CLEARANCE SALES SHOPPING
Hello readers. I’m finally back after being missing in action for some weeks. I do miss writing and now my hands are itching to write and share some budgeting tips with my loyal readers.
Been to the sales lately? Now is the time as stock clearance takes place. Make a list of the things you need and find out which stores are offering what you need on sale. I needed a pair of good leather boots for the winter so I headed for Myers. The good ones had been snapped up, so I checked out David Jones instead. The boots were arranged according to sizes and were piled up high on top of one another on white-topped tables. It was a chore to shop and select. After a while, I spotted part of a pair of boots that looked attractive. I took a look at the price on its sole and couldn’t believe what I saw. The original price of $200 was slashed to $82. I knew it was for me as it was not only a good find but fitted my feet so comfortably. I hope it lasts a long time before I get another pair.

Aren’t these gorgeous? They will be useful for sloshing in the puddles of water on pavements on wet wintry days.
Here are shopping tips at clearance sales:
1) Take time to look at the products carefully. Some goods may not be properly arranged so you need to be patient in rummaging through the piles of bags or shoes until you dig out the right one.
2) Try to visit the store at the beginning of the sale before the good products are gone. I was lucky to get hold of the pair of boots at a good bargain. It was the cheapest pair so far on sale at the time of my visit.
3) Expect different goods to be on sale at major stores in different locations. For example, you may find that awesome Guess bag you have been looking for at Myers in Chatswood but not in the same store in the CBD area.
4) Be strong and stick to what you need on your shopping list. There is a tendency to be side-tracked during a sale so much so you’d end up with something you don’t really need but like instead just because the product on sale is irresistable and is sold at 50% off its original price.
It is worth buying essentials at stock clearance sales such as mattresses, towels, bed spreads, crockery and winter wear. Goods of superior quality bought at such a good price are deemed to be long-term investments. You won’t need to buy them every year as they can be made to last for many years to come. So make a list of your essentials and look out for sales at this time of the year. Make it a point to rush to the store at the beginning of the sale to avoid disappointment. The downside is that you have to be prepared to battle with the crowds without a proper shopping plan.

This post is dedicated to all movie-buffs out there. If you love going to the movies because of the powerful visual and sound effects the gigantic screen offers but can’t visit the theatres much because of the atrocious price of money tickets these days, don’t fret. You can scope out ways in which you can enjoy screenings of your favourite movies and save your dollars at the same time. 
You open your mail box one day and are greeted with countless catalogues or leaflet promotions. McDonald’s, Burger King’s, Gloria Jeans, The Good Guys, Target are just some of the participating merchants in the promotion strategy.
Were you ever enticed by newspaper advertisements that announce low prices for expensive beauty packages? Flip through the local newspaper and chances are you will come across several adverts that read: 20 slimming sessions for $189, Make-over session for half the original price – Just $49 Limited Period Only, Innovative Gold Mask Facial for $88- usual $200 etc. 




