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31 Ways to Save in 2011: Saving money on movie tickets!

January 17, 2011 by

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Going to the movies is a fun family outing, but the cost of tickets is definitely a deterrent! In my area, the price of an adult movie ticket is $9.25. On the weekends it is $9.75! If we were to go to the movies on a weekend, the cost for our family of four would be $32.50!

A trip to the movie theater is a special treat for my kids. Here are a few tips we’ve figured out along the way to help us save money on movie tickets:

*Go early!  Most theaters offer matinee showings at discounted rates.  In my area, these tickets are $2 less than the tickets for evening shows.  Many theaters also offer an “Early Bird” special for the first showings of the day.  At my theaters, these tickets are only $5!

*Use coupons – The Entertainment Book often contains coupons for discounted movie tickets and the coupons are usually valid for the purchase of multiple tickets (typically 4-6).

*Sign up for rewards programs – Many theaters have free rewards programs where you can get discounted movie tickets, deals on concessions, and sometimes you can even earn free tickets.

Here are a few theaters that offer rewards programs:

–AMC MovieWatcher Rewards:  earn points that can be used toward tickets, concessions, and more!
–Carmike Rewards:  earn free movie tickets and conessions!
–Cinemark:  Get free weekly concessions coupons along with other discounts and values for your preferred location via e-mail
–Regal Cinema Crown Club:  earn free movies, popcorn, softdrinks, and more!

*Look for free movie ticket promotions!  Each year, various companies will offer free movie ticket promotions where you can earn free movie tickets by purchasing certain products.  In the past, I have earned from movie tickets by purchasing Sunny Delight, General Mills cereals, and Hershey’s candy.

*Skip the concessions – I took my kids to see Toy Story 3 this summer using free tickets.  They wanted popcorn and a drink and I figured I would treat them to that since the movie was free.  Concession stands are tricky and don’t often post prices.  I was sure surprised when the total for a combo with a drink and a popcorn came to almost $20!!  So much for “free” movie tickets!

If the cost of tickets, even with discounts, still isn’t in your budget, you can always just wait for the movie to come out on DVD and save even more money!  Redbox and Blockbuster Express frequently have free rental codes!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Filed Under: 31 ways to save in 2011

GIVEAWAY: Progresso Souper You Debut prize back!

January 17, 2011 by

One of my goals for 2011 is to lose weight. One of my greatest struggles has been trying to eat healthier at lunch. I have lots of great, healthy lunch ideas, but they are also time consuming to put together and as I’m trying to get myself and my two kids ready and out the door in the mornings, I don’t always have the time to put together a healthy lunch. Progresso soups have been an absolute lifesaver for me these past few weeks. They have several light/low calorie options to choose from and they are the only soup that is endorsed by Weight Watchers! Their light soups are all 1-2 points (on the new PointsPlus system) per serving!  I love the Chicken Noodle and the Vegetable and Noodle!

Right now, Progresso has a “Souper You Debut” contest on Facebook where you can enter for a chance to win a full makeover in New York City (it includes roundtrip airfare, two night stay in a NYC hotel, a full makeover, a guided wardrobe shopping spree, and $1000 in spending money)!  Visit their Facebook page here to enter the contest and you’ll also be able to print a coupon for $1 off 4 cans of Progresso soup!

To kick of their Souper You Debut, Progresso (through My Blog Spark) sent me a Super You Debut prize pack which included Progresso soup, a yoga mat, a water bottle, a set of aerobic bands, a sports headband, and two sports wristbands.  They are also providing a prize pack to one lucky reader!

The giveaway starts today, January 17th, and will end on Monday, January 31st at 11:59 p.m. CT. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, February 1st. The winner will be chosen randomly using random.org.

You will have 24 hours to provide me with your contact information (when you post to enter, you must leave your e-mail address or some other way for me to contact you!).

Here’s how you can enter to win:

1.  Share – What’s your favorite Progresso soup (or which one would you most like to try?)

2. Subscribe to my blog (You must activate your subscription to validate your entry). Please post a comment letting me know that you subscribe.

3. Follow my blog through Blogger or become a fan on Facebook. Leave an entry letting me know that you’re following!

4. Blog about the giveaway on your blog. Be sure to come back and post a link to your post!

Please create a separate post for each of your entries. If you win, you need to provide me with some way to contact you. (Remember, if you post a comment as “anonymous” you need to include some sort of identifying information or your entry will not be valid). If you’re accessing this through a live feed somewhere else, you will need to actually come here to enter the giveaway.
 
Thanks again to Progresso and MyBlogSpark for this giveaway opportunity! (Please note that although I did receive a prize pack from Progresso and My Blog Spark, they did not influence my comments in any way.  Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Filed Under: giveaways

Tanga’s Deal of the Day: Scrapbooks, Etc. for $5.99!

January 17, 2011 by

Tanga’s “Deal of the Day” today is a one year subscription to Scrapbooks, Etc. Magazine for $5.99! This magazine offers inspiration for scrapbooking as well as step by step instructions for completing different page designs. If you’re looking to start scrapbooking, have scrapbooked in the past and want to get back into it, or need some inspiration for your photos, this is a great resource!

Go here and click on “Scrabppoks, Etc” Then, click on the red “Buy” button and enter the code “SCRAPBOOK”.  You can make payment using Paypal or any major credit card.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Free oatmeal from McDonald’s!

January 17, 2011 by

Lately I’ve been on an oatmeal kick. I’ve taken advantage of lots of great deals (and coupons) and stocked up on oatmeal, so even though I’ve heard lots of talk about “free oatmeal from McDonald’s” it kind of went in one ear and out the other…until I was in the drive thru line the other day and saw the pictures. It looks pretty yummy!

So, if you’d like to try out McDonald’s new oatmeal too, reportedly, there are coupons for free oatmeal (valid through 3/27/11) on all breakfast platters, salads, coffee (and other McCafe beverages) and the fork/knife sets.  I have a feeling we’ll be asking for the fork and knife sets every time we go!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Filed Under: freebies Tagged With:

Lloyd’s ribs $3.98 after coupon at Walmart!

January 17, 2011 by 4 Comments

There’s a new printable coupon for $2/1 Lloyd’s barbecue ribs.  The half rack is just $3.98 after coupon at Walmart!

Print your coupon here–>$2/1 Lloyd’s barbecue ribs

Here’s the breakdown on the deal:

Buy Lloyd’s BBQ ribs – $5.98

Use $2/1 Lloyd’s BBQ ribs coupon

Spend $3.98 OOP

(Thanks I Heart the Mart!)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Filed Under: National Stores, Walmart Tagged With: ,