Categories
Twin Cities

8 Rom-Com-Worthy Date Ideas

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve been binging our favorite rom coms. “Never Been Kissed.” “Definitely, Maybe.” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” We’ve seen them all — and, let’s be honest, sobbed when the main characters finally get together. One thing we’ve always loved about rom-coms is the dates they go on. That’s why this year we decided to put together a list of rom-com-worthy date ideas that you can easily do. Because we can’t help ourselves, we also threw in ways to save on your dates.

Take a Class Together/Do an Activity Together

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It’s been a long time since most of us have been able to spend a night out doing something fun. The break makes doing what used to feel mundane like safely going to the movies, bowling or taking a class feel more exciting. It’s the perfect opportunity to spark romance and have fun together.

$5 OFF Any Menu Item at Park Tavern

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Plan a Romantic Night In

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As great as it can be to go out, sometimes the most romantic moments are the nights in. Lower the lights, put on slow jams and enjoy time together. Cooking together is a really cute idea for a date night in. You can cook side-by-side making dinner together, or you could have a competition to see who makes the best dinner for the other.

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SaveOn groceries, desserts and drinks

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Have a Spa Day

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Life’s stressful. Unwinding with a couple’s massage or a spa day is the perfect way to get romance going. If you don’t want to spend the money on a spa day, you can always do one at home. It’s just as romantic, if not more, to pamper your partner with a massage, facial, manicure and/or pedicure.

$14.99 Manicure at Elite Nails

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Have Dinner Out or In

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Whether you get dinner from an expensive, fancy restaurant or your favorite burger joint, dinner dates are classic in rom-coms. Many restaurants have special Valentine’s Day menus that feature sensual foods and decadent desserts. Some restaurants, like pizza places, even make heart-shaped food for the occasion.

15% OFF A La Carte Menu at Tokyo Sushi

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Go on a Shopping Spree

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Everyone knows the way to a woman’s heart is through diamonds, food or shopping. Since we already covered food, we’re on to shopping. Although expensive gifts are great, you don’t have to spend a lot to have fun shopping. We highly recommend going to a local resale store, setting a small budget for each person and picking out outfits for each other. It’s fun and you will share a lot of laughs and memories.

25% OFF Select Merchandise Annie’s Boutique Products

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Have a Wine or Beer Tasting

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What’s better than enjoying your favorite brew with your favorite person? Trying new beer or wine flavors. We love the idea of going to a local bar and doing a wine or beer tasting. You can create a lot of good memories over drinks, and it’s even more fun when you get out of your comfort zone and try new flavors. Who knows, you might even find a new favorite.

$5 OFF Purchase Of $25 at Roma Restaurant

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Play Tourist in Your Town

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Another classic rom-com date is the romantic getaway. Travel isn’t possible for everyone right now, but you can still have a getaway in your own backyard. Staying at a local hotel and playing tourist in your town can be a really cool way to spend Valentine’s Day.

$179 Friday Family Fun Night at Holiday Inn Lakeville

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Go to a Record Store

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Music is important to people. Someone sharing a song or album that has strong meaning in their lives is a big deal. Going to a record store together is not just a fun change-up to your normal date-night routine, it’s also a way to be vulnerable with each other and share the stories behind your favorite songs.

$5 OFF Any Purchase of $25 or More at Ramble On Records

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Creating a rom-com-worthy date night isn’t as hard as you think. All you need is a little creativity and a lot of love. You can save on Valentine’s dates, gifts and more at SaveOn.com.

Categories
Detroit

8 Rom-Com-Worthy Date Ideas

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve been binging our favorite rom coms. “Never Been Kissed.” “Definitely, Maybe.” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” We’ve seen them all — and, let’s be honest, sobbed when the main characters finally get together. One thing we’ve always loved about rom-coms is the dates they go on. That’s why this year we decided to put together a list of rom-com-worthy date ideas that you can easily do. Because we can’t help ourselves, we also threw in ways to save on your dates.

Take a Class Together/Do an Activity Together

It’s been a long time since most of us have been able to spend a night out doing something fun. The break makes doing what used to feel mundane like safely going to the movies, bowling or taking a class feel more exciting. It’s the perfect opportunity to spark romance and have fun together.

Plan a Romantic Night In

As great as it can be to go out, sometimes the most romantic moments are the nights in. Lower the lights, put on slow jams and enjoy time together. Cooking together is a really cute idea for a date night in. You can cook side-by-side making dinner together, or you could have a competition to see who makes the best dinner for the other.

SaveOn groceries, desserts and drinks

Have a Spa Day

Life’s stressful. Unwinding with a couple’s massage or a spa day is the perfect way to get romance going. If you don’t want to spend the money on a spa day, you can always do one at home. It’s just as romantic, if not more, to pamper your partner with a massage, facial, manicure and/or pedicure.

Have Dinner Out or In

Whether you get dinner from an expensive, fancy restaurant or your favorite burger joint, dinner dates are classic in rom-coms. Many restaurants have special Valentine’s Day menus that feature sensual foods and decadent desserts. Some restaurants, like pizza places, even make heart-shaped food for the occasion.

