Got the $70 suitcase I've been lusting after for $15.

I've been lusting after the new, ultralightweight luggage because I hate to pay baggage fees on airlines. The less pounds my bag weighs, the more pounds of clothes I can pack. I can lift this suitcase with my pinkie finger. Never thought I'd find one "not new" because they are so new to the market. But I found this at TJ Maxx. It was obviously a return (the bags are guaranteed for several years). It has a small rip in the fabric (look closely about midway up the left edge). It was obviously used (so I left it in my hot car for three days in case of bedbugs...I am a safety nutcase). The logo has been removed (big deal). Pretty sure I can repair the tear satisfactorily. Thrilled to get a "not new" bargain at TJ Maxx.

I could not find a "not new" kitchen rug.

Well, I promised I would reveal any "new" purchases and this rug is one of the few. I have been searching for "not new" kitchen rugs for a couple weeks and really couldn't wait any longer. The offspring can be very clumsy. His "dropsies" have cracked three of my porcelain floor tiles. I need some cushioning on the spots he is most likely to drop. I couldn't find any used scatter rugs that came close to being the right size/shape/color (I am still looking for more as I have ugly unsuitable rugs in place in two spots right now), so I purchased this rug on clearance (only $5 off, bringing it to $20) at TJ Maxx. I would have preferred a prettier one, but I didn't have time to waste as I had nothing for this spot.

The good news is, while used rug shopping, I've found that you can get decent area rugs suitable for a living room second hand, so when (if?) I get a wood floor, I can get a nice "not new" rug.

The world's lightest suitcases are worth their weight in baggage fees

If I weren't retired, I'd be going someplace warm next week. Sigh. If I were going, I'd allow myself to buy a new suitcase. I saw suitcases at TJ Maxx a couple months ago with tags that claimed "the lightest suitcase available" and "guaranteed for 15 yrs." The "guaranteed" tag was definitely needed as, being so lightweight, the bags felt flimsy. The bags were pricey, but definitely worth investing in if you fly much. These days, the airlines are careful about baggage weight and charge a fortune for extra bags. A light suitcase could pay for itself in one trip. The bags are gone from my store now. They have luggage that claims "featherlight" or some such thing, but it is pounds heavier than the other stuff. If I see one of the other ones again, I just might need to buy it. Even if it isn't "not new" and I don't have any immediate plans to travel. Being able to take an extra 5 lbs. of clothes can make all the difference if you are staying someplace where there is no handy laundry facility.

Almost done in by Michael Kohrs jeans on clearance.

The offspring needed a lot of clothes and does not share my commitment to "not new," so he asked me to take him to TJ Maxx. This, in itself, is an accomplishment as he used to only want to buy clothes from the mall. While he was shopping for his bargains, I whiled away my time browsing the clearance sections. There was a pair of Michael Kohrs jeans in my size, originally ticketed at $110 and marked down to $27. Now, the only glitch in my "not new" wardrobe is that I have a difficult time finding pants that fit right. Currently, I put on 6 winter lbs. that have my tightest fitting jeans, well, not fitting me anymore. And I haven't been able to find used ones that work. Fortunately, neither did the Kohrs jeans, so I was able to stick to my guns...but, deep down, I know I would have purchased them if they fit properly. It's tough to have a big, weird butt. Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans are about the only ones that work.

I gave in and bought a new top on clearance for $10. Spank me.

I gave in. Shopping for “new” Christmas gifts for my friends (I determined I couldn’t gift “used”) put me too close to some really nice clothing bargains. I resisted the $85 Michael Kohrs top for $15. But, I couldn’t resist this $10 top. I adore border prints and only have one. It was a guilty splurge I vow not to repeat. Hopefully, I won’t have to actually go inside a TJ Maxx until after Dec. 31, 2015 (hoping to make most of my Christmas gifts next year…started going “nothing new” too late to do that this year).

The offspring insists on "new." Being in a store that sells "new" stuff is hard.

Went to Target to get the (teenage) offspring a nice white shirt for his job interview. It was really expensive! ($30) However, the offspring isn’t buying into my “all used” philosophy for himself and he is, for some odd reason, anti-TJ Maxx (I could have gotten a dress shirt there for almost half that price, there would have been a better selection and the shirt would have been nicer). The things we are willing to do for our children. I also saw a really cute sweater I liked at Target. It was a little sad to realize I wouldn’t be buying it even if it did go on a super clearance sale. Sigh.