tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post907984680409806991..comments2011-02-20T08:16:58.063-08:00Brian T. Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14676529135087720312noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post-84422077484307436172008-04-09T20:53:00.000-07:002008-04-09T20:53:00.000-07:00Stacey,<BR/><BR/>Great comment. I definitely frequent the clearance racks! Hope all is well!<BR/><BR/>-BrianBrian Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14676529135087720312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post-85573339281668890842008-04-09T15:29:00.000-07:002008-04-09T15:29:00.000-07:00Dear Brian,<BR/>First, thanks so much for sharing your "undy" story....sooo funny! Here is my spill regarding "free" and "spending money." Keeping in mind that as a mother trying to stick to a budget, you become pretty careful at what and how you spend your $$$. Since our second largest expenditure in the month is on groceries, I have found that it is best NOT to shop at the wholesale places like Costco or Sam's club. It may look like you are getting a good deal because you are buying in bulk, but in reality, if you do the math, you aren't saving that much. Plus, you always end of spending more because of the marketing and teasers that you find everywhere in the store. My advice, find the grocery store that will match ads, like Wal-mart. Stick to one store, and find every ad that has been placed by your other local stores, and then have Wal-mart do a price-match on each item that you can find from the other ads, that are on your list. (and, keep to the list!) (I hope that makes sense)<BR/><BR/>As far as department stores go....you can buy name brand clothing from any department store, if you are not too concerned about wearing the latest fashion. Here is what you do....shop the seasonal clearance aisles....a lot of times I will go to Old Navy, JC Penney, or the Children's Place at the end of the season, and buy a size bigger for my kids. If you plan well, you can actually get a boat load of product, for a very small price. <BR/>($2.99 for shirts, skirts, and sweat pants, and jeans.) You just have to wait until next season to wear it! But, if you plan well, you are always one step ahead of having something great and new to wear. (it just might be last years fashion.) As far as my philosophy on "free".....I really don't think anything is free, so don't get too caught up in that mind game. I hope this helps!<BR/><BR/>StaceyClark Captionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18313596434805215084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post-65105691737578382672008-04-05T22:32:00.000-07:002008-04-05T22:32:00.000-07:00Skyler,<BR/><BR/>The oldest trick in the book! The funny thing is that a lot of people (including me at times) will actually round $19.99 (or $799) down to the next whole number to really make a case.<BR/><BR/>"It was only $19 bucks!!!!) What!!!!Brian Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14676529135087720312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post-46239452432150574082008-04-05T22:16:00.000-07:002008-04-05T22:16:00.000-07:00This is true. Marketing is everywhere. The only way NOT to be a victim is to be aware. A friend of mine asked why I was advertising my apartment for $799 instead of $800. "It just makes people feel like you're tricking them," she said. Maybe so, but it's a tried and true marketing method, and it's everywhere. Heck! I'll even throw in FREE running water! Interested?Skyler Reephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03668876438638914323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post-75276473012446892052008-04-05T21:29:00.000-07:002008-04-05T21:29:00.000-07:00Great article...thanks again for the info!<BR/><BR/>I'll be sure to keep reading your blog--you seem very motivated to do well on the GMAT.<BR/><BR/>Take care!<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>BrianBrian Reesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14676529135087720312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1292493354176465887.post-61880986163404536782008-04-05T15:28:00.000-07:002008-04-05T15:28:00.000-07:00Hello Brian. I don't know if you have come across this in-depth special from business week, but it would be well worth your time. Here is the link:<BR/><BR/>http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_12/b4076078839174.htm?chan=search<BR/><BR/>Cheers.Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15811002344470141248noreply@blogger.com