Studio 5 contributor, Kathleen Alder share how you can get two to three times as much for your money by shopping the January white sales.
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In today’s world, there is no reason to pay retail for anything because there is always a sale going on somewhere. If you are patient, you can save thousands of dollars buying the things you need, allowing you to save money and buy the things you want.
The good bargain hunter is a patient person because sooner or later most things will go on sale, especially in the competitive global economy we live in.
How to shop the sales
Sales can be very tempting and it is easy to save money right into the poor house. Here are the rules for shopping any sale.
1. Never pay retail
2. Shop often so that you can find the deals you want
3. Learn to use coupons
4. Don’t buy what you cannot afford
5. Don’t fall for sales gimmicks, read the labels to make sure you are getting what you think you are getting
6. Make a plan so that you always have an idea of what you need
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for a further discount, (The worst they could say is “no”)
8. Remember to be patient
9. Keep an open mind
10. Learn to walk away if it isn’t the best deal for you
Always make sure you:
1. Need the item (There is a difference between “need” and “want”.)
2. Have the money
3. Know the regular price to determine if it really is a sale price (knowledge is powerful)
When you shop the sales you should:
1. Decide what you need to buy before you go to the store
2. Create a shopping list to minimize impulse spending
3. Set a budget
4. Watch the newspaper and the internet for sales
5. Clip and use coupons
Stores to shop for good White Sales:
Dillards: 50% to 75% off the lowest marked sale price (When it gets to 75% off, the selection is smaller but worth the price if you need the items.)
Mervyn’s: 50% to 75% off the regular price
Target: $36.99 on all sizes of down or down free blankets
Walmart: Bed in a bag specials—available on line and shipped free to the store nearest you.
K-mart: Towels 2 for $5
Macys: 20% to 50% off all bedding
JC Penney: 50%-60% off all sheets and sheet sets
Sears: 50% off all down and down alternative comforters, 30-50% off all bedding
Shopko: 50% off on all bedding basics
Pottery Barn Kids: 50% to 75% off
Bed Bath & Beyond: Coupon good for $ off on top of sale prices
Kohl’s: 50% to 70% off bedding and linens
Sales all year round:
The best deals at discount stores are available in the markdown areas.
TJ Maxx
Ross
Burlington Coat Factory
DownEast Outfitters
Overstock.com
Specialty bedding internet sites—search for white sales
What to Know Before You Buy
Before you buy any kind of bedding you should measure you bed to find the right dimensions. Check your bed with the following and add the depth measurement of your mattress including any extra padding you might have added:
Bed Sizes
• Crib or Baby bed–28″ x 52″
• Twin or Single–39″ x 75″
• Twin X-Long or Extra Long Single–39″x 80″
• Double or Full–54″ x 75
• Queen or Queen–60″ X 80″
• Standard or Eastern King 76″-78″ X 80
• California King or Western King–72″ x 84″ (longest)
Bedspread – is a decorative covering for your bed, and when you buy a bedspread, you will need to know the distance from the top of your bed to the floor.
Sheets – when buying sheets for your bed, you need to know the size including length, width and depth of your bed to make sure the fitted sheets will fit the mattress.
Sheet sizes
• Crib fitted–28″ x 52″
• Crib Flat—42″ x 72″
• Twin fitted–39″ x 75″
• Twin flat–66″ x 96″
• Twin pillowcase–20″ x 26″
• Twin X-Long fitted–39″ x 80″
• Twin X-long flat–66″ x 102″
• Twin pillowcase–20″ x 26″
• Double fitted–54″ x 75″
• Double flat–81″ x 96″
• Double pillowcase–20″ x 26″
• Queen fitted–60″ x 80″
• Queen flat -90″ x 102″
• Queen pillowcase–20″ x 30″
• King (Standard/Eastern) fitted–76-78″ x 80″
• King flat–108″ x 102″
• King pillowcase–20″ x 36″ to 40″
• California King fitted–72″ x 84″
• California King flat–102″ x 110″
• California King pillowcase–20″ x 36″ to 40″
• Know the colors that you want and in what sizes
• Understand the fabric:
• Thread-count: The number of threads per square inch. The higher the thread-count the softer, more lustrous, durable and less prone to shrinkage the fabric will be. Between 180 and 200 thread count will be provide a very satisfactory product. Anything over 380 is a farce because the thread is twisted together so that the manufacturer can claim a higher count and a higher price.
o Fabric type:
• Combed cotton
• Muslin
• Percale
• Pima or Supima
• Egyptian cotton
Pillows: When you buy pillows, you again need to decide what size to buy. Remember that if you buy odd size pillows, you will have a hard time finding cases to fit. European size pillowcases are very hard to find.
Typical pillow sizes:
• Standard—20″ x 26″
• Queen—20″ x 30″
• King—20″ x 36
• European Square—26″ x 26″
You can spend anywhere from $2.50 for a cheap foam pillow to $200 for a custom shaped pillow. If you buy an expensive pillow, be sure to protect it with a pillow cover.
Feather comforters
• Measure your bed.—(Twin, full, queen, king)
• How much fill (down/feathers) do you want? The higher the fill, the warmer the comforter.
• Read the label to see what it is filled with. Is it filled with goose down, duck down? Make sure you are getting down and not mostly feathers for the price.
• Higher thread counts for the cover mean the fathers won’t escape through the weave.
• Baffles/squares or lines sewn into the comforter keep the feathers from pooling in one place.
• A duvet is a cover to keep your comforter clean.
Towels: Decide what size towels you want. Remember, smaller towels dry faster than the bigger thicker towels.
Towel Sizes:
• Wash cloth—13″X13″
• Hand Towel—16×30 to 18×28
• Finger tip–11×18
• Bath Mat—22×36 to 24×35
• Bath Towel—27×50 to 30X56
• Oversized Bath Towel–30×56
• Bath Sheet—33×66 to 40×70
Bath towels generally are made out of three different types of cotton:
• Egyptian cotton produces the longest threads and is the most soft and absorbent
• Supima cotton is grown in the United States, and while it produces shorter threads than Egyptian cotton, it is a bit more durable
• Standard cotton is of a lesser quality than the other two types, but it is absorbent and lasts a long time.
Each type of cotton is slightly more expensive than the other, and the price difference can be substantial if you are buying a set or two of bath towels, face clothes and hand towels.
When buying towels, you should feel the towel and if it feels soft and luxurious before it is washed, it will get softer after it is washed and dried.
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Please note that all sale prices and store information is based on research and are not guaranteed by KSL Television, nor are the stores subject to honor any pricing.
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