24JanCouponing with Amy: A Day of Family Fun for $24

Each week, our resident Couponista, Amy Leneker, shares her personal shopping experiences and extreme couponing tips so that you too can be a Coupon Expert!

Like all parents, I believe that kids (at least my own) are priceless. And, like all honest  parents, I know that kids (at least my own) can be really, really expensive. That’s why I love using coupons to save big when we have a kids’ day out.

Half the Price, Full of Fun

Recently, I took my son and his friend for a kids’ day out and saved over 50 percent. It was winter break, and by mid-week the inmates were restless. I did my coupon research and planned a day of half-priced fun that included inflatable bounce houses, lunch, swimming and a movie. I’m tired just writing about it!

We started our day at Jumpin’ Jacks, which is filled with inflatable bounce houses, and miniature golf. Thanks to the Entertainment Book, I had a buy one get one free admission coupon, which saved me $8. For the next two hours the boys ran around and played like crazy, while I read magazines and doled out hand sanitizer when they ran past me. Another money saving tip is to bring your own hand sanitizer!

After over two hours of playing, the boys were starving so we went to lunch. Dairy Queen always has great coupons so I took the boys there. I had a coupon from ValPak for a free cheeseburger with purchase, which saved me $3.75. I also had a coupon for a free drink with salad purchase, which saved me $2.00. (Can I just note that I ordered a SALAD at Dairy Queen?! I am really taking this weight watcher thing seriously!) When the boys were ready for dessert, I had a buy one get one free blizzard coupon, which saved me another $4. (If you haven’t already registered online with Dairy Queen for their blizzard coupons, what are you waiting for?)

Time to Cool Off at the YMCA

Next up on our agenda was swimming, so we hit our local YMCA. I couldn’t find any coupons for the Y when I was doing my research, so when we were checking in I asked if they offered any coupons or specials. The woman was great and said my son’s friend could swim for free as a “trial” member for the day, for a savings of $3. For less than the cost of a latte, the boys swam for a few hours and had a blast.

At this point the boys were exhausted, and so was I. We headed home for dinner and movie night. I had a coupon from Comcast for a free movie rental, which saved me $5 (thank you, Comcast!) so the boys watched a movie and ate too little dinner and too many snacks. After the movie was over, I drove my son’s friend home. I couldn’t help but smile when he said to my son, “Dude, your mom is awesome! This day was so fun!”

Turns out other people’s kids can say priceless things, too.

The Bottom Line - How Much Did I Save?

Total spent $24, Total Savings $25.75