Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Buying on the Cheap by Rolynn Anderson

Even if I don’t have to be, I remain the daughter of parents brought up during the depression…a bargain hunter, through and through.  

Watch me as I drive from one plant nursery to yet another, pricing aloe and yuccas; listen to me as I speak on the phone to palm tree purveyors, asking, “If I buy three palms will you ship for free?” Look over my shoulder as I search for coupons and Easter bargains before I buy a chair on Overstock. I lie in wait for the 20% off Saturday special at Ace Hardware, to buy palm fertilizer, potting soil and bird food.

Slate for our walkway was the best deal at Home Depot; we found a fabulous price for 18’ by 3’ pavers locally; Santa Barbara boulders are only 16 cents a pound; 3/8 inch rock is best bought from Central Coast Products.

I found out what a neighbor paid for his rip-out-the-grass landscape project. I said: “Game on! I can do it for half that price.” (I feel encouraging pats on my back from my long-gone parents)  Here's a pic of our landscape redo to this point, taken from the front door. The slate and pavers have been placed...the edging, plants, rocks and lighting still to come:



You see how competitive and eager I am to take on the challenge. You also see how much time and effort this project will require. Yes, it verges an obsession.

I would have thought that over time, I could let go of the struggle to buy the best quality product at the lowest price.  Not happening.

How about for you? Are you paying full price on stuff these days? And if you aren’t, what’s the best bargain you’ve struck lately? We may want to get in on it J

The first book in my series comes at the low, low price of $2.99.  FADEOUT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612173616


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15 comments:

Leah St. James said...

Bargain shopper here, too! Sometimes I obsess for so long, the actual purchase is a letdown! Your project looks fabulous so far, Rolynn!

Margo Hoornstra said...

True, your project seems to be coming along beautifully. I never pay full price. It’s too much fun finding the deals. Good luck with Fadeout.

Mackenzie Crowne said...

The walkway looks sweet, Rolynn and your post totally made me grin. It's true, the habits of childhood stick with us. I come from a family of eight kids and bargain hunts were a way of life growing up. These days, we also re-purpose whatever we can, although the concept baffles my youngest son. Recently he was standing in the kitchen when hubs held up a large "Smart Water" bottle that one of the grandkids had left behind and asked if I wanted to keep it. I said "Yes" of course, as it's the perfect size for transporting milk or creamer for a weekend trip to our cabin. I felt like I'd just scored an awesome find while our son shook his head and mumbled "Old people." :-)

Jannine Gallant said...

I'm also a bargain hunter. My husband...not so much. If I send him to the store, guaranteed the groceries will cost twice what they should since he'll pick up a few "extras" not on the list and not on sale. I think that "cheap" gene is definitely passed down through the generations, but I fear my daughters didn't get it! Your pavers look great!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Leah, I once bargained hard for a rug in a open market in a foreign country. By the end we were both exhausted with the effort. I got the price I wanted, but the rug-dealer was very unhappy. Wasn't a good feeling.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Margo, new picture! Nice! I'm always thrilled when I get a good deal on a great product. Like $10.00 Palm fertilizer spikes for $2.50. No that's a hell of a deal!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Mac, you're right, it's so hard to throw away something that 'may be of use.' I visualize my mother cringing at the thought of throwing away a perfectly good plastic bag. She'd even save the bags from inside cereal boxes. I do not go that far! I just found a use for a huge steamer pan I have (steaming eggs...20 minutes...makes them easy to peel) Anyway I was gleeful I hadn't thrown the pan away even though I haven't used it for 30 years!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Jannine, I wonder if bargain hunting is a woman's thing. Most men I know don't blink at price unless it's exorbitant...way out of the range of normal for men's clothes or such. My guy throws stuff away too easily, too. Sometimes I hide something he says he's throwing away...because I know it might be useful...someday...somewhere...somehow...

Alison Henderson said...

When I was working, I didn't worry too much about bargain hunting. Now that I've retired, I've embraced it full-on! I even got an email from CVS telling me I'm in the top 3% of savers in California!!

Rolynn Anderson said...

You make me laugh, Alison. CVS is such a coupon nutty organization. I like to slide my bar code on their reader bar and get a mile of coupons even if I don't use them. But top 3%?! You have BOGO vitamins in your cabinet, for sure :-)

Diane Burton said...

Another bargain hunter here, Rolynn. Daughter and DIL both look for sales. I save coupons for restaurants as well as grocery stores. Hubs signs up for "frequent diner" cards. We know how to stretch those retirement dollars. Your patio looks great.

Andrea Downing said...

I've been spotting the photos of your fabulous new garden, Rolynn. doesn't look bargain basement to me! Well done! As I'm currently remodeling a house, searching for bargains and lower prices has become a way of life. But the time it takes....

Rolynn Anderson said...

Diane, thank God the next generation has the 'bug.' Seriously, with the internet in the mix, bargains galore are at our fingertips. I like how your hub thinks...good food at good prices...yay happy hour!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Andi, you are right...bargain hunting takes time and patience! Thanks for your comments on my front yard. We are in Maui right now...and return on Friday to our home, when the front yard will be completely transformed, I think. I CAN NOT WAIT! And yes, I think I cut my neighbor's costs in half. But I worked/shopped to make that happen!

Alicia Dean said...

Wow, I'm impressed at what's been done so far! I wish I was more of a bargain shopper. I'm not good at that sort of thing. Your book sounds great and I LOVE the cover!! Congrats!