2009 Entertainment Book Giveaway
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EntertainmentBook.com As a special gift to one lucky Wise Bread reader, the publishers of Entertainment.com have given me a 2009 Entertainment Book to review and another one to give away!
I once purchased an Entertainment Book through a school fundraiser a few years ago. At the time, I was actually a little disappointed because it seemed that most of the “entertainment” discounts for my local area were for snow skiing and well… I’m not a skier. I think I purchased the book in March, which meant most of the skiing season had already passed, too – so even if I had wanted to try it out, I was a little late.
In the 2009 Entertainment Book, though, I’m much happier at the options! I’m not sure if I’ve just grown up since the last time I bought the book, or if the book has really improved a lot over the years. It could be that the book was loaded with grocery and dining coupons even the first time I had it, too, but I was just too much of a college freshman to care about anything other than movie tickets and amusement park options at the time!
Now that I think about it… that’s probably more what happened. Anyway, now that I’m all “grown up” and have different priorities and needs in life, I find the 2009 Entertainment Book to be extremely useful for helping me live out a (mostly) frugal lifestyle. The book still includes a number of snow skiing coupons for ski resorts near where I live; but it also offers:
- a TON of 2 for one restaurant discounts, with and without the coupons. So you can use the coupons for the area restaurants first, and then use the Entertainment Book Membership card to activate additional discounts at the same (and other) restaurants.
- 10-25% off total bill at local restaurants.
- Fast food discounts, everything from McDonald's and Burger King to Arby's... Pizza Hut... Subway... several pages of fast food coupons.
- Grocery store coupons – in my local copy there are 4 coupons for $5 off a grocery purchase of $50 or more at Hannaford.
- Discounted admission to several nearby amusement parks and water parks, as well as a handful of coupons and discounts to theme parks that are in other states (so you could plan your summer vacations with the kids out of state and still benefit from your Entertainment Book).
- Movie discounts, miniature golf, admission to theaters for plays and musical events, and retail store discounts.
In addition to the physical coupons I can rip out of the book, the book comes with the Entertainment Membership Card. I don't remember much about the card from years passed, but I'm looking forward to using it this time around. The card entitles you to discounts at additional retailers and restaurants that may not have coupons in the book (or for those that do, a way to continue to save long after you’ve used your coupons); and online specials through the members only area of Entertainment.com.
The book can be purchased through Entertainmentbook.com (affiliate link) with a 35% off special price; or through many organizations who use the book as a fundraiser. If you’re not the winner of the book from this site, the purchase will likely be a good investment since it helps you save money all year round. Most people are able to save the cost of the book in the first few coupons they use; with all additional coupons and discounts giving you pure savings for the rest of the year. If you are hoping to have an inexpensive Valentine's Day celebration out on the town - the coupons in this book can help you do just that.
To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment describing the best coupons you've seen in the Entertainment Book (or if you've never used one, what coupons would benefit you the most) by February 22, 2009. One winner will be selected randomly. Only open to U.S. Residents age 18 or older.
The drawing has closed. Congrats to EN for winning!
UPDATED: Entertainment Book is Now 50% off.
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We had an entertainment book last year, and the coupons we used the most, hands down, were the Regal Cinemas coupons. I believe they made the tickets something like $7, which is a really good deal considering tickets are up to $10 in our area. We also like to use the entertainment coupons to try out new restaurants - it makes date night a little more exciting - and affordable - than dinner at the same old standards and a movie. The two-for-one deals on museums and other attractions also totally rock.
The entertainment book is my bible.Iwas unable to afford one this year thanks to the economy.My husband had almost no OT in 2008,and I am unable to work since a beating left me with a mild brain injury in 2005.It is especially beneficial for the supermarkets.Combined with the coupons I cut sometimes I save as much as 75%.
We are unable to go out often but there are a few resteurants clost to us that we will go to with the buy one get one.
The best coupons are for Laker and Dodger Games!!!
I used a coupon this weekend for 2 for 1 putt putt golf with friends! The book is always handy around Denver.
the best coupons in the entertainment book would be ones for buy one get one free dining out and anything that saves money at grocery stores. my partner and i are 2 poor grad students trying our best to live on one salary, and anything that helps with everyday bills or the occasional desire to go out to eat helps!
My favorite coupons from these kinds of books are 2 for 1 entrees at "mid"-level restaurants that my fiance and I haven't tried yet. It gives us an opportunity to try new things without too much expense.
