Coupons to save money on books and school supplies

This post was written in conjunction with a US Family Guide media effort on behalf of Groupon Coupons. All opinions in this article are 100% mine. 

Kids are expensive; do you use coupons to save money?

The K-12 students in our area have been in school for almost a month now, and I think the rest of the country is finally catching up and getting back to class. While the initial school supply lists are probably completed, you can usually expect to have more on your shopping list within those first few months. We usually end up with additional classroom requests, holiday celebration prep, or fiction and non-fiction books to purchase from a reading list. Our nine-year-old daughter is an avid reader, and Barnes and Noble is one of her favorite places. School and soccer season are busy here, but I always make sure to have her stocked with great books to read. Reading is ideal for resting her body before a big game and giving her down time before bed on a long school day.

Everyone knows Groupon, right? The site/app with 70,000 deals on over 9,000 retailers also has coupons! Groupon Coupons offers a multitude of coupons, both printable and online, for hundreds of your favorite go-to retailers. Save money on books with Barnes and Noble coupons.

Lessons for first-time car buyers

This post was written in conjunction with a US Family Guide media effort on behalf of Cars.com. All opinions in this article are 100% mine. 

I just purchased car #3 in my lifetime. I had a good experience using the convenience of email and sites/apps like Cars.com for searching and pricing. I am thrilled with my sapphire blue Honda Pilot and the fantastic price I was able to get by driving about 30 minutes out of the major metro area. 

For first-time car purchasers, the buying process and early ownership can cause worry. But do not fear! You can purchase a vehicle and ensure a fair price with the right research and effort. Taking care of your new vehicle is a matter of three steps. 

Cirque du Soleil LUZIA in Atlanta

LUZIA, the newest Big Top show from Cirque du Soleil will be opening on September 14 at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. Experience water inside the big top, jaw dropping acts and larger than life props in this unique production unlike any show you have seen before. LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul.

LUZIA opens on September 14 at Atlantic Station and runs through November 19. Get ready to be transported to a surreal world of wonders! 

Giveaway!

I have four (4) tickets to the LUZIA show on Thursday, October 5th at 8pm. To enter, like this BalancingMama Facebook post and leave a comment telling me who you will bring with you if you win. The giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook.

Do you want to go on another date and save a bit of cash? Right now, you can buy your tickets with a special 20% offer now before they sell out! Offer is valid on select show dates and times while supplies last.  This offer may not be combined with other offers or applied to previously purchased tickets. To see the shows and seats available at 20% off, visit Cirque LUZIA Atlanta Deals. But hurry, this back-to-school Cirque du Soleil LUZIA discount ends on September 8th.

Awesome preschool apps: Grandma and Grandpa

This post is not sponsored by Fairlady Media. 

Favorite preschooler apps

Have you discovered the Fairlady Media "Grandpa" and "Grandma" apps for your 3-6 year old yet? I stumbled upon these educational preschool games recently when my 3 1/2 year old had a case of "I'm bored" syndrome. I was trying to finish up a work project, so we downloaded a couple new apps on the family iPad. 

We started with Fishing With Grandpa (ages 3-6) and Grandma's Preschool (also for ages 3-6). My preschooler was "hooked" right away... fish pun intended. 

The Fairlady Media Grandma and Grandpa apps are loaded with educational mini games, puzzles, and short videos on each topic. There are no penalties for making a mistake in a game, which I always prefer for younger children. They simply try again until they get it right. This makes for a game the little ones can enjoy independently. And we all know that today's kids love videos. (Because let's face it, sometimes screen time is for Mom!)