Frozen Friday - Black Friday sale is not my thing

Line ups, overnight camping, pushing and shoving are the main reason I am not into Black Friday Deals.  Since we have never had this in Canada, it was not my thing.  When I move to San Jose, I was excited to see all the deals and how early the stores are open.  Although I mention it to Jeff that I will get up at 600 am to check it out, I never did go because of what I have heard from other friends who had experienced this one craziness of shopping.  I am sure some of the deals are amazing and if you are on a budget and have lots of gifts you need to purchase, then I guess you need to go.  But when you see how crazy some of the shoppers are when it comes to this day, I definitely don't even want to go out of the house for that day.  In a way, it's great that they don't have it in Canada but I have noticed the store flyers that came with our newspaper on Wednesday, that they are advertising for Black Thursday and Black Friday.  What is interesting is that no one has protested about using black in that context.  Is that even politically correct?  Why is there no White Friday or Red Friday? I mean I know the reason why they are using black, but now a days, you have to be careful when you are using those type of colors.  So to those who camped last night, those who got up very early to get in line, I hope that you get what you want and that no one gets hurt during all the shopping everywhere in the USA.  Be safe, be smart but most of all, have fun.

Treasure Tuesday - Bargain Hunting is my thing

It's all about searching for the right thing, being there at the right time and of course paying as little as possible for whatever item you require.  Although there are some things you have to just suck it up and pay for whatever price it is, because of their quality and life time warranty - is there such a thing?  Anyway, I am pleased that we found a few neat stores that are bargain like but not dollar store.  There's a couple we found in town and we have been lucky to find items that we needed for the home.  I like checking out stores that are different from what we were used to in San Jose.  Although I have to admit that there's a lot of my favorites back in the are we use to live and the bargains I can get there are even better.  But now that we are here, I need to switch over to what is available to us.  We are still just getting things as we go shopping and we find something at almost every store we go.  I know I can get some items in the more expensive store, but we have already been spending bigger items and so I have to keep things lower for items that are not as important.  It's getting closer and closer to finishing the decoration and much needed furnishings.  Here's some of the things we found. 

• Blender for $6  - Jeff will use it for blending his compost
• Bread Machine $ 15 - almost new and this is Jeff's new hobby, making bread
• Wire tool .50 cents - for my crafts
• Fabric flowers - for any arrangements for the home
• Warm wrap - for my during the cold temperatures day or night
• Wooden vase - a special size for that corner in the hallway
• Piano bench - repainted the legs and reupholstered the seat

Thrifty Thursday - Great bargain hunter

There's only 75 shopping days before Christmas and so we decided to shop last weekend for deals at Kohl's.  The great part about Kohl's is if you spend $50 you get $10 Kohl's cash.  I usually get to spend it for something that I need and I usually find a great deal.  For example, I went with my friend last Friday night and I bought a top for myself and for my daughter.  Since I had a $10 reward and my friend Jean gave me her 20% coupon, I end up paying only $3.65 for what I purchased.  Both tops were Vera Wang and the price is between $40 and $44.  When my MIL and I are shopping, whatever Kohl's cash she gets, she give it to me to use for whatever.  A couple of weeks ago, I used it for a nice navy blue hat and a set of bracelets.  Yesterday, I found a nice black top for my daughter and again the regular price is around $40 and I bought it for $900 and with my Kohl's cash from the Christmas shopping we did during the weekend, I got the top for free.  When you have the time to look through the special racks that are 80% off, it's definitely worth spending some time.  I can go through the rack pretty quick because I already have an idea what I am looking for and I know what I want to pay.  We will most like do another Christmas shopping before the end of the month to avoid the line up and the crowded store.  I happen to chat with my next door neighbor the other day and they just came back from Christmas shopping for their grandchildren.  Are you organize enough to get your shopping done early?  Are you one of those who likes to wait the last minute for bargains?  Next month they will have the Black Friday sale which is the one day we stay away from going out.  Have you seen those videos of how people behave that day?

ONLINE SHOPPING is very popular to those who wants to avoid the crowds.

                                                
     

 

Target Thursday - Early Christmas Shopping

Shopping is only fun when you are not rushing and not being in long line ups or bumping to every other shopper.  Some people shop as early as January and continue shopping throughout the year and of course there are many others just love the last minute kind.  For us we like doing it about a little over a month prior to Christmas.  Before we went out of town for Thanksgiving, we manage to do most of our Christmas shopping at Target.  It was after dinner time and it was not as busy and was surprised we completed it within the hour.  Although we might have to go another time to do the last few items on the last but it might be just online shopping.  Now a days it's getting harder and harder to buy gifts because the older ones almost have everything they need.  As for younger one, they are only interested if the gifts are TOYS.  If they open the gift and it's some sort of clothing, it just gets tossed on the side.  As the years go by I think that it's more practical to give through the year if you find something special that a family or friend might enjoy.  Why wait and lose the excitement of whatever item you might have found.  As for my Christmas list,  I have an imaginary one just for fun and for this blog.

 

 

 

Scavenger Sunday - Mission possible

There are simple things in life that a mother and daughter can do when they live so far away from each other.  Now a days people are constantly texting to keep in touch.  Some still call each other once a week or maybe twice a month.  Others choose to Skype, Facetime or video chat, who knows what else is out there.  Although my daughter and I do some of those, we play the Scavenger Hunt game.  My daughter sends me a list of items she needs but can't find in the area where she lives.  When I am out and about, I look for them and eventually get it.  Sometimes I can find it the first try, others might take three different stores before finding them.  Since I am retired, I have the time to do my hunt.  The mission is usually possible to complete in a couple of weeks.  The great part about her request is that she sends me very good details as well as photos or websites.  Although I don't send her expensive stuff, it's the little things that count.  Each package I send I would always try to add some small surprise that I think she will enjoy.  Simple things and small items that provides happiness and excitement. 

