Many of you haved emailed me to ask where to donate the formula samples you receive in the mail and don’t need.  I haven’t a clue which shelters and food banks accept donations of formula, and wanted to ask you guys: where in Colorado Springs can you drop off cans of unused baby formula?

I’m certainly a big breastfeeding advocate (not much else that’s more cheap and more natural!), but I know that for various reasons formula is sometimes needed.  Your input on places to donate would be much appreciated – please comment!

Carol wants to know the best place in Colorado Springs to get full-color flyers printed.  Nothing too fancy, just an 8.5×11 full-color paper!

Any tips for her?  We’ve done a little bit of printing and binding at Office Max but I’ll admit to not having shopped around much!

Last week we talked about which farmer’s market is the best; this week, Amanda is wondering about CSAs (community-supported agriculture):

I’m wondering if anyone has experience with a local CSA. I hear the quality is great and most things are organic. Are there better deals on organic produce in the stores, or is this fairly equivalent?

Any recommendations on great CSAs? Why did other readers like/dislike about beig a part of a CSA?

Can anyone help Amanda with some tips about the benefits of joining a CSA and how they work?  If you have contact information (website, phone number) for any CSAs in Colorado Springs, that would be super helpful as well.

Archived Reader Requests are available here, and you can also submit a request.

Image credit: justinhenry

Now that farmer’s markets are in full swing – at least I think most of them have finally started! – I thought it would be a good time to ask this question from Brittany:

I was wondering how the local farmer’s markets compare as far as prices and quality? Are there any locally grown foods that are available for great deals at farmer’s markets?

What type of deals are you seeing at local farmer’s markets this year? What time of year should we be on the lookout for the best selection of certain items?

Here’s a list of local farmer’s markets. Which one seems to have the best vendors so far this year?

Julie wants help finding a sweet summer treat:

We love Rizuto’s for ice cream, but in order to be a bit healthier we would like to find a good local place for frozen yogurt.  Any ideas?

Just in case you haven’t heard of Rizuto’s, it’s a local ice cream place that’s famous for the $1 soft serve cones, which are rumored to be huge.  They’re located at 4785 Barnes Rd.

And, while this is the opposite of healthy, I want help finding a good snow cone here in the Springs! I mean the type of place that gives you a huge cup of soft, shaved ice with lots of high-fructose corn and food coloring laden syrup.

Can anyone help with these requests for frozen yogurt and snow cones?  Please leave a comment if you can!

Image Credit: size8jeans

Shanna wants to know if there are any consignment stores for men in Colorado Springs. Do you know of any? I think X S Threadz sells young men’s clothing, but I don’t really know of any others.

If you can help Shanna out, please leave a comment!

Amber needs some help finding a shoe repair-er (cobbler?) in Colorado Springs:

I have several pairs of shoes that need to be repaired, specifically the tips of my heels. Do you or any of your readers have a suggestion of a great inexpensive place for shoe repair?

Can anyone provide recommendations for Amber?  Recommendations with prices would be great, as I know sometimes shoe repair can be cost-prohibitive!  Please leave a comment with your suggestions.

Archived Reader Requests are available here, and you can also submit a request.

Image credit: pureandapplied on Flickr

Jeremy emailed awhile back with a scary story and a request for help should it ever happen again!

My child locked himself in the car today and was unable to unlock the door. I was able to leave work early and take the extra key to my wife to unlock the car. I was wondering if yourself or your readers knew of a locksmith who does emergency service like this for free? Pop a Lock in Denver does, but they don’t have a franchise here.

Of course, when your child is locked in the car you just want fast service and shouldn’t spend half an hour calling around for the best deal – but if there are companies that do it for free here in the Springs, it would certainly be useful to have their number saved on your phone!

If you can recommend a local locksmith that will unlock your car for free if a child is inside, please leave a comment! Or, if you have a general recommendation for an affordable locksmith, we’d love to hear that to.

We locked our keys in our vehicle last year at the Labor Day Ballon Glow (that didn’t even happen because of the rain), and it cost $100 to get them out. I’d to know about a cheap locksmith that doesn’t charge based on the fact that it’s dark outside and you have three small children!

