Even before the economy sunk to new lows, I was always on the lookout for good deals. While there are always people who seem to like to pay full price for things they must have, like the newest electronic gadget, I’ve always waited for a sale whenever I could. It wasn’t always about budget, more the thrill of the chase. As long as I had time to wait for whatever the item was, I liked getting something for less - and using the remaining money for something else for myself or for a gift for someone else.
I wonder how many people pay full price for things these days. I’m always shocked to see people are still lining up for the latest Apple or phone, I’ve never understood the need to have the latest gadget first. But I guess other people who like to be the first in line probably don’t understand a bargain-hunter like me!
I had to run some errands yesterday and as I went into one store I had to do a double-take as there, on the sidewalk in front of the store window was a display of Halloween items for sale. Halloween! How is that possible? Here it is, a sweltering August, with temperatures constantly hovering in the mid to high 90’s and stores are displaying fall colors and scarecrow yard art for sale. Now, while urge to enjoy the crisp cool temperatures of autumn is very tempting, isn’t it a little early to be thinking of October so soon?
I guess that means bargain hunting for pool toys and summer gear is probably nearly over. I’m always late for those sales somehow. So there I was looking for new shorts for the kids and finding them in limited supply. Well, at least the prices were pretty good. A neighbor mentioned they were in a home decor store in the mall and the store even had Christmas items on display. I was floored enough by the Halloween decor, so I’m glad I wasn’t the one to view the Christmas goodies.
It seems like summer has really only begun yet many of the stores in our area are having summer clearance sales and moving onto the next season already. I haven’t even gotten used to the fact it’s summer yet, but before you know it we’ll be seeing Fall specials in the local paper. The good thing about the early summer sales is that there are some great bargains to be had if you haven’t gotten your summer essentials yet.
There a lots of deals to be had on clothing, outdoor furniture, swimming accessories and toys, and a whole lot more. I guess the trick to saving money is to not start shopping too soon. Of course, you might not have a choice if you’re heading off to vacation or taking the kids to the beach, but when it comes to garden decor or new summer dishes, it might be well be worth waiting for the really good deals.
Finding the perfect gift, isn’t that the hardest thing to do sometimes? Shopping for some people can be easy because you know what they really like and so it’s fun to head out to the stores and find something you know they’ll love. Sometimes choosing just one thing for someone like that is impossible! Then there is the person that’s hard to buy for because either you don’t know them that well or perhaps they seem to have everything already.
Some of the toughest people to shop for can be teenagers, especially if you don’t have a clue as to what their tastes are. You can always go with the gift card to be safe, but if it’s someone in your family or extended family it can seem kind of thoughtless. But then again, it’s probably better than buying them something they can’t stand that ends up stuffed in the back of their drawer or closet. If you don’t know what to buy someone, it can’t hurt to ask them or someone close to them what they might have on their wish list. This way you’re sure to buy them something they’ll enjoy and you won’t be throwing your money away.
Just when I thought I could put off thoughts of Christmas and Christmas shopping, family members who live out-of-state have started asking about gift ideas for the children. While I love that they care enough to want to give our kids a gift for the holidays, the very thought of thinking of the holidays starts my head spinning. I mean, I’m still adjusting to the fact it’s already November and that I’ll have to start planning a Thanksgiving menu soon. But I guess there’s no escaping it, is there?
I have some friends who do a really good job of keeping the gift-giving to a minimum. They feel that their children are always well-provided for and do not need to be inundated with gifts like that in one day. Plus it takes a way from the meaning of the holiday. I admire that they’ve been able to keep it to one special gift for each person since I have a hard time not wanting to load the tree with loads of beautifully wrapped boxes. But if you were to ask me what we got each other last Christmas I would have a hard time remembering. So I guess the trick is to not go so overboard but still make it special.
I have a bit of a love hate relationship with electronic gadgets. For one, I can’t imagine living without them. One day without my computer and I’m lost - how will I look up driving directions, check the weather, the news, what’s on television tonight. And how can you beat the convenience of a digital camera? No mailing or dropping off film to get developed, paying for pictures that look awful. And all of the great kitchen gadgets that I love, that make everything so much easier than when my mother or grandmother cooked in their kitchens.
But then there’s the downside for me, like how people from work can track you down day or night for something with cellphones and email. Not like in the past, when things could wait until the next day. And there are many functions of my camera that I haven’t even discovered yet. I suppose if I took the time to read all of the manual, I might figure it out. The worst of it all of course is when something decides not to work, it drives me crazy! Honestly, I really don’t want to learn how they work, I just want them to work when I need them.
Like a lot of people, I’m a bit more careful about what I buy these days. I’ve always thought that I was someone who spent wisely, but I have quite a few impulse purchases around the house that really weren’t worth the price that prove me wrong. I’m not the only one guilty of it in our home, both of us have quite a few gadgets in the kitchen and garage that we’ve used once or twice only to discover they weren’t quite as useful or handy as we thought they were going to be. And shopping wisely is not just about the money since all of these extra items seem to add a lot of clutter around the house.
So I’ve found it works much better if I take a little time to decide whether I really need to make a certain purchase or not. Browsing through advertisements or the stores can be pretty satisfying even if you don’t take out your wallet. I often take an extra day to mull over a purchase and if it’s something I still want the next day or the next week, then I go ahead with the purchase. I’ve found it really cuts back on the impulse buys and saves quite a bit of money. And what to do with the old impulse buys? Sell them online or in the local paper - it clears up some of the old clutter and gves you some extra cash too.
