Can You Profit From the Recession?
A few sites have been asking the question: Can people profit from the recession? The question and a lot of controversy was sparked by the article The Recession is Great by Elisabeth Eaves at Forbes. I found out recently, the answer is yes!
Last week, I visited my parents in a section of the Midwest that, while urban, is nationally rated as one of the cheapest places to live. My father, a professional skinflint, feels if you're in the position to make purchases, then you can get excellent deals on almost anything. If HE'S excited about sales, you know something's afoot! And, as I explored the furniture and clothing stores in their area, I became convinced that now is the time to go shopping.
Since the move, my folks have been shopping for furniture up a storm, and most of the great things they've acquired were on clearance! I was present when they bought a small, corner-unit television stand. It was marked $330 on super-clearance. The salesman told us it had just been reduced again to $289. When my father jokingly asked about the "Senior discount", the salesman dropped the price to $275. Dad actually felt guilty about it. Of course, the store wanted to charge a $65 delivery fee, so my parents opted to pick up the unit in their van. (First, though, Dad and I tested the weight of the floor model.)
Then, it was off to JC Penny's where a skirt on a mannequin at the front of the store, and NOT listed on sale, dropped from $44 to $24 at the register. A wedding-appropriate dress with bolero was marked down from $100 to $50 and 20%-off the clearance price, for a total of $40. I also had a 15% off coupon that applied to the entire purchase price. The sales tax was only 6.3% as compared to Chicago's 10.25%. I paid $57.82 for what would've cost me $59.97 in Chicago and $158.76 retail in Chicago. That's a 64.4% savings overall.
At Burlington Coat Factory, I got a pair of Nine West sunglasses with 100% UV protection for $10, a Jones New York black pashmina for $10, and a New York & Co. jacket for $5!
Did I ruin my savings by paying to check a bag at the airport? Heck, no! I always leave some grace in my carry-on.
These crazy sales are everywhere right now, and the climate for negotiation has never been more favorable. Of course, I'm not recommending anyone go hog wild with their spending, but if you need replacement summer clothes, or are thinking about a new curtains, now is the time to strike.
Are you profiting from the recession? How?
Last week, I visited my parents in a section of the Midwest that, while urban, is nationally rated as one of the cheapest places to live. My father, a professional skinflint, feels if you're in the position to make purchases, then you can get excellent deals on almost anything. If HE'S excited about sales, you know something's afoot! And, as I explored the furniture and clothing stores in their area, I became convinced that now is the time to go shopping.
Since the move, my folks have been shopping for furniture up a storm, and most of the great things they've acquired were on clearance! I was present when they bought a small, corner-unit television stand. It was marked $330 on super-clearance. The salesman told us it had just been reduced again to $289. When my father jokingly asked about the "Senior discount", the salesman dropped the price to $275. Dad actually felt guilty about it. Of course, the store wanted to charge a $65 delivery fee, so my parents opted to pick up the unit in their van. (First, though, Dad and I tested the weight of the floor model.)
Then, it was off to JC Penny's where a skirt on a mannequin at the front of the store, and NOT listed on sale, dropped from $44 to $24 at the register. A wedding-appropriate dress with bolero was marked down from $100 to $50 and 20%-off the clearance price, for a total of $40. I also had a 15% off coupon that applied to the entire purchase price. The sales tax was only 6.3% as compared to Chicago's 10.25%. I paid $57.82 for what would've cost me $59.97 in Chicago and $158.76 retail in Chicago. That's a 64.4% savings overall.
At Burlington Coat Factory, I got a pair of Nine West sunglasses with 100% UV protection for $10, a Jones New York black pashmina for $10, and a New York & Co. jacket for $5!
Did I ruin my savings by paying to check a bag at the airport? Heck, no! I always leave some grace in my carry-on.
These crazy sales are everywhere right now, and the climate for negotiation has never been more favorable. Of course, I'm not recommending anyone go hog wild with their spending, but if you need replacement summer clothes, or are thinking about a new curtains, now is the time to strike.
Are you profiting from the recession? How?
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