The Shopping Bag - the shopping blog

Father's Day

I'm so desperate for good father's day gift ideas that I'll take any suggestions from the sale papers. Father's Day seems just to be as overrun with stereotypes as Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. If you take your cue from the sales paper then Dad is a golfer, a keen fisherman or a couch potato. Oh, and he loves power tools or reigning over the grill. What if he doesn't fit those stereotypes? Well, I guess there are always gift cards.

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The Handy Man
Sears makes shopping for dad super easy. Their sale paper is set out gift up to $60. For the real novice I like the Craftsman collector's tin for $9.99. And then for the real pro who has just about everything in his workshop there's the Blue Titanium ratcheting wrench set and the socket set for $99.99 and $79.99 respectively.

The Beer Lover
Target has four packs of branded beer glasses for $10 and retro metal bar signs for $7. The X Audio Rocker chair with built-in surround sound and subwoofer for $76 - ideal for the gaming nut.

For the guy who dreams of turning his basement or garage into a manly retreat Kmart and Target are marketing bar fridges and hot dog warmers.

Ace Hardware is now the equivalent of Target for me. You pop in for one thing, but they have so many cool items that you spend way more than you planned to. At the moment they're promoting the portable hammock with built in speakers. It folds up into its own handy dandy bag for easy transportation. It's made from heavy duty polyester sling fabric and costs just $59.99.

Free Root Beer Float

From 8 p.m. till midnight everyone can get a free root beer float at participating Sonic restaurants tonight only.

Welcome to the money pit

I've just become a homeowner for the first time which in turn means a whole new relationship with my local hardware store.

I have already learnt two lessons. One - old houses always need something repaired or fixed and two - never go shopping with my father-in-law - his middle name should be 'Lowes'. I let hubby and my father-in-law out of my sight for 10 minutes and a trip to buy one plumbing fixture turned into a $500 tab at the check out!

Glancing through the receipt a day or two later I noticed that we had paid for two garden hoses (at $34 each, I might add). After checking that we didn't have two, hubby decided to head back to the store to see about a refund. We were unsure it would be possible, because it had been a week between visits and also, how do you prove that you don't have two hoses sitting at home?

Well, luckily the store manager was understanding and refunded the 'non-existent hose'

Father's Day Sale at JC Penney

Before we know it, it will be Father's Day and we'll be stuck trying to think of something for dad that he doesn't already have. A good starting point could be The Dad's Day Sale at JC Penney where you can save 20-50% on apparel, electronics, watches, etc.

Avoid sunburn

There are tons of ways to look like a bad parent and a badly sunburnt child is one of them. To make things a little easier you Huggies Little Swimmers have developed Sun Sensors. Basically they're stickers that start out yellow and turn deep orange when it's time to get out of the sun, apply more sunscreen or put on a t-shirt.

The stickers come in packs of 24 and are in the shape of stars and fish so the kids will want to put them on. Priced at about $6.95 for 24. Go to huggies.com for stores.

Memorial Day Sales

Apart from the grills and outdoor furniture on sale around town, Memorial Day sales don't seem to be that different from any other sale weekends. Unless of course you take into account the number of people test-driving brand new cars around town (must be the time to buy some new wheels).

However here are two good deals I've spotted for this weekend.

Before heading into Linens N' Things go to their website www.lnt.com and print off the 20% off coupon on their front page. It's good until 28th May.

Belk is holding an Earlybird red dot sale on Monday between 9am and 1pm to get you out of bed early. Take an extra 50% off all red-line merchandise.

Outdoor style at Target

So my luxurious resort style pool bears more than a passing resemblance to a kiddy blow up pool. But, I can still be interested in all of the cool accessories can't I?

Target had me fantasizing about mixing up giant pitchers of lemonade and having friends over for impromptu BBQs. They've got gorgeous colored enamelware - oversized mugs, beverage dispensers and tubs. How cute is this beverage dispenser for $39.99 or even the glass one for $14.99. And this upcoming Memorial Day weekend is the perfect excuse to stock up on these design classics.

Looking for cheap appliances

When you're looking to get a deal on something it's always good to ask your friends where they buy things, especially, the financially savvy ones. Well, this week, I had two separate people recommend Hombuilder's Supply & Appliance, neither could recall the name of the place but they knew how to describe the location. I've passed this gem of a place on Middlebrook Pike no less than a 100 times, but I guess I just figured it was for tradespeople only and didn't pay much attention.

]]> One pal bought a refrigerator from there for around $500 and the other bought a super deluxe Kitchenaid model for $900 off the regular retail price. So, hubby was dispatched on the errand yesterday morning and declared, there was no point in looking elsewhere, this was the place to get our refrigerator. The sales guy was very accommodating taking $100 to $200 off the already low prices. He also told him that there was a new shipment due in on Monday and that they were going to start offering financing programs after May 26th.

