Filed under: Gift Ideas, Shopping, tips | Tags: free christmas gifts, frugal, frugal gifts
Here’s a great idea that can save you some money for the people on your Christmas list this year.
When you’re shopping for your usual products and items, keep an eye out for special deals such as Buy One, Get one Free, Or get this item FREE after a purchase. Some places also give cash back rewards after certain purchases.
Now, where can you find these deals. Start online. Search “Buy one, get one Free ___!” Magazine Subscriptions offer such deals as well.
Keep an eye out for newspaper and magazine ads for specials. Many department stores have a FREE gift offer at their cosmetic section if you buy a certain value of products. I like it how stores like Anchor Blue and Rue 21 offer reward bucks back good for your next purchase.
Talking about bucks, try shopping at CVS and getting a CVS card. Every week, they have specials that you can get items that have reward bucks good for your next purchase. Some items even end up free. And the cool things is that they also accept coupons too. Other stores that do the same progrmas include Rite Aid and Walgreens.
~kristine cruz-munda
Outlet shopping can be very fun, but it can be overwhelmed as well. You can easily get distracted and go out of budget. Here are a few tips on making your next outlet shopping be worth the trip.
for the frugal mommy from Las Vegas
1. Set a spending limit per store. Nothing can ruin a shopping trip like going home and feel completely guilty about your purchase.
2. Practice percentages in your head. You can use this to compute discounts that will be taken off at the register
3. Set a price limit per item. For example, if you put a $15 max limit per shirt, if you find one for $16.99, stick to your plan and pass it up?
4. Try clothes on first before you buy it. You’ll regret it once you get home if you don’t.
5. Bring coupons with you. Or, you can stop by the information desk and ask for specials and possibly a coupon book.
6. Park on one side of the outlet and go through the outlet as much as you can and come back to your car. You can drop off your bags and find a closer parking spot from where you left off.
7. Check your receipts. Make sure you were charged appropriately per item.
8. Bring a snack and a bottled drink. Outlet foods can be pricey.
9. Be sure of the sizes and preferences of the people you’re buying for. You wouldn’t want to buy an item to come to find out that the person won’t fit that item or dislikes that color.
10. Don’t buy the first thing you find. Scout around for the best deal before you purchase an item.
11. Finally, if you have doubts about the item you are purchasing, then don’t buy it. Following your instincts can save you lots of money.
~kristine cruz-munda
I saw these on Oprah the other night…They are so adorable!
Crochet Knit Uggs!
They are $140 at UggAustralia.comOther available colors are black, gray, oatmeal and stone wash. (shown in Dusty Rose)
Filed under: Shopping
Retail outlet shopping both has it’s advantages and disadvantages. Hear are a couple of facts about outlet stores that will help you decide if it’s worth all the hype.
Outlet stores are for those who like brand names-
If you’re into a particular brand name, this will absolutely give you a quick fix on your brand name cravings. Where else can you buy purses for less than half the price they would normally go for.
Outlet stores sell last season’s products-
You won’t find the current styles at these stores. Many times, they sell the items they weren’t able to sell last season, which means for the summer, you’ll find a great deal on jackets. And during the winter, you might find lots of bathing suits. And unfortunately, if you do buy it for the next season, it might not be in style anymore.
Outlet stores’ inventory always changes-
This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. You can find a great deal that you wouldn’t find somewhere else, but don’t expect much more of the same item to come back when it’s gone. They might also have limited sizes of clothes or styles, depending on which particular ones didn’t sell at the actual stores. You never really know what they have till you get there.
Outlet stores have good deals-
They do offer wonderful discounts on many items. You can get discounts from 50 percent or more off the regular retail price of certain items. Unfortunately, with all the money you’ll be saving, you’ll surely buy more than what you need. And that will lead you to more spending after the day is through.
~kristine munda
Filed under: Shopping
Holiday shopping is just the beginning of one of the many tasks that’s involved in this festive season. Why not make it less stressful by following the tips below:
1) Schedule your shopping day when not everyone is at the mall- Plan to shop on a weekday or early in the morning as soon as the stores open. This helps you out in few different ways. One, it won’t be as crowded inside the stores. Two, the best items are still available. And three, the products will all still be arranged neatly so you can find that perfect gift.
2) Plan to make more than one trip- For each trip, pick a few stores you want to go to and shop at. Yes it will be tempting to go to every store you pass by at one trip, but your arms, legs and feet with thank you as soon as you get home. You can pick to choose the stores that are closest to each other so it’s not too much walking.
3) Bring your list and stick to it- Make sure you make your list at home and bring it with you. Its so easy to buy things that are not on our list and say that it can be an emergency present for whoever later, but stick to your list first. This will help you focus on the presents you really came to buy at the mall.
4) Park closest to the last store you’re going to shop at- This works in two ways. One, you can actually window shop the first time you pass by this store and then, actually buy something on the way back. And secondly, your walk to the car will be shorter after all your shopping is done and you’re tired and just want to go home.
5) Eat your breakfast and bring a snack- Don’t go shopping with an empty stomach, or else you’ll end up spending most of your time lining up at the food court instead of shopping. Talking about the food court, why not bring a small bottle of water and a small cereal bar that would fit in your purse just in case you get hungry. It’s cheaper and will take you less time to eat instead of those fast foods you have to order.
6) Be dressed to shop- Wear comfortable shoes that will last you a day of walking. If you’re cold, make sure you bring a sweater that you can easily wrap around your waist if you get hot so you don’t have to worry about carrying it. Bring only the essentials in your purse, you don’t want to lug around a heavy purse plus all those shopping bags too.
7) Shop alone- It’s easier to get around by yourself, that is, if you’re familiar with the mall you’re heading to. This eliminates any delays that may be caused by having to wait for each other. But if you do bring someone, make sure they either help you carry your bags or go in line for you while you continue to shop.
Well, ’tis the season for giving. Have fun on your shopping!
~kristine munda
