Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

Military Discounts

4 Military Discounts for Your Puppy Dog Friends

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4 Military Discounts for Your Puppy Dog Friends

We got our first dog Gwen in 2013. She was a hound mix and such a perfect first dog for our family. In 2021, we added Max, a blue healer mix, who was quite the fun challenge. When we got Gwen she was already one year old and housebroken. When we got Max, he was only two months old and a little puppy. He did shake things up around here but, now at two years old, he is the sweetest thing and I am so glad we have him. Sadly, Gwen crossed the Rainbow Bridge a little before Christmas and we miss her so much.

If you have a dog or any pet, you will need to buy them supplies. From food to bedding to toys. You have to love the dog toys, I know Max does!

Luckily, there are quite a few places that sell things for pets with a military discount. Here are four of them. Happy shopping!

PetSmart

PetSmart not only offers pet supplies but also grooming, a pet hotel, doggie day camp, training, and more. You can save 10% on grooming on Tuesdays, and 10% on overnight stays at their PetsHotel as a military discount. They also have a deal for every new customer where you can receive one free night on multi-night stays.

PetSmart began with its first superstores opening in 1987, although they opened with the name, PetFood Warehouse. They changed the name to PetSmart a year later. They offered pet food in large quantities for lower prices and allowed you to bring your pet into the store with you, which was a new concept at the time.

A Pup Above

A Pup Above uses whole, human-grade ingredients in their dog food. You can buy dry food or fresh food, with flavors like Texas Beef Stew, or Porky’s Porchetta. They offer a 20% military discount. You would need to send them an email and you would then receive a code. A Pup Above was founded in 2018 by Ruth and Javier Marriott and their own doggy, Lola. They were tired of not knowing what was in Lola’s food so they created their own.

BullyStick.com

At BulyStick.com you can find bully sticks, which are protein-rich, all-natural dog chews made from 100% beef. They can be ideal for keeping your pup busy and out of trouble. They offer a 15% military discount to use on their website. You can use the coupon once every 7 days and the discount is open to active duty, veterans, and dependants.

Petmate

At Petmate you can find their popular kennels as well as bedding, pet steps and ramps, training tools, feeding and watering supplies, grooming items, and more. They offer a 20% military discount. Petmate began with a focus on providing safe pet transportation. They started with their first wood crate in 1964 and with their first plastic kennel in 1973. They officially started doing business as Petmate in 2009, and have been growing ever since. While the military discount is for their website, you can also find their products at stores such as Petco and PetSmart.

If you are interested in having your own military discount added to this list of pet military discounts please contact me here for more information.

What Military Spouses Need to Know About Military Discounts

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What Military Spouses Need to Know About Military Discounts

I love finding military discounts. My favorite military discount is the one you can get at Disneyland. I feel like you are able to save so much money! Many different places have military discounts, from home stores to your favorite restaurants.

But…

There are some things that you should know going in where military discounts are concerned. Different businesses offer different types of discounts and knowing what they are is important.

Not all businesses offer them to spouses

One thing you should know is that not all military discounts are for military spouses, but many of them are. This can get a bit confusing. And sometimes this depends on who is giving you the discount on that day.

Usually, they will state that they only give the discount to the service member in the fine print. Typically, free meals on veterans day are only for the veteran. If you present your dependent ID and they let you know that the discount is only for the service member or veteran, be polite with your response.

Not all businesses offer them to the national guard and the reserves

This can get a little frustrating. Not all businesses give a military discount to the national guard or the reserves. However, in my own experience, most of them do. Again, this is where you want to check the fine print.

I would encourage any business giving a military discount to include the national guard and the reserves too. This part of the military often gets overlooked, even though they are also putting on the uniform, deploying, and spending time away from their families. While I understand sometimes they can’t extend the discount to that many people, adding this part of the military would be a nice idea.

You might not be able to use them on everything

In most cases, there is something you won’t be able to use the military discount on. Usually, buying a gift card, or certain products. Make sure to double-check if you are not sure. Sometimes, you can find out this information on their website or where they have the military discount posted.

