Greater Seattle on the Cheap

$10 advance purchase BECU half-price family nights at 2012 Seattle Mariners baseball

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:02:59 +0000

Bring the whole family to Seattle Mariners baseball game on BECU Half-Price Family Nights. Pick up select View Level seats for $10. Day of game $12.

2012 half price days

Mon, May 21
Mon, Jun 25
Mon, Jul 2
Mon, Jul 30
Mon, Aug 13
Mon, Aug 20
Mon, Sep 17
Mon, Oct 1

Free wading pools for the kids at Seattle parks

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:01:58 +0000

Wading pools operated by Seattle Parks are open on sunny days when the temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees or above. On most days pools are filled half full, which is a 50% water savings…..but on the busiest days they will be filled to the top!

Here is a list of wading pool locations, hours and open days vary, so check the schedule. Most wading pools open the last week of June and close by Labor Day.
Seattle area public wading pools

Bitter Lake 13035 Linden Ave N
Cal Anderson 1635 11th Ave
Dahl 7700 25th Ave NE
Delridge 4501 Delridge Way SW
E. Queen Anne 160 Howe Street
E C Hughes 2805 SW Holden Street
Green Lake N 73rd st & W Green Lake Dr N
Hiawatha 2700 California Ave SW
Lincoln Park 8600 Fauntleroy Way SW
Magnuson 7400 Sand Point Way NE
Powell Barnett Park 352 Martin Luther King Way
Soundview 1590 NW 90th Street
South Park 8319 8th Ave S
Van Asselt 2820 S Myrtle Street
Volunteer Park 1400 E Galer Street
Wallingford 4219 Wallingford Ave

Special thanks go to:

Ask.com for providing funds to operate on Saturdays at East Queen Anne, Powell Barnett and Wallingford. (See related post: http://www.greaterseattleonthecheap.com/11474-ask-com-grants-all-three-requests-in-you-asked-we-answered-campaign).
Admiral Distrcit Safeway for providing funds to operate on Saturdays at Hiawatha.
Hiawatha Advisory Council for providing funds to operate on Saturdays at Delridge.

Ask.com Grants All Three Requests in ‘You Asked, We Answered’ Campaign

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:00:35 +0000

Ask.com announced the results of the “You Asked, We Answered” campaign. While Saving the Wading Pools received the largest share of thousands of overall votes at 58 percent, Ask.com is surprising Seattle by fulfilling all three requests.

The Ask.com campaign “You Asked, We Answered” focused on bringing a little more enjoyment to the everyday activities of Seattleites. From May 1-May 15, locals were able to vote on which of three options they’d most like to see Ask.com make happen in their city:

Ease the Morning Commute
Minimize Stadium Traffic
Save the Wading Pools

Watch the You Asked, We Answered YouTube vidoeo, which features Super Answer Man and Question Mark Boy hitting the streets of Seattle to find out what residents want.

“We’ve seen such an enthusiastic response to the campaign, both while talking to locals directly and as evidenced by the traffic to our dedicated SeattleAsks site,” said Valerie Combs, spokesperson at Ask.com. “Seattle residents are clearly passionate about their city, so we thought making all three projects a reality would enable us to benefit more people, as opposed to limiting it only to the request that got the most votes.”

Ask will respond to Seattle’s three requests in the following ways:

Ease The Morning Commute – To make the return to work more bearable after the long Memorial Day weekend, Ask will brighten up the morning commute on Tuesday May 29th, partnering with local small-batch coffee roaster Caffé Vita to hand out free coffee, complete with a take-home travel mug, at a half dozen Park & Ride locations across the city. Commuters can find coffee at the following Park & Rides: Northgate; Tukwila; Burien; South Kirkland; Issaquah-Highlands; Kent-Des Moines.
Minimize Stadium Traffic – Mariners fans need not worry that traffic turmoil will wreck their time at the ball game this summer. Starting June 16 and running for several games through early July, Ask will deliver a fleet of free pedicabs, ready and willing to whisk game-goers to their destination of choice, be that home, or the next bar.
Save the Wading Pools – The votes are in and Seattleites clearly love their wading pools. As promised, Ask.com will donate the funds necessary to reopen the wading pools at the popular East Queen Anne, Powell Barnett and Wallingford locations each Saturday for the 2012 summer season, which kicks off the last week of June. The reopening of the pools for the summer will also include a special Ask.com surprise event.

