lunch sandwich for free. The promotion will run through April, and is available daily.

Red Lobster. For $25, you can get a seafood dinner for two.The deal includes a smaller menu, but new items like their Honey-Garlic Crispy Shrimp and Seafood Lover’s Linguini are included. You’ll select one appetizer, two entrees, and one dessert, and the meal comes with their signature biscuits and salad. This promotion will run through May 26.