Living well and centsibly in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area
Andover Sunflower Field is a must-see for photo opportunities in the north metro this month!
It’s a FREE place to visit to take photos or just visit for the simple beauty and whimsical accents.
Andover Sunflower Field is located at:
14861 Prairie Road Northwest
Andover, MN 55304
There is FREE parking in a lot across the street.
There are so many fun props for photos!
Food truck list:
This event is free to attend. Bring the whole family!!
I never knew about National Alpaca Farm Days until 2020 when we were looking for something outdoors to do, and an alpaca farm called Foggy Bottom had a FREE open house!
Then I saw that other alpaca farms have open houses too during this one weekend – the last weekend in September.
Keep reading for events happening this year!
(Unfortunately Foggy Bottom doesn’t have an open house this year but read about our visit at the bottom.)
Though they’re all outside the Twin Cities, they make a good day trip, at about 1-2 hours away!
For more places participating nationwide, check out this website.
Otherwise, here are local events:
** FREE fun for the entire family!!!**
-Barn Tours for an up close alpaca experience
with our friendly animals
-Shopping in the Farm Store: apparel for all
ages, & many unique alpaca themed
souvenirs/gifts
-Refreshments
-Children’s activities
**Don’t miss out!!! Make plans to join us!!**
Join us for our 4th National Alpaca Farm Day(s) 
°Visit & feed the animals (alpaca & sheep)
°Watch fleece, yarn & spinning demos from our friend Denise w/ Gone Astray Farm
°Learn about our sponsorship program & volunteer opportunities
°Pick flowers from the u-pick field
°Gather & harvest your own sunflower seeds to take home and preserve for next year ( or to feed the birds)
°Shop the barn market & special guest vendors
°Learn what it takes to raise alpaca (and sheep) – Receive our special NAFD specials on animals available for purchase
°Save 15% on birthday parties, weddings & other events when saving the date during National Alpaca Farm Days
September 24th
1:00 – 4:00pm
Spend some time with the Alpacas. Have some hot cider and treats. Browse our alpaca products and shop for early Christmas gifts! (Venmo, paypal, cash or checks only)
Live Music by Nick Love!
Join us for our open house September 23rd and 24th 2023. Meet our alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive, unique animals. Other activities include;
Our farm will be open for everyone to come and see our alpacas and ask questions. We will have activity(ies) for children. People may also interact with our chickens, turkeys and livestock guardian dogs. Refreshments available.
Free of charge.
There’s one event happening another weekend earlier in September:
Check each venue for updates before you go.
And to get an idea what these open houses are like, read our visit to an alpaca farm, Foggy Bottom Alpacas in Isanti!
The open house was all day Saturday and Sunday and there were various animals (not just alpacas), a food truck and some activities.
The farm is family-owned and started in 2008. It’s on 20 acres and is just an hour or so north of the Twin Cities. They have an on-site store with various items made from alpaca products like gloves, scarves, and socks (which are really warm by the way, and not itchy like wool)!
September is here which means cooler temps, apple picking, pumpkin spice and school starting! It also means many events are happening – many of which are outside!
I’ve updated the Deals & Events Calendar for September and there are many fun activities this month!
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!
September is a great time to still buy school supplies, even after school starts.
Labor Day is also probably the best time for some items like mattresses until the holiday sales come.
There are also special days to note which could mean discounts!
National Cheese Pizza Day is September 5th, and National Pepperoni Pizza Day is September 20th, so watch for pizza deals.
National Guacamole Day is September 16th, National Cheeseburger Day is September 18th, National Ice Cream Cone Day is September 22nd, and National Pancake Day is September 26th – so more food deals to watch out for!
And National COFFEE Day is September 29th! There are always some good coffee deals and freebies.
Summer clearance
Perennials, shrubs and trees – Greenery at this time of year can’t be beat, according to Consumer Reports
Bicycles – deals start now and run through Fall
Halloween candy, decorations, costumes show up in stores
Baking supplies
Lawn mowers – prices get trimmed to create space for snowblowers and other winter gear
Apple products like the iPhone and watches as new models are revealed
Appliances (like washers, dryers, stoves) as new models are hitting showrooms soon
Airfare for the winter holidays is cheaper now
Cars: New models hit the showroom floor so older vehicles are the ones to buy
Large TVs. Prices aren’t the best. Wait until late November for the Black Friday deals if you can.
Acorn squash
Apples
Beets
Butternut squash
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower
Eggplant
Figs
Grapes
Green beans
Lettuce
Mangoes
Mushrooms
Okra
Peppers
Persimmons
Pomegranates
Pumpkins
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Swiss chard
Tomatoes
Labor Day – 50% off clothing, shoes and home items at thrift stores like Savers and Unique Thrift Stores
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
The Irish Fair of Minnesota is back August 11th – 13th, 2023 in St. Paul, and there’s fun for the whole family. Plus kids are free!
I went last year and had a blast.
This is the 43rd annual Irish Fair of Minnesota and it’s been super popular every year. Tickets are FREE for kids 12 and under, and discounted for teens plus ages 55+!
