Winter Sales & Closeouts

Someone pointed out to me that many of the items listed in my “liven up your winter decor” post are on sale now. This inspired me to create a small list of items that you may find on sale now and over the next few weeks in your local store.

It’s kind of crazy going to the store and seeing swimsuits & shorts when it’s forty degrees outside, but at least when they make room for the spring and summer clothes, they do it by marking down the winter stuff. This makes it the perfect time to get a few new outfits for the remainder of the season or to go ahead and buy up for next year, especially if you have kids. And it’s a great time to get a few low cost items to spruce up your home.

So over the next few weeks, be on the look out for low prices on the following:
Blankets/Quilts/Throws/pillows
snowmen & other winter decor items
Winter clothes – sweaters, fleece, flannel, velour, sweatshirts, jogging suits, corduroy
Housecoats/Robes
House shoes
Winter pajamas
Candles
Electric blankets
Winter shoes/boots
Coats/jackets
Space heaters
Blue jeans
Also, certain lines of home decor and collector’s items (knick knacks and that sort of thing) that have been on display since Christmas (or prior to the holiday season) will begin to go on sale as well to make room garden decor and other summer items.

Here’s just a few places you might want to check out for deals.
Old Navy
Closeout Central
Goody’s Family Clothing
Big Lots

Christmas Savings

Between now and New Year’s is a great time to get good deals on Christmas decorations and other items. A lot of holiday items will not go on sale until the day after Christmas, but some stores are starting to discount items now. If you look in the right place, you can get a bunch of great items for 25, 50, and even 75% off the retail price. Here are a few examples:

Ornaments – I collect ornaments. I use some ornaments for my tree, and I display others in a cabinet throughout the year. If you collect ornaments or are planning to get new ornaments for your tree next year, now is the perfect time to do it. Every year I see new ornaments that I like, but it can get expensive after a while. Waiting till after Christmas to buy the ornaments I want has saved me a lot. Ornaments also make great gifts. My mom collects Hallmark ornaments, and her birthday is in January, so I usually try to pick up a couple of ornaments for her.

Cards – There’s a huge markup on Christmas cards. The day after Christmas, stores will have an entire bin full of discounted Christmas cards. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy ahead for next year.

Wrapping paper, gift bags, and supplies – Why not go ahead and buy extra gift wrapping supplies for next year?

Calendars – I love picking out my new calendar for the year. Usually I buy from the calendar stand that is set up in the middle of the mall. Several years ago I bought my calendars early. I’d see the one I wanted and I’d want to get it before they sold out. But a few years ago, I saw that had a 75% off sale after New Year’s, so I decided I would wait till then from now until. But then last year I was walking through the mall a couple of days after Christmas, and I found that they had already put the calendars on sale. Anyway, if you haven’t bought your calendar for the New Year, wait till after Christmas and check the stand at your local mall for a good deal. If they’re not on sale yet, then check back after New Years’s. Stores like Wal-mart and Target will discount their calendars as well, but they usually wait a little longer.

Christmas decor, trees, clothes, ect. – You can find great deals on all other decor and clothing for yourself or for next year’s Christmas presents. I bought my new Christmas tree the day after Christmas last year. It’s a lovely 6.5 foot tree, and I got it for about $10, and I absolutely love it! As long as you have a place to store it, stock up! (especially if it is something that you’d like to have regardless of the price and if it is something that you would have to buy in the future anyway!)

Tips to Avoid Spending Too Much This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas is just three weeks away, and Hanukkah has already begun. Millions of shoppers will rush out to the local mall over the next few weeks and spend hundreds of dollars on presents for friends and loved ones. Unfortunately most everyone will spend more money than they orginally intended.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the holiday season, and I love to watch family members open the gifts that I carefully selected for them. After all this is a season for giving. I also cannot ignore the fact that our crazy spending sprees are great for the economy.

However, I don’t think it’s a good idea to spend beyond your means, even if it is Christmas. A little splurging is okay, but we should all be careful. Unless you have an organized shopping plan and a little time to think things out ahead of time, it is very easy to get carried away, and before you know it, you are either out of cash or you’ve racked up a huge credit card bill. For this reason, I chose to write the following article. It features some tips on how you can save money and lists some inexpensive gift selections. This is a must read for anyone who hasn’t done all their holiday shopping yet:

Tips to Avoid Spending Too Much This Holiday Season

Easy Crock Pot Air Freshener

Easy Crock Pot Air Freshener

There’s nothing like the smell of warm apple dumplings or pumpkin pie baking in the oven.  It feels your house with such a wonderful aroma!  But since we can’t make every day, we have no choice but to use scented candles, scented oil, etc.  OR….you can try this easy recipe and make your own Easy Crock Pot Air Freshener. [Read more…]

Use Your Windows to Help You Save Money

Electricity bills are always their lowest in the fall and spring, and your windows can help make them even lower and and help you to lower your bills this winter.

  • This winter open your blinds and curtains on sunny days, allowing the sun to warm your home, and close them at night to keep the cool out.
  • On mild days open your windows. Where I live at this time of year the weather can be unpredictable. In the morning I’m wearing a jogging suit and in the afternoon I may be wearing shorts. Rather than using your heating/cooling system, opening your windows can help you to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. The sun helps to heat your home, and opening the windows allows a breeze to blow in, cooling your home and also airing your house out.
  • Repair cracked windows. You can save energy and money by making sure that your home is properly sealed. Check your windows for cracks, and repair them with caulk and weather stripping.
  • Replace old windows. According to the Alliance to Save Energy (ase.org) you should replace old, rattling single-pane windows. Old single-pane windows do not properly insulate homes. Replacing them can not only help reduce your heating/cooling bills, but it will also help reduce your risk of condensation and reduce the risk of the sun fading out your furniture and other fabrics.
  • Buy “black out” curtains. Black out curtains help to keep light out of your home. They can also help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.