Treasure Thursday - When you find great deals

Since I am not working anymore, I am very careful with what I use my allowance each month.  That is why I try to do what I call a treasure hunt.  When I think I want something like a new purse, a new sandals or shoes, or really anything for myself but also for our home,

I try my very best to get the best deal or as they say "the best bang for my buck".  Even at times when I see something that I really really love, I would still wait for it to go on sale and if for some reason it's not there, then I would say "it's not meant to be.  My husband says I'm a really good shopper and also very lucky at times in finding things we need for the home.  Now you are probably wondering what I will be sharing with you as far as my recent result of my treasure hunt.  I was looking for a red one to replace the one I use to have but it broke.  I have organized my purse by their color and use them for specific months.  Twelve months in a year, four different colored purse to be used for three months.  Red is for December, January and February.  Yellow is for March, April and May.  Pink is June, July, August.  Orange is September, October, November.  Sometimes I might change my spring one to Turquoise or Green.  After my red one broke, I have been using my one black very expensive Cole Haan purse, which I don't use often because I did not want it to get old.  Anyway, introducing my new summer purse.

 

Fearless Friday - BFS

One would have to be fearless to go out and shop during Black Friday.  It was almost frightening to hear the police spokeperson to remind people who will be out today to be careful where they keep their wallet, phone, etc.  They want shoppers to be aware of their surroundings specifically the parking lot.  I would think that this is such a scary day then why would you go.  Unless you like the line up, people getting trampled, pushing and shoving and attacked at the parking lot, then I am guessing this is your kind of shopping.  Jeff said that if he can get a deal through amazon where the shipping is free and you don't even have to leave home, no line up and no traffic, then for him it's the best way to shop.  This year we agreed that we will not go wild about Christmas shopping, instead we will pick out gifts that are truly practical and useful.  Some of the stores even opened shortly after thanksgiving dinner yesterday until very early morning.  I guess I love my sleep and prefer not to get up very early to check out what deals I can get.  Honestly, the truth is we don't really need anything and if we do we can just get it later when it's much more pleasant to shop.  We plan to get some of the gifts between the first week and second week of December.  Check out this photo from last year.  If you are in fact going, please be safe and hopefully it's worth it.

When Wednesday - Just because

Nothing special today, just sharing a few photos and some new items I found while shopping with my MIL yesterday.

When my daughter ask me to check out something, I would usually go the same day or the next day.  She would then say, it's not urgent, just whenever you are out and about.  I guess sometimes she forgets that I am retired and I have much more free time than her.  I also love checking out new things for her because I ended up liking whatever she is testing.  So today is about food seasoning in a shaker bottle.  Here's what I found for her and I hope she likes them.

I know she likes the first one but I thought I would get her more to try.

If you have been following my blog you would maybe remember a post I did about flip flops.  When I saw these pretty things that you attach to your boring flip flops, I was very happy with what I saw and I am very excited to show you.  The first photo are my economy ones because I got them for a dollar.  Now add those clip-ons and I have some first class flips.

Plain, boring and regular

 

Fancy, bling and little special

 

Maybe Monday - One more day to shop

For most of the people, there are still 22 more shopping days before Christmas but for me, I have one more trip to the stores and that's it.  After seeing how busy they have been after the Thanksgiving weekend, I knew that it was time to do our shopping and get it done.  Jeff and I had done a little bit prior to Thanksgiving week and we were so glad we did.  Now we only need a handful of gifts to get and hopefully we will be finished by the end of this week.

Do I have a Christmas wish list? Yes but it's just a wish list and it's not a realistic list but I thought it was fun to do.

• Electric Massage Seat with heater
• Red skinny wallet
• Nike golf pants for winter
• Izod long sleeve golf shirt
• DOT perfume by Marc Jacobs
• Snuggie Microplush Blanket
• Zester for our kitchen

Not sure what the scent is but this one is so cute.

   

Truthful Thursday - Customer Service

Every now and again, I like completing surveys because sometimes I think it's fun answering the different questions and of course sometimes there is a benefit to completing it.  But last night, I completed a survey because I did not like what happened during my shopping experience at the Bed, Bath and Beyond store.  It was almost closing time and I was the second in line.  The customer before me had a little issue with his credit card and ended up not completing the transaction and had to leave the merchandise.  Once I was at the check out, the female cashier and the male supervisor started talking about the customer that had issues with the credit card.   They made some comments and sort of making fun of the situation.  The male associate was bragging that he has five credit card with NO LIMIT.  Truthfully, I think they were rude because they were talking about it in front of another customer.  They did not even wait until I was finished with the transaction.  The female cashier told me that I could complete the survey and receive 20% OFF COUPON.  As soon as I got home, I logged on and completed the survey.  I don't understand how this people work at retail and have customer service etiquette.

A few years ago while visiting my BFF in Ottawa, something similar to the above story happened at a store called Giant Tiger.  Lorna and I were shopping for some items and while in line at the checkout, Cashier A (an older woman), the other Cashier B (young girl) asked a question from Cashier A.  She responded so rudely and made derogatory remarks that Cashier B was almost in tears.  Lorna told me to leave all our items at the checkout and told Cashier A that we don't want to support a store who are so disrespectful to their employees.  Once outside, I told Lorna, "but I wanted those items" and she replied "you'll get over it".   

Have you walked out of a store because you did not like the service?  Have you voiced out your opinion then walk out?  Do you like completing surveys so you can vent out your disappointments?