You might be able to combine the military discount with another promotion

One reason you might not be able to use a discount is if you have a store coupon or if you want to use the discount for something that is on sale or clearance. However, there are some places that will allow you to do so. For example, at Rack Room Shoes, they offer a 10% military discount that you can use with BOGO 50% off deals, sales prices, other coupons, and promotional offers.

You should check your options when you do have to decide to see what can get you a better deal. While 10% can be nice, a business might have a coupon that is for 20% off that would be a better deal. With the Southwest Airlines Military Rate, you can often find a better deal with their Wanna Get Away specials available to everyone.

Not all locations have the same discount

Another thing about military discounts to keep in mind is that different locations for the exact same business might offer something different. For example, here in the Fort Campbell area, Cracker Barrel does offer a military discount but it isn’t that way everywhere. When I lived in Lexington, they offered one at their Chick-Fil-A but the ones here in Clarksville don’t.

In some cases, it is hard to get a clear answer on what their discount is because they often are up to the management of that specific location. Asking is your best bet because they know what they are going to do at your local location.

Sometimes the military discount isn’t advertised

While some businesses display that “10% off for service members” sign, others do not. Some places don’t even talk about the discount on their websites.

When in doubt, ask. That might be the only way to find out. And remember, just because the military discount isn’t listed, it doesn’t mean they don’t have one.

What Military Spouses Need to Know About Military Discounts

Where is your favorite place to get a military discount?

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

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If you are stationed at Fort Campbell, you are less than an hour from the Opry Mills Mall. This mall is an outlet mall and it’s huge. It takes a while to walk around the entire thing, and you can do just that as the mall is basically a circle. The mall has over 200 stores, a movie theater, Dave and Busters, a huge food court with a variety of choices, and quite a few sit-down restaurants as well.

You can also park at the Opry Mills Mall and walk over to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel which is quite the experience, even if you don’t stay there. Which, if you want to visit the hotel I would recommend doing because parking at the hotel is quite pricey. The Grand Ole Opry House is also right next to the mall.

The Opry Mills Mall opened in 2000 at the former site of the Opryland Theme park. In May of 2010 however, the mall had to close due to the massive floods that were going on in Tennessee. The mall finally reopened in 2012 after two years of repairs although some of the big stores like Bass Pro Shops opened up sooner.

Our family goes to this mall pretty often. It’s worth the 45-minute drive from Fort Campbell and has something for everyone.

Many of the stores also have military discounts, at least at the Opry Mills Mall. Keep in mind that sometimes military discounts are location-dependent or dependent on what that particular manager wants to offer customers.

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I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

And most of the stores that do offer military discounts, have this star in their window! I have walked around the Opry Mills mall so many times and wanted to share some of the stores that do offer military discounts.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Gamestop is a must-stop for our family of gamers! Everyone loves it and wants to check out the new games and toys they have available. Gamestop offers a 10% military discount.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

At Under Armour, you can find clothing and shoes. They have a military discount of 20%, although sometimes they will offer up to 40%.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Another must for our family or well me to shop for our family, is Hurley! They have clothing for men, women, and kids, with a surfer/swimmer theme in mind. Check with your local store for current discount!

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Need shoes for your kids? Kids Foot Locker gives out a 10% military discount. You can also find this at the regular Foot Locker too.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Bass Pro Shops is a fun place to go, especially around Christmas time. They offer a 10% military discount.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

At Nautica, you can find closes inspired by the sea! Save a few dollars with their military discount.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Sun & Ski Sports is perfect if you are looking for a new jacket, skiing gear, or a new backpack. They have a 10% military discount.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Looking for casual clothing? Head to Buckle and save 10% with their military discount.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Hollister is another clothing store. Save 10-15% depending on your location.

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

Vera Bradley is my must-stop shop at the Opry Mills Mall. They have a 15% military discount and you can use it on top of their amazing discounts. Talk about saving money!

Military Discounts at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville

It’s my favorite shoe store! I love that they have a military discount too. Use it with some of their promotions to get some new shoes.

Yankee Candle is another favorite. Save 10% with their military discount.

