My take on Outlet Malls

So this past weekend I was blessed to be able to spend to fun filled days with my gal pals.  We all me in Edinburgh, IN for a weekend of shopping, eating and of course gabbing!  We had a great time although it was not near long enough.

Well of course when you visit an outlet mall you have to buy something right?  You expect rock bottom prices with even greater discounts on top of that.  I mean it is an OUTLET MALL right?  You are not supposed to pay retail.  So why is it then that when we visit an Outlet Mall we feel, for the majority of stores, that we are visiting a retail store?  I don't know about you but I get very frustrated at this.  I mean I come with a limited budget and a list of things I NEED for my family.

To tell you the truth I only went in one clothing store that actually had what I consider good prices.  That was the Vanity Fair Outlet.  I purchased a couple of Polos and a Nautica T-shirt for my husband for less than $16. (plus tax).  In the Stride Rite Outlet I returned a pair of shoes that I had purchased on Friday.  The manager tells me I have to buy them back because they were a final sale item even though it wasn't marked on my reciept.  Then after I re-purchase them she tells me she's not going to mark them as final sale, she's doing me a favor she says, so that I can return them if I need too?!  WHAT!?  I really don't get it.  We stood in lines for ages.  Took 20 minutes or more at the actual checkout in a couple of stores.

My take on outlet malls: 
1.  Print out any online coupons you can get your hands on before you get there (in this case there was also a online coupon for a FREE coupon book for the entire outlet mall)
2.  Go when it's not busy,
3.  Window shop at all the stores you think you will purchase from first.
4.  Make a list from those stores of the items you like and the final price you will pay for those items (You can ask if they will hold the items for you, they might until the close of day or possibly longer.)
5.  Sit down with your list at your hotel or someplace quiet and decide what you plan to purchase.
6. Map out your stores and go back for your purchases with a back up plan in case they don't have the size you need when you make it back around.

With exception of the first one these are all thing I WISH I had done this past weekend.  They are definitely all things I will strive to do in the future!

So good luck with your next outlet mall experience.  For that matter these tips could be used on any shopping trip!

Happy Shopping
~The Boss Lady~

Target Black Friday Sale!

Today only!  Many things up to 50% off.  Be sure to go through shopathome.com first to get 10% cash back!

www.target.com

Happy Friday!
The Boss Lady

Chick-Fil-A

Can anyone say MOO????  Well today is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A   and you can score a FREE Meal!

Here's the details:  Dress like a cow. Head to your nearest Chick-Fil-A.  The more you look like a COW the more food you get free.

You know what they'll even provide you with the appropriate attire.  Just click here to print your various Cow parts to make your cow costume and score a FREE meal!

Have fun!
~The Boss Lady~

You have to try this!

I know this has nothing to do with coupons however if you are a coffee drinker it does have to do with saving you money!

I read The Pioneer Womans blog every once in a while when I have a free moment.  Last week I came accross her recipe for Iced Coffee.  Yesterday I decided to try it.  Talk about YUMMY!  I purchased Mocha Coffee and let is soak overnight.  I only had a 1 gallon container unlike Ree so I only soaked 1/2 of my bag of coffee grounds.  I fixed hubby and I each a glass this morning.  Half coffee (strained of course) poured over ice with Half and Half and chocolate syrup.  I used a little Stevia to sweeten.  It is fantastic you've got to try it.

Here's the link to Ree's recipe!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/

Happy Saturday!
Stacie  AKA The Boss Lady

Great offers

BOGO coupon for McDonalds

 

Just click the BOGO link above and it'll take you to the page shown above.  Just enter your name and click to print! 

Free 8x10 Canvas Print or $50 towards any size Canvas, by the Canvas People.  All you pay is shipping and Handling!  Sweet!  Click here.

 Free $2 Amazon MP3 Credit
Just enter the code CLOUDMP3 to get your free credit.   Sweet!
 

Double Cash back with select retailers through Ebates!

