BARGAIN HUNTER WEB SITE HAS LOADS OF DEALS ON TICKETS.

Byline: JULIA SCOTT

1/2 PRICE TIX: Get discounted tickets to plays, concerts and sporting events by joining Goldstar.com, a free Web site that uses its hefty membership ranks to cut deals with shows.

Joining requires you to share an e-mail address, password and the ZIP codes for events you want to see.

When I joined, orchestra seats to the musical "Wicked" were $60 (originally $98) and tickets to a pro volleyball tournament in Long Beach were $10-$20 (originally $20-$40).

Service fees are usually about $4 per ticket.

COFFEE COSTS: Starbucks is closing 600 stores because people are opting for cheaper alternatives.

So how much can you save if you a) Downgrade from a latte to a regular coffee at Starbucks? b) Buy coffee at a cheaper alternative? c) Make your coffee at home?

Visit www.insidesocal.com/bargain for the answers. They may surprise you.

SWIM SALES: Swimsuits everywhere are going on sale and it is only July 7! Nordstrom has many suits heavily marked down, including a red-striped BCBG Max Azria two piece for $44 (originally $178).

Old Navy has many discounted swimsuits, mostly two pieces, for $8 to $13 each (originally $16.50 to $24.50 each). Also check out Eddie Bauer and H&M.

GOING NATIONAL: A new link at the top right of www.insidesocal.com/bargain reads "Bargain Hunter National Edition." Click on it for all the blog deals minus ones specific to the San Fernando Valley.

Please help me spread the word by letting your friends and family outside the Valley know about it. Thanks!

MORE ONLINE: Visit www.insidesocal.com/bargain for $3 Dodgers tickets, a Web site that estimates the price of car repairs and to sign up for the Bargain Hunter daily digest.

FLIRTY AND FUN: Want to take your sweet stuff out on the town but lack the dough to finance a big excursion? Consider these frugal date ideas:

Stargaze, cook dinner together for someone else, volunteer together, go to a minor league sporting event, fly a kite, take him or her to happy hour, visit a historical site, give each other massages, go out just for dessert, rent a new Wii game, rent a rowboat, go to an art show.