Black Friday – for those who don’t know it by its official industry name – is the day of mad crazy 5 am  or earlier shopping that happens the day after Thanksgiving. Love it or hate it, it has become a fixture of the American shopping landscape.   Some of us love it a little more than other – aka – the crazy Target Lady.  (Those commercials CRACK me up!)  Me – I am in the “Whoohoo – Let’s do it” camp!  This week, my mom, lil bro and I will take our trek out to hit the stores at the crack of dawn.  It is kinda a tradition we like to do when we are all together! 

If you love the Target Chick – you have to go check out her Black Friday Tip Videos!  Hysterical!

While there are always good deals out there at all the stores, we need to dig down to see if it is worth standing in line for at 4 am or if you can get there at 7 (or noon) and still get just as good of a deal.   I wanted to give you a run down of what the best strategies I think are best for planning and executing your Black Friday shopping. Having participated on both the shopping and selling side of this day, I hope I can pass around some tips you find useful!   (FYI - This is a repost of some of the tips I shared last year – with some minor tweaks and updates!)

My first resource is to go out and check some of the sites that round up copies of the ad circulars. Blackfriday.info is probably my favorite and they have all of the big players ads listed. Once you have an ad up, you need to differentiate, the limited “while supplies last” offers from the all day or all weekend deals.  Typically, the language on the page is clear with certain pages labeled with specific timelines and or limited quantity messages. The ones on the front and back covers are usually early morning specials.

Two things to note on early morning limited timeframe specials

1. If “minimum quantities” are specified, there will be at a minimum that number at a given store. There may be more and retailers will typically parcel those out with their high volume stores getting more than an average or low volume store. Many times those minimums are in the 3-8 piece range. For the really hot deals, (i.e. big screen TVs, laptops, appliances) stores will hand out vouchers to the people standing in line ahead of opening to limit the mass hysteria. If you are not within the first 10-30 people in line, you are probably not going to get one. That said – if you really want it, you need to bring yourself and your thermos and get comfy pretty early in the AM.
2. While the ads will normally state that it is a 5-hour special/sale and give a timeframe, that does not always mean that the prices automatically go higher once you reach the end of the sale. Most of the time those are just the items that the retailers is anticipating will sell out before the end of that time. So if you find one in the store after the sale is over have a sales person check the price for you and see if it is still valid.

As you are flipping through the circulars, it is probably a good idea to determine what you are looking for and what the priority of that item is within your holiday shopping. Is it more important to get a 40-inch TV or a bike? Are the sheets a good deal but not a holy-cow-we-need-to-get-there-first deal? I find it helpful to make a list of what I have seen in the different ads with pricing and feature details to help identify where the best deal is going to be located.

You also need to make sure to assess these potential purchases to see if they are truly a good deal. Some sites like BlackFriday.info will show you if you can get the same item cheaper online already. It is also easy to pull up a couple of sites like Amazon and Overstock.com to see if you can get these “bargains” today from the comfort of your couch. And now that we are into the week of Black Friday, stores will be trying to steal you away from the competition so if you see a great deal in the ad for Lowe’s you need to hop on over to Home Depot website now to see if they have matched it or provided a similar deal.

After you rank out all your potential purchases, you need to assess the logistics of hitting those stores. You are not going to be able to pick up a great deal on one side of town and then drive to the other to get your next top item. Typically, you will find that you will need to pair down your list to focus on the stores that are available wherever you plan on shopping. This is a good time to identify those items that are good all weekend and to pick them up later in the day if they are going to be farther away from your core shopping hub.

Next, you need to decide if this is an event you want to do solo or with another person. Both have their advantages, but I prefer the team approach as it allows you have assistance with carrying items and digging through bins! However, if you only have a few things to get, going solo may also be the best answer. I highly encourage that you do not bring your children. That is just not a good experience for them (cause you know your kids LOVE standing in line) and will normally cause outbursts and tantrums that make other shoppers stare daggers into your head.

Finally, you need to be prepared physically to shop. I am not talking about being physically fit (though I think the Target chick would disagree with me). Wear comfortable shoes and layers so you can shed as the day goes on. Make sure you take the proper precautions if the weather is very cold and you are standing in line. Also, remember to EAT something. You do not want to be in the middle of a line of people and end up getting woozy because your blood sugar is low.  (I have seen a person pass out – seriously EAT something!)