The best coupons are always for restaurants - buy one get one meals and the like. If you're not embarrassed about using them, it's always a steal. My dad won't eat anywhere that isn't in the "big coupon book."
there was a 2 for 1 coupon for a vampire tour in San Francisco's Nob Hill with Mina Harker. The price came to $10 a person. What a fun way to celebrate New Yaer's Eve with a bit of history, fright and a generous friend. Plus Mina got dressed up in gothic attire and gave away a bunch of cool prizes including a replica of Esme's bracelet as seen in the "Twilight" movie.
It's been about 15 years since I used one of these things; I used to have to sell them back in the day. I admit that I was never terribly impressed by them, and I would love a chance to see what they're like now. Like most others, I only ever used them for the restaurant coupons.
I love the 2-for-1 fancy restaurant coupons!
We love the Local version of this that our schools sell for fundraisers! I can't imagine what would be in this one.... I would LOVE some good movie discounts. Its a luxury we don't allow.
We have moved to different areas in the country and always used the Entertainment book to try and get to know local restaurants. I think we averaged $15-40 for 2 adults for dinner regularly when we used the coupons.
When I was a bandgeek in high school, we did these as fundraisers. My mom got them for a few years. The only ones that we would use really were the fast food coupons (Burger King, MacDonalds, Wendys).
I haven't had one in the last 10 years, but I did actually look at the 2009 one. I found coupons for dry cleaning and local area restaurants, which I'd use about once per month. I think the grocery coupons are great! I'm always looking for ways to drive down my grocery bill.
We have used these for years & have almost never been steered wrong on a meal. But they also have discounts on attractions - museums and even on theatre tix!
I would love the Two-For-One coupons! My boyfriend and I are trying to cut back on eating out, but that would let us do so ocassionally without spending as much.
I don't know if they still have coupons for local bowling establishments in the Entertainment book, but I always enjoyed using those when I was younger. It was a nice cheap night out when you're in HS or college. (Or, heck, even now!) Movie ones (drive-ins or traditional theatres). And of course any restaurant coupons. Free or cheap(er) food is always awesome!
The best coupon I've used out of an Entertainment book was a free week at a local gym. My best friend & I were able to try it out before committing to a contract!
I have enormously expensive glasses because my vision is just terrible. I actually bought the book just because of the Pearle Vision coupon they had in there last year. I saved $125 off a full pair of glasses. It got the cost of my frames and lenses down to something much more manageable. The rest of the book was just gravy at that point-- I'd more than made back the money I spent on it.
Haven't been a big fan ofn frugality so far
I like to ski.
I love the grocery coupons! My MIL used to give us her coupons since she never shopped at a particular store. But I think she uses them now because we never get them anymore and I don't really want to ask for them. Anything that helps lower the grocery bill is a great deal!!
I've never used the book before, although I have been tempted. The movie and restaurant discounts sound the most interesting to me.
The best coupons I have seen in the Entertainment book were for eyeglasses. I think they saved more money than many insurance plans.
The Dunkin' Donuts coupons hands down! Subway too.
Good luck!
Sue
I think the best one locally was a minigolf course and batting cage that just put a bunch of coupons in for a free round or a free bucket of balls for the driving range or for a free round in the batting cages. Best of all, it was right next to a Home Depot so I could kill 2 birds with one stone! An entire summer's worth of entertainment once every few weeks.
I've never had an Entertainment book, but the coupon that would benefit me most is as many 2 for 1 beers at The Happy Gnome as possible. Mmmmm.... Belgian style beer .....
I would be interested in coupons for Barnes and Noble - like 25% or 30% off one item.
Yep, barnes and noble has a discount in the book and so does borders. Barnes and noble offers 5% off online purchases online in my Albany NY book; and Borders has two coupons for 25% off one item.
In fact, there are a number of retailers included like
KB toys
ny and company
wet seal
fashion bug
deb
dicks
liz clairborne
finish line
home shopping network... and so on . I think this section is the same regardless of your location.
I don't eat out that often, so I think any coupon would be useful. They would at least give me chances to try new places!
the best coupon we have ever used was one for a rental car. we saved a ton of money with that one. i used to read the entertainment book when i was younger for fun. i loved all the possibilities that were in it. also i could use the chuck e cheese coupons to convince my parents we really NEEDED to go ! :D
I love the buy one get one free coupons for restaraunts.
I would love to try it out!!
I love the grocery coupons. I have been debating purchasing one, but we dont eat out much so not sure that part would be worth it, but the grocery store coupons are GREAT!
The best coupons in the Entertainment Books that I've used were for buy one get one free admission to a local theater (usually a matinee performance).
Never used one but everyone I know who has Raves about the grocery store coupons. Hope to see what all the excitment is about! Thanks, Rachelle
I have purchased this book in the past and my faves are always the fast food coupons like Burger King, and the Claire's Accessories coupons, because I love Claire's stuff.
The coupons for the cinema and for oil changes usually end up being the best deals for me.