There are of course many more military discounts at the Opry Mills Mall. If you are stationed at Fort Campbell, make sure to plan a trip! It can be a fun experience for the whole family.

Shoney’s Veterans Day 2023 Free Breakfast Deal

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Last year, I took my Dad to a restaurant on Veterans Day to get him his very first free meal as a Veteran. He served in the Air Force in the late 1960s/early 1970s but had never been in for a free meal. I loved that he finally got to experience this! We met a few other veterans there that day too.

There are many different places that offer a free meal to veterans on Veterans Day, or the weekend surrounding it. It’s a great way for businesses to give back to the military community.

Shoney’s is one of those places and is offering a free breakfast on Veterans Day!

Check out the details below!

Shoney's Veterans Day 2023 Free Breakfast Deal

Veterans and active duty military eat free on Saturday, November 11th, 2023 at your local Shoney’s restaurant! This offer is good from opening until 11:00 am. Proof of military service is required, and it is for dine-in orders only. Only at participating locations.

Enjoy your meal!

Shoney's Veterans Day 2023 Free Breakfast Deal

Beyond Old Navy! 6 Stores That Offer a Military Discount On Clothing

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Beyond Old Navy! 6 Stores That Offer a Military Discount On Clothing

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

I have been shopping at Old Navy since I was in high school. My whole family can find something there, which is super handy. They also have a military discount! If you also have a growing family, being able to save money on clothes is a must, especially if your kids are at the age where they are growing all the time. My 12 year old is going through this so I am always looking for a good deal on his clothes!

Old Navy, and its sister stores the Gap and Banana Republic aren’t the only clothing stores with a military discount. Here are a few more to check out the next time you are at the mall:

Columbia

Columbia Sportswear began by selling hats, yes hats! They were called the Columbia Hat Company after the Columbia River and were founded in the 1930s. They became the Columbia Sportswear Company in 1960, which is what they are called today, offering sportswear including jackets, shirts, sweaters, and more. You can save 20% with the Columbia military discount.

J. Crew

J.Crew was started back in the 1940s as Popular Merchandise. They kept that name until 1983 when they became J.Crew. You can find clothing for women, men, and for children at J.Crew and you can save 15% with the J.Crew military discount.

Hanes

Hanes was founded back in 1900 as Shamrock Knitting Mills, (I love learning these old names for companies), and the Hanes Corporation began in 1965. Hanes is a great place to find pjs, sweatshirts, and underwear for you, or your while family. You can save 10% with the Hanes military discount.

Buckle

Buckle started as just a men’s clothing store a few years after World War II ended as Mills Clothing. The company introduced woman’s clothing towards the end of the 1970s. The store became The Buckle, Inc, which is what it is called today, back in 1991. At Buckle you can find jeans, tops, shoes, dresses, shorts, and more for men, women, and children. You can save 10% with the Buckle military discount.

Under Armour

Under Armour is a bit newer having been founded in the mid 90s and was started in the owner’s grandmother’s basement. He got his start when he wanted to make a t-shirt that stayed dry like his shorts did using moisture-wicking synthetic fabric. The cool thing about Under Armour is that sometimes they offer a 40% military discount. At the moment, the Under Armour military discount is 20% but keep an eye on it because it might go up when you are ready to shop.

Lululemon

Lululemon was founded in 1998 with its first store opening a couple of years later. The owner, Chris Wilson, has been credited with creating modern yoga pants. At Lululemon you can find yoga pants, tops, shorts, sweaters, and more. The Lululemon military discount will save you 15%.

Looking for other military discounts? Check out A Big Long List of Military Discounts for Military Spouses for more military discounts for all types of retailers, including amusement parks.

Now I Can See! 4 Military Discounts on Eyeglasses You Don’t Want to Miss

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Now I Can See! 4 Military Discounts on Eyeglasses You Don't Want to Miss

My eyes are not perfect, in fact, I have needed glasses or contacts since I was 17 years old. These days, I am very much 100% into my glasses, having given up on contacts a few years ago. When you wear glasses, you have to buy glasses, and as you know, TRICARE doesn’t cover the cost of glasses.

