Deals and Steals

I am a bargain hunter all the way. I LOVE thrift shopping, garage sales and hand-me-downs, and I'm not ashamed to say so. I also LOVE new store bought items when I can find them at a great price. This weekend I scored on BOTH accounts! Here is what I snatched up for a grand total of only $19.95!

Here is the breakdown on my newly purchased finds:

Bra from JC Penney: normally retails for $34, I bought for $4.88 (on sale plus used a $10 off/$10 purchase coupon) - Total paid $5.31

Ann Taylor Loft shirts: normally retail for $24.50 each, I bought for $4.99 each (on sale for $14.99 each and I used a $20 off /$20 purchase coupon) - Total paid $10.85

Gymboree shirts for Miss Em (Size 5 - for future summers' use): normally retail for $12.75 each, I bought one for $2.09 and one for $1.40 (on sale plus had an additional 30% off coupon) - Total paid $3.79

Then Sunday I was in a friend's garage to get tables to set up for our barbeque and saw this cute little wicker chair, "That is so great!" I said, "Where did you find it? It would make a perfect prop for taking pictures of little ones." To which she said, "Oh good, it's from IKEA and I was wanting to get rid of it, do you want it?"

We set up one table and came back for another when I saw a wicker bassinet in the garage piles near the tables, "Wow!" I said, "This would be an awesome prop too!" Then my friend said, "Oh good, I've really been wanting to get rid of it. You can have it."

Next after setting up the tables we came back in to look for tablecloths and some lanterns for the tables which were up on top of a cabinet in the garage and I spotted a dusty basket and just started laughing. "What?", she said. "You have too many great props in here", I said, "That basket would be terrific for newborns, I've actually been looking for one just like it." To which she once again replied, "Great, you can have it, I've been wanting to get rid of it."

Finally when I went to grab all of my finds and load them in the car I spotted a skirt and sweater on the floor of the garage, "I don't mean to be nosy, but there are a skirt and top on the floor, do you want me to put them near the washing machine?" She said, "The navy blue one? Oh that stuff is for goodwill, you can have it if you want." I was so full of smiles from all of my great finds (steals) in my friend's garage. She is always giving us great hand-me-downs for Em as it is. It is so nice to have a friend like her, so generous, and I know she is super happy to pass along things that will be used and appreciated. I did end up using these props in my photo shoot of my new cousin yesterday and her sister, so look for pictures to come!

Oh and that new skirt I acquired for FREE...it matches my new pink shirt perfectly - an entire outfit for only $4.99!

Are you a bargain shopper? Do you like the thrill of a good deal? I'd love to hear how you get frugal finds and what some of your favorite steals or deals have been, share by leaving a comment.