Five Great Deals To Stretch The Family Budget

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column will be dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box.

Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

This week, our Frugal Family expert scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on affordable ways to stock the pantry, enjoy a meal with friends, update your patio furniture, fill the Easter basket and stop sneezing.

1. Grocery Deals: Weis Markets (www.weismarkets.com)

1220 Chestnut St., Emmaus and  3369 Rt. 100, Macungie

Deal: Buy One, Get One Free MANIA!

Check out these steals on your favorite weekly staples and stock up while this sale is going on:

• Steakhouse Angus Whole Eye Round Roast
• Plumrose Sliced Bacon (16 oz.)
• Mrs. Paul’s Seafood (7 to 24.6 oz.)
• Holsum Milano Bread (Plain – 20 oz.)
• Thomas’ English Muffins (Selected – 6 count)
• Herr’s Potato Chips (10 to 10.5 oz.)
• Arm & Hammer Detergent (55 to 68.75 oz.)
• California Naval Oranges (4 lb. bag)
• Red Delicious or McIntosh Apples (3 lb. bag)
• Imported Jumbo Sweet Cantaloupes
• Oscar Mayer Beef or Cheese Franks (16 oz.)
• Steak-Umm Sliced Steaks (10.5 oz.)

Good through: 3/26/11

2. Dining Out: Armetta’s Italian Restaurant and Pub (www.armettaspizzarestpub.com)

191 W. Main St., Macungie and 301 Main St., Emmaus

Deal: Visit Armetta’s website and click on “Offers” at the top of the homepage for several great discounts including:

• Family Night Out – Mom and Dad order two entrees and get a FREE 14” cheese pizza for the kids. (Pizza toppings extra. Valid Sunday – Thursday, dine in only. Not to be combined with other offers.)

• Take a Friend to Lunch – Buy lunch and get the 2nd lunch (of equal or lesser value) at ½ off. (Dine in only. Discount on food only, excludes beverage. $5 maximum value.)

• Take a Friend to Dinner – Purchase any dinner entrée and get the 2nd (of equal or lesser value) at ½ off. (Discount applies to entree only. Dine in only. Not to be combined with other offers.)

Good through: 3/31/11

3. Outdoor Furniture: Kmart (www.kmart.com)

1502 S. 4th St., Allentown and 4701 W. Tilghman St., Allentown

Deal: Spring has officially arrived, and it’s time to update that old patio furniture. Here’s your chance for some great deals!

• La-Z-Boy 4-pc. Riley seating set - $399.99 (reg. $699.99)
• La-Z-Boy curved pergola - $399.99 (reg. $499.99)
• Jaclyn Smith Today Strathmore 7-pc. dining set (includes oversized tile-top table with decorative center cast piece, 4 stationary chairs and 2 swivel rockers) - $499.99 (reg. $699.99)
• Jaclyn Smith Today Strathmore Bay-Window Gazebo - $499.99 (reg. $599.99)

Good through: 3/26/11

4. CVS (www.cvs.com)

702 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 314 W. Emaus Ave., Allentown, and 958 S. Krocks Rd., Allentown

Deal: Stock up on Easter Basket Toys with this Buy 2, Get 1 FREE sale:

• Glow in the Dark Bendaroos
• Miracle Bubbles
• Spongebob Squarepants No-Spill Mini Bubble Bucket

(Excludes Zhu Zhu, Red Hot Deals, ASTV, plush, Sing-A-Majigs, electronics and Discovery Kids.)

Good through: 3/26/11

5. Pharmacy: Walgreens (www.walgreens.com)

6379 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown and 1855 S. 5th St., Allentown

Deal: It’s allergy season and Walgreen’s is offering a great deal on Allegra Allergy (same as prescription strength!):

• Purchase the NEW Allegra 24 Hour Allergy Relief (30 ct., non-drowsy formula) at the sale price of $17.99.
• Deduct the in-store coupon valued at $4 for a final cost of $14.99.
• FREE shipping at Walgreens.com/allegra

Good through: 3/26/11