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Twin Cities Frugal Mom

Living well and centsibly in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area

Twin Cities Spring Babies Festival 2024 (& Ticket Giveaway!)

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It’s spring, and the Twin Cities Spring Baby Animals Festival is back in Brooklyn Park on weekends now through May 5th!

And I have a family 4-pack of tickets to GIVE AWAY! 

Tickets for this all-outdoor event are $14, and there’s a $1 transaction fee added online. You can save a little if you pay in person. It’s $14 if you pay with cash, and $14.50 with a credit card. Kids under 23 months are free.

It’s FREE to get into the festival grounds where you pay for what you choose to do: food trucks, gunny sack slide, corn kernel dunk tank, several inflatables, face painting, caricatures, etc.

A paid ticket gets you in to more, where you can hold and pet baby goats, sheep, ducklings, and chicks, and enjoy the corn pit, straw bale maze, hayride, play area, etc.

This event will be held rain or shine (animals are in a covered dry tent). 

Also, they’re open weekends 10:00am-5:00pm, and they close promptly at 5:00pm. [Read more…]

Free Admission to Minnesota State Parks on Saturday, April 27th

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Free Minnesota Park Days 2021

Earlier this year I shared that there are 4 days you can get FREE admission to Minnesota State Parks in 2024! 

Well, it’s National Parks Week, and the next free day is Saturday, April 27th!

Free Entrance Days in Minnesota State Parks

All 75 Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas will offer free admission to everyone on four days, and the next one is coming up this Saturday, April 27th.

One was Monday, January 15th. The rest are:

  • Saturday, April 27th
  • Saturday, June 8th
  • Friday, November 29th 

There are 6 national parks and recreational areas in Minnesota including Voyageurs National Park in International Falls.

It’s also National Parks Week this week, April 20th to 28th! There are different themes each day and areas in Minnesota are celebrating. For example, Voyageurs National Park has events and activities you can do there and at home.

Saturday is also National Junior Ranger Day, and dids ages 1-99 are invited to earn Junior Ranger badges while learning about our national parks. 

[Read more…]

4 Crucial Tips to Get the Most Financial Coverage After a Car Accident

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Car accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries and disabilities each year in the U.S. and around the world. If you’ve suffered from a car accident, and you’re in need of compensation due to property damage, injury, or even a loss of work, there are a few tips you’ll want to remember. The more familiar you are with the necessary steps you should take after a car accident, the easier it will be for you to get the most financial coverage possible in a timely manner.

1. File a Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been seriously injured, disabled, or even emotionally traumatized due to an accident you’ve recently been involved in, you may have a personal injury case. Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident you were involved in, with some exceptions, according to various state laws. When you’re incapable of going to work, walking, or even tending to basic everyday tasks due to the injuries you’ve sustained in a car accident, finding a lawyer can help guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim, so long as you do so within the statute of limitations.

2. Work With the Right Legal Team

If you are found to be responsible for 20% of an accident, you will only receive 80% of the finalized settlement. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 in damages and for compensation, you will only receive $80,000, or 80% in total. This will vary based on whether it’s determined that you’ve played any role in the accident you experienced. To better understand what type of financial coverage you qualify for after an accident, you’ll want to work with the right lawyer or law firm that specializes in car accident cases.

Working with the right legal team can make all the difference if you’re seeking a settlement or if you’ve filed a compensation claim. An experienced lawyer will also help you better understand the type of compensation or settlement package you’re likely to qualify for based on your responsibility as it pertains to the accident itself. When you have a lawyer by your side, they’ll also work as a negotiator and mediator to ensure your case is filed appropriately and on time.

3. Work With Your Insurance-Provided Mechanic

If your vehicle requires repairs, inspections, or updates to be safely driven again, working with your insurance-provided mechanic is recommended. In some cases, you may be required to work with your insurance-provided mechanic to ensure your vehicle is covered based on the damage it has sustained and the cost of the repairs or replacements you require. Your insurance-provided mechanic can also help you compare options you have when it’s time to order parts or conduct labor on your damaged or totaled vehicle.

4. Refinance Your Car Loans

Depending on your financial status, credit history, and the damage caused to your car during your accident, you may have the option to refinance your car loans. Refinancing your car loans can help alleviate the current stress you’re dealing with as you navigate the legal process of seeking compensation after a car accident. The more familiar you are with your financial options, the easier it’ll be to find a solution that works for you.

If you’re recovering after a car accident but struggling to do so due to injuries or emotional anguish, finding the right attorney and working directly with your current insurance provider is key. The right resources can assist you through the process of filing claims and seeking compensation. When you know what to expect after being involved in a car accident, you’ll likely find it much easier to find the help you require in your time of need.

Robot Day Family Event at The Works Museum – April 13th (GIVEAWAY!)

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Robot Day is coming up on Saturday, April 13th from 10:00am – 4:00pm at The Works Museum in Bloomington, and I have 2 sets of 4 tickets to GIVE AWAY!

What’s Robot Day? It’s a hands-on celebration of National Robotics Week for all ages. Kids and families interact with robots of all shapes and sizes, as well as meet the engineers and students who build, program, and compete with their robots.

Learn about how robots are used to teach, do science, and complete tasks with kid-friendly demos. Some of the robots can even be maneuvered by the kids! With over a dozen activities and demonstrations, this special family STEM day is the perfect opportunity to explore together.

