Tag: shopping tips

Americans buy so much clothing that we’re starting to fill up landfills with it.

Because you don’t know what you could end up wearing next year, you might not be the type to spend high prices on trendy clothing. If you want great fashion at a low price, outlet mall stores can give you the bargain you’re looking for.

Here are 7 things to remember when you’re shopping at outlet mall stores.

1. Look for Quality

When you’re walking through an outlet mall, you could be tempted by all the brands on display. Don’t get starry-eyed about all the luxury brand offerings. You need to find quality materials that will last you for years rather than brands that seem trendy now.

Lots of great brands make products that are also high-quality. They’ll also produce a lot of one product that they will sell but isn’t up to their usual quality standards. When you see a high quantity of one product, make sure it’s good quality before you buy it.

You’ll know quality materials, even from lighter fabrics, when you see them. Trust your gut when you’re shopping. Check out Ramco Textiles for some examples of high-quality fabrics.

2. Follow Trends to Come

While you should always be skeptical of trends, if you want to remain stylish, you’ll need to know what’s happening in the world of fashion. When a new style takes hold, every brand will try to jump on the bandwagon. When rompers were a big hit, just about every brand on the planet had overstock the next season.

Keeping an eye on trends means that you can be on the lookout for a brand that tried to be a trendsetter and failed. If a great brand made a version of a type of garment that won’t become a hit for 2 more seasons, there could be a lot of product in outlet stores for cheap.

Combine your love for trends with an appreciation for quality and you’ll be sure to end up with a great deal.

3. Always Plan Ahead

Don’t wait until the first snow storm to buy your winter jacket. If you’re not married to trends, look for great winter deals as soon as winter ends.

If you weren’t happy with what you had for summer or felt unprepared for the weather, look for new items as soon as fall hits. Outlet prices will cause off-season garment prices to plummet.

If you’re shopping for a family, shopping off-season is massively important to make sure that everyone has what they need and is happy with their wardrobe.

4. Avoid the Rush

Everyone wants to get a deal and some people will even call ahead to stores to see when they receive their next shipments. You can go that route if you’ve got to get the latest items, but you could find yourself in a mad dash to get things that there’s no shortage of.

Instead, save yourself the stress of waiting in long lines or dealing with picked-over shelves by going during off-peak hours. Try shopping early in the day on Tuesday-Thursday rather than going on the weekend. If you miss the morning shopping hours, go around dinnertime instead.

You’ll save yourself the stress and might find that the shelves are nicely stocked for your visit.

5. Check Return Policies

Depending on the brand or the store, you could be dealing with a rigid return policy that might leave you suspicious. In fact, if an outlet doesn’t believe in their products or their customers enough to offer a good return policy, they might not be worth working with.

Some stores might have no return policy at all. You might end up buying discounted goods as gifts, and if they don’t fit, your friends or loved ones won’t be able to return them. If they can’t be returned, it’s like you just walked into the store and donated money to them for no reason.

Rather than waste your time and money, make sure that the shop you’re buying from has a strong return policy. If the products are good enough, they’ll know that very few people will be returning but for legitimate reasons.

6. Talk to the Staff

You never know how the quality of one item compares to the items offered last year or even last season. Manufacturing could have changed or the way something is made might be different than it was before.

The people who will know the most are going to be the staff at the outlet mall. Talk to them and see what they recommend. Ask what is selling and what might be getting returned a lot.

If they’ve had problems with one garment, perhaps they can recommend another. Asking the people who work with the items day in and day out will give you the best idea of what to expect when you’re shopping.

7. Sometimes You Have to Come Back

Don’t ever feel guilty if you don’t find anything that you fall in love with at an outlet mall. The great thing about outlets is that the stock turns over so often that you can come back in a few weeks and find a completely new set of items for sale.

While it might take you a few trips to find what you’re looking for, with the savings that you’ll get in the end, it’s always worth being patient. If you pick up an item you don’t think you can love forever, just put it down and come back another time.

Outlet Mall Stores Are More Than Discount Malls

Outlet mall stores are a great place to find a deal, but also a great way to know what trends are going to be out of fashion in a year and which are here to stay. If you love fashion, it’s not all about following what’s in during a given season. It’s also about getting high-quality garments at a good price.

Before you go shopping, check out our guide to make sure you start decluttering before you bring more into your house.

Did your doctor just tell you that you’re pregnant with twins? If so, you might be freaking out a little bit right now.

