Hunting For A Bargain

I've never been one to enjoy spending full retail on ANYthing. I always look at sales ads, clip coupons, shop around......I just don't see much sense in paying full retail when almost anything can be purchased on sale, eventually. Two of my favorite stores that help me stay within my shopping budget are T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

If you've never shopped in T.J. Maxx or Marshalls, GO!! They carry brand new, name brand items for a fraction of what you'll pay in the big department stores. No, these aren't cast-offs or out-of-season merchandise. These are fashionable, stylish, up-to-the-moment items that you will love....and so will your wallet.

Personally, I'm no fashionista...so I usually stroll around the housewares and children's departments when I'm in T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. They have FABULOUS items for your home and kitchen.....wonderful quality name brands, great decorative items, even gourmet foods! The children's department is home to super cute outfits, great children's books, and exciting toys....all at way less than retail!

The generous folks at T.J. Maxx/Marshalls provided me with my own little shopping spree, so I could show you how far your money will go in these stores. I was given $25 to each store and set loose. Here's my T.J. Maxx haul:I went to T.J. Maxx on the day after Christmas, when all Holiday merchandise was 50% off. SCORE! In the foreground is a 3-piece set of Santa dishes. It has a plate that says "Cookies For Santa", a bowl that says "Carrots For Reindeer" and a mug that says "Santa's Mug". It's designed to be set out on Christmas Eve to hold Santa's treats. It's SUPER cute and will provide us with many, many years of holiday memories. And it cost a whopping $6.50!

I found three books (only two are pictured). One is a sturdy board book about Dinosaurs. It's chock full of dino pictures and their names...it even includes some I've never heard of! This will go on our homeschool shelf, along with some other dinosaur goodies I've found. The second book (not pictured) is a Christmas book about Santa's cat. It got packed away already so I can't share it with you..but I can tell you that at 50% off T.J. Maxx's already looow prices, it was a STEAL!

Then I decided to treat myself. I found The Baker's Field Guide to Holiday Candy and Confections. I've been wanting this cookbook forEVER....it's got candy recipes for every single holiday of the year, including international and cultural holidays. It retails for $16.95. I paid..are you ready? $2.99. YAY T.J. Maxx!! Finally, I bought a new frying pan. Mine are years old and chipping, so I bought a new Cuisinart pan. Don't you love the orange color? It doesn't match anything in my kitchen, but it made me smile...so I bought it. I think it was...oh...about $9. Cha Ching!

I'm sending a HUGE thank you to the wonderful people at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. I had a BLAST on my little shopping spree, and I hope you'll check them out for yourself. I'm still on the prowl for Marshalls. I've hunted through three states with no luck...but I finally located a store in a fourth state. So if all goes as planned I'll be hunting for treasures in there this weekend. I'll keep you posted!