Black Friday Shopping TIps

With all the Black Friday ads being out so early this year, it gives us as consumers an advantage.  We can look over the ads and get compare prices NOW so that we have a strategy come Friday.

A few tips to shopping Black Friday:

• Check the store website on Thursday.  Best Buy in particular has Online Deals starting Thursday AND In Store deals starting Friday.
• Be sure to check current prices.  I've noticed many "Black Friday Deals" are the current ad sale prices.
• It might be worth your time to purchase items now that you "hope" to be able to get on Black Friday and KEEP YOUR RECEIPT.  That way if you DO get them on Black Friday you can return the other one that you paid a little more for.
• Last year I remember sales after Black Friday being close if not the same as Black Friday deals.  (withstanding the Door Buster prices)  So if you miss something, all hope is not lost. ;)
• Last year we got a large flat screen Walmart Door Buster TV at 1:00pm.  Especially flat screen TV's....I think most people have already upgraded so there should be excess later in the day. (don't quote me on that) :)
• Be sure to check Amazon and Walmart.com on Thursday to see if they have pricematched anything online.  Everyone wants your business on Black Friday, they might do some unadvertised pricing online.
• If you are looking for cut material (like Joann's) you don't have to wait in line, you can purchase cut material online!  A few years ago I was making blankets for Christmas and Black Friday I was online ordering cut fleece while my mom and sister were standing in a HUGE line to get their material cut, then another huge line to checkout. (ah, the power of technology.) ;)
• Swap lists with friends or family.  Separate into different stores, get what everyone in the group needs from that store and save each other time.

Be sure you know when your store is opening on Friday! Some are midnight, some are as early at 10:00pm.

Christmas Season Shopping Under Control

This time of year stores compete with each other for our business. Some stores even compete with their own store prices by offering internet only deals. There are some spectacular deals available if you keep your eyes open. (last year we just got a 26" VIZIO LED TV for $198 at Walmart based on an online announcement of an "in store only" deal!) With all the great deals to be had, you might get carried away and start buying things just because they are a good deal. (yes, we were in the market for a 26" TV)


So, how do we control ourselves? (notice how I'm using "we"? LOL) Here are a few ideas I came up with for myself:

1. Focus. What is your Holiday season focused on? Gifts, Family, Charity, Service, Friends, Amounts spent, Giving, Getting....? You need to decide what your focus is for your family, and spend your time and money to support that focus.
2. Needs vs Wants. Your kids are asking for A,B,C,D.......X,Y,Z. How many letters do they actually need?....and how many can you realistically afford?
3. Inventory. Check your closets, gift stashes to see what you have so you don't buy doubles. My husband and I did this today and we are announcing we are done buying for the kids.
   
4. De clutter. Go through you kid's toys and donate gently used items. This would be a great activity to teach about charity, giving and not being selfish.
5. Donate if you find an incredible deal on some toys, buy a few extra and add them to the Salvation Army boxes near the entrances of the store.

After doing all 5 steps above, and you discover you still need to do more shopping:

• If you have big purchases in mind (maybe Black Friday deals) do your research before hand so you know if it is really a good deal and if it's a good brand. Amazon is a great place to check for reviews. You can also Google the item and the word "reviews" and read what others are saying.

• If Black Friday is something you like to do (I like it. It reminds me of New York City. Sometimes it reminds me of "Jingle All the Way" too ha ha) maybe you could split your list with a friend to be more efficient. Make sure you both have cell phones and she can grab your pillow pets at Walmart along with her own pillow pet needs....and you can grab you both a new tool box at Lowes. (be sure to check the limit per customer on the sale items)
  

Shopping for Back to School Supplies

This time of year I see a lot of posts from mom's complaining about the price of school supplies. I think moms get a little spend crazy when it's time for back to school. I'm as excited as anyone to have my house back to myself in 2 weeks, but do my kids really need all the supplies I see in the Sunday ads? Where is the best place to go for School Supplies?

