Well we had a great birthday celebration for the eldest. The stuffed shells and salad made by her Italian mother in law were scrumptious, follow by a fruit tart. After the celebration we girls went to a few stores and I discovered something. I THINK I BROKE MY SPENDER!
I saw so many cute things I would have normally been tempted to buy, but they were not cheap enough. I think by this time KOHLS, your last years Thanksgiving things should be pennies on the dollar. No I will not pay $4.99 for a dish towel in season let alone out of season. I don't think this discount store knows what a discount is.
They had pj pants for men and I usually buy each of the guys a new pair at Christmas, well that season is long gone so why are they still $9.99? They should be a couple of bucks. $9.99 is not a sale. In other words all the next Christmas deals I expected are not happening.
Covid has really tightened the market on mark downs. I heard from D#1's, MIL that Michaeals will no longer have 40% off coupons weekly because of covid, but 30%. And personally 30% does not tempt me to buy, even 50% isn't enough in most cases. I want a deal. Are deals a thing of the past?
I know the grocery deals have been really lame for along while now. There were a few good loss leaders at Christmas but not nearly as many as there used to be. I guess when I earn less money I expect others to also? I know that is not a realistic way to think, but boy it would be nice.
We are having prime rib, mashed potatoes, biscuits asparagus, salad, and chocolates for Valentines dinner. There are enough stuffed shells for lunch. We are really well fed here. Prime rib was on sale, and the asparagus was really marked down, potatoes are always dirt cheap here, salad left over from yesterday. I was also able to buy a 1/2 pint of buttermilk here. I have never been able to buy that little in Lewiston. You always have to buy a quart. It was so nice not to have this extra buttermilk that you are wondering what you are going to do with, of course if I was home, I just would have made something with it.
Have any of you noticed that sales are not what they used to be? Have you noticed mark downs are so much less?
Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.
Kim
I have not been in my usual stores where I expect bargains lately. My 32 cent dishtowels were good to by, but not high quality. But, you are right about those prices are not bargains at all.
ReplyDeleteI just hear on a vlog I watch that this is happening all over.
DeleteWe live in southwest missouri and we don't get grocery ads anymore. Walmart has run all the others out of business. We have 3 walmarts to choose from. When we want special items we drive over 100 miles to go to a grocery store that has name brands, etc. I haven't seen a grocery ad in over 3 years. I haven't been in a kohls in almost 2 years, I think their prices are too high. We are at -1 degree F this morning with blowing snow. The cattle are huddled up in a crowd with extra protein and iron in their feed. The cat is curled up in her cat condo asleep. Im going to make ham n beans today with skillet cornbread! Happy Valentines Day! ~jackie from missouri
ReplyDeleteI think that is awful when walmart comes in and runs everyone else out.Missouri is a cold state.
DeleteI notice in stores, the sales aren't as great, but I had an OK shop using an extra 30% matched with Kohls Clearance online. I guess I like a good deal, but I think I'll be more likely to try and just not buy something if too high for my comfort zone and not a need. That's maybe a change in perspective to me-less stuff, more humble meals. I just hope to not pay thorugh the nose this spring when we have some big ticket goals like the new patio and bathroom remodel.
ReplyDeleteYou are right none of the things I was looking at were needs. They were more gift ideas.
DeleteThere are no sales here, as far as I can determine. Of course, I only zip into Walmart, or one other grocery store, when I run out of Diet Mt. Dew, eggs, sandwich bread, etc. I had a scare with my youngest (we thought he had Covid despite always being masked, but it was strep throat and a terrible case. However, I have never been so happy for strep throat in my life.) his throat and gums were really swollen, poor guy, and I gave him all my gatorade, Nyquil, soups, etc. So, I ended up doing a Walmart run because I had court with 100’s of people, in person subbing for a colleague in another county, again, this week....sigh.... I picked up soup, Diet Mt. Dew, generic Equate, Powerade, and stuff I had run out of like chicken legs, fresh potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. I also picked up stuff I had used up and needed to replace like vegetable oil, mayonnaise, etc. Of course I forgot generic Head and Shoulders because I forgot to put it on list. Luckily I do have a backup bottle. EVERYTHING was expensive and I buy the Walmart brand.....sigh. I also bought white socks because I had worn holes in several. Your meal sounds fabulous!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your son. I have had strep so bad before I thought I would have to die to get better.
DeleteOh, and organic apple Cider vinegar with the “mother” in it because I gave my other bottles to my ill son. I hear it is good for you and I have no idea but I eat it with my cooked greens and with red beans and rice. I also bought eggs. I did not even look at price because I was not about to go run to another store. I am very upset about the bag of sweet potatoes because it had two rotten ones in it but whatever. I will buy individual ones next time. Walmart has me feeling some kind of way. I will just go to the other grocery store for a while....geez.
ReplyDeleteI bought ac vinegar with the mother and my visiting son threw it away because he thought it had ruined
DeleteI get upset when I buy potatoes (sweet ) and one is bad as they are so expensive here. I have taken back potatoes that were bad.
DeleteI buy most of my clothes from thrift stores, so I don't really track prices there. However, I have noticed that produce prices have been inching up. Fewer things available at my .99/pound price point.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep things at .99 or below also unless it is melons, or cheaper veggies.
DeleteWe've definitely noticed an increase in prices, on almost all grocery items. I haven't been in the market for much in the way of clothing, but I was able to get my son a few birthday items around 1/2 price. The particular store I was shopping at rarely does markdowns, so I was pleased. I'm guessing that the closing of malls has really pressured their business.
ReplyDeleteI also think with the virus shipments from china are down.
DeleteI have definitely noticed the lack of sales or if there is a sale, it is laughable. And my food budget does not go as far as it did last year. I guess it really will be rice, beans, quinoa and eggs for a while.
ReplyDeleteI just am not seeing the markdowns like I used too, or maybe someone is getting too them before me.
DeleteYes, we have noticed marked downs and sales are much less since Covid started. And prices ae getting higher as if the retailers are trying to make up for lost business. Well, they are not getting it from me, My spender is broken too. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt is a little frustrating.
DeleteNo good deals here lately either. Bummer, and I gave myself permission to stock up if I found a good deal>
ReplyDeleteWell I love a bargain so maybe this is a good thing as I spend less money?
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