I love the "buy one get one free" restaurant coupons as well as local grocery store coupons.
Cold Stone Ice Cream. Might not be healthy...but I love it!
I remember when I was little, my mom got a coupon book from a friend. We didn't have enough money to go out to eat or to the movies much, but that coupon book basically supplied a summer's worth of discounted entertainment. Local restaurants, a mini-golf place, the movies... that book resulted in some of the best memories ever!
I haven't used an Entertainment Book before, but I think we would benefit the most from a coupon for our local Chinese food buffet.
While I would love to WIN one, I was going to buy one but the affiliate link is broken.
I'd wait to see if you win first, but I'm not sure why the affiliate link didn't work for you. When I click it, it brings me right to the Entertainment Book's website and asks me to enter my zip code to find the local version of the book. Sometimes refreshing the page helps for weird issues :)
Good luck on the giveaway!
i found a random coupon for a shooting range near my house. how random is that?
If I won, I'd use the 2-for-1 coupons to visit some museums in my city. I haven't been to any here yet, and I've always wanted to be a tourist in my own town!
The best coupons for us were the grocery coupons. Even some competitor grocery stores would accept them.
It's been years since I have used an Entertainment coupon book, but I always enjoyed the 2 for 1 dinner coupons, or a percentage off movie tickets.
I like 2 for one restaurant coupons
i love coupons
We almost always make our decision on where to eat based on the coupons we have for that area of the city (Kansas City).
What would be most useful to me would be coupons for local eateries that feature a gluten-free, vegan option.
I've never had one of these, but after reading some of these comments, I must say that 2 for 1 restaurant meals sound PERFECT!
I'd love some restaurant coupons!
In the past when we have purchased the Entertainment book it has has lots of "Buy One Get One Free" coupons for McDonald's, Burger King, Dairy Queen, drive-in theatres, go-karting and lazer tag that we have used.
Only complaint would that the places that accept these need to be sure their employees are fully trained in how to handled these at the cash register - on numerous occassions ove the years when we would give the employee the coupon they had no idea how handle inputting into their system and had to resort to calling the manager and the transaction taking from 5-20 minutes to a few even saying they didn't take the coupons at all and having to resort to asking for the manager.
I used to love the movie ticket coupons. I love going to the movies and it's so expensive!
i like the bogo's they give me an opportunity to try new things
I like the movie coupons and the Cold Stone coupons.
Thanks
I've never used an entertainment book, but their 2-for-1 restaurant coupons sound very promising!
If you take the time to actually look through all the coupons (instead of just checking the index for a particular establishment) there are often coupons to get things for free - a free cup of coffee somewhere is pretty common. I love those!
Also sometimes there are coupons for money off a minimum purchase at a grocery store, good stuff! :)
I'd probably get the most mileage out of the grocery store or movie coupons, but I would love it if there were some coupons in there for more local/independent places and/or places I haven't gotten a chance to try yet.
My favorite coupons in the Entertainment Book (I actually ripped all 4 from my mom's book!) is the four Shoprite coupons, good for $5 off a $50 purchase, you can use one each quarter. I'm always shopping there, so it was worth it to buy it for my mom for Christmas, I ended up making out on the deal. lol
The best coupon we used was for a stage performance at the Hartfrord Stage that provided for one free ticket for each ticket purchased. It saved $24.00 on one transaction.
The best coupon I've ever used from the Entertainment book was the free "Dinner and Movie" coupon at Universal Studios Orlando. At the time Universal was offering the package for approx $20 that gave you 1 movie ticket, 1 dinner at select CityWalk restaurants, 1 desert, and 1 non-alcoholic beverage. The Entertainment book coupon gave you this package for FREE. I had 2 Entertainment books at the time and my girlfriend and I used both and enjoyed a wonderful night at CityWalk completely for free.
I never seem to find Ebay coupons, except for when the auction site places one on my account at random. I've been able to get some great deals using the ten percent savings and would like to see any Ebay savings coupons in the Entertainment book.
I love their buy one entree, get a second entree free restaurant coupons. I've also gotten amazing deals on FTD flowers from their coupon!
I've never had an entertainment book before, but I sure could use one! Money is real tight right now, as I'm sure it is with everyone.
I would benefit the most on grocery coupons, and the 2 for 1 restaurant coupons. I would also benefit from the discounted movie tickets, because I would definitely see more movies if the tickets weren't so expensive!
**Crossing my fingers**
B1G1 on food is good. Our local one also has B1G1 on a couple of the local Zoo's, which is great for my kids. $5 off of 25 at Whole Foods is not too shabby either. Some of the coupons have "repeat" savings, which allow you to print more online.
