Packing items for college bound students? Well, one way to make sure that you don’t get a load of washing from them every weekend, is to send them off to school with products that will do the job! Keep those clothes looking like new and spotless, and save money. Tide® Total Care™ Cool Cotton prevents fabrics from pilling, preserves the color and shape of the garment while cleaning your clothes thoroughly and keeping them soft next to your body. Now get a coupon online for a $1 off.

Tide To Go® Instant Stain Remover helps rid your clothes of those lunch stains before that important meeting with the boss. Never let a spill cut short your activites with Tide To Go®. Save $1 off this item, too, by downloading a coupon from Tide.

Well, Shopping Clearance 101 continues with this lesson. You find an item on the clearance rack or clearance bin, but it doesn’t have a price tag. Is it regular merchandise placed wrongly in the clearance section? Or, you find an item marked down by 50% on a 75% clearance rack. Was the item overlooked in repricing or is it correct?

Markdown Mom’s Shopping Rule #1: Always scan the UPC label for everything that you purchase before you buy it. By doing this you may be surprised at your extra savings and, further, you avoid any checkout overcharges.

If the store doesn’t have a customer scanner, ask the clerk to check it with a hand scanner. Knowing the price ahead of time helps in the decision-making process as to its’ purchase. First rule of thumb, any items that you like, but are unsure of the price, put it into the cart. It’s easier than going back to find a particular item if you change your mind.

Sometimes regular merchandise gets mixed in with the clearance. However, at other times, not all the clearance on the rack have been ticketed with the reduced price. For instance, recently Markdown Mom found a top that was priced at 50% markdown on a 75% off sale rack. Now many waiting for a better price would have put it back. But Markdown Mom took it to the scanner that showed it was indeed 75% off!

Sometimes you will find items with no price in a clearance bin or rack like this L’Oreal Lineur Intense eyeliner. Oftentimes, this is regular merchandise discarded willy-nilly by a customer. On this occasion, Markdown Mom checked with a clerk and indeed it was on clearance, instead of retail price of $8.99, Markdown Mom paid 87¢!

Another instance of why it is good practice to scan your prices is that the price may not have been changed at the register and to prevent an overcharge, it’s good to be prepared and correct it when it is scanned in by the salesperson. For instance, DVD movies were on a special rack at 2 for $11.00, but one of the movies rang up at $6.99. Letting the salesperson know ahead of time, prevented the wrong price from being charged and an bill adjustment at the customer service desk.

With bargains hard-to-find, and money harder-to-come by, every centavo counts. Rechecking prices takes a little more time, but if you take the time to go through the racks and the bins to find a bargain, taking a little more time can really pay off.

Scan Twice & Save More!

One of our bargain hunters, who is an expert in the petroleum industry, sent these suggestions on how to save money at the pump, and MarkdownMom would like to share them with you:

TIPS ON PUMPING GAS

1. Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the
ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their
storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense
the gasoline. As it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the
afternoon or in the evening….your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

2. When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast
mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)stages: low,
middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed,
thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping.

All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some
other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being
sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting
less worth for your money.

3. Fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster
than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating
roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the
atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

4. If there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage
tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up–most likely the gasoline is
being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some
of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you
get the most value for your money.

5. Lessen creation of vapors by parking in the shade, not in the sun. Heat makes the molecules speed-up and increases evaporation. Plus parking in the shade prevents sitting on a “hot seat!”

*photo courtesy of Aria @imagereferencedatabase.com

Many items today that are made of brass come with a sealant, so that polishing is a thing of the past. On sealed brass with a lacquered finish, simply wipe with a clean, damp cloth. However antique brass is another story. If you do not want to keep the patina that comes with age, then you must use elbow grease and polish the brass. Anyone who has polished brass the old way knows that it’s a hit and miss to find an effective polisher, but one polish to do the trick is right in your kitchen cupboard. Catsup or Ketchup, no matter how you spell it, will clean, brighten, and polish antique brass. Use a soft cloth to apply the ketchup, followed by a damp cloth to remove the residue, and then a dry cloth to buff and remove any remaining liquid. Handy, economical, and eco-friendly, what more could you ask for?

