fluffkin79

Does anyone have a suggestion for a cheap, easy to use, first digital camera for my mom? I noticed that she is having trouble reading small print these days. I noticed that viewfinders have dissapeared. Do you have trouble using the cameras without the viewfiders outside in the sun? I have an older camera, but I can't see anything on the screen when I am outside. I am wondering if that will be a problem for my mom since most of her pics will probably be taken outside.

I'm a SAHM, so I never get a day off! Holidays I get to work twice as hard. DH's work is off for T-Day, but has to work Friday and Saturday mornings. Soooo, I either convince Mom to spend the night on Thanksgiving, wait till the afternoon when DH is home, or take 3 kids out shopping - YIKES! Mom will stay, right? Good thing I have a Christmas stash started already.

This year is pretty easy. Our kids are still young and can't go outside alone, so there is no chance of them finding their gifts in the garage. Even if they could, the stack of boxes is about 8 feet high, so they couldn't reach the top to start unpacking it! They know that I have been shopping all year and storing it in the garage. The hard part is that I has to take the kids with for the Target toy cleance, so they were with me when it was purchased. I am counting on the youngest 2 to forget what we bought in February, but the oldest might remember when she sees it again. At the time, I told them that everything was for someone else, tried to distract them with toys we weren't buying, and tossed my coat on top of some of the things I didn't want them to see. In our house, most of the gifts come from Mom and Dad, Santa only brings stuff that will fit in a stocking. So, I have boxes in the garage labeled "spoiled" and "unspoiled", depending on whether the kids were with me when we bought it. I am a bit of a Kleptomanic, so our garage has tons of boxes. It should be fairly easy to hide things in boxes labeled "Clothes - too small - rummage sale" for a few years. Or maybe have friends or neighbors hide stuff for us. Unfortunatly, DD is one that has to try something to know its true - she will not listen to logic. I don't think she will stay out of boxes because I ask her (guilt her) to, and if I threaten to return or donate her gifts I will end up having to do just that, probably more than once. I will do my best to hide gifts and keep the surprise. I remember regretting looking one year, and remember how tempting it is to look anyways.

Last year we went 400 miles to grandmas for Thanksgiving. There wasn't a trustworthy alarmclock for us to use, so I didn't get any sleep at all. I was out the door at some time in the wee morning hours - they all thought I was out of my mind - and that minivan was packed for the ride home! They live in a bigger city than we do, with more shopping options. Its a good thing that they didn't have their gifts to use ready yet, or we would have had to leave one of the kids behind. This year we will be home. I have been on the lookout for gifts all year long this year, so I don't have much to get. I am sure there will be something, but I should be home in time to take the kids to a holiday parade.

I grew up opening presents on Christmas Eve, and it has stuck with me. Each year our Christmas plans change, but the kids get to open at least one present on Christmas Eve - their new Christmas PJs. I might have to add a more exciting gift as they get older. DH's family plays "The Game" first, where each person ends up with at least one prize to open. It's kinda a white elephant thing. After that is cleaned up we pass out the presents from the name exchange and when everyone had theirs we all open at the same time. Then Grandma passes out her gifts and we all open them. The rest is opened Christmas morning, and we try to take turns. With 4 under 5, it gets a bit crazy. If my Mom, sister or I am running the show, every child will have the same number of gifts and they will probably coordinate, somehow. Here, there are 6 kids ages 2-10. One of us will start handing out our gifts, making sure that each child has one. They all open at the same time, but they can't open the next until everyone is finished and givers are thanked. Then the next round begins. Adults generally open after the kids are finished. Adults open one at a time while the others watch. I am trying to teach my kids to be grateful. They do thank the giver. But they are still learning. DS opened a gift on his birthday, and before I could say anything DD said "We already have that one." I had to distract everyone with another gift so I could sneak that one away, before she made a scene talking about how that is just like our other one - the one in the rummage sale box.

Trick-or-Treating is this Sunday 10/26 here. Will they begin markdowns this week or wait till after the official Halloween?

How does the Kohls Cash come when you order online? I read somewhere that it would arrive via email by 10/23. I don't have anything yet and can't remember where I read that. I really wanted to use it on the current sale, but am running out of time. My order switched to "ready to ship" status today. Where they waiting to be sure it would be fulfilled?

I worked at Kohl's a few years ago. I saw people standing in line for an hour to buy things that had been that same price or cheaper in the weeks before (and after). Other than a couple doorbusters, most things at Kohls will be circling the same price for the next couple months. 45% is pretty good. It might got as low as 55%. Save your receipt and return it (price adjust it) if you find it cheaper. Last I checked, they don't have a time limit on returns. But get it now! Kohl's loads up on toys for the holidays, but when they're gone - they're gone!

