A Smarter Way to Shop- Suggestions For Fashion, Home, and Accessories

If you know much about me you know I give up shopping at TJMaxx every year for Lent.  It's no easy task for me- I go in the store at least once a week- and that's if I am being good!  I have put myself on a budget there, which has significantly helped my spending and my relationship, but I still can't help but go in a look around.  There are so many reasons to shop this magnificent store.  I like it because of the amazingly low-priced deals I find, but also the variety it has packed inside. There are things from cooking supplies to dog outfits, peppercorns to bath mats, and furniture to self help books.  Yoga seems to be a big thing at "my" store, but some other features include baby products like gates, car seats, and high-end strollers.  Pay attention to tip 6 for my suggestions on how to deal with the different features of different stores.

Here are some of my note worthy finds:  $5 Michael Kors tunic top, $30 Coach purse, $10 Juicy coin purse, $15-20 Calphalon pans, $15 Ugg slippers, $5 Nine West Black Pumps, $2 Betsey Johnson socks, $170 for two leather chairs, $ Betseyville purse, $5 sterling silver medium-sized ball earrings.  I understand many people's sentiment, however- it's overwhelming to walk in the store.  There is so much going on!  Here are my suggestions on how to find the best deals without going crazy.  A typical shopping trip should take about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your store size.

Tip 1: Learn the layout of the store,  where are all the departments located?

Tip 2: What are you in love with?  For me, it's shoes, purses, house wears and kid's clothes.  I don't bother shopping the in other sections unless I find myself bored and needing to waste time (which is surprisingly alot since I work about 2 minutes away from my favorite TJMaxx, and that's if there is alot of traffic.)

Tip 3: Buddy up to an associate.  Since I'm in and out of the store more than most part time employees I have gotten to know some of the lifer's.  They clue me in on when shipments are arriving and when they plan on doing mark downs.

Tip 4: I'm a mark down diva.  Even when it comes in at 1/2 off the original price I wait to see if it will go down to $5 or $10. It may not always happen, so think about the highest price you would pay.  Is that All-Clad 8 Quart pot worth $50 to you or do you want to gamble to see if it will go cheaper?  If not, by all means, snatch it up.

Tip 5: I set a budget.  I have $50 per month I can spend in "TJ."  By setting this limit, and challenging myself with how much I can get for that amount, I am never disappointed with my finds.  I get great labels for so inexpensive I can't help but brag about it!

Tip 6: Map out the other TJMaxx's in the area- is there more than one near you?  Check them all out and determine which one you like the most.  They will have similar stuff most of the time, but depending on the location, different things will go faster than others.  There are also different buyers at each store so there may be somethings one place didn't pick up that another did.  Once you find your favorite, go there often and follow the above tips.  Visit the others as often as you want, but if you do your leg work in the beginning, you will find the location that fits your needs the best.

Check out the crude floor plan of the TJMaxx I frequent the most.  I put in the arrows to show you how I go about shopping this Heaven-on-Earth.  Maybe this is similar to your floor plan and will make it less stressful shopping this discount department store.  If not, I am more than happy to go shopping there for you and bring you back my finds! Just let me know!

My mode of attack (Skip sections based on what your in the mood for):

1. Purses

2. Shoes

3. House wears

4. Kids clothes

5. Books

6. Women's Clearance

7. Men's wear (Sorry, Billy!)