Favorite Things: Gift Closet Cuties

Smart shoppers, like my dear mom, keep a gift closet stocked with cute things for everyday occassions. After all, how many times have you been invited to a party and rushed out in search of a hostess gift? If you have a gift closet, you can shop at home. In addition to picking up deals in stores as she spots them, my mom loves to get items online from Wisteria and use them when she needs to bring a thank you gift, send a get well token, or even as a thoughtful birthday bauble. You can get six adorable treats from these wooden Derby Critters pictured above. Add a cute gift bag, some grossgrain ribbon, and a personalized note -- and voila! Now that is "cheap and cheerful". [More on building your own gift closet in a future post!]

Cheap and Cheerful August Challenge: Deal Detectives

Cell phone camera? Check. Eye for deals. Check. A few minutes of your time to snap a photo, do a write-up and send it along to Cheap and Cheerful. Check.
Do you have what it takes to be a Cheap and Cheerful Deal Detective?
Spot a deal in a store, snap a photo, and send it our way.
We'll post the deals on the blog and enter you in our contest.
Send your savvy shopping submissions to: saleisafourletterword@gmail.com
The contest starts tomorrow ..Ready ... set ... go!

Deal of the Day: Jos. A Bank Suit Sale

Everything on the Jos. A. Bank website is 40% - 70% off until Saturday at midnight. Signature Collection suits, which normally sell for $1,295, are only $388.50. Executive Collection shirts are marked down from $59.50 to $37.50. Act quickly; this sale is two days only and items will go quickly. My husband, who is very particular about his clothes, has many suits from Jos. A. Bank that he loves. So you can't go wrong with snagging some suits, shirts, and ties for the best dressed man in your life at this amazing sale.

Favorite Things: Old Navy Retro Graphic Tees

I was at Old Navy yesterday, doing some pre-shopping for the 30% off deal that starts today and goes through Sunday, and found some adorable tees. My son loved the one pictured here and it will be added to his Back-to-School list. (I was excited that he expressed interest in anything that had to do with shopping!) Only $10.50, the shirts also style Batman, Superman, Spiderman and a host of other fun figures. The manager at the store said that while the Stock up and Save Sale ends today that another sale with similar or better deals starts Friday. Pretty nice when the store staff says, "Hey, come back with your coupon on Friday and save even more!"

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: More Wisdom from Our Readers

* Wendy from Sacramento spotted this $2 off coupon on Boots No. 7 Beauty Serum. This under $25 face cream rivals the department store brands. And it's available at your local Target.

* Elizabeth from Pleasant Hill reminds our readers, "Starting today and ending on August 2nd, 30% off online or in-store at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta."

If you didn't get the printable barcode or online code, leave me a message and I will send you the link. Everyone who gets the code can pass the savings along to up to 25 friends.

* Jody from Gilroy heard this from a friend, "I came across this and thought I'd share. It is the Daily Markdown Schedule at Target. In addition to the odd lot items that may be lurking among the regular merchandise and could be haphazardly stashed at the end caps, Target has a system for marking down their merchandise weekly: Monday - Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.) Tuesday - Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)Wednesday - Men's Clothing, Toys, Lawn & Garden, Health and Beauty items Thursday - House Wares, Lingerie, Sporting Goods, Shoes, Music / Movies, Books, Decor and Luggage Friday - Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry."

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What good deals have you seen lately?

Cheap and Cheerful Challenge: July Wrap Up

So, as you may recall, single serving snacks were out for the month of July. How did you do? Did you save money? Did you find a new bulk buy that has become a favorite treat? We've been eating lots of watermelon, apples, crackers and peanut butter, and cheese slices at our house. My kids haven't asked for granola bars and fruit leathers in a few weeks so I suppose the experiment was successful for us. But I would love to hear some stories about your experiences. Feel free to post a comment here or to send me an email.
I'm preparing August's challenge now -- Stay tuned!

Favorite Things: Cool Mom Picks

If you are really into all things baby and kids, check out this fresh and fun website: http://www.coolmompicks.com/. Every week, the site presents online deals for the sandbox set.

Even if you're not looking for your own sticky fingered sweeties, you'll find great prices on gifts and other gear. If you sign up for their weekly email, the deals come right to your inbox. Cheap and cheerful, just the way I like it!