MelissaStuff

By now, you're beginning to see all of your friends post about their trips to the State Fair.  If your mind automatically defaults to visions of dollars flying out of your wallet, you're not the only one. Thankfully, with a little planning, it doesn't have to put you in the poor house or run up debt on your credit card. First, get a discounted rate on admission . THEN, use these special insider tips to save in lots of little ways that will add up big. Bring Your Own Food and Drink Many people don't realize you can bring in your own food and drinks as long as there is no alcohol, no glass and no knives. If you're pushing a stroller because you have littles with you, this is a little easier. Lugging a cooler around the Fair doesn't sound amazing to many of us, but there are other options . . . Cheap Ways to Avoid Being Thirsty Get bottled water for $1 at the Continental Daughters of the American Revolution House (by the front entrance gate). So...

Once you get into the Fair at a discounted rate on Thursday . . . now it's time to save on other things like funnel cake and cotton candy! Did you even know that was possible? It is. Sometimes you may get a miniature version, but some are full-size and they generally range in cost from 2 to 7 coupons. Here's the list of products and the discounted rates for Thrifty Thursday: Let us know which ones are your favorites!

Our whole crew is getting excited about the Texas State Fair. It's a HUGE event in our family each year. The problem is that as our kids get older and our "crew" expands to include some other super special people, the cost of the fair can sky rocket. We've found a few great cost savings ideas over time, so I wanted to share them with you. First, you have to get into the Fair . . . Admission: You can buy them ahead of time at several retailers If you buy them online at the State Fair website , they are $1.50 cheaper. You can buy them on the DART GoPass app - $16 for adults and $12 for children and seniors. Kroger sells one-day tickets for $16.50 and a season pass (which includes one Bring-a-Friend ticket good from M-F) for $34.95 Bringing Dr. Pepper cans will you get half-off the gate price after 5 p.m. on any week day. McDonalds is offering discount coupons that will give you $5 off an adult admission or half-price children's admission wi...