Yes We Can...haggle the big name stores

I tell ya, one of the greatest money saving resources we all have lies within our personal network of folks. Remember back in high school, having that friend who could get you that 40% discount at the Gap? Carry this mentality into your adult life. Friends with jobs at big corporations have all kinds of perks - of which most people do not take full advantage. Whether its 20% off theatre tickets, free entrance to museums, 2 for 1 gym membership -- the perks are there just waiting to be used.

Collect data and share.
Plan a casual meeting with a group of friends. Each is to come with a list of "perks" offered to them through their jobs, relationships to so-and-so, affiliations, memberships and so on. Cull the list. The list will be huge, and the list will belong to everyone who contributed to the list. Seriously, try it. And tell me how it works.

Don't forget the greatest perk!
Everyone secretly publishes a "savemoneyhoney.net". For example, a friend of mine just told me a story of how she haggled a brand new full sized mattress and box spring down 50%. !!!!50%!!!!! Her method:
1. Once you've found the mattress or necklace or HD screen of your dreams, ask the salesperson, "What's the sale price?"
2. Then squeeze in any added perks associated with the store or its competitors, i.e. "I'm a first time buyer, doesn't your establishment offer a first time buyer's discount?"
3. By now you're sure to have established a level of comradery with your salesperson, so why not add, "...and what's your discount? Could you add that, too?"
4. And for the cherry on top, ask if you could make your purchase tax-free. It couldn't hurt.

I'm telling you, especially you city-dwellers out there, we ALL know how to haggle. We do it with street vendors and mom and pop stores. What makes you think major shopping centers are any different?



Happy haggling, honey.

Free Consumption

Is it just me, or is anyone else out there spending money like it's water lately? Maybe it's the burgeoning spring, or the excitement of an upcoming vacation, but either way it's getting a little out of hand and it needs to sloooow down.

In efforts to curb spending, while still consuming, my dear friend and I are hosting...(drum roll, please)...A CLOTHING SWAP!

Yaaaaaay :)

It's on Sunday, April 20th from 3-7 @ my house. If you want the address, just send me an email: honey@wallet.com



What is the Clothing Swap, you ask?
Everyone (men, too! all sizes) brings clothing, shoes, and accessories from their closets, from a few choice items to a shopping cart load. They will be brought into the swap room, organized to some degree, and then the floor opens for shopping a gratis. This is a great way to upgrade your wardrobe, clean out your closet, and know that whatever is left over will be donated to a neighborhood charity.
You coming?

And if you can't make it to the swap, don't be discouraged. You will find that there are swaps happening all the time at an apartment near you. Check out some of these resources:
www.clothingswap.org
clothesswap.meetup.com

Or you could host your own swap! Here are some helpful tips:
www.lifeorganizers.com
crra.com

Happy swapping, honey!

DO NOT TAKE GEORGE BUSH'S ADVICE

Use your tax refund to pay down your debts. Period.

...and another thing about furniture...

Don't forget your thrift/vintage/second-hand shoppes. Yesterday on break from jury duty, I browsed some local shoppes. I found my way to this thrift store that sells everything from gowns to dishes to amazing 6'5" x 7'3" x 1'3" solid wood shelving units, painted a creamy white giving it that rustic country couture look for $50!!!! Yes, $50!!!!
It's big enough to hold everything! I almost bought it, but I first gotta figure out how to get it to my apartment. I took a picture with my phone, but I haven't yet figured out how to transfer that kind of data.
Although, I have been able to send my contacts from phone to computer through bluetooth in the past...hmmm, let me work that out...
As for now, I've gotta board my flight. The flight boarding next to mine just asked for volunteers to take a later flight - with free cab service from the airport to your destination and a $300 travel voucher. You thought I was kidding, didn't you. Man, oh, man, I wish it were my flight that was asking for volunteers....