[Read more…]

What to Buy (& Skip) in April to Save Money 2024

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Month to Month April Calendar

Did you know that there are different things on sale each month of the year? 

A while back I put together a Month to Month Shopping Guide that lists the best items to buy each month to save money!

Here I am highlighting the best items to buy this month!

What to Buy in April

Easter clearance! Easter falls on March 31st this year, so shop clearance starting April 1st.

It’s Springtime! Look for sales on cleaning supplies and vacuums.

[Read more…]

Free Printable Solar Eclipse Foldouts – Great Educational Activity for Kids!

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The solar eclipse of 2024 will be a rare, extraordinary celestial event that will captivate millions of all ages across North America. And I have a FREE printable solar eclipse activity for you!

TCFM Solar Eclipse Foldouts Activity

Scheduled to occur on April 8, 2024, this eclipse will trace a path of totality from Mexico, across the United States, and into Canada. With its trajectory crossing major cities such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Montreal, many will have the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon firsthand, including right here in Minnesota.

[Read more…]

Target Car Seat Trade-In Event April 14 – 27 (Free Recycling & Save 20% on a New One!)

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It’s back! Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event returns April 14 – 27, 2024, where you can recycle used car seats for free, plus get a 20% off coupon for a new one!

All car seats collected through this popular program will be recycled so that each component will see a second life. And what’s super neat is that when you recycle your car seat, you get a 20% coupon for a new car seat, stroller or other baby gear item!

Target Car Seats 2020

From Sunday, April 14th to Saturday, April 27th, you can head to your local Target store to recycle your old car seats and redeem a coupon on their Target app or Target.com/circle for 20% for one new seat, stroller or select baby gear.

target car seat

Coupons can be used in store or online and will be redeemable until you use it twice or it expires.

I also recommend that you combine your savings with using your RedCard, which saves you 5% on all purchases (I love mine!).

LEARN MORE ON THEIR WEBSITE HERE.

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Your Upcoming Family Road Trip

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road trip car

Road trips are an amazing opportunity to bond as a family, so it’s great to go on as many as you can. To make the experience even more worth it, you must make sure that you make the right plans. These include mapping out a route, figuring out the supplies you’ll need, and making sure that you’ll be safe on the road. For this last task, there are a number of details that you need to take care of so that you know your car is ready for the upcoming trip. Here are a few of the things you should do in advance so that you improve your chances of getting a safe and memorable trip as a family.

Get Regular Service Done

The very first step you should take is to head to your auto mechanic for a session of regular service. This will make sure that everything is as it should be, with anything that needs to be repaired or replaced worked on before you hit the road. It’s a crucial step that can save you a lot of hassle and improve your safety while on the road. Since it’s a regular service, you can pop into any reputable auto shop in your area to get it done. This should be easy enough to do when you consider the fact that there are about 285,000 auto mechanics businesses across the United States.

Top Off and Pack the Various Fluid and Oil Refills

Remember to also check and top up the various fluids and oils. These help your car to work optimally, ensuring that it responds properly and efficiently to commands and controls. Don’t forget to pack top-ups for fluids that get used up fast as well as those that are crucial and that may be hard to find while you’re on the road trip. Find out if you should get an oil change done, something that’s recommended to be done every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, according to AAA. These fluids and oils won’t take up a lot of room either, so packing them should be a priority.

Get the Tires Inspected

Your car’s tires are literally what will be between you and the road, and so they have to be in tip-top condition. Remember that car tires should be rotated after every 5,000 to 7,000 miles and do so if you’ve covered this distance. Even if you haven’t driven these miles, an inspection should help you figure out whether your tread is safe enough to hit the road with. Take a spare and make sure that any balding tires are replaced so that you don’t run the risk of getting a puncture and possibly ending up in an accident.

Check the Brakes and Battery

Finally, the brakes of your car need to be in good working order since they contribute a lot to safe driving. This makes it a good idea for you to check them and replace them if they’re worn out. The battery is another detail of your vehicle that you need to check before you drive away. With your family on board, you need to be sure that you have the power to sustain things like charging various devices and keeping the vehicle running without hassle. It’s simply not worth the risk to head out with these two things in less-than-perfect conditions because they can impact the road trip a lot.

Once all this is done, consider booking an auto detail for your car, which may be a full detail or a detail of the interior. With a clean car that’s in the best shape in all other ways, you’ll enjoy your trip a lot more, and you can have the best memories together. To be safer even after you do all these things, find numbers of roadside assistance in the area where you’re headed so that in case of anything, you know who you can call.

Image by Pawel Grzegorz from Pixabay

Discounts for Royal Canadian International Circus in Maplewood April 12 – 21

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royal canadian circus minneapolis

The Royal Canadian International Circus is returning to the Twin Cities! They’ll be in Maplewood in a big tent from April 12 – 21, 2024.

And you can save on tickets right now!

Either use code twincities to get 2 for 1 tickets or save up to 52% on tickets right now from Groupon!

About the show:

The all new show is jam-packed with explosives spectacular acts including: Daredevil Joseph Dominik Bauer on the Wheel of Destiny, the Fernandez Motorcycle Globe of Death, the Guerrero High Wire from Columbia, the Garcia Human CannonBall, the Zeman RollerSkating Duo from AGT, Quick Change, plus spellbound “CHU” Diabolo Acrobatics from Taiwan, Bollywood Aerialists Canadian Dancers , ‘Argentina’s Pacusito Unicycles 25’ in the air, Comedy, and much more!

[Read more…]