If you're about to paint your pad, here are just a few time and money saving tips.

On that rare occasion you deviate from your daily route you sometimes discover shops you've never seen before. Driving along Emory Road in Powell last week, I discovered mini flea markets scattered through local parking lots. And behind what looked like a junk shop from the outside, was the well-priced Volunteer Antiques (just north of Pleasant Ridge Road on Clinton Highway).

Do you instantly picture saggy y-front underwear when you hear of the brand 'Jockey' ? Well, you'd be surprised then. Jockey have managed to combine mouth watering colors and super feel good fabrics into sleepwear, active wear and underwear you'll be dying to wear out of the house.

Pregnancy needn't be a fast track to fashion disaster. Whether you have a bun in the oven or all of your friends seem to be breeding at the moment, Me and Mommy-to-be will have you loading up with goodies in no time.

Bargain hunters usually have their heads on a swivel, eyes darting side to side eager to capture the best possible deal. What if they miss something or find the same item cheaper elsewhere? They can only rest when they know they've shelled out the lowest price. And that's no easy feat - sales aren't just bi-annual anymore, there's the 'anniversary sale', the 'going back to school sale', the 'Fall Sale' and my favorite – 'the best sale of the season'. What 'season' exactly and will they have another bigger and better sale next month? Need I go on?

So, I've shuffled through the Sunday catalogues and completed a reconnaissance mission to the mall to give you the current highlights.

Not too much going on at Banana Republic at the moment, but their major promotion is 15% off your purchases when you apply for their store card. However the regular clearance section was nice and full and they are offering long sleeve tees two for $45.

Banana Republic - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 470-2622

None of that 'selectiveness' stuff at Petite Sophisticates, they have at least 25% off everything in store.

Petite Sophisticates - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 670-0664

Limited have corduroy pants for $29.99 and you can get a leather hobo bag for just $25 when you spend $100 or more in store. (That's a $98 value).

Limited - Knoxville Centre, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel: (865) 525-5200
West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN 37923, Tel: (865) 691-9375

Motherhood Maternity have a few clearance racks if you're not exactly feeling the cold just yet, but need to keep the bump covered. Jeans start at $16.98 each.

Motherhood Maternity - Knoxville Center, Knoxville, TN 37902 Tel: (865) 544-1654
West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN 37902 Tel: (865) 769-8890

Express Women seem to have cleared out the last of their summer clearance stock and are promoting clothes for the forthcoming party season. Party sweaters come in stunning red, black or cream and select styles will set you back just $29.95.

Express Men have $20 off selected shirts.

Express - West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 470-3614

Abercrombie & Fitch have some deals at the very back of the store if you like to layer. Shrugs $29.99 each and various tops with beaded details are as low as $15.90 each.

Abercrombie & Fitch - 7600 Kingston Pike Suite 1410, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 539-4899

J Crew is being very discreet. Deals are sprinkled around the store such as women's Vintage Tissue t-shirts two for $30, drawstring sweat pants $19.99 each and in the clearance section, to the left of the store, you'll find women's cargo style pants for $19.99 and men's plain sweaters for $29.99 amongst other discounts.

J Crew - 7600 Kingston Pike Suite 1574, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 691-5822

Ann Taylor is also in on the act with 30-50% off select styles.

Ann Taylor - West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 693-5688

Step into the oh-so-cool dimly lit interior of Hollister and feel your way to the racks at the rear. Snuggly thick belted cardigans are $34.99 in red, blue and grey.

Hollister - West Town, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel: (865) 769-8396

Buckle has its usual stock of slightly pricier hip clothing labels and no store wide sales. But their regular clearance racks have up to 1/3 off button up shirts for men and more deals if you're prepared to take your time and sift through.

Buckle - 3001 Knoxville Center Drive, Knoxville, TN 37924, Tel: (865) 329-2455
7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 691-7244

Aeropostale have really upped the challenge with their 'Bulldog Sale - up to 60% off select items'. Women's hooded cardigans are $24.99 and long sleeve layered t-shirts (they've done the layering for you) are $14.99. Guys can pick up hooded sweatshirts for $16.99.

Aeropostale - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 560-0406

Cold Water Creek - one of the new kids on the block at West Town Mall have 50% off certain items.

Coldwater Creek - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 691-3353

Up to 50% off - yes you guessed it - select styles at Wet Seal.

Wet Seal - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 531-9810

The Disney Store has discounted some of their licensed clothing an additional 25% (that's after a 50% price cut) for back to school gear and clothing. And if you're struggling to find anything other than a spider man or batman costume for your little one this Halloween they have 25% off a range of costumes not seen elsewhere around Knoxville.

Disney Store Inc - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 470-7110

Profitt's are having an Anniversary Sale with sale signs everywhere! Most items of clothing, for men, women and children are 20 to 50% off the ticketed price. The best deal is the two or three piece infant/toddler outfits at 30% off. The weather must be cooling down because the fleece lined leather gloves at 30% off (usually $40 a pair) look particularly appealing. And if it's time to stock up on your fave fragrance, you should do it now. Nearly every scent for men and women has a bonus gift set or box set on offer.

