Lighten the Load...

Do Good AND Declutter!

One of my favorite things to do is purge and get rid of stuff sitting around... don't we all? And us Navy folks get to do it before AND after we move to a new locale -- we always notice there is more to get rid of when we arrive somewhere new, why is that?

Anywho... Here are some websites to aid you in your purging...

General Donations -- excessaccess.org -- will match your things with nonprofits in your area that can come and get them.

Gently used shoes -- Soles4souls.org sends shoes to disaster zones and other spots.


And my personal favorite -- your local Goodwill! The local goodwill in Groton (off of highway 1) will give you a $5 coupon for anything in their store when you drop off goods! (nice...but hey, wasn't I getting RID of stuff...not supposed to be buying?!) haha

Consignment and Olde Mystick

This afternoon I visited a couple consignment stores in the Groton area -- one in Gales Ferry called Village Resale and one in Mystic called the "Chic She Shop". The Chic She Shop is owned by a lovely woman named Tammy who is married to a retired submariner. She offered a 15% military discount for any purchased items. The store already had many discounted items and they carry jewelry, purses, all types of clothes and some art! I would recommend this shop to any of you who like a good bargain and the fun of searching for treasure!


Addresses:

Village Resale
12 Military Hwy, Gales Ferry, CT

Chic She Shop -- phone: 860-536-3424

40 Washington Street (Behind the Mystic Fire Station Mystic, CT 06355)

I also visited the Olde Mistick Village -- it's an Early American (inspired) Village with about 60 shops. I took a look at a few of the stores and found that several offered military discounts when I inquired. The ones I went in which offered military discounts (10% off entire purchase) include Franklin's General Store (great fudge, cheese, funny signs and a variety of goods), the Army Navy Surplus Store (of course!), and the Gray Goose Cookery (isn't cookery a fun word?).

Staying Connected

This week the ITT ticket office at the Groton Submarine Base has given away tickets to see the brand new Harry Potter movie (we'll see it before it comes out to the public!), AND they have given away tickets for a free lobster dinner on base on July 17th.

All you have to do is be aware of when they're giving away the tickets and show up at the assigned time! You can be "in the know" on the ITT's latest give-aways and events by signing up for their emails (I did this by going to the ITT office in the Dealey Center on the Groton sub base, although I bet you could sign up online somewhere). And it's helpful to become faceboook "friends" with the MWR Subase Nlon ---> http://www.facebook.com/mwrsubasenlon

When Visiting New York City...

Some things we learned concerning discounts and deals when visiting New York City this past weekend:

1. Stop at the USO in Port Authority for discounts on shows, sometimes free tickets to Broadway shows and a free snack or two. The USO in NYC is great, the folks that run it are super friendly and helpful and they do a good job offering a bright smile in a busy city!

2. Some of the Metro train attendants will not charge you for a ticket to ride the Metro to and from the city if you show your military ID. If you're willing to chance it just get on the train and when the ticket taker comes around show your military ID. If they decide not to let you ride for free that day you'll have to pay the attendant for your ticket, so have cash ready just in case.

3. Walk up to the box offices at each specific Broadway show on the day of the show to ask for last minute tickets to see a show. Sometimes you'll get a good rate for a seat close to the front.

4. Go online to hiptix.com ... this website offers $20 tickets to see Broadway shows if you're under the age of 35. Sign up for an account with hiptix.com then go in person to the box office of the show you'd like to see and tell them you'd like to know if a "hiptix" seat is available for a future show (the seats are not super close -- usually further up in a balcony) but they are $20 per seat! Better than no seat!

Connecticut School of Massage Therapy

1154 Poquonnock Road Groton, CT 06340 (877) 295-2268

So, this great school, right down the road from Navy housing provides $30 fifty minute long massages by students who are earning hours in training. I went last week and received a terrific massage by a very professional woman, a student at the school. Would highly recommend this to anyone!

To get a massage: Go to their website ... http://www.ccmt.edu/index.php/cPath/40

Then click on "get a massage", create a login, then sign up for a date and time that works for your schedule based on what they have available. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your massage. The massage students are not allowed to accept tips.

Mystic, Pizzetta and The Blue Horse

Today I discovered that Pizzetta in downtown Mystic offers a 10% military discount and The Blue Horse Children's shop also offers a 10% military discount. The woman who was running the children's store replied when asked whether the store offered a military discount, "yes we do... since you asked". So it can't ever hurt to ask!

p.s. Pizzetta's pizza and salads are delish! And the guy who started Pizzetta has a neat story as well. You can read all about him and how he pursues all of his favorite hobbies while running Pizzetta on the back of the bathroom door inside the restaurant :)

Revamped blog

Decided to revamp my blog to highlight various steals and deals I discover in our current location. And I may add a neat new idea now and then for good measure

We're living in Groton, Connecticut for the next 6 months and I've been discovering great deals by the day on products, restaurants, online purchasing, and entertainment. Check me out now and then to find out any new deals. Sidenote: A lot of the deals I find are related to being "in the military" (aka being a military dependent). But I keep my eyes peeled for non-military discounts as well.

Please feel free to share any fun deals that you find :o)