tobyleah/Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Ever since I can remember my mother has saved money on laundry by drying our clothes on clotheslines, which are making a comeback among people who want to be green. Once strung up, these simple and electricity-free devices are not always welcomed.
A couple days ago, I read a story from NPR of a New Hampshire activist fighting for his right to use a clothesline. A Google search quickly revealed an array of similar stories. It seems that many communities do not want to see clotheslines in their neighborhoods because they consider them an eyesore. I understand that many do not want to see their neighbor’s skivvies hanging out to dry, but there are ways to be discreet. I use the shower rod instead of leaving my damp clothes outside. You can also get a low-cost drying rack that folds up into tight spaces.
To someone who grew up with clotheslines it is difficult to understand what the big deal is all about. An opponent of clotheslines is quoted in a story from the Richmond Times-Dispatch as saying that clotheslines give an atmosphere of decline and a sense that one is not in a well-off neighborhood.
It maybe the nostalgia in me speaking, but I do not see how a clothesline makes a neighborhood’s status change. Electricity is one of the biggest home expenses that can easily be subsided with a rope and clothes pins, so why not use it?
If you are new to clothing swaps or missed the Frugal Festival, this video explains what a swap is and how they work, plus shows you how much fun this year’s event was. If you attended the Frugal Fest on June 19, look for your cameo. There are a lot of them! Click on the video below to watch.
Today only! Get 25% off with this Banana Republic coupon, which expires June 30, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Online only.
Got kids? Want a cheap source of clothes? Join ThredUp and get the Pro membership (worth $30/year) free for two months. It ends up being about $.81 per item of clothing. Cheap!
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
The reason I love shopping at thrift stores is the truly amazing deals. I set my budget at $25 for a new-to-me pair of jeans (both my current pairs are one squat away from ripping in the crotch) and came away with eight items for $14.49. She shoots…she scores!
I bought:
- Two baskets for holding fruit and potatoes/onions/yams – $1 each
- A wooden tray for holding garlic and onions – $3
- Two juice glasses – $1 each
- A brick red scarf with brown and creme accents – $1 (I’m still on the fence about this purchase because I can’t tell if it screams “retro” or “grandma”)
- A ring of four measuring spoons – $.49
- A pair of jeans that make my butt look bigger than it is (a plus in my book) – $6
The cool thing is that everything but the scarf was on my list of items to look out for until I found a good deal. I could have paid $10-$15 per basket at Pier 1 Imports or Ikea, $4 a glass at Crate & Barrel, and who knows how much for a new wooden carved tray. Earlier in the day I stopped in at a high-end thrift store and saw used jeans for as much as $70. Ridiculous!
Now to settle the scarf issue. A picture of it is above. Do you think it is retro or grandmotherly? How would you wear it?
Related:
Money Morality: legit to shop at thrift stores?
Friday Fun: Are my bargain basement shoes tacky?
Getting bargains at thrift stores
back_garage/Flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains
Bargainistas know not to pay retail for clothes (except for undergarments.) We all have our favorite thrift shops and know when the new stuff is put out.
But, what to do when you are on vacation? Are you really going to pay $25 for a t-shirt at the seaside resort when you know there is a gently used version for $2.99 at a second-hand shop within blocks?
Let me introduce you to my favorite “don’t leave home without it” web site – The National Thrift Store Directory. No matter where you are in the United States, plug in your zip code and you will find a thrift store near you. Oh be still my beating heart!
I would much rather visit the local thrift shop in some small town than spend time in a tourist trap. Not only can you pick up local souvenirs for a fraction of the cost (mugs that go for $25 at Disneyland are a dollar or two at a thrift store) but you can talk to fellow shoppers and possibly find out about a local event that you would never know was happening (like a pancake breakfast at the community center or a free concert at the high school.)
The National Thrift Store Directory currently has almost 10,000 listings, but you can help other bargain hunters by adding your favorite store.
What is the best item you ever found at a thrift store?
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons.
Get 15% off orders at Swell. Expiration date unknown.
Get 25% off orders of $100 or more at GameStop. Expires April 30, 2010.
Get 25% off $25 or more at Kodak Gallery. Expires April 30, 2010.
Get 10% off your order at Crocs. Expiration date unknown.
Get 20% off sitewide with free shipping on $100 or more at Hanna Anderson. Expires April 21, 2010.
My do-it-yourself deal site, BargainBabeLA.com, has great coupons and deals for LA. Here are the best deals posted by readers like you this week.
Spa week in LA, OC, San Diego and San Francisco is April 12-18, but book now to get a good appointment.
Tax-free shopping day is April 10 in Santa Monica on Montana Ave. Mark your calendars!
Are you a CPA? Morton’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills wants to appreciate you with a chance for a free meal on April 16, 2010.
Get a free sample of Huggies diapers no matter where you live! You can also get a free sample of Pampers Cruisers
The Junior Drake Warehouse sample sale is coming up April 9-11. The sale has a special emphasis on handbags.
This week’s $10 Starbucks gift card goes to Marie for sharing great deals this week. Congrats, Marie!