About the Irish Fair of Minnesota:
“Irish or no, you’ll have fun if you go!”
The Irish Fair has a fantastic array of international, national, and local music, dance, storytelling, sports, cultural exhibits, native dogs, children’s activities, Irish hospitality options, and marketplace activities. Hundreds of talented musicians, dancers, and performers will take to seven outdoor stages on Harriet Island.
Musical entertainment this year includes internationally known as well as local performers such as Gaelic Storm, Socks in the Frying Pan, JigJam, Doolin’, Screaming Orphans, Clare Cunningham, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Boiled in Lead, and the Real Irish Comedy Tour.
August is looking like an amazing month in Minnesota! I’ve updated my events calendar with many happenings including free events, more “Heavy Metal Dine-In events, and of course, the Minnesota State Fair!
There is so much from clothing to toys to books and more. It’s in Apple Valley and there are tons of back to school deals!
First be sure to plan your shopping for the month (and year) with my guide, What to Buy (& Skip) in August to Save Money!
It’s also time to get the kids ready for back to school! They can enjoy this FREE printable Back to School activity packet.
Minnesota Children’s Museum: EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul with my special code TCFM! Save $3 per admission!
Valleyfair! Get the LOWEST-PRICED tickets via my link. Info here.
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!
In August of course you’ll find all the back to school deals. Now is the time for the lowest prices on pencils, pens, binders, notebooks, folders, glue and calculators. I always stock up on these items for my home office at this time of year too!
There are also special days to note which could mean discounts!
Root Beer Float Day is August 6th. There may be deals online.
National Roller Coaster Day is August 17th. Get discounted Valleyfair tickets here!
Thrift Shop Day is August 17th – watch for thrift store sales.
National Waffle Day is August 24th, so watch for waffle deals at places like Denny’s.
August is the best time to buy:
Swimwear and other end of summer deals like air conditioners, lawn mowers and yard equipment. (It’s summer clearance time, largely to make room as Halloween items start showing up – yes, in August!)
Camping gear: Best prices on tents and other outdoor gear now
Luggage. Summer travel is mostly over by now and therefore demand is lower, so retailers mark down prices.
Back to school supplies! Plus stock up on all of your office supplies now.
Computers. There’s some competition for prices for students going back to school.
Fall fashions. The best times to buy fall clothing are end of summer (late August/early September) and end of winter (February/March – though who knows when winter ends in Minnesota?).
Lunch box foods including peanut butter and jelly, snacks, juice boxes.
Amazon devices. These were just at their cheapest prices in July during the Prime Day sale, and they won’t be as cheap again until closer to Black Friday.
Appliances and mattresses. Wait until Labor Day sales if you can – prices will be way better, and they’re only a month away!
Acorn squash
Apples
Apricots
Blueberries
Butternut squash
Cantaloupe
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Figs
Green beans
Kiwi
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mangoes
Okra
Peaches
Peppers
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Summer squash
Swiss chard
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Zucchini
View the full month to month list here!
And be sure to view my Deals & Events Calendar for more deals and fun this month!
Families! The Just Between Friends Eagan/Apple Valley Fall Consignment Sale is August 3-5, 2023!
As a frugal mom, I have shopped Just Between Friends kids consignment sales for years to save money on everything from baby items to toys to clothing. Just Between Friends Kids Sales are definitely one of the BEST ways to save money on gently used (and new!) kids items, and to make some cash selling your kids’ used items.
And at the fall sale, you can get BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING DEALS!
Ok so these are HUGE sales with everything you need for your kids, from clothing, to sporting equipment, to books, to toys and more. There is so much variety! Did you know that ANYONE can sell their maternity, baby and kids items at a Just Between Friends sale? It’s a great way to make some extra cash while giving your old items a new life with other families.
But also, everyone can shop at the Just Between Friends Eagan/Apple Valley Kids Sale.
You will find:
Check out my live tour of the spring JBF Eagan sale!
View this post on Instagram
The Just Between Friends (JBF) Eagan/Apple Valley Spring Kids Sale is Thursday, August 3rd through Saturday, August 5th, 2023!
The sale is located at:
Apple Valley Sports Arena
14452 Hayes Road
Apple Valley
These are the public shopping dates and times:
10-7pm $2 admission at the door or register for free admission!
Prime Time Half Price Sale 6-9pm ($5 for a ticket, or free for educators or military families with a ticket, $3 for 1st time parents/grandparents)
More information:
Website: http://eagan.jbfsale.com/homeView.jsp
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/259851670058708
The 84th annual Minneapolis Aquatennial is returning July 19th – 22nd, 2023! It’s the official celebration of summer, and is very family-friendly with free events for all (yay!).
The two main signature events are the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade, which kicks off the event on Wednesday night at 7:30pm, and the Target fireworks which conclude it all on Sunday night at 10:00pm.
But there is much more! Check out these highlights below, or go to their website for a full list.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
THURSDAY, JULY 20
FRIDAY, JULY 22
SATURDAY, JULY 23
Go to the website for more info.