Go on a Shopping Spree

Everyone knows the way to a woman’s heart is through diamonds, food or shopping. Since we already covered food, we’re on to shopping. Although expensive gifts are great, you don’t have to spend a lot to have fun shopping. We highly recommend going to a local resale store, setting a small budget for each person and picking out outfits for each other. It’s fun and you will share a lot of laughs and memories.

Have a Wine or Beer Tasting

What’s better than enjoying your favorite brew with your favorite person? Trying new beer or wine flavors. We love the idea of going to a local bar and doing a wine or beer tasting. You can create a lot of good memories over drinks, and it’s even more fun when you get out of your comfort zone and try new flavors. Who knows, you might even find a new favorite.

Play Tourist in Your Town

Another classic rom-com date is the romantic getaway. Travel isn’t possible for everyone right now, but you can still have a getaway in your own backyard. Staying at a local hotel and playing tourist in your town can be a really cool way to spend Valentine’s Day.

Go to a Record Store

Music is important to people. Someone sharing a song or album that has strong meaning in their lives is a big deal. Going to a record store together is not just a fun change-up to your normal date-night routine, it’s also a way to be vulnerable with each other and share the stories behind your favorite songs.

Creating a rom-com-worthy date night isn’t as hard as you think. All you need is a little creativity and a lot of love. You can save on Valentine’s dates, gifts and more at SaveOn.com.

Categories
Coupon Tips Twin Cities

Twin Cities’ Ultimate Prep List for Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is almost here, and if you’re like us, you’re probably excited to spend extra time with family and friends but are dreading getting the house ready. We get it, there’s a million and one things to do and never enough time to do them all. It seems like there’s always something big that slips through the cracks. But not this year. This year, you’re going to be the queen of holiday prep. Seriously, your friends are going to be so jealous of how together you have it.

We made the ultimate list of things you need to do over the next few days and weeks to get your house ready for the festivities, and we even threw in some of our favorite ways for you to save while you do it.

Cleaning

Let’s skip the obvious. We’ll all remember to clean the house before we decorate and have guests over. This is your deep-cleaning reminder. We’re not trying to impress just anyone. This year we’re going to impress the picky aunts and meticulous in-laws. To get your house to Monica Geller, clean don’t forget to clean these areas of the house:

  • Baseboards
  • Light switches
  • Windowsills
  • Oven (inside and out)
  • Doorknobs
  • Shower curtain
  • Fridge
  • Walls
  • Remote
  • Pillows
  • Inside closets
  • Outdoor lights
  • Mattress
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal
  • Bath fan grill
  • Trash can
  • Washer and dryer
  • Toothbrush holder
  • Coffee maker
  • Toilet brush and plunger
  • Under the fridge
  • Faucet aerators
  • Clutter

It can be a lot of work to get all these extra things cleaned, but luckily, we’re weeks out from Thanksgiving. Recruiting help from the kids is a great idea if they’re old enough. You could also crack open a bottle of wine (or two) with your bestie and have some laughs while you get the job done.

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Sprucing Up the Exterior

First impressions are everything, right? Start the holiday visits off right by having a spotless inside and outside of your home. Don’t forget to do these things to set your house apart.

  • Rake the leaves
  • Power-wash the siding
  • Put trash cans away
  • Clean up toys
  • Clean the gutters
  • Touch up paint
  • Wash windows
  • Sweep and wash the porch
  • Pull and dispose of dead weeds/flowers
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is unnamed.jpg
25% OFF Any Service at MasterCut Tree Service by West Michigan Glass Block
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Planning for Houseguests

We all love spending time with family (at least for a week or so), and we want them to feel comfortable and at home when they’re visiting. Put the extra time in getting the house ready now, so you can enjoy family time later.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is pexels-elly-fairytale-5859798-1024x683.jpg
  • Make up the guest bedroom or make room for guests to settle in
  • Declutter
  • Stock the bedside table with water, the Wi-Fi password and tissues
  • Childproof the house
  • Stock up on toiletries
  • Clear a drawer
  • Put out fresh towels
  • Set out extra blankets and pillows
  • Make plugs accessible
  • Set out a welcome snack

Stocking Up on Essentials

Don’t be the host that has no conditioner or can’t give a guest a bandage. Stock up on the essentials and save yourself from making countless trips to the store.

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwashing detergent and dish soap
  • Extra razors and toothbrushes
  • Q-tips
  • First aid supplies
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is shutterstock_1677576121-1-1024x683.jpg
Snuggle, Clorox, Glade, Dove and More Household Essentials
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is view-deal-button-12.png

Decorating

Every year, it seems like we make 20 trips to the store to get supplies to decorate the house. Save time and make just one trip to the store by getting the following decorating essentials.

  • Thumb tacks
  • Command strips
  • Holiday lights
  • Light bulb replacements
  • Nails and screws
  • Tape
  • Extension cords
  • Spray snow
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Bulbs
  • Ornament hooks
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 1602705471-gallery.jpg

Getting the Kitchen Ready

There’s nothing worse than waking up at 5 a.m. to get your butt cooking all day long, just to pull out a cold turkey at dinnertime. Make sure your kitchen appliances are working and you have all the supplies you need to have a rocking holiday dinner.

