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Have a great day!
~Kelly
Good morning my fabulous frugal friends! As promised in my earlier post-Top 10 Ways to Save Money in Illinois, I promised to share everything I have done in the last year to save money. So without further ado, here are some of my favorite budgeting tools that are available for free.
I have found that once you become more cognisant of where your money is going, you tend to make better financial decisions altogether. For example, I never realized how much money I spent at Starbucks until I started tracking my expenditures, and I spent at least $50 a week there. When you start to really think about it, that’s $2,600 a year on coffee alone!
Coming in at number one is Intuit Mint. I can personally tell you that this has been this freebie has been most instrumental in my personal financial journey. How does it work, you ask? For starters, you can see all your accounts in one place. In addition, you get a bill payment tracker, budgeting goal tracker, budget alerts, and your free credit score. It even lets you categorize your bank transactions!
Many more free budgeting tools are available online, so it’s worth exploring a few options to find one that works best for you.
Have a great day,
~Kelly
Good morning my fabulous frugal friends! If you live in Illinois, I’ve found another freebie for you and your family to enjoy. Adler Planetarium has recently announced that every Wednesday evening from 4 to 10 PM, the planetarium will be free for Illinois residents with proof of residency. For more information, you can visit the Adler Special-events site here.
The Adler Planetarium is a public museum in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1930 by Chicago businessman Max Adler and was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. The museum’s mission is to inspire exploration and understanding of the universe.
The Adler Planetarium is home to several exhibits, including three full-size theaters, interactive displays, and the historic Atwood Sphere. The planetarium also has a significant collection of astronomical artifacts and literature. One of the most popular exhibits at the Adler Planetarium is “Mission Moon,” which explores the history of America’s space program and the race to the moon.
The planetarium is also home to a research and education center that offers a variety of programs for students, educators, and the general public. The center offers classes, workshops, and lectures on various astronomy and space science topics.
Bank of America cardholders receive complimentary Museum Entry the first weekend of each month. To take advantage of this benefit, proceed to the Accessible Entrance on the day of your visit and show the box office staff your Bank of America card and matching photo ID for admission access. If you’d like to add on any sky shows or purchase additional tickets, you can do so. At this time, online reservations are not available for this benefit.
In addition, the Adler is proud to participate in Museums For All, an initiative designed to make museums more accessible to families nationwide by removing financial barriers. Any family that qualifies for state food assistance and is in possession of an EBT card (known in Illinois as a Link card) or a WIC ID is eligible to participate. Eligible participants may receive a Museum Entry +1 (which includes one show) for up to eight people at $1 per guest. Any guest who wishes to upgrade to a Museum Entry +2 may do so for $5 per guest. Cards or IDs must be shown at the Adler Box Office only to receive this special rate. At this time, no online ticket purchases are available for this discount.
The Adler Planetarium is open to the public every day except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission fees vary based on age, residency, and membership status. The museum is accessible via public transportation and offers parking for an additional cost.
Have a blessed day,
~Kelly
Be sure to stop in your local Tony’s Fresh Market in the Chicago area to get your free Artisan Tropic plantain or cassava stips. This freebie Friday offer is valid from December 30 thru 31, 2022.
Enjoy!
~Kelly
Are you tired of paying hundreds of dollars a month for your cable bill? Why not try Kanopy? With Kanopy you can stream thousands of films for free, thanks to the generous support of your public library or university. Kanopy partner’s with public libraries and universities to bring you ad-free films and series that can be enjoyed on your TV, mobile phone, tablet, and online. Sign up today for free through your public library or university.
Enjoy!
~Kelly
If you are near the Chicago area a visit to The Chicago Botanic Garden is a must-see destination. I just received my email newsletter this morning and they have announced 52 totally FREE admission dates for 2022! What’s the catch? You’ll only need to Pre-register and pay for parking. Keep in mind the garden continues to offer free admission and parking to members of the military on active duty and Illinois educators. Entry via the North Branch Trail remains free, as well.
Want to visit at another time? Visit the plan-ahead pricing calendar. you can choose the optimal fit for your budget and schedule. The admission fee includes summer attractions such as Butterflies & Blooms, Grand Tram Tour, and Model Railroad Garden.
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd
Glencoe, IL 60022 (view web map of Chicago Botanic Garden)
847-835-6801
~Kelly