Showing posts with label Money Saving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money Saving. Show all posts

Thursday, August 25, 2011

End of Season Clearance: Monthly Markdown Schedule


Bethink the serendipity of meeting the perfect pretty whats-it, for 50% off the original price, precisely when you needed it for that such and such thingy.

Well cease with the ritualistic discount drumming and throw away your mark down predicting tarot cards which you wield in a futile attempt to recreate favorable deal finding circumstances.  It's far easier to read the predictable retail markdown calendar. 














January outerwear and winter accessories
February fine jewelry, boots, and cashmere sweaters
March linen suits and separates, handbags, and spring raincoats
April silk separates, spring raincoats, and dresses
May spring shoes, dresses, and suits
June swimwear, casual shorts, t-shirts, and summer dresses
July summer shoes, drastic reductions on swimwear
August summer clearance and fall season sales
September lined raincoats, wool blend blazers, handbags, and backpacks
October leather jackets, fall suits, career, and casual sweaters
November eveningwear, fall shoes, and boots
December clearance coats, cashmere sweaters, and fine jewelry


Now you can choose to fashion happenstance whenever you choose. Simply catalog what you actually need, then plan the most parsimonious opportunity to acquire it. 

But that does require pre-shopping, a topic to discuss tomorrow.

Let Cardigan Empire search out the best seasonal discounts for you.  A complete Fashion Package: combines a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

End of Season Clearance: Swimsuits


I deem my Mister to be a capital classy gentleman...

Except when clad for aquatics.  He pinches his pennies particularly tight within the category of recreational raiment.  In common colloquy, the man needs some swim trunks.  I refuse him the liberty to don his pineapple hued, inappropriately printed monstrosities in one more of my vacation memories.  For the last decade, exotic beaches all over the world have been haunted by the image of tropical orchids collaged with silhouettes of mud flap girls (which he failed to notice when he fished this suit from the bottom of a clearance bin).  I must protect humanity.




Yes Those Ones
Serendipitously, Andrew's dire demand is aligned with retail's over abundant supply.  Portside of your favorite retail establishment is likely to be cozied with chunky pullovers and lush corduroys. But those who wish to stock closets without emptying wallets, need only journey to the aft of the store where the lonely summer swimmers have been cast overboard to be washed against an orphaned sales rack.

The end of the summer season has arrived, and it is time to acquire maximum caliber swim shorts at minimum coinage.  With all the money to be saved, we can shop for our own nautical needs, and engage in imaginary vacation planning. 

(*Although any proper imaginary vacation would feature both Mister and Missus and quite possibly Mini-ster and Mini-uss, all imaginary vacation planning will feature only Mrs. Reachel, for Mister Andrew would be mortified were I to publish his bare nipples
for public viewing-even if they are hypothetically imaginary.)




Theoretical treading on the Amalfi Coast would look even dreamier in classic stripes




Fantasy reposing in Costa Rica deserves equally exotic prints





Speculative sunning in Bali should start with properly saturated hues


Where would you like to take your swimsuit next?

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Swimmer Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.
Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Freshy Fall Trends for Less: Tribal Elegance

Fall is more of a theoretical season in Arizona.  And if I can't enjoy cooler weather, at least I should be able to enjoy autumnally appropriate clothes.

Get yourself a complete ensemble on the right for less than the price of one piece on the left.  Use the difference to add an extra gallon or two of gas for your air conditioned sedan safari.

Downeast Basics Any Which Way Dress


Let Cardigan Empire fashion you for Spring.  Freshen up with a complete Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session


Visit any DownEast Basics store in the Phoenix metro area from 8/29-9/12 & enter to win a fall fashion makeover! 1 lucky winner receives $250 shopping spree + DownEast will donate $250 to a local school of winner’s choice!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Freshy Fall Trends for Less: Mod Colorblocking

The juxtaposition of geometric houndstooth over curvy hips is divine.  And bold colors buffeting the surrounding vicinity ensures no inch of your chic is ignored.  

Get yourself a complete ensemble on the right for less than the price of one piece on the left.  Use the difference to add some more alluring curves to the skirt with an "I'm so frugal gelato".



Let Cardigan Empire fashion you for Spring.  Freshen up with a complete Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Friday, April 8, 2011

Fitting Room Friday: Thrifty Penny


Paraiso Dress: $148 to $79.95 (46% Off)
Anadyomene Cardigan


Purchases don't always happen on the first introduction. Maybe you first lock eyes online...flirt in the store window. Courting advances in the dressing room. But when your prize's price is reduced; the productivity of playing hard to get has climaxed. You carefully remove your darling from its officious hanger station and take it home to cherish.  Now if an item isn't worthy of this progression, why is it worthy of your closet?

Think of price reductions as opulence diets.  Many (silly) women will wait to purchase until body weight has been shed.  Yet it is far better to procrastinate purchase, on something that fits now, until its lost price?

Meredith is a thrifty-ite, and after approximately four weeks of waiting, we scale her savings potential at over $250 of savings.

