Shopping, in General, is A Nightmare (and other updates)

I only shop at the mall two, maybe three times a year. And let's face it--I'm mostly just helping others spend their money, because I'm a little lacking. So the Christmas shopping season has begun because we all like to have this stuff over with about the same time Christmas commercials get into the full swing of things.

This year's experience was much different. The mall was gross. And I don't mean because there were too many shoppers (there were), but that it was just dirty, and very visibly dirty (and I'm in no way a germaphobe). Yes, I understand the mall I go to is in a college town, but still. Ew. If I'm going to shop in store, it's going to be standalone stores from now on. And don't get me started on the balance of awful people--if fellow customers were super rude, there was excellent customer service. If the other customers stayed far, far away, the customer service was abysmal (yes, I'm talking about you Best Buy and all your frat bro part-timers). 

Online has been a smoother ride, but did you know that Amazon's Prime membership paywall has gotten much thicker, higher and probably has barbed wire on the top? Some people in my family love those crappy--I mean sappy--Hallmark Christmas movies, and now some of those are even locked behind the paywall. I mean, I get health and beauty stuff, I get the grocery service. Having no non-Prime access to those categories doesn't bother me too much. But DVDs, books and CDs were the bread and butter of Amazon. Why put a movie (that, let's be real honest here, probably isn't in high demand) behind your supposedly fabulous paywall? If it ever happens to vinyl, I know I'll have to find a new place to shop.

In actual writerly news, I finally sold my first Fiverr gig. You can check out the spotlight I did for an indie book award and then you can go to Fiverr and order your own book spotlight (if you are so inclined).

Verses and Vows is still chugging along, so there's no real news there, other than the first round of revisions still isn't done. Not to worry, though. I have plenty of time on the schedule. 

Which leads me to NaNoWriMo 2016. I'm ready to go. Are you participating this year? What will you be writing?

Saving While Shopping

Whether you are going through hard economic times or very prosperous ones, saving money is still one of the biggest priorities for most individuals and families. Who doesn't love a great deal? Deals can be found for all of your favorite products, from laptops to clothing and more. When you want to save some money, it is important to do your research first. That research is as easy as getting online and finding the best discount shopping deals 2013 for you and your family.

One of the most sought-after discounts for many savvy shoppers are the laptop computer deals that you can get. These help greatly when people want to afford the latest computers for themselves or their kids. With these deals you can save hundreds of dollars that you wouldn't normally be able to by just walking into a store. Instead, if you have the opportunity to shop online, you can use a number of discount codes and coupons that will apply to your purchase.

Laptops are also not the only items that you can save on when you want to get a great deal. You can also find a number of discount PC components if you are a person that likes to use a traditional desktop, or if you are someone that loves to build and add custom components to your existing computer.

There's no reason to wait--if you are looking for great deals, it is essential that you stop by a place like http://www.bestonlinecoupons.com/ so you can get the deals that you need on the items you just can't live without. 

A Little Luck Doesn't Hurt

I received a pleasant surprise this weekend. Typically I never win contests and giveaways (if you don't count the ones from Goodreads), but I won a free gift card this weekend. But I can now tell you that money does not buy happiness. In fact, it's a little frustrating. While it was great that I won, I got to the store and just didn't know what I wanted. Nothing appealed to me. I did get some clothes and a few things for the family, but it was really hard to try and spend money without wasting half the day--not that I'm really complaining. I am grateful for the luck. It's just too bad it wasn't a pile of cash handed to me. That might have saved me an hour or two.

So, since I spent too much time shopping this weekend, I'm hitting work hard this week. I know that things will dry up closer to Christmas, so I'm planning ahead for that. I'm also lining up those drafts and prioritizing since I know I'll have some free time again eventually. For one of the drafts, I'm going to have to choose whether I want to send in something that may not be ready or just miss the deadline and keep working on it. The deadline is the 21st of this month, so we'll see how that goes.

Calling All Techies

you can get up to $50 of Pexagon Technology products for half price! The products can be personalized, so it will make a great gift... or something for yourself. 

Great Finds and Better Times

Last week was frustrating, to say the least. But all of the work issues have been ironed out and plenty of work is still available. The only downer was that the apartment complex I was interested in does not currently have a unit available. So, moving for the last time might have to wait for a few months.

That's okay, because the yard sale season is in full swing and I'm concentrating on that. My mom and I love to check them all out to see what we can find. I'm currently looking for specific decor and I found a couple of gems last week.

First, I found an Argus Argoflex E. I have no idea if it's still in working condition because I bought it purely for the vintage look it has. If it does still work, that's a bonus, because I only spent $7 for it.

I also picked up a ruby red Indiana Glass vase just like this one. It's was only $0.50. The last thing I bought was a mirror-backed shelf that is perfect for my 1"-3" Buddha figurines.

Nice to find a little inspiration in lost treasures. I may even write a poem on the shear beauty of that camera!

Watch out Pocketbook!

I started Christmas shopping tonight. Normally I shop in the stores before I head online to get what I was really looking for, but this year I just had to buy some exclusive Lego seasonal items. Some were for me, some were for my mom, but all of them are really cool and I can't wait to put them together!

