2.19.2011

Bargain Hunter

February 19, 2011

Woo Hoo! It's Saturday! Hubs is taking the boys to some "hunting convention" something or other this afternoon and so it looks as though the girls and I will be forced to go shopping. I know, right? How terrible! Oh well, I guess we should make the best of it. Spring IS on the way, after all, and my girls have got to have clothes! I'd much rather be home with my steam cleaner, scrubbing baseboards, but, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do. We have to make sacrifices for our kids from time to time.

Seriously. I love to shop- but, not just any shopping will do! I must BARGAIN SHOP! I don't care how much money you have or you don't have, the thrill of getting a "good deal" has got to be just as thrilling as any cocaine high. (Okay, so, I'm guessing here. Tylenol is my "drug of choice". I know, I'm such a bad girl.)

Normally, I post this on the "GoodWill Hunting" page, but today, I thought that I would show you a few of my "Goodwill" finds here. I got all of the following for about $40. (I also got Drake another shirt- a football jersey kind of shirt, but, he loved it so much that he snuck it out of the laundry and wore it to bed last night.)
Jeans from Linited Too with the tags still on for Karli!

The sweater and the skirt are for Karli, both from Limited Too!


This is a coat for Brant. It's Old Navy. The picture does it no justice. It is really cute!

The shirt is from Gymboree for Brant. I also found him a practice jersey for football in the fall.

The shirt is Osh Kosh and the shorts are Children's Place. Both are for Drake.

A little something for Momma.

Oh what will I do with this little item?
We are a one income family of six. We have our fair share of hard times. But, it makes me feel good to be able to save my family money on things we need wherever I can. And I just can't see paying $48.90 on a pair of jeans for myself when I can get a perfectly good pair for $4.89. Really. 

When I first started shopping at Goodwill, it took me a long time before I actually bought anything. I would walk into the store and just walk around aimlessly. Once I finally got accustomed to the store and how much things cost and where everything was, I really began to enjoy digging through the stuff to find that hidden treasure! I feel like I've won the jackpot every time I find something with the tags still on (like the jeans I bought for Karli from Limited Too). I've even bought furniture there. When I was pregnant with Aubree I knew that we'd need a dresser for her things. Well, I found one with beautiful lines and details for $40! I took it home and Freddie sanded it and painted it for me and I absolutely love it! It served double duty as a changing table, too, when she was a baby.

A few weeks ago, I saw a program on TV about "extreme couponing" (is that a word?) and I am so intrigued by it. I remember when I was a kid, my grandfather would do the whole coupon/rebate thing and he probably actually made money doing it! He, at least, got a whole lot of free stuff. And there isn't much that I like better than free. I don't know that I have the time and energy to get as deep into it as he did, but, I really want to explore the "coupon" option. I cannot imagine how it would feel to walk out of WalMart (or wherever) with $200 worth of groceries and only have spent a fraction ($50?) of that. Some of the women on that program would have something like a $600 total bill and only pay $20 or something crazy like that! Their garage's looked like a warehouse! No joke! They could easily live off of what they have for months!

So, what do you think about the whole "buy used and save the difference" philosophy? I'd love to hear about any of your "special finds and great deals". Leave me a comment if you care to share! We could all use some inspiration!


"She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night." Proverbs 31:18

5 comments:

Chantal said...

Now that I can officially follow blogs thanks to you Dana for helping me with that google account thingy. I am officially a Calverette Blog Follower. lol !! Gotta go sign up on Tammy's now lol !!

Everything you said and then some lil momma on the shoppin !! I love to bargain shop at Goodwill !! We will have to get together one day and go to two of my hot spots in Baton Rouge !! Salvation Army and Americas Thrift Store. These places are my favorites of all. It is a total high to get a bargain. I feel as if I am gettin away with murder somehow ?? lol People are just plum crazy for spending money at retail stores unless it's 95% off !! Helloooo ?? To top it all off, it's just like plain ole therapy somehow ? Was in New Orleans a few weeks ago and forgot one of my special purses at home which fits tracts perfectly. Do you think I went to a retail store and bought one ? NO WAY HOSEA !! I waited for Goodwill to open up on the West Esplanade and found a Brand New With Tags travel long strap purse for a Whoppin $3 !! Retail $25 bucks !! I do have to say though, it could get out of hand if you don't watch it !! lol !! I look at my shoes and keep saying to myself that I must get rid of some of these shoes. Way Way too many. That hoarding show is FREAKY !! I also saw the coupon show and have been trying to figure that whole thing out. I now get the Sun. paper and clip coupons buuuut....it's not working out that well so far. I saved $35 dollars one day but it was on stuff that I really did'nt need that bad.....lol

Chantal said...

My daughters on the other hand insist on spending money on retail clothes at retail stores or mall. It's fine with me but it's not coming out of my pocket for sure. I make them spend their own money. They laugh hysterically at me cuz I think $10 is too much for a pair of jeans lol. I have a blast with em !! Crazy girls !! They will figure it out one day. lol I'm always dressed in no more than a $20 bill......................lol

Dana Dawn Calverette said...

Glad to have you following me, Chantal! As you can see, my blog is REAL popular! I've got 16 followers! LOL I appreciate every single one of you!

Unknown said...

Great job on the Thrift shopping! You got some great stuff. Here in UT (where everyone has a bazillion kids and keeps all the clothes for hand me downs) getting good quality clothing at a Thrifty store is hard to come by.
How long did it take you in the store to find all that stuff?
Thanks for linking up (and for the shout out) at www.thrifty101.blogspot.com :)

Wendy said...

Great bargins....you just inspired me to go bargin shopping tomorrow!! Hope I find something good!!