$mart Suzy: Fun things, savings strategies, brain teasers (save your brain!), and coupons

By Suzy $mart
KyForward columnist

Moving right along on this week and hoping things are going swimmingly for you – because that’s what you’ll want to be doing as summer asserts itself in a big way. The Temperature is rising, so stay comfortable and hydrated, find a shady spot or a splash of water – but try not to seclude yourself inside unless you have some fun things to do besides couch-potato stuff. Get with friends, go to the library, fix-up, paint-up, or write some real letters to real friends.

Family artsy outing

At Midway’s Equus Run Vineyards this weekend, don’t miss Francisco’s Farm, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It costs $10 per vehicle for parking. It’s an annual gathering of hundreds of artists and a showcase for their creations. Hands-on art-making opportunities and a Kids Zone with age-appropriate activities.

For more information check out the Francisco’s Farm website

Urban Yoga free at CentrePointe

Urban Active Fitness is offering its popular “Urban Yoga” class FREE at CentrePointe on Saturday at 9 a.m. This basic yoga class is suitable for all ages and skill levels with kids welcomed! Call 859-281-5110 for more information.

Savings strategies

Kentucky’s savvy Department of Financial Institutions offers all kinds of money-savings tips to consumers. Here are some that focus on SAVING – and yes, everybody can save something – and it adds up. Start now, teaching your kids to be responsible with money by ALWAYS having a savings strategy:

Saving SOMETHING – no matter how much – starts a habit and makes a difference, Suzy friends. Start with the pennies you pick up off the sidewalk – what? You don’t? Well, start! Once you’ve started and have been disciplined about it, you’ll be surprised at how good you feel – and how motivated you’ll be to do more.

Save your brain!

Years ago Suzy’s friend, a renowned Alzheimer’s researcher, told her one of the secrets to forestalling the onset of the disease was to keep your brain active – always learn new things, be open to doing new things and keep using and challenging your brain. Though Suzy paid attention, the idea of Alzheimer’s was very far away. Now, it’s closing the distance as are other challenges of growing older (we do that everyday, after all). So, on the premise that the brain is one of the most important things to “save,” Suzy is offering a couple of brain teasers some friends shared with her on Facebook. Here they are for you:

In a lake, there is a patch of lily pads. Every day, the patch doubles in size. If it takes 48 days for the patch to cover the entire lake, how long would it take for the patch to cover half of the lake?
(OK, just hold on to the answer for a bit to give everyone a chance to figure it out.)

Here’s a simple arithmetic question: A bat and ball cost a dollar and ten cents. The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost? (Suzy is going to give you some advice to keep you out of trouble here: The answer isn’t as obvious as you first think.)

Part of the lesson in these exercises is that the vast majority of people respond quickly and confidently with answers – which are both obvious and wrong. Sometimes, we just don’t think enough about things – and jump to conclusions. We really should know better.

Suzy will tell you the answers tomorrow – and she’d love to hear from you in the meantime at suzy@kyforward.com – but if you want them now, you can read more here.

Was this fun? Send Suzy your favorite brain teasers (brain savers!).

Featured coupons

From Cha-Ching on a ShoeString, here are some of the hottest deals at Target this week:

• Glade Decor Scents Spring Varieties, $2.99. Use $0.50/1 Glade Spring Air Freshening Item Target printable Plus use $2/1 Glade Decor Scents Holder printable $0.49 after coupons!

• Wheat Thins or Triscuits, $2. Buy 2 and use $1/2 Nabisco Products printable. Plus use $1/2 Nabisco Products Target printable. $1 each after coupons!

• Milk-Bone Dog Biscuits, $2.25. Buy 2 and use $1/2 Milo’s Kitchen, Pupperoni or Milk Bone Dog Treats Target printable. Plus use $1.50/2 Milk-Bone from 5/13/12 RP. $1 each after coupons!

• Right Guard Body Wash, $3.19. Buy 2 and use (2) $1/1 Right Guard Body Wash Target printables. Plus use $2/2 Right Guard Body Wash printable. $1.19 each after coupons!

• Tom’s of Maine Naturally Dry Antiperspirant or Deodorant, $3.79. $2.50/1 Naturally Dry Antiperspirant from 6/17 SS Insert (regional). $1.29 after coupon!

• Buy 4 Farmhouse Originals, $2.99 each. Buy 3 Get 1 Free Store Sale. Use (4) $1/1 Farmhouse Originals from 5/13/12 SS. $1.24 each after coupons and sale (some stores may not allow you to use a coupon on the freebie item)

• Joy Ice Cream Mini Cones (42 count), $1.89. $0.55/1 Joy Ice Cream printable. $1.34 after coupon!

• Market Pantry Apple Juice, $1.89. $1/2 Market Pantry Juice Target printable. $1.39 each after coupon!

• Market Pantry Deli Cheese, $2.25. $1/2 Market Pantry Cheese Target printable. $1.75 each after coupon!

 
• Women’s Xhiliration Sleep Shorts, $5. $3/1 Xhiliration Target Mobile Coupon. $2 after coupon!

• Starbucks Bagged Coffee, $7.99 each. Buy Two, Get a FREE Starbucks Frappuccino 4-Pack. Use (2) $1.50/1 Starbucks printables. Or (2) $1.50/1 Starbucks coupons from 6/18/12 SS. $4.32 each after coupons and sale!

Make the most of your day, Suzy friends. Every day counts. See you tomorrow – and already looking forward to it.