… if it’s $2 or $3 at Pat Catan’s. On Tuesday I picked up three of them at the store on West Market Street in Akron. In the past they’ve been just “grab bags” — miscellaneous unsold or unsaleable items that you could see because the bag was clear plastic. But they are currentlyselling “mystery” bags packed in white plastic bags so you don’t really know what you’re getting unless you get a good peek inside. I have gotten a ton of stuff I have been able to use for my art and crafts with the kids as well as items I’ve been able to give away to friends and teachers. For example, some of the stuff I just got in one of the $3 bags was a purse, three hats, three scarves, paper napkins and plates, thank you cards, invitations, tape, party treat bags and craft items. The stores don’t always have them, and they vary in store location, but it’s worth asking about. You never know what kind of goodies you’ll get!
Archive for the ‘Smart shopping’ Category
Can’t resist a mystery bag
Thursday, May 20th, 2010Cool foreign coins, cheap
Saturday, May 15th, 2010My son is now into coins, “gold” and other “treasure.” I found a great place to get some for him — ABC Art & Coin Exchange, 8910 Brecksville Road in Brecksville (open M-F 10-4, S 10-3). There have boxes filled with coins of all denominations from countries around the world . Some can’t be used anymore, like French francs, but I think some could still be used if we ever happen to be in a country like Singapore(!). There were even some cool wavy ones from Hong Kong, a country which doesn’t even exist anymore. Best thing — they cost 15 cents each, or 8 for a dollar. So for $5 (40 coins) I’ll look like a real hero on his upcoming birthday!
Etsy: a treasure trove of handmade, vintage goods
Friday, May 14th, 2010There are a zillion items on there made by people from all over the world. Make it a zillion + 11: I’ve just put my mirrors up for sale on etsy; more originals to come.
A $49 annual investment which keeps paying off
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Ebay: not as bad as I thought
Sunday, March 14th, 2010For someone who’s such a bargain hunter, it took me a long, long time before I tried shopping on Ebay. People had gone on and on about the deals they had found there, but I was very suspicious and skeptical. I must confess, however, that I have recently begun to appreciate its presence, though I tread carefully because I can totally see how it could be addictive. I don’t feel comfortable with all the fierce bidding on “hot” items like iPods (though I did get an older generation shuffle and nano from Ebay). But I’ve been having really good luck on buying “Lion King” items for my “Lion King” obsessed daughter. It’s been a really inexpensive way to get her books, prints and toys because so many people are willing to dump the stuff their kids stopped playing with 10 years ago. As for selling stuff on Ebay, I’m just not brave enough to do that yet. Baby steps!!
Be the hero at your office …
Friday, February 5th, 2010for just $5 … if you are anywhere near the Donut Connection on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls. They’re running a special (which I wish my husband hadn’t told me about — I have about as much self-control with donuts as I do with cookies!!) which is $5 for a dozen donuts after 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Can you say YUM?? Plus, there is a coupon on the box for 2 free donuts with purchase of 1 jumbo coffee. Just what I need … another reason to go back there!!! (not!)
If you use iTunes …
Monday, February 1st, 2010Giant Eagle has a special running Feb. 4-17. Buy $50 or more in iTunes gift cards with your Giant Eagle Advantage Card and get $10 off a future Giant Eagle grocery order. iTunes gift cards are always great to have on hand for b-days (especially teenagers!) or other special occasions, or for yourself, when you run out of store credit! I took advantage of this when they ran this promotion before Christmas. Just remember to use the $10 coupon for Giant Eagle before it expires (I think it’s only good for a month). (I got lucky and stumbled across mine by accident the day it expired!). I know, I know, I sound like a commercial again, but I’m just saying, if you buy iTunes gift cards anyway, you may as well get something out of it!
If you’re a chocoholic who lives near Green …
Monday, January 18th, 2010
get to the Harry London store ASAP. They have a bunch of candy 75% off. That means a 1 lb. box of assorted chocolates, creams, or mint meltaways is just $5.75, and a 1/2 lb. box of mint meltaways is just $3. The reason I say to get there quickly is that while we were there today, people had their arms loaded up with the stuff. Who could blame them? If you’ve ever had Harry London Candies, you know they are really, really, really yum-my. (Okay, I have a confession. We were going to buy a 1 lb. box of the mint meltaways, but the salesclerk talked us into a box that’s almost 4 lbs. for $14.99 (yes, 4 lbs. for $14.99 when 1 lb. normally sells for $22.99!). Yikes! But she said you can freeze them for up to 6 months; use them in hot chocolate, ice cream or other desserts; or give them away (yeah, right!) I know, I know, we have a problem.)
Does your credit card give you money back?
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009If so, I read this tip in the paper the other day: redeem your rewards now. Credit card companies may be changing or ending their incentive programs next year, and you don’t want to lose out. I always choose to get checks or credit to my account rather than gift cards, and when I redeemed my rewards the other day, I saw that my credit card company had upped the minimum redemption for cash back from $25 to $50. I know, it’s one more thing to add to your “to do” list, but it’s worth the couple minutes it takes.
Coke product lovers — make sure you’re getting your rewards!
Sunday, December 13th, 2009Coke’s one of my vices (a Coke a day keeps Cari okay) and for once, a vice pays off! We clip and save the codes on the 12-pack cartons (10 points) and the bottle tops (3 points) of Coke and Coke products and are registered at www.mycokerewards.com. We’re not huge consumers, so it takes a while for our points to add up. But in the past couple years, I’ve gotten coupons for free 12-packs as well as a Coke T-shirt, a Coke tote bag and a free photo mug from Snapfish. And last night, for just 285 points, I got a free 8.5 x 11 photo book from Snapfish, complete with leather cover! Yes, I paid shipping and handling (which you don’t for Coke products, by the way) but that was $6.99 for a book that would have cost $24.99 plus the $6.99. (I was making a photo book for a friend who got married this past summer so this is going to make a perfect — and inexpensive — gift!). They’ve got all kinds of stuff — check the site out and see for yourself! Hey, if you’re going to buy the stuff, you may as well make it work for you!