Big enough for the whole class
Want Not veterans know that every year around this time, I start watching a couple of oversize gift edition books for price drops. And right now the oversize gift edition of The Little Engine That Could is down to just $8.12 at Amazon! I’ve seen these go as low as around $6, in the past, but they also sell out quickly, and $8 for a giant (14.5″ x 17″), beautifully illustrated volume like this is still a steal.
This is the perfect gift for your preschool or early elementary school kids’ teacher, for the classroom. And you’ll look like a big spender, too. Don’t worry—I’ll never tell.
Let’s hear it for the kids
My quest for the perfect gray boots continues. (It does not help that this weekend I found the perfect pair. On someone else’s feet. And she reported that they came from Anthropologie, which means I’d need to sell a child to be able to afford them. Alas!) Know what’s a great idea when you can’t find the shoes you want? Buying some shoes for the kids, instead!
Today’s headline deal at 6pm.com is a kids’ shoes blowout, with prices starting at around $4/pair. This is the perfect time to stock up on the next size (or two) of sneakers, or to pick up those squeaky dress shoes they’ll need for holiday pictures.
Sadly, I’m only shopping for one. My other kid just outgrew my shoes. At least that means once I find those boots, she won’t be able to borrow them. Silver lining!
I’m all about the boots
Apparently there’s a three-day boot sale at Endless going on, right now—spend $75+ on men’s or women’s boots, take 25% off your total (some brand exclusions apply).
I am currently obsessed with finding the perfect pair of gray boots to go with my skinny jeans. Why? I don’t know. I just am. Maybe this will finally the be the sale where I find them….
Merry Hannas ahoy
Is it my imagination, or are there more sales, and more sales earlier, this year, than last year? Seems like there are.
Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I love it.
Like, they’ve already launched The More The Merrier Sale at Hanna Andersson, with savings of up to 40% off. And you know I usually look at a Hanna “sale” and kind of shake my head and move on, but 40% off… I can do that.
Oh, Swedish cotton! I wish I could quit you! (No I don’t, baby. Don’t ever leave me.)
Make more with less, and win a Windows Phone 7
Four and a half years ago, I started Want Not after several friends convinced me that my ability to squeeze blood from a stone when it came to spending was something I should be sharing with the world. Back then, in my very first post, I said—among other things—the following:
I believe in giving money and time to charity as a matter of course. I do both, even when sometimes it would be a lot easier not to. Part of the reason I make charitable donations even when money is tight is selfish; it reminds me that no matter how I’m feeling, there are plenty of people who have less. And as long as that’s true, I will donate a portion of my earnings.
I used to talk about charity here on the site quite a lot; and the truth is that I’m not entirely sure why I don’t as much, any more. Maybe it’s the economy, maybe it’s that I’m worried I’ll turn some people off to the fun of hunting for deals by droning on about my personal beliefs surrounding giving back, maybe it’s because we’re feeling the crunch this year as much as anyone and I’ve sort of been putting off some of my customary giving on the assumption I can catch up now, at the end of the year. read more…
I predict… you will get a yummy deal
There was an earlier Groupon deal where I scooped up a couple of certificates to Fortune Cookie Soap, specifically thinking of teacher gifts. (One of the joys of having a middle schooler: She has a dozen teachers, but still wants to give them all holiday presents. Awwww for the thought, owwww for my wallet!) I’ve already placed one order and am very pleased, but then I started looking over today’s Groupon deals.
And wouldn’t you know it, but today’s sidebar Philadelphia Groupon is $15 for $35 worth of Fancy Fortune Cookies. So now I’m thinking… how cool would it be to give the soap with some edible cookies, as well? Especially cookies like these, which come in all kinds of flavors and can be done with custom fortunes.
Let’s see, now… “You will be giving my kid all As!” That may be too obvious. Hmmm. How about, “You are getting very sleepy, and forgetting to assign homework,” instead? I may have to work on this one.
Get your video games (before Black Friday)
Amazon’s gearing up for the Big Day (as are all other retailers, of course), and part of their preparation is a series of deals even before we get to Thanksgiving. I love these promotions because not everyone wants to do all their shopping on a single day, you know?
If it’s video games that top your kids’ (or—let’s be honest—your husband’s) list this year, check out this crop of buy 1, get 1 for 40% off games currently available at Amazon. There’s nearly 100 titles available for the Wii, and only slightly fewer for Xbox and Playstation. Lots of the available titles are new releases, too.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t still be counting on some video games deals on Black Friday, just that if you’re looking at an extensive list (or a specific game or two that as “must haves”), this may be a great way to save and get things taken care of early.
Pearls are always in style, dahling!
Once again, to celebrate (?) Monday, Target is expanding their Daily Deals section for a day and calling it a Mega-Merry Monday. (Wait. Last week they called it Merry Mega Monday. Now they’re just trying to confuse me. Um. It involved all of those same words, though.)
Like last week, there’s extra one-day deals, and as always, each deal comes with free shipping. And it looks like coupon code 4IKCC8AJ takes an additional 10% off, too. There’s a wide variety of options from which to choose, but allow me to direct your attention to the very last deal at the bottom of the page—it’s a tri-color pearl necklace with three sets of matching earring studs, and the whole set is just $30 today. Personally, I think it’s really lovely and such a nice departure from the “typical” strand of pearls, plus the price is certainly right. Check it out.
Of course, if you just want to buy some rainboots or a Hello Kitty dehumidifier, that’s cool, too. Though I don’t recommend wearing the humidifier.
Why buying a Kindle could save you money
Over the next few days and weeks I hope to be telling you more about some of the other fabulous smart and pretty bloggers I met this past weekend at Save Up, but today I want to start with one of the few guys who was in attendance—Larry Behrens of Poor Dad Tech. Not only was Larry able to hold his own in an estrogen-laden room, he gave a great presentation on budget tech that maybe some of you saw if you watched the livestreaming on Saturday.
Anyway, I’m a numbers gal, and Larry pointed out something that really stuck with me, so I thought I’d share it with you. He recommends the Amazon Kindle as one of the “must-have” gifts this holiday season, and breaks it down this way: The Kindle costs $139. The current top 10 New York Times bestsellers cost $282.76. Buying the same books for the Kindle will run you $130. So even though you have to pay for Kindle books, after about 10 books, you’ve paid for the Kindle (over buying hard copies). Now, I know many (most?) of us buy used books and use the library, but if you’re a gosh-I-gotta-read-that-one-immediately type, that certainly puts some perspective on whether or not the Kindle is a good buy (hint: yes).
And that right there is, like, 1/100th of the wisdom flying around at Save Up. I’m telling you, my brain is full now.
For your favorite outdoorsy killer type
I feel like this is worth sharing because 1) it’s a great price, 2) the games get good reviews and 3) it makes me laugh.
Even though I don’t condone killing things, even on your Wii.
That said, I’m kind of digging this Wii Hunting and Fishing Bundle at Amazon for $80. That’s $70 off the retail price of buying the pieces individually. And you get a gun! And a fishing pole! And three different ways to kill hapless animals!
It all sounds very manly. Please do not tell my vegetarian daughter that I think this is hilarious.
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