Mom’s Night Out at The Battery Atlanta

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Every so often, for our sanity, it’s good to leave the kids with Dad and have a Mom’s Night Out. Atlanta offers a large array of activities for kids, parents, date nights, and even mom’s night out.  So grab your gal pals and take advantage of the opportunities you have for a mom’s night out!

Battery Atlanta Escape Room Mom's Night Out

A few weeks back, I went out with some other local blogger moms to an outing at The Battery Atlanta for some good food and a little escape room fun.  You can check out my vlog about it here. [Read more…]

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

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10 Tips for Visiting Candytopia with Little Kids

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Candytopia

You may have heard Candytopia has made it’s way to Atlanta! Imagine if Willy Wonka made a museum ….out of candy! When I first learned about this magical event, that’s what came to mind! This limited engagement is in Atlanta now through June 2, so grab your tickets while you can.

[Read more…]Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

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Stone Mountain Christmas Magic!

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Making the Most of Stone Mountain Christmas

Recently, I was the delighted to be invited back with my family to experience Stone Mountain Christmas.  Last winter, we played at Snow Mountain, but hadn’t yet gotten to see the magic of Stone Mountain Christmas, so of course we jumped at the opportunity to go.  Suffice it to say, it is now on my list of family-friendly things to do in Winter in Atlanta!

From the whimsical sing-along Christmas train ride with The Gift (my Thomas-loving son’s favorite, of course!), to the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 4-D (seriously, 10 minutes of fun and cuteness!), visiting Santa, the great variety of live performances peppered throughout, or my daughter’s absolute favorite: meeting the Snow Angel – there’s something for everyone at Stone Mountain Christmas.  The evening is topped off with the Snow Angel Fireworks Finale. [Read more…]

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

LEGOLAND Discount Tickets!

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Have you had a chance to check out LEGOLAND? Did you know you can grab discount tickets to the LEGOLAND at Discovery Center in Atlanta? Yep, LEGOLAND discount tickets!

Normally, tickets run between $18 – $20. However, through Goldstar, you can get LEGOLAND discount tickets for just $12. You’ll have to act fast, since this deal is good only through the end of December 2017.

Legoland Discount Tickets [Read more…]

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

The End of Summer

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End of SummerThis was supposed to be the summer of many things. Just like every other previous summer, I started concocting some pretty grand plans for summer 2017 with my kids.

I’d planned to work a little bit each day teaching my rising 3rd grader her times tables, using a fun program I used when I was a public school teacher. Instead, I randomly quizzed her verbally.

I’d planned to work with my rising kindergartner on learning to tie his shoes, since shoes with laces are mandatory for him. That didn’t happen at all.

I’d planned to try out all the cool awesome places around Atlanta I keep hearing about (and -um- some of which I’ve featured here), but we didn’t. [Read more…]

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

5 Tips for Traveling Frugally

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tips for traveling frugallyTraveling can be expensive and all the little things add up quite quickly! It is hard to imagine saving money while traveling, but it can be done. Here are five tips to traveling frugally so that you can get out there and experience more of the world!

Plan Ahead

This sounds simple enough, but it is strangely one thing that is overlooked. When you are planning on flying, book your ticket three weeks ahead as prices go up on the 21-day mark. Conversely, 48 hours before a flight you can find some tremendous deals on last minute trips. A great resource is using Google Flights and then using this information to compare flights on Expedia or Travelocity.  If you’re traveling during the holidays, these are my tips for saving on holiday flights.

Tips on Fuel

Plan to fill up early in the morning and not when a tanker is filling the gas station’s underground tanks. Gas prices increase before any major holiday, so gas up as far in advance as you can, then just top off on the morning on your road trip. These simple steps will make sure that more gas ends up in your tank for less money.  Also, utilize your Kroger card to save big on gas, too.

