[ daily deals ] :: gear for the ponies

Most people equate horses with spending money, and while having horses can be an expensive hobby it doesn't have to be! I realized the other day that I keep posting Daily Deals for people-things, but not one item for critters. So, from now on expect a few deals for your puppies and ponies.

10% off orders over $89 now!

The first deal: halters and lead ropes. These have good reviews, and while they aren't the fanciest looking halters, they would be great for use at home. I like Horse.com because they give discounts when you buy more of an item. How great is that? This basic halter is $5.79 (or less) when you buy 2 or more!

$5.79 wyb 2 or more!

Dover Saddlery has pony-size halters by Rider's International on closeout for just $3.99!

I know many people who have varying opinions about keeping a halter on, so I included a halter with a simple snap that could break off should the horse become "stuck" on something.

In my opinion, having a halter on your horse while it is turned out is smart - just in case they get loose and decide to go on a freedom run. And should there be any emergency in the barn (like a storm or fire), every horse should have a halter and lead next to its stall.


I got these lead ropes for my trainer for Christmas last year. I might have been guilty of putting her old ones within mouth-reach of a horse, so naturally it was shredded. Nothing is more entertaining than chewing a lead rope!

$4.96 wyb 2 or more!

They've held up pretty well so far, although I did notice that with all the rain this year the clips got sticky sometimes...nothing a little WD-40 can't fix! They are nice and substantial and have great reviews.

I'm on the hunt for more horse-y items, so I will post the deals as soon as I find them. Happy riding!

- Maggie White

[ entertainment ] :: a $50 excursion

A few weeks ago, I went to the Georgia Aquarium with my gal-pal, Gillybean. Did you know that the GA Aquarium gives you a free ticket on your birthday? Well, Gillybean did and she asked me to go.

I know this is supposed to be a blog about my cheap ways, but darn it, I love fish.

No, seriously. I was a freshwater aquarium hobbyist for many years, so if you tell me there will be fish involved, I am so there. Plus, who can refuse a trip to the world's largest aquarium? There are also tons of other sea creatures, like beluga whales, sea otters, and a dolphin show! It was amazing! I hadn't been in years so the exhibits had been updated and I had a blast.

The only downside? It cost me fifty bucks to go, including astronomically-priced parking and a snack consisting of horrible $3 coffee. (Don't worry, thrifty kids, I sneaked a bag of mixed nuts and chocolate-covered pretzels as a snack. And ate part of Gillybean's lunch.) My favorite part of the whole day was getting to take pictures of all of the different animals and...you guessed it...Instagram-ing it all. Luckily, my Instagram buddies loved the fish pictures!

Here are a few of my favorites that totally made the $50 worth it!

The last time I was there I did not go to the Dolphin Show. Let me tell you - you have to go to the show. We were in the "splash zone" and were literally 10 feet from the dolphins. The frog exhibit was new and won't be there too much longer, so I am definitely going back next year!

- Maggie White