Five Ways to Save at Kohl's

Occasionally I shop at Kohl's, and here is where you can save:

• Check the early-bird specials to see if what you want or need is on sale then.  Go to the store during those hours; otherwise you will have to pay more

• Occasionally there will be a $10 off coupon on the front of our local paper.  Be sure to save it, and use it before the expiration date

• Seasonal merchandise is usually offered at big discounts, but they may not have what you want in the size you need or if what you need has matching pants or tops, they may already been sold

• If you and your spouse have Kohl credit cards, consistently use the same one to purchase items.  When flyers come in the mail, the card not being used will get 30% off while the card being used will get only 20% off

• If you buy more than $50 worth of merchandise, you will get a $10 off coupon.  These, too, expire, so watch the dates

• At the cashier, the percentage off is deducted first.  Then the coupons.  You pay a few dollars more that way

• Pay off your purchases before the end of the billing cycle to avoid finance charges.   If you are late, they charge a hefty fee.  If you pay online, the software will NOT let you pay when the bill is really due if that date is a week or so out.  I pay on the current date, so I do not forget and get a late charge.  

Garage Sales - Few and Far Between this Time of Year

Met an interesting seller at his barn sale near the railroad tracks in Ft. Lupton over the weekend.  It was getting late, and and he was in the mood to talk.  It was fun listening to him tell about finding the treasures  in his barn and what he had to do to them to get them sale-ready.

We came away with a new appreciation of people who can get things running without a manual and turn an old-onion-and-potato-storage barn into a great second-hand store.

Many times, the bargains are not in what we buy; but who we meet and their stories.

Garage Sales - Few and Far Between

My honey spied a garage sale sign yesterday while we were running errands.  Yipeeeeee.  We just had to go if nothing more than to get out of the car, walk around and talk to the seller about their stuff.

Among the mundane things, I found an American Dictionary of the English Language, Facsimile (copy) First Edition, Noah Webster 1828.  The pages are perfect and look new - which they are, but in an old style.  The book is approximately 8.5 x 11 inches and at least two inches thick.   It was $.50.

I snatched it up as I had just the decoupage project in mind.  Don't want to play my hand just yet as I need to do some testing with the book pages and glue.  You will know soon enough under the craft section, but this is a BIG project that has been bugging me for several years, and I have made several false starts.  It is located at the intersections of functionality, fun and crafting.

I don't want to jinks it so, I will keep it under my hat until I am sure it can work and more importantly that I like the effect.   Of course, I will take before and after shots if you will excuse the junk in the area.

Rebate from Xcel

For those who have Xcel as their light and gas company, the October bill was great.  With our deductions we paid $15.06 for gas and electric.   Why so little?

The bulk was in a $40 rebate.  For this yearly rebate,  Xcel can remotely shut off our AC when the electrical demand is too high.  This decision was a no-brainer for us as our house stays pretty cool in the summer without the AC.

Here are some of the reasons why our house stays pretty cool:

• our trees have grown tall enough to shade the house on the west side
• our wall and attic insulation is sufficient to keep out most of the summer heat
• our ceiling fans in the upstairs bedrooms keep the air moving.  We run the one in our bedroom 24/7 in the summertime
• our three solar-activated attic fans running off thermostats keep the attic cool even though we have a dark-brown metal roof
• we close our blinds on the east side of the house in the morning and on the west side in the afternoon.  Otherwise they are open
• we minimize opening the front door in the morning and back door in the afternoon
• we close and lock all windows.  We lock them so there is no air leakage
• and at night, we open doors and windows to allow in cool mountain breezes
• we minimize inside cooking either with the stovetop or oven.  Instead we use small appliances that don't give off much heat or use those small appliances on the back patio.
• we minimize running various appliances that generate heat.  Our exceptions are the refrigerator and computers
• we have a lean-to greenhouse on the south side of the house, and we NEVER open that door until dark.  We use an insulated curtain at that sliding-glass door when the temperature hovers around 100.  We use the outside door if we need to go in there.
• we live on the garden level in the summertime where it is cooler

Our Xcel bill gives us great information about our house.  This past month, the average daily temperature was 60 degrees.  During the same time last year, it was 62"  So this year, it was a little cooler.

