The 413 Mom

Veterans Day Deals, FREE Meals, and Events

Happy Veteran's Day! Thank you to all who serve. Below is a list of special deals and freebies you can take advantage of in honor of your service to our country. Please share and tag a veteran! 

413 Veterans Day Parades:

November 11: Greenfield Veterans Day Parade, 9:30 a.m. steps off from the middle school and proceeds down Federal Street and Main Street to the Veteran's Mall. 

November 11: Pittsfield Veterans Day Parade, 10 a.m., steps off from City Hall and ends at Veteran's Memorial. 

November 11: Springfield Veterans Day Parade, 11 a.m., steps off from STCC, 1 Federal St. and ending at Court Square. 

November 11: West Springfield Veterans Day Parade, noon, steps off from Kings Highway, continues to Town Green. FREE food, beverages, live music and kids activities for military families on the Town Green beginning at 1 p.m.

413 Deals for Veterans & Active Duty Military: 

• Applebee's: FREE meal for all active military and veterans from open to close, November 11. 
• Bed, Bath & Beyond: 25% off entire purchase (in store only) for veterans, active miliary and their spouses through November 11.
• Chili's Grill & Bar: FREE meal for all veterans and active duty military on November 11. 
• Christmas Tree Shops: 25% off entire purchase for veterans, active military and their spouses through November 11. 
• Cracker Barrel: FREE slice of double chocolate Coca Cola cake OR a FREE pumpkin pie latte on November 11. 
• Denny's: FREE make-your-own Grand Slam meal for all active duty military and veterans, 5-11 a.m., November. 11. 
• Dollar General: all veterans, active duty military and dependents save 11% off your purchase online or in store on November 11 
• Dunkin Donuts: FREE donut to all veterans and active duty military all day November 11. 
• Friendly's Restaurants: veterans and active military, with valid military ID or honorable discharge, may receive one FREE breakfast, lunch or dinner, November 11 only, all Friendly's locations. 
• Great Clips: FREE haircuts for veterans all day on November 11, OR, stop in to receive a FREE haircut voucher redeemable at another time, OR any customer who receives any service at Great Clips on this day can receive a FREE haircut coupon to give to a veteran (vouchers expire Dec. 31, 2019). 
• IHOP: FREE Red, White, and Blue pancakes to all active duty military and veterans, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., November 11. 
• Little Caesars: FREE Hot N Ready Lunch Combo between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for all veterans and active duty military November 11. 
• LL Bean: through November 11 save 25% off total purchase online or in store for all active duty military and veterans
• Kohl's: Through November 11 -- save 30% for all active and reserve personnel and veterans and their families
• Mystic Aquarium: FREE admission for all active duty and veterans through November 17, discounted admission for dependents as well. 
• Old Sturbridge Village: FREE admission for active and retired and their families (up to six people). 
• On The Border: FREE Create Your Own Combo Meal (dine in only) for all veterans and active military on November 11. 
• Partner's Restaurant (Feeding Hills): FREE breakfast for veterans and active duty military on Tuesday, November 12 
• Red Robin: FREE Red's Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries for all veterans and active duty military, all day long. 
• Shortstop Bar & Grill (Westfield): all veterans and active duty military are welcome to FREE lunch and dinner, dine-in only, 99 Springfield Road, Westfield. 
• Target: all veterans and active duty military receive 10% off their purchase through November 11 
• Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch and Coca Cola product for all active duty military and veterans 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Proof of military service is required for many of these deals. 

Additionally, anyone can take advantage of FREE admission to all national parks on November 11. Find a list of national parks in Massachusetts here. 

Summer 2019 List 5: FREE Bowling & Roller Skating

More FREE ways to keep kids active during summer days. We are fortunate to have several local business participating in the Kids Skate Free and Kids Bowl Free summer initiatives. These freebies are great not only on rainy days but also during those heat waves when even the die-hard outdoor kids are grumbling. 

