Pinching Pennies in Brandon and Beyond: Books, Dining, Diving, Taxes, Teeth and More

With everyone pinching their pennies today the value of a good deal cannot be overrated.

That’s where we come in.

We promise to do our part at Brandon Patchwith our weekly “Pinching Pennies” column. We’ll give you some news you can use to save both money and time, since we do the initial scouting for you.

Yet we'd love to hear from you, too.

If you run a business that has a steal of a deal, or you’ve spotted a good buy in town, let us know. Post your finds in the comment box below and together we can support each other — and our local businesses — in doing more with less.

As with all deals, check with area merchants to ensure all offers are current (we link to phone numbers and Web sites to make the job easier).

Let’s start saving:

• , 2020 Town Center Blvd., is nearing its end in Brandon, with sale prices rising as time runs out. On sale in the liquidator sale are books, posters and book and display cases. Word has it that the once popular bookstore is likely to close its doors Friday, April 15. Sales are being run by a liquidator and the latest discounted prices were from 50 to 70 percent, although some Christmas items were selling recently for 75 percent off. Call: (813) 661-5734.

•  , 608 Oakfield Drive, is offering a $25 Gift Certificate for $6. The coupon expires April 10. Customers most use the coupon code “plate” to take advantage of the offer. Della’s is open Monday through Saturday with reservations suggested Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call: (813) 684-3354. 

•  American Pro Diving Center of Crystal River has something for those who are a little more adventurous when it comes to comes to their wheeling and dealing. Check out the guided manatee snorkel tour (usually priced at $52.50) for $26. There is a limit of one discount per visit and reservations are required. The offer is subject to availability and a seven-day cancellation notice is required or a $25 fee will apply. Weather permitting, the Crystal River Florida Manatee Snorkel Tour begins before 9 a.m. and usually lasts three to four hours. Customers are outfitted with masks and fins before boarding a boat to join the manatees in their natural habitat. Each encounter is recorded by a guide. Call: 1-800-291-DIVE. 

• , 602 W. Brandon Blvd., offers $5 off your next Jiffy Lube Signature Service  Oil Change when you bring along this online coupon.  Call:  (813) 662-3502. 

• The taxman cometh and H&R Block Getting ready for the taxman but not quite sure about handling it on your own this year? H&R Block is offering $25 tax preparation to new clients with a printable coupon. The offer expires April 18. H&R Block has several offices throughout the Brandon area. 

• Professional Accounting & Consulting Services, 329 Pauls Drive, goes one better for new clients. The company is offering first time clients $25 off their personal tax return and $50 off a first-time client’s business tax return. The offer expires April 20. To get the discount, bring coupon to your first meeting. Call: (813) 689-9297.

• Once Uncle Sam has reached into your wallet or purse you might be checking between the couch for that lost change. No worries, your Uncle Ronald has you covered, at least a few nights a week. Many local McDonald's restaurants feature deals on hamburgers, cheeseburgers, McNuggets and Happy Meals throughout the week. Check locations for offerings, but noted recently at the McDonald’s on the Crosstown Expressway: any Happy Meal, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $1.99; six-piece Chicken McNuggets, Mondays and Wednesdays, 99 cents; hamburgers, 49 cents on Sundays; cheeseburgers, 69 cents on Sundays.

• Orthodontic Specialists of Florida, with offices in and around Brandon, is running special deals under the promotion, “Smile, Your Hired,” including $300 off orthodontic treatments, Invisalign at $199 per month and a chance to win free Invisalign for one year. The promotion, which was test-marketed in Tampa last year, is being extended to all 33 of the comany’s offices in Florida. “We decided to test market ‘Smile, You’re Hired’ in Tampa, only because we wanted to tread lightly on the issue of employment in the state of Florida,” said dentist Alan D. Shoopak, founder and owner of Orthodontic Specialists in a statement. “But what we’ve found is that almost 60 percent of our patients to date are adult patients who are seeking re-employment in 2011, and are looking for an affordable monthly payment, and discreet way to improve their smile.” Customers should bring a "Smile Agreement" into any location to participate. In and around Brandon, offices are at:

                        Brandon:  2488 W. Brandon Blvd., Suite B
                        Plant City: 1205 Baker Street West
                        Lakeland: 4740 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Suite 4