FabSugar

6 Secrets to Bargain Hunting

Emily Co — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:04 PST

This past weekend, a friend and I spent a glorious Saturday afternoon being shown around by a frugal fashionista who gave us a crash course in bargain hunting. I think I must have squealed a few times over the amazing finds I spotted in consignment stores and little neighborhood shops. I found a BCBG dress for just $25 when it originally price was over $200, and to top it all off, it was in great condition. I didn't buy much this time, but I did pick up some valuable tips from my shopping trip. Here they are:

High and Low: There is a mix of high- and low- end consignment stores so remember to check out both. On my little bargain excursion, I saw pieces from Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg at about 80 to 90 percent off at a higher-end store and found some great basic pieces at the low-end store. Mix and match it up, just like you would with your outfit!
Check the Tags: If you're super iffy about wearing something that's used, check the tags to see if it's new. Some stores get their clothes from wholesalers who have some clothes left over or from shops that need to get rid of some stock to make space for the new arrivals.

Read on for more tips.

That's Hot: 8 Celebs Who Don't Shy Away From Frugality

Emily Co — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:05:24 PDT

These celebrities are raking in million-dollar paychecks, but that doesn't mean that they have to go all out and spend big bucks 24/7. It's actually kind of refreshing to see them do ordinary things and hunt for bargains like you and I. Of course, this doesn't mean that they're completely giving up their glamorous lifestyles to live like the average person, but it's nice to see them showing some thriftiness.

Are You Willing to Experience Chaos For Sales?

FabSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:22:22 PST

Black Friday is almost here!

Source

Fab Site: Steals & Deals on iVillage

FabSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:00:22 PST

Anyone who says they don't love a good deal is lying. With that notion in mind, iVillage has started Steals & Deals, a shopping blog that dishes about sample sales, in-store sales, and designer discounts. They also provide coupon codes for fashion and accessories. What's the latest? A Rachel Roy NYC sample sale!

Fab Shopping Tip!

FabSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:00:22 PST

I recently purchased this Arden B. Silk Trapeze Dress for $64 (originally $130) to wear to a friend's upcoming nuptials. Two days later, I revisited the site and found it had gone on sale for $30. What?!
First I was thrilled, but then I was mad I had paid the higher price. I pondered whether or not I should call customer service for a price adjustment. Despite my initial hesitancy, I sucked it up, dialed, and waited a good eight minutes to get an operator on the line. I calmly explained my situation and firmly ended with, "I'm calling to get a price adjustment." Without giving me trouble, Arden B. rewarded me my difference of $34.

Notice I didn't ask for a price adjustment; I told. I'm slightly changing the saying "ask and you shall receive" to "demand nicely and you shall receive." Moral of the story? The next time something you bought goes on sale so quickly after, don't shy away; instead, demand nicely and you'll get your deserved deal.

Fab Site: StyleNotes.com

FabSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:00:22 PST

Face it - when it comes to bargains, you're lazy. You'd rather have someone present you with deals rather than scrounging the Internet yourself. Laziness may not take you far in other parts of your life, but in the online shopping world, it'll get you ahead.

StyleNotes.com reports the best deals, coupons, and sales from all the reputable stores out there. You can browse by category or shops. It's simple so stop being lazy and start saving some bucks.

Have You Ever Purchased Something You Didn't Love Just Because It Was on Sale?

FabSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:34:33 PST

Guilty as charged.

Source

Easy Ways to Get More From Your Food Budget

LearnVest — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:15:48 PDT

Go the extra mile with your food budget with these tips from LearnVest.

For years, many people - my husband, mom, sister and even my son - told me to stop wasting so much food.

Throwing away half a piece of chicken here or a handful of grapes there never seemed like such a big deal to me. If I was full or no longer in the mood for that particular food, then I had no problem tossing it.

That is, until I experienced a bad case of sticker shock during a recent trip to the supermarket. The cost of bread, eggs, fish - basically everything I was purchasing - had increased. And, according to the USDA, we can expect prices to rise even higher this year.

