Penny Pinching Hints!

Buyer Beware!

2008-11-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

Buyer BEWARE... fortune cookie says, "be careful if you purchase gift cards for gifts"... those gift cards might not even be worth the plastic card in the hand of the receiver! Yikes! If you KNOW that certain stores are already in trouble DON'T purchase a gift card from that store for a friend or loved one for Christmas.

I know that those gift cards are pretty and shiny under the Christmas tree and seem to be more special than cash in an envelope... but "dress up the cash" and make a homemade Christmas card... and, think about it... If you just don't know what to buy, don't limit the recipient to a certain store... cash lets them go wherever they want to get whatever it is their little heart desires...

Are we getting back to basics now or what? Here's a partial list of what I've found that's going on in the retail world as in right now... Please scroll down to the bottom and read my "note," k? Thanks!

Circuit City filed Bankruptcy... they promised to keep all stores open for the holiday season, but after the holiday they plan on closing 155 stores nationwide.

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores. Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.

Cache closing stores. Women's retailer, Cache, announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine's closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant , Fashion Bug, Catherine's Plus Sizes will close about 150 under performing stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info according to spokeswoman, Brooke Perry.

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men 's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 under performing stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill which is yet another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year according to a company press release.

GAP, Inc. closing 85 stores In addition to its namesake chain, GAP also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic. The company said the closures will be weighted toward the GAP brand.

Foot Locker to close 140 stores according to a company press release.

Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores. Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Levitz - the furniture retailer - first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon, PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay stores.

Zales and Piercing Pagoda closing stores. The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda had previously stated that it had plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Recently, they announced the closing of another 23 under performing stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.

Disney Stores have the right to close 98 stores. The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place retail stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. In a press release, Disney said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The stores were not listed.

Home Depot store closings... Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot, Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping US. economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent. The Atlanta-based company said the under performing U.S. stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores They will be shuttered within the next two months .

CompUSA (CLOSED)... clarifies details on store closings... Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners.

Ethan Allen Interiors... announced plans to close 12 of 300+ stores in an effort to cut costs.

Wilson's - the leather experts - are slated to close all 260 mall stores.

Pacific SunWear will close its 154 demo stores after a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-apparel brand. Seventy-four under performing demo stores closed last May.

Sharper Image... recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.

KB Toys has posted a list of 356 stores that it's closing in the US as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.

Dillard's is slated to close additional stores. Dillard's, Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing under performing stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise.

Starbucks is still positioned to close approximately 600 company-operated stores in the US.

Pier I announced that they will be closing an 'undisclosed' number of stores.

Kirkland's, a chain of home decor stores, will be closing nearly 130 stores nationwide.

Sprint is to cut 4500 jobs and close 125 stores.

Linens 'n Things is "out of business"... closing 120 stores nationwide

Dell, Inc. has folded its 140 kiosk tents in the US.

Liz Claiborne, Inc. announced it's closing the entire 54-store 'Sigrid Olsen' chain.

Lone Star Steak House will be closing 27 stores - locations were not listed.

84 Lumber to close 12 stores - locations were not listed.

Rite Aid to close 28 under performing stores with locations TBA.

Big Dollar is the first "dollar store" announcement of closing of stores. Looks like Big Dollar will be downsizing by 10 stores.

Please Note: If any of my readers have additional information to this post, please let me know! There may be additions and/or corrections to the list and I want the information that I bring to you to be not only informative but accurate.

Thanks... and, keep pinching those pennies until they squeal!
Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken

FREE Groceries!

2008-11-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

It's the Rx Shuffle!
I got the most amazing coupon in the mail today... it's for a grocery store that we have here in CA, Ralph's... so this particular deal may only apply to CA residents, however... it should be an encouragement for everyone to look for similar deals!

Okay... back to the coupon... all I have to do is transfer 3 prescriptions or take in 3 new prescriptions and Ralph's will give me $60 in FREE groceries! And they have an incredible generic program that you can get a 3-month prescription for $10!

So, fellow Californians, check in with your local Ralph's pharmacy... I don't know too many folks that can't use $60 worth of FREE groceries to help the budget out a little bit right now... LOL!

Oh, and I was also in Walgreen's today (yes, I was out running around)... and they had a special coupon in their flyer that if you transfer just one prescription in, they will give you a $25 gift card to use to buy anything your little heart desires in their store...