I took my daughter when she was 3 months old. We waited for the lines to go in before getting out of the car so she stayed warm. She slept through the whole thing (noise never bothered her) and the stroller came in handy when I couldn't get a cart. I the city we lived in people tend to be friendly and helpful - I had some great conversations in line to check out and didn't even consider that we might get trampled. When DD was done, we went home. Then I went back out later when she could stay home with Dad. The only problem I had was that she filled her diaper as I was checking out. Home was too far away, so I had to take a fully loaded shopping cart into the tiny bathroom (I had already paid and wasn't going to leave it unattended, and customer service was a checkout -they couldn't watch my cart for me). One old woman complained, and her husband said "Well, would YOU leave YOUR things out here?" and offered to watch it for me. You know what you and your son can handle. I wouldn't wait in line or try to get one of 5 available super-duper-gotta-have-it things that 500 people are waiting for. Maybe even wait an hour after the store opens. If he doesn't do well with the crowds you can always go home. Its not like your son would be the first to throw a temper tantum in Wal-Mart!

I saw them in WI for that price a week or two ago. They had a diplay full of them in the middle of the big aisle near bikes.

How often does Target clearance furniture? If I remember right they already did it a least once this year - can we expect it again anytime soon? I could use a few pieces for the kids: desk, chair, shelf, and dressers.

Have a look! http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/category.do?cid=42369 For those who know: Is it just the Painter jeans that will be on sale from the men's department?

I saw the commercial several times last night. There was no mention of a limit in the commercial, but that probably doesn't mean much. I wish I knew if I liked them - I don't know if it is worth making the trip for me.

Has anyone seen bulk go down to 50% yet? Any guess when/if it might? I haven't been following it...

Thanks everyone! I had a great shopping trip this morning. The only thing I didn't get was the 1 thing I wanted most: Wooden Thomas Track. We had good fun. The markdown team was hard at work this morning, about half done at 9:00. There was only a couple other shoppers, so we got the pick of the litter. We really don't need more toys (still well-stocked from the last clearance!), but I found a few things to get excited about. We found a Cozy Coupe for $12.48 and a View master projector with sound for $4.98. And some gift fillers and other things listed here already.

### 204-09-0123 Little Tykes Cozy Coupe II, 75% off, 12.48

Hmmm, Thursday this time. Thanks for pointing this out. I was hoping for one of these on Friday since I have only seen them on Fridays in the past.

I think that it need to be $20 before taxes and after Walgreen's coupons and discounts. You can still use man Q's to go below $20. Or at least that's the way it worked here the last time...

No. If you really want something, buy it at a higher price. If you find it at a lower price later you can always buy again and return the higher price one. That way you don't miss out on something you really want. We don't really NEED toys, so I'm not buying anything for more than 75% (except Thomas track, if I can find it), but I won't be sad to miss out either.

Can you describe the bookcase? Was it with kid's room stuff or with the other furniture? I would really like a couple of these. TIA.

Thanks! No luck at my local store, but since we were out of town today I made a "quick" stop at another store. We found 8 pairs of kids shoes for $26.xx (1.98-3.24 each). Another women was there saying that she did this 3 years ago, and it was time to restock. My kids are now set for the next year or two.

I found some on the Amazon toy sale last year near christmas time. I am not sure how much they were now, but I know it was under $10. Walmart has been clearancing them slowly since christmas time here. Maybe they still have some left?

Can anyone tell me which carseats to look for clearance prices on? I would rather not bring all of them to the scanner. I would like a toddler car seat (ages 1-4) and a big kid booster (ages 4+). Cheaper is better as these will be spares. TIA.

Are the clearance car seats in the normal aisle at your stores? I looked though the baby section and end caps and couldn't find any on clearance at all here. Just wondered if maybe they put them someplace else? ETA: Maybe they are just hiding them in the back room for me till they get to 75%. Hey, a girl can hope!

### Colgate Total Advantage toothpaste, 5.8 oz tube w/ 2 free travel size - $2.23 (30% off) I used a 1.50 man Q and a $1 TQ for a grand total of -.27 per tube. I think the first ones I looked at were 2.73. I didn't notice that the ones I actually grabbed were 2.23 until just now. I don't think the $1 Target Q scanned, so watch for it if you use it. Inside the package are Target coupons for $1 off any Colagate toothbrush and for $1 off any Colgate toothpaste except trial size, expire 4/30/09.