So those are my Black Friday Basics. Have anything to add? Do you go out on Black Friday or do you sleep in? Have any good stories? I would love to hear all about it!

I am getting ready to have a massive garage sale at the end of next month.  I have two great girlfriends and we have decided to do joint garage sales twice a year.  One has a neighborhood sale in the spring, the other in the fall!  Works out perfectly.  When we did it this spring - we kinda just threw it together at the last minute, but we had a good sale considering it rained buckets.  This time - we are taking a little more planning and our leanings from our spring sale to really knock it out of the park!  I thought I would pass along some of our tips and tricks for putting on a good garage sale.

Pricing
First, your prep work is the most important part.  And the most cumbersome portion of that prep work is pricing everything.  Give yourself plenty of time to sort through all your stuff and price it.  I highly recommend getting the round sale stickers with prices already on them.  You can find them online or in just about any store in the office supply section.  Another great option is to think about doing bulk pricing.  For example, if you have a bunch of kids clothes in a bin you can just make a sign that says all pieces $1 or everything you can fit in a grocery bag is $5!   That can help save a lot of time.

Photo by Hawkins

If you’re not sure what to price things – hop over to your local Goodwill, do a spin around the store and take some notes. You shouldn’t price anything higher than what you see there, unless it is really nice or brand new.  I would stroll thru with an idea of what you have for sale and make some general notes. For instance, if you have books see what price they have on paperbacks and hardbacks. Normally it is a consistent price.  Once you have your shopping intel, I would go slightly under the prices you saw there. Remember people who yard sale know when something is over priced.  Of course they will also often will always bargain, so put a little fluff in but not too much.  I find that I will spend more money and purchase more items at a yard sale where things are priced low than if they price high.  And your goal here needs to be to move volume and get rid of junk!  

Photo by Bob n Renee

Change

Before the sale – make sure to stop by the bank and get some change. You will want to have at least $80 in change available (I get 4-$10s, 4-$5s, 15-$1s and $5 in quarters) or more if you have bigger higher priced items.  I normally grab our penny jar for dimes and nickels and pennies. But if you don’t have one of those it is probably good to get a roll of nickels too.

Photo by E. Bartholomew

Setting Up Shop

Think like a store – you want to have things “merchandised” if you will.  Organize by category (kitchen stuff, books, clothing and decorative things) and try to get as much stuff up on tables as possible.  If you have a local senior center, church or community center stop by and ask if you can borrow some tables if you don’t have enough. For clothes, the more stuff you can hang up – the better it will sell – so if you can run a clothesline or have a shower curtain rod you can suspend somewhere that will be great.  I love the idea below of creating great tongue in cheek signs!  Remember, people love to browse and if you give them a reason to check out each section they might be more likely to buy!

Photo by EvelynGiggles

Advertising

Make sure list your sale on Craigslist.com.  If you have some really good stuff, take some pictures to post with your Craigslist ad.  You also need to make sure you put signs out directing people to your home.  Your signs need to be bright, list the date, the address and lead people from a main road to your home with a sign or arrow at each intersection they come to.  I hate getting to a neighborhood, turning in and having NO idea where to go from there!  Even if you put the address on the sign, it is hard to read that from a moving car.  People will be more likely to arrive at your sale if you give them a path to follow!  The Yardsale Queen did a great post on how not to do garage sale signs.  

Photo by Allan Chatto

Day Of

Finally, on the day of get ready for people to be out early!  And by early I mean like 7am.  Be friendly and have a checkout area set up.  I like to have a box for the change, a calculator, and a pile of grocery shopping bags that you can hand out to people who have a lot of stuff!

Photo by EvelynGiggles

By the time you get to 10:30-11:00 am consider putting up a sign in front of your house that says “Everything is 50% off!” since that is the time that traffic dies down and you will need to move it then or risk losing the sale!  Better to get 50 cents for something than just take it to donation after that.   Plus, if you do that, lots of people will buy more stuff, so you end up making just as much money and getting rid of more stuff. 

I hope these tips were helpful - but I am sure I have left some out!  What are your best tips for a successful yard sale?  If you are a regular yard sale attendee, what are your likes and dislikes?  I wanna know!

 

So this past weekend - I went to go visit my BFF Kelly in Atlanta. Planning the visit we had a conversation that went a little like this...

Kelly: What do you want to do this weekend?
Jess: Umm, well - do you think we could go to Ikea?
Kelly: (short pause) Ikea? Sure, but that place makes me crazy!