This year we used 258 kWh for electricity and 11 therms for gas.  Last year we used 338 kWh and 8 therm for gas.  More electricity but less gas.

To make a comparison, one must look, too, at the number of days in the billing cycle.  Even though Xcel reads the meters automatically, there can be more days in one cycle than in another.

One more thing to watch:  Xcel has higher costs during the summer, and they have a two-tiered system then.   During this June-to-September rate structure, Xcel charges 4.6 cents per kWh and 9.6 cents per kWh over 500 kWh.  It pays to keep your usage under that.

On September 30th the two-tiered rate structure ends, and electrical usage goes back to 4.6 center (or whatever the current rate is) per kWh.

Daylight Savings Time Ends 2 am Sunday for most in USA and Canada

While we are sleeping early Sunday morning, Daylight-Savings Time ends for most of us in the USA and Canada.  Time falls back from 2 am to 1 am.   Daylight-Savings Time resumes March 11, 2012 for another 34-week cycle.

I laugh at the name - sunrise and sunset are still the same.  How can we be saving daylight when we set our clocks forward?  We are just re-arranging it.  "Re-arranging Time" sounds pretty lame.

Changing the time at Our Place is never fun as we have so many different types clocks.  There is:

• the Atomic Clock that works correctly
• no problem here
• the Atomic Clock one must trick
• it thinks Day-Light Savings time is on the old schedule so it changed last week.  We tricked it by setting it to a different time zone for another week.  So Sunday morning, we will set this clock back to Mountain Standard Time.  We will do a similar procedure in the spring.
• the clocks that we change
• the clock on the microwave - easy, peasy 
• the alarm clock - my Cowboy experiments with this twice a year until he remembers how
• boatloads of clocks we ignore
• the stove clock, the coffee pot clock, the DVD-player clock, etc.  We let them be what they want to be - usually flashing PF for power failure.  When we can, we plug these into power strips that we turn off preventing electrical drain for no value
• clocks in the car
• we usually forget these until we need them - a couple of weeks after the time change.  Then we go through the discussion of "fall back or fall forward (fall back)."  And we never remember how from season to season (each is different), so it is back to the manual for us.  

Flu Shots

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says last year's flu vaccine was 60% effective.   Considering the high monetary and personal costs of being sick and the cost of the flu shot, that seems like a good bargain to us.  Flu shots can be FREE with most health insurances and $25 or less without.  The CDC says the flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu.  

In addition to the flu shot, good health habits such as covering your cough with the inside of your elbow and washing your hands can prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Antiviral drugs are an important second line of defense.  They must be prescribed by a doctor.

For more information on effectiveness, see the CDC website.  Hit the back arrow to return to this blog.

The CDC estimates that over 200,000 people in the USA will be hospitalized each year for respiratory and heart conditions associated with the flu.  The CDC estimate a range of 3,000 to 49,000 people in the USA die each year from flu-related illnesses.

If these statistics hold true, it is no surprise that health insurance companies want as many as possible over the age of six months to get flu shots.  And when insurance companies save money, we do, too.

• our premiums are less
• we don't pay those out-of-pocket deductibles when well
• we don't lose work time
• we don't lose leisure time
• we feel good

Beware - Checking out at Walgreens

I hate Walgreens' checkout process.  So many times, I have gotten home and looked at the cash-register tape and found errors.  And the majority of these errors are coupons that didn't get credited.

The last time we went, we also got flu shots.  One of us didn't get credited for the $3 flu-shot rebate.  Last year, I got my flu shot at Walgreens, but pharmacist didn't tell me it was good ONLY for that day.  As you can see, I take couponing seriously.  Otherwise, I consider it bait and switch.

This year I was ready.  But when I got home, one of the $3-off coupons was in one of the bags; and it hadn't been deducted.  So the next time I went to Walgreens, I took the cash-register tape, the $3-off coupon and talked to the manager.  I knew it would be tough to get cash, so I picked up a couple of cans of the salmon (it was also on coupon) we like and took them to the cash register.  They gladly gave me a $3 credit on the salmon.  And everyone was happy.

Besides not getting credit for coupons, a couple of times, I have noticed while checking out that the  advertised price didn't ring up.  So I politely pointed it out.

