Managing Well on a Limited Budget in the East Tampa Area When we moved to Florida in 1987, one of the first things I asked was where could I find a couple of different department stores that I was accustomed to frequenting in California.
I was told that they weren't here and that this area was a Walmart town.
I never stepped into a Walmart until my husband got a job at Walmart in 1993.
The 10% discount card that came with employment was the carrot that originally brought us into the store.
It was the prices that have kept us coming back ever since.
The fact that they've improved their quality over the years certainly hasn't hurt. When we lived in Southern California we had several stores in our area to choose from, that offered decent merchandise at low prices.
When we moved here it took a while to find out what was here and for more to move in to the area.
In the past few years a lot more competitive stores have moved in and some of the ones who were already here have become much more sensitive to the low bottom line that's in this area. I'm listing the stores who're a bit kinder to our wallets or are now offering layaway.
Which is a way to aquire the more expensive and more popular items while keeping your budget from going into tilt.
I'm also listing the restaurants who offer good deals on meals and Christmas Clubs or Special Gift Cards: Stores: Walmart: The nice thing about Walmart, especially the super centers, is that they're open 24/7.
That's very helpful in an area where most jobs aren't 9-5 nor Monday through Friday.
They also carry almost anything that you might need or want from groceries, pet supplies including fish, garden supplies, clothing, shoes, jewelry, electronics, cameras, computers, movies, camping and sporting gear to some automotive as well as housewares and seasonal items.
Their prices tend to be competitive.
Also a note: This store has the best price on car batteries. You will find the Tampa Walmart stores at 715 E Caracas St, Tampa, 3801 N Tampa St, Tampa, 1485 Commercial Way, Tampa, 7011 Waters Avenue West Town A, Tampa, 1501 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 8220 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 3202 Colwell Ave, Tampa, 5505 N Habana Ave Apt 118, Tampa, 2010 E Seward St, Tampa, 8885 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 126 Palmetto Ter, Tampa, 2701 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, 6216 Elliot Dr, Tampa, 5317 Harborside Dr, Tampa, 6104 Sandstone Lake Dr Apt 170, Tampa, 9010 W Cluster Ave, Tampa, 9102 Baymeadow Ct, Tampa, 14941 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 14616 Village Glen Cir, Tampa, 6192 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 11404 Wheeling Dr, Tampa, and 19910 Bruce B Downs Blvd in Tampa. The Brandon Stores can be found at 1208 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 949 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, 11110 Causeway Blvd, Brandon, 1211 Astor Commons Pl, Brandon and 2021 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon.
The Plant City stores are at 2602 James Redman Pkwy, Plant City and 1407 Plantation Cir Apt 306 in Plant City.
11720 E Dr Martin Luther King is the location of the Seffner store. Target: Target started out as a department store similar to Sears or JC Penny's.
But not as high-end .They've moved a bit more in the direction of Walmart.
They too offer groceries without the fresh meat and produce. You will find stores in Tampa at 2900 Little Rd Trinty, Tampa, 1544 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 600 N West Shore Blvd, Tampa, 6295 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 6925 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 3625 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, 13658 University Plaza St, Tampa, 15240 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 11627 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa and 1204 County Rd 581, Tampa.
There are also two stores at 1040 Dale Mabry Hwy in Lutz and at 187 Brandon Town Center Dr in Brandon. Bealls Outlet: Bealls Outlet is an outlet for the overflow, unsold and damaged items from the parent department store, Bealls.
They carry the same items after they've been carried in the regular department store at a greatly reduced rate.
Which can be further reduced if you're a senior citizen or the merchandise is marked by a certain color of dot on specific days of the week.
They also provide a punch card which when full allows you to purchase at a further discount.
The items can widely vary according to the store. The Tampa stores are located at 3902 Dale Mabry Hwy S, Tampa, 2738 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 8851 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 7438 Palm River Rd, Tampa, 7539 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 8613 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 13542 University Plaza St, Tampa and 5360 Ehrlich Rd in Tampa. There are two other stores located a 2530 W Brandon Blvd in Brandon and 1961 State Road 60 E in Valrico. Burlington Coat Factory: Burlington Coat Factory has decent deals on major labels and brands at very good prices.
They carry clothing and accessories.
