Category Archives: Shopping

Ebay Holiday Shopping & Wishing

It isn’t even actually December yet and I am already overwhelmed with shopping!!!

Not so much the money side (I am pretty good about watching my pennies) but about figuring out what to get everyone!!! And when I start looking at present material I need to either write lists or save bookmarks. I love surf and find those quirky, specific gifts but if I don’t bookmark them I will never remember exactly what is what (to many thoughts in my head;). Ugh!

Well, eBay seems to have made a solution. They have created a Facebook list making app!!! You can make lists (hidden from those they are from) and get gift recommendations too. You need to go make a list too because they are doing a daily giveaway for people who make a wish list!!!

I hit the eBay Holiday Gift Guide and found 10 great gifts that might make it to someone on my list this year (and no, I am not telling you who;).

So many great gifts. Hopefully, one of this have inspired you.  And remember that eBay also has a mobile app so you can access your list and shop while you are out and about too!!! So what are you still doing here? Go make a wish list!!!

(Disclosure: I want to thank Splash Creative Media for paying me to write this post on behalf of eBay)

 

Cyber Monday Strategies

Cyber Monday has become as legendary as Black Friday but more shrouded in mystery! But what is the deal? Is it really a bargain day? Are there specific things to look for? Is it all phooey?

Well, it is a little complicated. Everyone doesn’t put everything on sale;). It takes a little planning, investigation and watching your money!

3 types of things seem to be on sale across the board.
1) Tech/entertainment (tvs, laptops, phones, game systems, etc)
2) Toys
3) Tech accessories (games, movies, ipad holders, mice) that generally run under $100.

Then there are specific stores and their strategies.

Big box stores like Best Buy and Walmart are advertising sales. There will be a few door busters but in some cases those were already sold out on Sunday. They also have other things on sale but if you read the fine print, they say that those prices may extend;).

Almost every store will be running some sort of sale today. They can be 20% – 30% off across the board and some will have shipping deals too. They are good sales but not barn burners.

The stores that are the must shops are ones that have a primary existence online. Places like Amazon, ThinkGeek, and Etsy are having great sales!!! Ebay is even have great sales from Toys R Us and Best Buy (they have stores on Ebay to sell off their extras). The other stores that tend have a great sale are brand stores. For example Ahava brand products. They sell it in stores but they have a stand alone online store! And they are having a great sale today!

A couple before you buy reminders:
1) Know what you are looking for before you begin looking;). Even if it is just a “type” of gift.
2)Have a budget!
3)Check out the return policy. You can still have things not measure up to your expectations. You need to make sure that you can also return it after Christmas if the recipient doesn’t want it!

Cyber Monday can have some great deals! Just be on the lookout for them and shop smart!!!

Black Friday Shopping Strategies

Above all things: Be reasonable!!!! If there are 500 people in line for 3 items, don’t have your heart set on those things!!! In seriousness, like all other things you just need as smart strategy.

1. Do your research! You can already start reviewing Black Friday ads online (I will have links to ads on my blog) and can pour over them on Thanksgiving! Also see what is available online. Some stores don’t do any of the big deals online (like Old Navy) but some (like Best Buy) have a lot online.

2. Make a list of everything you would want that is on sale. Organize it by store and make sure you write down the price.

3. Organize your list by priority and or time frames. A big Black Friday thing that Michaels does every year is a %off coupon for your whole purchase if you are in the store by a set time (this year it is 30%). So while I don’t have a high ticket item from Michaels, I do a a few things and need to be in the store before that time!!!

4. Order what you can online!!! Some things you can order on Thursday and somethings you can order before you go out on Friday.

5. Figure out a relatively reasonable time that you should get started. For example, I usually head out about 6am. It is early enough that I can hit all the deals that are bound by times but just late enough to miss the real die hards/crazies;).

6. Buy everything you might possibly want. The example I always use is jeans. Target and Walmart both usually do a kids’ jean under $10 every year. Walmart may be cheaper but I hit Target first. I will buy 2 sizes for each kid at both stores. I would love to think that the cheaper pairs would work but you never know about cut and each brand sizes different. You can always return the extras next week!!!

7. Have fun & plan breaks! After my first store I always hit Starbucks. Then I meet a friend for lunch every year. She and I don’t shop together but we set a time and meet up. You would be surprised just how empty restaurants are at lunch time.

