8 More Holiday Stocking Stuffers

The design comes in Morganite or Moissanite.

So what's this talk about a shortage of Christmas gifts due to supply-chain disruptions? #1 - Gifts don't define Christmas, and the best ones don't come from a store; #2 - Store shelves are stocked, not empty; and #3 - Thoughtful gifts come at every price point from cheap to pricey.

You will find inexpensive and/or good-value-for-the-money gifts at your figure tips sold online at Walmart, Kmart, and Amazon -- 3 retailers with winning gifts that won't empty your wallet. Talk about "pay less, live better," very often Walmart lowers costs further on already reasonably priced goods to get rid of old stock ... making many buys a steal!

The following are already good-value-for-the-money items that are further reduced at Walmart, but can also be found on Amazon or Target while supplies last:

1) 2 Carat Round Cut Real Moissanite Trio Wedding Ring in Silver Dipped In 18K Rose Gold by JeenJewels - The Art Deco style rings are dainty and delicate, and yet the bands feel strong. The vendor says they are handmade, and I love the attention to detail. The set of rings have a 1.5-carat center natural Moissanite with prevè Moissanites on all 3 bands crafted in silver (which is a precious metal) and dipped in 18k rose gold. No way would I buy them for an engagement/wedding ring set, but they are beautiful as a right hand or pinky ring. The ring sets (there are several designs to select) are sold at Walmart and Kmart, as well as, on Amazon. (Also listed as JeenMata here at Walmart). It's a nice piece of low-priced fine jewelry! I recommend buying them at one of these major well-known retailers for (a) the best price, as well as, (b) reliable customer service -- since I'm unfamiliar with dealing directly with the vendor, JeenJewels.

2) Necano Portable Bluetooth Speaker With Custom Bass Radiator - You get spectacular sound ... and yet it's tiny. Weighing 6.2 ounces, it is one "pair" of powerful Bluetooth speakers -- that's right the big sound of 2 speakers in one lightweight, small body. It's easy to carry and has 6 hours of playtime. Use it to play music on your smartphone, iPad, MacBook Pro, or other audio devices with Bluetooth. Wow, I didn't know I needed this until I got it.

3) Something Borrowed 2% BHA Toner - The toner has Beta Hydroxy Acid that lightens age spots and reduces the appearance of large pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It contains green tea extract and orange blossom water. The toner is the only product in the brand I tried, but I now want to try some others. The company makes retinol serum, vitamin C serum, and moisturizers to treat hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, acne, and aging. Everything is created to achieve VOW skin!

4) ArtNaturals A trio of Serums - 

• Hyaluronic serum for enhanced hydration - Use day or night.
•  2.5 Retinol to fight aging with cell turnover - Use at night.
• Vitamin C serum to moisturize and brighten the skin - Use in the morning.

This is the brand I currently use. You can't beat the prices of these gift sets! Buy direct (they offer good customer service), or from Walmart.

5) Sharper Image Closet Ionic Air Purifier - Hang in your closet to ionize the air to prevent mold. I recommend monitoring the websites of Sharper Image, Amazon, and Walmart to get the best price.

6) Ipad, Tablet or Bookholder - To read in bed. Books get very heavy, and devices can drop if you fell asleep. This frees your hands and keeps your reading material from getting damaged. Again check the prices between retailers: Amazon, Walmart, as well as, Bed, Bath and Beyond as they all carry pillow bookholders.

7) Black & Decker Toaster Oven/Air fryer - Frankly professional chefs tell us if we own an oven, air fryers are not much more convenient, nor do they cook better, just differently. Yet for various reasons, there are people who want them, so if I were to get an air fryer, I'd want this multi-tasker toaster oven. It's a compact size for a kitchen counter, yet not too small. And if you stop air frying you still have a toaster oven.

8) Container Store Purse Organizer Insert -  This last item is only sold at the Container Store ... it's a good example of how I shop ... keep checking elsewhere to find it at a lower price. I missed my chance to buy it for $19.99 last year when we had a brick-and-mortar Container Store on the Upper East Side. LITTLE did I know then the store would close; and now I'm too cheap to pay an $11 shipping charge. So I'll have to wait it out until I visit a store away from home ... or this Bag:In merchant sells on Amazon or Walmart. Plus at the Container Store, it now costs $26.99 + $11 for shipping. Yikes! All I want for Christmas is this purse organizer without shipping fees!! You would think another retailer sells it that offers free shipping. Where are you?!😁

These 8 gifts go to show you how many gift options we have at our fingertips (online) or in brick and mortar stores ... every kind of store! Nobody needs to worry about not having a great gift to put under the Christmas tree 4 weeks from now ... if you try, you will find them!

