#GRDates: Festival of the Arts is June 3-4-5 {It’s all FREE!}

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Everyone loves kicking off summer in West Michigan with the annual Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids the first weekend of June. (June 3-4-5, 2011.)  It’s great with or without kiddos, and the best part is that the music performances and art activities are all FREE.

My Top 3 Reasons to Love Festival:

#1  It’s my birthday weekend!

#2  Chicken on a stick!

#3  It’s all FREE! Except the chicken on a stick. Someone will have to spring for that. NOT me. It’s my birthday. ;)

What’s your favorite thing about Festival of the Arts?

It makes the perfect #GRDates because it will certainly fit your schedule. Head downtown Friday from noon to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 10pm, or Sunday from 10am to 7pm.

Take this map with you (pdf) so we can leave the “asking for directions” discussion at home. ;) Read this additional info, and my last suggestion is to take an umbrella! Just like Halloween, it always rains. Luckily that never spoils the fun!  See you there!

Final Price FREE! (Maybe $7 for parking and some grub money, but well under the $25 limit!)

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done this date or do you have other ideas? Leave us a comment. Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

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Rite Aid: Printable Coupon Policy {Revised 5/26/11}

rite aid west michigan deals

Rite Aid is one of my favorite drugstores to shop the deals. They modified their coupon policy slightly, so please make sure to read through it and print it out to keep in your coupon binder (video).

Rite Aid’s Printable Coupon Policy – in pdf format revised as of 5/26/11. A major change is that they will no longer accept BOGO FREE coupons on a BOGO FREE sale to get both items FREE.

If you need a Rite Aid “How-to”, please read my Shopping Rite Aid 101 post.

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West Michigan Whitecaps: 3 Ways to Save (or Get FREE) Tickets

whitecaps discounted tickets

There are plenty of ways to save on America’s favorite past time when we do it West Michigan style! Here are three easy ways to save money on tickets and food at the West Michigan Whitecaps.

  • Thrifty Thursdays – every Thursday home game. The reserved seat tickets are only $5 if you have a college ID or military ID, the lawn seats are only $6 if you’re not. Plus everyone can save once you’re at the ballpark: two hot dogs, 20 oz. beers, 22 oz. sodas and soft pretzels for only $2 each.
  • Grand Rapids Public Library – Check in Out. Get FREE tickets to the Whitecaps (or other West Michigan attractions and venues) for GRPL card holders. All the details here. (Thanks, Big Binder!)

We’re headed out for our first baseball game in June, so I’m definitely in the market for free tickets! What do you do to make a night at the Whitecaps special for your family? Know of other ways to save? Feel free to share them in the comments.

This post is linked to West Michigan Linkup.

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Biggby Coffee Coupon: BOGO FREE May 26-30

Ready or not, some of you will get to spend the holiday weekend with your sweetie. ;) Treat each other to a BOGO FREE coffee treat!

Get BOGO FREE grande/super specialty beverage at Biggby Coffee today through Monday, 5/30/11 with this printable coupon.

Save money by signing up for the Biggby Coffee E-wards program to receive a coupon for a FREE birthday beverage and get weekly coupons in your email. Don’t forget to also get an E-Frequency Card, so every 13th drink is FREE.

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Memorial Day Weekend Staycation? Eat Local for $2 ($25 GC)

Are you planning to stay home for Memorial Day weekend? You can treat yourself to $25 of food at a local West Michigan restaurant for only $2. If you’re traveling, check your destination city and purchase a deal for one of their local restaurants!

Get 80% off Restaurant.com gift certificates, gift cards AND Diner of the Month Club using code PLATE through 5/31/11.

$25 gift certificates are now only $2, but you’ll get 80% off any denomination. Terms are slightly different (yet reasonable) for each restaurant, so read the description when you purchase. See my example of How to Use a Restaurant.com Gift Certificate.

Restaurant.com Weekly Promo Offer 300 x 250

If you’re not familiar with Restaurant.com, you’ll find it’s a great way to try a new local restaurant with 13,000 participating restaurants nationwide. The gift certificates are valid for one year, so you have plenty of time to use them.

Thanks for clicking through my link. Please see my disclosure policy.

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BuyWithMe: Staycation & Vacation Deals {We Used it in Boston}

I’ve mentioned BuyWithMe before as a another great resource for vacation because it’s not available for West Michigan.  I’ve been keeping an eye on it for an upcoming blog conference in Chicago, and I’d definitely recommend signing up for the emails if you’re planning to travel and want to save money!

boston duck tour

We used BuyWithMe to purchase a “Duck Tour” in Boston before we even left home and saved about 50%. I think tours are a great way to get oriented and see the highlights in a new city.

buy with me travel deals

What do you think? Are you good with being a tourist? ;)

Thanks for clicking through my links. Please see my disclosure policy.

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Meijer.com: $10 off $99+ Purchase (exp 5/30)

Meijer SupercenterGet $10 off your purhcase of $99 or more at Meijer.com using code HONOR (exp 5/30/11).

It does exclude grocery, electronics, video game consoles, and giftcards, but it’s 10% off if you need a $100 item!

Thanks for clicking through my links. Please see my disclosure policy.

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