They also offer a baby section and household linens. You will find the stores at 2244 University Square Mall, Tampa, 3950 S Dale Mabry Britton Plaza, South Tampa and at 955 W Brandon Blvd in Brandon. Dollar Tree: Dollar Tree charges a dollar for any single item in their store which ranges from household, food, hardware, personal hygiene, gifts, toys, pets, crafts, frames, stationary, books, candy, very creative gift wrapping, bridal and baby shower to an extensive seasonal section. The first three stores are located at 2424 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 901 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, and 2502 James L Redman Pkwy in Plant City. The rest of the stores are located at 3908 Britton Plz, Tampa, 7801 Palm River Rd, Tampa, 2772 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 10219 N 27th St, Tampa, 10025 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 15402 Plantation Oaks Dr Apt 15, Tampa, 2750 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, N Pointe Plz, Tampa, University Plz, Tampa, 12052 Anderson Rd, Tampa and 9225 N 56th St in Tampa. Michael's: Michael's carries all kinds of arts and crafts items at very reasonable prices.
It's quite possible to get some really nice supplies at very good prices, which in turn helps make your finished projects very reasonable.
They also have a special 10 for $10 section with varying, often creative and clever small gift or personally usable items, plus a seasonal section of inexpensive items for kids of different ages and for adults. You can find the stores at these locations, 3804 S Dale Mabry Hwy Ste A, Tampa, 11643 W Hillsborough Ave Baypo, Tampa, 18081 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, Tampa, 14829 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Carrollwood and 2564 W Brandon Blvd Regency Sq in Brandon. Marshall's: Marshall's carries designer labels at deep discounts often with the labels cutout.
The prices are often competitive with non designer major label items. The stores are located at 3661 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL, 3802 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL and 2458 W Brandon Blvd in Brandon. Payless Shoe Source: Payless Shoe Source carries their own brands and major brands such as Air Walk American Eagle at reasonable dicounted prices, much lower than mall prices.
Their prices get even more competitive when they put on one of their Bogo events, Buy-one-get-one-half-off.
They also carry accessories such as purses and socks. The Tampa stores can be found at 4004 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, 1727 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 13620 University Plaza St, Tampa, 8401 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 309 N West Shore Blvd, Tampa,15166 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 6170 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 3643 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 2869 University Square Mall, Tampa, 7021 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 2231 University Square Mall, Tampa, 8229 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 346 Westshore Plz, Tampa, 2329 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 8856 Terrace Plz, Tampa and 8130 Citrus Park Town Center Mall in Tampa. The rest of the stores can be found at 175 Brandon Town Center Dr, Brandon, 933 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, 659 Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 1256 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon and 1801 James L Redman Pkwy in Plant City. TJ Max: TJ Max is a sister store to Marshall's.
They carry similar items that Marshall's carries. TJ Max can be found at 7555 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 15740 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa and at 2520 W Brandon Blvd in Brandon. Goodwill: Depending upon the location, one can find new items, such as gifts to bed sets in various sizes at very reasonable prices.
They also carry furniture, clothing, shoes, household items, books and gifts, plus many unexpected and unusual items.
Sometimes they're the only place in town that may have a replacement piece at a very reasonable price. Stores are located at 1106 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 2802 James L Redman Pkwy, Plant City and 4102 W Hillsborough Ave in Tampa. Restaurants: The first two restaurants we think are with the same company.
They both serve the same delicious food, mainly for take-out.
They offer a lunch special with different times, listed below.
They pack a generous portion of one entre of your choice with an equally generous portion of Pork Fried Rice and a free can of soda. One order is easily enough for a dinner for two.
You just need to add another soda.
We've found that if we buy our meal just before 3:30pm, we can save it a little bit and have it for dinner. Hong Kong Chinese Food: Their location is at 11760 Dr Martin Luther King Jr in W Seffner. Their lunch special runs from 12 noon to 3:30pm, seven days a week and costs $4.50. Lins Express: Their special is $5.00 and goes from 11:00am to 3:30pm, Monday throught Saturday. They are located at 2307 Thonotosassa Rd in Plant City. Hungry Howies: Hungry Howies offers a large cheese or pepperoni take out pizza for $5.55 which can feed at least three people.