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Wamart Has a Fine Selection Of Activewear

Walmart is partnered with some winning brands for basics and activewear clothing. Desperation led me to them! Considering the ongoing joke of how inappropriately some shoppers show up to shop at Walmart, you'd be surprised by the retailer's array of smart pieces at ultra-reasonable prices!

My elderly mom needs a few comfortable t-shirts and trousers to do double duty for wearing around the house, as well as, leaving home. Her fashion sense isn't up-to-par with the latest easy-to-care-for fabrics, so I'm stepping in!

Know that I have a bias against loungewear, sweats, and leggings-that-are-t00-casual. Since you can find these same functional pieces in polished styles that are also in easy-care fabrics, why not look polished around the clock? Dress once in the morning and let your dapper attire take you throughout your day, no? If you select the right style and color of leggings or casual-smart knit paints, you can dress them up or down with shoes, a lovely cardigan, a blazer, and jewelry. As much as my mom's senior years allow, I try to dress her as stylishly as I'd dress a 30-year-old woman. She doesn't want to look shabby just because she's older and her limbs are less flexible. No sweatsuits for her on my watch! She didn't wear them as a young woman.

That said, I'm pleased by the quality and price of Athletic Works socks, therefore I ordered the brand's 100% cotton knitted pants for my mamma in navy blue (in fact, they're close to black) to match her tops. If you select navy or black they look like fashionable dark trousers and not athletic pants. As you can see by the image 👆above, lighter colors look sportier exposing the trousers as activewear.

The next brand, JustBlanks, I stumbled upon as my usual suspects for t-shirts, Uniqlo and Old Navy, aren't making t-shirts in enough bright colors. What's going on here, a shortage of fabric dye? For a few years now my 2 favored retailers for cotton t-shirts have eliminated vivid blues and instead offer navy, very dark teal, beige, white, gray, and black. Since my mother and I prefer black or navy bottoms, we rely on a rich rainbow of colors in tops to liven us up so we don't look like we're going to funerals every day of the week. A beige, gray, or black t-shirt doesn't cut it paired with black pants! If not too Grim Reaper-ish, then just plain ole dull!

We love vibrant pink, blue, red, and purple. I'm puzzled by the disappearance of bright-colored t-shirts from the shelves of so many retailers for a few years already. Whoever thought Uniqlo and Old Navy would stop offering basic cotton t-shirts in at least 4 lively colors. I assumed t-shirts were their bread-and-butter items. And years of no vivid blue, a favorite color of many customers (including me) is odd, indeed. My mom likes pink which Uniqlo has, but hey, we need to mix it up and can't just wear one color over and over!

Of course, I love the excellent quality of t-shirts from Landsend and L.L.Bean too but don't want to pay $22+ for every t-shirt I buy. I like to supplement higher-caliber t-shirts with good enough cheaper t-shirts that can be mindlessly worn, machine washed, and dried. My family tends to hang dry, i.e., baby, our pricier cotton. Frankly once on your back, nobody knows the difference. The difference in cost means you can purchase brand-new t-shirts more often. At Walmart's bargain prices, the re-buys truly are a wash!😊

I found glowing colors at Walmart. The selection is also decent in quality, style, and price. Not boxy or too thin or low-quality at all! Moreover, Walmart is partnered with many different brands, and by visiting a store and/or reading item descriptions and customer reviews, you'll find your preferences whether they are for 100 cotton fabric, thick or thin material, fitted or relaxed, crewneck or v-neck, solid hues or patterns.

Hanes is one of Walmart's vendors

Ok, great! But, what's going on? Why have so many other retailers dropped bright colors in t-shirts? How you noticed the switch to muted or dark hues also? 

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Washcloths, Save or Splurge?

Walmart

Let me cut to the chase. After decades of buying washcloths, I learned to save and not splurge on this household essential. You want to splurge on big, thick, thirsty bathroom towels that can be washed time and again but save on washcloths. Here's why:

1) Washcloths, whether they are made by Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Walmart, or Target, get ugly really fast. Cute doesn't stay cute for long regardless of price. After you wash a washcloth twice it doesn't look new anymore. Washcloths get stained by personal care products (like vitamin C serum) and look somewhat dingy after multiple machine washes and there's little you can do about it.

Pottery Barn

2) Unlike bath towels, big thick thirsty washcloths are actually a drawback. I have 4 Pottery Barn washcloths that I hate to use for 2 reasons: (a) the color bleeds and (b) they take 2 days to dry before I can toss them into the clothes hamper. This experience turns me off of big, thick, thirsty washcloths.

3) While you don't need a ton of bath towels, you do need a ton of washcloths, one freshly laundered washcloth daily for every member of your family. A ton of Pottery Barn washcloths costs a tidy sum! Not so at Walmart or Target.