Both of our local Interskate 91 locations are participating in the Kids Skate Free program. When you register your children (only children ages 12 and under are eligible) at the Kids Skate Free site, you will receive email coupons each Sunday evening during the summer. Those coupons may be printed and redeemed for a free skating session during these times:

Interskate North (367 Russell Street, Hadley -- passes accepted for children age 12 and under):

Thursday, 5-8 p.m.

Friday, 5-8 p.m.

Saturday, 11:30-6 p.m.

 

Interskate South (2043 Boston Road, Wilbraham -- passes accepted for children age 13 and under):

Friday, 5-9:30 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

 

There is a $4/child registration fee for this program.

Skate rental is not included with the coupon. If your child does not have skates, rental runs $4.71. 

 

The Kids Bowl Free program is open to kids 15 and under, when accompanied by an adult. Similar to the skate program, you can register your child on the KidsBowlFree.com site to participate at one location. Email coupons will be sent to you each Sunday. You print and present the coupons during one of the Kids Bowl Free sessions at your local bowling center -- check each location link before you register to see which days would work for your family and your kids' ages (each location may vary participation requirements).

The following bowling centers are participating locally:

Agawam Bowl, 359 Walnut St. Ext., Agawam

Bogey Lanes, 199 North Brookfield Road, East Brookfield

Spare Time, 129 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, CT

Pinz Entertainment, 367 Russell St., Hadley

Shaker Bowl, 168 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow

Spare Time, 525 Pleasant St., Northampton

You can redeem the coupon at all sites Monday - Sunday depending on hours of operation. 

There may be others worth driving to for some of you in the eastern part of the 413. You can find a complete list of participating locations here. 

Shoe rental is not included with the coupon. 

With both programs, children must be accompanied by an adult. Coupons are good only for children. Adults must pay regular admission to participate (but not to supervise). 

 

Deals for Dads (and Grand Dads too!) #fathersdayfreebies

If you don't have special plans for Dad on Father's Day, June 16 is a great day to score him some free admission to many local attractions. Here's a rundown. 

If you want to stay close to home:

Historic Deerfield: FREE admission for all dads and grandfathers on June 19, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.,  Old Main Street, Deerfield.

Holyoke Merry-Go-Round: Dads and grandpas ride FREE with paying child, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke. 

Look Park: FREE train rides and unlimited rounds of mini golf for all dads, 300 North Main St., Florence (weekend parking fee applies).

Lupa Zoo: FREE admission for Dads with paid admission for their child, 65 Nash Hill Road, Ludlow. 

Old Sturbridge Village: FREE admission for Dads on June 18, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. 

Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum: FREE admission for dads with paid child's admission, 14 Depot St., Shelburne Falls. 

 

If you're looking for a Road Trip: 

Canobie Lake Park: FREE admission and FREE lunch for Dads with one paid child admission, 65 N. Policy St., Salem, NH.

Connecticut Science Center: FREE admission for Dads on June 18, 250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. 

Connecticut Trolley Museum: FREE admission for Dads and Grandfathers with paid child's admission, special behind the scenes tour of current restoration projects, 58 North Road, East Windsor, CT. 

Davis Farmland: FREE admission for Dads with paid child admission to Farmland and Water Spray Park and FREE massages for dads from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. 

The Dinosaur Place: FREE admission (including spray park) for Dads with paid child admission, 1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike, Oakdale, CT. 

Zoos: FREE or discounted admission for dads at many New England zoos including: Southwick Zoo (half-price admission for dads on June 15 & 16) in Mendon; Franklin Park Zoo in Boston (FREE for dads); Stone Zoo in Stoneham (FREE for dads). 

Happy Father's Day to all the 413 Dads!

Redeem Big Y Gold Coins by January 31!

 

You all know how I love my Big Y deals so I wanted to be sure to let you know that the Big Y Gold Coin program will be ending on January 31, 2019. No coin redemption will be allowed after that date so be sure to redeem your coins by the end of this month. Dig through your wallet, check in the car seats, and don't forget to look in the couch cushions for any forgotten coins! 