They also offer free flavored crusts. The Tampa locations can be found at 21222 Mariner Pl, Tampa, 1506 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 2001 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 3216 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 5802 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, 6207 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 8414 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, 1302 S 78th St, Tampa, 9301 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, 4810 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, 4541 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 8802 Rocky Creek Dr, #6, Tampa, 14916 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 15322 Sherwood Forest Dr, Tampa, 15359 Amberly Dr, Tampa, 7620 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 15441 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 15527 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 2001 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 9517 E Fowler Ave, Temple Terrace and 2001 E Hillsborough Ave in Tampa. Their other locations are at 819 W Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, 328 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 1511 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 2004 S Parsons Ave, Seffner, 2501 Sr-60 E, Valrico, 208 N Alexander St, Plant City, 2424 Us-92 E, Plant City, 204 Sr-60 W, Plant City and 16769 Fishhawk Blvd in Lithia. Checkers: Checkers has a Value Menu where items are for $1.00 and a Double Value Menu where items two for one price. Checkers can be found at the following locations, 2405 James L Redman Pky, Plant City, 603 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd E, Seffner, 1640 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 3002 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, 2820 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, 4300 W Cypress St, #600, Tampa, 1615 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 4959 E 7th Ave, Tampa, 2718 S 50th St, Tampa, 4459 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 4530 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, 107 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 7545 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 1509 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 8800 N 56th St, Temple Terrace, 3846 W Fletcher Ave, Tampa, 2598 E Bearss Ave, Tampa and 3418 Hoedt Rd in Tampa. Wendy's: Wendy's has a Value Menu with several choices for $1.00. Wendy's can be found at 1615 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 4060 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, 2036 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 3928 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, 1501 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 2015 N 50th St, Tampa, 4314 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, 3601 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 8330 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 6620 E Martin Luther King Blvd, Tampa, 5805 N 56th St, Tampa, 3609 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, 8717 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 7534 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 9940 Adamo Dr E, Tampa, 4505 Woodland Corporate Blvd, #100, Tampa, 4508 Oak Fair Blvd, Tampa, 1507 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 13119 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 13712 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, 7534 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 9940 Adamo Dr E, Tampa, 4505 Woodland Corporate Blvd, #100, Tampa; 4508 Oak Fair Blvd, Tampa, 8305 Sheldon Rd, Tampa, 2010 Town Center Blvd, Brandon, 6202 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 6024 County Road 579, Seffner, 308 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 13565 Cypress Glen Ln, Tampa and 12981 Race Track Rd in Tampa. McDonalds: McDonalds has a Value Menu with several items for $1.00. You can find McDonalds at these Tampa locations, 2 Columbia Dr, Tampa, 1520 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 501 E Martin Luther King Blvd, Tampa, 4009 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, 2101 E 13th Ave, Tampa, 1905 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 2006 N 50th St, Tampa, 4443 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 3515 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 4908 W Nassau St, Tampa, 165 Westshore Plz, Tampa, 1908 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 4333 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 6717 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 4818 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, 8214 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 1002 S 78th St, Tampa, 6013 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, 6505 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 6906 N 56th St, Tampa, 7530 N Boulevard, Tampa, 3411 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, 10019 Adamo Dr E, Tampa, 10410 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 920 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 7909 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 7011 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 7350 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 11712 N 9th St, Tampa, 926 W Fletcher Ave, Tampa, 11707 N 56th St, Tampa, 2205 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, 104 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, 14941 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 15698 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 5393 Ehrlich Rd, Tampa, 6192 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 8002 Citrus Park Dr, Tampa, 5101 Pointe Of Tampa Way, Tampa, 12205 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, 17757 Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz, 106 Crystal Grove Blvd, Lutz, and 106 Crystal Grove Blvd in Lutz, You will also find McDonalds at these locations, 11110 Causeway Blvd, Brandon, 11212 Causeway Blvd, Brandon, 502 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 610 Ml King Blvd E, Seffner, 2050 Sr-60 E, Valrico, 808 E Windhorst Rd, Seffner and 4650 Mcintosh Rd in Dover. Burger King: Burger King has a Value Menu with several $1.00 choices. Burger King is at these Tampa locations, 5405 Sheldon Rd, Tampa, 4315 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 510 N Franklin St, Tampa, 2302 N 21st St, Tampa, 2506 W Martin Luther King Blvd, Tampa, 2965 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 2514 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 2601 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 2513 N 50th St, Tampa, 611 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 4103 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 4401 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, 5607 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, 4565 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 9211 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 8406 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 6901 N Armenia Ave, Tampa 3009 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, 101 E Bullard Pky, Tampa, 9925 Adamo Dr E, Tampa, 901 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 4202 E Eva Ave, Tampa, 5301 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 2902 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, 11210 N 30th St, Tampa, 5775 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, 3911 Van Dyke Rd, Lutz, 17515 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, 7331 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 15298 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 14999 N Florida Ave, Tampa and 10612 Sheldon Rd in Tampa. You'll also find Burger King at these locations, 114 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 704 Ml King Blvd E, Seffner, 918 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, 2019 Lumsden Rd, Valrico, 2117 Sr-60 E, Valrico and 4649 Mcintosh Rd in Dover. Stores Offering Layaway: Note; The stores each have differing policies such as size of deposit, latest time to pickup the item(s), layaway fee, cancellation fee and whether you actually put the item in layaway or just pay on the item and it's delivered to you at the store: T.J.