Target

4) I happen to prefer the lighter Target or Walmart washcloths to the heavier more expensive Pottery Barn ones as it's easier to swish around and buff the skin with less weight.

5) The bargain Target and Walmart washcloths are good enough, they won't soon fall apart, and you get unbeatable value for the money -- such as 6 washcloths for $5, as well as, sales like 6 washcloths for $2.40, as opposed to, $14.50 each for Pottery Barn or $25 each for Ralph Lauren as in only one!

6) With such substantial savings, you can afford to buy spanking-new washcloths more often and still come out ahead. 

Walmart

Once upon a time, I bought sets of matching bath towels and washcloths, but I no longer do since as it turns out nobody cares. In washcloths, I don't look for Egyptian threads or Turkish cotton either. Nowadays I buy big thick thirsty cotton bath towels and good enough cotton washcloths as needed. Pay the piper when it counts. 

Other tips: 

When selecting these home goods create one washer load only: Either buy all white towels and washcloths (and perhaps bedding) or go with colors and skip the whites. Why create the need to do 2 loads of laundry weekly? Simplify a repetive job by going one way or the other.

 

Don't overbuy washcloths just because they're cheap as there's never a washcloth shortage. Always buy enough not more than enough. You're welcome!😛🙂

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Walmart Has Genuine Leather Bags Cheap

Real leather bag by Forestyashe at Walmart - Available in 7 colors on clearance $11 - $15

Walmart may not be the first retailer that comes to mind for finding a smart trendy bag, but you'd be surprised at the stylish deals and steals available on its website. For sure, I am! The styles, hues, and materials are many. I've picked 6 of the genuine leather options that are a fraction of their usual retail prices. There are more! The bags come in up to 7 colors.

HKCLUF Crossbody Hobo Bag

GAEKEAO Small Crossbody Bag

Michael Kors Pebbled Leather Small Tote 

FALAN MULE Clutch and Wristlet 

KAMUGO Leather Handbag with Gold Hardware and Cache

Walmart has quite an online selection of bags of all types. Sometimes the bags are cheaper than what a replacement strap costs elsewhere. By the way, if you like the bag but want to buy a thicker leather strap (look on Etsy, Amazon, or the retailer of your look-alike bag) as you are left with the funds to do so! 

The London Fog bookbag dupe is reviewed here.

Be sure to read the descriptions carefully so you catch the sizes and textures of the bags. Reading every customer review is super helpful in not ordering mistakes, but if you don't like your purchase, Walmart has an easy and inexpensive return policy.

A nice bag on a budget, one that won't fall apart soon. Who knew?

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Huge Savings With Equate Dupe Moisterizers

As autumn approaches in the Western hemisphere we'll soon exchange the humidity for dry skin. It's time to stock up on moisturizers. Walmart will save you a ton of money with their in-house brand for less under the name of Equate. The label has dupes for many dermatologist-recommended moisturizers. Here's what to buy:

For your face: 

1) Equate All Day Moisturizer - A dupe for Olay with UVA and UVB 15 protection and Vitamin E. Apply it after your Vitamin C and under your makeup. Cost: $4.97

2) Equate Retinol Night Cream - Compare to Olay Retinol Night Cream. Use before bed. New packaging for the same cream and price as the top image. Cost: $17.44

3) Equate Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin - A dupe for Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin. Use on nights you wish to either skip retinol or simply apply additional moisture to your face. $6.67

For your hands ...

4) Equate Ultra Moisturizing Extra Dry Skin Lotion - A dupe for Jerkens ultra healing body lotion with vitamins C, E, and B5 in a generous 32-ounce size pump to keep in your kitchen to mostly moisturize your dry hands during the dryer months. Cost: $6.48

For your face, hands, and body especially in winter ...

The next tubs of moisturizers are listed in the order of their thickness and all are super moisturizing.

5) Equate Moisturizing Cream - Compare to CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. $8.97

6) Equate Gentle Skin Cream - A dupe for Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Cost: $7.48 {A review of #5 vs #6 is here.}

7) Equate Therapeutic Dry Skin Cream - Compare to Eucein Moisturizing Cream. $9.92

8) Advanced Healing Ointment Skin Protectant - The knockoff for Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Cost: $10.52, or just buy a tub of Vaseline for half the price.

Frankly, #8 is 41% petroleum jelly so next time I'll just buy a tub of Vaseline for $5.48 or better yet Equate Petroleum Jelly for $2.36 instead of #8 which is 2 or 4.5 times the price. In winter you can always rub petroleum jelly over your moisturizing creams if you need extra thickness.

Walmart has additional dupes of leading name brands, but these 10 are the moisturizers I like and use in the fall and winter months. They are identical to their name-brand counterparts! If you have other favorite moisturizers, check to see if Walmart makes a dupe for it.