As I forked over my money and left with only a handful of bags, I realized just how important it is for me to pay more attention to what I spend on food . . . and to confront how much of it I shove down the garbage disposal.

Unfortunately, I'm not the only one with wasteful ways. In 2010, 33 million tons of food was thrown away, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Obviously, wasted food means wasted money, but figuring out how to make your grocery budget go further can be a challenge.

To keep more food in your fridge (and more money in your pocket), try these expert tips.

1. Ward Against Freezer Burn

Those large bags or packages of frozen veggies or meat come in handy when you have a large family, but "each time you open a bag of frozen food, air gets in and will cause freezer burn within two to three weeks," says consumer saving expert Andrea Woroch. Freezer burn will dry out the meat and make it less tasty. Woroch suggests going small.

Read on for more.

Going, Going, Gone! A Mom's Guide to the Best Flash Sale Sites For Kiddie Gear

Lisa Horten — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:17:56 PDT

For online shoppers, the flash sale is the ultimate guilty pleasure, and as many of us know (guilty as charged!), the promise of a limited-time bargain can be extremely alluring and even downright addicting. Instead of allowing your in-box to tempt you with unnecessary emails, we suggest you choose your memberships wisely. In this mom's guide to flash sales, you'll find the inside scoop on what's actually in-store at each of these kid-friendly sites. Limit your load (and your email in-box) and shop smarter. Your credit card will thank you!

Happy National Pet Day! 13 Ways to Save Bucks on Fido

Emily Co — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:47:58 PDT

The cost of raising a dog is extremely high. In fact, if you look at rates to fly with your dog on airplanes, it's sometimes almost equivalent to what we humans are paying for a plane ticket. And it all adds up - you end up spending a never-ending amount of cash on toys, crates, flea medication, checkups, and the list goes on. However, many think the high costs of raising a dog are totally worth it. To reduce the costs of what you think is a necessary expense, here are some tips on saving money on your new dog:

Adopt a Doggie: If you're not too picky about the breeds, getting your dog from a shelter is cheaper than spending over a thousand for a purebred puppy from a breeder. Further, many of the pets have already been vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which will definitely save you money in vet bills.
Pick a Responsible Breeder: If you have your heart set on a pooch from a breeder, make sure you do your homework lest you end up with a sick dog from a puppy mill. Do research online to see what qualities a responsible breeder has, and go take a look at the dog and inspect the environment it's being raised in. Ask for references from sources like the breeder's vet, ask to see the dog's parents (if they are around) and quiz her on how she raises her dogs. Here are more questions to ask a prospective breeder.
Costco For Pets or Buy Online: Check to see if there is a warehouse superstore for pet supplies in your area. For example, Pet Club in the Bay Area gives great discounts if you buy in bulk - great for buying items in bulk such as urine pads, cleaning solvent, and poop bags. Another option is to see if you can find better deals online - Four Paws wee wee pads are available on Amazon at a 55 percent discount, so be sure to look around online for great bargains.
Neuter or Spay at the ASPCA: Spaying or neutering your dog can be extremely pricey. Check out your local ASPCA for cheaper prices on the surgery. To compare prices, I called a local vet that quoted me a hefty $800 for a small breed puppy, while the ASPCA in San Francisco quoted me $225. However, after asking around, my friend told me about an even better deal at another ASPCA, located a little further away in Oakland, CA, which charged $100 to spay/neuter. Be sure to check out the prices of the different clinics, even if they are under the same organization. The local Humane Society clinics were even cheaper so you might want to check out their prices as well. Lesson to learn: always shop around for pet health services.
Housebreak Your Dog: If you train your dog to "go" outside of your house, you don't have to waste money buying expensive pee pads and you'll be using less cleaning solvent for the messes that accidentally spill from the pad to the floor.

For more tips to saving on Fido, read after the jump.