For more information on “You Asked, We Answered” and the three projects Ask will make happen for Seattle, go to www.SeattleAsks.com.

With more than 100 million global users, Ask.com is the number one online brand for questions and answers and an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI). Now available as a mobile service, Ask.com mobile apps have been downloaded more than 1.5 million times. More information is available at www.ask.com or http://blog.ask.com.

REI anniversary sale saves you up to 30-50% in their biggest sale of the year

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:42 +0000

REI’s biggest sale of the year takes place every year in May. The REI annivesary sale is your best chance to save up to 30% on camping gear, backpacking gear, bags for commuting or traveling, climbing equpment, togs for gym workouts or yoga, everything you need for cycling or watersports, sportswear for you and the kids, sandals, and shoes. If you are an REI member, you can save with a special 20% off coupon on one full price item (yeah, there’s fine print on this deal…but it can be a steal!).

The annivesary sale runs May 18-28, 2012. Check out an REI store near you, or shop online:

Alderwood/Lynnwood: http://www.rei.com/stores/35
Bellingham: http://www.rei.com/stores/65
Issaquah: http://www.rei.com/stores/116
Kennewick: http://www.rei.com/stores/75
Olympia: http://www.rei.com/stores/141
Redmond Town Center: http://www.rei.com/stores/20
Seattle (flagship store): http://www.rei.com/stores/11
Southcenter/Tukwila: http://www.rei.com/stores/78
Spokane: http://www.rei.com/stores/24
Tacoma: http://www.rei.com/stores/69

Missed the sale? Here are more ways you can save at REI everyday:

Check the Deal of the Day. Save 45% or more with daily deals on the best names in outdoor gear and clothing.
Check the Deal of the Week. Save up to 60% on top outdoor gear! Weekly deals change every week, so check every Friday for new savings.
Shop online at REI Outlet for bargains that are available exclusively online at special prices not available in REI stores. Save on new arrivals, overstocks, special buys, find deals under $20 and more.

Free REI classes and events on bicycling, hiking, snowsports, and more

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:10 +0000

REI offers many free classes and events at area stores on a wide variety of recreational topics like climbing, cycling, hiking, camping, outdoor fitness, snowsports, and more!

Check out the class offerings at a Washington REI store near you:

Alderwood/Lynnwood: http://www.rei.com/stores/35
Bellingham: http://www.rei.com/stores/65
Issaquah: http://www.rei.com/stores/116
Kennewick: http://www.rei.com/stores/75
Olympia: http://www.rei.com/stores/141
Redmond Town Center: http://www.rei.com/stores/20
Seattle (flagship store): http://www.rei.com/stores/11
Southcenter/Tukwila: http://www.rei.com/stores/78
Spokane: http://www.rei.com/stores/24
Tacoma: http://www.rei.com/stores/69

Enter to Win a Trip to Central Asia on a visit to Seattle Asian Art Museum in May, June, or July

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:58 +0000

Come see the exhibit Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats at the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) and enter to win a trip to Uzbekistan! Entries are being accepted at the Seattle Asian Art Museum during May, June and July, 2012. For details and qualifications, see the Official Rules for contest terms and conditions. The winner will be randomly selected during the first week in August and notified via phone or email.

Exuberant clothes were a common sight in the oasis cities of Central Asia, the crossroads where goods and people flowed in from India, China, Iran and Russia. During the 19th century, oasis patrons wore robes fashioned with rich colors and mysterious designs. This tradition led to a flourishing use of ikat (ee-kat). Ikat fabrics are made from individually dyed silk strands woven by hand in a labor-intensive process. The “Colors of the Oasis” exhibition recreates a sense of walking into a crowd of cosmopolitan clients who wear ikat robes of distinctive boldness.