9) Equate Beauty Eczema Relief Skin Protection Cream -  With colloidal oatmeal and cheap at 6.84 for 8 ounces.

10) Equate Fragrance Free Daily Moisturizing Lotion - A dupe for Aveeno Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion - I smell a mild scent that disappears quickly after application. You get a generous 33-fluid-ounce pump bottle for $7.48. 

Equate makes moisturizers so affordable we can slather them on from face to toe daily without breaking the bank.💵

*Although I've now written 2 back-to-back blogs mentioning Walmart, neither blog is sponsored. I love Walmart!

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Rubbermaid Easy-Find-Lids Set(s) At Walmart

Plastic food containers have a way of disappearing or wearing out.  So I needed a new set. Although I would rather have glass, plastic is far more practical.  It takes up less room in a cupboard and won't break when dropped.  That's why I selected this rubbermaid set.

Walmart is offering a super deal.  2 sets: 56 pieces for $20.  Here is what you get:

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids 24-Piece Plus 4 Food Storage Set x 2 =

• (16) ½-cup containers with lids
• (8) 1 ¼-cup containers with lids
• (8) 2-cup containers with lids
• (8) 3-cup containers with lids
• (8) 5-cup containers with lids
• (8) 7-cup containers with lids

Microwave, freezer and dishwsher safe, the containers are sturdy and cleverly designed.  Despite being BPA-free, I never microwave food in plastic.  But here's a useful feature, the lids snap to each other and also to the bottom of the containers, so you are less likely to lose them.

Another fantastic deal is, you can order merchandise online from Walmart and receive free shipping.  The online-retailer will ship an order that is under $45 to a Walmart store, or to your nearest Fed Ex Office for you to pick up.  And, if your order is $45 or more, you get it shipped free to your home.  You can order toilet paper, or paper towels to make up the difference and enjoy the convenience of home delivery.  Bargains, plus convenience, make shopping online worthwhile.

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Inflation Beaters: 12 Foods You Should Always Buy At Target

Here on the Upper East Side, it's hard to dislike Target, which opened Target Express retail stores in Manhattan beginning in 2018. One Target Express opened on my block in 2021, which thrilled the entire neighborhood. Unfortunately, many New York Moms and Pops are expensive. Although we love small businesses too, we also need to buy groceries and household goods at affordable price points, and mostly Target (as well as, Walmart) delivers. When it comes to food staples, what I appreciate about these big box stores is their consistently lower prices, meaning I don't have to wait to catch a weekly supermarket sale. Staples, already at lower prices at Target than most supermarkets, sometimes also become a loss leader item for an even lower price! Indeed, Target is doing very well in my neighborhood, and the retailer hasn't raised its prices to reflect inflation.

12 Foods that are Cheaper at Target (without a sale) include:

1) One gallon of milk - $2.99

2) Large Eggs - $1.99 per dozen (on sale last week for 99 cents/dozen)

3) Peanut butter - $5.29 - 40 oz.

4) Frozen orange juice - $1.99 - 12 oz. can

5) Butter - $3.99 - 16 oz. - 4 sticks

7) Spaghetti - 99 cents - 16 oz.

8) white or brown rice - 95 cents - 16 oz

9) Semi-sweet dark or white chocolate chips - $1.99 - 12 oz

10) Tomato sauce, salsa, and canned foods are often 20 cents - 50 cents less than at supermarkets. Also, dried spices are as much as $2 - $4 less than at supermarkets.

11) Unbleached all-purpose and whole-wheat flour - always list at the supermarket loss leader sale prices - $2.49 each.

12) A box of saltine crackers - $1.69, the supermarket loss leader price.

Target so consistently offers the lowest prices on these 12 food items therefore I don't need to find a supermarket sale. I simply walk to Target to pick them up. If online prices are less than in-store, your cashier will give you the lower price if you ask for it.

Target's store brands, Good & Gather and Market Pantry are usually as tasty as the name brand.

🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛

I'm sorry Target discontinued their Oreo knockoff, it tastes 100% like Oreos. I'll have to try competitor Walmart's store brand of Oreos, which I'll show below:

Walmart's Oreo knockoff

Walmart's chocolate cookies with cream centers are half the price of Oreos also. Other Great Value food has been great ... except for saltine crackers which aren't as tasty as Target's house brand or other name brands.

Another winner is C-Town's store-brand soft Dutch Chocolate cookies (which is what Oreos are). They are without cream centers yet still delicious. Interestingly enough, we are charged $2.00 in Manhattan for the same package and quantity.

🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛 

A final Target tip: Be sure to buy milk, peanut butter, or eggs before you run out to avoid an empty shelf. It's annoying to run out and then have to wait for a shipment to arrive on key food items.

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