  • Check oven temperature
  • Stock up on storage bags, saran wrap, storage containers and other food preservation materials
  • Clean out the refrigerator
  • Stock your kitchen with food, baking essentials and spices
  • Create a cooking schedule
  • Declutter kitchen counters
  • Check your dishwasher efficiency
  • Get your serving utensils ready (sharpen knives, take inventory of serving spoons, make sure your meat thermometer works)
  • Inventory plates, silverware, cups, etc.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Service-technician-refrigerator-appliance-repair-1024x683.jpg
$10 OFF Service Call at Simon’s Appliance
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Setting the Menu

Planning holiday dinners gets about as intricate as diffusing a bomb. OK, so maybe it’s not that serious, but it is one of the most important parts of the holidays. Everything revolves around dinner. Use this list and dinner won’t just be smooth sailing, but you’ll finally get to enjoy a hot meal on a holiday.

  • Shop early
  • Consider allergies, dietary restrictions and food preferences
  • Grab grocery coupons
  • Get extras — you can always donate unused food to food pantries
  • Make a cooking schedule
  • Determine who will bring dishes and what ones you will make
  • Have a backup plan in case the main course burns
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screenshot-2020-11-24-134859.png
Hellmann’s, Pillsbury, Ben & Jerry’s and More Grocery Coupons
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Making Repairs

There are projects we put off all year long. Although guests might not notice, you’ll feel less self-conscious about the condition of your home if you take care of the small repairs that bug you ahead of holiday gatherings.

  • Touching up paint
  • Fixing squeaky doors and stairs
  • Tightening cupboard screws
  • Leaky pipes
  • Sticky doors or windows
  • Secure loose rails
  • Snip wayward carpet strands
  • Repairing heating, cooling, sewage or other systems
$50 Off Services at Mr. Handyman
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is view-deal-button-12.png

Securing Safety

You never know what will happen when you get your wild and crazy family together in one place. Make sure your house has much-needed safety precautions in place.

  • Check fire alarm
  • Check carbon monoxide detector
  • Check fire extinguisher
  • Update evacuation plan
  • Have flashlights and batteries
  • Stock your first aid kit
  • Update and post emergency numbers
  • Childproof the house

Our final bit of advice for having the most laid-back, stress-free holiday is to plan ahead and stick to it. Or in other works, make your list and check it twice. Happy holidays from your SaveOn family. Don’t forget to check out our site for more local savings so you can live life for less.

Categories
Chicago Coupon Tips

Chicago’s Ultimate Prep List for Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is almost here, and if you’re like us, you’re probably excited to spend extra time with family and friends but are dreading getting the house ready. We get it, there’s a million and one things to do and never enough time to do them all. It seems like there’s always something big that slips through the cracks. But not this year. This year, you’re going to be the queen of holiday prep. Seriously, your friends are going to be so jealous of how together you have it.

We made the ultimate list of things you need to do over the next few days and weeks to get your house ready for the festivities, and we even threw in some of our favorite ways for you to save while you do it.

Cleaning

Let’s skip the obvious. We’ll all remember to clean the house before we decorate and have guests over. This is your deep-cleaning reminder. We’re not trying to impress just anyone. This year we’re going to impress the picky aunts and meticulous in-laws. To get your house to Monica Geller, clean don’t forget to clean these areas of the house:

  • Baseboards
  • Light switches
  • Windowsills
  • Oven (inside and out)
  • Doorknobs
  • Shower curtain
  • Fridge
  • Walls
  • Remote
  • Pillows
  • Inside closets
  • Outdoor lights
  • Mattress
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal
  • Bath fan grill
  • Trash can
  • Washer and dryer
  • Toothbrush holder
  • Coffee maker
  • Toilet brush and plunger
  • Under the fridge
  • Faucet aerators
  • Clutter

It can be a lot of work to get all these extra things cleaned, but luckily, we’re weeks out from Thanksgiving. Recruiting help from the kids is a great idea if they’re old enough. You could also crack open a bottle of wine (or two) with your bestie and have some laughs while you get the job done. If you’re too busy to possibly get everything done — like most of us are — you can always get extra help from cleaning businesses. Bonus: You get to support local, while taking tasks off your plate.

$75 Off Three Cleanings at Maid Pro

Sprucing Up the Exterior

First impressions are everything, right? Start the holiday visits off right by having a spotless inside and outside of your home. Don’t forget to do these things to set your house apart.

  • Rake the leaves
  • Power-wash the siding
  • Put trash cans away
  • Clean up toys
  • Clean the gutters
  • Touch up paint
  • Wash windows
  • Sweep and wash the porch
  • Pull and dispose of dead weeds/flowers
Save On Gutter Cleaning At V & D Window Washing & Gutter Cleaning

Planning for Houseguests

We all love spending time with family (at least for a week or so), and we want them to feel comfortable and at home when they’re visiting. Put the extra time in getting the house ready now, so you can enjoy family time later.

