Let me tell you a bit about saving $$$. 

I’ve got a family of five. We like to do all the stuff that families like to do—eat out, play, and have fun. 

Luckily, Everett’s a great place to recreate because we have a generally lower cost of living than Seattle (for now, haha). 

Here’s what I’ve learned about kicking it in Milltown without sweating the bottom line. These are some pro tips, but I know there are more out there. Feel free to share yours by leaving a comment below. 

Grocery Outlet

5209 Evergreen Way

There are now two Grocery Outlets in Everett—one in South Everett and the new one in the Claremont Neighborhood. If you’re trying to stretch a grocery dollar, check out the deals at the GO. Of particular interest (to me) are the low prices on normally expensive health foods like hemp hearts, almond butter, coconut milk and chia seeds. 

Franz Bakery Outlet

1515 E Marine View Dr.

There are also two Franz Bakery Outlets—one in the Delta Neighborhood and one on Casino Road. The one I know best is the North Everett one.

Turn off East Marine View Drive in Delta to find this cute little bread box of a store. You can get deeply-discounted bread and assorted pastry-related items (like jelly, peanut butter and milk) as well as miscellaneous nonperishable pantry items like top ramen and instant mashed potatoes. Score deals like four loaves of bread for $5!

Every time I’m here they gift little treats like cookie pouches to my kids... I think this is their standard business practice? 

99 cent clothing Sundays at St. Vincent de Paul

6424 Broadway Ave.

All clothes are 99 cents on Sundays at the St. Vincent de Paul. I recommend getting to the store early, as this deal attracts a savvy crowd. Pick out some retro-chic flares, some pleated mom jeans, or maybe a gingham romper—all for just under a dollar. You’re not wrong to browse their vinyl records while you’re there. 

Taco-book Taqueria

1130 Broadway Ave., Suite C.

It’s no secret that we at Live in Everett are huge Tacobook fans. The quality and flavor of this strip-mall, truck-style taqueria can’t be beat. North Broadway never tasted so good, and at a few bucks a pop, their dishes can be mixed and matched with friends.

Dutch Bros. Coffee

2202 Broadway Ave.

I heart Dutch Bros., where a cup of plain coffee hovers around $2, as opposed to the more like $4 corporate coffee price point. Plus, I dig their walk up counter, which is convenient for me as I live less than a mile from this stand. A short walk to Dutch Bros. and back is what makes a weekend afternoon pretty great—that post-lunch caffeine pick me up, combined with fresh air... perfect.

Half Price Books

1321 SE Everett Mall Way

The classic introvert self-date—curl up with a book and chill. I love to shop at Half Price Books when I need to browse a fresh selection of reads. Guilty/not guilty confession: I’ve picked over most of the books at the Everett Public Library. Going to HPB and dropping a few bucks on a delicious tome is, for me, a comforting way to spend an afternoon or evening. 

Bargain Records and CDs/ Henry's Donuts Date Combo

The 2500 block of Broadway is the best. Any afternoon you need a pick-me-up, go there and get a couple donuts at Henry’s. It’s never the wrong time to go: literally, the place is open 24 hours a day. Next door is the building that houses Bargain CDs Records & Tapes, where you can stock up on vinyl, VHS, CDs and my favorite collectable—audiocassettes. This is seriously the best place, but often picked-over, so it pays to go frequently.

Combine Henry’s and Bargain Recs for the best wallet-friendly date combo.

$2.50 pints on Thursdays at Scuttlebutt Restaurant and Taproom

Scuttlebutt has the best deals on draft, come Thursday. At $2.50 a pint you could certainly try a variety of delicious lagers, porters and ales and Uber your way home to chill out. Or, if you’re at the Scuttlebutt Restaurant, walk off your drinks at Boxcar Park—an excellent place to catch a (free!) sunset.

(P.S. You can check out more Scuttlebutt goodness on Live in Everett here.)

Buy Nothing Group

The Buy Nothing Project is a group of Facebook-based communities dedicated to upcycling, recycling and gifting used or new things. The Buy Nothing Facebook groups provide a venue for Everett neighbors to gift one another tools, clothes, food, children and baby items—anything, really. I scored a lot of the vintage art and furniture in my house as well as some plants through my local Buy Nothing group. 

The idea here is to be generous—don’t join the BN group just to take. Consider what’s gathering dust in your attic or shed—can someone use it? Get all Marie Kondo on your perfectly fine but unused anorak and gift it to a new friend in the community. 

There’s the karma.

How about you?

What’s your special secret trick for saving money in Everett? 

Leave us a comment below or add your tip to this article’s thread on the Live in Everett Facebook page. 

Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett