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Free and Cheap

Janine Dorsey

Janine is a 20-year veteran journalist who puts her sleuthing skills to use unearthing deals and discounts for families in the Tampa Bay area. Raising her own two daughters has taught her that some of the best things in life are “free” but not necessarily “cheap.”

Gayle Guyardo

Gayle Guyardo co-anchors “News Channel 8 Today” weekday mornings with Rod Carter. She does a special segment, “Ways to save today,” each Monday between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Gayle is a third generation Tampa native and a graduate of Auburn University. She and her husband Mark raise four little girls - Katie, Lindsay, Ali and Ella.

Richard Mullins

The Tampa Tribune’s retail reporter, Richard Mullins writes about consumer trends and everything you buy at the mall, grocery stores and restaurants. He believes credit cards are the window to our souls. And yes, he gets paid to wander the mall for work.

Debbie Swartz

Debbie, a 20-year veteran journalist, can typically be found at the end of Target aisles looking at clearance items. She’s also been known to send one her young daughters through the checkout lane to redeem a coupon.

Most Recent Entries

Monthly Archives

Free, discounted park passes for heroes

Posted May 15, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated May 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Hillsborough County is now offering members of the military and first responders free or discounted annual regional park passes to all Hillsborough County parks.

Passes can be obtained from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Branchton Regional Parks Office, 15502 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa.

Cash, checks and major credit cards are accepted for the discounted pass.

The free lifetime family entrance pass is for Hillsborough County residents who are:

• Honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities
• Surviving spouse and parents of deceased members of the US Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves who have fallen in combat
• Surviving dependents of deceased first responders killed in the line of duty who reside in Hillsborough County

There is a 25 percent discount for:

• Active duty members and honorably discharged veterans of the US Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves who live in Hillsborough County
• Active duty members of First Responders who live or work in Hillsborough County
• Hillsborough County employees

The regular cost for an annual regional parks pass is $50 for an individual and $100 for a family.

Those wishing to obtain the passes must provide proper documentation as outlined in the policies for First Responders and County Employees and Military.

The free and discounted passes do not include the boat launching pass, which is $100.

For information contact the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at (813) 987-6240.

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A couple of freebies from IKEA

Posted May 15, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated May 15, 2012 at 09:51 AM

As part of the “National Random Acts of Life Improvement” campaign, IKEA will be helping people prepare for Memorial Day weekend by giving away free IKEA reusable blue bags.

Locally, IKEA Tampa will be handing out the free bags at Clearwater Beach and Johns Pass on Thursday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The bags will be given away while supplies last.

For more information on the giveaway - including location and timing, follow the local IKEA store on Twitterhandle at @IKEA_Tampa

Also upcoming at IKEA is another free Tampa Kids’ Academy event.

The Kids’ Academy features free activity, free meal and free IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy t-shirt for kids under 12 years old who attend.

Activities last 20 minutes and start at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This session of the Kids’ Academy takes place on Monday, May 28, and features a Memorial Day make-your-own-flag craft.

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Free summer bowling for kids

Posted May 14, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated May 14, 2012 at 04:30 PM

If you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids this summer, another cool option is bowling.

Free Bowling For Kids is back at AMF.

Just register on their site and your kids 15 and younger will be issued vouchers for two free games per day all summer until Sept. 3.

The kids can use the vouchers seven days a week until 8 p.m. Shoe rental is not included. Check your desired location for opening hours.

Locally, the AMF bowling centers are located on N. Florida Avenue in Tampa, on 56th Street near USF and in the Clearwater area.

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$5 day at zoo on Sunday

Posted May 14, 2012 by Janine Dorsey

Updated May 14, 2012 at 04:33 PM

If you didn’t get a chance to take advantage of Lowry Park Zoo‘s “Moms get in free” deal this past weekend, there’s another discount deal on the horizon.

On Sunday (May 20) from 9:30 a.m. tol 5 p.m. everyone is admitted for just $5.

Because of the high demand on $5 days, free extra parking is available next to the Tampa Greyhound Track. Free shuttles will run continuously from that lot to the zoo from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To get to the extra parking lot from I-275, take Exit 49 to Bird Street and go one block East. Park in indicated areas only.

Please note: due to this special discount, amusement rides are not included with admission on $5 Day.

Children 2 and under are admitted free.

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