  • Make up the guest bedroom or make room for guests to settle in
  • Declutter
  • Stock the bedside table with water, the Wi-Fi password and tissues
  • Childproof the house
  • Stock up on toiletries
  • Clear a drawer
  • Put out fresh towels
  • Set out extra blankets and pillows
  • Make plugs accessible
  • Set out a welcome snack

Stocking Up on Essentials

Don’t be the host that has no conditioner or can’t give a guest a bandage. Stock up on the essentials and save yourself from making countless trips to the store.

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwashing detergent and dish soap
  • Extra razors and toothbrushes
  • Q-tips
  • First aid supplies
Snuggle, Clorox, Glade, Dove and More Household Essentials

Decorating

Every year, it seems like we make 20 trips to the store to get supplies to decorate the house. Save time and make just one trip to the store by getting the following decorating essentials.

  • Thumb tacks
  • Command strips
  • Holiday lights
  • Light bulb replacements
  • Nails and screws
  • Tape
  • Extension cords
  • Spray snow
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Bulbs
  • Ornament hooks
10% Off Total Installation of Holiday Lights at MML Premier Services

Getting the Kitchen Ready

There’s nothing worse than waking up at 5 a.m. to get your butt cooking all day long, just to pull out a cold turkey at dinnertime. Make sure your kitchen appliances are working and you have all the supplies you need to have a rocking holiday dinner.

  • Check oven temperature
  • Stock up on storage bags, saran wrap, storage containers and other food preservation materials
  • Clean out the refrigerator
  • Stock your kitchen with food, baking essentials and spices
  • Create a cooking schedule
  • Declutter kitchen counters
  • Check your dishwasher efficiency
  • Get your serving utensils ready (sharpen knives, take inventory of serving spoons, make sure your meat thermometer works)
  • Inventory plates, silverware, cups, etc.
$300 Per Half Day Handyman Special Rate at Got A Guy Handyman & Remodeling Services

Setting the Menu

Planning holiday dinners gets about as intricate as diffusing a bomb. OK, so maybe it’s not that serious, but it is one of the most important parts of the holidays. Everything revolves around dinner. Use this list and dinner won’t just be smooth sailing, but you’ll finally get to enjoy a hot meal on a holiday.

  • Shop early
  • Consider allergies, dietary restrictions and food preferences
  • Grab grocery coupons
  • Get extras — you can always donate unused food to food pantries
  • Make a cooking schedule
  • Determine who will bring dishes and what ones you will make
  • Have a backup plan in case the main course burns
Hellmann’s, Pillsbury, Ben & Jerry’s and More Grocery Coupons

Making Repairs

There are projects we put off all year long. Although guests might not notice, you’ll feel less self-conscious about the condition of your home if you take care of the small repairs that bug you ahead of holiday gatherings.

  • Touching up paint
  • Fixing squeaky doors and stairs
  • Tightening cupboard screws
  • Leaky pipes
  • Sticky doors or windows
  • Secure loose rails
  • Snip wayward carpet strands
  • Repairing heating, cooling, sewage or other systems
$50 Off Any Repair Service at Eco Air Pros

Securing Safety

You never know what will happen when you get your wild and crazy family together in one place. Make sure your house has much-needed safety precautions in place.

  • Check fire alarm
  • Check carbon monoxide detector
  • Check fire extinguisher
  • Update evacuation plan
  • Have flashlights and batteries
  • Stock your first aid kit
  • Update and post emergency numbers
  • Childproof the house

Our final bit of advice for having the most laid-back, stress-free holiday is to plan ahead and stick to it. Or in other works, make your list and check it twice. Happy holidays from your SaveOn family. Don’t forget to check out our site for more local savings so you can live life for less.

Categories
West Michigan

West Michigan’s Ultimate Prep List for Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is almost here, and if you’re like us, you’re probably excited to spend extra time with family and friends but are dreading getting the house ready. We get it, there’s a million and one things to do and never enough time to do them all. It seems like there’s always something big that slips through the cracks. But not this year. This year, you’re going to be the queen of holiday prep. Seriously, your friends are going to be so jealous of how together you have it.

We made the ultimate list of things you need to do over the next few days and weeks to get your house ready for the festivities, and we even threw in some of our favorite ways for you to save while you do it.

Cleaning

Let’s skip the obvious. We’ll all remember to clean the house before we decorate and have guests over. This is your deep-cleaning reminder. We’re not trying to impress just anyone. This year we’re going to impress the picky aunts and meticulous in-laws. To get your house to Monica Geller, clean don’t forget to clean these areas of the house:

  • Baseboards
  • Light switches
  • Windowsills
  • Oven (inside and out)
  • Doorknobs
  • Shower curtain
  • Fridge
  • Walls
  • Remote
  • Pillows
  • Inside closets
  • Outdoor lights
  • Mattress
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal
  • Bath fan grill
  • Trash can
  • Washer and dryer
  • Toothbrush holder
  • Coffee maker
  • Toilet brush and plunger
  • Under the fridge
  • Faucet aerators
  • Clutter

It can be a lot of work to get all these extra things cleaned, but luckily, we’re weeks out from Thanksgiving. Recruiting help from the kids is a great idea if they’re old enough. You could also crack open a bottle of wine (or two) with your bestie and have some laughs while you get the job done. If you’re too busy to possibly get everything done — like most of us are — you can always get extra help from cleaning businesses. Bonus: You get to support local, while taking tasks off your plate.