There's a scratch and dent section with deals on GE and Hotpoint appliances. Prices start at around $585 for a side by side with water and ice in the door, top mount fridges from $221, free standing electric ranges from $200 and over range microwaves from $250
They sell brands like General Electric and GE Profile, GE/Hotpoint, Maytag, Jenn-Air and Magic Chef. Choose from black, white, bisque, clean steel and stainless steel. Get custom panels for dishwashers, compactors and refrigerators. They have service plans and they can special order for you. They also offer delivery and installation within a 75 mile radius of Knoxville.

So, in the end we chose a GE Profile at $900 off the original price, feeling good about our investment when we were saving so much.

Homebuilder's Supply & Appliance - 5227-A Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville TN 37921, Tel: 865 690 0000,
http://www.thomasappliance.com

Let Martha Stewart design your next Patriotic get together

Well, at least cheat with some of her crafts available at Michaels. Red white and blue flag garlands, summer picnic invitations, bandanna goodie bag kits, all that you need for a stylish looking soiree. Then just watch her show this Tuesday (May 22nd at 10am) for tips on how to pull the whole look together.

Michaels - 9622 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN, Tel: 865 670-9096, www.michaels.com

Home Solutions - new furniture store opens today

A brand new furniture store, Home Solutions, opened its doors today on Lovell Road (located next door to Harley Davidson in the old Thunderplex Sports Complex). They sell traditional looking dining, bedroom and living room furniture and guarantee the lowest price or you get it for free. That's some deal.

Home Solutions
737 Lovell Road, Knoxville, TN, Tel: 865 671 1160

TJ Maxx Spring Shoe Sale

Don't wait for it to get hot again before you splash out on some more spring clothing and shoes, do it now while there's still plenty of choice. From today, TJ Maxx will have name brand shoes and sandals start at around $29.99 during this 50% off sale. While you're there check out their swimwear at up to 60% off.

Gorgeous new shopping bags at Earths Fare

I'll admit I don't need an excuse to buy a new bag, I love totes, purses, whatever and swap them around regularly. But I was really envious when my pal Jae started toting around her Earth Fare reusable bag. It took me a few weeks to make up an excuse to grocery shop there, but last Saturday I picked up one of their cute little numbers for $2.99. It's almost too nice to put groceries in. I'll probably end up using mine for the park and other outings... Take a peak at one of the color-ways you can get it in. The other style they sell is a blue and brown combo.

Deals around town this weekend

Get 25% off select styles of men's and women's shorts at GAP. That makes their usual classic cargo style and beach style shorts for the lads about $29.62.

J.Crew are having a Spring sale with up to 40% off summer gear for guys and girls. That means summer cotton dresses start as low as $19.99 and men's classic tees start at $14.99

A garden classic

Adirondack chairs are a sturdy design classic, and they often cost upwards of $100. But lately I've spotted some absolute bargains around town. AC Moore has them for just $29.99 unpainted. Which means you can paint them in a vibrant or muted hue to compliment your front porch or garden. Throw on some printed cushions in a hardy outdoor fabric and you've got the perfect place to enjoy a gorgeous Spring evening.

Oh, and Big Lots have the Cedar "beach style" Adirondack rockers in white or natural for $50 each.

AC Moore
The Centre at Deane Hill, 250 Morrell Road, Knoxville, TN 37919, Tel: 865-539-9767
www.acmoore.com

Big Lots
250 South Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN, Tel: (865) 482-2058
116 South Hall Road, Alcoa, TN 37701, (865) 982-8891
101 North Seven Oaks Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922, Tel: (865) 692-2040
4825 North Broadway Street, Knoxville, TN 37918, Tel: (865) 688-7810
105 Longmeire Road, Clinton, TN 37716, Tel: (865) 457-5794
4006 Champman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920, Tel: (865) 579-0411
www.biglots.com

Pier 1 Bargains at Big Lots

With a clever eye you can often spot bargains at Big Lots that look as if you shelled out more from than what you actually paid for them. However, you do need to cherry pick. But, the other day I thought I'd walked into a homewares store rather than a discount retailer. There were stylish throw pillows and other decorative pieces such as vases and wall decor, not to mention some great furniture. Then I saw the sign, Big Lots have purchased Pier 1 stock and are selling it for at least 30% off the regular retail price. Great if you want revamp your sunroom or living room and save a little money at the same time.

Big Lots
4006 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 579-0411
4825 N Broadway St, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 688-7810
100 N Seven Oaks Dr, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 692-2040
www.biglots.com