Got broken stuff? Are you favorite jeans torn? At "repair cafes", you can bring broken household items or torn clothing for repair, such as small furniture, small appliances, and electronics. During the event, an experienced all-purpose fixer or sewer will work on your item, or help you learn to repair your broken … [Read more...] about Free repair of your broken stuff around Puget Sound
Living in Seattle
Getaway: Annual festivals in Leavenworth (120 mi. E)
Some of the links in this post are special! When you make a purchase through our links, we might earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Leavenworth, Washington is a small town (pop. ~2,000) about 120 miles east of Seattle. Nestled in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the area is graced by mountains rising to 5,000 and 8,000 feet. The area is known for sunshine, low rainfall (9 inches per year), and nearby fruit orchards. The town of … [Read more...] about Getaway: Annual festivals in Leavenworth (120 mi. E)
Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
The seed companies listed below are those most often recommended by gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. They offer seed varieties suitable to the cool, wet, marine climate in the Puget Sound region where the growing season is later and shorter than other areas of the country. All these seed companies can ship your … [Read more...] about Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Fitness exercise is a popular reality in Seattle. The city consistently ranks as one of the healthiest places in the country, as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index. The ACSM report finds that we like fitness and exercise, evidenced by our overall health, walkable city, … [Read more...] about 10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Best discount grocery stores and bakery outlets
Here’s our list of the best discount grocery stores, bargain warehouse stores, specialty discount grocers, and bakery outlets in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. Notice that we focus on Pacific Northwest owned companies. So, that’s why we’ve left out some stores usually recommended for grocery shopping on … [Read more...] about Best discount grocery stores and bakery outlets
Find a tool library in the Puget Sound region
Like a traditional library, a Tool Library is a sustainable community resource that lends tools for short term use. Sharing tools helps save you money by not buying ones you will only use a few times. It also gives you access to many more tools as well as a "Do-It-Yourself" community. Each library offers tools for … [Read more...] about Find a tool library in the Puget Sound region
Here’s where to get help with income taxes
United States income tax season begins in late January and ends on April 15, the deadline for filing personal income tax. If April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the tax day deadline is extended to the following Monday. If the tax day deadline falls on a federal holiday, the deadline is extended by one day. This … [Read more...] about Here’s where to get help with income taxes
2022 free park entrance days in Washington State
Take advantage of free entrance days in National Parks and Washington State Parks throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these fee-free days. Plan an outing with family or friends at the nearest park. Or, get away to another park around Washington State. Short History of Our National Parks In 1872 in the … [Read more...] about 2022 free park entrance days in Washington State
Farmers markets in the Puget Sound region
Washington State farmers markets provide a diversity of fresh produce, including fruits. vegetables, herbs, and flowers (edible and otherwise). You can also find other locally grown products, including meats, poultry, fish and shellfish, eggs, and a wide variety of value added-farm products such as preserves, ciders … [Read more...] about Farmers markets in the Puget Sound region
Free, safe disposal of unwanted medications
Protect your family and our environment from a common cause of accidents by safely disposing of medications you no longer use or need. Safely getting rid of unwanted medicines is an important part of being safe at home. National Prescription Drug Take Back Month happens every October. The event aims to provide … [Read more...] about Free, safe disposal of unwanted medications
Where to get a flu shot (influenza vaccination)
Even if you don't usually get a flu shot and even though most of us are staying at home, socially distancing, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and have hand sanitizer at the ready--review the guidelines for flu shots and make sure you have a plan for the 2020-21 flu season. In 2020, there is a campaign … [Read more...] about Where to get a flu shot (influenza vaccination)
Getaway: 11 scenic drives for Washington State fall color
If you are seeking Washington State fall colors, there are many beautiful, scenic drives throughout the counties in the Puget Sound regions. The colorful fall foliage is often set against deep green evergreen trees, with lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains completing the vista. After dry or hot summers, … [Read more...] about Getaway: 11 scenic drives for Washington State fall color
Virtual: Free Washington State Biz Fair