It appears from shopping multiple Walgreens that they hire inexperienced checkers and don't give them much training.  When an error occurs, they call the manager.  I encourage this.

And their receipts are confusing, and I have had a manager agree.

Lessons learned:  Buy only a few items.  Buy only sale items.  Watch the prices.  Make sure you have cut or torn out the coupons for items that need them.  Group same items together.  Give the clerk the coupon for that item when she checks out those items.  Make sure you get credit for the coupon.  Give the checker the store or pharmacy coupons at the end.  Make sure they appear as credits on your cash-register tape.

Frankly, I avoid taking anyone with me when I shop there.  Any distraction for me or the checker can really mess things up.

Two things I consistently go to Walgreens for despite their problems:

• yellow playtex gloves (I use them for gardening or cleaning) when they are on coupon 2 for $1
• large cans of salmon when they are on coupon for $2.49

Otherwise, it is buyer beware.

Candy Bargains

News flash.

Just when tired of hearing about Halloween candy, along comes a deep discount candy deal at Walgreens and local grocery stores the morning after Halloween.

When stalking these bargains, we usually head for the good chocolate and those brands we love most - Snickers and Butterfingers.

We freeze almost all of it in a little sack in the back of the freezer.  When we get a hankering for sweets, the Cowboy and I pull out a frozen treat and make a cup of coffee.  Then we relax in an easy chair and enjoy.

Truth be told, we still have some Fannie May leftovers from Christmas.  Fannie May is absolute a great candy maker of chocolates and caramels.

My Aunt Nell and Uncle John would get a two-pound box from my Uncle Harry back in the day, tell no one and treat themselves all year from their stash.  The joke was really on my sister and me as Mom also got a two-pound box.  

  

Halloween Tree Witch

Here is a cute idea for next year.  Use old, flashy witch-style clothes, a wig and a broom.  Arrange on tree.  The story goes that the witch under the darkness of night aimed for local trick-or-treater, missed and crashed into the tree.

Discount Bread Store

Once a month or so on a Tuesday, I make a trip down 44th to a discount bread store.  I get multiple loaves at a good price plus a couple of freebies.

If you are going to do discount bread, too, make sure you like their brands of bread.  It isn't a bargain if it gets moldy or feeds the birds or ducks (neither should eat bread).

On Tuesday, they have double punch days.  That fills up your card faster for more free bread.  Occasionally, we will cash in our cards and donate the bread to a local food bank.

Because we like variety, we supplement our discount bread buys with bread from our local grocery's mark-down rack as discussed in a previous post.

Completing the Circle - Rims for our Tires

Finding the correct rims is not easy.  Luckily my cowboy had been through it before.

We watched Craigslist for Saturn Vue rims with five lug bolts for a couple of weeks.  No luck.  However, we did find reconditioned ones at a junk yard for $640 for four.   Too much.

We needed Plan B.   Hubby went to this rim-conversion site.  Click here to see what other vehicles take the same rims as the Vue.  The conversion chart is somewhat hidden as one must scroll down to see it.  I added those vehicles to our lists of potentials.

Theresa, a mechanic friend of ours, gave us a bolt circle template, and we fit that over one of the existing rims and measured the distance between lug bolts.  See picture below.  We wrote it down.  We plan to take it with us when we looked at prospective rims.

Finally, some rims became available that were on our secondary list.  Were they 16-inch?  Check.  Did they have places for five lug nuts?  Check.  Did the patterns of lug nuts match our pattern as per our template?  Check.  Did the rim bolt to the car at the proper place so the tires wouldn't be too far in or out?  Check.

We met the seller at his place of employment where he had the rims stored.  We double checked the above list in our minds, and his rims met all our requirements.  The only difference was that they had the GMC logo on them.  Logo, smogo, we didn't care.

We bought the four for $265 - we like this price much better.  And they came with one good tire, and we could probably use on one of our trailers.

We brought the rims home, and hubby put one on the Vue just to make sure.  And they fit.  If they hadn't, we would have put them back on Craigslist and continued to look.

Last Saturday, we loaded the rims and new-to-us tires up and went to the tire store.  We got the tires mounted, balanced and put on the Vue.  We also had the vehicle aligned.  Since it would take awhile, we left the Saturn and took our other vehicle for more errands.

