Looking back at my posts from this summer I can’t believe I didn’t tell you about Kids Bowl Free. We’ve been taking advantage of this ALL summer long. This program is good through the end of August, so there’s still time to sign up and enjoy some free bowling before the kids head back to school.
Here’s how it works:
- Find a participating bowling alley near you
- Sign up your kids (up to 6 per e-mail address)
- Coupons would be e-mailed to you
- print out coupons and take them with you…
Seriously…it’s that easy. Each kid can play 2 games fore FREE each and EVERY DAY. You will probably have to pay to rent bowling shoes. Mine charges $2.
We’ve had a great time this summer and hope you can enjoy the last few days of summer bowling for FREE!
Through the month of August, Kids eat free at IHOP from 4-10pm. Check their website to see if your IHOP is participating.
Some of the small print:
- kids 12 and under
- 1 free kid’s meal with each adult entree
- drinks not included
It’s hot and muggy in many parts of the country including right here in SW Ohio. A great way to get away from that is to visit Mammoth Cave National Park.
Mammoth Cave is located about 4 hours south of Cincinnati off I-65. The area is full of beautiful rocks and caverns created log ago by nature. This is an area that should be visited by everyone at least once.
During busy times (summer, Spring Break, etc) advance Reservations are recommended. I wish I would have known about this before I went. Be sure to read the descriptions of the tours online and decide what works for your family. There’s many cave tours to choose from and one or two that’s probably perfect for your family.
Discovery Tour is a Self Guided tour. It was a great introduction to the cave. Park Rangers are available throughout the cave to offer information and answer questions. This area is also seen on the guided Mammoth Passage Tour. We enjoyed the self-paced nature of exploring the cave.
Since the caves stay a constant temperature year round, I’d recommend jeans, tshirt and sweatshirt or jacket.
Traveling before the middle of August? If so, you can save on parking by parking in the Long Term lot at CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl Airport). Just print out this coupon and exit the lot by 8/15/10 for your savings.
When flying out of Cincinnati I usually park in the long term lot. I’ve had friendly and efficient shuttle bus drivers every time.
It’s that time of year again……the time when mass retailers think we need to start back to school supply shopping. This week’s ads are full of deals. If you don’t have kids at home you can still save by stocking up on “office supplies” now.
Historically the best school supply deals run for about 3 weeks in July – maybe the beginning of August. If something is on your list, but not on sale, just wait — it’s probably on sale in a future week.
Here’s a quick sampling of some of this week’s deals:
Walgreen’s
- pocket folders 9cents each
- spiral bound notebooks 29cents
- bic highlighter 4pk 49cents
- G2 pens 19cents
Staples
- staples school glue 1cent (through Wed only)
- 3×5 cards $0.25
- printer paper ream $1
- printer paper 4×6 $1
- 4pk expo dry erase markers $2
Happy Savings!
It’s summer and a great time to use the resources of your local library. However, if you’re anything like me (and several others I’ve read about online) you tend to forget to return some library books and fines start accruing. Here’s some simple ideas to help you avoid paying library fines. Use one or use them all. Do you have a different system? Leave a comment to tell us about it.
- The Library Shelf — all of our library books live on the Library Shelf. This is 1 section of our shelves dedicated to library books. When not being read no books are allowed in kid’s bedrooms, or laying all over the house (too many lost). This way we always know where the books are.
- The Library Bag — when we’re done reading a book it goes in the Library Bag. This bag goes with us to the library. We currently use a heavy duty Old Navy fabric bag like this one. When it’s time to go to the library, just grab the bag and go. No need to scrounge around the house and look for the books to return. This also helps with library runs on a whim. I just take the bag and go.
- Write it Down — write down your due dates. Many libraries offer you a printed receipt with due dates. Place it on your fridge so you can see it every day. Or, note the due date on you calendar.
- Check the website — does your library offer online access to your account? If so, check it out and see when your books are due. Also, use this feature to renew books that you want to keep past their due date. Doing so lets you keep the book longer and avoids fines.
Wondering what others do with their library books? Check out some other blogs:
Marcia at Organising Queen about Library Fines
The Happy Housewife’s Book Basket
Happy Summer Reading!
Are you a school employee or even a Book Fair Volunteer? If so, you can shop at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale. Look for a location near you. Then register online and print out your coupon for $10 off $50 or $25 off $100+. This is a higher percentage off than past sales.
Most sales are the 2nd and 3rd week in May. Stock up for summer reading, gifts, etc. Many books and Scholastic branded items can be found for up to 80% off publisher price.
Locally, Scholastic sponsors school Book Fairs and many teachers offer monthly book orders through Scholastic. So, many of the titles you’ve seen in the flyers will also be available at the warehouse. Note that hot selling items will probably not be available. When Harry Potter came out it was not offered at their Warehouse Sale — even though it was published by Scholastic. But don’t be detered, there’s lots of great books out there.
If you’re in the Greater Cincinnati area, there’s a warehouse in West Chester off I-75 and Union Centre Blvd (not far from IKEA and the Frontgate Outlet). (Note the change in hours from past sales.)
Our sale is Wed., 5/5/10 – Wed., 5/19/10
Weekdays 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturdays 10 AM – 3 PM
closed Sundays
Here’s a PDF flyer from Scholastic about the sale.