We did go, and despite her initial reservations - we had a BLAST.  I brought my camera but the battery was dead (oops!) - so excuse lack of photos of us being goofballs.  Part of the reason this trip was different is that you have to understand going in that shopping at Ikea is not like shopping in other places.

Ikea can be a bit overwhelming for a couple reasons. First - it is BIG.  Like two Walmart's stacked on each other big.  Second - the names for things are all in Swedish - so they can be tricky to say or remember (what POANG?? that's a chair??).  Third - When you walk thru the Showroom you get idea overload that you may not remember when you get to the Marketplace and need to find that perfect thing so you can buy them.

So here are my tips for making your experience to Ikea enjoyable and productive.

Decide on the kind of trip you want to take
Are you on a mission to get a specific piece (i.e. I want this LACK TV Stand) or are you in need of a TV Stand and aren't quite sure what you want?

If you are on a specific item shop - skip the Showroom and head straight to the Marketplace.  See my tips below for how to navigate the Marketplace quickly!

If you are in a browsing type mood - plan a day for your trip.  Seriously - you don't want to end up in the bowels of Ikea and have to try to run out to make 2:30 movie date/soccer game/whatever.  Also I would recommend the following tips:

• Make sure you wear comfy shoes. 
• If you have an idea of the kind of things you are in the mood to shop for make sure you bring the facts.  Take measurements of your space at home, snap pics on your cell, and make a list of items you are interested in from the Ikea Website. 
• When you arrive at the store and proceed directly to the cafe and get some food if you haven't eaten.  You will need your strength!  Personally - I recommend the Swedish Meatballs which are both yummy and high in protein.  Or they have a .99 cent breakfast with eggs, bacon, and potatoes.

Tips for the Showroom
Now that you have some food in your belly, you can head to the Showroom.  The Ikea showroom is set up in different sections with full rooms and even apartments that have been designed to showcase all the potential ideas for how and where you can use Ikea products.

Here are my tips for navigating the Showroom floor. 

• As you enter the showroom, grab a map of the store, a pencil and a yellow shopping bag.  You shouldn't need a cart in the showroom since most of the items that are displayed for sale are small enough to fit in the bags. Remember that you can also pick them up in the Marketplace too. 
• As you see things you like - separate them into to two categories to prevent yourself from overspending.
• I need this right now and it is something I came in to purchase or 
• This is a great idea and I should remember it, check out my house, see if it will work and get it next time. 
• Note -  If you decide you like a product that has an installation guide (blinds, kitchens, office spaces) pick it up and take it home for further review.

• The back of your map has a place for you to write down things you see that you want to find in the Marketplace.  After a small mishap this weekend where we forgot to do that - I would recommend not only writing down the name of the item and what it is and where you can find it, but also take a camera phone picture of it so you can also see it when you are looking at a slew of options in the Marketplace.
• Also - check the tag. 
• If it has a RED tag - also write down the aisle number and bin number.  You will need that when you go to pick it up from the self serve furniture warehouse. 
• If it has a YELLOW tag - you will have to find an associate to special order it for you.

Tips for the Marketplace 
Once you wander through the Showroom maze you will eventually be dumped out downstairs at the Marketplace.  Dazed and enlightened (this is when you will be glad I told you to eat something) you will now be tasked to find all your treasures.  At this point if you thought to yourself - I didn't need to write it down - you will realize that you were indeed wrong.  Because there are THOUSANDS of things for sale down there.  So notes in hand - here are my tips to get you through.

The Marketplace is divided into two areas

• There is a normal shopping-type-aisle-area for the smaller stuff - lamps, linens, bath stuff, kitchen tools, art, etc. 

• You will probably need a cart here to get all your goodies picked up so grab one when you get dumped out in the Marketplace.
• If you see something you like and it is on sale - pick it up.  If you decide you don't want it, there are bins in front of the checkout to dump things in.  But things go fast.  Kelly thought she liked a lamp, looked at the rest of them, decided she wanted it and in the space of like 10 minutes they were sold out. 
• They will sell the floor model only if they will be out of stock for a couple weeks.  
• Make sure you get all the accessories.  Some of their products need specific accessories (i.e. some of the lamps only take specific Ikea bulbs).
• Again - remember your want vs. need list.  If you think - oh I need that and then you get down to the Marketplace and realize it is slightly more complicated than you thought to put together (i.e. some of their blind systems are like this) - stop and make sure you are making the right decision before you purchase. 