Profitt's Department Store - 3000 North Mall Road Suite A, Knoxville, TN 3792, Tel: (865) 539-5513
West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel: (865) 539-5513

Gymboree are luring in shoppers with a spend $100 and get 25% off your next purchase from their new line.

Gymboree - 3001 Knoxville Center Drive, Knoxville, TN 37924, Tel: (865) 633-5338
7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 531-2241

Wilson's Leather, not to be left out, also have the Buy One, Get One at 50% off deal for all of their accessories.

Wilsons the Leather Experts - Store 2692, 7600 Kingston Pike Suite 1092, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 769-5111

Eddie Bauer has a 'Buy two items, get the second (lower priced) item at 50% off'. It's only for select items but the deal applies to some of their basic sweaters.

Eddie Bauer - 3011-A Mall Road North, Knoxville, TN 37924, Tel: (865) 525-7005 7600 Kingston Pike Ste 1124, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 690-5707

Lane Bryant is getting into the spirit of things with up to 50% off during their Fall Sale.

Lane Bryant - Knoxville Center, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel; (865) 544-1670
11004 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922, Tel: (865) 675-7206
West Towne Mall, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel: (865) 531-8187

Children's Place has just a few racks of sale stuff left and the store seems to be finally filling up with their holiday season merchandise. You can still get t-shirts for boys for $5.99 and under and be sure to head to back of the store for more bargains.

Children's Place Store - 3001 Knoxville Center Drive, Knoxville, TN 37924, Tel: (865) 522-0867
7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 693-7494

If you spend $50 at Limited Too on your fashionable tweenie you get a $25 credit when you spend $50 or more on your next purchase. In an effort to clear some of the older ranges they've also got 40% off selected clothing in store.

Limited Too - West Town Mall, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 690-4667
East Towne Mall, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel: (865) 544-1002

PacSun have two pairs of pants for $55 and short sleeve t-shirts two for $30.

PacSun - 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: (865) 694-8448
3001 Knoxville Center Drive, Knoxville, TN 37924, Tel: (865) 522-4470
197 Foothills Mall Dr, Maryville, TN 37801, Tel: (865) 681-3382

American Eagle have knocked $10 to $20 off women's winter jackets and some older styles of jeans are just $19.99 a pair. For guys, the best deal spotted was a rack of tees at $6.99 and up. Of course the clearance racks are always worth a look, but the sizes often run a bit smaller.
American Eagle Outfitters - 3001 Knoxville Center Drive, Knoxville, TN 37924, Tel: (865) 546-6084
West Towne Mall, Knoxville, TN 37902, Tel: (865) 470-9852

Tables piled high with neatly folded jeans are down to $19.99 a pair and long sleeve t-shirts are as low as $6.99 each for women. Men's long sleeve t-shirts for $12.99, Loose Fit jeans $15 off and $29.99 for loose fit cords.
The best deal? If you don't already have one, apply for a GAP card before November 7th and you'll get 20% off that day (good for use at GAP and Old Navy stores, all day).

GAP - 3032 Mall Road North, Knoxville, TN 37924 Tel: (865) 544-0832
7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 Tel: (865) 531-3943

Don't turn up empty handed the next time you're invited to a friend's house. For something a bit different get a little something to go from Panera Bread.

Some people hate shoe shopping as much as I despise shopping for underwear – it’s a tedious task that gets put off until it’s totally unavoidable. But imagine if you could find shoes at such a great price that you could stock up on a few pairs and possibly avoid the experience for at least another year. A few male friends come to mind when I consider this tactic.

If you haven't already dropped in, make sure you get to Casual Corner no later than tomorrow (Tuesday October 11th), when their six day sale ends. There's an amazing 40% or more off everything in this women's store. Sizes range from 14-24.

Casual Corner Outlet - 260 Morrell Road, Knoxville, TN 37919 Tel: (865) 560-0402

Finally, that big fat wad of dollar bills that you always seem to accumulate will actually buy you a tonne of stuff. At the Dollar Tree they really do sell everything for a dollar a piece - not one dollar per item in a packet - like some other discount stores.

Crafty types were already hitting AC Moore at 9.30am on Monday morning - there were bargains to be had and no time to waste. After browsing aisle after aisle of scrap booking supplies, no less than three rows of ribbon, followed by at least two rows of candles, I was itching to get home and start on a project myself.

Perhaps it's time for an update. If you don't have the talent or the time to make your own costume, you're probably like me and need to resort to a ready made number. So, I've checked out the party supply stores, chain stores and seasonal Halloween stores to see what the best deals are.

As much as I love a flea market find, sometimes I'm not in the mood to sift through musty smelling clothes to grab a bargain. So it's great when a store is choosy for you and arranges everything to making browsing a breeze. Planet Xchange is always worth popping into and there's not even the faintest whiff of mustiness.

It used to be that fabric stores just sold fabric and haberdashery. But there doesn't seem to be any real limits to what Jo-Ann etc will stock these days. I'm always surprised at what I find there - usually stuff I wouldn't even think of.

What do you do when your precious little bundle outgrows all of their newborn gifts and they won't quit growing? Consignment and recycling shops could be an affordable way to solve the problem.