20% OFF First Cleaning at Calder City Cleaning LLC

Sprucing Up the Exterior

First impressions are everything, right? Start the holiday visits off right by having a spotless inside and outside of your home. Don’t forget to do these things to set your house apart.

  • Rake the leaves
  • Power-wash the siding
  • Put trash cans away
  • Clean up toys
  • Clean the gutters
  • Touch up paint
  • Wash windows
  • Sweep and wash the porch
  • Pull and dispose of dead weeds/flowers
15% Off Whole House Weatherization Package by West Michigan Glass Block

Planning for Houseguests

We all love spending time with family (at least for a week or so), and we want them to feel comfortable and at home when they’re visiting. Put the extra time in getting the house ready now, so you can enjoy family time later.

  • Make up the guest bedroom or make room for guests to settle in
  • Declutter
  • Stock the bedside table with water, the Wi-Fi password and tissues
  • Childproof the house
  • Stock up on toiletries
  • Clear a drawer
  • Put out fresh towels
  • Set out extra blankets and pillows
  • Make plugs accessible
  • Set out a welcome snack

Stocking Up on Essentials

Don’t be the host that has no conditioner or can’t give a guest a bandage. Stock up on the essentials and save yourself from making countless trips to the store.

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwashing detergent and dish soap
  • Extra razors and toothbrushes
  • Q-tips
  • First aid supplies
Snuggle, Clorox, Glade, Dove and More Household Essentials

Decorating

Every year, it seems like we make 20 trips to the store to get supplies to decorate the house. Save time and make just one trip to the store by getting the following decorating essentials.

  • Thumb tacks
  • Command strips
  • Holiday lights
  • Light bulb replacements
  • Nails and screws
  • Tape
  • Extension cords
  • Spray snow
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Bulbs
  • Ornament hooks

Getting the Kitchen Ready

There’s nothing worse than waking up at 5 a.m. to get your butt cooking all day long, just to pull out a cold turkey at dinnertime. Make sure your kitchen appliances are working and you have all the supplies you need to have a rocking holiday dinner.

  • Check oven temperature
  • Stock up on storage bags, saran wrap, storage containers and other food preservation materials
  • Clean out the refrigerator
  • Stock your kitchen with food, baking essentials and spices
  • Create a cooking schedule
  • Declutter kitchen counters
  • Check your dishwasher efficiency
  • Get your serving utensils ready (sharpen knives, take inventory of serving spoons, make sure your meat thermometer works)
  • Inventory plates, silverware, cups, etc.
$15 OFF Appliance Labor Cost at Apex Appliance

Setting the Menu

Planning holiday dinners gets about as intricate as diffusing a bomb. OK, so maybe it’s not that serious, but it is one of the most important parts of the holidays. Everything revolves around dinner. Use this list and dinner won’t just be smooth sailing, but you’ll finally get to enjoy a hot meal on a holiday.

  • Shop early
  • Consider allergies, dietary restrictions and food preferences
  • Grab grocery coupons
  • Get extras — you can always donate unused food to food pantries
  • Make a cooking schedule
  • Determine who will bring dishes and what ones you will make
  • Have a backup plan in case the main course burns
Hellmann’s, Pillsbury, Ben & Jerry’s and More Grocery Coupons

Making Repairs

There are projects we put off all year long. Although guests might not notice, you’ll feel less self-conscious about the condition of your home if you take care of the small repairs that bug you ahead of holiday gatherings.

  • Touching up paint
  • Fixing squeaky doors and stairs
  • Tightening cupboard screws
  • Leaky pipes
  • Sticky doors or windows
  • Secure loose rails
  • Snip wayward carpet strands
  • Repairing heating, cooling, sewage or other systems
20% Off Kitchen Cabinet Painting at Hillis Brothers Painting

Securing Safety

You never know what will happen when you get your wild and crazy family together in one place. Make sure your house has much-needed safety precautions in place.

  • Check fire alarm
  • Check carbon monoxide detector
  • Check fire extinguisher
  • Update evacuation plan
  • Have flashlights and batteries
  • Stock your first aid kit
  • Update and post emergency numbers
  • Childproof the house

Our final bit of advice for having the most laid-back, stress-free holiday is to plan ahead and stick to it. Or in other works, make your list and check it twice. Happy holidays from your SaveOn family. Don’t forget to check out our site for more local savings so you can live life for less.

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Coupon Tips Detroit

The Ultimate Prep List for Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

The holidays are here, and if you’re like us, you’re probably excited to spend extra time with family and friends but are dreading getting the house ready. We get it, there’s a million and one things to do and never enough time to do them all. It seems like there’s always something big that slips through the cracks. But not this year. This year, you’re going to be the queen of holiday prep. Seriously, your friends are going to be so jealous of how together you have it.