Connie needs some help finding lodging for some out-of-town guests:

We have some friends coming from out of town, they are looking for a hotel preferably with a one bedroom suite/kitchenette that is kid friendly. They’d also consider a house rental for about 3 days. Do you or your other readers have any tips?

Anyone have any tips on where to find this type of lodging in Colorado Springs, preferably at an affordable price?  The Mountain View Bed and Breakfast might be an option for some, though there’s no kitchenette.

If you can recommend a hotel or perhaps a vacation rental or cabin here in the Springs, please leave a comment and let us know your tips.  I know a lot of us have friends and family that want to visit (hello, we live in Colorado!) and it would be great to have a list of affordable lodging recommendations!

Related: if camping is your thing, check out this list of kid-friendly camping spots near Colorado Springs.

Andrea wants some input on the best time to buy a grill:

I’m wanting to know if anyone can suggest that I buy a grill now for my hubby’s birthday/Father’s day gift, or do they usually go on sale for Memorial Day or Father’s Day?

So, Springs Bargains readers, what would you suggest? When is the best time to purchase a grill? Are there big sales for traditional “cooking out” holidays, or is there another good time to look?

Please leave your tips in the comments!

Psst – if you have a gas grill, you’ll definitely want to read these tips on getting the best price on a propane tank refill!

Two Springs Bargains readers have both requested your help finding an affordable pet groomer!  Audrey writes:

We have a 13lb. schnoodle who needs to be shaved really short twice a year. No fancy designer cut needed. We have taken him to Petsmart and it costs $44! Yikes. I guess that includes the bath, nail trim, cleaning his ears. Any suggestions?

Another reader, Crystal, emailed with the same request. Can you help these readers out with your tips on affordable pet grooming in Colorado Springs?

Please leave a comment with your recomendations. If you’re reading via RSS or email, you’ll need to come on over to the site to leave a comment.  Go here to submit your own Reader Request!

Here’s a few related posts about pets:

• Reader Request: doggy hotel in Colorado Springs?
• Reader Request: low-cost veterinarian in Colorado Springs

Local movers in the St. Patrick's Day parade - probably not what this reader needs!

We’re losing a Springs Bargains reader!  Karen writes:

Our family is moving back to the east coast this fall to be closer to family. I am hoping one of your readers might have some advice for cheap cross-country moves… I am particularly interested in doing container shipping or where we would load the front part of a tractor trailer. Does anyone know of any cheap moving companies out there?

Karen, we’re sorry to see you leave beautiful Colorado, but hopefully we’ll be able to help you save some money on your move!  Anyone have any experience with cross-country moves?  Did you use a pod or “shared shipping”?  Please share your tips in the comments.

Archived Reader Requests are available here, and you can also submit a request.

Julie needs your help finding a good deal on a mattress:

I am trying to find the best price on a mattress.  Where in town has the best deals?

Got a suggestion for Julie?  Please leave a comment!  I’m curious if any of you have ever shopped for mattresses at Goodwill – I know they sell new mattresses but haven’t ever compared prices.

If you are reading via RSS or email, click here to leave a comment. You can also submit a request or view archived Reader Requests.

Brandy sent in this reader request:

My husband is just starting to golf and we’re looking for good places to golf and golf coupons! Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?  Discount days, printable coupons, good cheap courses, or not-cheap-but-worth-it places to play?  Leave a comment with your suggestions!  If you are reading via email or RSS, please click here to leave a comment.

You can also submit a request or view archived Reader Requests. Thanks for your contributions – they are helping people!

Image credit: 5150fantast

Kat needs some help finding care for her dog when they travel:

We’re looking for an affordable and dependable doggy hotel or overnight lodging for small dog when we go on vacation.

Got a suggestion?  Please help Kat out  by leaving a comment with your suggestions and experiences.  If you are reading via RSS or email, please click here to leave a comment.

Related: Low-cost veterinarian suggestions from readers