Where to Stay

There are many choices of where to stay when traveling. If you are on a road trip, break out the tent and camp along your route. When flying, don’t forget to look up places on AirBNB or check out local B&Bs, especially if you don’t need all the amenities of a hotel. You can contact the Chamber of Commerce in the city you are visiting and often times they have discount codes for you to use at a local hotel.

tips for traveling frugally
Bed & Breakfast and Country Inns, 24th Edition

Excursions on the Cheap

When talking to the Chamber of Commerce, ask them if they have an activity book (often free) which has 2-for-1 coupons or discounts throughout an area. Many museums and attractions have a couple days a month where admission is reduced or free, plan if your trip is planned around those dates.  Also, utilize things sites/apps Groupon, Scoutmob, Goldstar, and Living Social for discounted deals on things to do locally.


groupon - tips for traveling frugallyGoldstar - tips for traveling frugally

Don’t Eat All Your Money

Food can add up quickly while traveling. Pack snacks like dried fruit, nuts, and protein bars in your bag. When you get to your destination, stop at the grocery store and pick up food that you can eat. Don’t eat out at breakfast, as you can start your day with a banana and protein shake. (Or if you’re lucky, find a hotel that throws in free breakfast.)  Dinner is usually twice the cost of lunch, so eat your largest meal midday and have the leftovers for dinner.

These are just a few of the ways you can travel frugally this year. Now get out there and travel!

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Tax Day Freebies 2017

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Tax Day Freebies 2017

Ahh, April 15th is upon us.  Can you smell the panic in the air, the long lines at the post office, of those frantic to get their taxes filed before the stroke of midnight?  Ok, so I can’t either, but you get the drift.  And in any case, with tax day comes cool Tax Day Freebies 2017.  Super-special thanks to Mission: To Save, Parade Magazine, and AJC.com for contributing to this list!

Sometimes individual franchise owners choose not to participate in freebies and discounts so be sure and call ahead to avoid disappointment.

Tax Day Freebies 2017

[Read more…]

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Discount Tickets around Atlanta

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Discount Tickets Around AtlantaYou may have figured out there’s a ton to do around the Atlanta area. Not only are there plenty of free things to do in Atlanta, there’s also tons to do around town with discounted tickets.  Just as when you’re traveling, you should always check for discounted tickets for upcoming events.

 

Finding Discount Tickets Around Atlanta

[Read more…]

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

10+ Valentine’s Date Night Ideas

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Cheap Date Night Ideas Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be another occasion for which to go in debt.  On the contrary, there’s plenty of free, cheap, and frugal date night ideas around Atlanta -and anywhere – just put the leg work in to it ahead of time.  Here are a few great Atlanta date night ideas, but most can be date night ideas for just about anywhere.  And keep in mind, these date night ideas are great, not just for Valentine’s Day, but all year long!

Frugal Date Night Ideas around Atlanta (and Beyond!)

