After Holiday Shopping

Forgive me it's been awhile since I posted to my Blog. Went from working afternoons to working days and add to that Christmas shopping and decorating the house. So back to blogging. This is a great time to shop. If you haven't done you Holiday party yet then you can save plenty. As retail stores prepare for the end of the year that means lots of sale and markdowns. This is the one time that a sale can be better than markdowns. You see it's cheaper to put up sale signs than to pay employees to mark items down. That way there is less to markdown and less cost to markdown.

Black Friday Shopping Part 2

Today is the day to make your list and check it twice. Some retailer will have their Black Friday sales starting today or tomorrow on Thanksgiving. I believe that we should not be shopping on Thanksgiving at the store. And yes I have done it myself before but the worst part is when I had to work it and miss out on my holiday because of it. First you can purchase many of those sale items online on the retailers web site. Second I have found that most of the deals will be offered again. When shopping online use the Ebates link or My Point link to earn extra savings or point. So start shopping now for those deals as many sales have already started. Check out the store ads now for items and pricing.

Black Friday Shopping

It is that time of year again for Black Friday shopping. This is one of my favorite shopping days especially the last couple of years since I quit working retail. How to save on Black Friday. First is to make a list and stick to it. Deals can seems so good you will want to buy them, thing is if you don't really need those items then you are not really saving. We tend to over spend on this day because we believe we are getting a deal that will not happen again. Stick to you list to save. Also decide ahead of time how much you have or are willing to spend this will help you save as well. Look through the Ads look for coupons and don't forget you reward cards. Plan where you need to go and sort you list by store. This can help you save gas money by planning your trip out.

Winter Heating Savings

It's that time of year again with the weather getting cold here in the north. Here are some tips to saving this winter. First is adjusting your thermostat, a programmable is best. That way you are not heating your house when no one is home. We also set ours lower at night so the heat is not running all night. My husband is an ever warm person as it is and always gets warm while sleeping it works great for me I am almost always cold so we balance each other out. I also purchased bed warmers for all our beds as well that way the kids can adjust them to our ever changing Michigan weather. Those I bought at Kohl's with my coupons and have been well worth it. We also make sure all windows are shut tight and locked as well as our screen doors. Then we seal the windows with plastic every year. It very easy Home Depot has kits for this. We have a large front for this I have thermal curtains th at make a huge difference with the temperature in our living room. Those I got as a Christmas gift from my Mom years ago. For those drafty doors you can make a door draft blocker or just use an old towel or blanket. Also make sure you venting is open and clean for better circulation of your heat for an more even warming of your house. Happy Saving

Veterans Day 2015

Tomorrow November 11th is Veterans Day here in the US. In celebration of this day there are many retailer that are offering discounts, sales and even free services to those who have served and those who are currently serving. Being the wife of a Veterans and a mother to a Serving member of the Military this means a great deal to me. Here is a list of some of the offers.For a free Breakfast: Bob Evans, Denny's,  IHOP, and Steak n' Shake. For a free lunch: Applebee's, California Pizza Kitchen, Chili's,Little Caesars, Olive Garden, Red Robin, T.G.I.Fridays, Sizzler. For a free Dinner at Golden Corral. A free dessert at Cracker Barrel. Free Appetizer or dessert at Red Lobster. Free coffee At Starbucks. Also a free Hair Cut at Great Clips. And a free Oil Change at Meineke Car Care Centers. Check fro local listing in your area.Thank You for your Service. Happy Saving

Recycling Holiday Lights

So it is that time of year for the Holidays. One thing a like about this time of year is holiday lights. Home Depot has this great program that they have been doing the last few years. My husband and I did this last year. You can take in your old Holiday Lights and recycle them. Home Depot will take them for you and give you coupons for a discount on upgrading them to LED lights. You are allowed up to five coupons but they will take as many light sets as you want to recycle. This years date are as follows from November 5th (today) until November 15th. This will keep those old light out of the trash and LED light will say you money on your electric bill. LED light also last longer. Happy Saving