The news shouldn’t come as a total shock seeing as how the twin birth rate has hit a record high in recent years with more than 130,000 twin births taking place every year. But still, it can be a little bit unnerving when you learn you have twins on the way.

One of the things parents worry about when they find out they’re having twins is all of the twin essentials they’ll need to buy. They aren’t sure how they’re going to be able to afford to buy everything they’ll need to take care of twins.

But you can do it–if you commit to buying in bulk! Here are 8 items you need to buy in bulk to save money when you have twins.

1. Baby Formula and Bottles

Are you planning on breastfeeding both of your babies? If so, there are a lot of different benefits that come along with it.

But it can be tough for a mother to breastfeed one baby, let alone two. So rather than going that route, you might be thinking about using baby formula instead.

If that’s the case, you should start stockpiling baby formula towards the end of your pregnancy and continue stockpiling it once your babies are born. You’re going to have two new mouths to feed, and they’re going to want to eat early and often when they’re first born.

The good news is that there are many baby formula manufacturers that will provide coupons for parents with more than one baby. But you should still prepare to spend a pretty penny on formula and save up accordingly so that you don’t ever run out.

You’ll also want to invest in extra bottles when you have twins so that you don’t ever find yourself in a situation where you don’t have one.

2. Diapers (Lots and LOTS of Diapers!)

When a baby is first born, he or she will usually go through about 10 to 12 diapers each and every day. That number will go down gradually as the baby gets older, but it means that he or she will use more than 300 diapers during its first month.

For twins, that number gets doubled and it equals up to, well, a lot of diapers!

Parents who are expecting twins should ask friends and family members to shower them with as many diapers as possible in the months leading up to the birth of their children. They are definitely going to need them!

And once the babies arrive and they start having to buy them on their own, parents should buy diapers in bulk. You’re going to use them anyway, so why only buy a few at a time?

3. Bassinets

As you prepare yourself for the idea of taking care of twins, one of the things that might really worry you is the thought of purchasing two separate bassinets for your babies. That sounds very inconvenient to parents who are going to be tasked with trying to get two babies to calm down and rest.

Fortunately, you can make the job slightly easier by opting for a twin bassinet that will fit both your babies at once. It’ll allow you to put your babies down together so that they can sleep throughout the day and (hopefully!) the night.

4. Car Seats

Yes, you’re even going to have to think about buying car seats in bulk!

Your best bet is to keep your eyes peeled throughout your pregnancy for baby stores that are selling two or more car seats at a discounted rate. It could help you save a significant amount of money on the cost of car seats, especially if you’re going to buy two sets of them for multiple vehicles.

5. Clothes

Forget about splurging on name-brand baby clothes when you’re having twins.

While you want your babies to look cute when they’re in their outfits, you also need to come to terms with the fact that you’re going to be buying twice as many clothes as you normally would for twins. That means buying clothes up in bulk when you can find a great deal, even if you’re not necessarily buying the brand you might like the best.

You can spend a little extra on clothes for holidays and other special events. But generally speaking, you shouldn’t break the bank trying to fill your twins’ dressers up with designer duds.

6. Burp Cloths

Burping your baby after they eat is important. It prevents your baby from getting too gassy as a result of the air that he or she takes in while eating.

The challenge with burping a baby, though, is that you can run through quite a few burp cloths every day. And with twins, it’s going to start to seem like you just can’t keep burp cloths clean for more than a few hours.

It’s best to buy them up in bulk and then keep them moving through the laundry cycle so you’re never without them.

7. Pacifiers

It might not seem like you’ll need many pacifiers for your babies, even though you have twins.

But once your babies are old enough to start using them, you’re going to find out how tough it can be to keep them clean and usable. They’re going to be constantly falling on the floor and getting all dirty.

By purchasing pacifiers in bulk, you can make sure you always have a handful of them on hand at any given moment.

8. Books

Technically, you could get away with buying the same amount of books for two babies as you would for one. But as your twins grow, they’re going to start to want to have their own things, and it’s going to be up to you to facilitate this.

Books are a great place to start with this process. You can buy up a bunch of books for both your babies and then split them up once they get a little older.

Start Stocking Up on Twin Essentials Now

There are so many twin essentials that you’ll need for your babies. But try not to get too overwhelmed by it!

It might take you some time to get used to caring for two babies, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. It’ll become second nature, and you’ll come to appreciate all the hard work that goes into raising two babies at once.

Do you want to learn more ways to save money while taking care of twins? Check out our blog to see how to save on shoes, pick out a budget-friendly stroller, and more.

