Full disclosure: bought "new" tops out of boredom.

I accompanied my son shopping for pants at Target and ended up getting myself a men's pullover. At 70% off, it was still $9, which is pricey to me. However, I am short on big, warm, unconstructed Fall tops and haven't had much luck at the thrifts for these. I think men wear such tops until they are rags. The other shirt I got when I took my mother shopping at Marshall's. It is also a Fall top, a tunic with a lot of fancy sewing to it. It was on clearance for $15. I didn't really need the top, but I will certainly get good use from it. I apparently just can't stand to do nothing while waiting for others to shop.

My "not new" teapot isn't a teapot.

I stopped in Target today for a couple grocery items and happened to notice an electric teapot for $11 (originally, $30). It had an automatic shutoff, which is what attracted me. Lately, I've not had the spout cover down or the lid on tight enough and my teapot has heated dangerously long without that whistle to warn me.

The box was opened and resealed, hence the markdown. Likely a return ("not new," right?). I had it in my cart for about a minute when I realized I could simply heat my hot water in a Pyrex measuring cup in my microwave. No need to spend the $11. No extra appliance to junk up my countertop. Now, I just have to train myself to stop looking at the clearance endcaps at Target.

The late bird gets the bargain brisket.

This was almost the tale of a brisket-less girl. My local market had brisket on sale for $4.99 lb. before St. Patrick's day. I snubbed my nose at $5.99 and $6.99 brisket in other stores knowing this. But, I did not go to pick up the sale brisket until the 15th because my fridge was mighty crowded. And when I went, there was none. None at Target either (Target has some amazingly good prices on groceries). On St. Patrick's, I had leftovers. Finally got to my major grocery store and got the brisket, which I am boiling right now. Hoping Aldi's will have their usual $5-off double glazed spiral cut hams after Easter.

This just in: Target shopping secrets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj8qaA7z3xM Check out this short, concise video to discover Target's markdown schedule and strategies. One thing the video fails to point out: open a Target charge and save 5% on every Target purchase. For easier reference on their markdown schedule, here's what the video says:
Mondays: electronics, kids clothes
Tuesdays: women's clothes, groceries
Wednesdays: men's clothes, furniture
Thursdays: shoes, toys
Fridays: cosmetics, jewelry

Not-new chocolate? Sorta. 50% off at Target.

50% off Christmas candy at Target today. Who could resist? Bags of kisses or M&Ms for $1.59. I really should have bought more. The offspring uses them to make cookies on a regular basis. I had a bunch stocked up from the post-Halloween sale, but a snowstorm that left us house-bound (literally...we couldn't even wade through the chest-high snow to go next door) for 6 days seriously depleted my stash. Chocolate, when stored properly, lasts up to a year (who on earth had the will power to find that out?), so we will definitely be enjoying these when they are "not new." I really should have bought more. Will likely be gone unless I get up really early tomorrow, which I don't feel like doing. Oh well, there's always post-Valentine's and post-Easter sales.

Of all the things to have to buy new

(NB: Not posting in present time yet, this was written a couple weeks ago.) I went to put on my boots and the offspring had taken one of my shoelaces. We had just had a major storm that trapped us in our house for 5 days (driving ban plus impassable roads and 5’ of snow in the driveway). I needed to wear my boots and the thrift stores weren’t even reopened yet. Plus, I’d likely have to buy an entire pair of shoes just for the laces. I didn’t have any viable string or even leather I could cut into strips to make shoelaces. Not able to wait or wanting to waste time or gas money, I purchased new shoelaces plus some silicone waterproofing spray for our boots and metal shovels while I was at Target picking up groceries. While I’m on the subject of winterwear, let me rant about shopgoodwill.com. Some of the items on this site sell for ridiculously high prices. I’m happy the money goes to a good cause! I mean, $133 for a used rabbit fur jacket? It probably sold for less than that new (granted, inflation would alter that equation). Still, a good site for going used for the sake of recycling/charity, but not so good for going used and saving money. I’m as much about saving money as I am about saving the environment

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.