We made the ultimate list of things you need to do over the next few days and weeks to get your house ready for the festivities, and we even threw in some of our favorite ways for you to save while you do it.

Cleaning

Let’s skip the obvious. We’ll all remember to clean the house before we decorate and have guests over. This is your deep-cleaning reminder. We’re not trying to impress just anyone. This year we’re going to impress the picky aunts and meticulous in-laws. To get your house to Monica Geller, clean don’t forget to clean these areas of the house:

  • Baseboards
  • Light switches
  • Windowsills
  • Oven (inside and out)
  • Doorknobs
  • Shower curtain
  • Fridge
  • Walls
  • Remote
  • Pillows
  • Inside closets
  • Outdoor lights
  • Mattress
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal
  • Bath fan grill
  • Trash can
  • Washer and dryer
  • Toothbrush holder
  • Coffee maker
  • Toilet brush and plunger
  • Under the fridge
  • Faucet aerators
  • Clutter

It can be a lot of work to get all these extra things cleaned. Recruiting help from the kids is a great idea if they’re old enough. You could also crack open a bottle of wine (or two) with your bestie and have some laughs while you get the job done. If you’re too busy to possibly get everything done — like most of us are — you can always get extra help from cleaning businesses. Bonus: You get to support local, while taking tasks off your plate.

Sprucing Up the Exterior

First impressions are everything, right? Start the holiday visits off right by having a spotless inside and outside of your home. Don’t forget to do these things to set your house apart.

  • Rake the leaves
  • Power-wash the siding
  • Put trash cans away
  • Clean up toys
  • Clean the gutters
  • Touch up paint
  • Wash windows
  • Sweep and wash the porch
  • Pull and dispose of dead weeds/flowers

Planning for Houseguests

We all love spending time with family (at least for a week or so), and we want them to feel comfortable and at home when they’re visiting. Put the extra time in getting the house ready now, so you can enjoy family time later.

  • Make up the guest bedroom or make room for guests to settle in
  • Declutter
  • Stock the bedside table with water, the Wi-Fi password and tissues
  • Childproof the house
  • Stock up on toiletries
  • Clear a drawer
  • Put out fresh towels
  • Set out extra blankets and pillows
  • Make plugs accessible
  • Set out a welcome snack

Stocking Up on Essentials

Don’t be the host that has no conditioner or can’t give a guest a bandage. Stock up on the essentials and save yourself from making countless trips to the store.

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwashing detergent and dish soap
  • Extra razors and toothbrushes
  • Q-tips
  • First aid supplies
Snuggle, Clorox, Glade, Dove and More Household Essentials

Decorating

Every year, it seems like we make 20 trips to the store to get supplies to decorate the house. Save time and make just one trip to the store by getting the following decorating essentials.

  • Thumb tacks
  • Command strips
  • Holiday lights
  • Light bulb replacements
  • Nails and screws
  • Tape
  • Extension cords
  • Spray snow
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Bulbs
  • Ornament hooks

Getting the Kitchen Ready

There’s nothing worse than waking up at 5 a.m. to get your butt cooking all day long, just to pull out a cold turkey at dinnertime. Make sure your kitchen appliances are working and you have all the supplies you need to have a rocking holiday dinner.

  • Check oven temperature
  • Stock up on storage bags, saran wrap, storage containers and other food preservation materials
  • Clean out the refrigerator
  • Stock your kitchen with food, baking essentials and spices
  • Create a cooking schedule
  • Declutter kitchen counters
  • Check your dishwasher efficiency
  • Get your serving utensils ready (sharpen knives, take inventory of serving spoons, make sure your meat thermometer works)
  • Inventory plates, silverware, cups, etc.

Setting the Menu

Planning holiday dinners gets about as intricate as diffusing a bomb. OK, so maybe it’s not that serious, but it is one of the most important parts of the holidays. Everything revolves around dinner. Use this list and dinner won’t just be smooth sailing, but you’ll finally get to enjoy a hot meal on a holiday.

  • Shop early
  • Consider allergies, dietary restrictions and food preferences
  • Grab grocery coupons
  • Get extras — you can always donate unused food to food pantries
  • Make a cooking schedule
  • Determine who will bring dishes and what ones you will make
  • Have a backup plan in case the main course burns
Hundreds of Grocery Coupons for the brands you love

Making Repairs

There are projects we put off all year long. Although guests might not notice, you’ll feel less self-conscious about the condition of your home if you take care of the small repairs that bug you ahead of holiday gatherings.

  • Touching up paint
  • Fixing squeaky doors and stairs
  • Tightening cupboard screws
  • Leaky pipes
  • Sticky doors or windows
  • Secure loose rails
  • Snip wayward carpet strands
  • Repairing heating, cooling, sewage or other systems

Securing Safety

You never know what will happen when you get your wild and crazy family together in one place. Make sure your house has much-needed safety precautions in place.

