Every Tuesday and Thursday, before my dreaded Statistics class gets started, a few of my classmates inspect my accessories, and ask me where did I buy them, and how much were they. They get a kick out of how little I pay for things. "This scarf? Two bucks at Rue 21." I say. "These sunglasses? $1.50 at Forever 21, online." I boast.
You see, I think paying full price for things is ridiculous. I started clipping coupons when I was nine years old. Every Sunday before church, I asked my Dad to stop at a gas station, and to please buy me two or three Shreveport Times newspapers. He thought it was crazy for me to be so young, and concerned with saving money, but he indulged me anyway. It wasn't until he saw that my coupon clipping was averaging about $15 a week off the grocery bill that he started to bring me papers without me having to ask. He added to my determination to save money by letting me keep the amount of money I saved using coupons. Cha-Ching!!
My enthusiasm to get a good deal has increased as I've gotten older. Loyalty cards, price matching, coupons, rebates, BOGO (buy one get one), after Thanksgiving sales, after Christmas sales, tax free weekends, clearance sales, grand opening sales, going out of business sales, etc...... You name the promotion; I know how to exploit it to my advantage.
For instance, when I'm shopping for clothing (which is pretty often), 85% of the time I ONLY buy clothing located at the back of the store on clearance. Usually they are from last season, but who cares? Because of this, I buy my spring/summer clothing in the winter and my fall/winter clothing in the summer. The clothing at the front of the store is brand new and full price. PLEASE! Nope, not happening. The second thing I do while shopping for clothing is to use coupons, and coupon codes (if I'm shopping online.) I almost never pay for shipping with my online orders, because I search the internet for free shipping codes. Also, before I go shopping for anything, I check that store's website for special discounts and promotions. Sometimes it's as simple as filling out a questionnaire to get a 40% off coupon.
However I must say, the wave of emotion that envelops me as I'm sitting in my car, looking at the sales receipt itemizing all of the money I saved is blissful euphoria. I'm on a high for the rest of the day.
Ummm... just thinking about saving money makes me want to log on to some of my favorite coupons sites.........
Gotta go! Thanks for stopping by!
-Kourtney
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Retail is for Suckers!
Posted by Kourtney at 6:06 PM
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6 comments:
I am very impressed. I'm proabably going to need to go shopping with you some time so you can show me how all of that works! I am very tight with my money, I usually only buy clothes that are on sale, but I have never really used coupons very much or anything. So I am positive that you could probably help me out a little bit!
You remind me so much of two of my friends. I really don't like going shopping with them because all they do is bargain shop and make comments about me cause I will buy something full price. I like a sale as much as the next person, but doing all that is way to time consuming. Also, I like to have things at that moment and I have particular styles so most of the things on the clearance racks are not what I like. But I don't knock your hustle!
I am quick to use a coupon, whether it is at a grocery store or a clothing store. I like shopping for clothes, but hate paying full price for them. JC Penney has a brand of clothing named Bisou Bisou that I just love. I own several outfits of this brand, but have yet to pay full price for them. I am never in JC Penney without a coupon. A few months ago, I paid less than $30 for a denim skirt, denim vest, and a shirt. If I had paid full price, it would have been $92. I was so excited.
I have recently began printing my grocery coupons from online. This is such a convenience.
#1: sales are AWESOME! I also enjoy getting things for cheaper =P I rarely EVER pay full price for something! #2: You have a lot more patience than I do with the coupon clippings! The few times I sat down to clip them, I could never find any for products I actually buy. Mind you, I have gone online and printed off a few. Hmmm...and that's awesome that your dad let you keep the savings off the grocery bill!
You could be my shopping twin!!! I completely understand your bliss!! My mother and daughters use to tease me so much about my shopping habits, but I just love it when I get something on sale! It just makes my day. They all what to be like me now that they are spending their own money. Clipping coupons, shopping off season,and BOGO sales are my best friends. Today I bought a Black sweater that was originally 30 dollars for 12 dollars! I also got 2 necklaces for eight dollars.I can use them to dress up some of my last year sweaters. I am so excited!!
You should teach a Continuing Ed class! It would be full!
K. Smith
Eng. 226
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