7. Process everything next week! Get it done and get it out of the way. Wrap the presents, set out the decorations and wash the clothes!

Final note, think about a job your family can do while you are shopping! My husband sets up our fake tree and gets out the Christmas decor boxes. Then I decorate with everyone over the weekend;).

Smart Strategies for Outlet Shopping

We all love the idea of outlets but do you have a good strategy for shopping them? With a little planning you can get great deals and have fun!

1. Know where you are going and what stores they have! Let us not head out to hit a store that has been gone for a year!

2. Coupons?!?!?! Some outlet centers like Premium Outlets (The people who run Gilroy) have center coupons and also post sales on their website. Also many of the stores will have coupons too. I have gotten coupons from Coach and Lane Bryant Outlets.

3. Have a list with the sales prices you can get at home! The outlets don’t always have the best price! You can even download a pricing app (like SavvyShopping) and price compare right there.

When I was pregnant with my first child I was one of many at my church;). So we were all shopping for baby stuff! One headed off to the Carters outlet to get a bouncer that a few of us wanted. She came back empty handed…. Come to find out it was cheaper to buy it at Mervyns (yes, it was still around;) on sale than at the outlet!

4. Make sure they even carry what you want. Some outlets like Lane Bryant carry most set items but it may not be the thing you are looking for. If you are going for a specific thing just call and check!

Last year I made a point to stop by the Tulare outlet for the Lane Bryant outlet in order to buy my favorite bras. I figured that I would get a great deal and I needed them for a trip. Guess what, they didn’t carry the 1 style I specifically stopped by to get. I never checked… Smooth on my behalf.

5. Have a budget and stick to it! It is easy to get all excited that you might get a great deal because it is an outlet and over spend. But the outlets are not super close to us and returns are hard to do. So it is better to under buy!

6. Have a great shopping day! That means planning meals and breaks!!! If you are shopping all day without a break you will be tired, cranky and possibly hurt yourself;). And take a friend to have fun with and to help with accountability.

 

8 Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping

Ok, if you read my piece on Buyer Bewares on Layaway have no fear. I don’t like to just point problems out without offering solutions. 

1. A savings program! If this was earlier in the year I would recommend doing a Christmas Club savings program. (My bank: Fresno County Federal Credit Union has one. Tell the Jacqueline Cromwell sent you;) Since it is a little late in the year do an envelope! Just put aside a little every pay period (in addition to anything you have already saved) and that is your Christmas fund! That is it! No debt!

2. Make a detailed list of everyone you are buying for and anything you are planning on buying. If you don’t know what to get them that is fine. Make sure you have any sizes or likes, etc. And put a maximum dollar amount for each person. Even your kids and spouse!

3. Start browsing so you know a good price on your items when you see it! 

4. If shopping online make sure to use Shopping portals like Ebates and use coupons! 

5. Watch for free shipping deals. Shop at Target.com to get free shipping with $50 purchases. Amazon has free shipping with a $25 purchase. You can even get a trial month of Amazon Prime! That will give you free 2 day shipping.

6. Consider buying online and having them shipped directly to friends and family out of town. When I began doing that I saved $20 each on average! By the time I shopped, packaged up at home and then paid for shipping it got pricey and labor intensive.

7. Keep an eye out not only for Black Friday deals but those that come before and after. Many stores will be advertising their best price of the year at other times to motivate shoppers to come in at other times. Be aware of that and take advantage of it!

8. And lastly, always remember…. It is the thought that counts and not the money you spend that counts!!!!!

The Buyer Bewares on Layaway

Layaway sound delightful but it doesn’t come without issues. Buyer must beware!!! And there are lot of layaway options that are more economical and just better money practices.

Buyer Beware:

1. Start up fees! Some stores have fees associated with setting up layaway. Some are percentages (like Best Buy) and some are flat fees. Sometimes that goes toward the final price, sometimes it is just a paid fee.

2. Some stores have a cancellation fee in addition to the start up fee. So if you find it for a better price or just end up not having the money, you are still out some money!

3.These may not be the best prices for the season! Some stores will offer price matching through out the season but some won’t. Plus you have to take in the new ads with lower prices and convince them to adjust your layaway price, if it is even an option. Last year Walmart did advertise the price adjustment.

4. Layaway may not be the best deal on top of the prices! There are great cash back deals. I use Shopping Portals, coupons, and credit card rewards.