I’m a clothes horse. My closet looks more like a boutique than a typical bedroom closet. I have my favorite affordable stores (which I never shop without a coupon) but I lust after designer brands. Over the years (and with the assistance of my sister), I’ve gotten pretty good at combing discount stores to find the big names on clearance.

It takes time and persistence, but the payoff can be big…

Six weeks ago, I found a pair of Michael Kors wedges at DSW. The department store price was $198. The DSW price was $66 plus an additional 30% off. I loved them. I Tweeted them. I resisted them. I wanted a better deal.

I stopped into DSW two weeks later, and the wedges were still there. Still on clearance for an additional 30% off. Again, I resisted.

Fast forward three weeks and I’m packing for a trip to New York, thinking about how great those wedges would look with one of my outfits. I decide to stop into DSW one more time, hoping that by some miracle they are still there. I scan the clearance section and see nothing, but just as I’m about to leave, there they are! With an additional 70% off!

I practically skip to the register; happy to pay $20 for a $198 pair of Michael Kors wedges.

On my way out of the store the alarms go off. My bag is checked and I’m told my cell phone must have set off the alarm. I should have known better. I get home and there’s a big black sensor, right on the buckle. I was frustrated, but I reminded myself what a good deal I snagged and added it to my to-do list.

So, the next day I stop at the closest DSW, explain the situation, and am met with blank stares. Apparently the security sensors differ from store-to-store and they could not remove the kind that was on my shoe. Back in the car for a 30 minute drive to the store I originally purchased the shoes from.

I head to the register, explain the situation again, and the two associates behind the counter think it’s funny. Yes, it’s absolutely hysterical that one of your coworkers left the security sensor on my shoes, forcing me to drive around Austin for 2-hours to have it removed – now please give me an additional discount for my trouble.

Which they did. After I told them that I wasn’t amused, they upped the original discount to 80% off, making the shoes the bargain of the year at $12! To further redeem themselves, the manager left a nice voice mail apologizing for my trouble and offering an additional discount on my next purchase, which I appreciated.

And that is the story of how I got $198 Michael Kors wedges for $12.

If you’re counting, that was five trips to DSW.

I’m exhausted.

And if I fall and break my ankle the first time I wear them, I’ll know that karma really is a bitch.

The Story of the $12 Michael Kors Wedges

Are you a fashion maven? In the mood for some bargain shopping? I listed several high ticket items on eBay for a steal and will be listing more as the week goes on!

Take a look…

NWT Tibi Madeline Cap Sleeve Dress – color Haze size 12

Miraclebody Jeans – Katie Size 18

Miraclebody Jeans – Samantha Size 16

Luminess Air Pro Airbrush Kit w/ 10 Full Size Samples!

Brand New Glitter TOMS – White Size 8

Baby Banz – Adventure Banz Camo Baby Sunglasses

Vera Bradley Tote in Very Berry Paisley

NWT Hobo International Nylon Tote Bag

Kushyfoot ‘Flats To Go” foldable ballet flats size 8

Fit In Clouds foldable flats – Wedding White size Large

Fit In Clouds foldable flats – Black size Medium/6.5-7

Current eBay Auctions

Here’s a great little back-to-school perk for teachers and students – show your college or high school ID and receive 25% off your entire Old Navy purchase THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

What a great time to take your student to stock up on jeans and tees! Make sure to check out the Facebook event page and tell all you’re friends where you’ll be shopping!

Did you go? How much did you save? What did you get?

Old Navy Teachers & Students Discount

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of SupaSwap Corporation. All opinions are 100% mine. Please see my site policy with any questions.

No matter how skilled you are at budgeting and couponing, back-to-school season can put the hurt on your pocketbook. Calculators, backpacks, tennis shoes, and books all add up quickly – especially when you’ve got more than one little crumb catcher to buy for.

So where can you go to stretch your back-to-school budget even further? Supaswap!

SupaSwap is an online shopping community that’s suitable for the entire family! Parents can swap, bid, and buy items with other parents and teens and tweens can learn the value of a dollar by bidding and swapping with other teens and tweens.