Saving After Halloween

With today being the day after Halloween and the first of a new month its also a saving day. After a Holiday the Holiday items are marked down usually at least 50%. It's a great time to pick up decoration for next year. Just grab a storage tote these may be marked down too. You can also pick up school snacks and maybe even pencils and erasers with a Halloween theme. And marked down cake mixes, cookies, frosting, popcorn, pretzels, and chips in a Holiday package. Party decorations, cookie cutters, pumpkin carving kits and even costumes for next year. Outfit items like socks, tees, PJ's, bibs, onesies, books, stuffed animals, etc. for next year Halloween. Whatever you find that meets you needs or budget.  Happy Saving

Saving on Petite clothing

Being a short legged person I understand that it can be hard to find clothing that fits correctly. And on top of that to save any money on these item can be even harder. Here are some tips to help you save. The first is to shop the Clearance racks in the Petite section and if you shop during a Clearance sale it's more savings. Another is to sign up for the stores reward program, coupons and email. You can also try the regular Clearance or Sale remember if you get something cotton it will shrink some. Also if you buy a cropped top or short skirt it will always be longer on you. One of my favorite ways to save is by shopping at the end of season to pick up items for next year.

Saving on Books

I personally love to read and when I read I prefer a paperback or hardcover book. If you enjoy reading as well here some money saving tips for reading. The first is to buy in paperback they are always cheaper than hardcover. However if you are like my daughter a prefer everything in hard cover then you best bet is to shop online. Amazon is usually the best for pricing and you can either buy used or buy new. For new books shop when you have a coupon or they are offering free shipping online to help save. Another is to wait to buy them when they are sold as a set the price is better than buying individually and it gives you a box to store them in.

Re-purpose Items to Save

There are a few items that I reuse to help save money. And then there are items I use in creative was so as to not waste them. I reuse plastic bags from the grocery store as trash bags in bedrooms bathrooms and even my car. That way I am saving money by not buying extra trash bags. I also use them to take items in for donation when we do are Spring and Fall cleaning. I reuse plastic freeze bags by washing them out and saving. And those extra napkins you get through the drive thru go straight into the glove box of my car instead of buying tissues for the car. As well as saving that empty box and junk mail to use as fire starter in my wood burner every winter. Reuse those empty toilet paper rolls to shorten you extension cords or the twist ties from you loaf of bread. Use those shirts with holes in them as rags for your house or garage. Use those paper bags to hold your recyclables.

Reward Proof #3

Below is my Savings for the Columbus  Holiday weekend. Stopped by Lane Bryant o 10-9-15 to use my $15 dollar off coupon for being on their mailing list. Only had to spend $15 dollars. Picked up 2 tops and a pair of tights, made a Charity Donation and spent only $5.  Swung by Charming Charlie received their email that their Clearance Jewelry was on sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free. Spent $6 dollars and bought 2 necklaces. Went to Old Navy on 10-12-15 and spent only $16.33 on 3 tops.Their Clearance was on sale for an extra 30% off then used my Military Discount. Below is my receipts showing you how much I saved. Happy Saving 

Never Pay Full Price for Clothing

I have read several blogs and website information listing what you should pay full price for or what is worth paying full price for. My answer to this is never pay full price for anything except an emergency situation like a sick kid who now has dirty clothes. Even if you have a favorite item or favorite store you can still save. Buy that item when it is on sale almost everything goes on sale at some point. Sign up for the stores coupons, rewards program or email offers.  Check out you local Resale or Thrift store as well.You can even do a clothing swap with friends.

Saving on Accessories

Saving on Accessories is something frequently missed out on. I for one have a great love of Shoes. The best way to save on your favorites is by shopping year round as accessories are always changing. And yes you can even save on Wedding rings I know I did. One great way is to shop the sale and clearance items. I just picked up today 2 necklaces for $6.00. One of my favorite stores is Charming Charlie their clearance  jewelry was on sale buy one get one free, yeah. I even once bought a pair of shoes for .01 cent, best deal ever.

