ooooo.... I do love a bargain!

[JustJo]

Okay, I don't mnd spending money when the situation calls for it, but I really do LOVE a good bargain. I know I'm not the only one either....heck, Scoote's favorite word is "clearance." :giggle:

Just this week, I was at Lowe's in the garden center. We've got a bare backyard to landscape, and I was wandering around getting ideas. I passed the hibiscus in big tubs....$9.99. Okay, I love hibiscus, so I lingered, considered, decided they were definitely on the list. Wandered farther....sale rack....oooooooooo! Hey....hibiscus! Same size tub....$2.49. Yes, there were a few yellow leaves, but basically they were in good shape. I got 4, for the price of one. Gotta love that! I planted them yesterday, and they already look happy in their new space. :)

Okay, your turn... :rrose: ...what great bargains have you found lately?

[katsarecool]

I also got a bargin tree; a Garnet Japanese Maple that was so puny, a stick really about 3 ft tall for $10. When I moved from my house it was about 7 ft tall and lush with color.

I found hand carved wooden ships with leather sails; the Pinta, Nina and Santa Maria for $3 for all.

Books (hardback and paperback) at the thrift store down the road for .25 cents. Love those deals!!!

[lipstixgal]

Sorry not good at the plant thing maybe if I move to a warmer climate but really I need clothes so maybe some things on clearance if they have in my size?? I'm petite but good thread Jo..

[Miss Scarlett]

The last time I was up in Maggie Valley, I visited one of my favourite shops and spent 2 hours prowling through their rocks and crystals. I left with a boatload of quartz points (including 3 singing crystals and 5 recordkeepers) that I purchased for $6.00. Anywhere else it would have been at least that much for one recordkeeper.

At another favourite shop in Maggie I purchased a huge piece of lapis for $4 that would have cost 10 times that anywhere else.

Last month I purchased a beautiful agate geode sphere on eBay. It's bigger than a baseball, black with some banding and had a crystal "eye" in the middle of one side. I had to have it because it looks like an eye and didn't care how much I paid but ended up paying just under $35 with shipping. The following week the same seller listed her sister - I was tempted but didn't enter the auction. The sister sphere sold for well over $100 plus shipping.

[JustJo]

I just had to bump this old thread....I'm still tickled about a deal we got on Sunday!

We went to Old Navy (Scoote needed some shorts) on Easter Sunday, and discovered that they were having an Easter sale.

I also had $50 in coupons that I got from a credit card that gives me $10 at Old Navy for every $200 I charge, even if I pay it off in full that month and pay no interest (cha ching! free clothes!)

On top of that...they had a scratch off coupon with an additional discount :blink:

So...at the end of our shopping expedition...we had:

two pairs of shorts for Scoote
a pair of orange swim trunks for her for the Bahamas :)
a pair of jeans for Rooster (his legs grow daily)
a soft orange henley shirt (can you tell she loves orange?)


We paid $40.89 (including tax)....and saved $94.54. :cheer:
The jeans alone are normally $34.50.

And we got a coupon for 10% our total order on our next visit.

Oh...I do love a bargain!

[Gemme]

I :stillheart: bargain bins, clearance racks, bogo sales and yard/moving/garage sales. If I could find a way to get something back when I buy something, I will.

Squee!

[violaine]

what about a bargain on car repair work?


car repairs can be $$ - and prices vary widely, depending on type of garage, and location of shop. today, i needed an oil change, tune up [can get really expensive for volvo], stabilizer bar link, A/C check for leaks, addition of dye/freon, and some new hoses for 315$ parts/labour.

it may look like a lot of dough, but indiana charged over six hundred dollars just for the tune-up. i did look/telephone round, because i even ordered several of those parts myself.

[Pixie]

I love to have dressy clothes....and I may or may not...eh hem....have a problem with shoes.

Ross is my friend!!! I got 2 dresses, 1 pair of fabulous heels, 3 pairs of cute ankle socks, and a badass purse for......wait for it... $40!!!

Clearance and me go hand in hand!

