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Home > Win some, lose some

Win some, lose some

December 14th, 2011 at 02:28 pm


The basking glow of my frugal finds dimmed slightly yesterday. The biggest expense seems to be outfitting my children (5) in new ensembles for their Christmas show at school and Mass on Christmas Eve. With the boys it isn't that hard to hand down, resurrect, and buy filler items. All that remains for that category is a pair of brown dress shoes for oldest.

The girls, on the other hand, are a bit more complicated. Older daughter is wearing her dress from Father-Daughter dance, but needed a new shrug. Found at Kohl's for $25. We happened to come across a very cute clearance dress for an upcoming event (2012 Father-Daughter Formal or Valentine's Day Dance) for $23. Younger daughter found her dress on clearance at Von Maur for $16 (and it's made in the USA!), but she needed a belt $13 to go with it. I felt fine with those purchases/accessories.

It was the shoes that did me in. Taking five kids straights from school to Kohls with only a minimal snack and staying in the store for over 45 minutes is a lethal combination. Both girls found shoes (black heels) for $68 total + tax. I bit the bullet and bought them. Then in the car after the shopping trip, kids rallied when one decided to share a huge Hershey's bar. Smile That was enough to sustain a quick trip to Payless where each girl got black shoes that they liked better than the ones they picked at Kohl's and we picked up a new pair of school shoes. I forgot my coupon for 20% off, and the girl applied the discount (we were just there for gym shoes for younger daughter and I again forgot my coupon Frown Note to self: NOT working smarter, DEFINITELY working harder). So those THREE shoes came to $43.

Item 1 on my To-Do today is to go back to Kohl's and return the $65 shoes. $65 for 2, versus $43 for 3, I'll consider this a small victory of sorts for my money.

I think what I take away from this is: for 2012, I'll try to spend over a more spread out time frame for upcoming events, and my daughters and I will definitely continue to check out the clearance racks for cute dresses. Smile

4 Responses to “Win some, lose some”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1323894876

    It does seem that the shoes can often be the most expensive!!

  2. CB in the City Says:
    1323898148

    Shoes, underwear and coats are the three things that thrift store shopping just won't provide. But you did really well with your retail purchases, as well as your thrift-store finds.

  3. littlegopher Says:
    1323899014

    Sounds like you're doing a great job, and a big job it is!

    When mine were younger, I always started looking in the Fall after school started - sometimes it took a while to find the right stuff for those dressier events. It also helped once they settle into a size - more pieces to carry over to following years, and not a whole new outfit....you'll be there soon enough with your older ones Smile

  4. My English Castle Says:
    1323927680

    Shoes kill us too--even with one kid. Five kids and low blood sugar--you deserve a medal!

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