Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Bargain Hunters Paradise

If you are looking for a good bargain, this is a great time of year to find one. Retailers are trying to get rid of any leftover holiday and winter related stock, as well as make room for upcoming spring fashions. This can be the best time of year to buy coats, jeans, and other cold weather wear.

Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to make a list of what you are shopping for. Start by going through yours and your child’s closets and drawers evaluating what will still be able to be worn this year. Then, make a list of what you and your family actually need. When you go shopping with a list in hand, you will stay on budget and be less likely to buy impulse items.

At the same time, keep an eye out for each retailer’s weekly sales flyers. Each store will likely have a big sale on one or two items, in order to draw shoppers in. It may take a little bit of time to run around to each store in order to buy just the sales items, but it could save you a lot of money. Keep an eye on your gas gauge too, as sometimes it may actually cost more in the long run to chase after those bargains!

If you are crafty, you can buy plain items, such as t-shirts and let your kids customize them. Some easy ways to do this are with fabric paints or iron on transfers.

While many people head straight to retail stores, going to consignment shops, yard sales, and sites such as eBay can be more budget friendly. Before buying any used clothing, check for any tears, rips, or stains.

Happy hunging!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Winter Wonderland

Oh the weather outside is frightful! And when the wind blows in my direction the inside is pretty frightful too! I live in an older apartment building and the windows rattle so hard sometimes I think I will end up in OZ.

Don't get me wrong. I love winter. I loved it more when I was younger. I love it better when I don't have to go out and slip and slither my way around in it.

We've been spoiled in our little lowland bit of southeastern Ontario in the last few years. Last year I even managed to go without boots most of the time. I have to admit, when Mother Nature decides we're gonna be in for it, we ARE in for it.

This year has had many ups and downs and not all of them have been recorded for posterity. Some downs in fact deserve to be relegated into obscurity post haste! Some ups I should have blogged about and didn't. Some in-betweens probably deserved an honourable mention or two.

So here you are, for the sake of auld lang syne, are a couple of my parting shots at the year 2008.