Use That Free Cash

I often like to shop at Target and Walmart for cheaper prices, but since we moved, we've been shopping sometimes at KMart, since that's all that is close by. Like most stores, they also have a rewards program where you get points depending on your purchases. Those points are like dollars and can be redeemed as cash.

I didn't understand that at first and let several points expire. But then I realized that you can apply them to purchases just like cash. Once I figured that out, I didn't feel so bad about missing my other stores.


For instance, I had $5 free cash to use, so I found a $27 purse on sale for $6.99. I used the free cash toward my purchase, so the purse only cost me $2.14! YAY! for KMart!

Too Good to Leave Behind

I think I've mentioned before a little thrift store we often visit. It's called Dove's and they use the money they make for a domestic violence outreach. So not only do we find amazing bargains there, but we know our money goes to a great cause.

We happened in the other day, and I found this beautiful like-new LEATHER jacket. And what woman doesn't need a purple jacket? Especially a leather one to keep the cold out? It was inexpensive already, but it was Senior Day, offering a bonus 20% off (Getting older does have it's perks!). So this amazing jacket was only $9! SCORE!!!

Fresh Pizza

If you have a Your Pie store in your area, you must try it! They have fresh, made to order pizzas with your choice of toppings, paninis, salads, cheese sticks, gelato and wine and craft beer. It is so good!

It is a family friendly atmosphere, and although they aren't over-priced anyway, they have SPECIALS!

One day a year on 3/14, they have a #YourPieDay with almost everything discounted. But they also have regular nights when some items are discounted, so sign up for their emails and you won't miss out. This photo was our two pizzas and my glass of wine. :)

Last night in Indio, they had a special beer night where if you ordered a certain kind, you got to keep the glass. Plus, both beer and wine was only $3.14! They also had their yummy cheese sticks for only $3.14!! You can't beat that!

Prices in Arizona

If you're a Californian as I am, we all pretty much hate our cost of living with the constant tax hikes. Our latest one on gasoline is enough to make us truly consider moving to another state (although I doubt we ever would...but you never know.) That feeling was reinforced lately as we visited nearby Arizona. Where our gas prices are up well over $3.00 now, just look at these prices.
If you live outside of CA, count your blessings!

Hats

So if you follow me at all, most likely you know I love hats. I have many, many (too many) hats, and I wear baseball hats most of the time. I try not to wear logos or insignias unless they are meaningful to me, and I often wear a simple, plain hat.

Today I found the "mother load" of plain baseball style hats, all selling for just $.50 each. I had bought one before because it had been marked down to $2. I thought that was a great deal, but for $.50 each, I got one in every color! 

They were still marked $2 each. So it just goes to show that you can't necessarily trust the sticker and you should ask about the current price if interested in an item. It may be silly, but all six hats together were only $3!

Which one do you like best on me? :) 

FB Marketplace

I have tried many methods in the past ten years or so to sell belongings online, mostly unsuccessfully. First, it was eBay. Then, it was Craig's List. But right now, the hot place to try is the FaceBook Marketplace.

If you have a FB profile already, then you have access to the marketplace. The link to it is on your wall. Easy, peasy. You can list items which are seen by anyone searching for items, not just FB friends. It shows the town you're in, but does not give specifics or any additional information. It is perfect for local selling, with people coming to you (or you can choose to meet them somewhere if it's something small); however, it is not limited just to local people. We have had people make over a two hour drive to pick something up from us. You also have the opportunity to see their profile so you know who you're meeting.

I always ask for cash. Or I've had people pay me through PayPal if they couldn't come right away and wanted me to hold an item for them. In the past month, we've sold tables, chairs, lamps, a desk, a dog house and several other items which we're heavy and we did not want to have to move. So it definitely seems to be what is working right now.

Of course, be wary of strangers coming to your home and take precautions. But if you have things to sell, you don't have to wait for a garage sale. Try the FB Marketplace. 

Man Shoes

I hate to make another post about shoes, but at least this time they aren't for me. We just happened to find some shoes in the hubby's size on clearance, and they were marked WAY down. I asked the shoe department man about the price, and he said to take them to the register and they should honor that price. Looking at it later, it still didn't look right, but I DID ask about it.
When we got to the register, I asked about it again and said what the shoe department man had said. With no question, the manager came and authorized the price. So Kevin got a brand new pair of $75.00 Converse high-tops which were on sale for $15 for $2.99.
Even if they're ugly, we couldn't leave them behind!

Speaking of Shoes

You most likely know that I love to shop at thrift stores to see what kind of bargains I can find. But I am not one to buy clothes there very often, as I feel odd about wearing other people's things. But occasionally, if I find something like new and it's a deal, I consider an item.
Well, again, I needed a dressy type shoe, and just happened to find a pair at the local thrift store that looked brand new for just a few dollars. They were my size, so I bought them. They're just what I wanted...something to go with skirts or dresses, without too tall of a heel, and they look nice.
You never know what you're going to find. Plus, this particular store uses the proceeds to help victims of domestic violence. Win-Win!

Ladies Love Shoes

Ladies love shoes, right? I know I do, and I definitely have plenty..actually, way too many. But when a store is practically giving them away, I am happy to take them. Wouldn't you be too?
I was at (you guessed it!) Kohl's, my favorite store to find bargains. Because of a previous shopping trip, I had $10 in free money to spend plus a 20% discount. I found two pairs of shoes, and they were a kind that I really like. No matter how inexpensive, I won't buy things if I won't use them. The shoes were on sale for only $6.99 a pair. 
So with the free money and the discount, I got BOTH pair for $3.43!!! That made each pair only $1.59. :))

Love My Coffee

There are two kinds of people in the world. One who loves coffee and one who doesn't. Plain and simple. I am the first kind of person beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have enjoyed coffee all of my life, as far back as in my baby bottle. Now before you get all upset at my parents for that, it was probably a teaspoon in an entire bottle of milk, just for flavor.

That continues to be why I drink coffee today. I don't drink it for the caffeine. In fact, I drink it for the taste and the warm, soothing feeling it gives me. I even try to drink decaf more than regular coffee, although the taste often leaves something to be desired, which is why most people can't be bothered.

But I have found a delicious AND inexpensive decaf at Trader Joe's. It is their house brand simple decaf, and maybe it tastes great because it comes in whole bean form which you have to grind yourself. A 14 oz. can is only $5.99. So it tastes fresh, rich and delicious. I highly recommend it. But save some for me.