Archive for "Free Stuff"
Il Vicino X Fetch
Posted on February 12, 2026 by Ching under Coupons, Food and Drink, Free Stuff.
Brian and I had lunch at Il Vicino a couple of weeks ago to take advantage of the 60 points per $1 offer on Fetch but we really should have gone there again today because today it’s an even better deal – 90 points per $1. Il Vicino is hands-down my favorite way to earn Fetch points right now.
It doesn’t hurt that we love their pizza and sandwiches either. We are getting to eat what we want AND earn bonus points.
Here are some of the reasons that I use Fetch:
- Earn Rewards From Any Receipt — No Store Restrictions – Fetch accepts receipts from any retailer, including grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, clothing stores, and more. You don’t need to activate offers beforehand. This makes it far simpler than many other cashback apps that limit where you can shop.
- It’s Extremely Easy and Fast to Use – Uploading a receipt takes about 10 seconds, making earning points almost effortless. Fetch also gives at least 25 points for any receipt, even if it contains no special-offer items.
- Supports Both Paper and Electronic Receipts – Fetch automatically scans online orders by linking accounts like Amazon and Walmart, giving you “set it and forget it” passive earnings. You can also upload physical receipts from any purchase.
- Redeem Points for a Huge Selection of Gift Cards – This benefit doesn’t matter as much to me because I really only convert my points to Amazon gift cards but Fetch lets you cash out rewards for hundreds of gift card options, including Amazon, Target, Visa cards, and more. So if you’re not an avid Amazon customer like I am, you could find another company to get gift cards from. There’s something for everyone. And redemptions are quick and easy, typically within 24–72 hours.
- Multiple Ways to Earn Bonus Points – Bonus offers help boost point accumulation significantly. Beyond basic receipt scanning, you can earn more by:
- Buying featured brands
- Taking advantage of multiplier or promotional offers
- Participating in in-app games (optional)
- Using referral codes to invite friends
Right now you can earn 2,000 bonus points when you sign up using my referral code – CHING1030. Let me know if you join and also when you earn your first reward. Let’s celebrate!
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Trading Points for Gift Cards
Posted on May 12, 2025 by Ching under Food and Drink, Free Stuff.
Those who know me are fully aware that I am neurotic about rewards points. Lately I have been so obsessed with Fetch that I’m actually letting it dictate where I eat lunch. It also helps that I’ve had some pretty good restaurant offers recently.
I had this offer from McAlister’s Deli which led Brian and I to try all the McAlister’s locations in the Wichita area. We even went to the one in Derby, which was our least favorite. Not only was it the smallest location but the service was horrendous. But either way, we got what I came for, which was Fetch points.
The one positive thing that came out of the adventure was that it allowed Brian to rediscover that he actually really likes the ham and cheese sandwich at McAlister’s. He had written McAlister’s off due to his own set of bad experiences but now we’re actually open to eating there again. We’re just not going to go to the Derby location.
Amazingly, out of the three locations we visited — Maple and Ridge (West Wichita), Greenwich (East Wichita), and Derbt (South of Wichita) — the location that impressed me the most with their efficiency and attentive service was the West location which is the location that was responsible for making Brian hate McAlister’s to begin with; however, that was back when he worked for Edward Jones so it had been a few years. Maybe they have new managers and new employees there and that has made all the difference. They were the best out of the three locations. The only thing I don’t like about the West location is that parking in that strip mall is a complete mess. Brian said he used to watch cars crash into one another all the time in that parking lot when he worked for EJ and they had their office in that same strip mall. So I guess that part hasn’t changed. LOL.
The latest Fetch promotion I’m chasing is the Il Vicino 30 points per $1 spent offer. It didn’t take much to convince us to go though because we really like Il Vicino and we would eat there anyway. With or without getting bribed with Fetch points.
It was beautiful yesterday so we ate outside on their patio. This was at the Bradley Fair location. Brian and I split a caesar salad and a pizza this time instead of our usual vespa (our most favorite thing to get there).
I like it when we can agree on food to split because, not only does it save us money, but it also saves us from having to take home a bunch of leftovers.
Here’s what the vespa looks like. We had gotten it just a few days prior when we had lunch with our friend (my coworker and coffee/lunch buddy) Chris Townley at the College Hill location.
This is half because we always split the vespa when we order it.
As per usual, we also split a caesar salad on that visit. If I were there by myself and couldn’t split with anyone, I would have gotten the lunch special which gets you a small salad of your choice (probably caesar for me), small pizza, and drink for about $16. It’s an excellent deal. You can’t beat it.
However, the best deal is that all of these points I’m earning from my Fetch receipts get turned into Amazon gift cards once I have enough of them. You can choose gift cards from a variety of stores or restaurants but I always just get Amazon because Brian and I order almost everything from there. If you’re not already a Fetch user, I highly recommend it. You can turn basically anything you do into gift cards with Fetch. Download Fetch with this link or use code BKNPBF to get a bonus when you submit your first receipt. Happy Fetching!
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Electric Scooters are Here
Posted on July 27, 2019 by Ching under Free Stuff, Things to Do.
Remember when Brian and I rode the heck out of the electric scooters in Austin back in April? Well, they’ve finally arrived in Wichita!
I saw them on my way in to work a couple of weeks ago and then Chris and I checked them out when we went for a walk later that day.