A lot of folks are disappointed that this program is ending; however, I'm encouraged by other discount programs Big Y has offered instead. The weekly MyBigY offers that are available through the Big Y app are stellar deals. It's super easy to download the app -- you can find instructions here. The app links the offers right to your Silver Savings Card so you don't have to remember to bring any coins to the store.  AND you can even load digital manufacturer's coupons onto your Silver Savings card through the app saving you the frustration of realizing you left your paper coupons at home. When you create and use a Big Y digital account there are no excuses not to save! 

Also, looking at the Big Y circular this week, I feel like they are trying to soften the blow of retiring this savings program by offering some straight up grocery deals that don't require any coins or coupons:

Chips Ahoy! Cookies $1.77

Chobani singles $.88

Smart Ones frozen entrees $1.66

Dunkin or Starbucks bagged coffee $5.99

Cheerios or other select General Mills cereals 4/$10 (must by 4)

You will need to have a Silver Savings card to get these deals. So if you haven't gotten one yet, just stop by the customer service desk at any Big Y location or sign up here. 

In other Big Y related news, the company will also be phasing out single-use grocery bags at ALL of their store locations by 2020. So while you won't need to remember to bring your gold coins to the store, you will need to BYOBag starting next year (although it's always the right time to remember to use a reusable shopping bag). #mybigy

 

When you're too BIZy making messes...

I've never been the type of mom to worry whether someone got dirty. I don't often complain about muddy knees. Or glitter on the carpet. Or marker covered shirt cuffs. Fortunately, I actually enjoy doing laundry. However, I don't always get to it right away. We might be too busy cleaning up a river, painting a masterpiece, or chasing a muddy dog. 

Which is why my go-to laundry savior is BIZ Liquid Stain Fighter. It's a super simple laundry booster -- it helps any laundry detergent work harder. Just add a capful to any load. It also works as a great pre-treater (when I remember) applied directly to a clothing stain. BIZ works on all types of stains: blood, grass, paint, grape juice, chocolate, mud...whatever a creative/outdoorsy family can dish out. 

 

BIZ Liquid:  

• Cleans up to 80% BETTER than detergent alone
• MORE STAIN FIGHTERS than other brands
• Fights tough stains BETTER THAN OXI CLEAN guaranteed!
• Contains a UNIQUE blend of enzymes which quickly dissolves stains and odors
• Made with BIODEGRADABLE surfactants (a substance that tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved)

Pre-treat stains directly with BIZ liquid by wetting the area with warm water and applying BIZ. Rub gently and wait 5-10 minutes then wash as usual. Or, add BIZ to every load to boost the power of your detergent.

You can learn more about this little miracle product here. Locally, you can find BIZ Liquid Stain Fighter at Wal Mart and you can even download a coupon for $1 off.  Your laundry will thank you! 

Deal Alert: Save Big at the Pump with Big Y Express Gas

I think we can all agree that gas prices have risen to EEK! levels. One easy way to save at the pump -- utilize the Big Y Express gas station Silver Card offers. Here's how it works: 

1) Just show your Big Y Silver Savings Card at the cashier to automatically save 5 cents per gallon.

2) Use a Big Y gold coin to save 20 cents per gallon (present the coin to the station attendant).

3) Spend $50 on Big Y groceries in one transaction, save 15 cents per gallon.

4) Spend $100 on Big Y groceries in one transaction, save 20 cents per gallon.

5) Spend $200 on Big Y groceries in one transaction, save 25 cents per gallon. 

The grocery purchase offers will load directly to your savings card. If you don't have a Silver Savings card you can request one here.

It's important to note -- you cannot stack offers. The max you can save on a gallon of gas is 25 cents. You can either use the standard five cents off with the Silver Savings Card, OR the 20 cents with a gold coin OR the amounts you can save through grocery purchase offers. Other considerations:

*Only one offer may be redeemed per gas purchase. 

*Grocery purchase offers expire after seven days from grocery purchase.

*Gas savings are capped at 20 gallons per offer. 

If you shop regularly at Big Y, it's easy to accrue savings at the pump. And even if you're not a regular Big Y customer, you can still save at least five cents per gallon just by showing your card. 

