Went bargain hunting today..

United States
November 8, 2015 5:06pm CST
Hubby and I were out all day doing a bit of Christmas shopping. We didn't buy a whole ton. We were mostly just looking for some good deals, and if we happened upon something we wanted and it was a good price we got it. First we went to the outlet mall, then decided to go to another mall about an hour away. After that we stopped at a few other stores along the way home. We were gone for about 8 hours, but we only spent $200. I still have a good chunk of my Christmas money left to spend. My youngest son is pretty much done except for stocking stuffers, my daughter is really close to done. I still have the other 3 boys to worry about and I am absolutely clueless as to what to get for my oldest son. All in all though I would say it was a very successful day. It was nice getting out and seeing some sights and being in a new town we don't travel to much, and getting some time to spend with hubby without the kids around. Plus I got some good deals on some stuff. Where do you tend to shop to get the best bargains?
15 people like this
19 responses
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
8 Nov 15
Right now my Christmas list is very small. Mostly my grandchildren want gift cards or something like this to get enough money to buy something really big. I only have 3 children here on the islands I buy for and then my daughter and her husband. So Christmas for me is normally a very quick and painless adventure.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Nov 15
I have 5 young kids.... well, my oldest is 18, so 4 young kids plus him. They're used to a decent sized Christmas. They usually get 10 presents each... the first 5 are small or something like clothes... then the last 5 are toys. Of course my daughter only wants clothes this year, but I got her a few small things like leggings then a few more expensive things.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Nov 15
@poehere At my house Christmas is also only for the kids. Hubby and I have not gotten each other gifts in many years. If we know we have some extra money we will, but this year we're more focused on paying down our debts and fixing up our credit report... so that is more important than spending money for Christmas. We'll still get stuff for the kids though.
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
8 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 Here in Tahiti the Christmas is for the kids. I normally only get my 2 nephews and 1 niece a gift each. That is about all I do here. If I do for anyone else it is normally a gift basket filled with fresh veggies from our garden or some home made jam or some sort of banana, papaya, or mango bread. it is small here because what is most important is the dinner so we spend on this and have a wonderful feast.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
8 Nov 15
Well done. It's online for me these days.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Nov 15
I got them t-shirts for their birthday off Amazon, and when they showed up I was really disappointed. They're just plain t-shirts with designs printed on them... very cheaply made and the design will probably peel off easily.. yet I spent $20 on each shirt. I rarely trust things I buy online.. so I prefer to go to the store and feel the material to determine if it will hold up to my children. However, I do have a couple things on Amazon I plan on getting for Christmas. I have a compression shirt for my son that has a batman design on it, and a pair of boots for my daughter. I know the brand name so know they'll be good quality.. I just can't find these particular styles in stores right now... I looked all day to see if I could find them cheaper.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
9 Nov 15
It was more an outing than shopping. I like such outings.
• United States
9 Nov 15
Well we had the intention of shopping, and we did do some shopping.. but mostly it was just looking and prices and moving on to the next store.
1 person likes this
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
9 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 Same here, that's what i do now before i purchase anything for my family.
@cessy_08 (306)
• Dublin, Ireland
9 Nov 15
Wow, you had a very productive day! I also try to stick to a budget so I don't end up with a lot of credit card bills after the holidays. I just go around the city center to walk around and find things on sale. Sometimes, I plan ahead what I want to buy for friends, like small mementos, or I just go to the kitchen area and buy something I think will be of use (especially if I am buying it for somebody who has their own families).
• United States
9 Nov 15
I don't plan on using my credit card for Christmas. I got an extra paycheck last month so I've put that money aside to use and still have a bit of it left.
@cessy_08 (306)
• Dublin, Ireland
9 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 Good for you, then. I use the credit card to pay off the presents but I control the amount I spend on each gift to make sure I can pay. I just use it for convenience plus to get some points :)
• United States
9 Nov 15
@cessy_08 I get nervous about using the credit card because if something comes up and I can't pay it that's just more I owe.
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
8 Nov 15
It's that time of year again, the days fly by so fast! I tend to leave it down to the last week before Christmas...
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134475)
• Roseburg, Oregon
9 Nov 15
You might get better deals that way.
1 person likes this
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
9 Nov 15
In india , you cant live without bargaining. Here the shopkeepers ask for 150$ for a product whereas we people buy it for just 20-50$. So be alert the next time when you are in India
• United States
9 Nov 15
I will probably never get to India, I'd like to see Europe though.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Nov 15
@rahulvsmokiee I am sure that is true.. but I will probably never get there. I'd be lucky if I ever get to London which is my dream vacation.
1 person likes this
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
9 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 But there are some places in here which are beautiful than your imagination.
@GardenGerty (157627)
• United States
9 Nov 15
I do not do major Christmas shopping until I have lists from my daughter. Hubby and I are going to skip gifts and go somewhere this year. I do shop Amazon a lot, because I can get free shipping and get just what the people want.
• United States
9 Nov 15
I am leery of Amazon only because you don't always get what you're expecting.
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
9 Nov 15
I like to go shopping out of town also. I haven't done so lately as i been busy with work or not feeling good. But hoping the next pay check i'll be able to go shopping for the last 5 people i need to buy for. Glad you had a good time with your hubby.
• United States
9 Nov 15
I'm really glad I started early so there's less pressure on me next month.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Nov 15
This Christmas season is the occasion to shop for bargains because we have lots to give gifts to .
@jstory07 (134475)
• Roseburg, Oregon
9 Nov 15
I buy clearance sales and black Friday sales.
• United States
9 Nov 15
I may not go out on Black Friday this year. Some years I do, some years I don't. Usually if I do go it's later in the day after the crowds have dispersed.
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
11 Nov 15
We do not have a huge Christmas list, so it isn't too much work. Will start next week.
@GreatMartin (23676)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
9 Nov 15
You people are driving me crazy!!! It isn't even Thanksgiving or the end of Novemeber and you people are talking 7 weeks away!! ARGH!!!!!!!
• United States
9 Nov 15
When you have 5 kids, you have to start early.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
11 Nov 15
I like the outlet malls too. If I can get my kids to let me know what they would like i buy it and put it under the tree. They usually aren't looking for much so each one gets a gift or two from us and an envelope with money. But they are grown, That didn't happen when they were kids.
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
9 Nov 15
Since I don't have a car, I mostly shop online. I miss getting out into the stores this time of year, however. I always found it so much fun.
• United States
9 Nov 15
Can't you ride along with a friend or neighbor?
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
9 Nov 15
I have not shop for Christmas. I've grown quite practical these days. I will celebrate this Christmas without spending that much.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
9 Nov 15
We go for weekly window shopping, if there is any good deal, we will purchase it. Nowadays, things are getting expensive, it is better to go for the better deal before purchase.
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
9 Nov 15
I go out on black friday and see what i can find.
• Quezon City, Philippines
9 Nov 15
Yes, especially this coming Christmas.
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
9 Nov 15
I often shop in the sales after Xmas and then throughout the year. I hate to shop in a rush!