Weekend Plans: Thrift Store Hunting

On many weekends, I find myself hitting the local thrift stores in Tracy or Livermore.  I do a lot of shopping there for my step-daughter, since she goes through clothes so quickly, and for myself when I need a new pair of jeans or top and can't bear to spend department store prices.  I've had great luck at thrift stores finding stylish, hardly-worn clothing for really cheap.

I especially love the Buena Vidas' half price sale on Saturdays.  Buena Vidas is a thrift store in Livermore that benefits a local youth ranch.  They have a wide array of items and the Saturday prices can't be beat.  (They also offer a voucher program for those who can't afford clothing or other necessities - see their website for details.) I'm already planning to go this weekend for my latest crafty project. 

Which local thrift stores are your favorites?

Zumba in Mountain House

If you're like me and love Zumba, or if you haven't tried it but are looking for a fun way to get your exercise in, you should check out the Zumba classes in Mountain House.  Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 PM in the gym at Wicklund school and they're $3 each or $20 for an 8 class punch card.

The proceeds from the classes benefit all three schools in Mountain House.  So you're getting fit, at a great price, and our schools benefit. 

It's only fitting that this event is very family oriented, being in Mountain House.  Kids come along and hang out while their parents Zumba, or if they're brave enough, they can join-in and Zumba, too!  I really think this is a great alternative to people who don't feel like they can pay for a gym membership (since you only have to pay when you go), especially if they also would have to pay for a sitter or kid care at the gym every time they wanted to work out.

My step-daughter has been looking forward to going back and participating next time (she didn't want to last time, although she regretted it).  Unfortunately, I don't usually get home early enough, and I haven't yet convinced her dad to take her... but I'm getting close!

Here's a map to the school if you're not familiar with the area.

Bargain Alert: Livermore Rummage Sale January 28th

When I was looking at the LARPD website, I also saw that their monthly rummage sale is on January 28th 8:00 AM to Noon.  I believe they're held monthly on the last Saturday of the month.  I've been to it once and, although it wasn't huge, I would say it was definitely worth a visit, and I'll probably go again soon. You can also rent a space and sell your own stuff.

Here's the flier for January. 

Livermore Area Recreation & Park District's Winter/Spring Programs Catalog is Now Available

Every few months, I look forward to LARPD's new catalog of classes and programs.  It's filled with great activities for kids and adults and they're usually at great prices (or at least cheaper than private lessons and classes).  There are always too many classes that I want to take, so my family and I usually attend one or two per year.
 
There are any kind of classes imaginable, and some you never would have thought of in your wildest dreams.  Last year, my step-daughter took a kid's Zumba class, that she really enjoyed. (I've since discovered that kids can participate in the Zumba classes in Mountain House, but I'll post more on that soon.)  Another fun thing that my sister told me about is the Friday Fun Night, which allows you to drop of your 5- to 10-year-old off at the community center so that you can have a "date night" (or just a break).  It's only $15 for 3 hours and it sounds like a great time for all.

I'm going to look a little deeper to pick out which classes we might take this season.  I'll update you on the ones that I think look the best, and are the best deals.

Find the full catalog here: http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/brochures/Winter_Spring_2012_Brochure.pdf

And you can find the LARPD website here: http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/ 

Taste of Tri-Valley - January 21-29, 2012

The Taste of Tri-Valley is returning soon and the list of the restaurants participating is now available.  This is a great chance to try a restaurant that may have been a little too expensive to go to before, since during this "Restaurant Week," each of the restaurants participating are offering special meals at discounted prices. 

I wanted to try The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards last year during Restaurant Week, but didn't get to. Luckily, they're participating again this year, and I think the lunch they're offering is new, and at a great price ($15).

Here's the event website, which includes the list of all restaurants participating and their prices: http://www.trivalleycvb.com/tasteoftrivalley/

Bargain Alert: Free McDonald's Coffee Through January 15th

More good news for coffee lovers.  I heard on the radio this morning that McDonald's is currently giving away free coffee.  No purchase necessary.   It was hard to find information about this on the web, (I didn't even find anything on the McDonald's website) but I found this article that confirms that they're offering a free small coffee in their San Joaquin County restaurants through Sunday. 

My recollection of the radio ad was that the promotion lasted longer that that, so perhaps they're offering it after January 15th in Alameda County, but don't quote me on that.  I'll update this posting if I find out more.

Taco Night!

