10 Ways To Find Party Supply Bargains

Brenda and I are the masters of event planning, or so we like to think. But if you're not careful great party planning can way heavily on the purse strings. Your best bet is to stock party supplies for all your future events once the bargain season rolls in. And guess what? It just did. So lets talk about how to find those bargains shall we?

Here is a list of top tips to find great bargains right in your neighborhood shopping district.

1. Make a list of all the supplies you will need for your next party, gathering and reunion event.
   List things like dinnerware, board games, stationery, balloons, tableware, party favors, gifts...
2. Take time now to apply for store discount cards and collect coupon codes. Save codes and bar coded coupons on your mobile device. You'll save up to 50% on your shopping bill.
3. Grab the Sunday newspaper and peruse the store ad section. Compare prices and circle lowest prices. Cut out coupons and organize them by store.
4. Ask store clerks to direct you to the clearance bins. 
5. Shop for party supplies a day or two after a holiday, particularly Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and St. Patrick's Day
6. Shop all dollar stores before shopping at large discount Marts.
7. Join shopping clubs and buy supplies in bulk. Share and trade the booty with family. friends and neighbors.
8. Remember that long trips to remote shopping districts may help you save a few extra dollars on the shopping bill itself, but will the gas, mileage and wear and tear on your vehicle make it worth venturing out?. That said, consider shopping for supplies online at stores that offer coupon code discounts, frequent shopper credits and free shipping.
9. Shop for pre-season sales on off-season products such as those found at Amazon.com
10. Take advantage of pre-season deals such as Pre-Black Friday Sales and Cyber Monday discounts featured at www.fimark.net

Happy bargain hunting.

My Black Friday Shopping Experiences and Tips

Black Friday Shopping Tips

If you're planning on going out tonight or early tomorrow morning to grab the black friday treasures on your shopping list you'll want to read these urgent shopping tips now.

So Brenda just came through the door at 6:30 exhausted and in a state of shock. "It was crazy out there. The cars heading for Walmart were lined up several block down the street from the store parking lot." When I finally got in the lot I could not find a shopping cart. When I went to get the crock pot I had on my list they were all gone. People were standing in line carrying all the crock pots waiting for the cashiers to open the registers at 6pm when the Black Friday prices go in effect. It was crazy." That said, here's how you need to prepare before venturing out to shop.

1. Find out in advance what's in stock at all the stores you plan to shop at.

2. Gas up good. Your car may be stuck in traffic, looping the parking lot 10 times and delayed trying to make your way out of the parking lot on the to other stores.

3. Instead of finding immediate parking bring a driver and have him drop you off in the vicinity of the parking lot. Let the driver find a parking spot while you go inside and do the shopping.

4. Bring a large shopping bag or two of your own or a see through carrying case or large basket or a wheel cart if your getting larger items. Don't have any of these? A baby stroller will do.

5. Know where the items are located. If you can get your hands on a schematic that tells you what floor and aisle your items are on the better. Now chart your course as expediently as possible.

6. Some items go faster the others. Much has to do with demand and price. Obviously brand name cookware and flatware will go fast as many plan to use these this weekend and in the weeks to come so grab that first and fast.


7. If you're using coupons make sure in advance that they will be honored on items drastically reduced on Black Friday. Read the fine print and whatever you can find online.

8. If you want to avoid the craziness and don't mind waiting for delivery early next week consider ordering and take advantage of free shipping.

9. Whatever you do, be it shopping online or at the local store, if the items on your shopping list are in high demand get it sooner than later.

Lowest Priced Shopping Online  Pinterest.com Black Friday Deals

Finding Cyber Monday Prices Everyday

So I have my black friday and cyber monday shopping list together and I know where I'm going to make the purchases. Suddenly I get this nagging feeling that there is a lower price on a more high quality product right under my nose and I don't want to miss out. The question is are we really getting the lowest price on that black friday, cyber monday sale? There is a way to find out. How?  

First Step - Know exactly what you want and need.That means taking the time to consider what's most important to you in a product. Consider how the product will best serve you. The features that would be most useful to you. Consider how you use similar products you already have and ways to improve it's design and output for more convenient or skillful handling and performance.

Overall you want to give thought to the following preferences: Color, texture, feel, handling, versatility, quality, power and performance. And of course the price your budget can handle compared to the list price and lowest price available. 

Second: Know the list price. The true list price is the Manufacturers price not the store list price.

Third: Always, always and finally always compare prices in ads to determine the absolute lowest price offered and consider if you need a store shoppers card or if there is some other qualifying factor needed to get the item at that price. In other words read the fine print on the ad.

Fourth: Take into consideration shipping costs. Many store offer free shipping upon reaching a certain spending threshhold. 

It's Cyber Monday Everyday with Widgets

Many shoppers have never considered using a shopping list widget. But there are many of them online in the form of a listmania or wish list. An whatever items you wish from the featured store or shopping network.

Here are a few examples. 
Listmania: Black Friday Everyday Shopping List 

Wish lists: Sometimes taking the time to put together a wishlist featuring the lowest prices you've seen online is the way to go about forming a checklist of items to shop for when the time is right. Add items from any store found in your browser. The checklist automatically links to it and the image. Share it, sends it and access it from your smartphone. Here is an example of a wish list.

Cyber Monday Everyday Web App

A good application for shopping is one that allows you to establish a budget, create a list of items you want, check list prices, find bargains, calculate the cost and and stick to your budget. There a little web app that can help you do all of that. Shopping Budget Checklist Maker.

Want more shopping tips? Read More Here

Pinterest Black Friday Consumers Consortium

Brenda and I are planning a big family night event in January 2014.  It was in 2011 that we took advantage of the after holiday sales and used deeply discounted materials to make props for the dinner theater play.  We saved about 50% on materials that season. 

Lesson learned: If you're planning a few events next year this is a reminder to take advantage of Black Friday the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be using a rather unique approach to bargain shopping. We're getting help from our reunion planners group on Pinterest this year. 

Right now as I write this blog and for the next 10 days pinned request is circulating among Pinterest users.  "Pin The Best Black Friday Deals Ever Board". That's the request that rang out early Tuesday morning to over 1100 followers of my Back Friday Pinterest board. 

The Details

The pin lists specific products I'm searching for. Things like a flat screen TV and Blue Ray player. I want top of the line, well rated quality products at the cheapest Black Friday price. No I don't want to read all the circulars of hundreds of stores. Just tell me what you've seen and pin it or link to it in your comments. 

It goes without saying everyone wants to get the absolute lowest price on products sold online and in local stores and so do I. But finding the absolute lowest price ever is another story. That's where fellow pinterest board readers will come in handy. It's a great way to exchange recommendations and show off your online bargain hunting savvy.

Pinterest's Black Friday Consumers Consortium

When you think about it online shopping has come a long way compared to internet bargain hunting a decage ago. Now there is an ever growing frugal shopping movement complete with consumer reviews, product ratings and the ability to search multiple stores at once. I call it a "Frugal Consumers Consortium". And now the movement is hitting Pinterest boards and I intend to take advantage of it. So when it's time to take a coffee break  turn on your monitor, connect to Pinterest and help me find the absolute lowest discount on my shopping list? See what's been pinned so far at...

http://www.pinterest.com/fimarkhome/best-black-friday-deals-ever/

Big Thanks! See you at the boards.