First things first. You need to know that Wal-Mart price matches ads. That means if another store has a 12 pack of pencils for .25 you can get the same pack of pencils at Wal-Mart for .25. But here is a little known fact about Wal-Mart price match: If a store has their brand of item on sale (i.e. Office Max pencils) Wal-Mart will match that item with the Wal-Mart brand. This applies to anything that Wal-Mart brands, even Ice Cream (which is a really good ice cream by the way). Wal-Mart price match policy

Wal-Mart does NOT price match after rebate deals. So you will have to go to Staples to get the 1 cent deals if you want to go through the rebate mail in process. Wal-Mart also does not match % off deals or BOGO deals.

As for what is needed, you might not get a school supply list until the kids are back to school, so why spend money on things you think your child might possibly need for school? You can stock up on pencils, pens and paper because that is something you would use in your home regardless if you child needs it in school or not. Teachers here are always in need of boxes of tissues and glue sticks for the Elementary schools and colored pencils for Jr. High/ High school age.

Where to go is the 2nd part of the question and that depends a great deal on which stores are close by. Gas expense and time are HUGE factors in my decision making. Chances are you live near a Wal-Mart. If you find deals at a few different places, take all the ads into Wal-mart and price match. In the past I've noticed that the early "Back to School Deals" are not as good as the later ones.

After school starts this year, think ahead to next year. I knew my boys would need new backpacks, so I bought 2 online for $2.50 each, and I have a new one from last year for my Kindergartener.

On a thriftier note, things like pencils, sharpeners and rulers are often given out at county fairs by the local fire or police departments. They would look different from any other kids yellow pencils, so in theory, would never get taken. Thrifty living is all about thinking outside the box.

Borders 50% off coupon In-store TODAY ONLY

Boarders or Walden Books have a 50% off printable coupon posted. 
The coupon is valid through Dec. 16th (Thursday) IN STORES ONLY with Border's Rewards membership.

Fine print reads:
Valid with Borders Rewards membership only. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, sale pricing, coupon, or discount, including group discounts, except Borders Bucks, Borders Rewards Plus 10% off purchase-price and Personal Shopping Day 10% off purchase-price discounts (10% off purchase-price discounts are taken after all other discounts are applied, including this offer and Borders Bucks, if any). Offer Excludes: Borders Rewards Plus memberships, previous purchases, special orders, shipping, gift cards, coupon books, newspapers, magazines, comics, eBooks, audiobook downloads, music downloads, vinyl LPs, Rosetta Stone® software, video games, and all electronics (including eReaders), and eReader Protection Plan Packs. Single-use only: One coupon per customer during the valid period. Original coupon must be relinquished at time of purchase. Void if copied, transferred, and where prohibited by law. Any other use constitutes fraud. Cash value .01¢. Not redeemable for cash. Valid 12/14/10–12/16/10 at U.S. Borders, Borders Express, and Waldenbooks stores only. Not valid at Borders.com.

Current Deals

If you've been a long time follower, you might have noticed some new things on my blog.  I've added some easy links to some places that I constantly do deals with.  Coupons.com, Groupon, Resturant.com and Kayak (which is my ALL TIME FAVORITE travel deal site).  I only post sites that I think have a benefit to my readers.  Here are some current deals with those companies:

Groupon: Kiddie Kandids $25 portrait voucher for $10 offer valid until Dec. 31.

I also posted about Groupon HERE when they had the Jamberry nails deal.

• If you've never used Groupon before, you sign up for a FREE account
• Purchase discounts through their site.  
• Print off the deal and take it to the store.  For online deals, Groupon will email you the coupon code and then you use that code on the companies site you are purchasing the deal from.

It's very simple to use and I've used it a dozen times. 

Resturant.com: Has an 80% off promotional code that is valid through 12/12! Use coupon code JOY at checkout which will take 80% off of $25 Gift Certificates and leave you to pay ONLY $2!

The current deal is a credit at Restaurant.com for the purchase of future gift certificates at your favorite restaurant.

*You could purchase the Dinner of the Month Club. That includes a 12 month package that comes with 12 $25 gift certificates and one FREE $50 gift certificate! The total for this package would be $120, BUT after you type in promo code JOY—your total will be just $24! That means you’re getting $350 worth of dining certificates for ONLY $24!