You can find Big Y Express gas stations here:

471 Cooley St., Springfield, MA 

320 Housatonic Street, Lee, MA, Exit 2 Off of the Mass Turnpike

202 West Street, Pittsfield, MA

467 Newton St., South Hadley, MA 01075

73 Russell Street, Hadley, MA

Big Y Express Car Wash, 73 Russell Street, Hadley, MA

711 Bliss Road, Longmeadow, MA

1993 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA

 

You can read all about the program here. See you at the pump! 

Tackle a Chore: Krud Kutter! In LOVE!

With both girls in school now, I'm finally catching up with some...ahem...long (long, long) neglected projects. Like my kitchen floor. My filthy, disgusting, kitchen floor. (I do disinfect it...I just haven't gotten into any of those little texture holes in a long time. Like maybe three years). 

I was going to buy this Krud Kutter stuff the other day at Rocky's Ace Hardware, but the price tag was $8.99. I had that "it's probably not worth the price," thought. So I passed. 

Then I found it at Big Y on sale for $2.99. And...ready for this? I had a $2 off coupon (FYI: the coupon is still available and expires October 8). So I got this stuff for $.99. And it's totally taking ALL the grime off my kitchen floor. I was in the process of collecting quotes to have the floor professional steam cleaned because no matter what I tried I couldn't get it looking clean. And instead of spending $99 on a professional floor cleaning I'm spending $.99! 

WHOOP! WHOOP! Just had to share this super score. (Also, if you Ibotta, there is a $1.75 rebate through October 22, 2017 so you could even potentially make money on this deal). 

But the important thing is: it actually works. Look at all the nasty it took right out of the divots on the floor! I used it at full strength right out of the sprayer (it can also be diluted), let it sit for a few minutes and then wiped with a rag. So easy. And cheap. Also, Krud Kutter is non toxic and comes with the Safer Choice seal and doesn't have a strong odor. Win, win, win. I'm psyched, you guys, can you tell? I hope it helps you conquer one of those long nagging jobs around your house too. #tackleachore #loveyourhome

 

Road Trip Worthy: Lake Compounce (Bristol, CT)

When Lake Compounce invited me to review their park, the history nerd in me jumped at the chance -- this is, afterall, the oldest, continuously run amusement park in North America. And although there are touches of nostalgia throughout the theme park, their newest coasters are are anything but old-fashioned. Lake Compounce is home to the out-of-this-world Zoomerang and Phobia steel coasters as well as the ginourmous Wildcat and Boulder Dash wooden coasters. And they also have so many age appropriate kiddie rides. This really is the perfect family park with something for everyone. 

No one will feel left out at this park. There are over 20 attractions that the littlest kiddos can enjoy -- some of them are so gentle it's the absolute perfect first park experience for toddlers. The grounds are very stroller friendly and there are lots of clean bathrooms with changing tables scattered about. If you have a budding paleontologist, the Dino Expedition will be such a treat -- a walk through experience with animatronic dinos as well as a large, shaded excavation pit. 

There are also plenty of attractions for those of us who perhaps don't love to be turned upside down. All the classics are represented here: the giant ferris wheel, historic carousel and trolley rides, bumper cars, swings, a sky ride and more. Eden's favorite quickly became the American Flyers: WWII themed aircraft swings with paddles that you can use to twist back and forth.

Crocodile Cove water park is included with the price of admission and is open daily through September 4. Again, Lake Compounce nails it with family fun for everyone devoting an entire section of the water park to the littlest park goers. Faith had a BLAST at the mini wave pool, the preschool area, and the different splash pads. But there are tons of water slides for all ages and a giant wave pool for all of us big kids. You could spend an entire day just at Crocodile Cove. There are plenty of life vests available for the kiddos; however, you might want to bring a puddle jumper from home as they are usually a better fit and allow the kids to play more comfortably. (You can bring any life vest from home as long as it is Coast Guard approved). 

Relaxing by the lake is also a viable option on any visit. 