  1. Coffee Date.  No, don’t run through your local coffee kiosk for this one.  Actually scope out your semi-local coffee shops or coffee bars and take your special someone there.  Find a quiet table and enjoy the coffee and conversation.  I’m willing to bet that most of the time you share coffee, it’s when you are in a rush in the mornings.  This will be a nice change and therefore a great date.  Check Scoutmob for a local coffee shop near you!
  2. Dive Bar.  Going out for drinks doesn’t have to be expensive.  You can look for dive bar that offers cheap drinks and a unique atmosphere.  These bars are often provide just about the best people watching opportunities that exist.  Again, Scoutmob it, folks!  (I swear, this isn’t an ad for Scoutmob.  I just really like promoting free apps!)
  3. Hit the Trail.  Take your special someone on a romantic hike and a bring a picnic along with you.  Do an internet search for trails near year and their difficulty scale – or check out my list of free or cheap hikes around Atlanta.  Be sure to choose one that makes sense for your fitness level (they range from super easy, park like strolls to more strenuous ones).  Just be sure choose wisely so that you both have fun!
  4. Attend a Paint Night.  Are you and/or your sweetheart artistic?  Paint nights are very popular right now and many restaurants and local event centers are offering paint nights for a very reasonable rate.  I’ve personally been to All Fired Up and would recommend them, and have heard great things about Painting with a Twist, too.
  5. Dinner and movie (at home).  Dinner and movie at home can be very romantic!  Just make sure to mix it up a bit so it’s not the same thing as every other night.  Maybe the two of you can cook a meal together and enjoy each other’s company with a candlelit meal.  Follow that up by snuggling on the sofa watching a movie.  Or, if you’re near Studio Movie Grill, snag this great deal while it’s available!
  6. Take a YouTube lesson together.  Learning is sexy.  Lucky for those of us on a budget, there are lots of free classes available at our fingertips.  From cooking to musical instruments to singing and drawing, you can learn just about anything on YouTube.  Grab your honey, open up the laptop and learn a new skill together.
  7. Hit up happy hour.  Many restaurants now offer happy hour discounts where you can order select food and drink items for half price!  This is a great way to save and still go out!
  8. Play a game of miniature golf.  When was the last time you played mini golf? I didn’t realize how cheap it was!  And oh so fun too!  Check Groupon for a potential mini-golf deal near you.
  9. Group game night.  Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to be just for two.  Why not invite a group of friends over for a group game night and enjoy everyone’s company?  It is free and fun, plus it will give you a chance to invite those friends that don’t h 73 answered questions ave a partner to spend the day with.  You can never go wrong with a classic game like Pictionary, Phase 10, or try something new like Watch Ya Mouth or even Pie Face.
  10. Find a local musical act playing or check out an open mic night and pay a small cover fee for live music and entertainment.  
  11. Explore Your City!  There are tons of free and cheap things to do in Atlanta.  You can also peruse sites like Groupon for restaurants and activities inspiration on the cheap, as well as Venue Kings and Goldstar for concerts, shows, and sporting events.

Got other cheap date night ideas not listed here?  I’d love to hear them!  Also, make sure you check out these great inexpensive Valentine’s gift ideas for her (also not limited to just Valentine’s!).

Cheap Date Night Ideas - Pin Me

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Studio Movie Grill Groupon – $5 movie ticket

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The Studio Movie Grill Groupon is BACK!  You can also check out other Atlanta Groupon deals and Goldstar.

Studio Movie Grill Groupon


The Studio Movie Grill Groupon is BACK!  This is a great one, y’all — you get movie admission for $5!!  Studio Movie Grill has two Atlanta locations, and thus this Groupon has two options:

  • $5 for one movie ticket to Holcomb Bridge Studio Movie Grill at 2880 Holcomb Bridge Drive (up to $11 value)
  • $5 for one movie ticket to Duluth Studio Movie Grill at 3850 Venture Drive (up to $11 value)

Each offers a dinner and movie experience.  This is the lowest I’ve seen this Groupon offer, and it’s even better because they just recently revamped their menu, and it is full of ahh-mazing food and drink options!

Studio Movie Grill Groupon Food
Hurry and grab this GREAT deal before it’s gone!

Studio Movie Grill Groupon

Are you not yet signed up with Groupon?  No problem — sign up here, then go snag this great deal!

Legal-Mumbo-Jumbo:  Promotional value expires Jan 5, 2017. Amount paid never expires. Limit 10 per person. Must use promotional value in 1 visit. Not valid for Star Wars Rogue One. Not valid for movies at 5pm or later on Friday-Sunday. Not valid toward special event movies, or alternate programming. Extra fee for 3D movies. Must redeem and use movie tickets by expiration date. $1.50 convenience fee/seat applies to online redemption. Never valid for alcohol, beverage, or food. Limit 1 per person per visit. Not valid towards buyouts. Not valid in combination with promo codes. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for Groupon promo codes or other discounts.

Studio Movie Grill Groupon Food - PIN ME

You may also wish to check out these other great deals around town:

Legoland 1/2 off admissionLEGOLAND discount tickets

Georgia Renaissance Festival (1/2 off!)Goldstar Georgia Renaissance Festival

College Football Hall of Fame & Chick-fil-a Experience
Groupon - College Football Hall of Fame

Keep on saving!  :o)
--Barbara

**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Atlanta's Frugal Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. In other words, if you click through to Amazon from some of the books or products I recommend and make a purchase, I get a small percentage in exchange for your purchase. It's a small way you can support AFM.