Menards March 11% Credit Check Rebate Sale

March 9, 2025

Menards 11 percent rebate sale has returned! Are you familiar with this promotion? Menards will frequently offer an 11% Merchandise Credit Check against the entire cost of your purchase. It’s a mail-in rebate that gives you 11 percent back on merchandise purchased that day. Both regular-priced and sale items are eligible.

This is the fourth week of 11% savings for 2025!

In 2024, there were 40 weeks of 11% savings:

– February 22-March 2
– March 3-9, March 10-16, March 17-23, March 24-30, March 31-April 6
– April 7-13, April 14-20, April 21-27, April 28-May 4
– May 5-11, May 12-18, May 19-25, May 26-June 1
– June 2-8, June 9-15, June 16-22, June 23-29, June 30-July 6,
– July 7-13, July 14-20, July 21-27, July 28-August 3
– August 4-10, August 11-17, August 18-24, August 25-31
– September 1-7, September 8-14, September 15-21, September 22-28, September 29-October 5,
– October 6-12, October 13-19, October 20-26, October 27-November 2
– November 3-9, November 10-16, November 17-23, November 24-28

In 2023, there were also 40 weeks of 11% savings:

– February 19-25, February 26-March 4
– March 5-11, March 12-18, March 19-25, March 26-April 1
– April 2-8, April 9-15, April 16-22, April 23-29, April 30-May 6
– May 7-13, May 14-20, May 21-27, May 28-June 3
– June 4-10, June 11-17, June 18-24, June 25-July 1
– July 2-8, July 9-15, July 16-22, July 23-29, July 30-August 5
– August 6-12, August 13-19, August 20-26, August 27-September 2
– September 3-9, September 10-16, September 17-23, September 24-30
– October 1-7, October 8-14, October 15-21, October 22-28, October 29-November 4
– November 5-11, November 12-18, November 19-22

Menards 11% off Everything includes major appliances: refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, microwave hoods, cooktops, washers & dryers. Does not include freezers and range hoods. Save 11% just for mailing in some paperwork. Under Menards current promotional schedule, this event occurs several times per year. Pretty cool, huh?

Here’s the best news: Menards is holding their 11% rebate sale THIS WEEK! Dates are Sunday, March 9 through Sunday, March 16, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to save 11% on the things you buy every day. See store for complete details and restrictions on this special offer. Most Menards home improvement stores will be closed Easter Sunday, April 20.

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Price & Availability

March 8, 2025

As expected, McDonald’s has brought back their ever-popular Shamrock Shake for St. Patrick’s Day. For 2025, the Shamrock Shake celebrates it’s 55th Anniversary! This minty masterpiece returned to restaurants on Monday, February 10.

As in previous years, it comes in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. Unfortunately, inflation has hit the Shamrock Shake again this year: large shakes now go for around $5 in most markets. Price increases for 2025 are slightly more than last year. The cost of all sizes varies by market. At my local McDonald’s, pricing is as follows:

– Small Shamrock Shake $3.19 (was $2.89 in 2024, $2.59 in 2023)
– Medium Shamrock Shake $4.19 (was $3.99 in 2024, $3.89 in 2023)
– Large Shamrock Shake $4.99 (was $4.59 in 2024, $4.29 in 2023)

How long will McDonald’s Shamrock Shake be available? At least through St. Patrick’s Day and probably through the end of March. In past years, last call occurred around Easter Sunday. This is the same time the Filet-O-Fish Lent promotions end. If you really want to do it up right, get to McDonald’s for a Filet-O-Fish Friday, paired with a Shamrock Shake! Most McDonald’s restaurants will be open holiday hours on Easter Sunday, April 20.

Is The Mall of America Tax Free?

March 8, 2025

UPDATE: AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2023, SALES TAX RATE HAS INCREASED 1% AT MALL OF AMERICA. TOTAL COMBINED TAX RATE IS NOW 8.525%!

I get asked this question all the time. Many people believe the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota (suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul) offers tax-free shopping at stores and restaurants. The short answer is “no.”

Sales at the Mall of America are subject to a sales tax rate of 8.525%. This breaks down as follows: 6.875% Minnesota state sales tax, 1.00% metro transit sales tax (up from .25%), new .25% “affordable housing” tax, and .40% Hennepin County sales tax which funds the Minnesota Twins stadium and Target Field. In addition, alcoholic beverages are subject to an additional 5.5% tax: 2.5% additional Minnesota state sales tax on liquor, plus a 3% “drink tax” which is levied by the City of Bloomington.