Also, watch the generic lists from Wal-Mart to Ralph's to your local grocery store pharmacy to Walgreen's and all the rest... I just had a prescription filled at Walgreen's the other day and low and behold it's on the "generic list" at Ralph's that I could have gotten for $4 or 3 months for $10! Yikes! So pay attention and save some dollars... see how pinching those pennies are turning into dollars?

Told you... grins!
Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken

Penny Scattering... the Joy of!

2008-11-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

I know that we're all "pinching pennies" and literally "counting pennies" instead of dollars these days and with that said, we still need to find JOY and HOPE!

So this is a hint in spreading joy and hope that will bring immediate joy to your heart which is so important in surviving tough times! Remember the Beggar's Rhyme that we hear during the holiday season?

"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny in the old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny a ha' penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha' penny, God bless you!"
~Beggar's Rhyme

Joy in finding shiny pennies or any penny has long been a tradition of 'good luck' and emanates feelings of hope and joy!

So why don't you SPREAD that JOY this holiday season in a very simple way... give the gift of JOY every day! Make someones lucky day! Let me ask you... don't you experience a feeling of hope and joy when you find a penny in the parking lot at the grocery store or outside the bank or any where? I, personally, look at it as a sign of hope that there is always more money to come... maybe not as quickly as we would like but finding a penny ALWAYS sparks joy and hope in my heart!

When you get pennies in change, don't put them in your pocket or let them fall to the bottom of your purse... instead, on your way to the car, drop them on the sidewalk on the street where you're parked or in the parking lot as you leave the grocery store or the mall... on the way to the rest room at the coffee house...

This "little gift" is sure to make someones day in bringing joy and hope and I guarantee that it will bring good feelings to your heart and a smile to your lips.

You know, it truly is the "little things in life" that really count!

Happy Penny Scattering!

"Cheeeep" Eating!

2008-11-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

The time has changed and it's dark when you get home from work... it already feels like winter. And what's for dinner? You have to stop at the grocery store and pick up a few things and you're tired... sound familiar?

And, boy... those rotisserie chickens under those warming lights as you come through the doors at the grocery store sure look tempting... but that price tag... weren't they $5.99 just a couple of weeks ago? It looks like they're $6.99 and $7.99 now... sigh... the food budget...

Cheer up! It's time for a little planning and "cheeeeep eating!" Start watching your weekly grocery ads and buy whole chickens when they are on sale. You'll be able to find fresh, whole chickens for 89 cents a pound... Let's see... that means you can get a good sized one, say 3 1/2 pounds, for about $3.12! Cheeeeeeeep!

All you have to do is use some of your favorite spices like fresh rosemary... some lemon pepper.... garlic... everything goes with chicken.... and pop your bargain bird in the oven for about an hour and you can use the rest of the money for the trimmings and side dishes.

Enjoy your fresh and delicious "cheep eating!"
Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken

A GREAT Holiday - Pinching Pennies!

2008-10-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

Simple Tips on How to Have the Best Holiday Ever...Pinching Pennies!