 Although no outside food or drink is allowed inside the park (the bag check is thorough) there are lots of dining options throughout the park. It's important to note that a small lunchbox will be allowed through bag check for babies and those with food allergies. As we are an allergy family, we packed a lunch and took a break to have a car picnic back in the parking lot (only a short walk from the front gate). There are shaded picnic tables available in the parking area. An added perk is that FREE unlimited Pepsi products and water are offered with admission so you don't have to worry about carrying around a water bottle. Just look for these drink stands and help yourself:

With over 50 attractions that truly offer something for all ages, Lake Compounce is the perfect place to spend a family day this summer. Best of all: readers of The413Mom can get a $5 discount off of regular priced admission by using this link. Just enter the code 413MomSBlog17 at checkout and you'll be able to purchase regular single day admission tickets for only $38.99 each. Junior admission for guests under 52" tall is always $33.99, and senior admission for those over age 60 is only $22.99.

Lake Compounce is located at 186 Enterprise Drive in Bristol, CT. It's just about an hours drive from Springfield and is located in such a beautiful setting. The park opens at 11 a.m. most days but check the calendar for specifics. I hope you enjoy the park as much as we did. I'm confident the whole family will find it Road Trip Worthy. #lakecompounce #adventureawaits

Memorial Day Weekend Discounts for Military Families!

• The Blue Star Museums program will start up once again on Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. This National Endowment for the Arts program grants FREE admission to all active duty personnel (including National Guard and Reserves) and their families to over 2,000 museums nationwide. All you have to do is show your current proof of service ID and the active duty member and up to five family members are admitted for FREE. The best part is that the family members can include parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and of course spouse and children. It's important to note that the active duty service member does not have to be present in order for the family to be granted free admission. Some of the local venues include the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Springfield Museums, EcoTarium, the Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and so many more! You can find out more about the program here. 
• Canobie Lake Park (Salem, NH): Active US Military, veterans and dependents (with ID) granted $10 admission May 27-29. Everyone age 12 and over must have their own ID. 
• Connecticut Science Center (Hartford, CT): FREE admission  to all active, reserve, and retired military, fire, police, state troopers, and EMS personnel (with ID). Accompanying family members admitted for half price. May 27-28. 
• The Dinosaur Place (Montville, CT): FREE admission to all members of the military with a military ID or proof of service. Guests of military members receive 10% off their admission. May 27-29. 
• Edaville Family Theme Park (Carver, MA): FREE admission to all military members, immediate family members receive 50% off full priced admission with a valid ID at the gate only. May 27-29. 
• Interskate 91 (Springfield): FREE admission for military families (with ID), May 29, 1-5 p.m.
• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic, CT): FREE admission for active and retired military personnel May 27-29 (with ID). Discounted rates for family members with ID. 

 

Now's the time to save at Lee Premium Outlets #morethanpink #foundatsimon

I love it when my friends at Lee Premium Outlets invite me to check out their latest deals so I can share all the best savings tips with you. I visited last weekend and here's what I found out: now is a great time to visit the outlets as there are two hugemongous savings opportunities going on. Firstly, their Be More Than Pink fundraiser for breast cancer research and their upcoming Memorial Day savings event. 

Between now and May 31, you can purchase a Be More Than Pink Discount Card at the management office for a $10 donation to Susan G. Komen. In return you can use the discount card for 25% off any one item at 35 retailers including Carter's, Claire's, Gap, Harry & David, J. Crew, OshKosh, TenThousand Villages, Under Armour and more. 

So for a $10 donation you can create your own sale and save 25% off up to 35 items (one at each participating retailer) between now and the end of the month. That donation pays for itself pretty quickly. You can also purchase the voucher online. This is important in case you're planning to shop in the evenings as the management office at the outlets is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (it's located in the Food Court). If you plan on visiting after 5 p.m., be sure to make your donation online so you don't miss out. 

In addition, from May 26-29 the center will be hosting a Memorial Day Weekend Super Sale will feature additional savings beyond the regular every day savings of 25 to 65 percent. AND you can use your Be More Than Pink pass during this time as well.