If you've never used Resturant.com....

• Click HERE to see the participating restaurants in your area (or areas you will be traveling to) and the current deals they have.
• Once you find a deal, you purchase a gift certificate for that resturant.  Usually something like a $25 certificate for $15...you get the idea.  So basically you are pre-paying and getting a discount in the process.
• Print off your cert. and take it with you to the restaurant.  It's that easy.

Coupons.com: has new coupons up today.  Click HERE to get started.

New to Coupons.com?....

• Visit coupons.com and click on each coupon that you want to print off
• When you have selected your coupons, click print coupons.
• That's it!  Easy as a click of the mouse.

Kayak.com: 
I've mentioned Kayak a few times on my blog already.  HERE in my vacation planning post . 
and again HERE in "My favorite websites" post.   They search numerous sites for airfare, hotel, rental cars and vacation packages so I know I'm finding the best deal out there.  ~They do the work for me!

UPDATED: Garmin GPS unit $129 with Lifetime Traffic and Map updates

Target has Garmin nuvi 1450 LMT Portable GPS Navigation System with 5" Touch Screen and Lifetime Traffic & Maps updates for $159 - $30 off code "TGTGRM04" = $129. Shipping is around $6  Plus you can use your Target Red Card and get an additional 5% off.


I just purchased this for $134.14.


*This same model is on sale Black Friday at Office Max for $129.99 BUT it DOES NOT have the Lifetime Traffic & Map updates.

UPDATE: I just (12/4) got an email from Target saying they posted the GPS as "Bluetooth ready" which it is not.  They canceled my order.  BUT, they gave me a code to enter in checkout to get it for the same price if I do not care about Bluetooth capability.  I tried this, it worked, but now it says the item will ship end of Dec-Jan. 11.  This is too late for me.  So I printed off the email and the screen with the item in my cart and price listed and took it to Best Buy and price matched no questions asked.  I walked out the door with my GPS unit.   No shipping charges, no waiting....I ♥ Best Buy!

50% off Melissa and Doug toys

Amazon has 50% off Melissa and Doug toys today.  Shipping is free with Amazon Prime.

If you haven't signed up yet, you can register for Amazon Mom's and get free Prime shipping for 3 months!  Just in time for the holidays!

Sign up for the FREE Amazon Moms Program.  And no, you don't have to be a "Mom".  Anyone can sign up. Once you sign up, you will get special coupon codes emailed to you.   You will also get a 3 Month Amazon Prime Membership for FREE with no minimum to purchase! 

3 Fashion Dolls for $7.99 total (15 piece set)

JC Penny has a set of 3 Fashion Dolls for $9.99.  PLUS you can use code 4RELVES for an extra 20% off for a total of $7.99.


Shipping to home is $5.95 or you can have it shipped to store for FREE.

Kohls 15% off this weekend!

15% off Dec. 2-5 at Kohls!

Or JINGLE15 for online purchases

Valid on regular priced, sale or clearance items!

You can use this in addition to your Kohl's cash!

Macy's Friends and Family Sale

Macy's is having their Friends and Family sale through December 6th. 

You can get 25% off online using coupon code MACYSFF or MACYSFRIEND. (free shipping after $99)

Or you can click HERE  you can print off a coupon that is valid in store. [store locator].

Mattel Deals up to 60% off

Starting tonight Mattel is automatically discounting their toys up to 60% off with FREE SHIPPING. 

PLUSE, use coupon code TXTA and you’ll get additional 20% off your order.

(Thanks coupons4utah)

Flirty Aprons 30% off!!

I have been wanting one of these for a while now.  I've been following prices, and just found this awesome deal!

Click HERE, find the apron you want and head to checkout.  Then add promo code CYBER30 for 30% off your purchase!

This deal goes through November 30th.  They also make little girls and men's aprons in addition to womens ones.

