Atlanta Bargain Hunter

College Month at the High

There are benefits to being a college student. For instance, you get cheaper tickets to just about everything. This month at the High Museum, college students only pay $5 to get in as long as they present valid identification.

$1 drafts at Park Tavern

Rain in the forecast? Beer in your mug. For those looking for a cold brew, remember that draft beer is only a $1 at Park Tavern whenever it rains. As a matter of fact, I think it’s drizzling a bit right now.

Half off admission to the zoo

In other weather-related news, I just checked on ajc.com to see that it is 45 degrees. That means admission to Zoo Atlanta is half-price. The discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions. It’s a good deal on its own, though. Mei Lan is gone, but her parents and her brother are still at the zoo, as are many other animals and exhibits.

Free admission at Punchline Comedy

Remember that Wednesdays are free at Punchline Comedy. On that night you can hear a …

Continue reading Half off Zoo Atlanta admission | $1 draft beer | 50% off Sweet Auburn Bread Co. | plus more »

Had I not walked the cereal aisle, put yogurt in the cart and made room for the orange juice, bananas and Kleenex, I wouldn’t have believed it.

I was skeptical when I arrived at a local Publix store to meet Susan Samtur, a former New York school teacher who coined the name Coupon Queen decades before it became recession-chic. She claimed she could get in and out of the store with about $150 in groceries for under $20.

While I’d heard of these miracle shopping trips, I’d never witnessed one. I use coupons, of course, but feel pretty good about myself when I save $20 or $30. By the end the time we checked out, I felt a little lame but inspired as well.

There’s no need to hold back here. Customer service manager Linda Walker rang Samtur up for $151.17. After a list of manufacturer’s coupons, store coupons, rebates and buy one get one free sale items, a receipt longer than my arm showed she owed $15.45, including tax.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Walker said.

Neither had …

Continue reading Watch how we paid $15 for $150 worth of groceries »

Any chance you have a little drama queen in your house? There just may be something behind all of those antics — like a future actress.

The Alliance Theatre is offering free youth acting workshops Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The workshops are for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, with the following schedule:

• Creative Drama (grades k – 2): 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• The Acting Basics (grades 3-5): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• The Acting Basics (grades 6-8): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• The Acting Basics (grades 9-12): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

To reserve your space, call 404-733-4718 and leave your name and number on the voicemail. For more information, click here.

Follow me on Twitter @atlbargains or on Facebook at AJC Atlanta Bargain Hunter

Continue reading Free youth acting workshops at the Alliance »

How far will you take thriftiness?

I know someone who turns off her water heater during the day and blocks out time on the weekends to wash a lot of her clothes by hand.

Growing up, we never used a clothes dryer, instead hanging clothes out on the line to dry. It was fine until the storm clouds came and you found yourself rushing to get in the laundry before you and all of the clothes were soaked.

I was terribly jealous of my friends who wore designer label jeans, something I could never do. Even when my parents had the means, they refused to splurge on items like that.

I never wore shoes until the bottoms had holes, but I did usually have about three pair — black, white and bone — to match every outfit in my closet.

Many mothers will only use cloth diapers and snub disposable ones.

I don’t know anyone electing to sew clothes these days instead of buying them, but there are plenty of men and women who dare not purchase an outfit from anywhere other than yard sales, thrift …

Continue reading Can you take thriftiness overboard? »

Play ’till you drop

Go-karts. Miniature golf. Video games. Malibu Grand Prix is non-stop excitement for kids, and for the kid in all of us. I love go-karts and although I’m no good in the batting cages, it doesn’t stop me from swinging away. I know I’m not the only one who sees the value in Halfoffdepot.com’s deal today: $10 for an all-day pass valued at $25. They even have bumper boats! The deal is available until 10 a.m., Feb. 9. You save $15 and it doesn’t expire for a year.

It’s a Grand Slam

In case you missed it here last week and during the Super Bowl ads, here’s a reminder that Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast is free on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Grand Slam is also free on your birthday.