The myth about the Mall of America being tax-free likely stems from the fact that sales of clothing and footwear are exempt from all state and local sales taxes. This is true everywhere in Minnesota, not just at MOA. There is no dollar limit on this exemption: a $2 pair of socks and a $1,000 custom tailored suit are both free of tax. Since all surrounding states and Canadian provinces tax both clothes and shoes, the Mall of America becomes an attractive regional shopping destination. This is especially true during July and August for back to school shopping, then again in November and December for Christmas and holiday shopping.

Groceries are also exempt from sales tax in Minnesota. This can get tricky, however. Candy and soda pop are taxed, as are all restaurant meals. Legally, the tax applies to “prepared” foods. So, if you buy a frozen burrito from a convenience store, it is not taxed. But if you heat it up in the microwave before leaving the store, it is then “prepared” and thus subject to sales tax. Candy is taxed while cookies are not. Here’s my favorite: if you buy vegetables in a grocery store, they are not taxed. But if you purchase those same vegetables from the store’s salad bar and use them to make yourself a salad, it is then considered “prepared food” and subject to sales tax. Confused? Me too!

Back to tax free shopping at the Mall of America: the general rule to remember is that clothes and shoes are not taxed. Everything else is. Have a great time and enjoy your Twin Cities shopping vacation!

Old Town Kissimmee Florida Saturday Night Cruise

March 8, 2025

I love Old Town!  I once worked there, back when they owned radio station WOTS.  The call letters stood for Wonderful Old Town Sound.  Your author hosted the 6-10PM show before a live audience consisting of people from all over the world. It was one of the best times I ever had working in radio!  After the station was sold and we all lost our jobs, I continued to visit on a regular basis.  The car cruises, rides, food, and fun brought me back again and again.  Best of all, both admission and parking are FREE.  Because of this, Old Town has earned the SSD seal of approval!

The Saturday Night Cruise is one of the largest weekly car cruises in the United States.  Operating since 1990, they average 300 cars per week, all classics from 1985 and before.  Cars start arriving at 1:00PM with the cruise beginning promptly at 8:30PM.  Live music on the Saloonatix stage starts at 7:00PM.

The Friday Night Cruise was added in 1998.  Today, it is known as the Friday Muscle Car Show & Cruise. This cruise consists of show-quality muscle and factory-performance cars from 1964 and newer, plus classics from 1985 and before. On Friday, the cars start arriving at 3:00PM with the cruise starting promptly at 8:30PM.

Don’t forget the Wednesday Night Themed Car Show, beginning at 5:00PM. This one features show-quality specific types, models or makes of cars and trucks which change every week. As long as you own that type of vehicle, you can be a part of the show. It’s free to participate or attend. Live music on the main stage starts at 6:00PM.

Several rides, restaurants, bars, and specialty shops round out the Old Town experience.  For complete information, check out their official website.

Here’s an audio clip of WOTS, recorded directly off the air in October, 1996.  I am the main DJ/announcer.  A couple of our in-house promotional commercials for Old Town are also included:

“AM-1220, live from the streets of Old Town!”

Whether you live in Central Florida or are vacationing in the Orlando area, be sure to check out Old Town.  The complex is located just a few miles east of Walt Disney World on U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee.  It’s a great experience for the entire family at a price everyone can afford!

Red Lobster $15 Fish & Chips Friday

March 7, 2025

INFLATION ALERT: The price of this Red Lobster Friday promotion has recently increased from $14.00 to $15.00 at most locations.

Friday is now Fish & Chips Friday at Red Lobster! Enjoy hand-battered, wild-caught cod served with tartar sauce, fries, and coleslaw every Friday for just $15.00. At this price, you can afford to bring the entire family or treat a group of close personal friends. Don’t miss Fish Fry Friday at Red Lobster!

$15 Fish Fry Friday is just one of Red Lobster’s Daily Deals. If you can’t make it on Friday, come when you can and enjoy another of their daily promotional offers:

– $25.00 Ultimate Endless Shrimp Monday
– $20.00 Crab Your Way Tuesday
– $25.00 Steak & Lobster Wednesday
– $20.00 Lobster & Shrimp Scampi Thursday

$15 Fish & Chips available for Dine-in or To Go every Friday for a limited time at participating locations. Not available in Guam, Canada, or during select holidays. Prices higher in California, Hawaii, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and in select locations in Arizona, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, and New York. Most Red Lobster restaurants will be open holiday hours on Easter Sunday, April 20.