(Thanks Freebies2Deals)

Target 2 day ad now up online

 FYI, TARGET'S 2 DAY AD CLICK HERE  
This link may be for my location, so you might have to type in your zip to get the correct ad.  There is a "Change" button on the top left just above the ad.

Slumber Party to Go Sets $15

 
Walmart has Slumber Party to Go Sets for $15.  You can have them shipped to the store for free.

These would be great for trips to grandma's house.

Characters are:
Disney Princesses
Toy Story
Disney Fairies
Dora the Explorer
Sponge Bob
Disney Cars

Amazon.com......I'm Lovin' it!

Don't forget to keep checking Amazon.com all day today!

I looked ahead and found quite a few deals I would be interested in (if I didn't already own them):

• LOTR DVD's starts in 15 minutes UPDATE, THEY ARE $1.99 EACH....RUN!!!!!

• Later today they have the Bourne series on their Black Friday deal

• and I just bought the Pixar hardcover book for $5.99. 

There might be other things that you would be interested in that I didn't mention.
Don't forget FREE 2 day Prime shipping with Amazon Mom!

Wii with game for $119.99 at Target????!!!!

If you’re heading on over to Target today, keep your eyes peeled for this clearance bargain. According to many reports online, you may be able to find the older Wii consoles (which include the Wii Sports Game) on clearance for only $139.99. Make sure to do a price check if these consoles aren’t marked. Plus, this clearance find gets even sweeter because you can use the Target $20/1 Wii coupon found in the weekly ad or here for a final cost of $119.99!!! I am SO tempted to go check my Target for this deal!  My husband says we don't need it. 

Let me know if you score this awesome deal!!!  Best of Luck to you!

Mossimo Juniors Jeans Deal, Online at Target TODAY ONLY

Target has a pretty sweet daily deal available today only! Currently, you can head on over here and grab a pair of Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Denim Collection (Assorted Washes/Styles) for only $10 shipped! Even sweeter, they are on sale buy one get one 50% off AND you can use coupon code UZXPI33P to save an additional 10% off… so you can score 2 pairs of jeans for just $13 total– ONLY $6.50 each! Now that is what I call some inexpensive jeans!

Lowes and Home Depot deals

I went to Lowes today to pick up an internet order and they had all tulip and Daffodil bulbs for 75% off! If you remember my post about Tulips HERE, I didn't need anymore. BUT I don't have any Daffodils! So I scored a bag of 75 count King Daffodil bulbs for $7.49! That's 10 cents a bulb! (normally $19.99) They had smaller bags of 45 for $5.00. But I figured I'd "go big or go home".




And at Home Depot through Sunday Nov. 14th, you can take in a broken strand of Christmas lights and exchange them when you get to the register for $3 (per strand exchanged) off the purchase of ANY LED light set. I traded in 2 strands and bought 2 C6 LED sets for $7.96 each, which came to $5 each after the $3 credit. They had cheaper LED strands, the cheapest I saw was just over $5.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

The Savvy Shopper has some Black Friday shopping tips; HERE. So rather then typing up my own, I'll just touch on a few highlights of my own.....

One of the best tips she has listed, IMO, is to buy the wrong size or color. Because Black Friday is like throwing steak into a hungry shark tank, by the time you make your way through the crowd you will probably be left with the XXS or XXL size PJ pants or whatever you were looking to get. BUY THEM ANYWAY! You can exchange them later straight across WITH A RECEIPT.

Also remember to check the stores online ad. My mom and sister were attempting a Black Friday shop at Jo-Anns Fabric a few years ago...they were stuck in line forever, and getting the fabric you want it tough because the people before you need it cut first, so they might be carrying the bolt you want. (not to mention there was a "cut" line and a "checkout" line) While they were standing in the check out line, I was taunting them via telephone from my nice warm cozy computer room while I told them the fabric they wanted was available online at the same price with free shipping. (I'm evil, I know) he he he

I then purchased the fabrics I wanted, and when it arrived I got a little bonus! The fleece I purchased to make a blanket with was apparently the end of the bolt. They sent me the 3 yards I ordered plus another 2 1/4 yards for FREE! (I made a blanket out of the excess and donated it for the Walt Disney Give and Day get a day promo) ☺

Keep in mind Walmart price matches. But realize they WILL NOT have competitor items stocked in bulk.