You know that lack of rest makes you one grumpy and slow person. It affects your health, your memory, and your looks in an unspeakable manner. Fatigue is also a major cause of the more than 100,000 auto accidents and 6,400 fatalities in the U.S. every year.

One in every three adults in the U.S. is short on sleep.

If you aren’t sleeping well, it’s probably time to swap out your mattress. Experts recommend changing your mattress every 7-10 years. And you should do it more often if you aren’t getting the rest you need.

There are hundreds of choices. How do you find the one that is perfect for you? And the bigger question, how do you find an affordable mattress that you’ll love?

Solving Your Sleep Problem

Resting well can be difficult if you aren’t comfortable. Unlike baby and toddler sleep disruption, adults often suffer from distraction, discomfort, or worry preventing a good night’s rest.

A new mattress isn’t going to make your stress go away or turn off your screens for better sleep, but you are going to be a whole lot more comfortable! You can spend anything from $99 to more than $1000 on a new mattress. So what goes into the price difference?

Pick a Mattress Type

The amount of use you’ll get out of your mattress depends on the quality and type of it. The type of mattress you choose makes a difference.

Innerspring

An innerspring mattress contains steel wire coiled springs to support and distribute your weight evenly across the mattress. A high-quality innerspring mattress can last 10 years or more, especially if regularly turned over end to end or side to side to distribute wear.

Hint: Despite what the salesperson says, the NUMBER of coils does not noticeably affect wear, but more coils can be more comfortable than fewer. The WIRE GAUGE (thicker is better) is a better predictor of mattress lifespan.

Memory Foam

Foam mattresses might last a decade to 15 years. It depends on their material quality and care. Watch out for the heat retention qualities of memory foam, as many people find them too warm.

Hint: Don’t pay extra for special materials. Viscoelastic foam has been around since the 1960s. It is long-lasting and proven to prevent bed sores.

Latex

Choosing an organic mattress? The lifespan of a latex mattress varies. Although hypoallergenic synthetic latex is available, all natural latex is a popular choice. Many mattresses have a 20 to 25-year life.

Hint: Double-check the warranty. Some mattresses might have little to no replacement value if they wear out prematurely.

Waterbed

These aren’t the groovy, sloshing bags of the 1970’s. Waterbed mattresses come in two types: the traditional type of vinyl waterbed mattresses contained in a waterproof liner in a frame, or the soft-side mattress encased in a foam box and sealed like a conventional mattress. They can last 5 years to 10 years with proper care.

Hint: No longer the popular choice, waterbed mattresses may have a steep priced when you find them.

Hybrid and Pillowtop

A hybrid mattress is a combo of foam and innerspring mattresses. The most common configuration is a layer of foam, coiled spring supports, then another layer of foam. These are often the most affordable mattress type.

A pillowtop is additional padding between you and your mattress. The extra cushion layer can shorten your mattress’ lifespan, as you cannot flip the mattress to even out wear on the coils. The lifespan of the padding can also be shorter than that of the mattress and leave you with uneven lumps and dips.

Hint: A hybrid or pillowtop mattress might need replacement after just 6 years. The durability depends on the quality of the base foam and the coils.

Hard or Soft Option

One factory’s “extra firm” might be a mere “medium” to a different mattress company. There are no standardized measurements of firmness. Find the mattress that suits your sleep habits best based by trying it out.

Hint: Mattresses labeled softer might not be more comfortable, and harder ones might not be long-lasting.

Save on Sizes

Hint: You don’t have to buy a new box spring every time.

If you purchase the same size mattress as your current one, you shouldn’t need to change the foundation. Sure, the fabrics covering the box spring and the mattress won’t match, but who sees them? Use the money you saved to buy a mattress cover and a dust ruffle if it bothers you.

If you downsize your mattress, you gain a few square feet of floor space in your bedroom and reduce your costs. A California King is the same size as two standard twin beds together. Downsize to a queen and gain room for a dresser or two.

Hint: Queen size beds are the “standard size” of the market. They are often the “floor model” or “sale item.” The price difference between a Queen and King is often 50% or more.

Finding An Affordable Mattress Just Takes Research

Do your homework. A common trick of the mattress industry is to make comparison shopping difficult. The same manufacturer might make just three mattress types but label 30 or more distinct models to ship to different stores.

Consider trying out mattresses for 15 minutes or more. If you can’t spend the time in a store doing that, get your mattress from a place with a generous return policy so that you can try it out and send it back if it isn’t comfortable.

Know what you want in a mattress and negotiate for that, not a certain brand name. The same strategies you use for grocery shopping will work to your advantage. Always keep your budget in mind.

