Showing posts with label Deals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deals. Show all posts

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Making the Most of End-of-Season Sales


A week ago, the zipper on Big Brother's winter coat broke.  With at least one more month of winter, I needed to find a way to repair or replace it.  When I found out the cost to replace the zipper through a local seamstress was $20.00, I decided it was best to find a new one.   Luckily, I was able to find some time yesterday to run into our local Bergner's and shop the end-of-season sale. Boy, was I happy that I did!  I was able to purchase 1 winter coat (hat included), 7 long sleeved t-shirts, 2 hooded sweatshirts, 2 pairs of leggings, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of athletic pants, and 1 pair of pajamas for $74.10.  The brands included London Fog, Osh Kosh, Carters, and Ruff Hewn.  All of the items will be good for next winter with the exception of one of the outfits for Baby Sis, which she will start wearing right away.  I was thrilled!!!  By shopping at the end of the season, I was able to save over $200! Ready to do some bargain shopping?  Read these tips first: 

1. Shop at the Right Time.  Most stores do their markdowns on Wednesday.  Most sales start on Thursday.  So ideally, the best time to shop would be Thursdays.  Also, if you like buying ahead for your children, the best time to get super cheap winter clothes would be end of January/early February.  I likely missed out on some things, but luckily I was able to find what I needed.  For summer, usually late July is best. 

2. Ditch the Kiddos, or enlist in help.  We all have had the screaming child in the checkout line.  Well, if you want to do any bargain shopping, it will take some time and children usually aren't very patient.   Find a "free" sitter, either Grandma or Grandpa, or make hubby stay home with the kiddos.  If that doesn't work,  bring the kids, but find a friend to come along and help out with the little ones.  In my case, I was able to leave the boys home with Dad and took Baby Sis along.  I also had help from my mother who was my shopping buddy.


3. Ask for a Price Check.  It never fails, there is always an item or two on the rack that is not priced.  Instead of assuming it was placed there on accident, get a price check.  I found a pair of Osh Kosh athletic pants on the 70% off rack yesterday without any price.  It was the only pair on the rack, so I started assuming that they were misplaced.  However, I asked for a price check and found out that they were $4.80.  Score!

4. Compliment Your Salesperson. Whenever you ask for help from a salesperson, make sure you compliment them.  "Wow, you have been really helpful." or "I really appreciate your hard work."  or even a personal compliment works.   When the salesperson knows that they are appreciated, they will be more willing to keep helping you. If you had a really good experience, do the online survey and mention the salesperson's name or talk to a manager and let them know how helpful that person has been.  Just like people remember rude customers, they will also remember especially grateful ones! 

5. Check the Displays.  Even though the product lines may have changed, a lot of the times the displays have not been updated yet.  Therefore, the displays may contain items that are on sale.  Yesterday, I was so bummed when I checked the entire boys section for a winter coat and nothing came up.  Then, I let me eye wander up and I saw one lonely winter coat on display.  It looked like Big Brother's size, so I called over my new favorite salesperson and she was happy to get it down for me.  As I hoped, it was a size 5/6...exactly what I was looking for! 

6. Don't be Afraid to ask for Discounts or Coupons.  Sometimes the lowest price really isn't the lowest price.  If you don't have any coupons, ask your new favorite salesperson if there are any coupons available.  I was able to get an additional 20% off the already 60% off winter coat.  I also was able to get 10% off because it was used as display.  The $52 coat ended up being $14.97 in the end!  In addition, I noticed a small spot on one of the shirts.  I asked the salesperson if she thought I would be able to get it out when I washed it and she immediately gave me an additional 10% off. 

7. Stick to Your Budget.   Even though some of the deals may be too good to pass up, you need not overspend.  I had $50 cash and a $25 gift card to Bergner's.   I actually picked out two more outfits for Baby Sis, but I ended up putting them back because I didn't want to go over my budget.

8.  Celebrate your great deals!  

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Extreme Couponing?

Maybe. I rarely get the chance to run to the store without my kiddos.  However, Sunday I was up early with Baby Sis and decided to make a quick run into town.  I am not a huge fan of our local Walmart because it is usually packed, but a blogger friend of mine from My Springfield Mommy clued me in on some great deals and I wanted to see if they were all sold out.  Boy, am I glad that I stopped!  Check out these fabulous freebies!


  • I had 5 $3/3 Nabisco snack coupons making the Teddy Grahams & Nutter Butters FREE!
  • Then, I had 6 $1/1 Bic Stationary Item...which I actually got back $0.03 per item because they were priced at $0.97, except for the White Out which was $1.00. 
  • I had a FREE coupon for the Hasbrowns from my favorite Magazine ALL YOU
  • Finally, I had a coupon for the packaging tape from Duct Tape Website that made the tape FREE! It was priced at $1.00 and the coupon was $1 off any Duct Tape. 
Of course, I had to pay sales tax on the items, but my grand total came to $0.59.  Woo Hoo!

Check your coupon stash and see if you have any of these coupons and head to Walmart.  These are regular prices!  Note: The Teddy Grahams are located in the checkout aisle.  