If you would like a good deal, but are on the fence about "pulling the trigger" go shopping in the afternoon.
After the masses disperse, there are quite a few deals left to be had. And if you walk down random aisles you might find a doorbuster someone discarded after deciding they didn't want/need it. I found 2 Care Bears a few years ago hanging out in the paper plate aisle!

Checking the Customer Service Return pile might be worth a shot later in the day too. Sometimes people get into a feeding frenzy mode and buy it because it's a good deal. (I wouldn't know anything about that) LOL

Year Round Christmas Shopping

So.....I'm done with my Christmas shopping....how about you? :)
Okay, that's not entirely true.
I'm done shopping for my 3 boys. (with the exception of movies that haven't come to DVD yet)

I gather things all year that I find on sale or on clearance and save them for Christmas. My boys are young enough that they don't really care what they get. I know I will not be so lucky when my boys are asking for Snowboarding equipment, Lagoon passes or video game consoles. And I'm sure I'll find a few more things along the way before Christmas comes. But for the most part, I will not be running around crazy with all the other "last minute shoppers" paying whatever price is asked and trying to find Zhu Zhu pets, Tickle me Elmos, or whatever it is that will be popular this year. My boys understand that "the cool toy" this Christmas will be on clearance in April.

(Now is a great time to check for clearance summer items to put in Easter baskets. (Sand toys, bubbles, water toys) Even summer outfits, flip flops, water shirts, hats and water socks would be a great deal right now. I've seen kids size patio furniture and outdoor toys on clearance recently.)

Some things that I have gathered for stocking stuffers in the past are:

If you have boys, look after Halloween for plastic costume swords, axes and knives. I found some very sturdy swords and axes at Target last November for .99 normally $7. Santa gave them to my boys (as I type this, I find the irony in Santa giving toy weapons to my kids.....ha ha) and they LOVED them. They still play with them and they were such good quality that they still look brand new.

For little girls, you might be able to find some cheap costumes you could use for dress up costumes. What little girl wouldn't want a princess dress for the dress up drawer?

I also found some Iron Man coloring/activity books on clearance after the first movie came out. I stashed them, and now that the 2nd movie is out on DVD, my boys will be getting them in their stockings.

What about giving a new crayon package that you bought at the back to school deals? Or even a 10 cent notebook? My boys love to have their own notebook to draw and write in. (they are getting Spiderman ones I found on clearance after the back to school sale this year)

I've been able to find Backugun toys, Pokemon toys and action figures on clearance. School book fairs are currently underway and books make a great gift. (my husband is a teacher, that is my teacher plug for the day) One lady I know buys her kids each a book from the book fair for their grandma to give to them for Christmas every year. What a great way to give to the school, it's a great gift, grandma doesn't have to go out shopping and guess what size, or what the kids would like and it's something the kids want. I thought it was a great idea.

I've read of friends getting together and doing a "Stocking Stuffer Swap". That means that each person buys or makes enough small items for all the kids in the group. Then like you would a cookie swap, you all get together and "swap" items. You go home with all new, unique items.

Example:
Kathy makes 12 finger puppets
Shelly buys 12 Christmas erasers with pencils
Pat finds a deal on wedding bubbles and brings a dozen
Debbie brings 12 new packages of crayons

Each woman has 3 kids, so they all take 3 of everything and have enough goodies for all their kids.

I've never done it, but it sounds fun!

You also might want to check out this deal that was posted by freebies2deals:

Toys R Us has some sales this week that match with the Hasbro ads in the Sunday paper. Keep in mind that Walmart price matches. I've read that Toys R Us is running low on the ad items that have coupons with them. Walmart might have a larger stock of those items.

The trick is to remember what you have hidden away. I have a designated box in my storage room that holds all my finds. I went through it yesterday and was excited to see what I already had because that means I don't have to buy much if anything later on.

How do you prep for Christmas shopping?