• The next area of the Marketplace is the HUGE self-serve furniture pickup area. If you are buying furniture - get your flat rolling cart and get to it. 

• Most furniture items are there for you to go find (this is when you need that aisle and bin number off the red tag).  If you didn't write down that info - there are little self serve computer stations that will let you look it up.  They will also tell you if they are instock. 
• Make sure you check when you are picking up the item that you HAVE the right one.  This is self serve so people pick things up and put them back in the wrong place.  Check the tag and the color to make sure you have the right one. 
• If you are getting a couch or a mattress - no one will expect you to get that off the shelf yourself.  Tell an associate what you need and they will print you off a paper to take to the register where once you purchase it - someone will bring it out to you. 

From there you make your way to the register, pay for your items, load em up and head home to assemble! 

So tell me, are you guys Ikea converts already or scared to death to even try to navigate the store?  Do the cheap prices justify the crazy experience?  Have you had a good or bad Ikea experience?  I wanna know!  Oh and I hope to give you a run down soon of what all I got when I was there - I may have scored a piece of furniture that will help complete a room I have been working on forever!

I wasn't sure if I was going to go out to the sales this weekend. One, it was HOT - like above 86 at 7am and projected to get to over 100 by mid day. Two, it started raining at like 7:30 which made me reconsider the trip even more. But by 9:30 it had cleared up and I was itching to get out. Plus, I had to go to the grocery store anyways. So my plan was to stop at any yard sale I saw between the house and the grocery store. And the plan worked! Check out my finds!

The first stop was one that I had run by the signs for on Friday morning, so I was looking forward to stopping by and checking it out.  I really wish it hadn't rained because they had some pretty frames for a $1 a piece but the mats were ruined and I wasn't up to having to get 11x14 mats to replace them.  But I did find some other fun treasures.

First up, I got this pitcher for just 50 cents.  Yep - it is ugly as sin with those sunflowers.  (My apologies if you love sunflowers!)  But not to worry - that's nothing a little spray paint can't fix!  Want to see the results?  Click over to see my new "Heirloom" Vase!

Next up I found this classic wide low bowl.  Nice white with just a touch of glaze.  For $1 I was sold.  See it in my Living Room Update.

Finally - I found this shabby chic wire basket.  I thought it would be perfect for some decorative grapevine balls I picked up at a yard sale about a month ago.  I love the finish.  And for $4 - it was a keeper!  Check it out in my TV Stand Vignette!

I left there and hit up a couple more.  The last one I stopped at had a beautiful rug that would have been perfect for the guest room - but it had gotten rained on so I didn't want to risk it.  Instead - I picked up this pair of crackled glass votive holders for $3.  I think these are going to look perfect in my bathroom on the vanity!

So what about you?  Find anything fun this weekend?

Linking this up to the Thrifty Treasures Party with Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality!

Anyone else hit up some yard sales this weekend? I did! Saturday was the TN Rt. 52 Yard Sale which is 95 miles long and only 15-20 min from my house! Now I only did about 15 miles of the sale but it was fun and seriously I was beat!  I also got some fantastic treasures I have to share with you guys!  

The fun thing about this yard sale is that people team up to use their friends and family's land along the highway.  There are big wide shoulders off each side of the highway that basically became a small parking lot in front of each of these homes. And because there is team selling going on in most places - you end up with a great selection at each stop!

At one of my first stops I got this fantastic shelf!  The wood is in great shape and those hooks are HUGE.  And I got it for just a dollar!  I can't wait to sand it down and paint it.  It is going above my sewing desk in the guest/craft room and it looks fantastic now that it has been transformed!

Next, I found this group of treasures.  That little mirror's frame is adorable - I love the detail and once it gets a coat of paint it is going to look fantastic!   It too was just a dollar.  The bowl has some great grape detailing on the outside.  It is going to be a part of my white serving wear collection to go on top of the plant ledge in the kitchen, above the bird plates.  It was only 75 cents!  Love it!  And the spice rack set with matching wood lids is also getting a coat of paint and will be used in the craft room as well.  (I will give you three guesses on what I am going to store in the bottles - no spices here!)  It was only three dollars which is a great deal for a full spice jar set.