Maxx: You will need to check with your local store for the details. Marshalls: You will need to check with your local store for details.
The Brandon store does offer layaway. Burlington Coat Factory: You will need to check with your local store for the details. Jewelry Exchange: This company offers a six month plan with 25% down paymment http://www.jewelryexchange.com/faq.aspx The store is located at 5411 Beaumont Center Blvd in Tampa. Kmart: This store offers in-store and on-line layaway.
They charge a $5.00 fee and require 10% down with equal on time biweekly payments for up to eight weeks until the item is paid for.
There is a $10.00 cancellation fee.
This isn't just for the Christmas season.
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10101_DAP_Kmart+Layaway Kmart is located at 12701 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 1602 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 2915 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 8245 N Florida Ave, Tampa, 5400 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, Willow Bend Town Ctr, Lutz and 22920 State Road 54 in Lutz. National Half Price Furniture and Mattress: This business offers a free one year layaway plan with no hidden fees or charges. The store is located at 7809 N.
Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa.
http://www.nationalhalfpricemattresses.com/ Sears: Sears requires either a 20% or $15 down payment with a $5.00 fee for either on-line or in-store layaways for bi-weekly payments for eight weeks.
Their cancellation fee is $10.00 The time period is longer for Fine Jewelry.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Sears+Layaway You will find Sears at 2266 University Mall, Tampa, 4717 S Florida Ave, Tampa, 4005 W Spruce St, Tampa, 347 Westshore Plz, Tampa, 7902 Citrus Park Town Center M, Tampa and 686 Brandon Town Center Mall in Brandon. Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us: These two stores offer layaway on certain items, mainly big gifts.
They require a 20% deposit and a $10.00 service charge.
After the final payment the items on layaway are available for pick up within 7 to 10 days afterward. The stores are located at 1702 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 1235 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 330 Brandon Town Center Dr, Brandon and 11201 Causeway Blvd in Brandon, Trikke Tampa Store: This store offers layaway through elayaway. This store is located at 3311 W.
Gandy Blvd in Tampa, and on-line.
http://trikketampastore.com/layaway.php Walmart: They have layaway only on fine jewelry.
Although this company did away with their layaway they do what is called "site-to-store", where you can order an item on-line and arrange to pick it up at your local Walmart with no shipping fees. elayaway: This website handles the layaway for about 1,000 on-line companies that carry items in; apparel and accessories, art and collectibles, automotive, beauty products, books and music, electronics, entertainment, household, general merchandise, gifts and gift cards, green products, health and personal care, jewelry and watches, kids, kitchen and garden, medical supplies, pets and supplies, security, sports and outdoor, tools and hardware, toys and games and travel.
http://elayaway.com/places-to-shop Christmas Clubs or Special Gift Cards: Check your personal bank or credit union.
Many savings institutions do offer a Christmas Club account, where you can deposit a certain amount on a regular basis, to be withdrawn near Christmas. These types of accounts are basically short-term savings accounts.
You open a Christmas club savings account in January. Some institutions may require a minimum deposit to start, most have no minimum.
The account is left open through the end of October, at which time you can withdraw the money on 1 November and have your holiday shopping well funded.
You could also use a Christmas club savings account to save for holiday travel, or any large ticket item or need, such as large bills, not just shopping.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-christmas-club-savings-account.htm Note: I'm sure that there are other budget saving opportunities in our area that I've not covered.
If you know of any that fit in that category please click on the "add a comment' link at the top of this article and list what you have, so that we all can benefit from it. Sources: http://elayaway.com/ http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-christmas-club-savings-account.htm http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/christmas-club-can-tame-holiday-bills-2.aspx http://www.cadillacnews.com/story_news/?story_id=349150&year=2008 http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/finances/tp/holidayfund.htm http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Department_Stores/Seffner_FL.html http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Department_Stores/Brandon_FL.html http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Department_Stores/Tampa_FL.html http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Department_Stores/Plant_City_FL.html http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Arts_and_Crafts_Retail/Tampa_FL.html http://www.magicyellow.com/Chains/Payless/Tampa_FL.html http://www.nationalhalfpricemattresses.com/ http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=93075 http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/dpg_Back_to_School_Supplies_Put_on_Layaway_mb_08242009_3143105 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Sears+Layaway http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10101_DAP_Kmart+Layaway http://www.jewelryexchange.com/faq.aspx http://trikketampastore.com/layaway.php http://local.yahoo.com/
|