I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the past few weeks, getting ready for various classes and the Working Women’s Survival Show.  All of that preparation and I completely forgot something extremely important.  Clothes.  My dress socks were full of holes and even my underwear could use an update.  I was down to one pair of pants, which were black.  Black pants clash horribly with my closet full of black v-necked tops.

That one pair of pants wasn’t going to work over the course of three days, two newscasts, and 6 workshops.  I had to go shopping, but when the  nearest town with any selection is 50+ miles away, I didn’t have time to devote to an all-day shopping trip.  There is a new Factory Connection store in a nearby town, so I swung in there determined to find something that would work.  I must stop right now and tell you how much I hate clothes shopping.  I used to love it, but something changed inside of me after that fateful March day when I went to sleep a size 4 and woke up a 14.  Now clothes shopping is only pleasurable when I kick start it with a week of plain yogurt and a case of wine, and buy only flannel pants and hoodies.

When I pulled in, I was thrilled to see a Buy 2, Get 1 Free sign on the window.  This was valid on all clearance, which was pretty much everything in the store.  The very first thing I noticed along the back wall was a pair of gray pants- the perfect shade of gray.  These would match ALL of my black tops!  I’ve always wanted a pair of good gray pants, because nothing else could ever match black tops aside from jeans.  Yeah, they make Khaki and white ones, but let me tell you.  NO ONE looks good in them.  They don’t make a cut that flatters even a 115 pound personal trainer. 

This coveted pair of gray pants was ONLY available in my size.  Is this a sign?  I sure hope so.  I glance at the price tag.  $8 for this name brand pair of pants- retail was $59.99.  That was BEFORE the B2G1.  I headed to the dressing room and slid right into the pants.  They fit!  Then I slowly turned around and looked into the mirror.  I was met with what could only be compared to the 50-lb sacks of potatoes that Summer Fresh has on ‘sale’ this week.  There were lumps sticking out in places that I thought were areas that I didn’t yet need to worry about.  Although the pants fit, the fabric left something to be desired.

BUT THEY WERE ONLY $8!!!

So I headed off to the clearance sweater dress rack to find tops long enough to cover my knee-caps.  And boy, did I find some cute ones! 

I ended up leaving Factory Connection with 9 items for less than $30!  But I still had this uneasy feeling about my butt in those pants.  I’ve found that those wearing the clothes are often oblivious to the way they look, so if I knew it, how much worse would they look to strangers?

I decided I’d head to Target and pick up a pair of Spanx.  Surely those would help, right?  I needed some jeans anyways, as those lumps mentioned above had finally blown out the inner thighs of my American Eagle jeans.  ALL OF THEM.  I’ve heard some good things lately about Target jeans- I decided to try them out.

I picked up a couple of pairs of jeans in my size and headed to the dreading dressing room.  I cringed as I pulled them on, just knowing that they would be tight.  Then something phenomenal happened.  They were loose.  I checked to see that the hanger matched the tags.  It did!  What?  A smaller size?  Yes, MA’AM!  I tried on the next smaller size.  They fell off.  I started frantically looking around, just sure that the guy from Dateline was watching.  He never showed up.  Now I’m shaking.  I grab yet a smaller size.  They fit! 

No, I’ve not lost any weight- even after the yogurt and wine diet. Their pants just run bigger.  Do I care?  NOPE!

I’m glad I bought the pants first (which are still a little big, by the way).  I felt a little better about buying those postage stamp sized bike shorts, known to Target shoppers as ‘Assets’.  Seriously, that’s their name.  When I made my way over there, I could see the big red clearance signs.  What?  Another clearance?  Perfect!  In a size L?  More perfect!  Wait.. that’s a 1, not an L.  I flip the package over and draw my index finger across the weight recommendations for this size 1.  95-110 lbs.  I don’t care who you are- unless you are 17 inches tall, you do not need a pair of Assets if you weigh 95 lbs.  Even if you are wearing white jeans. 

So I put them back and had to pay regular price for my Assets.  These suckers were $25!  But I guess $25 is a small price to pay if they make my butt look like the picture.  I head for the checkout, looking for a similarly sized woman that just might sympathize with my situation.  Of course, every cashier was male, and all but one were under the age of 27.  Crap.  I just pulled up my ‘big girl Assets’ and headed for the one that looked the most oblivious. 