I also got these two wood frames (sturdy as can be) for 50 cents a piece, an 8x10 mat new in package for 10 cents and a pack of eight decorative balls for $2 bucks!  The frames are "Heirloom" pieces now!

Finally - my score of the weekend was this mirror.  Gorgeous and only $10!!  Perfect for that empty space in the dining room! 

So what about you?  Score any deals this weekend?  Tell me about them and head over to Rhoda's and link em up to her Thrifty Treasures party!

I love how pillows can change up a space and really make it fresh and current for the season.  I have been on a little bit of a pillow binge lately, some you've seen - like my paisley beauties in the dining room - and some are yet to be revealed.  Now I like to make my own pillows as decorative accents - but not every one is crafty.  So I have rounded up eight great spring pillows under $18.  (Of course - this is just me finding deals - no kickbacks here!)

Love this first one.  The purples and greens are really pretty and the print isn't overwhelming! 

Marmom Decorative Pillow - $13 - Walmart.com

Ok - so this is really a collection of pillows but in several graphic and floral prints and they are all only $11.99!  I think they would look great indoors or outdoors.

Outdoor Oasis Pillow Collection - $11.99 each - JCPenney

The next one has a bright graphic red print and also for some reason reminds me of coral! 

Red Floral Throw Pillow Set of 2 - $17.49 - Target.com

I also love the print on this one!  Remember - you heard it here that bird silhouettes would be HUGE this spring!

Songbirds Throw Pillow - $13.00 - Walmart.com

Now these are bright!  But I think in the right proportion and in the right space they could really add that pop of color that you want in the spring!

Floral Toss Pillow - $16.99 - World Market

I adore these blue print pillows!  They make me think of boats and waves!

Turq Geo Throw Pillow (set of 2) - $17.49 - Target.com

This deep blue stripe has the same effect on me.  It is very nautical and crisp!

Avery Rectangular Pillow - $9.99 - Crate & Barrel

And one more graphic pillow to round out the bunch.  Love the lime green punch in this one!

Classic Caning Pillow - $10.00 - Walmart.com

So there you have it.  Eight great spring pillows!  Which one is your favorite?  Do you tend to make or buy your pillows?

I have to tell you guys that this week I was uninspired to do any fun crafty projects. This is probably the first week in a long time that I am not participating in any of the Link Parties in a week. But I was uninspired this weekend. I decided to trek over to Hobby Lobby at lunch yesterday to see if I could get a spark of an idea. As it turns out, that was a most excellent decision!

Hobby Lobby - who did have a bunch of home decor stuff marked 70% off - has now dropped prices yet again to 80% off. I found a couple fun things and got stuff for at least three crafty projects. Behold below the fruits of my shopping expedition!

I got the lidded basket for $8, the wooden apples for 80 cents to $1.20, the white basket for $4, the beautiful white jar (I know these have a name but I cannot for the life of me remember it) for $7, the super cute clock for $6, the black lantern for $4 and the frame for $5.

So what am I going to do with these treasures? Oh I have some ideas... you will just have to stay tuned to see those! 

Anyone else pick up something fun recently at Hobby Lobby?  And does anyone know what the "official name" of those white jars?  I know there is a feature on them in one of my back issues of Domino.  Just not sure which one ... 

P.S. I am linking this up to Jane's Frugalicious Friday Party over at Finding Fabulous.  Come over and check out the other great deals!

People - it was gorgeous here yesterday!  Got up to the low 60's and was perfect.  I was able to run errands without a coat.  And at one point, I got in my car and it was HOT (I have black interior so it heats up quicker).  I know I am going to be hating that soon enough - but man, it was nice!

Pretty much that and all the Easter stuff out has got me in a Spring color mood.  So I wanted to find some cute things for you guys that you could add to an existing room that would bring in a bit of Spring without totally breaking the bank.

My first inspiration color is yellow. There is something about a pop of yellow that is really inviting and hopeful.  Yellow is probably one of the colors that is most associated with spring.  Perhaps it is the welcome sight of daffodils popping up after the snow.  Perhaps it is the the warmth that is associated with sunlight.  Either way, yellow has a way of making you smile.  

traditional living room design

(Photo from BHG.com)

So my idea was, if you have a neutral kitchen/dining area, how could you add just a few pops of yellow to brighten it up and create a little spring in your step whenever you walked by the room.