Entertainment.com  35% cash back
Land's End 6% Cash Back
HP 5% Cash Back
Sears 4% Cash Back
Borders 8% Cash Back
Snapfish16.5% Cash Back


There are more retailers involved with the double cash back deal.  Just head on over to Ebates to get the full list.!

Well that's it for now.  I'll be on the lookout for more fantastic deals.

Have a great day!
The Boss Lady

Some of the great deals at Kroger this week

Kroger week of 6/19 - 6/25  all prices reflect Kroger Plus Card Savings

Ball Park Beef Franks 2 for $5. with Kroger Plus Card
-$1/2 Ball Park product, RP 6/05
-.55/1 Ball Park buns, RP 6/05
-.75/1 Ball Park new deli style beef franks, RP 6/05
-.75/2 Ball Park product, RP 6/05


Best deal:  Use two.75/1 on Deli Style Beef Franks (if included).  Pay $1.75 per pack.


Powerade or Powerade Zero 32oz bottles. on sale for .69 each

Huggies Diapers or Pull-ups on Sale $7.99 
-$1.50 off Huggies Pullups, SS 6/12
-$1.50 off Pull-Ups training pants , jumbo pk +, SS 6/12
-$2 off Huggies Pull-Ups training pants, jumbo pk, Kimberly Clark home mailer


With $2 off coupon, $5.99 a pack.

Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue on sale $4.99 each when you buy 5 ( or any 5 items marked with the Mega Event Tag Buy 5 save $5)

2 Liter Pepsi Products on Sale for 10 for $10 (can be mixed and matched with any other 10 for $10 sale items)

Check out Couponmom.com or Iheartkroger for a complete list of all the deals and coupon matchups this week at Kroger.

Stacie (The Boss Lady)

Sonicare Toothbrush!

I snagged one for $11 plus tax!

I really wish I had discovered this sooner so that I could have shared it with you.  My husband and I were kid free this weekend and while he was studying to teach the Sunday nigh Adult Bible class I went grocery shopping at Publix.  While I was out I decided I would stop by Walgreens.

I had planned to get another Colgate 360 toothbrush with the $1 coupon  from my July All You Magazine.    Remember this was on sale for $2.99 with a $2 RR.  With my 15% discount I paid $2.54 before RR.  I also purchased another Bayer Advanced Aspirin 20 ct for $2.55 (that's with the 15% off discount) I used a $2 off coupon and scored a $2 RR making this item a $1.45 Money Maker!
  Next on my list was a Schick Hydro 3 Razor on sale for $8.99 ( with discount I paid $7.64).  I had a $4 off coupon and this one got me a $4 RR making this one a .36 MM for me.
I found a Jet Dry on sale for $3.99 ( with discount I paid %3.39) .  It had a bonus Finish Quantum Tab attached!  I had a Walgreen's coupon for this item for $1.50 off and it had a $1.50 RR making this only .39 OOP after RR.

Last but not least I had to pick up a last minute Father's Day card.  No deals on this one but I did get my 15% off discount making the card.$3.82.

My total OOP for this transaction was $13.38 after tax and I saved $15.25 as well as earning $8.50 in RR.

Now here comes the big deal of the day!  Walgreen's had an $79.99 Sonicare Essence toothbrush on sale for $39.99.  Not such a great deal you say that's only half off.  Well I get the 15% off discount because of my husbands job.  That takes it down to $33.99.  Then I had a MFR coupon for $15.00 off.  Making it $18.99 then I applied all $8.50 of my previously earned RR!  Now this would have made the toothbrush $10.49 but remember at Walgreens you can't have more coupons then you have items so I had to purchase 5 of those yummy Caramels they keep at the checkout in order to use all my coupons and Register Rewards.  This made my total after tax $15.34.

Now that is what I call a great deal on one VERY expensive toothbrush!

What great finds did you have this week?  Any great deals come your way???  I want to know about it!