The Holiday Season

Another Holiday season is upon us and this year as the Frugal Diva, I am not prepared.  So, for me it is window bargain shopping.  But for you, it can be a great day to save.  As I have said before, I do not go and face the crowds on Black Friday, I hit the internet.  Yes, I will be window shopping on the internet.  So, here are my top 3 online bargain shopping sites:

Online

Overstock  www.overstock.com – I used to really love this site.  They advertise a lot more now.  The sad part is that when some sites become more popular, their prices go up, so I would take advantage of shopping here, but I would still pay attention to make sure that I am getting a good bargain.

No more rack  www.nomorerack.com  -  I love this site.  This site has everything, and you can get some great deals.  I have purchased some great quality items from this site.  

I Herb  www.iherb.com  -  If you are into health or you have friends who are health nuts this is the place to go and the prices are right.  They even have health supplements for pets.  Also, depending on how much you order, you can get free shipping.  If you want to make gift baskets or stocking stuffers for Christmas, and your friends or family are into health, this would be a great place to go. 

Now, I do venture out, after Black Friday.  And when I am in Frugal Diva mode, I am in gift basket and stocking stuffer mode.  Here are my top 3 for Bricks and Mortar. 

Bricks and Mortar

Tuesday Morning www.tuesdaymorning.com  - If I am making gift baskets, I usually go here instead of an arts and crafts store.  Why?  I can usually get a higher quality basket for a lower price.  Of course, this store has all types of items that make great stocking stuffers and it wont torture your budget.  

TJ Maxx  www.tjmaxx.tjx.com – This place has clothes, gadgets, snacks and accessories. What else could a girl want?  Don’t get lost in the shoe and purse aisles; you are shopping for others, not for yourself.  (OK, this is what I tell myself.)  You can also shop online with TJ Maxx.  But I think that you will find better deals if you pound the pavement. 

Ross www.rossstores.com – This is TJ Maxx’s competitor, and I have found great deals there as well. 

Stating the Obvious

Well, of course you see the Amazon advertisements on my sites.  Do I shop at www.amazon.com ?   Well, yes I do.  Do they have great savings?  Yes.  So, why aren’t they on my top 3 list?  Well, when I think of Amazon, I think of 3 things first: variety, delivery and books.  And then, I think about the fact that they have great bargains.  When I think of the other sites, I think of bargains first.  Also, Amazon is not a site that I visit only during the Holiday Season; it is a site that I visit all year long.

Happy Holidays!!! 

 

Happy Savings!!

Lessons Learned…

Gesu -  My Elementary School

I have constantly looked over my life and my current situation, to try to understand what I am supposed to learn being in this situation.  My conclusion is… being part of the Poor/Working Class is bullshit.  Please pardon my French.  But here are the lessons that I have learned so far…

Lesson #1

Poor/working class people have no room for error in their lives.  And, when your financial situation is close to poverty, everything is far from perfect.  I went to go boot shopping, yesterday, because I need new boots for winter.  I stopped at one store and thought, OK, I will get these, but then I stopped.  I realized that I might find something better elsewhere.  In my past, if I found a boot that I liked better, I would just buy them as well.  Now, I have to really look at is it what I need.  Also, I usually have more than one pair of boots for the season and that time is over for now.  As a Frugal Diva, I would just go to TJ Maxx or Burlington’s and get a couple of pairs.  I can’t afford that, as a Working Class Diva, I can afford one pair, that’s it.  There is no discretionary spending, not even for the Holiday season. 

Lesson #2

I have learned is that time really does move faster as you get older.  There are so many things that I always said that I would get to later, and too much time has passed.  I don’t know where it went, but it has gone and I have missed out on great friendships and opportunities. 

Lesson #3

There is no use kicking yourself about your past.  The past is meant for reminiscing and learning, not punishing yourself for time that you can’t get back. 

Lesson#4 

Some pills are just hard to swallow.  I have always believed that you treat people the way you want to be treated, not the way you think that they should be treated.  That belief comes with a price, because everyone is not going to believe what you believe.  The mission is to do your best, without any expectation.

Life is Funny....

You know, I abandoned my blog, because I didn't have to be a Frugal Diva anymore.   No, I was not adopted by one of the Rockefellers, however, I was able to make my bills and I didn't have to stay up worrying, how I was going to pay them.  But, life is funny, it only takes a few unplanned moments to pull the rug from up under you, and, you can end up right back where you started.  I don't know how it happened, I had tried to plan better, and to acquire more skills, however, the rug was still pulled and I remained on my behind.  One of the places that I know that money went was school.   However, I need to finish my graduate degree, and I am close.  So, that was not a waste.  My biggest problem this time, is when I saw things falling down, I panicked to the point that I couldn't move.   I went into shock, instead of action, which is what I usually did.  So, I am back, to help me work through managing my crappy budget with my crappy pay.  Well, I am not alone, so enough pity, time for action.