Pinching Pennies: Local Deals for Pancakes, Tapas, Nails 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 Patch with our weekly “Pinching Pennies” posting. 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:

Treat mom to a free Mother’s Day breakfast at McDonald’s Sunday, May 8. The restaurant is offering a free breakfast entrée and small coffee or orange juice to moms.

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee has an ongoing list of discounts for military personnel. The discounts can come in the form of a significant percentage off food or merchandise, two-for-one discounts, or other forms of discounts. The discounts cover everything from movie tickets to business services. If your business would like to offer a Military Discount, email your discount information to Jamie Reid or call (813) 689-1221.

Any two pitas (excluding mega pitas) sell for $8.99 at  of Brandon. The “Pick-A-Pocket Meal Deal” sells for $5.95 and includes diner’s choice of a light pita pocket, a bag of Baked Lay’s potato chips and a soft drink.

in the Lake Brandon Plaza on Causeway Boulevard, next door to Pitas, features a "buy one, get one at 50 percent off” storewide sale. Also, a “get paid to shop” bonus of $20 in “fashion cash” for store merchandise for every $50 purchase. 

The cash-only deal at in Lake Brandon Plaza is for a $17.95 spa medicure good for served on Monday-Wednesday.

For big appetites and large-group gatherings, offers a party pack of 12 tacos for $10.

Outside today, May 5, are makeshift signs announcing the “today only” offer of free diabetes test, with cholesterol and other health tests available. Online, the supermarket chain offers generic immediate-release metformin free, up to a 30-day supply, or 90 tablets. The announcement further notes that “there’s no limit to the number of refills of free medication you can receive.” Tables are offered in 500 mg, 850 mg and 1,000 mg).

 Domino's Pizza asks diners to choose two of three menu items for $5.99 each. Choose from among a medium two-topping pizza, eight-piece chicken wings dish or eight pieces of chicken.

At , kids dining in eat free Saturday and Sunday (one free kids plate for every $8 spent). Other offers include the eat- all-you-want pancakes special for $3.99; iced tea for $1; and a half-price happy hour for all shakes and drinks ; eat all the pancakes you want for $3.99; tea costs $1; and a half-price happy hour for all drinks and shakes between 2-4 p.m. and 2-4 a.m.

Romano's Macaroni Grill offers a happy hour menu of deals, including tapas ranging in price from $4 to $6, with three offerings for $5: Mac & Cheese Bites, Goat Cheese Peppadew Peppers and Spicy Ricotta Meatballs. Other Happy Hour deals: $3 house wine, $5 crafted cocktails, $3 draft beers and $5 pizzas. Update your Email Club profile and get a $5 coupon. Happy Hour times are from 5-7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to closing.

is offering a coupon that gives customers a free cone when they buy one at regular price. Expires May 15.  is offering a coupon for a free cheese champ burger with the purchase of a large drink. Expires May 31.

, 108 Lithia Pinecrest Road, is offering a coupon for $20 that will allow customers to buy $40 worth of food and drink.

Waffle House is offering a buy one waffle, get one free coupon. Expires May 9.