[moxie]

Well, I love me a bargain. But only if it is stuff I need, which is some people's downfall when it comes to coupon shopping/bargains. I also believe that the Extreme Couponing stuff they show on TLC is crazy. Why should I acquire all this stuff that I could never use in my lifetime other than to donate it, which I would probably do because I couldn't stockpile all that stuff.

For example, I haven't paid for a toothbrush (not cheap ones, fancy ones because I like fancy things :) ), dishwasher detergent or regular shower gel (good stuff too) in probably almost a year. And I am still able to get the brands I like. Buying stuff at drugstores can be expensive, but usually you can get a good coupon in the paper/online/magazine and get it when it is on sale with the coupon and they'll give you CVS ExtraBucks/Walgreen's Dollars/whatever to spend at a later date.

For example: a couple of weeks ago, I had a $3 coupon for Nivea shower gel and Walgreen's had it on sale for $3.79, which is a comparable price to Target/WalMart/etc. So, I got it for $0.79 BUT, I had $10 in Walgreen's dollars from a previous transaction. So, I got that and a regular-size bottle of Tide Total Care (which is my laundry soap of choice) for free. The most I have paid for any basic health and beauty, personal care or cleaning product at CVS/Walgreen's/Target/Kroger in over a year is $6 for my special contact solution for hard lenses, which is a bargain because it was a double pack which is normally on-sale for $15.

I am a cheapskate on most things but I like the finer things. Those two don't mix much but it works for these things.

A good website for this kind of information is www.moneysavingmom.com

Gonna hush because I can talk and talk about this stuff.

[scootebaby]

i LOVE Ross,TJ Maxx, and Marshalls...i can NOT pass up a clearance sale in any store/flea market or whatever. Jo likes to tease me about it because we will be walking thru a store and suddenly i'll say "oh wait its clearanced"

[Lynn]

Just discovered Groupon and Living Social. Dangerous.

So far, I've paid $10 for $50 worth of stuff at Vistaprint. I got half off cleaning services from Eco Maids, and, just today, I bought a certificate for a local Indian restaurant--$10 for a $20 certificate.

The biggest thing, though, was a certificate for Games2U which we'll use at our block party--Hamster Ball and Laser Tag!

As I said...dangerous.

[scootebaby]

Just discovered Groupon and Living Social. Dangerous.

So far, I've paid $10 for $50 worth of stuff at Vistaprint. I got half off cleaning services from Eco Maids, and, just today, I bought a certificate for a local Indian restaurant--$10 for a $20 certificate.

The biggest thing, though, was a certificate for Games2U which we'll use at our block party--Hamster Ball and Laser Tag!

As I said...dangerous.


I've been debating on the LivingSocial thing...perhaps I better check it out huh

[Rockinonahigh]

I haunt the goodwill stores acouple of times a month esoecaly on Tuesday cause its senior day then I get a 10% discount on what I buy.Last monday I found some really good books nearly new for a buck at the gw store,there are a thing or two more I wanted but they would be adding more whatnots to dust wich is something I dont need.

[RockOn]

Als Sports online has a fantastic deal on Radland style by Merrell.

link to homepage:
www.alssports.com

direct link to this particular shoe:
http://www.alssports.com/Merrell-Radland-Shoe---Mens/PAAAAAMAIGIJBIHJ/Product

Brand: Merrell
Style: Men's Merrell Radland
Color: Dark Olive

These shoes are regularly around $100.00. They are on sale for $49.00. Here is your promo code: likeals
The promo code reduces the price by ten bucks.

Final price with promo, UPS shipping - everything is $46.98. I just looked a few minutes ago and right now, they have sizes 8, 10, 10.5, 11.5 left. Remember, these are men's sizes.

I received mine yesterday and they are so comfortable. I originally bought them to use mowing my lawns because the bottoms have good gripping tread. I have a kind of steep slope on the side of my house and have slipped, busted my right butt cheek twice already this spring. I like these shoes so much, they will not be serving as my original intended use. No way!

[Gráinne]

We just got an enormous Goodwill store very close to my home. Last time I was there, my take was:

4 pairs girls' jeans=$2 each
4 boys' T-shirts=$1 each
1 girls' dress=$5
4 pair boys' jeans-$2 each
Huge Monet print=$12 (I love Impressionists)

Total: $37.

