$mart and Involved Shopper

Are you an involved shopper? Let me explain what I mean by that question. I have always been the type shopper to call a product manufacturer if my package was supposed to have 5 items in the box and only had 4 and, without fail, they send me a coupon for a free item replacement and thank me for my call. I've not been rude, I just explain the case and see how they offer to help.

BUT a fellow new mom friend is much more involved than me. She bought two packages of diapers, got them hope, opened them, and noticed that one package was different. It was the same brand she's been buying, same packaging on the outside, but the closure and lining of the diapers in one pack were a little different. She sent them an email to ask if they were changing their product and her store and receipt information and in addition to a response saying they were testing some new ideas, she received $50 in coupons for free diapers! Again, she wasn't rude she just wanted to know if they were changing their product and being an involved shopper really paid off! I haven't had any luck that good but my experience so far has been that manufacturer's want to know what you think and if you love a product, tell them, it may really pay off!

Brighten a Day for Less than a Buck

In the day of emails, iphones and even blogging, when was the last time you sent a real card? Maybe an easier question, when was the last time you got a card? Your birthday, Valentines day, Christmas? If I had to guess I bet you remember the last time you got a card, who it was from and what it was for, am I right? That means that the last card you sent is remembered by someone the same way.

Yesterday, I was picking up a couple cards and noticed that there are some really expensive cards out there but there are also nice cards that you could send for less than a dollar, including the stamp! I prefer to keep a stack of cards at home for a variety of purposes so I go to card warehouse stores, dollar stores, and buy after holidays then all I need is a stamp. Speaking of stamps, I buy the forever stamps since I can't go through all my stamps before postage goes up and I know there is another scheduled increase in a couple months.

Anyways, maybe someone shared a great recipe, or a friend told you about a new store where you found some great deals. There are lots of reasons to send a card so with a few minutes of your time and less than a dollar you could bless someones day. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a blessed day!

Shopping $mart- Thrift Store Finds

Have you seen these cute little toys? I seriously considered buying on at Christmas for my daughter but didn't, due to cost, and picked up a pack of the tadoodle markers and crayons instead. She also received some as gifts and seems to enjoy writing with them, especially the crayons.

Well, this week I made a trip up to the local thrift store and found the art station, for $1.41! Needless to say I bought it, put new batteries in and it works great. Sure it didn't include the tadoodles but for less than $2 it was more than a bargain. I also found several Old Navy tshirts for my daugher, all less than $1 and several pair of shorts at great prices!

Regardless of how tight your family budget is, you can find good deals and good prices. All you need is a little time, patience and knowledge that some trips to thrift stores will better than others!

Shopping $mart- Thrift Stores

Not too long ago I was searching for a very specific item and didn't want to pay full price so, at a friends suggestion, I opened the phone book and started calling local thrift stores. When I found one that had what I needed I jumped in the car and drove the 10 minutes to get there. On the way there I thought I knew what to expect, old hats, 20 year old furniture and other items that probably should have been destined for the trash. However, what I found was the opposite. I found children's clothing, in a variety of sizes and styles, in just as good of condition as what I found at yard sales, my other weakness. For example, I picked up a Lands End snow suit, in a 3T, for about $2.00. Sure, my daughter isn't a 3T but she will be in another season or two. I also found several fleece tops for her, all less than $3.00. I picked up a couple Gap and Old Navy tops for less than $1.00. From jeans to shoes, I decided that this was the ultimate indoor yard sale and I make a trip about once a month. Sure, sometimes I walk out with a bag of great finds and other times I have a couple items but either way, it was worth my time. Plus, they have 20% off on Mondays! If you haven't visited local thrift stores in your area I'd suggest you open up the phone book and take a look, some are better than others but if you have children of any age, they are great places to stock up and shop $mart.

Shopping $mart - Yard Sales

I've always been up for a bargain but since becoming a mom I've really started paying more and more attention to being a smart shopper. I do my best to cut coupons (does anyone have any tips for organizing them?), I shop sale ads, and I try to avoid unnecessary trips to the store to avoid unnecessary purchases. Plus, I LOVE yard sales.

Now I plan yard sale trips like a grocery store trip, carefully plan my route and keep small bills and change on hand in a change purse I can keep in my pocket. I have a strategy going in to get a feel for what I can expect. I start with the clothing first to determine sizes, girls or boys, condition? As long as they are size my daughter is in or will be in the next year I start looking. If it's boys clothes I look for basic items and depending on the condition, I think about play clothes and go from there. The condition of the clothes gives me a feel for toys, books and videos or DVDs. Everyone hears that kids outgrow clothes before they wear them out and that's true, plus if I do really well at a yard sale I make a mental note and when I see a sign that they are having a sale, I know the sizes and condition are probably the same. Before paying, I do a quick check on what I have and what my total is and decide whether I feel like negotiating or not. If I decide to, then I know I have small bills on hand to pay the price I bargained. Something doesn't seem right about bargaining from $10 to $8 then pulling out a $10 bill. Plus, I never bargain with kids if they are the ones selling their items. I remember being that age and selling my things and the fact that they are there and participating makes me willing to pay the price, if I want the item.

As the weather gets warmer, check the paper, watch for signs and check craigslist for postings in your area. If you have kids, you'll be glad you did!

If you want more tips for shopping smart, visit Heather at Just Doing My Best for lots of great tips and coupons!