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals back in the 1700s? He divided his lenses so that he could see both near and far with one pair of glasses. Thank you Mr. Franklin as I received my first pair of progressive lenses earlier this year. With progressive lenses, you can’t see a line in between, which is nice. I was having trouble reading with my glasses on, and thank goodness this technology exists.

And the thing about glasses is that they can be pretty expensive. If you have ever tried to pick out a pair after an eye appointment, the prices can be a little hard to stomach. But we have choices!

There are quite a few glasses companies online and quite a few of them offer a military discount. With these companies, you do need to have your prescription which you enter into a form, pick out the frames you want, and place your order.

Here are four military discounts on glasses that you don’t want to miss:

Zenni Optical

Zenni Optical is my personal favorite and I have been ordering from them for years. They offer a 10% military discount and ordering glasses is a pretty easy process. They offer a lot of options to find exactly what you want. Zenni was founded back in 2003 and used to be called, 19dollareyeglasses.com. You can find eyeglasses and sunglasses at Zenni Optical.

GlassesUSA

GlassesUSA is another online glasses retailer. They offer a $10 super coupons to members of the military. You can use this coupon with other promotions to offer additional savings. They were founded in 2009 and offer glasses, sunglasses, and contacts.

Glasses.com

Glasses.com has a sweet military discount of 60% off lenses as well as free shipping. They have brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Versace, and Coach. They sell eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Sunglasses Hut

The Sunglasses Hut offers members of the military and military spouses 15% off members of the military and their spouses. Not only can you get regular sunglasses at the Sunglasses Hut, but you can also get prescription sunglasses. The Sunglasses Hut first opened in 1971 in a mall in Miami.

Not in the market for glasses? There are plenty of other types of retailers that offer military discounts to members of the military, veterans, and military spouses. Companies such as Old Navy, Lowe’s and Michaels offer 10-15% off on purchases.

If you are interested in having your own military discount added to this list of military discounts on eyeglasses, please contact me here for more information.

Hawks Cay Resort Celebrates its 15th Annual Heroes Salute Program

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Hawks Cay Resort, an iconic destination resort in the Florida Keys, is celebrating the 15th annual anniversary of its  Heroes Salute program, honoring active and retired members of the military, fire and rescue, police, first responders, and medical personnel with special programming, packages and discounts available August 1 through December 25. This year’s program will be bigger and better than ever before with military veteran Craig Morgan performing at a special Key to Country concert during the Labor Day Weekend tribute event.  

Annually, the Heroes Salute program offers qualified heroes the best rates of the year from August 1 through December 25. Guests who book with the Heroes Salute package will also receive discounts on resort amenities, including spa treatments at Calm Waters Spa, in-water Dolphin Connection experiences, group snorkeling at Solé Watersports, fishing charters from Hawks Cay Marina and many more. Heroes Salute rate starts at $169 and can be booked at  hawkscayheroes.com.   

“Heroes Salute has really grown into something special over the last 15 years. What started as just a small tribute event one weekend has turned into our most popular and rewarding program of the year,” said Bob Moore, acting general manager at Hawks Cay Resort. “Every fall, Hawks Cay becomes a sanctuary for our heroes to unwind and enjoy some rest and relaxation with their loved ones. Showing the heroes community our appreciation is the most important thing we do here. It means a lot to everyone in the Hawks Cay community.” 

To celebrate the launch of the seasonal program, Hawks Cay is hosting Heroes Salute Weekend September 1-3 with celebrations including fun-filled, patriotic festivities, including a hero tribute ceremony, 5K run, touch-a-truck event, live music, fireworks, games, contests and more. To commemorate the milestone anniversary, the resort will also host its popular Keys to Country concert series with a special performance by internationally acclaimed country music singer and military veteran Craig Morgan, who will take to the oceanside stage on Sunday, September 3. Weekend events can be found at floridakeysheroes.com, and guests interested in adding the concert to their reservation should use promo code HEROKC. 