[Words]

I'm the boot sale (swap meet in the States?) queen and proud of it.

Yesterday I bought a new outfit at a boot: a (brand new DESIGNER) dress for £2, a pair of (brand new) sandals for £2, and a vintage watch for £1. That's £5 in total (or around $8). Worn together, the outfit looks like it would have cost a fortune.

Truthfully? I can't remember the last time I bought an item of clothing from a store. I did buy a pair of very expensive leather boots back in January because my feet were hurting and my parents had given me some money for Christmas but apart from those (and lingerie), I think the last time I purchased an item of clothing/footwear from a regular store was at least a year ago. Coming to think of it, the last dress I remember puchashing from a regular retail store - albeit, in this case, an online one - was the gown I wore to the dash site's bash in Oakland... and that was 3 years ago.

God I'm a cheap date.;)

Words

[Nina]

I had a good clothing junking day today...

I really AM going to get back into my vintage dresses...

I got two vintage, brand new, 60's sheath dresses...one is orange, the other turquoise...they both have a cool neck and the fabric has some interesting ridges on it...I am thinking of getting some little cotton sweaters to complete the look...I plan to get some black motorcycle boots with my birthday money so they will be fun...dresses were $6.95 each (the original tags which were on the dresses had them priced at $38.00 each and that was the price decades ago)

I got a wonderful nicole miller dress...it has pockets, is the right length and I like it so much I am actually going to get it dry cleaned...perfect condition, $4.95...

I found one of my favorite cotton dresses to wear in the house...it too is new and vintage...made in hawaii it has pockets, and a great pattern...$3.95

included within the shopping finds included another cotton dress which I am going to wear in the house...sweet rose color...another dress, spaghetti straps and a good twirly skirt that is slated for indoor wear...$4.95 each...

lastly I got a really nice cotton, sweatshirt like material, black...kind of a swing coat style...it will be warm and easy to wear...($4.95)

all-in-all it was a good shopping day...

[Medusa]

Hit several yard sales this weekend with my new "junkin' buddy" and grabbed a Coleman Powerhouse lantern that normally goes for about $100 for $5!! It looks like it was lit ONCE.

Also picked up this very nice enameled cast-iron baking pan for $1. It normally is around $80.
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Enamel-2-Quart-Casserole-Apple/dp/B00023CGKW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1312831822&sr=8-6

Picked up several more cookbooks, biographies, a blowgun for Jackhammer, a sweet little ship in a bottle, etc. Got all of it for around $30. :)

[foxyshaman]

OMG I could not believe my eyes... I was at Goodwill and in the jewelery counter was a hand made lapis lazuli necklace that looks nepalese. If I had bought it at one of the "new age" stores I would have easily paid $150 - 200. I got it for a whopping $29.99.

Friday I was at Planet Organic and I just have to go by their stone bracelets cause they have crazy prices... I bought two of them, the stone is Chrysocolla, a beautful stone from South America. For one piece of this stone 1/2" would be $4. I got two bracelets with 20 stones on them for $13.50 each. I was all like...OMG

Those are my favorite buys so far this summer. :tarot:

[Dominique]

check this out

www.nobetterdeal.com (http://www.nobetterdeal.com)

[princessbelle]

I was at Ross today and found the coolest thing in the world.

It is like a little laptop desk which i desperately need cause i usually put my little notebook computer for work on my knees and it gets so hot and feels like it's gonna burn me.

And the laptop desk has a light and a cup holder!!!!! It was marked down from 19.99 to 6 bucks. I came home put batteries in it and it works great!!!!!!

Loveeeeeeeeee them bargains!!!!

[JustJo]

Scoote has gotten me started on yard sales...something I've done sporadically but not too much of in the past.

She'll happily go every weekend...me maybe every other weekend. :)

My favorite find lately....a 24 inch strand of real honey colored pearls....$2.

[Daktari]

Another bargain hunter here.

We have TK Maxx (and TJ Hughes) here too - I'm assuming it's the same company. I love the new cargo shorts I got at TK M a couple of days ago. They were reduced to £8...what a bargain!