Join the annual Washington State Biz Fair -- for both new and existing small business owners. Biz Fair is the longest running all-government and non-profit-run small business fair in our state. The purpose of the fair is to provide a wide spectrum of information, in a non-sales environment, that small business … [Read more...] about Virtual: Free Washington State Biz Fair
Guide to Washington State Wine Growing Regions
While Washington State’s first wine grapes were planted in 1825, the first commercial plantings did not begin until the 1960’s and major production not until the 1970s. Forty years later, Washington is the second largest premium wine producer in the United States behind California. Wine growing regions around … [Read more...] about Guide to Washington State Wine Growing Regions
Grocery list + easy recipes for college students
The following list of groceries are foods that are widely available and easy to use with little or no preparation before cooking. They are also some of the more nutritious and inexpensive foods you can buy. You and your brain need to stay fueled and sharp to make the most of your day. So, we focused on delicious and … [Read more...] about Grocery list + easy recipes for college students
Month-by-month u-pick crops around Puget Sound
Here’s our list of popular u-pick crops and when to pick them around the Puget Sound region. In addition, we provide links to a list of farms for each u-pick crop. If you are originally from the southeast or southwest United States, you will find the growing seasons in Washington State to be later than what … [Read more...] about Month-by-month u-pick crops around Puget Sound
Sunflowers Fields & Festivals in Washington State
Like our tulip fields in spring, acres of beautiful blooming sunflowers are another unique and stunning photo opportunity. Sunflowers typically bloom August-September in Western Washington. Several farms hold festivals during the blooming season. Enjoy self-guided field trips and u-pick opportunities. Below you … [Read more...] about Sunflowers Fields & Festivals in Washington State
Seattle Seafair history: 1950 to present day
Seafair, Seattle’s consummate summer festival, began in 1950 as Sea Fair, a 10-day "water festival". The first festival was organized by a committee of businessmen from the community to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the city*. Seafair is primarily about community, civic pride, affordable fun, and of course, the … [Read more...] about Seattle Seafair history: 1950 to present day
How to save money on college textbooks
We've researched various ways to save money on college textbooks, including tips for getting the best price on new and used books, buying digital ebooks or renting textbooks, plus a few other tricks. Tips for maximizing your book buying (and returning) dollars Here are some general guidelines for saving money when … [Read more...] about How to save money on college textbooks
16 Puget Sound lighthouses you can visit for free
The following list includes lighthouses you can visit in the Puget Sound region. They are arranged roughly north to south. Find our Google Map with each of these lighthouses pinpointed at the end of the list. Most lighthouse are free to visit, though most will gladly accept donations. Lighthouses inside … [Read more...] about 16 Puget Sound lighthouses you can visit for free
Free and cheap meditation resources
Meditation is a great way to relax and reduce stress or “unplug” from the pace and responsibilities of everyday life. The benefits of a regular meditation practice can include many positive changes such as increased focus, creativity, patience, happiness, and overall life balance. Meditation is a tradition dating … [Read more...] about Free and cheap meditation resources
Home gardening resources and plant sales
Gardening in the Puget Sound region gets the advantage of rich volcanic soils, abundant rain, and year-round temperate weather. However, Northwest gardeners also face several challenges: a shortage of sunny days, a growing season that starts later than other parts of the country, and understanding the microclimate … [Read more...] about Home gardening resources and plant sales
Quick dinner recipes include cheap and easy pizza, pasta, curry, soups, and more
These quick dinner recipes for spring use budget-friendly leftovers from holiday meals, including St. Patrick’s Day corned beef, Passover beef brisket, Easter ham and hard-cooked eggs, and Cinco de Mayo avocados, rice, and beans. These recipes also make use of seasonal vegetables including asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, … [Read more...] about Quick dinner recipes include cheap and easy pizza, pasta, curry, soups, and more
Walking labyrinths in Washington State
A labyrinth is a single, methodical path leading to a center point. Although a labyrinth is like a maze in appearance, unlike a maze it has only one path (unicursal) and no dead ends. There’s no getting lost in a labyrinth. These pathways have been used for thousands of years for various rituals and ceremonies. … [Read more...] about Walking labyrinths in Washington State
How (and why) to build a rain garden
Most Seattle rain is collected by gutters around your rooftop and flowing from your driveway and patio into the street. All of this runoff is diverted into the storm drain system that ultimately empties into the nearest body of water—namely Lake Washington or Puget Sound. Along the way, it collects oil, fertilizers, … [Read more...] about How (and why) to build a rain garden