Friday is the scheduled Christmas shopping day at the mall, Toys R Us, etc. My family prides itself by getting the majority of Christmas shopping done before November. Although we don't get all of the great sale prices, we are not getting elbowed and kicked in the shins with baby strollers. It's well worth it, trust me. And it also lets us justify the little purchases from now until Christmas Eve.

I might not have a six figure salary, but I think that Christmas is going to be really nice this year. The family isn't feuding, no one is complaining (yet), and we're finally getting a new tree. Oh, how I love the holidays...

Sale!

"Sale" is an important word these days. And if you like to shop at Sears, you'll want to check out the sale that's going on this weekend.


Sears Clearance Apparel


Have fun!

The High Cost of Low Price

I watched this documentary about Wal-Mart today, and I have to say that I really don't want to shop at Wal-Mart anymore. With all its company greed and terrible, terrible actions, I don't feel that company should be getting my money anymore. The only problem is, I'm strapped for cash for awhile. Wal-Mart has the best prices for all that I need, but now that I know what cost the low price comes from, I don't care if I have to spend a little more to get the same products. At least other stores treat workers and manufacturers fairly (as far as I know).

A Unique Gift for Any Occasion

I found the cutest thing shopping on the internet the other day. It was a set of turtle crystal figurines. I love these because when I used to go to the mall as a kid, I would see the kiosk selling crystal figurines and there would always be some small animals that were just too cute to pass up, but of course I always did.

But now that I am older, have my own money, and found a place where I can get a great price on these figurines, I think I’ll be buying some. And not only for myself. Crystal World has so many figurines that are great Gifts Under $50, that I could easily use these as holiday gift ideas. And if would give a great excuse to do some more shopping! Plus, if you are anything like me, you won’t be able to pass up Crystal World crystal figurines Web-Only Specials.

Besides the turtle trio, I think I am in love with the Peanuts Collection. Snoopy is my favorite cartoon character, so if you love him as much as I do, you will want to check out that as well. Happy Christmas (and crystal figurine) shopping! Remember, the holidays are fast approaching, so order now if you haven’t already.

Check out Crystal World's Web-Only Specials

Christmas Shopping

I'm sad. I have 99% of my Christmas shopping done. I know it would be total hell to shop closer to Christmas, but that really is when you can get the better deals. And that's when the deals are so good that you don't feel as guilty when you buy something that you really don't need. I have no excuse and plenty of guilt when I do that kind of shopping online, which I have banned myself from until I reach a specific savings goal... trust me, that'll take some hard work with my winter gas bills!

I'm also going to be trying out a new schedule beginning next week. Which might be hard, considering it's the end of an article cycle and technically I will have little or no work to do, at least for the first half of the week. But I am optimistic. And I really need to learn how to work eight hours in a row. You know, just in case this whole writer thing doesn't pan out. Eh, who am I kidding? I'll never give up writing, even if I starve (which, at the moment, I can afford doing). And you kiddies out there shouldn't give up on your dreams either!

My Fridge Smells Awesome

Okay... not really. Have you ever smelled leftover turkey? Tastes great, smells terrible. And I would switch the pile of bird meat from a covered plate to airtight plastic ware, but I ran out. It's all dirty or made its way to another house. And even after giving away most of the leftovers, I still have way too much. But its okay. If I can eat turkey for the whole weekend, I get Oreo pie as dessert for those days. But today I'm working overtime in order to get a great paycheck in February, so all I have to do after lunch today is fill the dishwasher, and I will be set.

And I really wanted to go shopping today, but because all I could think about buying was things for myself, I decided to stay home. I know whatever I could buy today I wouldn't really need, such as an iPod dock (although I think I really do need that) and various other junk that I can get cheaper online (which I've already bought).

Ready for Black Friday?

It might seem to be a little early to think about Black Friday and Christmas shopping just yet, but there are also so many people who are looking out for bargains that this is the only time of the year when they shop. They wait excitedly for those Black Friday ads in their newspaper that tell them just what they can expect when the doors open early Friday morning. It is really like a kid in a candy store, to use the old adage.

There are so many ads for black friday that you get the week before the big event—when all the people across the country go to look for after-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas blowout sales. Nine times out of ten, the advertised products sell out within the first hour. If you want to get a leg up on these great deals, you can visit a site that will show you all of the ads for Black Friday before everyone else gets them in their newspapers. This is one of the best ways to plan ahead for your shopping adventure.

And if you are looking to get this information first, you will want to sign up to email alerts from this site so that when new ads are posted for your area, you will be the first to know. The site is very organizes, giving you the comfort and ease of finding useful information for your holiday shopping. And the holidays are closer than you think. If you are not thinking about shopping yet, you should at least begin thinking about saving up some cash to get those big ticket items when they are half off.

I always like to check out Best Buy and Toys R Us for door busters on Black Friday. I have a little nephew, so the toy store is a given. But I also like to get the best deals on electronics, so Best Buy is another place I make sure to go to first.