Amazon second-hand/used listings are fabulous. I get loads of books - including school books, dvds and cds there for next to nothing. Recently I picked up two Eddie Izzard dvds for a quid or so each. It was less than a fiver for both including postage.

[Gemme]

Another bargain hunter here.

We have TK Maxx (and TJ Hughes) here too - I'm assuming it's the same company. I love the new cargo shorts I got at TK M a couple of days ago. They were reduced to £8...what a bargain!

Amazon second-hand/used listings are fabulous. I get loads of books - including school books, dvds and cds there for next to nothing. Recently I picked up two Eddie Izzard dvds for a quid or so each. It was less than a fiver for both including postage.



TJ Maxx is pretty well known on this side of the pond. Maybe it's a merger of TK Maxx and TJ Hughes? I find it really interesting how companies will merge and twist up their names in new markets. Or there will be a couple of companies that are seemingly unrelated but are connected in that one's the parent company or both are subsidiaries of another company altogether.

HEB and Central Market are examples of this, though I do NOT save money at either one. In fact, it seems to fly out of my hands quite expeditiously.

:blink:

I did a pretty good job on my last Goodwill trek. I got several pairs of work pants, a pair of strappy heels, a pair of juking shorts, a long blingy cover up, a fantastic dress straight from the 70's (and directly into the wash since it smelled like it too) and a child's dress that I can actually wear as a shirt or a skirt (I love elastic!) for less than $50.

I might get the chance to stop in my local Ross today. I have yet to go and I :stillheart: Ross.

[Daktari]

TJ Maxx is pretty well known on this side of the pond. Maybe it's a merger of TK Maxx and TJ Hughes? I find it really interesting how companies will merge and twist up their names in new markets. Or there will be a couple of companies that are seemingly unrelated but are connected in that one's the parent company or both are subsidiaries of another company altogether.

HEB and Central Market are examples of this, though I do NOT save money at either one. In fact, it seems to fly out of my hands quite expeditiously.

:blink:
*snip*


I had to go look.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.K._Maxx
Parent company is 'Merican and used TK because there was already TJ Hughes here.

I have to make sure I have a limited budget when footling around TK Maxx or I would bankrupt myself in a blink. ;)

[Medusa]

I will second that emotion on Ross!

The first Dash Bash I ever went to had me freaked out about what to wear. I was a size 20 at the time had no idea where I would get a ball gown that actually fit that didn't cost hundreds of dollars.

I found a sassy red number at Ross for $12 and threw a satin corset with black piping over it that I already owned and paired it with thrift store gloves. I got more compliments on that dress and the way I had it styled than later dresses that I had spent a lot of cash on.

I also regifted that dress years later at the Dallas Bash and was witness to a gorgeous Femme rocking it out at the ball!

Ross and TJ Maxx are both also great for kitchen supplies!

[Jess]

I am a huge proponent of buying "gently used" rather than "shiny new" in any case where the item is just as good and generally at least half the price.

The tri-county Trading Post used to be my fav bathroom read. Sigh, I miss the trading post. Now, I listen to our local "swap shop", scour Craigslist and Ebay in addition to the girl and I doing frequent trips to thrift stores and Re-Stores for home materials. There is no Clearance Items cart safe from our pilfering.

Stores like mentioned Ross/ TJMaxx/ Marshalls are all great places to hit when hunting down something specifically "new". Love em, but I really have to be in a mood to shop to go into big stores. I tend to get real grumpy when folks rifle through crap and leave it out of order ( sizes, etc). Thank god for the non-clothing areas of these stores. They give me something to stare at while my lady love patiently fingers through rack after rack. I don't know how she do it! I get several new greys every time I see the racks all amuss.

[Daktari]

I'm a huge fan of pre-loved items and they-used-to-fit-me-but-now-they-don't items. I have taken delivery of a pair of black Levis 501s from ebay in last week. Since I put on some pounds and discovered that none of my trousers and shorts fit me anymore I've bought 4 pairs of 501s and paid less than £50 for them in total inclusive of postage. Two of the pairs are in pristine 'as new' condition too. Bargain!