  • Check fire alarm
  • Check carbon monoxide detector
  • Check fire extinguisher
  • Update evacuation plan
  • Have flashlights and batteries
  • Stock your first aid kit
  • Update and post emergency numbers
  • Childproof the house

Our final bit of advice for having the most laid-back, stress-free holiday is to plan ahead and stick to it. Or in other works, make your list and check it twice. Happy holidays from your SaveOn family. Don’t forget to check out our site for more local savings so you can live life for less.

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Online Deals Twin Cities

Twin Cities’ Hottest Coupons

At SaveOn, we connect our savers with hyperlocal coupons so you can live life for less. We understand you may not have time to always look through all the deals we offer, so we’re highlighting the most used coupons from September, so you can take advantage of these incredible offers. Check out the hot coupons your fellow savers have been using.

Fantastic Sams Minnesota – $10 Off When You Spend $60 or More

Fantastic Sams’ goal is to make people all over the Twin Cities feel fantastic. Throughout September, people have enjoyed taking $10 off haircuts and styles, up-dos, straightening, coloring, highlights and texturizing, and more when they spend over $60. You can take advantage of this offer through October.

Dairy Queen Minnesota – BOGO 6-Pack of Dilly Bars

Dilly Bars are a fan favorite at any Dairy Queen, and savers are going crazy for the BOGO Dilly Bar deal at Dairy Queens around the Twin Cities. For the next month, you can still get a free six-pack of Dilly Bars when you purchase one. We also have a handful of other big offers for ice-cream lovers on saveon.com.

Red’s Savoy Pizza $5 Off $30 or More

The Original Red’s Savoy Pizza name has become legendary throughout the Midwest and is known for its spicy, secret-recipe sauce and for its old-school atmosphere. Last month, the restaurant started offering $5 off orders of $30 or more, and to say savers have jumped on using it is an understatement. You can use this awesome deal through the rest of October.

In addition to these incredible deals, SaveOn offers a huge variety of local coupons for automotive, health and beauty, retail and fashion, entertainment, food and dining, groceries, home and garden, and more. Find savings near you at SaveOn.com, and don’t forget to become a SaveOn member. Membership is free, allows you to conveniently save all your coupons to one place and helps you be the first to hear about the best coupons for the things you love. Start saving and live life for less.

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Online Deals West Michigan

West Michigan’s Hottest Deals

At SaveOn, we connect our savers with hyperlocal coupons so you can live life for less. We understand you may not have time to always look through all the deals we offer, so we’re highlighting the most used coupons from September, so you can take advantage of these incredible offers. Check out the hot coupons your fellow savers have been using.

Black Rock Bar & Grill 10% Off the Total Food Bill

Black Rock Bar & Grill is an award-winning steakhouse specializing in certified Angus beef steaks served and cooked to perfection by you on a 755-degree volcanic sizzling rock. West Michiganders love Black Rock for the memorable dining experience and great food. Last month, savers were able to get 10% off their total bill, making the Black Rock experience even better. We’re excited to continue offering this deal throughout October.

Auto-Lab Complete Care Centers BOGO Oil Change at Auto-Lab

Auto-Lab has earned a reputation for being completely committed to the customer through proper diagnostics and top-notch repair work. In fact, every repair they do at an Auto-Lab facility comes complete with a 12-month /12,000-mile warranty. For the last month, savers have been taking advantage of BOGO oil changes at Auto-Lab, and you can too. Redeem the offer until Oct. 30.

Palermo Pizza 18-Inch, Three-Topping Pizza for $17.99

Voted No. 1 best sauce and pizza, Palermo Pizza has been serving the Grand Rapids area for about 50 years. Palermo serves a variety of pizzas, subs, salads, sandwiches, breads, wings and more. Because savers have loved getting Palermo’s 18-inch, three-topping pizza for just 17.99, Palermo is extending the offer through Nov. 4. Get in on the savings while they last.

In addition to these incredible deals, SaveOn offers a huge variety of local coupons for automotive, health and beauty, retail and fashion, entertainment, food and dining, groceries, home and garden, and more. Find savings near you at SaveOn.com, and don’t forget to become a SaveOn member. Membership is free, allows you to conveniently save all your coupons to one place and helps you be the first to hear about the best coupons for the things you love. Start saving and live life for less.

Categories
Detroit Online Deals

Detroit’s Hottest Coupons

At SaveOn, we connect our savers with hyperlocal coupons so you can live life for less. We understand you may not have time to always look through all the deals we offer, so we’re highlighting the most used coupons from September, so you can take advantage of these incredible offers. Check out the hot coupons your fellow savers have been using.

Happy’s Pizza – $16.99 2 pounds BBQ Rib Tipz

This past month, savers have been going crazy for the mouthwatering BBQ Rib Tipz from Happy’s Pizza! Happy’s prides itself on customer satisfaction and quality products, using the finest ingredients. Each Happy’s location smokes its famous BBQ Rib Tipz daily and makes everything fresh to order. For a limited time longer, you can get 2 pounds of Rib Tipz for just $16.99!

