So many deals out there!

Down Comforters — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:59:37 -0600

Even though I feel shopping is the last thing I should be doing at this time of year, there are just too many good deals to pass up right now. I bought a skirt yesterday for $12 - it had been $88 originally!

http//www.shopdownlite.com

Let the Shopping Begin (Again)!

shoalswriter — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:26:29 -0600

At 3 p.m. on Christmas Day, the checkout line at Walgreen's was backed up around the store as folks (well, women, mostly) had carts full of discounted Christmas. I had stopped in for a quick purchase (why didn't I know we were out of mouthwash???) but couldn't resist the lure of 50 percent off holiday sparkles and shine.

Cathy

cathylwood.wordpress.com

'Tis the season... to scoop up the post-Christmas bargains

Mir Kamin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:42:37 -0600

In a year when everyone's holiday shopping may have been a bit leaner than usual, you may feel like you can't afford to shop the post-holiday clearance. But I am here to tell you that you can't afford not to shop the post-holiday clearance!

Sometimes, you have to spend a little to save a lot. This is one of those times.

Now, let's be clear: I'm not talking about stuff you don't need and/or will never use. It's never a bargain if it's useless. What I'm talking about is the stuff you know you'll use in the coming year, that's going to be much cheaper starting tomorrow. Sure, you could wait until next November to start your holiday shopping, but what if you could snap up some of the things you'd be buying anyway, now, at half the price?

I break down my post-holiday clearance shopping into a few different categories:

Holiday items. This includes any sort of decor or other obviously holiday-themed items. Maybe I really want those reindeer napkin rings but, being me, can't see paying full price for something I'll only use once a year. I make a note of them, before Christmas, and depending on how low they're marked down, maybe I'll pick them up after Christmas. I also make a point of getting things like holiday socks for the kids (which I always use for stocking stuffers), ornaments, and cookie tins if I plan to give out cookies again the following year. (Oh, and wrapping paper, if I'm not doing the No Wrapping Paper Challenge.) Macy's is famous for marking down all of their Christmas ornaments on December 26th; if you can stand fighting the crowds, that's the day to head out and get some bargains on some otherwise very expensive items.

Non-holiday items which are branded as holiday stock. This category, to me, is something I actively pursue at Target, though I'm not sure if other stores do it as well. Target is notorious for "branding" items for the holidays that are perfectly suitable for non-holiday use. Some of the items they typically mark down (and it's all done in the main computer, so they might not be in the clearance area) include things like: Winter-themed paper towels, gift packs of Lip Smackers (my go-to gift for little girls!), certain small toys like mini Etch-a-Sketches or dolls, and various gift packs of perfume, nail polish, or other beauty items. These items are a veritable treasure trove for stocking your gift closet. I tuck away the kits of bubble bath and such to give as birthday presents to my kids' friends, and I typically pick up items for Easter baskets as well.

Potential teacher gifts. I'm always on the lookout for items to use for teacher gifts, and I know enough teachers to know that they all have plenty of mugs, candles, and candy. I like to give classroom supplies when I can, and again, oftentimes things are branded as being "holiday" when they really aren't. I've seen entire desk sets marked down in the holiday clearance; I've seen label makers; I've seen sets of books (books are my favorite teacher gift); the thing is, you just have to know what you're looking for. I know it may feel odd to be shopping for the Spring, now, but it may save you a lot of money in the long run.

Practically all retail establishments will be having huge sales starting tomorrow, both online and off. In addition to the Macy's ornament clearance (which I already mentioned), I also find it useful to keep Target's markdown schedule in mind. Typically their holiday schedule is:
50% off the day after the holiday (usually for three days)
75% off after that, again typically for three days
90% off after that, usually only for a day or two

Wherever you shop, ask yourself these questions:
1) Is this something I would be buying anyway?
2) Is it a significant enough savings that it merits buying now to save money?
2) Do I have somewhere to store it?
3) Will I remember that I have it when the time comes to use/give it?

If you can answer "yes" to all four questions, chances are you've found yourself a worthy bargain. Happy shopping!

Here are some other tips for post-holiday shopping:
Sound Money Matters shares my love of a well-stocked gift closet.
longislandviews shares that she and her husband will scoop up their wish list items during the post-holiday sales.
always shoot for your dreams can't wait to hit the sales and stock up for next year.
Consuming Interest's Liz Kay reports that there's a glut of electronics this holiday season, ripe for the picking on clearance.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Mir also blogs about issues parental and otherwise at Woulda Coulda Shoulda, and about the joys of mindful retail therapy at Want Not.

BlogHer - 'Tis the season... to scoop up the post-Christmas bargains - Comments

So many deals out there!

Let the Shopping Begin (Again)!

'Tis the season... to scoop up the post-Christmas bargains