Hop to it: A roundup of Leap Year sales

Valentine's day and President's day sales are long gone, and usually, shoppers must wait until St. Patty's day or beyond for big bargains. Not so this year because this Friday is February 29, making 2008 a leap year. Not surprisingly, some retailers, restaurants and savvy marketing types are taking advantage of the quirk in the calendar.

An article in the New York Times, "Leap Year Day is Special and Marketers Know It," mentions a few of the most tempting promotions. For example, if you are one of the estimated 200,000 Americans whose birthday falls on February 29th, you can get a free lunch at Boston Market on Friday. And Papa John's is introducing its new perfect pan pizza with the slogan, "One Giant Leap for Pankind." The pizza chain is offering three pan pizzas for $29.29 all week. Leap year babies get to try out the new pie for free on the 29th.

Other sales available online: Circuit City is offering customers 29% off certain items.