Thrifty and Thriving

Check out this site for a variety of pet stuff coupons. They do ask for your information (I gave them my junk email, and an Albany zip code); but it’s a one-time thing – you get access to all coupons after that. Be careful though – I found at least one that’s expired.

Bon-Ton is advertising online and in-store promotions this weekend. Use coupon code FRI&FAMSM09 online to receive 25% off apparel, 20% off accessories, shoes and men’s clothing, 15% of home and luggage items, and 10% off electronics. Click here for more details. You can also print this coupon to save at the store. Sale runs from June 12 – June 16.

Regal Entertainment Group announced its annual Free Family Film Festival. According to their website,

Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theater capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.

Click here for full details. Click here for participating theaters.

According to smartmoney.com the following restaurants offer free kids meals (there are, of course, plenty of restrictions and not every restaurant is participating)

Applebee’s
Savings: About $5 for one kid’s menu meal, including one side dish.
On Monday nights, some Applebee’s locations offer a free meal for one child and $1 meals for any children beyond that.
Rules and restrictions: One child per paying adult. Additional kids’ meals cost $1. Not available everywhere.

IHOP
Savings: About $3-$5 for one kid’s entrée.
Some IHOP locations let kids eat free every day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Individual franchises set up their own promotions, so check with your local IHOP first.
Rules and restrictions: Kids must be 12 and under. Not available at all locations.

The D-Zone at Denny’s
Savings: About $3 (based on the price of an average kid’s meal).
Kids eat free on Tuesday nights at Denny’s from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. In some locations the deal is offered on Saturday nights as well.
Rules and regulations: Kids must be 10 and under. Two free kids’ meals for every paying adult. Not available at all locations.

Family Fun Night at Chick-fil-A
Value: About $3 (based on the price of one kid’s meal).
At some Chick-fil-A locations, kids can eat free on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Rules and restrictions: Free kid’s meal when an adult combo meal is purchased. Not available at all locations.

If you’re looking to take a family vacation, but need to watch your budget this year, there are a few weekends this summer that would be ideal for visiting a national park.  According to the Smart Spending blog on MSN money, admittance to national parks will be free on the following weekends:

• June 20-21 (Father’s Day weekend)
• July 18-19
• Aug. 15-16

When I think of a national park, I think of Yosemite, Yellowstone, etc. However, you don’t have to take a cross-country trip to take advantage of the free weekends. Here’s a list of national parks by state.

It did for at least one person. Read more from the Consumerist.

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