How to Use Sonoma on the Cheap

Just Keep Scrolling

Often, there are more deals and events than a page can hold. Check back often, but keep on scrolling—there is likely to more you haven’t seen.

Check out the Categories and Tags on the Right Hand Sidebar

If you are interested in music, for example, in music, click on “Music” under categories on the right hand side of the page and you will get all the posts that are PRIMARILY about music. If you want to be sure to see everything, click on “Music” under tags (just below categories), and you’ll see every post that had ANYTHING to do with music. Stuff to do with kids? It’s there. Looking just for things to do in Windsor or Petaluma? Click on those under tags.

Watch the Dates and Call Ahead

Many (most) of these deals expire (sometimes without notice) and many have fine print. Read the fine print carefully, and call ahead to see if it is still offered if you are planning a special trip.  I try to call out gotcha’s in the fine print, or locations that don’t offer the deal, but I don’t always catch it—and these things can change moment to moment. Also, one location may honor a deal, but not another location of the same chain, so check first.

Come Back Often (and Subscribe)

Deals and events are updated, sometimes several times a day. There’s always something new—and some deals have short life-spans or short notice. People are often frustrated to discover a great deal on something they wanted a day after it expires, or a cool event they would have loved to attend that already happened. If you subscribe (by email or feed) you’ll stay (mostly) up-to date.

Email subscriptions are free, and will bring you a digest of all the deals and events once a day (unless there was nothing that day, then you won’t get an email). To subscribe by email, just fill in your email address in the subscribe box at the upper right hand side of the page. You’ll get a confirmation email that tells you to click on a link to confirm your subscription. Once you do that, you’re subscribed. You can unsubscribe at any time, just by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom of any email. Your email address will never be sold.

Occasionally, I post things that occur the same day as the posting—your email subscription delivers that news the next morning. I try to tweet those very short-time deals or news, so if you’re on twitter, follow me: @lisaandersomann.

Submit Tips or Ideas

Sonoma County is full of fun and cheap things to do–and great deals. If you know of any—or have ideas for topics you’d like to see on this website, please let me know at lisa (at) sonomaonthecheap.com

Use the Calendar

The Calendar on the left sidebar list Sonoma County cheap or free events. Not every event that appears on a post also appears in the calendar, but most do. If you are looking for something to do, click on the date on the calendar and it will list free or cheap events in Sonoma County that occur on that date. If there is not enough info in the calendar listing for you, type in the event in the search box on the upper right hand side. Odds are good there was a more detailed post about the event.

When you Travel

Sonoma on the Cheap is one of a network of  “On The Cheap” sites. Odds are decent that you can find great deals or fun free events for your trips in this network (Oahu, the Big Island, Florida, Southern California, Chicago, Denver, Toronto, the Caribbean, England…and more). To find a list of these sites, click on “Cheap Friends” on the left sidebar, or the Cities on the Cheap logo on the left sidebar.

Tell your Friends

The more robust our community, the more deals and cool events we are likely to come across. If you like this site, please tell your friends about it; stumble it, tweet a post , mention it on mailing lists, forward a email newsletter, whatever.

Patronize our Sponsors

None of the posts are sponsored, but you’ll see ads on both sidebars. Want to buy a book? Click through the Amazon link on the left sidebar. Planning a trip and want to book a hotel? We often have hotel ads in the sidebar as well. This is mostly a labor of love, but it’s a time consuming one. Our sponsors help keep us going, so please patronize them when possible. And when you take advantage of a deal mentioned on this website (or advertised), let them know you heard about it here.

Thanks, and enjoy!