Then something unexpected happened.  The tire store called, and the Saturn needed a front brake job.  As we have almost 70K miles on this vehicle, we weren't too surprised.  Since we hadn't spent all of the money we had allocated for the tires, rims and alignment, we could have the front brakes done that day.

Having the brakes fixed now saved us time and money.  We didn't have to spend another Saturday fooling with the Saturn, and the brakes were not at the dangerous or cost-us-a-huge-bundle stage.

Sure it took us some time and effort, but we feel our effort was worth it.  When winter is over, my hubby will take off the winter wheels and tires and put on the summer wheels and tires.

bolt circle template

new tires

Estate Liquidators Web Site and Email List

Many professional estate liquidators have web sites and email blasts advertising their next sale.
If you like the personnel, what they are offering (limited junk) and their prices, check them out.

Mid-week, I got an email from a liquidator my hubby and I met in Golden a couple of weeks ago.  they were advertising their next sale's location, starting dates and times and featured items.

I had signed up for their emails, and they added me to their list.  One could do the same thing on their web site.  Many have business cards, too.

Some estate liquidators who also have a store must charge sales tax in this state.

The friendly email was just a reminder.  My question: "Is it worth my time?"

Comparing Light Bulbs

The CFL's (compact fluorescent lamp) annual cost is $1.69 compared to an incandescent light bulb (old style - ones used for years and years) cost of $7.23, and the light-emitting diode is $1.45 for the same amount of light according to the Denver Post, US Department of Energy, Wall Street Journal and D&R International.

A couple of years ago, we replaced most of our easy-to-reach and frequently used light bulbs.  So we wouldn't go too crazy over the rest of the light-bulb thing, here is what we do.  Since the light-emitting diode was $30-40 per bulb, we pass on that style - not cost-effective enough.

As for the more efficient and cooler CFL when an old-style bulbs burns out, we replace it with CFLs whenever possible.  Not all our sockets can take a full-sized CFL, so we bought a few shorties.   And a few of our sockets cannot use CFLs (our outdoor lights on remote sensors don't work right with CFLs, so we replace them with the old-style.  And when we replace those old and hail-storm damaged remote-sensor lights, we will search out those that are CFL friendly.

When one of our long-tube florescent lights or a CFLs burn out, we take them to Home Depot or Lowe's for recycling.

Don't know how many old-style bulbs we have left to replace, but the electricity portion of our utility bill is under 400 Kwhs.  You could say either we are energy efficient or live in the dark.

Interesting Benefits of Estate Sales

You can tell from my blog, my hubby and I like to go to garage or estate sales.  We especially like estate sales as we get to see some interesting real estate - garages, basements and backyards.  

The one in Golden recently was on a high point across from South Table Mountain and uphill from the Coors Plant.  The colors were changing and the view was  beautiful.  The estate liquidators said they had seen deer wandering the property early in the morning.  

My husband especially likes to see what creative and time-saving innovations the previous owner devised.  His father was quite handy, and I am sure he came by this appreciation through him.    

Estate Sale

Mid to late afternoon this past Sunday while going to the recycling center, we spotted an estate sale sign.  As died-in-the-wool bargain hunter and lookie-lou of other's property and lifestyle, we stopped in.  Truthfully it was the Saturn Vue that saw the sign first, and steered us in that direction.

In the last hours of the last day, some estate sellers offer 75% off.  So was the case here.  In a back closet my cowboy found two sets of coveralls that were in great shape - although a little dusty and dirty (nothing that a spin in the washing machine hasn't remedied).  The summer-weight pair was $1 and the insulated-winter weight was $2.50 after the 75% discount.   We would have paid $50-75 at KMart or WalMart for the winter weight.  He will use them to work on our vehicles and retire or donate his shabby old pair.

Manager's Specials, Markdown Center

My grocery store has in-house bargains in three areas - meat, dairy and bread, bakery and other items.  Check with the manager of your store to see where these are located and the approximate time they are stocked.  

There are several reasons why items don't stay here long - charities for people and animals pick up items that are good but close to their "sell-by-date" and folks like us shop these areas first.

