micro10x/Fotolia.com
Bargain shoppers like you and me can get trapped by low-priced back to school clothes that appear to be a great value, but are cheaply made. The September issue of ShopSmart, published by Consumer Reports, says here is what to avoid.
Dresses and skirts – Elastic waistbands, no lining, sloppy stitching, crooked seams, and visible hems (they should be rolled).
Jackets – Big, cheap buttons, buttonholes with loose threads or raw edges, no lining (which helps the jacket fit better and keep its shape), labels sewed on sloppily, flimsy
If you’ve ever been to the FIDM Scholarship Store in downtown Los Angeles, you know there are many hot clothing deals. I ventured to the store, at the corner of Grand and Ninth, last week. Here’s what I found:
A beautifully sewed jacket with a deep burgendy color was $25. The waist tie fell perfectly but alas it was too tight in the shoulders so I reluctantly left it for another bargain hunter.
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I paid $1.66 for each Anthropologie bowl, orig. $5 each.
Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores but because its stylish clothes are so pricey, I only shop there once a year. (Okay, maybe twice. It’s kind of like Nordstrom. If I enter the store, I will find something way over budget and convince myself to buy it.) But shopping at Anthropologie doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s how I got an amazing deal.
1. Sign up for the Anthro card, which tracks your purchases so if you lose a receipt, the store can retrieve the price you paid. Friends and family can put a digital receipt on your card, too, if they buy you a gift.
2. Register your (more…)
rocketgirl13 / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
If you’re on a mission to find inexpensive, yet useful stocking fillers for the fashionista in your life, you’re in luck. These items caught my eye on a recent trip to my local drugstore because of how helpful they are for anyone who wears heels, is into fashion, or just wants to appear well-groomed. If you need Christmas gift ideas for others on your list, check out Bargain Babe’s suggestions or opt for homemade gifts.
• Dr. Scholl’s For Her Fast Flats – Ladies we’ve all been there. We’ve worn heels to special occasions or a girl’s night out and by the end of the night we are begging to kick the shoes off. Well, now you can. These flats can be rolled up, stashed in the wristlet they come in, and tossed in a purse – ready to be worn at a moment’s notice. Fast Flats come in three sizes. Cost: $10. (more…)
Splurging at Macy's and Out of the Closet
I went shopping yesterday and came home with three pairs of pants and two pairs of shoes, $139 later. I started at Macy’s, where I found two pairs of shoes that I loved. They were on sale, plus I had a 10% off coupon. Cha-ching!
The soft leather, hardy sole, and distinctive look of this pair of creamy tan slingbacks sold me. They are made by Lucky Brand, which I didn’t even realize made shoes. I wear flats ALL the time and was down to one lime green pair. I paid $49.77 for them (orig. $79, on sale for $55.30).
I rarely find appealing shoes in the jumbled clearance racks (more…)
Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com
CVHere is a roundup of coupons from Savings.com and my blog on WalletPop.
Get a free sample of natural dog food for sharing a bit of personal info. Unclear when it expires.
There is an awesome back to school clothing sale online at Charlotte Russe. Some of the sales end as soon as Aug. 25, others go through Sept. 1, 2010.
Use these three Borders coupons to save 33-50% off. Expires Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.
Get $25 off orders of $75 or more at The Limited. Expires Sept. 30, 2010.
Get $25 off orders of $100 or more at eBags. Coupon ongoing.
Get $15 off orders of $80 or more at Footsmart. Expires Aug. 18, 2010.
Get 50% on entire order at ELF Cosmetics. Expires Dec. 31, 2010.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop, including three Borders coupons this afternoon!
M. Hall/The Recessionista Blog
Lacking a reliable fashion sense, I asked Mary of The Recessionista Blog where she’s back to school shopping, what the biggest deals are, and how parents are stretching their dollars at thrift stores.
How is the economy affecting back to school shopping? There are people in this economy doing more back to school shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. There are a lot of items that are new with tags on them from the department store. I saw good sneakers in the box, good jeans, tops.
How do you talk to kids, who are often very brand conscious, about shopping at second hand stores? I didn’t see (more…)
A reader in Arizona shared a few sentences and a picture of some of the steals she found on a recent shopping trip, along with the name of the store and her total bill.
She writes, “I’ve done some hunting for deals at thrift stores – there are three in my little town! I found an Ann Taylor Loft denim dress that I love for 50 cents. For some reason, it’s always fun to find a treasure.”
“My best find was the vintage red Carlo Fiori purse – it’s in great shape, too! And for 50 cents! I’ve used it already and it just feels so fun to carry it!”
Personally, my best thrift store find was a $15 green and white stripped dress made of super soft cotton. I wore it to the Frugal Festival and it is incredibly comfortable. I bought it at a high-end thrift store that specializes in dresses, hence the relatively high price. But it was totally worth it because I’ve already worn it a dozen times.
Do you have a success story? Email me!
Smashbox - Here are three Smashbox beauty coupons you may be able to combine for a triple savings whammy!
Back to school deals - Here is my latest round up of back to school deals through August 7, 2010, including a free backpack at Office Depot with a $10 purchase. Nice!
Free kids clothes swapping trial - Here is a swapping coupon for a free trial membership at ThredUp, and online site that facilities the swapping of children’s clothes.
Check back this afternoon for the latest coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, this sale is for you. The largest wholesaler in the country, DLM Off-Price Specialists, is opening their doors to the public this Saturday, July 31, 2010. Expect prices to be 80-90% off retail and look for name brands like DKNY, Ellie Tahari, and more.
DLM normally sells to the discount shops, so you are getting prices below wholesale – pennies on the dollar in some cases! There are absolutely no knock offs.
The selection is huge in DLM’s 100,000 square foot warehouse, which is 15 minutes from downtown. Score great bargains in women’s clothes, men’s clothes, and children’s clothing, plus home goods like Paula Deen dishware. One Paula Deen platter that sells for $25 at Macy’s is $7 at DLM. Snappy!
The sale is this Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. DLM is located at 2343 Saybrook Ave. in Commerce, CA. Their phone number is (323) 724-5474. This video has more details about prices and brands.
This is paid content. Interested in an ad? Read my Advertise page.
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.
thebittenword.com/Flickr
Starting today the Old Navy sale puts everything on sale by 30% off. Sale ends Sunday, May 2.
Get a free sample of Eucerin Daily Skin Balance lotion when you share some info about yourself.
Chef Emeril is celebrating 20 years of cooking by sharing 11 recipes in this free electronic cookbook.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
My frugal friends at Savings.com (belatedly) shared these coupons.
Get $15 off $75 at Smashbox. Expiration date unknown.
Get $15 off $75 at Urban Outfitters. Expires April 28, 2010.
Get 20% off any single item at Gaiam. Expires April 30, 2010.
Get 20% off women’s apparel with free shipping at Reebok. Expires April 30, 2010.