Buttondown Cowlneck: $88 to $29.95 (66% Off) + Quiet Approach Skirt: $78 to $39.95 (49% Off)
Loop Stack Cardigan + Peak Through Belt
Springing Season Blouse: $68 to $39.95 (41% off) + Joe's Provocateur: $157 to $99.95 (36% off)
Pulling it Together Sweater
Nuances Necklace $48 to $29.95 (38% Off)

Fountain of Youth Dress + Striped Femme Henley
This last ensemble is one I think she should continue to woo.  And what, might we ask, are you stalking at the moment?

Let Cardigan Empire search out the thriftiest option for you.  A complete Fashion Package: combines a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thrifty Penny: Markdowns

'Without frugality none can be rich, and with it very few would be poor' (Samuel Johnson)


Ok, here is my disclaimer. 
I do not speak as an official representative of any of these companies.  The information I present here is based on personal experience and may or may not be company policy.

STORE MARKDOWN SCHEDULE
Anthropologie
TUESDAYS
True for online and in stores.  Shop early for the best selection. New shipments Monday through Thursday.  Semi-Annual sales around Christmas and during the Summer.  Also I recommend adding your birthdate to your Anthro account.
Banana Republic
SUNDAYS
Not a rule (may not happen every Sunday) but definitely a good suggestion. 
New Shipments Mondays and Thursdays.
Dillards
1st OF THE MONTH
additional discounts announced on Wednesday's.  Regular weekly shi
pment receipts.

Forever21
MONDAYS
Not a rule (does not happen every monday) but definitely a good suggestion.  Occurs regularly as dictated by corporate.  New shipments multiple times a week.
Gap/Gap Kids/Baby Gap
WEDNESDAYS
New shipments twice a week.
Gymboree
MONDAYS
Usually every other week.  Also watch for gymbucks and end of season sales. 
H&M
END OF EVERY OTHER MONTH
These are end of season sales, the current sale (Spring 2011) started on Tuesday, March 29th.  New shipments weekly.
J. Crew
TUESDAYS
Not a rule (does not happen every Tuesday) but definitely a good suggestion.
Janie & Jack

THURSDAYS
Usually every other week.  Also watch for end of season sales. 
Kohls
WEEKLY
Regular one days sales and weekend sales.  Also watch for lowest price of the season sales.
The Limited

SEASONAL
Markdowns at the end of season.  New shipments multiple times a month.
Loft (& Ann Taylor

SEASONAL
New shipments Monday and Friday.  Apply for an Ann Taylor Credit Card to earn $20 in rewards for every 2,000 pts of s
Macy's
SUNDAY-WEDNESDAY
Macy's starts their markdowns on Sunday, and work to be 100% marked down by Wednesday, close of business. 75% off, you should get it, as it will rarely go any lower. The next week they will box it up and ship it out to their clearance stores.  Also watch for "wear red" (extra 20% off) days and semi-annual sales in different departments.
Nordstrom
SALE SCHEDULE
  • Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids—starts Wednesday, May 25
  • Half-Yearly Sale for Men—starts Friday, June 17
  • Anniversary Sale—starts Friday, July 15 and ends Sunday, July 31
  • Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids—starts Wednesday, November 2
  • Half-Yearly Sale for Men—starts Sunday, December 25 online, and Monday, December 26 in-store 
Also shop for additional savings at Nordstrom Rack and Last Chance.

Talbots

MONTHLY

Sign up for e-mails to receive regular promotion notices.
Target

SEE SCHEDULE
Monday - Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
Tuesday - Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
Wednesday - Men's Clothing, Toys, Lawn & Garden, Health and Beauty items
Thursday - House Wares, Lingerie, Sporting Goods, Shoes, Music / Movies, Books, Decor and Luggage
Friday - Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry

50% off the day after holiday for three days
75% off the fourth day after holiday for three days
90% off the seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days

Target rarely marks down non-holiday items below a 75% off discount. And if the price ends in the number 4, you may be looking at your last chance to buy.
Victoria's Secret
ANNUAL & SEMI-ANNUALS SALES January & July
White House | Black Market
AS NEEDED
Join Black Book (free customer service program):

Once your merchandise purchases reach a net of $300 you will obtain Black Book membership status. As a Black Book Member* you can look forward to these benefits:
Preliminary Black Book benefits include:
  • Be the first to know about newest collections, sales, and offers
  • Preview new collections via email
Black Book (once your merchandise purchases reach $300) benefits may include :
  • 5% off every merchandise purchase
  • Birthday bonuses
  • Double discount days
  • Invitations to special parties and events
  • Private sales
*To be eligible for birthday bonus benefits, Black Book members must have shopped with WHBM during the past 12 months.

Once again this list is not an official statement from any of these fine retail establishments.  It may contain errors or inconsistencies. 

Please pretty please, share what you know or have experienced.






Let Cardigan Empire search out the thriftiest option for you.  A complete Fashion Package: combines a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

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