Courtesy of Imperial Valley News, Brawley, California - It’s hard to get excited about the holidays when it costs more to fill up your gas tank than it does to buy a Christmas tree. Making plans for the holiday season is more stressful when you’re on a tight budget, and it’s easy to find yourself down in the dumps when you’d rather be decking the halls. So what can a cash-poor holiday elf do to keep her spirits up and gifts under the tree on a shoestring budget?
* Don’t panic...
If Santa can supply gifts for the children of the world in one night, anything is possible. You, too, can have an amazing holiday season without breaking the bank or the spirit of the season -- it just takes a little planning ahead. By starting a few weeks early and sticking to a timeline, you can give yourself some much-needed breathing room come crunch-time. You’ll even have more time to enjoy the season with family and friends because you’ll be tackling your to-do list over time, not all at once.
* Get serious about your budget...
It’s time to get serious with your budget -- start by writing down how much you want to spend on holiday gifts, cards, decorations and celebrations. If your total doesn’t reflect the reality of your bank account, start over. While it’s hard to cut costs on special items like Uncle Pete’s favorite slippers, these items can easily be covered if they’re in your budget at the start. Stick to your budget -- but create a slush fund to cover unexpected surprises, like that last-minute secret snowman gift for the office party. If money is scarce but your list is long, consider starting a new holiday tradition: send an easily shared group gift to relatives, such as a harvest basket full of tasty seasonal treats. You’ll save money by avoiding individual gifts and make gift giving a breeze in the future by carrying on your new tradition.
* It’s the thought that counts...
When you give a gift, you’re letting someone know you care, no matter how big or small that gift is. If you think you’re not spending enough on loved ones for the holidays, remember how special you feel when you get something nice from someone in the mail -- it’s always nice to be remembered. In this day and age of e-mail and instant gratification, going out of your way to do something kind for someone speaks louder than words or a gift card from a big-box store.
* Look to old traditions for new inspiration...
While taking the entire family for a good old-fashioned wassailing might not be in the game plan this December, taking cultural cues from bygone days isn’t a bad idea at all. Some families take to the woods to cut down their own tree for the holiday; others await the annual arrival of The Swiss Colony catalog before kicking off the season. Your friends and family can start a new tradition easily -- all it takes is a fun activity to bring you all together. A time-honored tradition that’s fun for the whole family is building and decorating a gingerbread house together. While making one from scratch can be challenging, it’s a snap to order a pre-made kit online.
* Shop smarter to save more...
It’s easy to buy more than you need at the mall, so avoid that trap by shopping online or using catalogs to nip impulse purchases. Another way to shop smart is to take advantage of budget-friendly credit plans offered by many retailers, including The Swiss Colony, which can help stretch out payments over time and ease the strain on your wallet.
* The cheapest gift you’ll ever give... Love
By demonstrating your love in little ways during the season, you’ll brighten the holidays of everyone around you. Make a CD of your favorite holiday songs for a friend or organize an afternoon of fun-filled sledding with the neighbors. Afraid of being labeled a Scrooge? Take a lesson from corporate America. You’re not downsizing, you’re rightsizing by focusing on the things that really matter during the holidays: spending time with friends and family and making wonderful memories together.

Frugally Yours... with love!

Jan McCracken

Linens & Things... Going Out of Business!

2008-10-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well... here's the second big retail chain biting the dust within a week... how sad is this? Linens and Things has begun their liquidation sales in their stores that are still open as well as from their website: www.lnt.com/home/index.jsp

It appears that most of the merchandise is priced at 30% off across the board but that will change... so if you have something in mind that you need, go check it out and play a bit of the waiting game.... I'll try to do some more research and add another post as to when to expect final store closings. And... I'm wondering where that leaves Bed Bath and Beyond... hmmmm... more research!

So cruise by Linens and Things and stay tuned for "bargain news" and "penny pinching hints.!"

Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken

Mervyn's... Oh My!

2008-10-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

Bargains Galore!

I just happened to wander into Mervyn's this afternoon on my way to JoAnn Fabrics and you woulda thought it was the day before Christmas! Yikes! The lines were almost out the door...

I've been gone for over a week visiting a friend up north that has no TV... yes, you read that right... and I have to tell you that it was refreshing... however, for this news junkie, I had missed the news that all Mervyn's stores are closing by the end of the year. They filed Chapter 7 on Friday and have already commenced their liquidation sales!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... stop by your closest Mervyn's... the prices are outrageously low and dropping almost by the hour! I've shopped at Mervyn's for many years and will miss them as one of my "haunts"... however, in this topsy turvy world, without being negative... I fear that Mervyn's is indeed the first of many to come!

Meanwhile... shop till you drop at Mervyn's! Do your Christmas shopping NOW!

Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken

Dear Santa...

2008-10-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

A little "pinching tip"... as we pinch in all areas right now, this tip will depend on the size of your family when it comes to preparing meals...

It costs dollars to fire up your oven... Consider asking Santa for a little combination countertop oven... one that is a combination of a toaster oven and convection oven... this little wonder will toast anything you want from a bagel to homemade bread... it broils... it grills... it bakes... and, it does it quickly and efficiently!

The brand that I have is a Euro-Pro and I bought this little puppy used a couple of years ago and paid $25 for it at the time. I just did a quick search on Google and found this fabulous deal... looks like they are clearing them out for $14.99 with a possibility of free shipping... I checked some other websites as well as Amazon and they are going for as much as $99!

