After Christmas $ale

Through the years the hubby and I have become experts on taking advantage of after-Christmas sales.  So much so, that I already know what stores start their discount pricing before Christmas (World Market, for example, so I'm fully stocked up on Christmas wrapping paper and gift bags for the following year!).  It also helps that I worked in retail managment for 10+ years, so I'm aware of pricing strategies, trends, profit margins, etc. that retailers use to entice you to come into their stores (I always make a beeline for the clearance sections waaaaaay in the back of the store and do not allow myself to even look at the full priced items on my way in), price points to watch out for (usually a price ending in a 9 is a sale price, 8 is a further discounted price, and 7 is a final price). 

I digress, anyhoo, when it comes to after Christmas sales - particularly seasonal items - stores start to discount prices the week before Christmas about 25-30% (sometimes 50% if you're lucky, see World Market, above).  The day after Christmas discounts usually start at 50%, the week after Christmas it jumps to 75% (retailers really need the merchandising space for new goods in January), and if anything is left - up to 90% off at the end of January.  Of course, if you really want something, you should grab it when it's on sale, because when it's gone, it's gone.  (For example, Christmas lights go fast, and retailers don't have overstock nowadays like they used to.)  If it isn't on the top of your list, then wait (ribbons, for example). 

Now, one thing I'm an expert with is calculating a discount.  Back in highschool I was a volunteer at the University of Chicago Hospital.  After working in different departments, somehow or another I wound up becoming a volunteer at the hospital gift shop.  It was there that I learned a cool trick about calculating a 75% discount that I will never forget - simply take the original price in half, then half again.  Makes total sense, right?  I have other quick math tips, but that's another story...

Last Sunday we took our son to the mall to get him a new pair of shoes.  While we were there we decided to check out Sears to see if they had any Christmas lights left.  Sure enough, there were slim pickings, but we managed to find some good deals.  Part of the department had signage that said 75% off, while the other part said 50% off.  I got clarification from a sales associate that the entire department is 75% off, and from there the hubby and I proceeded to pick through what was left to see what would look nice in our front yard for Christmas 2011.  The boy entertained himself by talking to the various Lolas also shopping in the department, and by playing with gift boxes. 

When we went to pay, I noticed the prices were only 50% off.  I brought the discrepancy to the cashier's attention, and he explained that the system had not updated yet, so he would deduct another 25% at the end of the transaction.  I explained to him that an additional 25% deduction would not result in a 75% discount, and gave him an example so he would understand.  He looked at me like he didn't believe me, argued with me, and I calmly explained, again, what the items should cost at 75% off.  He then asked me, "So how much of a discount do you want me to give you, 28%?"  WTF??? I calmly replied, "No, whatever you need to do to make this item cost $9.99 - which as I explained would be 50% off."  Now mind you, I was doing all this math in my head, and he looked at me like I was pulling numbers out of my ass.  Without even saying "excuse me", or anything at all, he walked away from the register, talked to 2-3 other associates, grabbed a calculator, moved to another register, and didn't say a word to us or other customers.  THANK GOODNESS our child was entertaining himself with music on my cellphone.  The sales associate finally came back, didn't look at me, didn't apologize, got his manager to punch some code in the register for the price override, and just started ringing us up, again.  When the receipt popped out, I asked him, "Are we all good now?"  To which he just said, "Yeah" and handed me the receipt - $49.62 (that's like $200 worth of Christmas lights, full price - whoo hooo!!!!!). 

Now, normally I would have complained about this guy's attitiude, but since it was Sears, it wasn't worth my time (especially since my child had just dropped a deuce).  While the hubby went ahead to get the car for us, I looked back at the registers and noticed that a massive line had formed - apparently the people that were rung up before us overheard me explaining the discount thing with the sales associate, realized that they were charged the wrong prices, and were in line to get price adjustments.  They didn't look too happy about it.  Hehehe, sucked to be THAT guy...

Whatevas - we got a good deal and are excited for Christmas 2011!!!

Lottery Madness

OMG - my parents have played the lottery for as far back as I can imagine.  Don't ever get me started on how much money they would have today if they had just put that money in a savings account, CD, bond, whatever... Alas, now that they are retired, buying tickets gives them something to do, and whenever they win (whether it be a $1 or more), they're super cute when they get excited about their prize. 

Anyhoo, the other day my mother allowed RJ to play with her laptop.  We don't know what my child did, but he reset something on her computer and the hubby has been trying to restore, reset, reinstall anti-virus software, etc. etc. etc. the past few days. 

As we work on "fixing" the computer, does my mom care that all the pictures that were on her laptop are gone?  No.  Does she care that she cannot access email right now?  No.  Does it bother her that she can't use her Magic Jack right now?  Of course not.  What DOES bother my parents is that they can't look up the winning lottery numbers a minute after the drawing... ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? 

As I work late in my home office (which is basically our upstairs hallway, next to my parents bedroom), with piles of paperwork around me (I used to pay a friend to help me with some admin stuff, but I'm trying to cut back on that to save money) one by one, on separate occassions, my parents ask me to check online for the winning numbers from today's drawing, "When you have time..." 

Oh my lottery madness goodness!  LOL! 

Red Shoes

Today I saw a woman wearing a pair of really great red heels.  I don't own a pair of red shoes, but if I did, I would want THOSE.  They were simple, yet so super sexy and classy.  The kind that could go with anything - jeans, slacks, a suit for work, a (rare) date night with the hubby, lunch with the girls, whatever.  I really wanted to ask the woman where she got her shoes from, but she was on her cell phone in what seemed to be an intense conversation... darn. 

I must confess, a few years ago, a girlfriend and I were in Bloomingdale's where I spotted a pair of red shoes that I absolutely fell in love with.  Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely NEVER ever pay full retail price for anything.  Something about those shoes made me break that rule, and after much contemplation, I purchased them.  However, when I got home, I instantly had buyer's remorse... I hated myself for spending so much money on one pair of shoes and returned them the following day. 

Now, more than ever, I think MORE than twice whenever I buy anything for myself.  When I see a price, I compare it to the number of diapers and wipes that I can buy for my son.  I think about the clothes my child will need since he's growing so quickly.  I think of the milk he consumes every day, and all the other items he needs.  I think of the fun books I could buy him instead, or maybe an educational toy he could benefit from.  Then somewhere in there I also think about his education and what it's going to cost me over the next 21+ years. 

So, I'm glad that said lady was on the phone and that I wasn't able to ask her where she got her fabulous shoes from.  I've got plenty in my closet don't need another pair.  Wow... never thought I'd feel this way about shoes... LOL!

SPHR

I did it - I passed the SPHR Certification Exam (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and couldn't be happier!  I'm so thankful that I took the exam before the holidays and am glad that I can now enjoy the Christmas season.  Hooray!!!!