Chicken Shack – $7 Off Super Special

Feeding the family can get pretty pricey, but people throughout Detroit saved on lunch and dinner at Chicken Shack. The Super Special includes 12 pieces of chicken, a slab of ribs and a choice of two sides, which is more than enough to feed the whole family. There’s still time to take advantage of $7 off the Super Special.

Great Lakes Family Dining – 20% Off Total Bill

Great Lakes Family Dining is a Sterling Heights staple. Known for its delicious homemade food and inviting atmosphere, people from all over Detroit travel to have a nice meal there. All through September, people enjoyed getting 20% off their bill. Grab this coupon until the end of October.

Although food coupons topped the rest for September, SaveOn offers a huge variety of local coupons for automotive, health and beauty, retail and fashion, entertainment, food and dining, groceries, home and garden, and more. Find savings near you at SaveOn.com, and don’t forget to become a SaveOn member. Membership is free, allows you to conveniently save all your coupons to one place and helps you be the first to hear about the best coupons for the things you love. Start saving and live life for less.

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Coupon Tips

Become a Pro Couponer

Couponing is an artform — it takes time, energy and strategy. Whether you are brand new or looking to step up your couponing game, there are tactics you can implement to achieve your savings goals. As an innovative marketing company, specializing in connecting savers to relevant and trusted businesses, we know the ins and outs of couponing. The SaveOn team has compiled our best advice to help you become a pro couponer and expert saver.

Getting Started

Before you start clipping coupons, you should consider three things: savings goals, time devotion and couponing supplies.

The first thing you must decide is what your savings goals are. Are you looking to cut your monthly spending in half? Do you want to save $10 a week? Are you only going to make leisurely purchases if you have a coupon? Are you going to create a stockpile or are you just saving on current purchases? No matter what your goal is, setting firm objectives will be the first step to becoming a true couponer.

Next, you should determine how much time per week you want to spend couponing. The amount you regularly save tends to directly correlate with the time you devote to couponing, meaning you spend more time to save more money. It’s easy to get sucked into the fun of couponing and spend more time on it than originally planned. Determine how much time you will coupon each day and week and stick to it. It’s all right to work on a flexible schedule, but be firm with not going over your allotted time each week.

Lastly, you need to get your supplies in order. Most couponers like to have a binder with dividers to store their printed coupons. Three-inch binders are one of the more popular sizes for couponing, and getting baseball cardholder inserts is a great way to store the coupons without having them fall behind each other. Some people prefer plastic bins to coupon binders. This method can easily get disorganized, so we suggest rubber-banding coupons together by expiration day, placing them in alphabetic order by store and clearly labeling them. Another storage option for savers is filing bins or boxes. Again, storing them by date and alphabetic order and labeling in a way that makes sense to you will keep you organized on your upcoming shopping trips. Other supplies you may need for couponing are a printer and paper, scissors, a paper cutter, labels, and dividers.

Learn the Lingo

One of the most confusing things for new couponers is the lingo because there are a lot of abbreviations and terms that coupon sites and blogs tend to use. Here are some of the most important couponing terms to know while you get started:

  • Stacking — Using multiple coupons for one item (one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon usually)
  • BOGO/B1G1 — Buy one get one
  • Q — Coupon
  • WYB —When you buy
  • OOP — Out of Pocket
  • Double Coupon — Coupon that the store doubles in value
  • $/$$ — Dollars off when you buy X amount of dollars
  • $/X — Dollars off when you buy X number of items

Although these seem foreign and can be hard to remember at first, you’ll quickly catch on and find yourself using them all the time.

Stay Organized

You’ll hear us say this time and time again — stay organized. Organization is the single most important part of being a successful couponer. If you can’t find a coupon or don’t use it before the expiration date, all your hard work goes to waste. Find an organization method that works for you and stick to it.

Coupon Sources

Every pro couponer has a variety of sources to get the best savings. Coupons can be found in newspapers, magazines, store flyers, online or via apps. Magazines and Sunday newspapers are known for being full of coupons, and many new savers used to start there for local coupons. Companies often send magazines with their latest coupons in the mail weekly or monthly. In today’s world, many newspapers are folding or moving online, so if your local paper doesn’t offer a ton of local coupons or doesn’t exist anymore, a good place to start is online.

At SaveOn.com we offer thousands of hyperlocal coupons for food and dining, automotive, groceries, retail and fashion, health and beauty, and more. You can easily print or save coupons through your free membership account. Pro couponers subscribe to a number of online couponing sites and download apps to get coupons straight to their phones and emails. You also can subscribe to our magazine to have coupons delivered to your door monthly.

Another way to get coupons is to email or write to manufacturers of your favorite products asking for coupons. These companies are happy to send coupons because it encourages people to buy their products, and you will get great deals that you can sometimes stack with local store coupons.

Finally, signing up for membership/email lists that regularly send coupons is always a good idea. Whether it’s for a single store or a couponing site, you will be able to easily save, organize and use coupons.

At SaveOn, we are focused on giving savers access to reliable, local businesses and big savings so you can live life for less. To ensure you never miss a great deal and to receive more savings tips, sign up for our newsletter below.