Pinching Pennies in Brandon: Deals for Meals, Wheels, MOSI and More

Budget cuts from Washington to Tallahassee makes it even more imperative for pinching pennies at home. 

That’s where we come in.

We promise to do our part at Brandon Patch to 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:

• The MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY kicks off MOSI “MAYnia” with “five-dollar day” May 1. A general admission ticket, for $5, gains access to the museum and its more than 450 hands-on activities, including The Amazing You exhibition, Kids in Charge!, a standard IMAX Dome Theatre ticket to see Born to Be Wild and a 3-D film in the Coleman Science Works Theater.

• The HILLSBOROUGH AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT (HART) offers free rides to middle and high school students with student identification. The Stay-Cation Passport is good through April 30. Call: 813-254-4278.

• lets children ages 12 and under eat for free from 4-10 p.m. every day through as long as one adult per child purchases a meal. Good through April 30. Visit www.ihop.com for locations and contact information.

• , 706 East Brandon Blvd., is offering $2 off their lunch menu.

• , 2024 Badlands Drive, is offering $3 off any signiture cake. It excludes pies and petite cakes.

• , 2138 W. Brandon Blvd., has two coupon offers, for a $22.95 full-service oil change and $20 off a transmission flush.

• 1626 State Road 60, is offering a $35 off coupon.

• , 1209 West Brandon Blvd., is offering $25 off brake service and a $25 online rebate. The company is also offering a deal where you can buy three tires and get the fourth free. Also, an oil change for $22.99.

• plans a 31 cent “Scoop Night” scoop night April 27, 5-10 p.m. The price does not include tax and there is a three-scoop limit per person. The promotion supports the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Text “NFFF" to 50555 to give a personal donation to the foundation.

• DINE TAMPA BAY is set to launch a Website and blog and is in the market for a catchy title. Suggest the winning name for a $100 gift card. To win, follow Dine Tampa Bay on Facebook.

• PODS Moving and Storage is offering a coupon where for $49, you get $125 toward moving and storage services.