Monday, October 31, 2011

GAP + Big Discount = LOVE


My all time favorite clothing store in the whole wide world is GAP.  While I was in college I had a great discount on their clothes by working there.  After college and when I had a "real" job, I was still able to afford the newest items.  After three kids...well, let's just say that Old Navy is much more in our budget.  However, once in a while, GAP will off great discounts.  TODAY is one of those days.  TODAY ONLY, you can get 35% off adult clothing and 25% off kids & baby by using the code GAPTREAT.  To make the deal even sweeter, you can get 10% cash back when you purchase using EBATES.  (remember, you must sign up and use the link to GAP to get the cash back).  Plus, if you are new to EBATES, you will get a $5 sign up bonus.  I have noticed that they have added some more sale items.  Baby Sis needs some new dresses, and there are quite a few of them on sale.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

My CVS Addiction

I so wish I would have discovered CVS years ago.  I just started frequenting CVS in the past year, and I must say that I am addicted!  I thought I would share my transaction from my late Saturday night visit (after the kiddos were in bed).  Maybe you will be inspired to check out CVS.

***quick note...as I was snapping the picture of this, I heard my husband chuckling in the living room.  He thinks I am ridiculous for sharing my shopping adventures...what do you think?  

Here is what I purchased for $10.91 out of pocket, plus I received $6.99 in ECB to spend next time:


Here is how I did it:

  • First of all, if you go to CVS late on Saturday in my area, you are able to take advantage of the current week's sales and the sales that will start on Sunday.  Sometimes last week's items are sold out, but CVS will give you a rain check that NEVER expires for the item.  
  • I bought 4 Dawn dish soaps that were priced $0.99 each, but I had four $0.75 off coupons.  So I only spent $1 for all four.
  • Then, I picked up 5 Suave deodorants that were priced at $0.99 and I had five $0.75 off coupons which brought the total of these to $0.25 each or $1.25 for all five. 
  • I was able to get a free pack of Jumbo Huggies diapers because I had bought six jumbo packs in the past two months (having two diapers...we go through a ton!).  A coupon printed out at the red coupon center in the store.  
  • The Carefree liners were on sale for $1.00 with a $1.00 ECB.  So these would be "free", but I also had a $0.50 manufacturer's coupon.  Even better than free!  
  • I picked up 1 Hershey's bar and 1 Hershey's Air Delight.  I had a coupon for buy one Hershey's bar get 1 Air Delight Free.  So I spend $1.19 for both...Plus I got $0.99 ECB to spend next time. 
  • Next, I got two Skintimate Shave Creams that were on sale for $1.99.  I had manufacturer's coupons for $1 off and paired that with the $1 off CVS coupon that I printed from the CVS website.  Therefore both of these were FREE!  
  • Then, I got the Shick Quatro Intuition cartridges for $8.99.  I used a $2 manufacturer's coupon.  This purchase also gave me $4.00 back in ECB.  
  • Finally, I bought a gallon of milk for $2.79 and got a $1.00 ECB. 
  • In addition, I used a $5 off of $30 coupon that was emailed to me this week from CVS.  
 Pretty good, wouldn't ya say?  It says that I saved $45.42 on my receipt with the sales and coupons.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

$10 GiftCard to CVS for only $6!

If you love shopping at CVS like I do, then you will love this sweet deal from Saveology.  This is for first time buyers only.  Get a $10 giftcard to CVS mailed to you for only $6....TODAY ONLY!  I love these deals.  If you don't know much about shopping at CVS, take a look at my recent transaction.

This is what I bought:
  • 3 Bottles of Dove Shampoo
  • 3 Bottles of Dove Conditioner
  • 1 Pack of Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
  • 1 CVS Body Wash
This is what I paid:


A total of $11.96...PLUS I got $8 in ECB to spend on my next purchase...so that means I really got this for $3.96.

This is how I got it so cheap.
1. I had a $5 off of $25 coupon that CVS emailed to me by signing up on their website.
2. I had a coupon for a FREE body wash by "liking" CVS Minute Clinic on Facebook...still available (ends tonight)!
3. I had three Buy One Dove Shampoo Get One Dove Treatment free coupons.
4. I had a $2 off Pampers coupon

Do I have you convinced to start shopping at CVS?  




Tuesday, August 16, 2011

My Love Affair with Kroger

Becoming a stay-at-home mommy means one income.  Therefore I am constantly looking for ways to save money. About a year ago, I started using coupons.   I started following a few blogs to find out how to match up coupons with the sales.  It was really easy at first, and I was saving about $20 a week on groceries and toiletries.

Then the TLC Extreme Couponing show came out and stores started changing their policies with coupons.  Even my beloved Kroger started limiting the number of coupons you could double...until I found that not all Kroger stores have the same policy.   My new Kroger store doubles any coupon up to $1.00.  Last week, they had a lot of items that were 10 for $10, so I was able to use $0.50 coupons that doubled to make them FREE!  A few items were out of stock, but I was able to get a raincheck and get them on Sunday (after the sale was over).

Here is what I got for free:
(the boys had to get in the picture...big brother is always shirtless and little brother likes to follow)
  • 5 - Pack of Ivory Soap (3 bars in each pack)
  • 1 - Ivory BodyWash
  • 6 - Crest Toothepaste
  • 6 - Dawn Dishsoap (1 pictured...they were out, so I used a raincheck and got them later)
If you would like to learn more about couponing, visit my favorite blogs on the sidebar.  Thankfully, they do all the work for me!