Fridays are often taco night in our household.  That's because our favorite taqueria in Tracy, Taqueria Maguey, sells $0.75 tacos on Fridays (and Wednesdays).  Their tacos are on the smaller side, but deliciously filled with quality ingredients.  About 4 will fill me up, and I like to eat a lot of food. They also have other deals the rest of the week, but I love ending my work week with tacos and maybe a chile relleno, if they have any left.

Taqueria Maguey
2242 W. Grant Line Rd.
Tracy, CA 95377http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-maguey-tracy

Bargain Alert: Free Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss with Any Purchase

Thanks to Hip2Save.com for letting me know about this deal!  Now through February 2nd, 2012, you will receive a free Beauty Rush Lip Gloss with any purchase in Victoria's Secret stores (but not outlets) with this coupon. 

Cinematic Treasures Series at The Grand

I'm really excited that I just found out about the Cinematic Treasures Series at The Grand Theater in Tracy.   A few times over the next couple of months, The Grand will be showing classic movies at a great price (about $3).  The Birds, The Godfather Trilogy, and a special midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show are all listed on their calendar.  (Each film is only shown once.) 

http://www.atthegrand.org/calendar/.

Their site is little bit clunky but if you click on an event in the calendar, more information pops up.  And it also appears that you can purchase tickets online for some of the shows.

Check out their other events, too.  There will be a community theater presentation of the musical, Annie, in May, (auditions are today, by the way) which would also be fun to take the kiddies to.

Activities at Sycamore Grove Park

Sycamore Grove Park is one of my favorite places in Livermore.  I love its history and beauty.  If you ever get a chance to take a class about the history of the park and Olivina, I highly recommend it. 

Every month Sycamore Grove park releases a newsletter which includes a number of activities, led by park rangers, who teach you about the habitat and tell stories about the park.  Most are family-friendly and free. 

Here's the link to their newsletter for your enjoyment: http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/open_space/vw_archives.html

I imagine my sister will make me join her for the Winter Owls program on January 29th, but the Bright Winter Stars program on January 14th looks fun, as well.

LARPD's website is also a great resource for community events and classes in Livermore.  My family and I have taken several classes through their recreation department, including an olive picking and curing class, which is where I learned about Olivina and Sycamore Grove Park.

Bargain Alert: $2 for 5 $1 Vouchers for Blockbuster Express Kiosks - Three Days Left

I found another great Groupon today that I thought I'd share: $2 for 5 $1 vouchers for Blockbuster Express Kiosks.  These are good at all of the Blockbuster Kiosks and blockbuster.com.  You have three days left from today to purchase this.

Here's the link: http://www.groupon.com/deals/blockbuster-express-harrisburg-4?c=dnb&p=2

This information comes from another website/blog that I found recently that I absolutely love, Hip2Save.  I totally recommend it for anyone, not just the super-thrifty.  http://hip2save.com

I suggest that you sign up for their email alerts - they send all the deals to your mailbox daily.

Bargain Alert: Groupon for Qdoba in Tracy - One Day Left

On Groupon right now, you can get a $14 voucher to Qdoba in Tracy for $7.  It's rare for Groupon or any of the other deal sites to have deals so close to home, so I had to post about it.  I bought this one since it's a new restaurant that I'd been wanting to try, and I'll definitely try it if I get a 50% discount.

Here's the link.  You won't be able to purchase it after tomorrow: http://www.groupon.com/deals/qdoba-stockton?c=dnb&p=5

Bargain Alert: Eco Friendly Bathroom and Window Cleaners - Costco

On Saturday, I was at Costco in Tracy, and I saw a great deal for ATTITUDE Certified Eco Friendly Bathroom and Window Cleaners.  It was $2.97 for a spray bottle and 1 gallon refill.  On the shelves next to these bottles was were equal-sized bottles of PineSol, which were $10 each.  So, I couldn't resist - I bought two sets of the bathroom cleaners.  I tested it out on my shower, which picks up a lot of soap scum, and it worked pretty well.  They were almost out of the bathroom cleaners when I was there, but they had plenty of window cleaner left.  I'm not sure if this item is being sold at other stores, or if it's at the same price.

On a side note, I really wish I could buy eco-friendly and organic products all the time, but I just can't afford to.  So, whenever possible, I do, or I buy the most eco-friendly items that I can afford.  Costco is actually a great place for good deals on some green products.  We try to buy their recycled paper towels and toilet paper, as well as some of the Kirkland brand green(er) cleaners.  Prices for these products are often comparable, if not cheaper than their traditional Kirkland brand items.  And even when it ends up being a little bit more, I can justify buying it anyway because it helps me feel better about my impact on the world.