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Hey Spartanburg, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Funding for local upgrades, Summertime Sock Hop Party, and a one-level luxury estate + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Funding for local upgrades: S.C. Commerce distributed $7.7 million in Community Development Block Grants across South Carolina, aiding 8,299 residents through public improvements in eight communities. Local governments must provide a 10 percent match -- see the grant breakdown.
Charming towns to explore: From Beaufort’s antebellum mansions to Georgetown’s riverfront boutiques, a roundup spotlights seven South Carolina main streetscapes perfect for weekend day trips and gallery hops within driving distance of Spartanburg -- see the full roundup.
Quiet escapes worth the drive: Ten tucked-away South Carolina cabins offer forest views, from Solitude Pointe in Cleveland to Mountain Rest and Lake Hartwell, with cozy escapes and family hideaways worth the drive -- explore the full list.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local fairway fix: Spartanburg’s home course vibes are alive at The Creek Golf Club, with dialed-in practice facilities, organized games every day, and a free driving range for members. Hit a bucket, play a round, then pop into the pro shop and grill for new gear and hand‑pattied burgers.
Bowling with a vibe: Locally owned and born from a long-forgotten warehouse, UnderPin Lanes 'N Lounge pairs boutique bowling with tasty food, ice cold beer and premium cocktails. Grab a lane for up to six, or go big with group packages, then let the pins take the week's stress.
Make some noise: If your strings are tired or a kid just joined band, Roper Music has you covered with rentals for band and orchestra plus guitars, drums, amps, and all the little lifesavers like reeds, sticks, and strings. Swing by and spark something this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎶 Music on Main @ Morgan Square | Thursday (8/6) at 5:30 PM – Thursday on Morgan Square means free live music, familiar faces, and the unofficial reunion of everyone you swore you’d only see at the grocery store. Music on Main serves up tight bands, easy mingling, and top-tier people watching, no cover, just quality time.
🎤 The Smokey Beans @ Fretwell | Saturday (8/8) at 6:00 PM – Over at Fretwell, right off the Rail Trail, The Smokey Beans, a father and son duo, spin 60s and 70s favorites into mountain porch songs, and it is free. Think less karaoke, more campfire with talent. Good beer, friendly faces, and easy, toe-tapping nostalgia.
💃 Summertime Sock Hop Party @ Backstage Live | Saturday (8/8) at 6:30 PM – Backstage Live inside Rigsby's downtown is spinning the clock to the 50s, free entry and all, with The Sparkle City Rockets, diner eats, and spiked root beer floats. Dust off the poodle skirt, appease your inner greaser, then bowl downstairs at Underpin, knees permitting.
🎶 Blue Notes @ Fretwell | Saturday (8/29) at 6:00 PM – Free live music at Fretwell, courtesy of Blue Notes, for those of us who like our evenings easy and our wallets unbothered. Room to sit, something cold to sip, and tunes doing the heavy lifting while we pretend this counts as cardio.
🧘 Yoga On The Lawn @ Fretwell | Monday (9/7) at 9:00 AM – Monday mornings at Fretwell mean lawn yoga, neighborly stretching, and the satisfaction of moving before coffee. Lisa leads an all-levels flow on the grass, tranquil and pleasantly challenging. Free and donation-based, bring your mat, your joints, and your best attempt at tree pose.
🍂 Fall for Spartanburg Festival @ Cara Bella Boutique | Saturday (9/19) at 11:00 AM – Downtown Spartanburg is turning Dunbar, Magnolia, and Spring into one big free block party, with live music, vendors, artisans, and kid chaos you can pretend counts as cardio. Bring the dog, the neighbors, and your best strolling shoes. Fall vibes, zero cover, maximum small talk.
🍽 Taste of the Carolinas Fest @ Drayton Mills | Sunday (9/27) at 12:00 PM – The free local food and drink festival we actually look forward to returns to Drayton Mills, serving the best bites and sips from both Carolinas. Graze like a pro, compare barbecue loyalties, and call it cardio. Lawn chairs, stretchy waistbands, and neighborly gossip strongly encouraged.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Spartanburg report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 76%
A slight chance of rain showers between 10am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 65%
A chance of rain showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis 5-bed, 4.5-bath estate hides behind a charming ranch profile, then opens into 5,400-plus square feet of one-level luxury with 12-foot ceilings, walnut floors, and custom built-ins throughout. A chef’s kitchen, reclaimed wormy chestnut media room, and renovated saltwater pool, spa, and stone fireplace create a polished, resort-style escape with serious Southern charm.
Take a peek inside → |
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