Summing It All Up

Finding an affordable mattress that you love is a challenging project but will be a worthwhile investment in a good night’s sleep. Saving money on a quality mattress is a good investment. Leave a question or comment in the box below!

You’re getting married! That’s exciting news! But now you’ve got a wedding to plan. And that means that there are a million details to plan and take care of. You have to book the wedding venue, the caterer, order the invitations, and the list goes on and on.

Don’t forget the wedding band! Not the kind for your finger, silly, the one that will keep the party rocking while everyone dances the night away.

Believe it or not, there’s plenty to consider when looking at small wedding bands. After all, not all bands are the same, just as not all wedding are the same. Let’s take a look at some things to consider before booking a musical act for your big day.

Small Wedding Bands: What to Consider to Find the Right One

Are you getting married? Congratulations! Before looking for small wedding bands for hire, be sure to consider the factors here.

What’s Your Budget?

Before you starting shopping around for a band to play at your wedding, you’d better know how much money you have to spend on music. The bigger your wedding budget, the more options you’ll have. And make no mistake, good bands generally aren’t cheap. So take a look at the numbers and decide how much you have to work with.

Do Some Research

Do some research online, and then start making some calls. Talk to your wedding planner and get some references. Talk to local bars and clubs that host a lot of live music. These are great sources for finding out the names of some good local bands. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn just by calling up and asking.

Decide What Kind of Band You Want

Keep in mind that the type of music you want will have a huge impact on the energy of the party. Hiring someone to sing Frank Sinatra tunes will be much different from a party band that plays 80s hits.

Knowing the kind of music you want will make searching for the right band much quicker and easier. Some bands play a wide range of covers from a variety of styles and eras, which always makes for a great party.

Ask Lots of Questions

Once you’ve narrowed your list, it’s time to make contact. You’ve gathered a few names and numbers, so now you need to reach out and talk to them.

Before making those calls, sit down and make a list of questions. You need to find out if they have a general playlist they like to work from. Do they take guest song requests? How much do they charge and how many hours will they play for that price? How many performers are there and what do to they typically wear?

This is an important conversation and should give you a good idea of what you can expect on the day of the event. And once you’ve narrowed it down to your top two or three bands, call around to other venues where they’ve performed and ask about those experiences.

To see a great source for booking live entertainment acts check out Alive Network.

Try to See Them Perform Live Before Hiring Them

Most small wedding bands also play other events as well as regular local gigs. This is a great opportunity to hear them live before booking them for the wedding. See how they perform live, the quality of the music, how they interact with the crowd, the kind of energy they bring.

And if you can’t manage to make it to a live gig, see if you can find any live performances on Youtube, or if they have a website with video samples from live performances.

How Far in Advance Should You Book Them?

The short answer to this question is, book the band as soon as possible. A good wedding band is likely going to be in high demand and will get snapped up quickly by another event.

Once you’ve set the date for your wedding, you’ll need to book everything needed for that day ASAP. Keep in mind that venues, caterers, and entertainment options go fast, so don’t risk losing your first choice by hesitating.

The best thing to do is call the band at the top of your list and have a conversation. Let them know your intended date. This way, even if they are booked for that date, they might be able to move some things around on their schedule in order to accommodate your wedding.

Things to Consider Before You Sign the Contract

Before officially booking the band, give some serious consideration to the fact that your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. It’s a momentous event that takes lots of planning, and where many of your closest friends and family will be gathered to celebrate.

Thus it’s important to know the band you hire is going to show up as scheduled. Can you trust them? Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Do they offer a contract and require a deposit?
• Are they easy to reach by phone or email or return calls promptly?
• Do they have a high turnover among band members?
• Do they ask any questions about the event or what you expect from them?
• Will they bring all of their equipment or is there something you’ll be required to furnish?

Final Details to Consider

The size of the venue also impacts the band size of the musical act you book. You’ll also need to consider the layout of the room, as well as power sources the band will need to plug in their equipment.

Get The Party Started

There’s nothing better than a party with a great band, with everybody dancing and having a great time. Small wedding bands can take a memorable experience to the next level.

Wedding band costs might seem expensive, but ultimately it’s money well spent when you consider the priceless memories that will endure for a lifetime.

Click here to learn 10 essential tips for buying an engagement ring.

Have you ever noticed how much jewelry the man in your life wears? While most people think these kinds of accessories are for women, many men love to wear jewelry.

