Love for designer bags

I am a 25 year old female who loves Coach purses.  They are beautiful, classic and well expensive.  

Coach factory stores are becoming ever so popular.  More stores are being built and many people go find a bargain.  So many people wonder, what's the difference between a Coach store and a Coach factory store?

Well to begin with Coach factory stores are located at outlet malls.  While Coach stores are at regular malls.  Coach factory stores usually have a mix of coach factory products and last season's coach store products.  How do you spot the difference?



Look inside the bag.  All coach purses should have a "credo patch".  There should be a serial number inside of the bag.  However, smaller purses such as clutches or crossbodies do not have one.  Look at the serial number.  If it starts with a "F", it is made just for the factory.

Just because it is made just for the Coach factory does not mean it is a fake purse or of lower quality.  From my experience, there is just as good quality but less details.



I usually go to the back of the store and store in their sale selection to find the Coach purses that are from last season.  The best way to become educated about Coach purses is by looking at their website.  Become familiar with their current style and patch work.



Coach sometimes have a 25% off sales at their full price stores from time to time for their valued customers. These coupons are received through the mail. Right now, if you "like" the Coach Facebook page, you can score a 25% off coupon.  


While Coach outlet stores offers 20% or 30% off the lowest price to all of their customers.  They usually pass out these coupons at the front door of the store. 



I recently found an amazing deal at the Coach factory store.  There was a purse that I saw on their website that I have been craving for the last couple of months.  It is listed at $199

Ladies: This is the Kristen Signature Sateen Hippie

Gorgeous purse but a bit out of my price range.  With Coach's 25% off coupon, this purse would be $149.25.  Not TOO bad..


BUT!

I found this exact same purse at the Coach factory stores.  $199 then 40% off then an additional 30% off!! Final cost: $83.58! Wahoo! This gorgeous beauty is now mine :)  I have given her an excellent home



Readers:  Do you have any amazing finds at the Coach factory stores?

Ann Taylor Wool Grey Skirt

I love looking for bargain deal on high quality items.  I love getting deals at Target, but some of their items don't last between seasons.  Over the past couple of years, I have become very picky about the quality of my clothes.  I think that this prevents me from wasting my money on cheap clothes.  That being said, I do like to purchase clothes from Target if I think that I will get many uses out of it.

One of my favorite stores is Ann Taylor.  Their style is chic yet I can wear it work.  I love looking at their sale section for great bargains.  I have found out that I can get great pieces for amazing prices.

Take this skirt for example

It is a classic skirt that will never go out of style and it is 67% wool.  It will keep be very warm during the winter season.  This skirt can be found from the Ann Taylor website for $124.99.  It's original price is $128.  Right now, Ann Taylor is having a sale on all of their items, 50% off of all sale times.  So this skirt comes down to  $62.49.  It may like a deal but it's still a bit out of my budget.

I went ahead and looked in the stores and found this exact same skirt priced at $29.99! And on top of that 50% off! That's right.  I paid $14.99 for this amazing skirt.  Something that was priced $128 originally.  I know what you are thinking.  That these bargains are hard to find.  But that's exactly my point.  Yes, getting good deals is hard but it's worth it.  It also helps me keep myself in budget every single month. 

What I found from Ann Taylor is that different stores have different prices.  And their online items are different prices.  It is frustrating, however, it's worth looking at a few local stores.  You never know what bargains you will find


I would like to point out that just because something is a great deal, it isn't a great buy.  They had the matching jacket from Ann Taylor for $54.99 then 50%.  It would have been $27.49. Again, it was a fantastic deal but the jacket looked awkward on me. It didn't fit properly. I honestly would have never worn it.  So I put the jacket down and just bought the skirt which flattered my figure. 

Readers:  What great items have you found in the sale section of your favorite store?

Online Coupon Code

I'll admit it, I have a huge weakness for online shopping.  It's as if something takes over my body and I start clicking buttons, enter some information then BAM! before I know it, I'm waiting for a new package to arrive at my house. 

I prefer going into the stores, trying items on to get the feel and fit before I purchase anything.  But sometimes it's better to shop online.  I know that some people are skeptical of online shopping but it can be a great way to save money.

1.) Always check the return policy.  

This is an absolute MUST for Frugalista.  There are times when online purchases can be returned only through the mail.  Which means that you loose more money paying for the item to be shipped back to the merchant.  So be extra cautious when you purchase anything online! 

2.) Look for online coupons! 

one of my favorite sources is RetailMeNot.com.  People share their online coupons with one another and offer advice on how to stack the coupons to get the best deal.   This site is an amazing way to try to get free shipping or discounts on your order

3.) Take a moment to think before you buy 

It's easy to get caught up in the moment when you get a great deal.  So always ask yourself, do I really need it?