Sunday, July 27, 2008
 
THE DINE-AROUND BOOK
Years ago organizations sold what was referred to as a "Dine-Around Book." It was a very successful way to raise funds. As a matter of fact I think they still might be putting those books out but they are not as popular as they were years ago.



This is how they worked. You paid $25.00 for a book that was good for one year. It was a huge book divided into sections, They contained coupons that allowed discounts for restaurants, bakeries, movies, cleaners, cash washs, ice cream shops and much more.

When the new books came out my husband and I would spend hours studying the book, putting in markers to alert us to the places and things we wanted to take advantage of. A year goes quickly, we wanted to use the book as much as possible.

In those days it didn't matter if we had to travel a distances, gas was cheap and my husband was good at finding out of the way places. And did we ever find them!! We used the restaurant coupons the most. Sometimes it was worth the trip, sometimes not.

When we first started using the coupons we would just take off and drive to the place until we started to find some of the restaurants were out of business.

Abandoned Chin Tiki Restaurant-Detroit ( featured in the movie 8 Mile )
Abandoned Chin Tiki Restaurant-Detroit ( featured in the movie 8 Mile ) by Derek Farr ( DetroitDerek ), on Flickr CC BY-NC

We smartend up and after a few of those experiences we called in advance.

One day we had a brilliant idea - "why don't we study the book and see how many coupons we can use the same day!"

Our friends were game, liked the idea and between the four of us we made a plan!!

There was a colorful town not to far from where we lived. On the main street there was a coupon for a men's clothing store, a bakery that solld wonderful bagel, a unique movie theater, a lovely boutique shop and a restaurant!! Perfect!!

We left early that day in order to take advantage of all the goodies we were going to get at half price. What a great time we had!! It was fun saving all that money and just getting a kick out of using so many coupons in one day!! Many people were buying the book but not getting the full benefit. We were beating the system!!

I still remember when we were walking back to the car we were all so happy, laughing and talking about the great day we had UNTIL we saw the car. We had parked the car on the street and the meter had run out. We had a $50.00 fine!!

street parking meter
Street parking meter by misplacedparadox, on Flickr CC By-NC-SA

The best laid plans don't always turn out the way you want them to BUT what stands out in my mind was the wonderful time we had that day.


Comments:
If you had a really good time, then maybe the parking fine was worth it!!

We have bought those books before, but we noticed that many of the businesses went kaput, so we stopped getting them.
 
I love old signs like the chin Tiki. All that's left of something great from the past.
 
We also stopped buying the books when we would pack up the kids in the car and found we had headed to a restaurant that was closed! You have the right attitude and that is why you have so much fun. Just remember the good parts of the day!
 
Well that would be my kind of luck! But I'm like you, what fun we had the rest of the day!!
 
The fine was bad luck but, at least, you didn't let it spoil your memories of a super day out.
I've never heard of books of coupons. The nearest we had was to collect coupons from a newpaper which entitled us to eat for five pounds a head at restaurants we wouldn't normally have visited. Of course, you had to choose from a special menus but it was very good value.
 
Sometimes it's the things that go wrong are the ones we remember most.
They are the ones that make for good stories like yours. I think you just got your $50 worth in this post alone. ~;-)
 
We bought those books also but never took full advantage of using the coupons like you.
We would forget the book at home and realize after that we could have used a coupon.
Even with your parking fine to pay you were probably far ahead of us in saving money.

Bear((( )))
 
I haven't thought about those coupon books for a long time. I was one of those who bought the book, intending to use many of the coupons, and then forgetting all about it until it was too late. Guess these guys made their money on folks like me. LOL
 
Recall those coupon books, but don't see them quite as much here where I live, too.

Enjoyed your story. Nothing like a ticket (and $50 would have been big bucks then) to splash a bit of cold water on the excursion. Glad you had fun despite it all.
 
During the reading of this posting, all I could do was to marvel at how much money we are willing to spend to save a dime. Older n Dirt
 
Hehe - you are so right: It's not allways the best thing to plan right ahead. Need to watch out for surprises as well.

Guess what?
I'm crossing the "Pond" on Thursday ti visit my Son i Berrien County, SW MI. Then I'll head West for Minnesota. Who do you think I'll meet there?
 
Torra

I know, I know, I know!!!

Her name starts with an S but that's all I'll say for now.

Let S tell when she's ready!!!
 
Hi Millie, It is very important to enjoy the journey and come what may you enjoyed it with your friends. What a beautiful way to spend it with your friends together!
Love, Nanci NGB27 PS I enjoyed your Story.
 
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I loved your coupon story! Must have been such fun!
 
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