Whether it be a watch on their wrist, a ring on their finger, or even earrings and chain necklaces, men definitely know how to wear jewelry. In fact, most men feel naked without their go-to pieces!

There’s nothing wrong with expanding your man’s collection, though. Before you get him another bottle of cologne for his birthday or send dad another new wallet for Father’s Day, see what kind of men’s jewelry you can buy.

Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect men’s jewelry piece.

1. Consider His Go-to Style

Some guys wear nothing but gym clothes and simple styles all the time while others can be seen in a suit any day of the week. There’s also the guys who love the laid-back hipster look and those who prefer to be more put-together and preppy.

Which kind of guy is the man in your life? Think about this before you go shopping. Understanding his style will come in handy as you navigate all the options of men’s jewelry in the store.

2. Pay Attention to the Material

Just as there’s a noticeable style difference between a plain t-shirt and a flannel that’s clearly been thrifted, there’s a difference between a leather watch band, a gold watch, or some sort of athletic material. This goes for bracelets and necklaces/chains, too.

Pay attention to your man’s preferred material before you go shopping. The last thing you want to do is find the perfect bracelet only to realize you need something made of metal, not leather.

3. Choose a Color

Another detail worth focusing on right off the bat is the color of men’s jewelry you’re looking at. In the same way that you have a preference between gold and silver or brown and black, your man does, too.

Think about this as you browse men’s rings, bracelets for men, and more. Maybe even consider his favorite pair of dress shoes or the color of the belt he wears every day before narrowing down your options.

4. Understand Proportions

As you start to get a better idea of what your man might like, think about what will actually look good on him. Not every guy can pull off a huge watch with a big, flashy face. On the other hand, some guys are built too thick for thin watch bands or small necklace chains.

You have to imagine the men’s jewelry on him. This way, you’re not just shopping for what catches your eye the most in the store, but what will look perfect for his body.

5. Know His Fit

Have you ever had to get a ring resized because your boyfriend didn’t know what it was? Your man is going to have to go through the same thing if you don’t know his size.

You’re also going to need his wrist measurement for a watch or bracelet, and it wouldn’t hurt to have some sort of idea about how long he likes his chains.

6. Stick with the Classics

Maybe you already have the right sizes written down and you know exactly the kind of color and material your guy likes. Shopping for men’s jewelry should be smooth sailing, right? Not necessarily.

The next thing to consider is how flashy you want to be. Even if your boyfriend is known for lavish suits and over the top tie patterns, he needs something that’s going to complement all of his looks.

Always go with the classic jewelry pieces over the flashy ones. Such a move makes it easy for your man to wear his new jewelry when going to work, on a night out, and sometimes, even to the gym!

7. Consult a Jeweler

If you’re really at a loss for what to buy or where to even begin, consult a jeweler. Whether the person behind the counter is a man or a woman, he or she has seen plenty of ladies like you come into their store. They know how to take a description of your man and his style and run with it.

Before you know it, the jeweler has all kinds of men’s necklaces, earrings for men, plenty of watches, and much more for you to choose from. Not to mention, they can help you make the final decision if you’re stuck between two options.

8. Ask a Guy Friend

While it’s always great to make friends with the jeweler, another thing you can do is bring a guy friend along. Bring your man’s best friend when you go shopping or ask one of your buddies to join you.

Either way, make sure you have a man present. He can help point you in the right direction and offer the kind of male perspective you need to make the best choice.

9. Look at the Price

Just when you think you’ve found what you’re looking for, check the price tag. It’s one thing to discover an amazing piece of men’s jewelry and another to be able to afford it!

More often than not, you don’t have to break the bank. Simply keep looking until you find the best jewelry item that fits your budget.

10. Consider How Long It Will Last

The final thing to think about is how long the jewelry will last. This is both in terms of style and durability.

Style comes down to what is hot now and what is always timeless. Keep this in mind when you’re tempted to go for something trendy over a classic item.

More so, take a second to consider how strong the materials are. Invest in real precious metals and strong diamonds/stones whenever you can. This way, you can trust the jewelry you buy will last for many years to come.

You can click for more about different diamond cuts, strengths, and sizes.

Styling Men’s Jewelry with Different Outfits

Whether you’re shopping for the most stylish man you know or you’re looking for men’s jewelry to give him a bit of a fashion boost, your guy needs to know how to pair his new jewelry with various outfits. This way, he can go from the office to the dancefloor to a casual date night while wearing what you’ve bought him.

But, being fashionable doesn’t mean breaking the bank! For tips on saving money on men’s jewelry like chains, rings, and more, click here.