Frugal Family

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column will be dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box.

Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

This week, Frugal Family scoured our local sources to come up with great deals from area vendors. If you know of some we missed, please comment below!

Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions:

1. Applebee's Family Nights

http://locator.applebees.com/

Deal: Kids’ meals are half off on Tuesdays at 51 area locations.

Good through: Ongoing, each Tuesday night

2. Action Fuel Oil

http://www.actionfueloil.com/coupons/

Deal: Get $10 off your next home heating oil delivery.

Good through: One coupon per season

3. Philadelphia Zoo

http://www.philadelphiazoo.org

Deal: Get off-season pricing, with admission just $14 per person; children under 2 are free.

Good through: Feb. 28

4. Modells.com

http://www.modells.com/

Deal: Stock up now on the family’s sporting gear. Get free shipping on orders over $49.

Good through: Ongoing

5. Guitar Center

http://gc.guitarcenter.com/tradeup/index-10.cfm

Deal: Trade in your old music gear, and get 10 percent off new gear when you apply your store credit with this coupon.

Good through: Ongoing