Never pay retail.

Gabbi's red bed has now become UD's favorite bed.  I'm sitting here watching UD sleep in what was Gabbi's favorite bed just before she died.  Now UD prefers that bed.  For those of you who are dog lovers and owners out there it's a Medium Coleman dog  hammock type of bed.  It has a metal framework much like those camp chairs that fold up into a 3 foot tall skinny bag.  On that metal framework is a nylon canvas sling or 4 cornered hammock that is  held onto the framework by corner pockets.

Just cause I like to brag about my bargains... this bed is worth around $70 on the web and I don't think Coleman makes it anymore.  I got the bed for ONLY $1.50 at a garage sale.  I love it when things like that happen.

I rarely pay retail, about the only thing I may pay full price for is certain brands of shoes, like Crocs.  I live in my Crocs all year.  I wear them till the tread is gone then get a new pair.  Often, I will find them in discount shoe stores or stores like TJ Maxx, but if I have to, I will sacrifice and pay full price for a pair I really want.  Mind you, I don't have a closet full of them, only about 5 pair and I'm not talking the clunky clogs.  I do have a pair of the fur lined clogs I wear in the winter and one pair of transitional Keen type of sandals that I can wear socks in if I have to.  Then there are my summer slides, ballet flats and my everyday  when I don't care about fashion athletic slides.  The last pair I'm wearing now.

I really think you can get good quality items if you shop with a discerning eye in ALL venues, from major high end departments stores like Nieman Marcus to outlet malls to resale shops to local garage sales.  And you shouldn't have to pay full retail at department or boutique stores if you know how to shop the clearance racks.  It has become such a game to me that I find it challenging to see how much I can get for $10 when I go for a Saturday morning of garage sales.

I'm starting to get preachy here so I think I'll stop.

So for today I'm thankful for:
1.  Gabbi's red bed which is now UD's red bed
2.  Garage Sales - best sport know to man
3.  Bargains
4.  MSRP - so I know how good of a bargain I'm getting
5.  That UD's sleeping in Gabbi's bed right now and not barking in the window!

Til later,
Jan