So check this out... www.homebrands.com/eu06cuftcoto.html

If you have a large family, it probably won't work for you but if you're single, it's a shoe in... and even cooking for two!

Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken

Dollar Store Alert!

2008-09-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Many of you are "dollar store" shoppers already and then there are the many that have never crossed the threshold of one!

I've been a dollar store shopper for a very long time... I even used to attend the trade shows in Las Vegas where a lot of them do their buying! I've watched the stores and their products change dramatically over the years.

I was just shopping in one of my local dollar stores this evening (not my favorite one though)... and made some mental notes to share with you... I've noticed a sharp increase of inventory in their products as well as an extensive diversity in the past few months...

For one... I've never seen so many Disney products except in the Disney stores! And for a dollar! Being the avid researcher that I am, I've found these very same products in other retail outlets and online for 3 to 8 times the amount at the dollar store... Can you do the math on that one? LOL!

And since the "science" behind dollar stores is that they buy bulk surplus inventories that don't sell (yes, I admit that they do have some product manufactured in China specifically for them)... their inventories do speak loudly of what is going on in our economy today.

Now let me share with you some of the products that I found this evening... Mrs. Field's Cookies! The individual packets with all their shiny wrapping were only 59-cents! The bags of cookies were a dollar.... well, 99-cents! I found Del Monte canned fruits and veggies... Campbell's soups! And Campbell's stock went UP today... one of the very, very few! There was Sara Lee bread... various kinds I might add... Stokley's tomatoes! And, one that really knocked my socks off was Gilroy Garlic in a jar! Oh my....

And this particular dollar store has a "fresh produce department." Prices of bananas in grocery stores have been up to a dollar a pound (in CA anyway) of late... you get a whole "bunch" of bananas for a dollar. And their produce is fresh and crisp looking... better than some of the grocery stores actually! And there was a big bag of red grapes... probably a pound... where else can you buy a pound of fresh grapes for a dollar these days?

This list is just skimming the surface... I encourage you to put the closest dollar store on your map on a day you run your errands... just check it out and don't give yourself too much time in there... those dollars add up and the impulse buying in those stores is one reason they do so well! By the same token, take advantage of this opportunity of "surplus selling" to start your "new life" of penny pinching... start stacking up those pennies! You CAN do it... we will do it, together!

Happy Shopping!
Frugally,
Jan McCracken

Too Much Month at the End of the Money?

2008-09-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Are you, like so many of us, experiencing the dreaded affliction of "too much month at the end of the money?"

That's why I created this blog! I'm an avid researcher and a freelance writer by trade and there are ways that we can turn this very challenging situation of living life in today's seemingly daily crisis mode into a more positive existence.

I grew up in the Midwest in a small farming community. I was raised by my grandparents and as of late I did some extensive research on the Great Depression which, of course, my grandparents lived through... I realized that many of the foods that were staples of the Great Depression were what I grew up eating!

We were very poor folks but you would have never known it from the "bounty of the table!" We ate very, very well... and, I might add... extremely healthy!

But that was THEN and this is NOW, so let's fast forward to 2008 to the time that Congress is trying to decide at the very moment of this writing whether to pass a $700 BILLION Bill that will bailout Wall Street. You think just maybe that IF that Bill passes it might change all of our lives just a tad? Or, do you think that just maybe IF that Bill doesn't pass it might change all of our lives just a tad?

On top of all this... right now in the midst of the 2008 Presidential election, and to be remembered in the history books of all time, the keyword is "CHANGE!" As we all know, change is not always easy.

In my writing career, I've written quite a few books about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. My mantra through the years has been.... "Change Your Mind... Change Your Heart... Lose Weight for Life!" This mantra can be applied to our changing lifestyles of today in our pockets with just a bit of tweaking. In order to get through these tough times, here's a new roadmap...

"Change Your Mind... Change Your Heart... Live Life Well!"

If you've never "pinched pennies" before you can learn! I know you know how to count "dollars"... we're going to "count pennies!"

So bookmark this blog and come back often to check for helpful penny pinching hints for just plain ol' folks like myself... we're all in this together so let's stick together. I welcome posts that are working for you on cutbacks and shortcuts.

Remember... if you start stacking up pennies... the stack soon becomes a dollar... and then...

Frugally yours,
Jan McCracken