Mellow Yellow by frugalflourish on Polyvore.com

My "Neutral Base" for this set is this Black Pedestal Table, at JCPenney for $199, and some classic Ladderback Chairs that were $129 for two also at JCPenney.  I say insert whatever you have sitting in your house, unless you were in the market for a new dining set, in which case - that is a deal!

Surrounding it I have picked out several yellow accents.  Now - I would not recommend adding ALL of these accents to a single room.  But a couple here and there should give you the bright look you are looking for in your home.  Starting in the top right corner and heading clockwise, we have

-  A Sunny Valance from Target for $25.99

-  A 5' Yellow Shag Rug from Overstock for $74.99

-  A 5-quart Yellow Colander from Overstock for $13.99

-  A Calla Lily Print from Overstock for $71.09

-  A Fun Apron from Overstock for $28.49

-  A Set of Two Rachel Ray Bakers from Cooking.com for $19.95

-  A LOVE print from Made By Girl for $25.00

-  A Yellow Teapot from Overstock for $24.99

-  A Set of 6 Placemats from Amazon.com for $23.18

-  A 16-Piece Dining Set from Overstock for $79.99

There you go!  Ten Bright Sunny pieces for under $75.  As always - I got nothing for picking out "these items" - this is just me finding fun stuff for you.  Don't forget when if you are shopping online with Overstock or Target to make sure you go to Bing.com/shopping first so you get your cash back.  Target's is worth 3%-7% and Overstock is 3%-10% back!

Does yellow make you feel sunny?  Are you an all over brights person - or do you switch out your brights seasonally?   I'm more of a switch out your brights seasonally kinda girl myself - but I am curious if I have some more adventurous folks out there!  

I had to run into Target last night to get some stuff, just a quick trip in and out. So imagine my surprise when I cut through the regular home goods section to see rows and rows of empty and half-empty shelves. I had to back up and observe – empty shelves could be a sign of problems or new merchandise getting ready to go up. Upon closer inspection, a decent amount of the stuff left on the shelf in several areas had the wonderful red Target clearance stickers on them!

 (love the clearance stickers)

I scanned the aisle (now in full on bargain shopper mode – where I can switch into a wild cart wielding gatherer that would probably make my cavewomen ancestors proud) and noticed that the others in the section had that same crazed look in their eyes. What made it difficult to shop was that the clearance stuff wasn’t just segregated to the end of each aisle. They were mixed in with the regular merchandise that wasn’t marked down so you had to push things around and check boxes and bags to see what was and was not on clearance. (I found a couple people’s hidey holes where they had left something to come back for later. Hint – check behind the throw pillows!)

I walked out of the store with a duvet that was originally $99.99 that I got for $24.98, two matching shams that were $31.99 apiece that were marked down to $7.48, and a microfiber twin comforter that was $59.99 marked down to $14.89. Drapes and table setting stuff were also drastically marked down. In fact, I couldn’t find tablecloths, placemats or runners that weren’t marked down. I am a huge fan of the Fieldcrest linen napkins that are a dead ringer for the more expensive Pottery Barn version – and they were marked down to $4.98 a napkin.

(my new bedding - Score!)

In my expert opinion – (as someone who works in corporate retail) – I would say that Target is getting ready to make a massive change to their home section. They are selling down through most of their own “Target Brand” merchandise and quite a large portion of some of their branded items like Fieldcrest. Given that nothing has filled in the shelves yet, this won’t be a rolling change that you will just “notice” as you walk through. They would just have that stuff ship out as soon as they could to keep the shelves full. My guess is that they are about to totally rebrand and relaunch their home goods and that it will be big when they do it!

So, get out there and get some deals today! If you pick something up, be sure to tell me about what you scored!

(Note to the FTC – I am quite sure Target doesn’t want me telling people about empty shelves, but in case you weren’t sure, I was not compensated in anyway to write about this!)

First, I just want to say thanks to everyone who commented on my Blissdom decision. I agree that upon reflection, not going when it is this close would be waste of an awesome opportunity. So I am going!!! I will for sure be at the Friday Night Cocktail Party if nothing else. We will see about the Saturday session. If you are going, please send me an email and let me know so we can meet up! I can’t wait to meet everyone and I promise to take lots of pictures to share!

Now – moving on, I had a conversation with another friend of mine the other day. It went a little something like this.

Friend: “Hey, so we think the washer is dead.”

Me: “NOOO! Are you sure?”

Friend: “Well we got it fixed, but it is on its last leg. It makes the most horrible sound.”