Not all of us can afford a $200 haircut on the tarmac or even in a designer booth. One of the most inexpensive haircuts outside of cosmetology schools is the salons that take you without appointments on a first come, first serve basis. Due to the large amount of traffic, prices are very reasonable for a haircut, usually under $15. However, if you have long hair, or have medium short hair as opposed to very short hair be sure that the patron ahead of you has long hair. With so many short haircuts, including men, there is a tendency to get into a groove cutting hair, similar to knife happy, that will turn your stylized haircut into something that has elements or close facsimile of that haircut, but is simply too short.

Additionally, if the salon is new to you, ask the manager what the stylists’ specialties are: long hair, funky hair, hair weaves, perms, color and highlights, men’s haircuts, etc. Check out magazines with the latest hairstyles, or go online to such sites as Virtual Hairstyles or Marie Claire and load in your photo to try different hairdos ahead of time. Find one that you like, don’t be embarrassed to bring a print-out or the magazine with you. This will save you time and your stylist time, if nothing else it’s a starting point for consideration.

Additional services such as coloring, weaves, perms usually require an appointment at even these places because of the time involved.Be aware, that wet hair length will shrink, and permed hair will shrink, the stylist should make an accommodation in the length of the initial cut to account for this. MDM prefers coloring or perming your hair, then cutting it since this will get rid of ends that have absorbed more of the dye or solution during the process with one exception–depending upon the final length/style of the hair it may be impractical to cut the hair after especially going from long to short you wouldn’t want to pay for the extra dye,or the difference in perm prices between the two.

Finally, MDM’s best advice is to first find a stylist who can cut your hair well, or at least to your liking, because additional embellishments cannot make up for a bad haircut.

Hair’s Looking At You, Kid!

*photo courtesy of face camera

All right, MDM has been sick for awhile.  She got her flu shot, but like so many others, it didn’t cover all the "bugs" out there.  So, now that she is better it’s time to reconnoiter the living environ and put things back in order especially  from her spouse’s kitchen forays.  

Several items are not known, or if known, not used by her husband–ever.  For instance, red meat is a staple, unless it is a rotisserie chicken–gourmet or healthy food is suspect by the Alpha male, condiments are salt, pepper, and ketchup.  Well, you get the picture.  While inventorying the destruction–remember while ill, any and all things that could not find a home in a cabinet were simply placed on any available space like the kitchen counter top, table, and, yes, even the floor. 

After using a machete to get to the interior of the kitchen, unlabeled items had to be checked, inventoried, labeled, and at times chucked.  For instance, MDM eventually found the brown sugar in a cannister marked "tea."   Oh well, at least it was in something.  That’s the good news–the bad news, after opening the canister, the brown sugar is hard as a rock.  Spouse says, "Throw it!"  MDM shocked says "No, it can be saved."  Either with a slice of an apple–not likely, fruit was not part of the grocery list during MDM’s bout with the flu.  Okay, we need to make a grocery list with fresh fruit and vegetables at the top of it. 

However, with the belief that if there is a need, one can find a gadget , MDM went online and found a great solution for the formidable brown sugar  rock  at Crate & Barrel with instructions that will keep it from being tossed out by hubby and will continue to keep the  brown sugar fresh for little money.  It’s called the Brown Sugar Saver, an exclusive at Crate & Barrel, for $3.95+sh.  Terra cotta square that you soak in water and add to the rock.  Easy, money saving idea, plus, even more important, it has writing on it so he won’t make a mistake and eat it!  Hey, It could happen!

Thrift stores, consignment stores, organic food stores are all part of the ‘think green’ movement.  By reusing what we have and food that is grown with the environment in mind, consumers and bargain hunters cannot only be savvy shoppers, but contributors to this overall effort. 

Hennepin County has declared the month of October as the "Choose To Reuse" month and has put together a special coupon book that saves even more $$$ at your favorite Twin Cities bargain sites.  With coupons for an additional 10%-50% off at local thrift stores, consignment stores, Whole Foods Stores, costume rental shops, record stores, vintage stores and other stores with dollar discount and freebies with purchases–this is a ‘must have’ book for this month for all bargain hunters.  Imagine the low prices are even lower with this offer–what a great idea!  Hurry and pick-up your coupon book good through October 31st.

Click Here→Choose to Reuse Coupon Book

Don’t live in the Twin Cities area?  Encourage your local county government to implement this great idea to promote recycling and reuse.

This Is a Two Green Thumbs Up Idea!

 Amazon® has done the work for bargain hunters by listing and grouping Clearance items and Daily Deals.  Get all the Deals of the Day including up to 75% off  Amazon’s baby outlet, gourmet foods, sports and outdoor equipment, shoes, jewelry and more by clicking on the "Amazon" reference on this page! 

