Christmas Shopping..

I have made it my goal to not pay full price for any Christmas gifts this year. So far, minus 2 items (bad! but I couldn't risk waiting on them), I have done surprisingly well! This comes as a huge shock to those who know me, because I am famous for waiting until the very last second and have even done all my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve one year! EEK! :) So, in my newest approach to living a more frugal lifestyle, I am starting my Christmas shopping early and I am only shopping sales, clearance items, and/or using coupons.
My first official shopping trip was Wednesday and here is what I found:

Old Navy having a 40% off their clearance items. So what was already reduced by about half, was being reduced, again at 40%! I bought 6 shirts, all a size above what my daughters are wearing now for $10.20 !!!

Toys R Us is having clearance sales on a ton of their toys. Here is a hint though: Search online first. The reason why is because the stores are running out of clearance stock. Although be careful, because a coupon just released says it is for in-store purchases only. However, the items that I wanted for my daughter were only online, so I was willing to forgo the coupon. Although this didn't stop me from buying a few clearance items while I was there, OH! and pre-order my copy of Toy Story 3! Check out Holli's blog about how to get Beauty and the Beast for next to nothing by pre-ordering Toy Story 3!

Barnes and Nobles had a huge table full of 75% off items. Included were books, games, stationary, pens, dry erase boards, and a few knick knacks. 75% off!!!! I picked up a few more items there as well!

Walgreens  has Tinkerbell journals with pen for .99 (originally 1.99) , which was a score for me, because one of my daughters is in love with Tinkerbell. And they also have Hot Wheels 2 for $2 on sale, so I picked up 2 for my son.

Michaels Every week in the Sunday paper, Michaels has a 40% ff coupon. Moreover, every time you buy something at Michaels, they give you a 40% off coupon with your receipt! So, I bought my daughter a huge scrapbooking kit for $9.66 when it was originally $14.99! And I have a coupon to go back with and buy another 40% off item, (which will generate another 40% off at the register) and then Sunday I will have yet another 40% off coupon! My kids love crafts, so these coupons are the best! Especially because years prior, I was paying full price for everything! EEK! :)

So that was my first Christmas shopping trip. I must say, Holli has me beat! Check out how that dealin' diva scores the big savings and follow her advice!

Darn good deals at Target and Safeway!

Today while grocery shopping I stumbled upon some great clearance sales that I wanted to share with everyone! At Safeway, I found their 75% off school supply section! I bought 2 packages of permanent markers, 2 packages of red pens, and 2 tubs of of erasers (that include pen/pencil grips!). I spent about $1.50 for everything!

At SuperTarget, they have sheet sets on clearance! For a complete twin sheet set and a complete full sheet set I spent a total of $8!!! Two sheet sets for $8! Can't go wrong there!! I also did a little Christmas shopping, since they had clearance in every department. I am trying to spend as least as possible for Christmas, however, not give up on quality! It might just be working!

Comment and tell everyone what great sales you found on your shopping trip!