Me: “Ugh – as if nothing could make doing laundry worse.”

Friend: “Yeah, so um – anyways, I was calling to see if you knew when those normally go on sale.”

Me (Zero Hesitation): “Oh, well the end of the year is the best time to buy because they are getting rid of last years models, but I would think by Martin Luther King Weekend they will have some pretty big sales and if there are any left over older models they will be marked down big time then.”

Why do I know this? Well there are a couple reasons. One, is that I work in retail and I know that almost everything goes on sale in January. (For the most part.) Two, is that I grew up with a father who is OBSESSED with Consumer Reports that used to tell you when it was the best time to buy major purchase items. Because of this, I know he has told me at least 119 times that if I am thinking about buying appliances that I need to wait until the end of the year when they go on sale.

I have all these random dates in my head that my dad has given me over the years and have become a reference of sorts for my friends. (See Exhibit A above.) However, I have always wanted something more consolidated – without having to pay for a subscription to Consumer Reports.

Fear not my friends – I give you “The Best Time To Buy Almost Everything” from the fantastic peeps over at Getting Rich Slowly.  The best part is that they have really highlighted the end of each "season" for an item in retail.  So for appliances - technically, they start cleaning out the old models in Sept/Oct but you can typically catch great deals on holiday weekends too.  Guess what else is good to buy right now in January?  Furniture! 

Now you can bookmark it, print it out, and become a price savvy shopper as well.

Just don’t forget who gave it to you!

So tell me, do you wait until certain times of the year to buy things? Or do you just buy them when you need them?

Oh we aren’t done with the round ups yet! We still have Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday was coined a couple of years ago as online retailers noticed a spike in online shopping the Monday after Thanksgiving. The thought was that people were back at work, bored, and started their holiday shopping online. It is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year.

I am going to run through some of the best Cyber Monday deals that I have seen released so far by retailer. Sound good? Ok here we go!

Overstock.com

Overstock showed up to play this Monday. I would head there first as they had better prices than both Amazon and Walmart on the things I checked this evening. 

But, before you go to Overstock, make sure you first go to Bing.com, click shopping, click Cashback stores, and go to Overstock.com through Bing so you get 15% cashback.

If you remember from my post on White Goods for BF that I was annoyed that no one offered a 1000 thread count sheet set. Well, Overstock.com has this lovely 1000 count set in Queen, King, and California King for $64.99.

They are also offering this Oversized 500 Thread Count White Down Comforter for $54.99.

Or this 6 piece 800 gram Egyptian Towel set which includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two wash clothes is only $32.99. It is offered in 16 different colors.

They are also offering this Flip Mino HD Camcorder for $139.99 – you have to put the product in your cart to see the reduced price. This is a super easy Camcorder to use and has built in software so you can upload to the web quickly.

They also have this Toshiba Blu-Ray Player for only $99.99.

They also have this great Wolfgang Puck 7-cup Food Processor for $49.99. Normally it is around $150.00. Now it is refurbished, but that is a great deal on a 7-cup Food Processor.

Or this 12-cup Cuisinart On Demand Coffee Pot for only $49.99. This bad boy makes the coffee keeps it hot and lets you dispense it a cup at a time. No more burning coffee smell and you don’t have to make multiple pots through the day!

Amazon.com

Amazon.com has their Cyber Monday Sales up now too and they are still running their lightning deals at throughout the day.

First thing I saw that looked good was this Garmin Nuvi 260W Widescreen GPS for 50% off. It is only $114.99 and is listed as one of their “Hot Deals” so if you are in the market, I would get in on this one soon.

They also have hundreds of DVD’s and Blu-Rays at significantly lower prices. Check out the best deals here.

And I know I posted in my wish list post but seriously check out the $5 Magazine Subscriptions that they have going on.  House Beautiful and Real Simple are included!  

Macy’s

Check out this Henckel's 10-piece Knife Set! Normally $206.99 Macy’s has this marked down to $75.99 which is the cheapest I could find this online.

They also have this nice Men’s Kenneth Cole Pea Coat marked down from $225 to $69.99.

That’s all I have for tonight. Since I have to work tomorrow (bah!) I won’t be able to stay on top of all of them for you, but I would check your inbox in the morning to see if any of the places you frequent regularly send you Cyber Monday deal info. Feel free to come back here and leave a comment if you find anything fabulous!

Happy Shopping!