I'm curious to read other people's strategies. We just hit Walmart and Target after Christmas. We walk around without any kind of strategy - just seeing if anything seems like a good deal. I wish we knew what we were doing a little better than that!

LOL that's so funny!!

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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

I don't like the huge traffic and rudeness that Target and Walmart bring. BUT, I do like to go to the upscale department stores, Macys, Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus, Saks, etc., and get the discounted high-quality Christmas decorations. I have gorgeous ones due to this. Once in awhile, I will venture forth and check out other departments, especially if I still have gifts to get.

Often, though, most of my money is gone anyway!

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Our local one usually has some, not a whole lot of the character wrapping paper but the usual kind.

I go with a plan: I am either shopping for the boys or thinking ahead to birthdays.

I try and buy for next season. If the deals are not good, I don't bother. If they are, I stock up on pants, shirts, sweaters and shoes of course!

I also like to check out Christmas decor and tuck some cute items aside for Christmas gifts the following year.

I do sometimes walk around the store in hopes of finding just the right thing for myself but try very hard to just not buy something just because it's on sale. I have to really think about it before buying it, otherwise, I am just spending money for the sake of a sale ! That's just silly.

A lot of times I also think ahead to spring birthdays in the family and try and get something for those events, or maybe even small things for unexpected birthday invites. ONLY if there is a major sale on the items though!!

Ok so I'm cheap, what can I say? LOL

I don't know if I will or not. It might be fun to try and get a jump on next years shopping, but I'm SO broke from THIS year, its might not be a good deal.

Last year my MIL went to Walmart and happend to start a convesation with another couple. There are 3 walmarts within a 20 mile radius, so they were checking all 3 for items they wanted and checking prices. Turns out, every walmart had a diffrent price on the item they were looking at! Can you believe that? They of course went back and got the lowest price one they found. Me on the other hand can't see traveling and wasting that much gas to save a few dollars.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

SAVE HANDMADE TOYS!!

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/sav...from_the_cpsia

Walmart, Target and Kmart all have a little difference in prices at different locations even on everyday items. There was a local news story on it here awhile ago. It was interesting.

I agree with Kathryn and the other posters that I don't buy a lot of "stuff". That said, there are a few bargains that even those who are trying to simplify can take advantage of.

When the Christmas cards are 90% off I stock up on A LOT. It doesn't really matter the pattern, since I am only buying them to use the envelopes. I look for larger envelopes that allow me to mail 4x6 photos to relatives over the course of the year, or to mail homemade cards. The cards themselves I let the kids use. Or, I cut the top of the card off sometimes to use for gift tags.

I also check out the foodstuff sections. You can often find novelty cereals, food baskets, etc. for 75% off. The food is still really good and definitely cheaper than supermarket prices. Look for the red and green M&Ms. Use the red ones for Valentine's Day, the green ones for St. Patrick's Day.

I never thought about that. What a great idea! Thanks!

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I have never bought clothes and shoes (but Christy, you need to tell me where you are finding deals on those!), but I do go and buy gift wrap, bows, cards, etc. for the next Christmas. I have a walk in attic, so it is easy for me to store it...and MUCH cheaper to buy it like that. I also buy gift stuff for birthday parties my kids get invited to throughout the year, and birthday presents for the couple of children/nieces that are immediately after Christmas.

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