The Dealoholic goes to Italy!

II Dealoholic e disinserito in Italia sul suo nervoso slighty di sogno di vacanza.......spaventata ed eccitata. It's sempre stata un sogno, spero che possa fare tutti i miei sogni venire allineare. It's Italia...can'la t e duro quella a destra? Se vivessi con le vendite di campione, rivesto di pelle in Italia??? Destra? Eventualmente I' il II ha alcuni affari di stupore per ripartire lo stile italiano! Ringraziamenti per lettura e l' il II e indietro presto! Ciao!



XOXOXOXO



(The Dealoholic is off traveling to Italy for her next great deal! Ciao!)

P.S. For those of you who read Italian, I know I am missing a few accents! That's life!

To Survery or To Not?

So at the end of many a transaction you often hear..... "if you fill out this survey by calling this number next time you'll get....blah blah"



You've stopped reading, listening...just tuned out. No? Most people do and you simply throw that extra receipt away.



I get it, I've done it before many a time. But then the light turned on...."Ahhhhh"



So here's my story, I got one of those pesky surveys but actually did it. It took five seconds on the computer and a wrote in a five digital code on the original receipt. It was only 10%; so is 10% worth it??? For five seconds of my time? Sure!

But then last week I was one of the first shoppers at my Old Navy during Stuff n Save and got a 50% THE ENTIRE STORE COUPON. What What. Awesome. Song. Dance.

So after the glee, shopping, and more shopping I head to the counter with my hands full. I mention I had one of those surveys but I probably couldn't combine offers....right....????

NO! The ohsonice sales clerk informed me that is the best things about those 10% off surveys - THEY CAN BE ADDED ON TOP OFF ANY OTHER OFFER.



And that's when 10% became 60% and it all became worth it.....



So next time you are throwing away that extra bit of paper, you might be throwing away an extra bit o cash ;)

The Gift Closet

Okay forget the gifting tree...this is all about the gift closet. And I have one! I am not sure when I started but I know my mom had one so I am pretty sure I started young.

The idea is this: You have a closet full of great gifts either generic or that you are saving for that some one's birthday or next holiday.

Why you might ask? Well think about it, just because it's Christmas time does not mean that you will magical find the perfect gift for Tom, Dick, Harry or Sue. You might find it August? So what? And if you buy it in August it might be 40% off. Let's face it you wait until holiday season, they will mark it up 40% then take 20 %. Trust me, they are making their margins over the holidays.

I often walk through stores and possibly see a candle set that would be the perfect gift for Secret Santa, Aunt What'sHerName, or a Neighbor. Just save it and put it in the closet. This way when that hair dresser gives you half off for Christmas, you then show up with that perfect gift from the gift closet.

I also think buying 98,760 gifts at one time isn't fair to your credit card so spreading them out gives you more time to pay it off and spread out the cost. It's helps with the stress of the season. You want to enjoy the holiday, not be nickel and diming and only thinking of the money.

Also, I like walking through the malls during the holidays and not having to "find" the perfect gift. I like to relax, people watch, and enjoy the decorations. If you have all the gifts at home, it's easy breezy.

I love to shop, and often see that right fit gift for (fill-in-blank) so if I can afford it, I buy it and store away. This doesnt mean I just buy what's on sale. I buy things that I truly know or hope they will love I just do it in advance.

You should see my closet. All my friends Christmas presents are done, All Birthdays in the fall are done, Wedding Gifts for the fall....check. It gives me more time to enjoy the event and heck, I get to cross it off my to do list. Best feeling of all.

And do my re-gifts get put in the closet for later use? Hmm....that's another post ;)