I also love it when Tinkerbell's 16yr old has a clear out of clothes he doesn't want anymore. He's very careful with his clothes, even down to hand-washing them himself rather than let his mum stick them in the washer - a very unusual teenager in my experience

[PinkieLee]

Anyone that knows me, knows I love me some Ross! Every dress that I've ever worn to the bash/reunion has been from there... for less than $20. Honestly, I NEVER wear dresses, so 90% of the time, I donate the last dress I bought to the femme clothing swap the following year.

Ross also has great deals on kitchen gadgets and home decor. I feel like it's a scavenger hunt, because every time you shop there is something new or different. So, if you find something you like, you better buy it then... cause it won't be there when you come back!

[scootebaby]

i love bargains so much that i used to buy something that was drastically cut just because....now when Jo and i are at the indoor antiques/flea markets and i see a 50%-75% off sale i STILL have to look at EVERYTHING,but wont buy anything unless i REALLY want it(which usually i dont bc it has no future return on it!

im glad Jo has got into yard saling with me,because she seems to have better knowledge....like the pearls we picked up...personally i wouldnt have bought them bc there was no way real pearls would cost only $2.....shows how much i know...lol

[Medusa]

Good grief!

I don't know if I woke up grumpy or what but I tried to hit a bunch of yard sales this morning and encountered the following:

* at least 15 of those "Rosie and Me" cookbooks in varying stages of decay or dog-chewed-corners ranging from $1 - $10.

* People selling clothes that had been rained on, tromped into the mud, an then spread out on a chainlink fence.

* At least one towel that looked like it came from the 60's that had a curious-looking stain on it for $3. THREE DOLLARS!

* Flea-market booth owners acting as if the world will end if they don't get just one more quarter off of the price.

* Bad ass kids breaking shit as their parents looked on, oblivious.

* Random lids. No containers to go with them, just LIDS.

* A homemade recliner. HOME. MADE. RECLINER.


Can anyone share the strangest things they have seen at garage sales so that I don't feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone?! LOL

[Gemme]

Good grief!

I don't know if I woke up grumpy or what but I tried to hit a bunch of yard sales this morning and encountered the following:

* at least 15 of those "Rosie and Me" cookbooks in varying stages of decay or dog-chewed-corners ranging from $1 - $10.

* People selling clothes that had been rained on, tromped into the mud, an then spread out on a chainlink fence.

* At least one towel that looked like it came from the 60's that had a curious-looking stain on it for $3. THREE DOLLARS!

* Flea-market booth owners acting as if the world will end if they don't get just one more quarter off of the price.

* Bad ass kids breaking shit as their parents looked on, oblivious.

* Random lids. No containers to go with them, just LIDS.

* A homemade recliner. HOME. MADE. RECLINER.


Can anyone share the strangest things they have seen at garage sales so that I don't feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone?! LOL

Nope, it's just you.

:tease:

[Rockinonahigh]

Every Tuesday is senior day at goodwill..20% off sales to people that are over 60.
I went to an estate sale last week,they were selling things at prices I never have seen at one before..it wasnt even good stuff.

[OS Butch]

OMGoodness, I don't know when the last time I bought something new for my home.....I am an Auction Hound! I actually had to stop going until I get my inventory of vintage glassware and other stuff gets out the door. I bought a huge china cabinet for myself that now houses my teapot and glass fish collection, valued at $1800, I got it for $65. I also bought an modern grandfather clock for only $80!

I use to go to antiques shops, I still wander in but the prices are so high, I figure I will run across it in an auction at some point.

I love auctions! There are great buys to be had!

[girl_dee]

Good grief!

I don't know if I woke up grumpy or what but I tried to hit a bunch of yard sales this morning and encountered the following:

* at least 15 of those "Rosie and Me" cookbooks in varying stages of decay or dog-chewed-corners ranging from $1 - $10.

* People selling clothes that had been rained on, tromped into the mud, an then spread out on a chainlink fence.

* At least one towel that looked like it came from the 60's that had a curious-looking stain on it for $3. THREE DOLLARS!

* Flea-market booth owners acting as if the world will end if they don't get just one more quarter off of the price.

* Bad ass kids breaking shit as their parents looked on, oblivious.

