TIME TO HIT THE CLEARANCE SALES & PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR!

Today is ONE of the best days to buy for next Christmas. As awesome as it sounds, the "Clearance" items you see on sale today will most likely still be there for a week or so and their prices will continue to plunge.

So, my advice to you is this... If the items you want to buy are in large quantity, then you can probably afford to wait a few days to buy them. But, if you have your eye on a one of a kind Christmas ornament, or decor in general, buy it as soon as it goes on sale!

Year after year I find myself missing great deals when I don't buy the Christmas decor I see when I first see it. This is especially true at shops like Hobby Lobby and Michael's. Granted, both stores will take their products down to 80% off, but the selection at that discounted price is not usually very good.

I also highly recommend that you search your local Craigslist or Classifieds for items you still want to buy. For example, every year there are hot new items on the market; this year the iPad 2 and large flat screen tv's are especially popular. If you are in the market for a tablet or tv, but aren't concerned with purchasing the top of the line models, then you'll be able to find a host of older models on sale in January. Once people get into their new item, the "older" model starts collecting dust and they realize they would rather have the cash, so it's a great time to purchase gently used electronics (gaming consoles, games, computers, tv's, cell phones, etc.).

January is also a great time to buy winter coats and clothing for next year. I usually purchase clothing 1.5-2 sizes larger than what my children are currently wearing. I've found so many great deals using this method. I purchase, pack away and then, when it's time for the new season, we get to open up and wear brand new items we had forgotten that we'd purchased! It's like a gift from yourself! I always shop at Gymboree, Crazy 8's, and The Children's Place for their clearance items. They have great sales, and Gymboree's Gymbucks are activated mid-January.

If you have money-saving methods for post-Christmas sales or planning ahead for next year's Christmas season, tell me what they are and what's the biggest benefit to them. :)

xoxo,
Rachel

NEEDS VS. WANTS - KEEPING IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE

My life is saturated with deals, sales, buy one/get one specials, discounts, coupons, and on and on it goes. I am connected with 1,300 people on Twitter, almost 2,000 with Facebook, and I have several email addresses I use to aggregate all the inflow of information I receive daily. Basically, I feel like I’m a filter for all the world has to offer… sort of like taking a drink out of a fire hose. You are bound to get saturated, and if you aren’t careful, you will get overwhelmed with all the inflow.

I have found myself struggling with this very issue today. I love reading all the inserts and seeing what’s on sale, where to shop for the best deals, and finding coupons to match up with the promotional items. But, what I find hardest is keeping a level head while sorting through it all.

It’s entirely possible to be sucked into a world of wants instead of remaining in the world of haves. I look at my stockpile daily as I come and go through our garage and I always think, I need another shelf, and more this, and a few more that. And, then I find myself getting anxious for when I am going to be able to mark these items off my needs list.

As life would have it, the minute I walk past the stockpile, a million other things are begging for my attention and my desire to squirrel away essentials for my family is pushed down and trampled over by four sets of small feet.

But for some reason, today was especially difficult for me.

Read more...

xoxo,
Rachel

WEEKLY DEALS - KMART, TARGET, CVS, WALGREENS, & MORE!

You won't find a bunch of expensive electronics or gadgets on this week’s list of deals. There are some good ones to be had though. However, I’m not covering them because I wanted to cover basic necessities so you can get the best deal possible when you are shopping for food pantries or others in need. 

There isn't a coupon insert this week because of the Christmas holiday, however we will be getting a Proctor & Gamble one next week, so be sure to check the dates on your coupons, because a lot of them will be expiring in the next week or two.

That being said, if you have coupons that you are not planning to use, contact www.flameofmercy.com and let them know you would like to donate yours. 

Be sure to check us out on Facebook as Lubbock SavvyShoppers! A preview of deals is below, or you can see my full article at LubbockOnline.com. Merry Christmas!

 

	PRICE	LOC	Q/I
YOUTH
Lalaloopsy	$ 17.99	Target	n/a
Disney Princess Collection - 7pk	$ 39.99	Target	n/a
Squinkies - 6 pack	$    3.99	Target	n/a
True Heroes Bucket Play Set	$    4.99	Target	n/a
First Act Keyboard or Guitar	$ 14.99	Toys 'R Us	n/a
Mini Glow Stars	$    3.99	Hastings	n/a
Mini Etch A Sketch	$    3.99	Hastings	n/a
Retro Inspired Tin Toys	$    2.49	World Mkt.	n/a
Plush Animal Pillows	$  3.96+	Stein Mart	n/a
Kids Winter Accessories	$    8.00	Old Navy	$15 off $75 Q on insert
All Toys (some exclusions)	BOGO	Sears	n/a
Creatology - 130pc. Set	$    4.99	Michael's	n/a
Stocking Stuffers	$    1.00	Michael's	50% off one regularly priced item
WOMEN
Whitman's Sampler	$    4.99	CVS	n/a
Revlon Nail	$    4.99	CVS	$3 in ECB, $1/1 Various Magazines
HOME
Fleece Throw	$    1.99	Wags	n/a
Fleece Throw	$    2.88	Walmart	n/a
Various DVD Movies	$    4.99	Best Buy	n/a
GROCERY
Crest or Oral-B (various)	$    2.99	CVS	$1 in ECB, $2/1 in 9/11 SS
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush	$    6.49	CVS	$3 in ECB, $2/1 armandhammer.com
Band-Aid Decorative Bandages	$    2.99	CVS	$2 in ECB, $.50/1 in 7/31 SS
Schick Hydro 3 or 5	$    8.49	CVS	$3 in ECB
Folgers Coffee 11.3oz	2/$7	CVS	$1/1 in 11/6 RP
General Mills & Kellogg's Cereals	2/$5	CVS	various peelies
Dawn	$    0.99	CVS	$.25/1 in 10/30 PG
Cheez-it, Poppycock, etc.	$    1.99	Wags	$1/2 Snackpicks
Gilette Fusion or Venus	$    9.99	Wags	$4 in RR
Bounty - 6pk	$    5.49	Wags	$1/1 Target & $1/1 in 10/30 PG
Charmin - 6 dbl rolls	$    3.49	Wags	$1/1 Target & $1/1 in 10/30 PG
Nabisco Crackers	$    1.88	Kmart	n/a
Idahoan Potatoes - 4oz	$    0.98	Walmart	$.75/3 Rolling Idahoan.com
Swanson Broth - 14oz	$    0.50	Walmart	$.50/5 in 11/6 SS
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Brick	$    1.49	Target	$1.25/3 Holiday Booklet
Land 'O Lakes Butter - 1lb	$    2.99	Target	$.50/2 in 10/23 SS
DelMonte Canned Vegetables	$    0.49	Target	n/a
12pk. Cans Diet Coca-Cola	$    2.79	Target	n/a
Holiday Paper Plates - 60ct.	$    2.00	Target	n/a