Lots of seniors shop one of the stores I frequent, and they time their marketing to catch the best bargains .

bread and other items

meat department

Future Home of the Colorado Cowgirl's Chickens

This is the story of vision meets opportunity.  My vision was chickens for eggs and to eat grasshoppers. 

I have been looking on Craigslist for an industrial box.  Never would I have guessed that the box would come to me!

Last week there was construction crew on the main road robotically working on the water system.  I knew it wasn't the water main because they turn that off.  When I paid the water bill, the water gal said that they were lining the inside of the sewer line because the welds were leaking inward.  That means they were treating more water than they were selling - never a good thing.

At the construction site, I spied this empty, heavy-duty box below as the guys were preparing haul it away.  I hopped out of my Saturn and inquired if they had plans for it.   To make a long story short, the supervisor said I could have it, and the forklift driver would deliver.  Luckily I live a short two blocks away.

Hopefully my honey who has been working some long hours lately will have time this winter to make it into a great home for our chicken flock.

Two points, I would like to make about found objects like this: 

• Make sure they are really available by asking the owner's permission to remove.  Sometimes, I have asked and found out that the kids left something valuable by the trash can or road.
• If you see something you need, jump into action immediately.  In 20 minutes this treasure would have been gone.

Consumables at Estate Sales

I always look for products that I use frequently at estate sales - especially half-price Sundays.

Last Sunday and for a buck each, we got a Costco-sized (very large) bottle of Drano for a dollar as well as a Costco-sized bottle of premium no-scent hand lotion.  The Drano looked like it had been used once while the hand lotion was hermetically sealed and never opened.

Keep track of retail prices as not everything for a buck is a bargain.

Here is a sign on the Harley in the garage that made me a chuckle:

Half-Price Sundays; Records, Tapes, CDs

In this neck of the woods, professional garage, estate and church sales and private ones are open Thursday (perhaps), Friday and Saturday.  Many will not negotiate prices on these days.  However, when there are items left over on Sunday, they may become half price or a whole bag for buck.

Before our ride in the mountains see Colorado Cowgirl Road Trips, we returned to an estate sale we shopped yesterday.  I had gotten multiple packets of skinny paint rollers for $5 that I will use with Annie Sloan paint.  My sister in Texas saw a demo at Round Top (a giant garage sale on ranch land that last for weeks), and the Annie Sloan expert used these kind of rollers.  My cowboy got Jim Reeves and Emmylou Harris records and Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris CDs.

We are careful about buying records, tapes and CDs.  Although we look them over carefully, we don't pay a huge price for them because we don't know how well they have been handled.  Also, we make sure the music inside matches the cover.

After thinking about it, I wanted the John Denver four-disc set I saw.  Usually things we want don't last till half-price day, but we stopped by in the afternoon just in case it was still there, and sure enough it was.  Can't wait to hear them.  I also got enough packaged no-calorie Kool-Aid to serve every girl and boy scout north of the Colorado-New Mexico border for $1.50.

My hubby is playing one of the John Denver CDs now, and it sounds great.

Last spring and late on a Sunday afternoon, I bought a whole bag of expensive, stain-free and barely worn kids winter coats for a buck.  I took them home and washed them up.  They are hanging in the closet in my husband's office waiting for delivery to a family charity later this month - just in time for cold weather.

Recycle Center Goodies

Every other Sunday morning we pack up the recyclables and head to the DIY recycling center in Golden.  We go Sunday mornings when there is still room for ours.  We enjoy doing this as we are doing something for the environment by diverting items from landfills.  Occasionally we score something we can use around The Place.

Recycling etiquette:

• Don't leave a mess.  Messes will close a self-service recycle center faster than you can say "jumping jackalopes" -  just ask those using the closed center at the Grange on Youngsfield in Applewood.  Users were repeatedly warned by the grange.  These recyclers now must travel at least five miles to another location.  Most of us recyclers will pick up a few items to help out, but big messes are too much to ask.  
• Break down boxes even if you brought ones with recyclables inside.  There will be more room in the bins for others. 
• If all bins are full and can't make room for more recyclables, bring them back another day.  Don't leave recyclables next to the bins as the wind will whip them around.  Also bin haulers are paid ONLY to pick up the bins - not the recyclables next to them or down the road.
• Dispose of only allowable items.  Most DIY centers will not take plastic bags, electronics, small and large appliances, broken glasses and dishes, etc.   Read the information posted on site. 
• No trash

We have scored these useful things at different times:

A cool but broken aluminum ladder (my honey thought he could fix it; but the solution was a potential  finger pincher - not good), 5 brand new and one older moving blankets and a very large new tub (it now holds cans of oil in the shed outside the Car Barn).  

