Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

Cheap Gift Wrapping Ideas

One of the attributes of being a frugal minded Bargain Shopper is creativity… a talent for reinvention and looking at things from a different angle. Sometimes we need a little prodding to get our creative juices flowing.

So think about these alternatives to using wrapping paper:

Anti Black Friday

Like many of you, I lead a really busy life. Trying to make room for family, friends and family obligations can be a challenge. That’s why Thanksgiving Day and weekend are so precious to me. That’s also one reason I don’t really participate in the Black Friday shenanigans. I’d rather be hanging with family and friends.

That said….

A Bargain Shopping Truth

Not to put a damper on your Holiday bargain shopping…..
But sometimes you’re not going to save 50% or even 30%!
What?

Yeah it’s true… but the small discount you get may be the deepest discount possible. Welcome to unilateral pricing policies and retail market manipulations.

The Thrill of the Hunt

In Los Angeles we rush around a lot.  Busy lives, hectic schedules make it hard to shop just for fun.  This last weekend we all slowed down a bit and from what I’m hearing everyone enjoyed the laid back pace.

Shopping should be fun and hopefully not rushed.

Researching Matters

On days when I have to do research, I have learned how to dig for information without letting on what I am doing.

I tend to look around a boutique, warehouse or store for a bit, checking out product and pricing. If I like what I see or if I am on the fence about how good this spot is, I then strike up a conversation by asking a question of the sales clerk, manager or if I’m lucky… the owner.

Gas Saving Tips

Drat, drat and double drat….gas prices are up again!
Looks like they’ll stay up for awhile too. Outside of not driving, carpooling, being more efficient in where & why you drive or taking public transport, here are some good tips to help you get the best mileage.

The Best Bargain Hunter

I don’t sew, except to hem a pair of pants or put an occasional curtain or pillow together. I don’t own any Chanel, St John, or Gucci garments. I don’t have a regular tailor or stylist. I don’t live that upscale lifestyle. Most of us don’t. But you should make it your business to understand the quality of construction and design level in a any garment.

Getting the Best Deal

After the plentiful Warehouse /Sample Sale season we just went through many of us are spoiled by the super steep discounts we found. Many stores took some losses but many also made a profit…by marketing and using MSRP as the price point discount comparison price.

Savings and discounts are relative to the markup, cost and quality of the product. Not all merchandise is marked up the same.

It Pays to Buy Quality

It always pays to buy quality. Quality lasts longer than cheaper made items and usually does the job it was designed for better that the cheaper models.  Also with quality items rarely are you forced to go out and purchase new because the item broke. Replacing quality purchases is usually a choice not a necessity, ultimately saving you money. Here are some examples…

Barcode Scanner Apps for Your Cell

Barcode scanner apps are cell phone applications that will scan a barcode from your cell and then pull up relevant info such as pricing and store location.

You can see pricing variations and use that knowledge to determine if you are getting a “bargain”.