On top of all that, you can always sign up for the VIP Shopper Club at any time to receive a savings passport with great discounts at the center's retailers. You can sign up via email and then pick up your discount passport the next time you're at the outlets. I used the 40% off any one item at Nautica from the passport on my most recent visit to purchase a $139.99 retail bathing suit for $53 (it was already discounted 40% before I used the additional discount). #score

Here's a few other stellar deals I discovered:

At J Crew Factory, if you're a teacher or college student, you're extra lucky. There is an across-the-board 15% education discount offered to all teachers and college students. Just show your ID at the register and you will receive 15% off you total purchase. This is on to top of the fact that most of their items are routinely on sale for at least 30% off the listed price. Last weekend, they had women's chino shorts on sale for $14.95 and $19.95. And all girls summer dresses were 40-50% off. All of the items at J Crew Factory are made specifically for their outlet retail centers -- nothing here is damaged or seconds. It's a specific outlet line. I'm in love with their matchy-matchy kid/adult items. This is where you want to go for fun family photo outfits.

  

Claire's is also having a spectacular sale where you buy any three items and you get three free. This also applies to clearance items. So think in sixes. Buy six items and pay for only three. My girls were astounded by their Beannie Boo collection, including their exclusives:  

It's important to note that the Claire's location here is not an outlet store. It is fully stocked with the merchandise you'd see at any regular retail Claire's, including an ear piercing station. Piercing packages start at $39.99 depending on which style of stud earrings you are looking to start out with. I was impressed to learn about the ongoing training Claire's staff members undertake to keep up with best practices for safe ear piercing. 

The steal of the century; however, may be at the Gymboree store at Lee. Everything right now is $9.99 or under (through mid-June). EVERYTHING. The. Whole. Store. We're talking bathing suits, dresses, babywear, pajamas, jeans, shorts, t's...you get the idea. All tanks and shorts are actually only $5 right now. I picked up two SFP 50+ suits for Faith because....well....$9.99. They have an awesome collection of patriotic wear for the summer holidays. I was thinking this is another great place to hit if you like to do a theme in family photos or have the kids wear matching colors for summer trips. Gymboree carries kids' sizes newborn through 10. 

 

Here's another tip: the Ten Thousand Villages shop at Lee has more clearance items than other locations because, ahem, it's an outlet. All of the unique and beautiful items you'd find at a traditional Ten Thousand Villages, only for less. I could walk around this store for days. I love that by shopping here I'm supporting a nonprofit fair trade organization. The items stocked come from more than 35 different countries. 

Also, even by shopping the clearance, you can be sure that the artisans are still getting their full take. Just because it's on sale doesn't mean somebody didn't get their pay. Every purchase improves the lives of makers by supporting their craft and providing a fair, stable income. And also, everything is beautiful. And really one-of-a-kind. 

  

And can we talk about Harry and David for a minute? I never realized that the location in Lee is the only brick and mortar store in New England. Talk about road trip worthy. Most of us are familiar with their Moose Munch Gourmet Popcorn but have you even tried to orange chocolate flavor? Oh My Wow. The Moose Munch is B1G150% off right now. 

I also never realized you could put together an entire meal here. I only thought of their specialty chocolates (all chocolate covered fruit and truffles are 2/$22 right now), dips, and fruit baskets. However, there is a family sized Harry & David chicken pot pie calling to me from my freezer right now -- and I used my 25% More Than Pink discount to purchase it. On your next visit be sure to stop in. They usually have nibbles and tastings available throughout the store. (On Saturday there were even coffee samples available. Woot!) There are lots of great gift ideas because food is always in style! 

 

So there's my savings round up. But one more tip if you're planning on visiting this weekend. There will be a Touch a Truck event on Saturday, May 20 9 a.m. to noon as a fundraiser for Berkshire County Kids' Place. The first hour will be a quiet hour (no lights, sirens or horns). Over 20 vehicles will be on display and available to explore. Admission is $5/person with a $20 family max (no charge for kids under 2).  

I hope you enjoy your visit to Lee as much as I did. There are more than 60 stores to chose from and it's such a beautiful setting. Couldn't be easier to get to -- right off of Exit 2 on the Mass Pike. The center is open seven days a week -- from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sundays. #foundatsimon #berkshirestyle