“Sweetheart” pizza

I’ve gone go those pizza buffets and I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the fruity, sweet pizza options. Perhaps I could be persuaded to give it a try for Valentine’s Day. Pizza Vito in Alpharetta is adding a “Sweetheart” pizza to celebrate the occasion. …

Continue reading $10 all-day pass at Malibu | 50% off at Vickery’s | Free Grand Slam breakfast | Free “Sweetheart” pizza »

Are you planning your Valentine’s Day outings? Here are a few specials around town worth noting:

Dinner, dancing and more are on tap for Valentine's Day. Here, Bob and Phyllis Kostelnik show off their dance moves. Photo: Alison Church

Art, Dance and Live Music

The annual Valentine’s Day celebration at the High Museum is back. For $40 per couple, listen to romantic classical music, dance to Latin rhythms with salsa and tango lessons and enjoy other succulent treats. Champagne is available for an additional price. Considering the high cost of dinners around town, this is a budget-friendly way to enjoy the evening.

Wish Upon A Star

Lying under a sky with stars aglow does not lack for romance. Guys and gals alike enjoy star-gazing and you can do just that at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, just a short drive north of Kennesaw. The museum features a beautiful planetarium in addition to unmatched fossil and mineral galleries. Whether you’ve dated for only a brief period, …

Continue reading Valentine’s dates you can afford »

Green Is The Color of Love

Green is the new red, or something like that. That’s the stance of the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, and who can argue with them? The center is giving its members a free Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 6, replete with an Enchanted Evening Nature Walk, dessert, coffee and a string quartet by candlelight. Even if you’re not a member, this is a fantastic deal for $30 per couple. If you want to show your children some love, bring them along since it’s only $40 for a family of four. Child care and an eco-friendly Valentine activity will be provided for children 5 and under.

Help a cause and get circus tickets

This is a great way to get two circus tickets, and help a charity as well. Now through Feb. 21, anyone making a $25 donation to United Way will receive two tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus regularly valued at $44. With a $50 donation, you will get four tickets regularly valued at $88. Visit the …

Continue reading Early Valentine’s Day special | Free circus tickets with donation | Save on pet adoption »

Photo credit: Becky Stein

Sky-high deals

I don’t know if it’s coincidence or just the time of year when people start thinking about taking to the skies in non-traditional ways. I any case, there are two tremendous discounts available today for those looking to rise above the rest.

Save 49% on a Hot Air Balloon ride

First, Groupon.com has a deal on a one-hour hot air balloon ride with Dream Flights USA for $145. This is up to a $275 value and good for a 49 percent discount. It is imperative, as always, that you read the fine print on this deal. It expires Aug. 8, reservations must be made five days in advance and departure is subject to availability and weather. You also have to sign a legal waiver. I’d advise anyone purchasing this deal to make a call to Dream Flights USA to go over their policies regarding changes due to weather and address any other questions you might have. According to the Dream USA Web site, there are locations in Atlanta, Woodstock and Cartersville.

50% …

Continue reading Discounts for thrill seekers: sky-diving, hot air balloons and NASCAR »

If they haven’t already begun, many retailers will start swapping their winter and fall inventory for spring attire.

That means you should be able to find some pretty good deals as stores rush to make room for all of the new stuff. That has me thinking about going clothes shopping this weekend, something I rarely do.

It also made me wonder what the best thrift stores and the best consignment stores are in metro Atlanta. I just learned that Career Fashion Consignment, a high-end career clothing shop for men and women, has discounted all items in the store even beyond its regular 50-75 percent off prices.

I also got a tip that Park Avenue Thrift store in Lawrenceville has prices starting at $1.75 on Thursdays, and the price drops 25 cents per day until Wednesday. On Wednesday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., everything is a quarter. A quarter!

Now, I don’t know about you, but those are the kinds of prices that will point my vehicle in that direction. But not so fast…

What would you say are …

Continue reading What is the best consignment store in metro Atlanta? You weigh in. »

Half off a tasty treat

If you happen to frequent the Prado Shopping Center, you may be tempted to schedule your visits around the 50 percent off frozen yogurt at Yorkea! The tasty treat is half off every Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Save 55 percent at 10 Degrees South

Editor’s Note: This deal expired at midnight Thursday. Don’t dismay. Check back soon to see another great offer that will substitute this one.

A good buddy of mine raves about his favorite Atlanta area restaurant — 10 Degrees South. It’s South African cuisine is supposed to be the best in the area and for a long time, I’ve wanted to try it out. Wait no more. My Daily Thread has a 55 percent offer today. For $25, you get a certificate worth $55 in food and drinks. It’s available until midnight, but I’m buying mine right now. The restaurant is located at 4183 Roswell Rd., Atlanta. Make note that the voucher expires June 6 and is not valid on Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

Shark tales and …

Continue reading Hungry? Half-off Yoreka! | 55% off 10 Degrees South | Papa John’s meal deal | Free Denny’s Grand Slam »