Crafty Sadness

Tonight, Nick and I went to the grocery store. Actually, it's a "super center"- much like a Super Walmart, but these have been around longer than Super Walmarts, and frankly, are better for groceries. I digress.

Before leaving, I swung by the pathetic, half of a single aisle sized craft department. They have basics, and not much else. To my horror, one side of the half aisle wide department was clearanced out. Every last thing on that side. And, of course, it's the crafty side, not the sewing side.

Now, while I like a great deal, this lead me to think that the store is doing away with that side.  They carry some wood shapes, wood objects, various glues, a small selection of paints, lots of pipe cleaners, felt, pom poms, sequins, and more misc items.

I did pick up 4 items. Mod Podge was $3 a bottle for the small bottles, so I grabbed 1 glossy and 1 matte (I have a half bottle of matte, but no glossy, and I've been wanting it!). I also grabbed a wooden cubed box. I can't wait to attack that. Lastly, I picked up a package of 10" long skinny dowels for just $.90. Not sure what I'll do with those, but I'll find a use.

I'm sad. They have a similar selection to Walmart, but better prices. Their felt is $.23 a sheet. Walmart's is $.47. Sure, it's $.25 or cheaper at both Michaels and HobLob, but they are a 20 minute drive each way. Meijers and Walmart are the only two stores in town with a predictable craft supply. Dollar Tree has craft items, but you never know what you'll find, or if the item you want will be there next time you go.

So, while I'm happy that I got some cheap Mod Podge, I'm sad that I'm losing another craft section. On the plus side, their tubs of buttons that I love so much are on the sewing side, which thus far, is intact. Seems to me, in this small town, there would be more of a call for kid friendly craft items than sewing items, but who knows.

Maybe they aren't doing away with it. Maybe it's just an inventory thing. Who knows, right? I will certainly be keeping an eye on the prices, and if it drops more, I'll be grabbing lots more stuff.

Too bad the felt was all gone- it was down to $.13 a sheet. But, I noticed the last two times I was in, that the felt was down to slim pickings without being on clearance. Probably never restocked it.

75% off is Dangerous

Today, Walmart started it's 75% off Christmas sale. It's a dangerous time, because people are so conditioned that when they shop clearance, they believe they NEED all these cool things. I'm no different.

I drooled, I packed my cart, I begged hubby for something we didn't need. It wasn't pretty. I even went up and down the aisles talking to myself. Out loud.

In the end, I did get some items, but I put a LOT of stuff back. I got wrapping paper- 4 roll packs totaling 135 square feet for just $1.25. I picked up 2 packs, so 8 rolls, and all 8 are coordinating colors. I picked up 4 sparkly glitter covered ornaments for our tree next year for just $.25 each. I found 2 Merry Madagascar fleece blankets for $2 each. I picked up 2 packs of Chocolate Covered Cherries for Nick for $.31 each (cheaper than a candy bar, and it lasts longer!). I found some S'mores type snack mix for $1.25, which comes in a very nice reusable tin without any packaging info printed on it.

I got the girls each a pair of Christmas socks for next year for $.75 each. I bought 2 packs of satin ribbon. Both packs had 3 feet each of 5 different patterns, for 15 feet in each pack. Both packs are different, but coordinating. I got Chris a set of 3 body sprays for his upcoming birthday for $1.25. I found PJ bottoms for Rae next year for $2.50. The kids always get new PJ's for Christmas, and this year, the cheapest I found for Rae were $4.99 on Black Friday, so this was cheaper, and will work as a nice gift for her.

What all did I put back? Outdoor light up candy canes, outdoor snowmen stakes, an indoor light up Santa, a 7 foot Christmas tree ($22!), and a dart board for Chris's upcoming birthday (soft tipped, but still... flying darts in his hands?), and a lot more.

All in all, I caution you to be practical in what you pick up. 75% off is enticing, but it's still hard earned money. Keep in mind a few simple things when shopping:

1. Did I want this when it was full price?
2. Do I have a use immediatly in mind for this?
3. Do I have room to store it?
4. Will this purchase cut into any other budgets?
5. Is this REALLY the best use of my money?

If you shop, limit yourself. Don't go nuts buying things you kind of like just because it's cheap. Practice restraint. Your wallet will thank you.

If all else fails, walk around the store in a different area for an hour, then re-evaluate what is in your cart. Still really have to have it? If not, set it aside.

I made sure that I had a use for everything I picked up- whether it was wrapping paper (I have now picked up 10 rolls of paper on clearance, which is double what I used this year, so in theory, I should be set for 2 years. Especially when you look at what I had left over this year, too), or gifts for Chris for his birthday in January, or gifts for Christmas next year, or snacks the kids can eat now.

The few items I liked that were just for the heck of it were the first ones I put back- a pretty red stocking with candy appliques on the front, outdoor decorations which just cost more in electricity later, the tree that I really don't need and would only be a secondary tree next year.

So, just keep in mind this year when clearance shopping that a good price doesn't always make it a good deal!