None of these were on the approved recycle list. 

Happy recycling. 

Got the tires - looking for rims

The trip across town was well worth it.  Hubby was pleased with their condition.  Price seemed fair to us, so we didn't bargain.  My current Saturn tires are in good enough condition for summer, so I will look for rims before having the new-to-us tires mounted and balanced.  Then we can easily switch tires when seasons change.

Craigslist

Buying specific items is easier on Craigslist.  Their URL for the Denver area is http://denver.craigslist.org.  If you are not in the Denver, be sure to change the location so you don’t get excited about something in Omaha. 

I always check out the free stuff (goes fast), farm+garden, materials, garage sales and auto parts.  I watch other categories from time to time.

Today, we are going across town (don’t usually do that unless it is something special) to look at four mud and snow tires for the Saturn Vue.   This is my husband’s department, so he will decide if the price and condition of the tires are right for us.  Four new ones mounted and balanced go for over $600.  

When thinking of tires be sure to check the size you need.  Tire sizes are printed on the sidewall of each tire.  Double check this with the owner's manual.  It will look something like P245/75R16.  According to the Saturn's owner's manual P means passenger car.  245 is the tire's width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. 75 is the aspect ratio (height to width ratio - in this case the tire's sidewall is 75% as high as it is wide).  R means radial ply construction.  16 means rim diameter.

If you are a newby to Craigslist, sellers post a description and most times a picture.   This can help you decide if you want to pursue it further.  You can also send the listing to a friend’s email address for their opinion.  There is an items-wanted section, but I don’t think it gets much traffic.   Every once in a while, an items-wanted ad will appear with the for-sale ads.

If you are a seller, put in only the relevant facts plus picture.  Check your spelling – there have been some pretty funny misspellings and a couple of spoofs that have brightened my day.  I don’t know why but weirdly named fish have been targeted.

A good Craiglister will delete their ad when it sells.   Items can be on Craigslist for 45 days – we have had a 1966 Charger tranny with bell housing and shifter for almost a month.  Obviously the right muscle car restorer hasn’t viewed it yet.  Our tires and rims for a previous SL Saturn went quickly. 

Estate Sales

More estate sales than garage sales this morning.  Had have good success in the past with basements, backyards and garages, so I look there first.  Of course, cowboy/cowgirl chic stuff gets my attention, and today include a live raccoon trap for $15, large size cowboy boots for $10 and the cowboy tie for $2.  The "On the Range" picture was $28.

For newbies, I included the Grain Train sign because some sales are sponsored by charities like this one. Didn't find anything there this time, though.

I thought the two outdoor chairs and footstool were at a good price ($15 for all).  The metal structure and cushions were in good shape, and it was comfortable.  One arm was missing, and I would have taken all the arms off.

Came home with three things - the white canvas (?) coat with Indian painting ($5); little dirty, but washed up beautifully on the delicate cycle, two cowboy whips ($1 and $.50) and a "Ready Set Go appliance (not pictured) that is advertised on TV ($3 but has no recipe book).  It does have a timer and looks like it could do toasted cheese., but if it doesn't live up to my expectations, it will be off to Goodwill.

More hunting next week.

Cached in Plain Sight

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Tomorrow morning is my time for garage sales, and sadly the season in Colorado is winding down.

Every community has different rules. My sister in Texas goes at the crack of dawn (6-7 am) while we in Colorado are more laid back.  I am usually out by 9 and back by 11.

I usually take the Saturn Vue rather than the '88 Toyota pickup, and wear clean gardening or crafting clothes.  Doesn't seem like a good idea to haggle over price wearing fancy duds or driving an expensive car.  I'll take a bunch of change and plenty of one dollar bills.  After bargaining someone down, it doesn't seem right to pull out a $50 bill.

I'll bring back a couple of pictures of what I saw, what I passed up and what I bought.

Happy garage sales to you...