Keep An Eye Out For Those Clearance Items

I just ran out on my lunch hour because I had to stop at the mall to look at some dishes (divorce left me without a set that can go in the microwave). From previous posts, you know I'm a habitual clearance rack shopper. In fact, I have to restrain myself because in the past I'd impulse buy on the clearance racks and never use the product. Anyways, our local Sears always has a section of clearance shoes (which I do always scope out) but I never found any incredible deals. Today they had all clearance 'buy one get one half price'. On top of that they reduced a bunch of the shoes to $9.99 (some fairly decent ones at that). I bought myself 4 pairs (3 sneakers and 1 work shoe) for only $29.96 plus tax. You can't get one pair for that price. I was able, at this price, to try some different styles. One of the pairs of sneakers, I thought, would look good with the Khakis I wear to work. These shoes easily would have run over $100.00 (and that would have been a sale.

Keep those eyes peeled for the specials; but restrain yourself to buy just what you need.

Looks Like Others Love Target for Clearance Merchandise Too

The Buffalo News today had an article about a system of shopping for clearance items at Target. The term 'perimeter perusing' was dubbed in the article for the practice of looking at the stores endcaps facing the walls for the best clearance deals.

I have been shopping like this at Target for probably over 10 years now. I've found deals ranging from a $15 hot/cold water cooler (regularly $80+) to $2 pants for the kids. See my post from January about one of my clearance shopping runs. My most recent purchase (last week) was a gas grill cover for my Mom for $6.48 regularly $27 because it was one of the good PVC lined covers.

I just found her article on-line, read it at the link below:
Are 'secret sales' real or delusions? by Samantha Maziarz Christmann of The Buffalo News

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Came across this post at The Simple Dollar (while Stumbling...StumbleUpon Firefox Extension). At the very least, it looks like an interesting home science experiment.

How To Make Your Own Laundry Detergent - And Save Big Money (The Simple Dollar)

Speaking of Cheap Tools...

I did splurge on a deal at Lowes over the weekend. I somehow got on a mailing list at Lowes. I don't know if I signed up for the list on the web or if they just put me on the list when I had the pellets for my pellet stove delivered by them the last two years. Anyways... They had sent me this card for $10 off a $25 purchase. Well, it was going to expire Sunday. So as I was heading home from my Mom's (me and my brother were moving the shed that blew over), I remembered the card in my wallet and figured 'Lowes is right at the exit off the thruway'; so I took an hour long stroll through the store.
I finally came across something that I have been wanting to purchase for years. A tool that can track an outlet to a circuit breaker. I have an old house and there is some crazy wiring in here. With this maybe I will finally be motivated to map all my circuits. Anyways, it cost $29; with the coupon, only $19...woohoo! Couldn't let that coupon go to waste...heck it's almost half off.

List of Money Saving Tips at Frugal For Life

Dawn at Frugal For Life posted a list with some good ides for saving money.
Checkout the list here:
The BIG list of tips to save money at Frugal For Life

How to Compost by Simply Thrifty

I feel that part of living a thrifty/frugal lifestyle is responsibly handling our waste products. I do my best with using the recycling tub the town provides (actually I go to great lengths to prepare all I can for recycling).
Another alternative is composting. I've never really tried it before myself (although my daughter has just recently taken up composting as a project). I think I will give it a try (maybe starting in the spring so I can do it outside (cold Western New York winters).

Anyways, Deborah at Simply Thrifty found a nice video which she posted to her blog that shows how to get started. Check out her post at the link below:

How to Compost by Simply Thrifty

Good Story of Spendthrift Mentality

One of the blogs I like to read is What Works For Us. They have a bit of a comical post about an in-store conversation with another shopper spending $20 on a bowl for garbage. It's a perfect example of spendthrift mentality. I guess money isn't an obstacle for some. If people want to spend their money like this, I really have no problem with it...I'm not jealous about it. It's usually these same people that put $1 in the collection basket at Church, though.

Read the post about their brief encounter here:

The Gift of Trash at What Works For Us

Full Freezer = Lower Electric Bills

I guess I shouldn't complain when our freezer is packed so tight you can't find a thing in it without calling in an excavation crew. Apparently when the freezer is full, this helps reduce the electric draw of the freezer...makes sense...less open air to cool.

Check out the post at What Works For Us:

Save $$ - Keep Freezer Full at What Works For Us

Thrifty and Creative: Great tip for getting pet odors out of Carpet!!!

I've been trying various methods to get a cat urine smell out of carpet. Came across this one at Thrifty and Creative. I'll have to give this a shot...what do I have to lose. If anyone has experience with this (especially this method), let me know.

Thrifty and Creative: Great tip for getting pet odors out of Carpet!!!

Uses For Newspapers by Frugal For Life

Frugal For Life compiled a list of uses for newspapers (other than throwing in the garbage or recycling bin).

Check out the list... there are a lot of good ideas.

Frugal For Life: Uses for Newspapers

Extending the Life of Razor Blades

Folks over at Lifehacker found a Chicago Tribune article about extending the life of razor blades. Years ago, would have sounded silly. But nowadays, for some razors, the blades are expensive. Anyways, use the link below to go to the Lifehacker article (which links to the Tribune). Read the comments from people at Lifehacker too for additional ideas.

How to: Extend the Life of Your Razor Blades - Lifehacker.com

33 Things You Can Recycle by Simply Thrifty

A nice site for savings ideas, Simply Thrifty, had a great post on recycling ideas. With a list of 33 items ranging from yard waste to high tech products like computers and pda's. Coincidentally, right after I read the post, I picked up my Workbench magazine (a subscription I got free, by the way, through freebizmag.com) and on page 8 of the October issue they sure enough have an article on recycling fluorescent light bulbs (item #14 on Deborah's list at Simply Thrifty...something I would never have thought about.

33 Things You Can Recycle by Simply Thrifty

Visit Edmunds.com Before Visiting the Car Dealer

There is a wealth of information on new and used cars at Edmunds.com. It is well worth the few minutes to research on this site before visiting the dealer.

10 Smartest Ways to Live Beneath Your Means - Dumb Little Man

The popular blog, Dumb Little Man, has a great post titled '10 Smartest Ways to Live Beneath Your Means. Some great common sense ideas. Be sure to check it out. Read my comments on this post on the Dumb Little Man site also.