Frugal Family

Let’s face it – we all like to save money. The reality is that most of us are too busy with our daily lives to follow through on most of the tips we’ve heard about for ages such as clipping coupons and pouring through grocery ads to buy a few things at one store, and then a few more things at another.  Most of us are just happy to get to the grocery store sans kids, remember everything on the list in our heads (who has time to write it all down!) and successfully get everything home. This new column is intended to help busy families get those good deals without spending their limited time on saving just a few pennies.

Here are a few of my personal favorites for this week:

• Kids up to age ten haircuts - $1 per age of the child at Faye’s Shear Delight in downtown Edmonds. (Yes, that means $3 + tip for my three year olds hair cut!) Call ahead and make an appointment at Faye’s Shear Delight is at 330 Dayton St. Edmonds, WA. (425) 771-2140.
• Check out websites with coupon codes like http://www.retailmenot.com before you buy anything online. Go to the coupon site and type in the website you plan to buy from and you can find coupon codes up to 70% off. Copy the code and then paste it into the promo code box on the checkout page.  I regularly save about 30% off of most items I buy online this way and almost always get free shipping. Some of the best coupon codes I have found are for Kohl’s, Gymboree and Shutterfly. Some of these sites also have coupons you can print off for in store purchases.
• Traveling – Name your own price on http://www.priceline.com for all rental cars and hotels. I haven’t paid more than $100 a night for a quality three star hotel anywhere in the country for years with this feature.  You can designate the general area you want to stay for most major cities and get the room type you need (two double beds, etc.) when you arrive at the hotel. Same goes with rental cars – get 40-50% off of rental cars from major rental carriers. They allow you to designate the size of the car you need and you will drive off with a smile on your face when you realize that the guy in front of you in line just paid double for not planning ahead.
• Want to get your car serviced or need a last minute massage? While you might not want to take the time to time to read through every deal you receive by signing up with Groupon.com, you can go to their website and see what coupons they are offering right now. Check it out at http://www.groupon.com/now. Designate the city and you’ll instantly get choices from about seven different categories for local deals (eat something, get pampered, have fun, etc.) On the road and have an I-phone or Android? Don’t worry about rushing home to print out your coupon – just present it on your phone when you arrive.
• Get in shape and have fun with a 30 minute intense Cage Fitness workout at Lee’s Martial Arts in Shoreline. They are currently offering specials (I got a deal for $50 a month for signing up for unlimited classes for three months). They offer four different class times a week and it will get you in fighting shape quickly! I love this class because the instructor and staff are great and there are all different types of people in the class (all ages, gender, etc.). Go to their website at http://www.leesmartialartsinc.com or call 206-542-7778. They are located at 614 NW Richmond Beach Road. Shoreline, WA 98177.