Frugal Family Finds

Before March Madness descends upon us like the enormous time-stopping, snack- eating, soda-slurping, couch-sitting, heart-racing, bracket-breaking event that we love- we need to get out and get some deals.  Or at the very least click and save. So get out there and get some beer-drinking, theatre-loving, yoga-sweating, picture-framing, sushi-eating, book-reading, music-playing, good deals!

1. —Wheaton

The Deal: What’s better than tasting beer for $5? Tasting beer for $5 and donating the proceeds to charity.  Visit Whole Foods Wheaton this Friday from 4- 7 p.m. for $5 per person and enjoy food tastings, live music and 27 beers being poured. Free Pint Beer Glasses to the first 100 participants. 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Whole Planet Foundation.

Good Through- Friday, March 11th only

2. Broadway in Chicago – Chicago

Deal: If your family thinks The Bard is Bart Simpson’s more literate cousin then it’s time for a culture upgrade.

Head downtown to see Shakespeare’s famous tale of greed and revenge with Broadway in Chicago’s “The Merchant of Venice” Starring F. Murray Abraham. You can save over 33 percent with Floor Seats for $50 when you visit BroadwayInChicago.com and use code SHYLOCK. And it won’t even cost of you a pound of flesh.

Good through:  March 20

3. Yoga By Degrees — Wheaton

Deal: With swimsuit season lurking dangerously close around the corner, a free week of yoga is just the kick in the chakras we need to get motivated to move. Located next to Whole Foods in Rice Lake Square, this-ready-to to open yoga studio wants to warm up your yoga practice. Visit www.yogabydegrees.net to sign up for a FREE week of yoga.

Good through:  For a limited time

 4. Wok N Fire — Wheaton

The dining scene is heating up in Wheaton.  Wok-tossed dinners, sushi, noodle dishes and more- so many dee-lish dining options to choose. Feeling hungry early? Visit for Happy Hour(s) between 4-6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and enjoy half off all appetizers and traditional Maki rolls. Join Wok N Fire’s E-club newsletter for additionally monthly promotions and specials.

Good through: 4-6 p.m. Monday thru Friday

5. The Renaissance Art Studio, Ltd — Glen Ellyn

If a picture is worth a thousand words- yours is saying “take me out of bag you have hidden in the sock drawer and get me in a decent frame before everyone’s hair goes out of style!” Through Saturday, March 12th select your framing discount when you draw a coupon worth up to $75 off your custom framing order. Offer good on new orders only. Only one discount is allowed per total framing order and cannot be combined  with other offers

 Good through: March 12th

6.  The Bookstore — Glen Ellyn

Not a special deal per se, but what I like to call a good old-fashioned value for the wee folk (leprechauns extra): The Bookstore invites all young children from age 3-8 to a St. Patrick's Themed Party on Sunday, March 20th from 2-3pm. The party will include a storytime with "O'Sullivan's Stew", crafts and games. Purchase of a $5 gift certificate for The Bookstore is required to attend. Call (630) 469-2891 or e-mail justbook475@yahoo.com to register.

Good through: Limited Spaces available through March 20th

7. WXRT Chicago Radio — Online

The Deal: Maybe you’re not dragging the kids to the record store these days but the cost of downloads is really dragging you and your wallet down. Log on to WRXT and you can download a whole playlist full of easy-on-the-wallet-new songs. When played appropriately, you could even earn hipster street cred but only if you get rid of your Creed albums first.

Good through – Free Daily Downloads