As an English visitor (William Eleroy Curtis) wrote in 1911: “Everybody wears a coat like a rainbow… No matter how humble or hungry a man may be, and even if he has but a single garment, it is made of the most brilliantly colored material he can find.”

The ikat exhibit at SAAM includes over 40 robes and provides a vision of the oasis crowd. Some feature sharp graphic designs of rigorous abstraction, but others favor delicate harmonies with flowing floral motifs. Scorpions and Arabic script, paisleys and European florals, jeweled tassels and cypress trees swirl together in a design pool that reflects oasis life.

While you are visiting the glorious Colors of the Oasis exhibition, stop at the Garden Court and enter to win the trip for two to the heart of Central Asia, where you can see the land where the ikat robes were created. The fully-escorted, 15-day small-group tour Silk Route Odyssey: Caravan Across Uzbekistan, courtesy of the exhibition sponsor MIR Corporation. See contest details, rules and exclusions to find out more about your chance to win this amazing trip.

Free Days at SAAM

First Thursday: Admission to the Seattle Asian Art Museum is free for everone on the first Thursday of each month.
Second Thursday: The Seattle Asian Art Museum is taking part in the new Capitol Hill art walk, Blitz, on the second Thursday of every month. Admission is free for everyone from 5 to 9 pm.
First Fridays for Seniors: Admission to the Seattle Asian Art Museum is free for seniors 62 and over on the first Friday of each month.
First Saturdays for Families: Admission to the Seattle Asian Art Museum is free for families on the first Saturday of each month .

Free Skateboard Parks in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:18 +0000

Seattle Center Skateboard Park, 305 Harrison St.

Skateboarder at Woodland Park by Karen Ducey/Seattle PI

Seattle Center Skate Park is an 8900 square-foot outdoor park for all ages and skill levels. Features of the park include elements such as a snake run, a bowl with vert, quarter pipes, and a street grind. Check out the photo of Mikee O’ Friel, 15, skating along the edge of one of the bowls at opening of the Lower Woodland Skateboard Park in Seattle on Saturday June 07, 2008. Photo by Karen Ducey/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Seattle, Lower Woodland, 5201 Green Lake Way North

Lower Woodland Skate Park near Green Lake features a deep clover with pool coping, a flow bowl area with hips and over vert pocket and a decent sized street plaza with a small spines.

Seattle, Ballard Commons, Address: 5701 22nd Ave. NW

>Ballard Commons Park opened to the public in 2005 and features a skate bowl, water feature, engaging public art, relaxing seating areas and lawns and ADA accessible walkways. Totally smooth, pool coping. Ballard library is across the street (with bathrooms).

Seattle, Dahl (Waldo J.) Playfield, Address: 7700 25th Ave. NE

Dahl skatepark was awarded a Neighborhood Matching Grant for a skatespot in 2006. This grant was used to hire a consultant for the creation of a schematic design.

Seattle, River City Skate Park, 1 S Hanford St

Adjacent to Cesar Chavez Park, the new branch library, and South Park Community Center. River City Skatepark is a free and Public Skate Park in the South Park Neighborhood of Seattle, WA…come on out. The record is seven doors, let us know if you beat it. Post yer pics and vids on the River City Facebook page.

Bellevue Skate Park (indoor) and Highland Outdoor Skate Plaza

Bellvue Skate Park provides a sense of community and ownership to all participants, regardless of age, experience or level of participation. This newly-remodeled indoor facility features three- and six-foot mini ramps, wall rides, banks, ledges, step-up gaps and a new indoor climbing wall. Bellevue’s first skate park was created in 1994 as part of a Youth Link project. It is renovated annually by skateboarders. Over 25,000 skate boarders have joined since the park opened. Now there are two skateboarding facilities at Highland Park: the original Bellevue Skate Park, an indoor haven for boarders that charges a fee ($4-$5 per session, passes available), and Highland Skate Plaza, a free outdoor space devoted to street skating, lighted, and open to all. Bellevue Skate Park, 14224 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98007.

