Today! Get your N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences membership!

Here's the deal: Today, Wednesday, Aug. 19, we are offering a family membership to the downtown Raleigh science museum for $55 (plus tax), which is $15 off the usual $70. This deal works for new members to the museum only. All you need to do is present code GOASKMOM at the museum box office or enter the code GOASKMOM when purchasing a family membership online. Again, it's good only on Aug. 19.

Free admission to special exhibits. A new exhibit called Extreme Mammals will run from Sept. 26 to March 27 and members will get to go to the exhibit as many times as they like for free. Tickets to that exhibit would cost a family of four $50 (for two adults and two kids ages 3 to 12). So a discounted family membership would nearly pay for itself after a visit to the exhibit. But you could go as many times as you'd like! Extreme Mammals focuses on the biggest, smallest and most amazing mammals that have roamed the Earth. We're talking about something that has a four-ton tongue and a bumblebee-sized bat.

Perks such as discounts on birthday parties; discounts and priority registration for summer camps (which I highly recommend); a discount at the museum store; special events for members; and hospitality areas at some of the museum's big events such as BugFest.

Free or discounted membership to more than 300 science museums around the world.

Tax deduction: The $55 is tax deductible.