Brian and I loved using the scooters when we were in Austin so we are happy they are now available in Wichita. As with anything though, people need to understand the rules and obey them so we don’t have the same problems they’ve had in the cities that have implemented these.
You can learn more about the rules here.
The electric scooters seem a bit intimidating at first but once you’ve tried them you’ll never go back. Seriously. I would much prefer to walk or take a scooter to go somewhere than have to get in my car.
If you’re ready to give them a try, I have some promo codes you can use so you can get $10 FREE to spend on SPIN rides:
- CHINGBRUBAKER
- FREEFIVE
These codes are each good for $5 in free ride credits and can be stacked so, if you use both of them, then you’ll have $10 to spend on rides before you have to start paying with your own money. Enjoy!
PRO TIP: Download the app now so you don’t have to spend a few minutes setting everything up on your first ride. If you’ve already got the app installed on your phone, you can just scan and go.
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Carlos O’Kelly’s Summer Drink Tour 2018
Posted on July 23, 2018 by Ching under Food and Drink, Free Stuff, Things to Do.
I did the Carlos O’Kelly’s summer drink tour for the first time ever last year. This year I couldn’t wait for it to begin! I kept asking my friend Missy who does it every year, “Has it started yet? Has it started yet?” like an annoying child in the backseat of a long road trip.
Guess what. It’s started and, even though they give you until Labor Day to complete your drink tour, I’ve completed it already — twice.
It helped that you only had to drink five drinks this year. Last year you had to drink twelve different drinks to complete the entire tour. You got three hand-blown glasses after the first six drinks and then a matching glass bottle after completing the entire tour. Naturally, I completed the tour twice because it’s just weird to have a set of three glasses. It made more sense to me to have six.
I know it’s supposed to be FREE but this is probably the most expensive glassware I will ever own.
This year you got two hand-blown margarita glasses and Carlos O’Kelly’s “legendary” margarita mix for completing the tour.
I planned to complete the tour twice to get four margarita glasses so I started two punch cards right off the bat. And, before you freak out, no — I did not drink all of those drinks in one visit.
I’m kind of a lightweight and can only handle one drink each time. I know some people who could easily complete this tour in one visit. Unfortunately for me, it took several. I did manage to complete both tours, though, and well before Labor Day to boot! I know this probably isn’t an achievement worth bragging about but you gotta celebrate the small victories. Otherwise, what else is there to live for?
Here’s what the bottle of Carlos O’Kelly’s “legendary” margarita mix looks like. It’s a decent size bottle.
Here’s what the fancy margarita glass looks like. It’s got a nice weight to it. It’s the same ones that they serve margaritas in at the restaurant.
Brian and I decided to skip pickleball yesterday because he needed some new sneakers for ZINCON. He mostly just goes to hang out but that doesn’t mean he can’t hang out in style. Anyway, since we were already out and about, we decided to hit Carlos O’Kelly’s to complete my second drink tour because I only needed one more punch on the second card.
Here’s my set of our margarita glasses that I worked very hard to earn this summer. LOL. It would be nice to have six and I have plenty of time to complete another tour before Labor Day but I’m not quite sure yet if I will go for round three.
Anyway, for those of you who are yet to start your tour, here’s the daily drink specials so you know the best days of the week to go.
Have fun on your journey and always remember to drink responsibly. GNG.
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Carlos O’Kelly’s Summer Drink Tour
Posted on August 5, 2017 by Ching under Free Stuff, Things to Do.
Speaking of drink tours, Brian and I are scrambling to finish my Carlos O’Kelly’s summer drink tour. This is a “ladies only” offer so all of the drinks are pretty frou frou. Brian is more of a beer drinker so he hasn’t been much help. I suppose he could drink the Cuba Libre.
I’m a light-weight and can usually only drink one drink each time so this drink tour is taking FOREVER to complete. Although, since we’re down to the wire, I made an exception last night and drank two. The promotion ends on Labor Day.
These are all of the drinks you have to drink in order to complete the tour and earn your reward:
- Patrón Top Shelf Margarita
- White Peach Sangria
- Blackberry Long Island Tea
- Raspberry Gin Slushy
- Horchata Rum Shake
- Corazón CocoLoco
- Pink Paloma
- Blue Lagoon
- Jumbo Margarita
- Cuba Libre
- Blueberry Ginger Mojito
- Blackberry Mint Julep Margarita
The ones in bold are my favorites with the Horchata Rum Shake being my favorite of the favorites. It tastes like a milkshake. You can’t taste the liquor at all! It would be awesome if I could just drink 12 of those. That wouldn’t complete the drink tour, though.
I bet you’re wondering what’s the point. Your reward is an amazing set of handblown Mexican glassware. You get the glasses after you complete six drinks and then you get the bottle once you complete all 12 on the list.
Honestly, I’m not as concerned about getting the bottle but I do want two sets of the glasses because three glasses is just an awkward number to have. I want a pair of each. I got my first set of glasses a few weeks ago but then we left for #ZINCON and so now I’m trying to pick the tour back up.
I only need a couple more drinks on my new punchcard so I’m hoping to get my second set of glasses this weekend. Hurrah!
P.S. It’s not too late to start your tour. Wendy started hers last night. I gave her one of my punchcards that already had one punch on it. After her two drinks last night, she only needs three more to get her glasses. Come join us!
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