* Random lids. No containers to go with them, just LIDS.

* A homemade recliner. HOME. MADE. RECLINER.


Can anyone share the strangest things they have seen at garage sales so that I don't feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone?! LOL


:threadneedspics: ^^

[girl_dee]

Ok so back in May I got a Kindle, I love my Kindle and want to protect it. The leather covers and even faux leather covers at all the stores are between 25.00 and 50.00 for a decent one. They don't sell less than decent ones for a cheaper price. I don't want to pay $50.00 for a damn cover, and I don't care if it's real leather, so I go to amazon.ca and find a ton of them for less than $5.00. I ordered one, with shipping for less than $7.00, it came in yesterday and it's just great.

I also scanned the net for a discount code that gave me $1.60 off the whole thing, I love looking for discount codes because I shop online a lot.

I am happy about this Kindle cover thingy !

[cinnamongrrl]

OMGoodness, I don't know when the last time I bought something new for my home.....I am an Auction Hound! I actually had to stop going until I get my inventory of vintage glassware and other stuff gets out the door. I bought a huge china cabinet for myself that now houses my teapot and glass fish collection, valued at $1800, I got it for $65. I also bought an modern grandfather clock for only $80!

I use to go to antiques shops, I still wander in but the prices are so high, I figure I will run across it in an auction at some point.

I love auctions! There are great buys to be had!


I wish I knew HOW to go to an auction! I'm scared I will accidentally bid a brazilian dollars on something.... But I love a bargain....mayhaps I should give it a try....

[cinnamongrrl]

well heres an update of sorts...turns out teddy knows how to go to auctions so mayhaps we will go over the winter when we are looking for indoorsy activities.... :)

ALSO...of late I have gotten in the habit of clipping restaurant coupons for a "CHEAP DATE" night....... lol it make it possible to do these things more frequently and nearly guilt free....especially if i skip dessert.... :|

[Teddybear]

well heres an update of sorts...turns out teddy knows how to go to auctions so mayhaps we will go over the winter when we are looking for indoorsy activities.... :)

ALSO...of late I have gotten in the habit of clipping restaurant coupons for a "CHEAP DATE" night....... lol it make it possible to do these things more frequently and nearly guilt free....especially if i skip dessert.... :|

You dont have to skip we can share :)

[cinnamongrrl]

You dont have to skip we can share :)

this is why I love you so.... :rrose:

[cinnamongrrl]

I've just discovered a lovely thing called groupons...I may well be the last to know...but for those like me who are sheltered...explore this lovely site...

www.groupons.com

and also another which Teddy found

www.sweetjack.com

Both sites have very good discounts on a myriad of things....good stuff too!

[Gráinne]

I've just discovered a lovely thing called groupons...I may well be the last to know...but for those like me who are sheltered...explore this lovely site...

www.groupons.com

and also another which Teddy found

www.sweetjack.com

Both sites have very good discounts on a myriad of things....good stuff too!

Be careful with Groupon; I wasn't pleased with their customer service and they've had a lot of other complaints as well.

[cinnamongrrl]

Not only do I love a bargain... I love a green bargain!

There's a company that makes an alternative to papertowels using bamboo. Each roll replaces over 200 rolls of traditional papertowels and one roll lasts 5 years. The towels are simply washed and reused.

They also make swiffer type pads that replace up to 1500 disposables. Same principle. They are washable. For 20.99 you get one of each. The site said free shipping right now and for each order they plant a tree to help offset the 3000 TONS of p apertowels used in our country each year..

Www.bambooee.com

[deathbypoem]

Yes, Im a junkster. Yes, I hate spending money. All things cheap, are great by me! Quality, though is a must in a cheap spending spree.

Went to a little junk shop yesterday and obtained a couple cool things!

2 vintage ornaments- .50 cents a piece

3 paintbrushes- .25 cents a piece

4 books- .25 cents a piece

a kitty play thingie - 1.00

2 large laundry hampers - 2.00 a piece.

I'd say thats a pretty damn good deal considering none of these items are cheap at a normal retail price.
And, I'd never pay full price for a book. Period. Used books have much more history to them, they even smell amazing :)