The site is constantly reviewed for appropriateness and also allows parents to supervise and control their children’s activities. There’s a full range of parental controls, from moderating email messages to approving buying, bidding, selling, and swapping activities.

So, whether your kids your kids need back-to-school supplies or games and gadgets to keep them busy, take some time and discover SupaSwap together!

Back-to-School with SupaSwap

After yesterday’s Top 10 Products to Always Buy Generic, it’s only fair that we look at the flip side of the coin today with the Top 10 Products to Never Buy Generic:

1. Diapers – I don’t have any personal experience with this, but I have family and friends who swear by Costco diapers!
2. Condiments – I’ll buy generic ketchup, but not mustard.
3. Paper Products – I never buy generic paper products because with the help of coupon and store sales, I can get brand name products for practically free!
4. MP3 Players – I wouldn’t consider anything other than an iPod.
5. Garbage Bags – I tried to buy generic garbage bags and after one messy experience, I’ve learned my lesson.
6. Paint
7. Cheese – I’m such a stinky cheese lover that I wouldn’t even consider generic cheese.
8. Apple Knockoffs – Please see #4.
9. Beer – My husband agrees.
10. Spaghetti Sauce – I always “doctor” spaghetti sauce, so brand names don’t mean much to be. I also think the Aldi brand is quite good straight out of the bottle!

I’ve already weighed in on which products I will and won’t waiver on in my Generic vs. Brand Name post, but what about you? Do you agree that the items listed above should always be name brand? What other products are always name brand in your pantry?

Top 10 Products to Never Buy Generic

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine. Please see my site policy with any questions.

If you’re a regular reader, you know that my husband and I are on a budget. A tight budget. We clip coupons, buy generic, and do without. The 10 Products to Always Buy Generic is a great list to stick to when penny pinching, and we adhere to it with few exceptions.

1. OTC Medications – We use our flexible spending plan and stock up at Costco.
2. Cereal – Our favorites taste the same no matter the brand.
3. Pantry Staples – Can you really tell a difference between brands of flour and sugar? I don’t think so.
4. Soda -This is one where I can’t make an exception. I am a devout Coke drinker.
5. Gasoline – My dad works for a large oil company, you’d be amazed to learn who is buying from and selling to each other. It’s essentially all the same.
6. Electric Cables – This is my husband’s domain, but I’ve never seen him splurge.
7. Beauty Products – Drugstore brands for me!
8. Batteries – Good in theory, but in practice, I find that Energizes really does keep going and going.
9. Fruits & Veggies – Farm stands are always the freshest and the cheapest!
10. Baby Formula

Some of you may be surprised to see baby formula show up on a list of generics that are just as good as brand name, but all infant formulas are subject to the same FDA regulations under the Infant Formula Act. That means that no matter what brand of baby formula ends up in your cart, they all meet the exact same minimum nutrient specifications to ensure that your baby is receiving a safe and nutritious alternative to breast milk. That also means that you can save a few dollars (which ads up, quickly!) by buying ditching the name brand formula for store brand formula.

So, do you buy generic? What products are you loyal to and which depend on price?

Top 10 Products to Always Buy Generic

Today is the last day to get your coupon for a FREE CVS hand sanitizer pen! All you need is a CVS ExtraCare card number and a printer!

Below are my actual transactions this week. Thanks to my very nice CVS manager, I managed 10 items for under $7. Make sure to visit my favorite blogs for more CVS savings…

• Deal Seeking Mom
• Kingdom First Mom
• The Frugal Find

Transaction #1

Purchased:

• (1) CVS Hand Sanitizer – FREE CVS coupon = FREE
• (2) M&M’s Pretzels on sale 2/$1 – BOGO Sunday coupon = FREE with $1 ECB

Earned:

• $1 ECB from M&M’s

Total = $0.50

Transaction #2

Purchased:

• (1) Milk (1 gal) for $2.99 = $2.99 with $1 ECB

Earned:

• $1 ECB from Milk

Used:

• $1 ECB from M&M’s (Transaction #1)

Total = $1.99

Transaction #3

Purchased:

• (2) Pantene shampoo for $3.49 ea – $2/2 CVS coupon – $1/2 Vocal Point coupon = $3.97 with $2 ECB

Earned:

• $2 ECB from Pantene

Used:

• $1 ECB from Milk (Transaction #2)

Total = $2.97

Transaction #4

Purchased:

• (4) Act II Popcorn on sale 4/$5 – (4) $0.40 Sunday coupons = $3.40

Used:

• $2 ECB from Pantene (Transaction #3)

Total = $1.40

TOOP = $6.86

CVS Savings – Week of July 18

After months of eating cereal out of mixing bowls and dinner out of casarole dishes, I ordered a set of new dishes with the help of CSN Stores!

I’m now the proud owner of the Sengware 16 Piece Class Round Place Setting in Tangerina. I absolutely love the color (it’s a bit more saturated than the photo) and was pleasantly surprised by how heafty each piece is. The bowls are nice and deep and the plates have a substantial lip to keep pasta and other saucy meals from slaushing around.

As always, CSN is a dream to order from. This 16 piece set of Sengway dishes cost less than $80 – which is more than $20 cheaper than other retailers! Plus, FREE FedEx shipping was included, which means my new dishes arrived in less than 5 business days.

Plates are bowls are always a hot commodity in our house because we’re lazy and don’t run the dishewasher as often as we should, so as soon as finances allow, I’ll be ordering more Senware dishes from from CSN.

CSN provided a gift certificate to be used towards the purchase of new dishware. All opinions are 100% mine. Please see my site policy with any questions.

Sengware Dishware from CSN Stores

I absolutely love staying in hotels. It’s one of my favorite things to do and always a highlight of any vacation. I love the big beds, fluffy pillows, late night menus, and teeny bottles of shampoo.

I’ve only been to San Francisco once (for work) but I know that union square san francisco hotels are expensive. I also know that with a little bit of research and careful planning you can find a really great hotel at a reasonable price.

The Villa Florence is a stunning Lakespur Hotel located on the bay that offers everything you could want from a hotel while visiting San Francisco and they have some great special offers that include your room, passes to local attractions, ferry passes, and more. Their current specials start at just $249!

The next time we’re planning a vacation, we will definitely be checking out Lakespur Hotels.

This is a sponsored post. Please see my site policy with any questions.

Hotel Specials – Union Square

I love air conditioning. Oh, do I love air conditioning. Ice cold air conditioning. Ideally, 68 degrees during the day and cooler at night.

This year, I turned the air conditioning on in March and it hasn’t been off since, but I have gotten better about conserving and keeping our electric bill in check.

Here are some tips* to help you enjoy the air conditioning while keeping your electric bill in mind…

• Ceiling fans can make a room feel 3-8 degrees cooler and cost less than a penny an hour to run!
• Each degree below 78 raises your energy bill 3-4% so be mindful of the thermostat and keep those ceiling fans on high!
• Close registers in unused rooms and closets and keep the doors to those rooms shut. No use cooling a room you’re not using.
• Turn the AC off when you’re not home. I know there is a heated debate on whether turning the AC off or down uses less energy, but here’s how I think of it – your home can only get so hot while you’re gone, if you leave the AC it removes a houseful of heat over and over again, if you turn the AC off, it only has to remove one houseful of heat when you get home.
• Make sure to change the AC filter frequently. A dirty filter makes the AC work harder, using more electricity.
• Keep your AC unit shaded, it will consume 10% less energy.
• Close the curtains and blinds on the sunny side of the house to keep the heat out.
• Reduce heat from lighting, appliances, and cooking. Use compact fluorescent bulbs, use the microwave instead of the oven, turn off computers and televisions when not in use, and switch your dishwasher to air dry.

Do you have any money saving summer tips? Leave a comment!

*We are renters, so these are quick and easy tips that anyone can implement at any time.

Thrifty Tip – Keeping Cool