SavvySugar

I'm Asking: What's the Best Thing You've Bought This Month?

SavvySugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:34 -0800

There's just one week left until Black Friday, the day most major retail and electronic stores slip into official holiday mode and host big sales. I plan on keeping my Black Friday budget pretty tight (that is if I spend anything), and considering the fact that most of us aren't sure the economy is getting better, I suspect most of you are planning the same.

That being said, 'tis the season of shopping, and spending a little on everyday purchases can actually help you save up for the big stuff. What's the best - or smartest - thing you've purchased so far this month?

What's Hot on the eBay For Celebs and Ballers

SavvySugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:30:51 -0800

We know where celebrities buy things, but have you ever wondered where they go to sell their belongings? While eBay is for the rest of us, those with crazy cash flow can now turn to the BillionaireXchange when they want to auction off items. The members only site won't let you in unless you have at least $2 million in liquid assets. The site launched just this month, yet A-Rod and Dwayne Wade have already posted possessions for sale. Check out what's on the millionaires' marketplace - you won't find any used J.Crew that's for sure.

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Would You Trust $3 Appliances From Target?

SavvySugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:00:13 -0800

Any bargain hunter knows quality and price aren't necessarily correlated. But a $3 coffeemaker? That's less than Starbucks and friends charge for several of their caffeinated menu items.

You might have heard that Target's supposed Black Friday deals were leaked online. A spokesperson for the company wouldn't confirm the rumored deals which include $3 Chefmate brand toasters and coffeemakers, high-definition TVs and navigation systems with slashed price tags, half-priced clothes and toys, and more. If the leaked advertisement is accurate, it sounds like Target is going all out this year trying to get shoppers in its automatic doors.

I'm not used to $3 appliances existing outside garage sales and thrift stores, so it's really something that the chain store is offering these low prices. Sure, I'd throw down a few bucks for a perfectly good, gently used appliance. After all, the person who bought it new surely spent more for the item. Something feels different about buying a new appliance for such a low price - I'm just not sure I'd trust that it would hold up for very long. What's your take?

On Board and Ready To Buy

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:41:23 -0800

In a new move to up their retail, airlines may soon be offering more in-flight opportunities to purchase anything from limousine services to Broadway theater tickets. Though The New York Times reports that only American Airlines has begun limited testing of the retail concept, nearly all airline carriers have confirmed that they are planning to unveil similar expanded retail offerings on flights.

So why expand retail, especially in the midst of a recession? Well, according to SkyMall president Christine Aguilera, airline passengers are "some of the greatest consumers on the planet," simply because they've got nowhere else to go and nothing else to do. This aspect makes "onboard" retail unique because, frankly, "operators are able to lock their doors with their shoppers still inside."

To learn more about airline retail, keep reading

Savvy Links: Don't Fall For Sneaky Tricks While Shopping

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:27 -0800

Don't fall for these sneaky marketing tricks while shopping. - Glamour
Is there a generation gap in savings? - Get Rich Slowly
The job market will rebound a lot sooner than expected. - Slate
How to spend smarter this holiday season. - Consumerism Commentary
A mouse pad and a weekly to-do list in one. - GeekSugar
How to start investing. - Kiplinger

Do You Buy Store-Brand Beauty Products?

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

I love oil-blotting sheets, so I always keep one packet at work and another in my purse. They're so useful for soaking up the pool of oil that collects on my face by early afternoon. Plus, there's something weirdly delightful about seeing the blotchy oil on the sheet. (Or is that just me?)

I first tried the Clean & Clear variety years ago, and they're great. But they're a dollar more than the CVS brand version, which works just as well. They seem identical, and both are made in Japan, so I happily go no-name on this purchase to save a dollar. In general, do you buy store-brand items, or do you prefer the "real" thing?

The Best Times to Buy, From Clothes to Cars

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:45:57 -0800

The best times to make purchases aren't reserved for the moments when you need a little retail therapy. Sales and special promotions might seem sporadic to most of us, but retailers are relatively systematic operations. Mark these months on your calendar for the best time to buy everything, from clothes to cars.

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7 Sales Happening This Week

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:30:33 -0800

Get a head start on the Black Friday crowds that are just a couple weeks away by taking advantage of some sale events happening this week. You can shop and save on gifts without even leaving the house! Check out seven promo codes that could help you get a jump-start on holiday shopping while staying on budget. Some of them expire soon, so if you're going to act, do it fast!

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Are You Buying More or Less Beauty Due to the Recession?

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:43 -0800

Traditionally, when the economy sinks, people buy fewer things that they don't really need. But a couple of girly treats are actually selling better than before. Shoes are moving more than they were last year, and in the United Kingdom, beauty sales are up. Cosmetics rose 7.4 percent between 2007 and 2008, with skin care up 6.7 percent during the same period. (It'll be interesting to see if the trend continues, considering how much worse the economy is this year.) Are you treating yourself to more beauty goods these days, or are you watching your pennies?

Source: Flickr user Striatic

Do You Get Buyer's Remorse?

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:01:46 -0800

Ulta, Sephora, and the department and drugstore aisles are all playgrounds for the cosmetics-obsessed. But once you've made your purchases, do you get that familiar feeling of guilt in the pit of your stomach?

There's no denying that shopping is an emotional experience. In fact, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal points out that shopping creates a sense of euphoria. Then, the bad part happens. Once the credit card is swiped through the machine, feelings of guilt can start to accumulate. Now that the holidays are upon us, I'm sure people will be hitting up shops with greater frequency. Do you think you'll experience buyer's remorse, or do you have a good grip on preventing overspending on beauty items at the stores?