We love the grocery coupons , but my best ever coupon was the fashion bug in combo with a sale. got my $100.00 winter coat for 30 bucks. Still using it after 5 years
I haven't used one for awhile..but when I was younger I would use them for the bowling alley in my town. And for going to a Twins game! I have fond memories of what we used to call the "Happenings" books.
The 2-for-1 restaurant coupons are the best. We have often gone with friends and been able to reduce the cost significantly! Yay Entertainment Book!
I haven't used it but my sister in-law loves it.
I love the 2 for 1 food coupons and I also use the movie coupons. They also have coupons for fun children's entertainment. Nice giveaway!
I remember a time when my husband bought the Entertainment Book from a friend of his. It was wonderful! We would go out to eat and use the restaurant coupons. I can honestly say that all of them are my favorite coupons. I have no specific one that I love, any help that we can get goes a long way for us. We certainly appreciate all these things!
I do buy one of these books every year, and sometimes extras as gifts. I was disappointed to see mostly fast-food discount coupons, and much less of the mid-range restaurants and almost no fine dining that used to be prevalent. Please bring these back---I was considering not even buying one next year just because of this. Now, this may be just in my local area, Gainesville FL, so you may not have the same experience, maybe we just need a better local salesperson! I do give away all coupons that I cannot personally use.....
the bogo meal coupons are great.
However, when they used to offer the Coca Cola coupons, I combined the entertainment coupon with a great store sale and got about 8 2 liter bottles of coke for about .35 each.
The best coupon I ever got out of the Entertainment book was the coupon for the PA renaissance faire- buy one get one free!! i used to work there, and then had not back there in years. this past year a friend surprised me with the coupon and off we went! And the discounted movie tickets were great too. last year on the expiry date, we still had some left, so we went to the movies and handed them out. i made a lot of people smile that evening!
My parents get an entertainment book every year as a gift and I would say that the best coupons are ones for restaurants that give you a free entree with the purchase of one. It's great for couples and also a quick way to make up the cost of the book itself.
I absolutely love my Entertainment Book. We actually use a ton of the coupons. Id have to say our favorite is the pizza coupons. Normally its a buy one get one free and it always saves me like 10 to 15 bucks. The book is so well worth it. I never leave home without it!
I am an avid coupon user. I feel that the best coupons in the entertainment book are the auto service deals. Everyone has to take their car to an autoshop atleast once a year. For people like me, 10x a year. and it really helps out. Also I love tacobell. So thank god for those coupons:)
The best coupons I'm always sure to use are for grocery stores. There are also always some great ones on dry cleaning and restaurants. I haven't bought one for a few years, so I'd love to win!
I love coupons! I liked the restaurant 2 for 1 coupons the best out of the entertainment book. Thanks!
I'm also giving one out on my blog here: http://baglady.dreamhosters.com
Your chances are better at my blog.
The coupon that we used most the last time we had one of these books was the grocery store coupons. The oil change coupons are great too!
Thanks!
Shannon
My favorites are for the symphony, plays, and the opera!
I have not had an entertainment book in years. But One of my favorite coupons was Airline coupons
I really loved the 2 for 1 restaurant coupons.
We bought an Entertainment book a couple of times, and the best coupons I remember were for 50%off of dry cleaning and also 50% off at the roller skating rink for our kids. We almost never used the card for the sit-down restaurants, but we did use some of the fast-food and carry-out coupons.
We all coveted these books during grad school! The pizza ones were most popular. I still laugh remembering how we would call each other up to ask if we had any extra coupons.
I have used the Entertainment book in the past because it is truly something that pays for itself almost the first time you use it!
I haven't used one before but the grocery coupons and fast food coupons are something we would use.
My parents had one while I was in college. They weren't using them much but I discovered a couple 2 for 1 Whopper coupons.
I ordered them with extra everything. With piled on lettuce, tomato, onion, etc. I would make it into a side salad using the stuff from both. Two burgers with a large side salad helped me save that week.
2 for 1 coupon for Blind Onion Pizza in Reno, Nevada - best pizza ever!
My favorite things in the entertainment book are random restaurants. It's a great excuse to get my family to try something new!
I used to get the Ent book and go to the high end Georgian Room at the Fairmont in Seattle.
The 5 off 50 Safeway coupons are my faves.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
The only time we ever go out to eat are with "BOGO"'s!
Probably eating out and electronics for me! :)
Hi! I have never used the books, but seen the site. I would like the buy 1 dinner , get 1 free & museums & places like that. Thanks for the contest. Lisa
We use the buy one get one free restaurant coupons all the time from the Entertainment book. Good way to try new local restaurants
The best ever were hotel rooms at 1/2 of the normal rate. Great for businesses, too!