Best Times to Shop

Some of the best times to save you money are during holiday weekends. Frequently store will have additional sales at these times. These sales may start on Thursday or Friday. I have found at these times clothing stores will also have a sale on clearance items. This is one of my favorites when clearance is on sale that often means very cheap prices.

What Type of Shopper are You

One piece of advice I can offer is to know what type of shopper you are. Knowing your type will better help you save money. There are typically three types of shoppers. The first is someone who does not like to shop, my son is one, therefore you only go to the store if something is needed and leave as quickly as possible. The second is someone with a busy schedule who has little time to shop. I was this type of shopper when my kids were little. The third is someone who has time to shop and spend the time to look for deals. This is me now.

If you are the first type of shopper your easiest way to save is the following. Join the retailers reward program, shop sale items and download coupons from their mobile app. This will take little time and still allow you to save on your purchases.

Buy Damaged or Discontinued Items

Another way to save money is by buying Damaged or Discontinued.Often grocery and retail stores will discontinue items to make room for new product. When this happens they will markdown or put on sale these item to get rid of them. You can buy just a few or even stock up if you have the space. Damaged item happen often in clothing, occasionally in groceries. This can be a 50% savings. Just because of a missing button, hole in a seam, broken zipper, broken chain on a necklace or bracelet these item can be easily fixed buy just with you spending just a few dollars.

Reward Proof 2

Went to Old Navy used my Military discount and my $5.00 reward. Got my two shirts for free. The shirt for my husband was on the clearance rack it was an online  return which was 50% off and payed $3.99 for it. You really can get stuff for free if you take the time.  Happy Saving

Reward Programs

Reward programs are all the buzz now days but do they actually benefit you. The answer is yes they do. There are three basic types of Reward programs. The first credit card rewards. This requires you to sign up for the credit card or store card in order to get any rewards. It will however also give you debt and may cost you interest fees as well as card holder fees. I do not recommend this for everyone because of the additional cost.  But if you have a favorite store you frequent and can pay the bill of every month or limit how often you use it they it may be worth having.

The second is the store rewards programs that are free. These are my favorite. For Grocery stores, Dining out or Retail shopping. At Grocery store’s they usually are used to get you the sale price on items and down load online coupons or mail coupons to your home. At some store you will even get a discount of gas in your car. For Dining out they are usually used to get free menu items for frequently visiting their location often or a discount on your dining. At Retail locations they are either discounts on your purchases or free item with a purchase and occasionally totally free.

Designer Items for Less

The best way to get Designer item without paying the Designer price. The first is going to Marshall’s, TJ Maxxs or Home Goods. They carry designer items at deep discounts. I recommend checking their clearance items out first. This will give you more savings on those items. However the selection at  these stores are limited so if you find something you really like at a price you can live with you should get it now. They probably wont have it when you go back as they sell through items quickly.

Show me the savings

As I was doing research online before starting this Blog I noticed one major thing missing. There are plenty of blogs, articles, and advice on saving money. However then don't show you the savings. This is something I think they should do and I am willing to do it. I'm a visual person, you can spent hours learning to save but if you never see the results can you believe them. You can check out my Instragram photos for the proof at savvywaystosave1. I went to Kohl's had two coupons, shopped the Clearance, which was on Sale for an extra 20% off. Yes I got myself a $68 dress for $1.90 plus tax and a $44 sweater for $2.46 plus tax.

1st Blog Staying with a Budget

Here are some tips to stay within your budget when shopping. First decide how much you can spend.Then make a list of the items you need using lined paper. I recommend starting with the most needed or used items .Start listing them in groups of 4 or 5 at a time leaving a empty line then list the next 4 to 5 until complete. Next go online to check for coupons as well as the stores ad's . Several stores have reward cards where you can load coupons for that store or you can print them. Along with your list and coupons take with you a pen or pencil and a calculator, most cell phones have them on it. If shopping with small children I suggest taking a snack and game or toy to keep them busy, budget shopping usually takes a little longer.