Remember, you’re only one click away from super bargains and deals like this 3.4 ounces of Calvin Klein’s  "Escape"  Perfume Spray reg.$60, sale $42.99 with FREE Super Saver Shipping,.   How easy is that? You may want to ask why MDM is featuring this particular perfume from so many to pick from–well, MDM loves the "Escape" fragrance, a wonderful scent and not overpowering and maybe MDM’s family will consider this suggestion for holiday gift-giving. It’s never too early to start your Santa list.

Want even better bargains? 

Click Here→  Amazon®’s Friday Deals

Offered only once a week, you will find deals on new and refurbished items.

It’s Never Too Early To Find Deals for Holiday Gift-Giving!

In the search for the fountain of youth, we are all willing to purchase products, no matter what the price, to regain that youthful appearance.  However, some of the best name brand products have a baby line that costs less and works as well, if not better.  Not just for babies anymore, these products are comparable to their adult counterparts and far cheaper.  For instance Aveeno® Baby Calming Comfort Lotion™, reg. $4.99, on sale $3.99 at drugstore.com™ contains colloidal oatmeal, a nongreasy superior moisturizer that soothes the skin not only carries a inexpensive ticket price, but at 8 oz. has more volume than comparable, pricier beauty products. 

This price and product differential extends to laundry products as well such as OxiClean Baby Stain Soaker®.  When all other solutions fail on tough stains, try soaking garment with this product (some exceptions may apply and it is always recommended to test product in an inconspicuous area).  From the manufacturer $9.99+sh for a 3.5 lb. tub. Also instore at Target™ in 1.5lb. containers.

 MDM has used these products with excellent results! 

Remember A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned!

Having the look of a consignment shop, but the selection of a designer outlet is a genre of bargain stores that are in a class by themselves.  MDM has come across a number of these entreprenueral  enterprises, and when that occurs her initial reaction is to savor the moment and buy, buy, buy!   These shops are the back wall clearance racks where all those great bargains are found. 

Markdown Mom found one of these gems in South Minneapolis.  Located at  4320 Excelsior Boulevard (952-922-2435), Opitz Outlet carries upscale overstocks that even the celebs would salivate over. Originally one of the first Twin Cities consignment stores, Opitz carries upscale consignments, but also designer overstocks.  With discounts of 70% to 80% off msrp, bargain hunting fashionistas have a large inventory to choose from.  Apparel, shoes, and accessories from top designers and now a fledgling housewares department make this a “must.” 

If designers Charles David Anne Klein, Lauren, DKNY, Steve Madden, Prada, Kathy Vreeland, Minx at 70% off doesn’t get your bargain heart pumping, then you will have to step next door at the Opitz Annex where you will find blowout flat prices like dresses and name brand handbags for $5, and next week $15 women’s boots. 

MDM recommends to take the time and  look over these items for any small flaws, however, at 90%off+you can afford to take a chance at less than perfect.

During the last few days of summer, a frenzy is developing in many homes as students pack-up to move.  Everyone is always amazed about how much "stuff" they have accumulated and now must move.  All those boxes and plastic bins can mount up to be expensive depending upon how many books, clothes, and trinkets  you have to pack. 
An inexpensive way to get boxes for your books is to go to neighborhood liquor stores.  The size of their boxes are smaller and more ideal when moving weighty books.  MDM knows from experience that getting large plastic bins and filling them to the brim may seem like a good idea to save time and energy–but it isn’t.  Filling them with books or any great amount  of items can make them impossible to lift and move without an industrial dolly.  So, for you DIYers small is more in this case. 

Additionally, you can buy  rectangular boxes with punched-out handles from your favorite grocery store for 89¢ to $1.00 each.  These are great for packing kitchen cupboard and pantry supplies.  Sturdy and inexpensive, they can serve a second purpose not only for bringing supplies and other items home from warehouse clubs, but can be covered in wallpaper or fabric and used as decorative storage.

Ever prespot your washable garmet with your favorite prewash only to discover that the vinaigrette from dining out still left a spot on your garment, regretably that  shows up only after you have dried it?   

MDM has found several solutions in your kitchen cupboard, namely baking soda, baking powder, or cornstarch.   Applied on the spot(s) with your finger tip rubbing it in right before you put the garment in the washer.  Wash and dry the garment per instructions and voilà, spots are gone!  MDM tested all three ingredients on synthetic garments and all proved equally successful in removing those oil stains.  As with any garment you may want to pretest this method to make sure that the garment’s dye won’t reacte. 

