Thrifty Thursday and Fabulous Friday Combo Day

Sometimes

I love shopping.

When one has enough money to provide the essentials it is fun to shop for silly stuff.

I always love bargain shopping!

BillHubby and I keep a running list of things we need and things we want.

I am so glad that we think on similar wavelengths. 

Last week we went out and about on a few missions.

We stopped at a few places in search of the perfect thermos jug so he can take coffee to work. 

The two travel mugs he was using are leaky and 

the second cup was lukewarm by the time he wanted to drink it.

There were stops at Dick's Sporting Goods, Target (Targhet if ya wanna get all fancy) and Orvis.

Can you believe there were no large thermoses at Dick's!? 

I mean it's a Sporting Goods store for heaven's sake! 

C'mon now.

Targhet had good prices.

But I convinced BillHubby to stop at Orvis. 

Orvis has really top of the line quality products. 

The clothes are fantastic.

The gear is reliable.

The prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!

Isn't this bowl the cutest? 

This is the best type of squirrel. 

Adorable and non-trouble making.

This bowl would look so at home on a shelf in our home amidst my Raleigh, 

The City of Oaks, acorns and pics, right?

 

(See how small it is next to my hand?)

Um, yeah, I don't think so. 

(I really can't take him anywhere.)

After we took this picture we were swarmed with attentive sales folk. 

Guess they don't allow playing with the merch.

Stuffed shirts.

The nice lady showed us a Stanley thermos that would meet BillHubby's needs.

It was sturdy.

It was big.

It had a nice cup.

It was $45!

(Yes, that IS my shopping notebook. It's where I keep our running lists)

A few days later.

Targhet.

Picture taken to send to BillHubby so he can choose.

That Stanley, yeah the green one.

Yeah, the exact same one that Orvis was selling for $45.

$25

SOLD

I still think Orvis merchandise rocks. 

20 years ago I worked in a catalog return store. 

We carried L.L. Bean, J Crew, Orvis, Victoria's Secret and other catalog over run and returned merchandise.

I still have a wonderful Orvis Barn Coat and several J Crew Sweaters and Corduroy shirts. 

Those products have held up to the test of time.

Shopping around either in person or online is the only way to compare prices, products and save money.

BillHubby is happy to report that his new Stanley Thermos is exceeding his expectations in the transport and the keeping hot of his coffee!
FABULOUS!!!! 

Next Week: Local thrift shops that support other organizations and causes.

Thrifty Thursday - Bargain Shopping

Throw a rock in our house and it's bound to hit a bargain shopped, 
thrift store purchased, or free item.

Folks who thrift shop do it for all sorts of reasons. 

It could be economic - they're broke,

could be cause they are stingy - and seldom broke,

could be the thrill of the hunt.

I think I inherited a bargain shopping/stingy gene. 

There have certainly been times in my life that bargain shopping was a necessity more than a fun adventure.

But I do love the thrill of the hunt!

(Wait, did I tell you to throw a rock in my house?!?! Don't do it please.)

Recently I determined I NEEDED - not wanted, though I did - a new iron.

 Here's my "old" iron. 

It's a Panasonic. 

When I think of Panasonic I think of electronics. 

You know, radios, TVs, stereo systems.

Not irons.

Nothing really wrong with this one. It works.

But it is so very light weight. 

And when you are trying to iron cotton fabrics the weight of the iron helps smooth those inevitable cotton wrinkles. 

Seriously, it's true.

I looked at the Rowenta irons. 

I read so much about Rowenta being the end all, be all of irons in the crafting/sewing world.

Rowenta irons cost about a bajillion dollars.

I refuse to spend a bajillion dollars on an iron unless it works all by itself and brings me breakfast in bed.

Am I right? 

Last Saturday, our friends, Matt and Shirley, were in town. 

We met up at the North Carolina State University Book Store. 

Matt and their daughter, Jenny, are alums. 

They were shopping for State stuff and looking at the baby gear for the first GrandBaby that's on its way!!! Yippee!

Afterwards, we had a yummy lunch at local institution, since 1951, 
The Players' Retreat.

Then, what shall we do now?

I had already spotted the iron I wanted at Ollie's, 
an East Coast discount warehouse-y store chain.        

Matt and Shirley live in eastern NC miles from big stores.

 We went to Ollie's. 

I think Shirley bought everything she'll need for months! :)

I grabbed this iron. 

For $23.

It retails from $59 on Amazon to $24 on the Wal-Mart website. 
Plus you'd have to pay shipping costs.

I am happy. 

  Then the guys wanted to ramble around Best Buy. 
Yuck. 
Nothing against Best Buy but all the boys do is look at electronics and gab about electronics while they are there. 

Shirley and I went to Big Lots. 
Another big discount store.

There was my new iron. 
The iron I had just happily purchased for $23.

Big Lots price - $19.

I was not happy.

$4 is $4.
$4 is 4 small Frostys at Wendy's 
$4 is 4 loaves of bread.
$4 is 4 boxes of BillHubby's fave candy - Sweet Tarts.

I bought the iron - again.

    
Ollie's was on the way home. 
The nice lady at the Return Desk remembered me. 
(I hadn't been gone but an hour.)

She asked why I was returning it. 
I told her. She said she would have done the same. 

Black and Decker makes solid products. 
This iron is heavy.
The soleplate is smooth as silk.
The cotton wrinkles disappear with one slide over the fabric.
It heats up in a jiffy and has that wonderful automatic turn-off switch if you leave it sitting for a few minutes.

Comparison shopping pays off.

I am happy.

Why and where do you bargain shop?