He did a great job making me feel normal.  Apparently, Target even thought there was a chance I might blow a hole in the side of these suckers, as a coupon for 15% off of my next pair printed at checkout.  Woohoo- that’s like discounted insurance.  Think Progressive would let me take out a policy to cover my Assets in case of damage?

While at Target, I spent $76 on jeans and gut suckers.  All because I was too cheap to pay more than $8 for a pair of pants that actually fit.  I’ll bet I could have found great pants for less than $33.  Some say Assets are an investment.  I sure hope so- I ended up not even wearing them. My sweater dresses worked well enough and call me crazy, but I like to breathe. 

On the bright side: If I weren’t so cheap, I would be constantly pulling up my size 10 jeans as we speak! 

Like this post?  Check out the rest of our Diary of a Discount Shopper Series!

P.S.  Only buy the even numbered size pants at Target for an ego boost.  The odd numbered are the exact opposite. 

Diary of a Discount Shopper | Clearance Pants Lead to Expensive Assets is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Lifesaver Bottles are on sale for $2.50 at Target.  Print this coupon to get them for just $1.50 each!

Lifesavers ‘Bottle’ only $1.50 at Target is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Here’s a great money maker at Plum District!  You can get a $25 Target gift card and a $50 Restaurant.com gift card for just $17.50!  The Target gift card alone is worth that!

Here’s how to do it:

1.  Sign up for Plum District

2.  When you sign up for Plum District using the link above, you’ll get a $5 signup credit that is applied to your first order.

3.  Select the Target deal from the main page.

4.  Enter the code Fabulous at checkout to save 10% ($2.50)

5.  Your signup credit will apply $5, leaving your out of pocket just $17.50.

6.  You’ll receive your gift card within 3 weeks.

HOT Deal | $25 Target Gift Card and $50 Restaurant.com Gift Card for $17.50 is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Target.com is running the BOGO Pillow Pets sale again today.  You can receive free shipping and 5% off when you use your Red Card.

Styles are extremely limited and selling out quickly

Pillow Pets | $9.98 at Target.com is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Target has selected Pillow Pets for just $19.99 BOGO. 

This is a today only sale- grab them while you can!

BOGO Pillow Pets at Target.com is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Target has the Nikon listed on the front page of the ad for $99 online NOW!  Click here to get yours:  Target Nikon L105  (if it doesn’t pull up, search for L105)

To see all of the online deals, click here:  Online Black Friday 2011 

For just Amazon deals, click here:  Amazon Deals

Target Doorbuster Nikon Camera ONLINE NOW: $99 is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Through 11/23, Target.com is holding a Pre-Black Friday sale.  Some of these prices are other store’s Black Friday prices!

To see all items, click here:  Target 4-Day sale (There are lots of items that I’ve not posted)

Here are some of my favorites:

• PSP Core System: $99 (same price as Walmart BF)
• Barbie Estate Big Box Furniture Set: $29.99
• Corningware 6pc Ceramic Bakeware: $19.99
• Flocked Scroll 8pc Bed Set: $49.99

Target.com 4-Day Sale | BOGO 1/2 Toys, Electronics Deals, and Black Friday Prices is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

I love the fall Family Game Night sales!  Target is offering a free 12” Market Pantry Pizza (no coupon required) with the purchase of a Hasbro board game.  You can use one of the many board game coupons to make this deal even sweeter! (Make sure the game you are purchasing is valid for the promotion- this can be done by scanning the barcode of the game at one of the price checkers)

• $5/1 Monopoly Electronic Banking
• $4/1 Battleship
• $3/1 Chutes and Ladders
• $4/1 Operation
• $4/1 Sorry

Free Pizza at Target wyb Hasbro Game is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

It looks like this one disappeared in minutes!

Fill out the form here to get a free sample of Jif to Go peanut butter from Target.

**Already Gone** Freebie: Jif To Go Peanut Butter Sample is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)

Target’s Deal of the Day is the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur for $119.99 (was $148.99), with FREE shipping.  If you’ve got one of these on your list (and I know that many of you do), this is a pretty good price.  It’s no longer sold in most stores, so it’s hard to find!

D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur only $119.99 with Free Shipping (was $148.99) is a post from: gatewaytosaving.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Want to learn everything you need to know about couponing- and then some? Download the Ultimate Couponing Ebook

Need a laugh? The Diary of a Discount Shopper Series is sure to have you rolling on the floor!

0 comment(s)