Economical, Ecofriendly, and Easily Available!

Our society is always on the go and with daycare, our babies join in at an early stage in this race.  Industry has answered the call of bundling our small ones off to daycare with disposable paper diapers.  It is with mixed emotions that parents face this choice between being environmentally correct, and the requirement of providing disposable diapers  that most daycare providers impose.  

Disposable diapers don’t come cheap.  When MDM’s children were in diapers, and two were in diapers at the same time, coupons for disposable diapers were religiously clipped from newspapers and magazines.  Disposable diapers have their pluses:

• 1.  They are convenient especially if you are away from home and
• 2.  They cut down on diaper rash absorbing the liquid away from contact with the skin.  This is not foolproof, but seems to keep baby drier  longer.

However, there are ways to cut the cost of diapers and take a baby step toward being green.  On the days that MDM was home the disposable diapers were supplemented by cloth diapers with absorbable paper liners during the day.   Liners make clean-up easier, and so many improvements have been made to cloth diapers, liners, and underpants that they are worth a second look.   On weekends or days off, think about using cloth diapers to save $$$ and help the environment.  Plus there is the mad dash to the store when you find that you are out of disposable diapers. 

There are more choices on the market now when it comes to cloth diapers and liners.   Soft Cloth Bunz is a terrific site with all the latest in cloth diapers, diaper coversand liners, training pants, and accessories.  Plus you subscribe to their newsletter with upcoming sale promotions, discounts, and new products.   They even help with the downside of cloth diapers–the diaper smell–with products such as Diaper Buddies™.  This is a terrific idea with a dual purpose of deodorizing the diaper pail  and as  a laundry booster when diapers and diaper buddy are added to the wash.  How cool is that?  At $5.50+sh for a package of 6, both convenient and consumer friendly. 

Cloth diapers and accessories make perfect baby shower gifts for the expectant parents, ecofriendly and budget-wise for bringing up baby. 

What Was Old Is Now New-Again !

Walgreens® in its’ weeky flyer has the tech deal of the day this Sunday.  Polaroid 5.1 Megapixel Digital Camera for $69 after a *$30 mail-in rebate.  Refer to the Easy Saver Catalog in the store. Camera has a 1.7" flip-out display screen, 4x digital zoom, and takes video clips with audio and is SD 512 mb memory card compatible, also on sale for $15.  Sleek design and perfect birthday gift or for that student going away to college.

Checking the classifieds can bring home some local finds especially when governmental institutions advertise surplus sales.  Of course, state highway departments will deal solely in cars. Educational institutions will from time to time sell utility vehicles and vans and not only deal in electronics such as computers, overhead projectors and the like, but are a resource of many items, some that may surprise you. 

Tomorrow, July 9th, a local university-the University of Wisconsin, Superior– will be selling a potpourri of items ranging from a  1000 gallon propane gas tank, air compressors,  a diesel generator, sports & exercise equipment, files, office furniture including a sofa, microwaves, televisions, popcorn machines–even wooden snowshoes.  Really there is something for everyone from the small business owner to the rural homeowner.  Some educational facilities that update labs will often have wonderful cabinets that can be recycled into any modern kitchen giving a unique look mirroring expensive designer kitchens. 

TIPS 

1.  To get the best bargains, it’s important to get there early.  This sale starts at 9 a.m., but you can be sure that people will be lining up much earlier than that. 

2.  If possible, preview merchandise.  As with any sale, if you can get a preview either online, as in this case, or by getting a list of items up for sale for the governmental body–do so, this will allow you to focus on those items you are interested in and skip others. 

3.  Be sure to bring a vehicle to haul home purchases.  Usually these sales are cash and carry.  It’s always good to have a tape measure handy.

4.  Although most electronics at educational facilities are in good shape since these institutions usually have maintenance agreements with the vendors of the equipment, it is always good to bring someone along with a rudimentary knowledge of how the item works.  However, as in the case of a laptop computer since they are so popular, first grab then check it out.  You can always put it back, but it really is bad form to wrestle it from another bargain hunter. 

These events are worth the extra effort of changing the time of your coffee break to check it out, or coming in late if need be, and who knows you might see Markdown Mom there, too!  If you do, say "Hi!"