Shward/Flickr
Consumer Reports put out a sales calender showing when is the best time to buy cars, clothes, furniture, and dozens of other consumer goods. The monthly list is based on data from industry surveys and publications, and consultations with CR’s in-house experts. Here is what’s on tap for best deals in April:
- Computers
- Digital cameras
- Lawn mowers
- Spring clothing
And here’s a sneak peak for May:
- Athletic apparel and shoes (good thing, I need a bike helmet, a yoga bra, and bike gloves!)
- Camping and outdoor gear
- Cordless phones
- Lawn mowers
- Small consumer electronics
This list doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy the items in these categories. You’ll still have to compare prices and think about which specific product meets your needs. But be on the lookout for sales on these items.
irina slutsky/Flickr
By Mike Barclay of 10CentsWorth.com.
A few weeks back a friend of mine who works for a local radio station approached me. “Would you be interested in passing out a bunch of flyers for an event we’re doing if I got you some concert tickets?” I instantly said yes, seeing as I’m the world’s biggest concert guru. Now I am the proud owner of free tickets to two shows I’ve been hoping to see.
But were they really free?
Technically the tickets were not free. Did I have to pay money for them? I did not. Was there some type of exchange that was beneficial to both parties? Yes there was. We used a medium that most people today don’t really think about, or even understand they may be doing. It’s called bartering.
Bartering is defined as trading goods or services without the exchange of money, according to Dictionary.com. We should all look into it. How much money would we end up saving if we traded services or items around the house for something we did need?
Here are three great sites I’ve found in my swapping frenzy as of late.
Most people use Craigslist for classifieds, but have you ever clicked on the “barter” section in your cities? Craigslist is great if you want to go super general. And it’s always going to be local. If you’re looking for more specific swapping, check out these next two sites.
SwapTree.com – As I mentioned before, I’m a big music fanatic. So when I found SwapTree, I wet myself. It’s all about media: books, DVD’s, CD’s, etc. You can trade your stuff or browse what other people have and make an offer. Needless to say, I’ve had it up on my computer screen for the past week, constantly looking at what I can find.
Zwaggle.com – Zwaggle is strictly for all things tot-sized. Babies, toddlers, you name it, they’ve got something for it. It’s a perfect site for new couples having their first child and for the couple with kids who’ve outgrown everything and want to get rid of the stash.
So the next time you want a new CD, clothes, books, or need something fixed and can offer something in return, remember you don’t always have to use dollars. Look into trading or swapping and see if you can do it without having to touch your wallet.
Get 50 free photos from CVS when you register on CVSPhoto.com.
Use this Piperlime coupon to get 20% off now through April 1, 2010 when you sign up for their email list.
Get 20-30% off at Coach Factory stores with this Coach coupon. Expires April 5, 2010.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
goXunuReviews/Flickr
There is a 40% off sale at Old Navy going on right now. Lots of summery clothing for women, men, and children between $5 and $20.
Download this free Kindle for PC software and get access to more than 400,000 books on your computer – even if you don’t own a Kindle!
The 25% off sale at SmartBargains.com is sitewide but ends today, March 26, 2010.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog. Later this afternoon I’ll post a Borders 40% off coupon and a 50% off coupon at Michaels.
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons.
Get 20% off at The Container Store. Expires April 4, 2010.
Get 50% off one regularly priced item at JoAnn.com. Expires April 3, 2010.
Get $50 off $150 at Soma.com. Expires April 19, 2010.
Get 15% off flower order with free glass vase at ProFlowers. Unknown expiration date.
Get 10% off $100 or more with free shipping at Rock/Creek. Expires March 31, 2010.
Restaurant.com is 80% off now through March 31, 2010. Not bad!
SmartBargains is 25% off sitewide today through March 26, 2010 only.
Get a free sample of L’Oreal hair care products for a limited time only.
This Nine West coupon for $10 off any handbag is good through April 15, 2010.
Get 15-20% off at Old Navy when you spend at least $75. The Old Navy coupon expires this Sunday March 28!
Get a free sample of Baby Barn body wash and lotion when you sign up.
Check out all the coupon and deals on my WalletPop blog.
The last time I blogged about the amazing discounts at DLM Off Price warehouse in Commerce, CA there was a huge response. Now they are opening their doors to the public the last Saturday of every month – that’s March 27, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This is paid content. Want to take out an ad? Read my advertise page.
Mr. T in DC/Flickr
It is free cone day today, March 23, 2010, at Ben & Jerry’s.
Restaurant.com gift certificates are 80% off with this coupon code.
Until 10:30 a.m. this morning (I realize many of you will not get this until after 10:30 a.m.) at Starbucks you can get a free pastry when you buy a drink.
Bloomingdale’s is 20% off online and in stores this week as part of their family and friends sale.
Get a free full-sized bottle of Olay Quench body lotion when you send in a mail-in rebate.
If you didn’t win the BJ’s warehouse club membership giveaway, you can get a free 60-day trial membership.
Get a free sample of Pssst Instant Spray Shampoo when you share a little info about yourself.
Check out all the deals on my WalletPop blog.