Recognizing those who support our heroes, civilians interested in honoring our service members and first responders can book the Heroes Supporters package from August 1 through December 25 to receive a 15 percent discount on accommodations when a donation $5 or more is made to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. 

Learn more about Hawks Cay’s Heroes Salute program by visiting www.hawkscayheroes.com or hawkscay.com.  

About Hawks Cay Resort 

A recipient of the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award and a member of the Preferred Hotel Group Lifestyle Collection, Hawks Cay Resort is located on Duck Key in the Middle Florida Keys. Situated roughly halfway between Key Largo and Key West at mile marker 61, this 60-acre, tropical destination is easily accessible by car, boat or plane yet feels worlds away from everyday life. Alongside the aquamarine water of the Atlantic Ocean, guests enjoy offshore, flats and backcountry fishing; diving; kayaking and standup paddle-boarding programs; Cliff Drysdale tennis program, and the only resort-based Dolphin Connection program with complimentary daily viewings in the continental U.S. The resort boasts 177 guestrooms and 250 two- and three-bedroom villas, a full-service marina, six restaurants, saltwater lagoon, six swimming pools, kid and teen clubs and the award-winning Calm Waters Spa. For more information, please visit www.hawkscay.com.   

Use a Military Discount at These 3 Amusement Parks this Summer

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Knott's Berry Farm

It’s summer! Time for family vacations and keeping kids busy while they are out of school. What better way to do so than taking them to an amusement park? You should already know about the Disney military discount but we don’t all have the ability or the budget to plan a big Disney trip, even with their fantastic discount.

Well, you don’t have to travel to Disney to find a good military discount on an amusement park. Here are three other amusement parks within the United States that you can use a military discount at.

Dollywood Military Discount

Dollywood is Dolly Parton’s amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in the Great Smoky Mountains. The theme park is a four-hour car ride from Fort Campbell, and close to other military installations in the south. Dollywood started in the 1960s as Rebel Railroad, becoming Goldrush Junction, then Silver Dollar City until 1986 when Dolly Parton bought into the park and Dollywood was born.

Dollywood offers special military tickets to US active duty military, retired military, veterans, reservists, their spouses, and dependents. They offer a military discount on 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day tickets as well as on season passes. You can buy your tickets here.

Knott’s Berry Farm Discount

I grew up going to Knott’s Berry Farm so this amusement park will always have a special place in my heart. Located in Buena Park, California, a few miles from Disneyland, this park has fun for all ages.

Knott’s began in the 1920s when the Knott family sold their berries, pies, and preserves at a roadside stand. Ghost Town was created in 1940, and a summer-long county fair was opened in the 1950s. The first ride, the Log Ride, my personal favorite, was opened in 1969. By the time I was a small child in the 1980s, Knott’s was a full-functioning amusement park. Knott’s is now owned by Cedar Fair and offers a military discount on tickets. You can buy your tickets here.

Knott’s Berry Farm also has Military Tribute Days in November and December. This is when active duty military, retired military, and veterans can receive a more discounted rate for them and up to five guests. Last year the tickets were only $20, what a deal!

Holiday World Military Discount

Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari are an amusement park and water park in Santa Claus, Indiana. Holiday World is full of family fun with the park divided up into four holiday sections, Christmas of course, Halloween, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving. You can also stay at the Santa Lodge, which we did on a family trip a few years ago, with its giant Santa statute.

Santa Claus Land opened in 1946, soon after World War Two ended. At first, the park just had a Santa, a toy shop, toy displays, as well a place to eat, and children’s rides. In the 1970s, the park changed locations and focused more on families instead of just children. In 1984, the name was changed to Holiday World to include more holidays than just Christmas.

The Holiday World military discount is $34 off a one-day admission. They also offer a couple of military season passes. You can buy your tickets here.

While these are just three examples of amusement parks with military discounts, there are many others around the country. From Sea World to Six Flags. Before planning a family trip, make sure to do your research to see where you can save some money. Even $10 off a ticket can make for some great savings when buying tickets for your whole family. You can also find military discounts at zoos, museums, and other family-friendly locations.

Where is your favorite place to find a military discount?