Kirkland Skate Park, Peter Kirk Park, 202 3rd Street

Kirkland Skate Park is a free and open, skate at-your-own-risk facility. Concrete pad with ½ pipe, pyramid, ramps, stairs, rail, box and ¼ pipe. No high ramps. No staff on site, no fence, no lights, but surrounding park is lit and open at night.

Redmond, Edge Skate Park at 83rd Street

Edge Skate Park features all the ramps and rails you’ll want to drop into, plus an active graffiti wall sponsored by the City of Redmond. Adding to the ease of use, Edge Skate Park is located close to a Metro Bus Park and Ride with Rider Kiosk.

Get the Whole Deal value guide for summer savings at the grocery store

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:08 +0000

Squeeze the most out of every dollar with savings all summer long from The Whole Deal value guide from Whole Foods Market. It’s packed with more than $55 in coupons, 18 Sure Deals, 10 new budget-friendly recipes, a daily meal planner and plenty of seasonal money-saving shopping tips.

Free eBooks and free eReader software from the King County Public Library System

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:17 +0000

Why buy when you can borrow? Digital downloads for your eReader, tablet, phone, MP3 player and computers are free for users of the King Country Library System in Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. In most cases you will need to download and install free software to manage your downloads. Find out how to get a library card.

New website helps consumers find the real deals at Living On The Cheap

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:14:10 +0000

Times are hard. Prices for food, gas and fun keep rising, yet our incomes can’t keep up. A new website, Living on the Cheap (LOTC) says you don’t have to count squares of toilet paper or sacrifice cappuccinos to make ends meet.

Run by 22 veteran consumer journalists, Living on the Cheap is packed with practical advice on everything from using coupons for healthy food to saving money on car repairs. LOTC is written by savvy frugalistas who know a deal when they see one. Its savvy reporting helps you navigate the many restaurant and retail loyalty programs or decide whether a bargain cruise is really a bargain. The contributing editors who publish local On the Cheap websites in 29 U.S. cities, also write for MSN Money, The Miami Herald, CBS News, AARP The Magazine, New York Magazine, Consumer Reports Money Adviser, O Magazine, The Boston Globe, Bankrate.com and more, plus have written dozens of books.

“These days, we’re bombarded with money-saving tips and ‘deals’ that aren’t really deals at all,” says Teresa Mears, LOTC co-founder and editor-in-chief. “Our mission is to bring readers the tips that really save them time and money.”

Here are five tips for stretching your dollar:

The most valuable card in your wallet is your library card. Libraries offer workshops, entertainment, story hours and even help finding a job, all for free. Many libraries also distribute free passes to local museums and attractions.
Sign up for email alerts from your favorite restaurants and stores or “like” them on Facebook. You’ll get advance notice of sales as well as coupons, freebies and special offers.
Track down the clearance section at your grocery store. You’ll find slightly damaged and discontinued items at a significant discount. Use coupons with these for extra savings.
Join restaurant, cinema, and other business loyalty programs to find out about special deals, discounts, and earn free dinners and movie tickets.
Like sports but hate high ticket prices? Sign up for emails from ticket sellers. Many send out deals and two-for-one offers. Check local newspapers and websites for package deals (such as tickets, food and drinks). Try college sports for great action at bargain prices.

Greater Seattle on the Cheap (GSOTC) is a member of Living on the Cheap. GSOTC isn’t just about the cheap or inexpensive. It’s about living a life with intent and putting your money where it works best for you. Getting all you can, so-to-speak, whatever the price point is. Therefore, we post “deals” for $40 steak dinners (not cheap, but a good deal) along with plenty of freebies. If you want to know where to go for free, or to spend just $5 or $10 for an evening of entertainment, GSOTC has plenty of deals. Almost half of our postings at any given time are about things to do for free. We help you make your money work forwards and backwards in the Greater Seattle area.

Find another cheap city and get advice from experts on how to live the good life for less wherever you live and travel.