International Bargain Shopping

From Here To Uncertainty from FromHereToUncertainty on Vimeo.

I know some brave and wonderful people who quit their job, sold their stuff, got rid of their house and took their kids and their lives on a trip to Europe. They are chronicling their adventures on a site called From Here to Uncertainty.

After reading one of their blog entries about a joke their kids played on Brenna (the mom) while shopping, I got to wondering how to find bargains in other countries ... especially w. So, I wrote to Brenna.

Turns out that Craigslist is international. The family has used it to find rentals during their trip.

Brenna also told me that Charity Shoppes (think Goodwill) are big. She says there are three or more in every town.

Because it is important to be able to find a good second hand shop wherever you go, I found a link to help you, if you happen to be in the UK. This Charity Shop Locator is run by the Association of Charity Shops and will help you locate second-hand (charity) stores in the UK.


Apparently the place to shop is Tesco. It's a cross between Costco and Wal-mart. I went online to check it out. I could tell I was looking at a European site because they had a bag of "Lots of Lollies" on sale. The prices are in Euros, so I can't tell if it is a bargain or not.

For those of you who are heading to countries where haggling is part of the shopping experience, here are some useful articles:
How to Bargain in a Market in Israel
How to Bargain at Mexican Markets

In Lille, France, bargain hunting is an annual event called La Braderie de Lille (The Fair of Lille.) The world's largest flea market takes place in the first week of September each year. A not to be missed event for an international bargain hunter.

I'd love to hear from any of my readers who went to La Braderie in Lille this past year. Sounds like a great time for a bargainista.

Worldwide Free Comic Book Day - Saturday, May 5th

Free Comic Book Day! Wow! What a concept! I just love it!

On Saturday, May 5th, Comic Book stores around the world are giving away Free Comic Books.

"This year, almost 2,000 comic book stores across the continent and around the planet plan to give away 2 MILLION comic books absolutely free! With up to 44 titles to choose from, the selection of books on May 5 will include comic books for all ages and tastes."

Go to the web site, input your zip code or your country and find a store near you that is giving away free comic books.

Don't miss it... pass this around.... let me know what you choose. Send me a picture of your Free Comic Book Event Adventure and I'll post it on my blog. As always... enjoy your bargains!

Bobbisbargains@hotmail.com

The Daffodil Garden in Running Springs, CA

Oh dear Bargain Hunters... sometimes we just need to find a great spot to "get some space." Nature is one of the greatest bargains on the planet.

I just found out about a wonderful Daffodil Garden in Running Springs, CA (by Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernadino Mountains) that is only open for three weeks out of the year. (late March to early April) This weekend (Sunday, April 8th) is the last day this year to view the Gardens.

Created by (Alma) Gene Bauer and her husband, Dale, starting in 1958 with 48 bulbs, this garden apparently blankets the mountain side. A visitor to the garden created a great site that can give you a taste of the gardens. (I can't believe that pictures can possibly capture the beauty and serenity that these gardens must exude.)

If you can't make the trek, then at least go to the site and check it out. (www.geocities.com/thedaffodilgarden/garden.htm) Just the concept of what this couple have done is awe inspiring... and let's face it... a little awe and a little inspiring can go a long way.

Enjoy!

Proctor and Gamble Freebies and Promotions

Proctor and Gamble... makers of Pringles, Charmin, Pampers, Tide, Durecell, Iams Pet Food, and on and on... have lots of promotions and freebies.

I just found a page on their website where they list their latest freebies and promotions. There are free samples, tips and contests. They are currently running a contest to write a new Jingle for Pringles. Winner gets a trip to the 2007 "American Idol™" Finale in Hollywood! Oh boy... you could visit me and sing me your winning jingle. I happen to know that a few of my readers are great song writers and COULD win this. (You know who you are.... so click here and start writing!)

I suggest that you don't try to find this page from their homepage... it's not the easiest to find. Just click here for the latest Proctor and Gamble Freebies and Promotions.

Enjoy!

Baskin Robbins 31 cent scoop night - Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007

Here's a goodie for ice cream lovers!

In honor of The Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Baskin Robbins will be selling ice cream at 31 cents per scoop... a great bargain .

Wednesday, May 2nd from 5 pm to 10 pm only!

This is a 5 hour sale.... so don't miss it. Mark your calendars now.

To find out more and to locate the nearest Baskin Robbins store near you, go to:
http://baskinrobbins.com/Promotion/31cent.aspx

To make sure you don't miss out on future bargains, subscribe to this blog .... scroll down to the bottom of the page and sign up!

Craigslist - don't leave home without it

OK... bargain hunters... here is another international bargain tip: Craigslist

I use Craigslist so often that it is hard for me to think that there are people that I know that don't know about Craigslist... but it is true.

So....let me enlighten you: (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

"Craigslist is a centralized network of online urban communities, featuring free classified advertisements (with jobs, housing, personals, for sale/barter/wanted, services, community, gigs and resumes categories) and forums sorted by various topics.

It was founded in 1995 by Craig Newmark for the San Francisco Bay Area. After incorporation in 1999, Craigslist expanded into nine more cities in 2000 (all of them in the U.S.), four each in 2001 and 2002, and 14 in 2003. As of November 2006, Craigslist had established itself in approximately 450 cities all over the world.

In December 2006, Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster appeared at the UBS Global Media Conference in New York and perplexed Wall Street analysts by telling them Craigslist has little interest in maximizing profit from the website but instead prefers only to help users find cars, apartments, jobs and dates."

So, this is one AMAZING international "help" website. I have found my house, car parts, garage sales (the best!), free stuff, jobs, a videographer for my son's skateboard video (http://www.ifilm.com/profile/Dannyrk/video/2829906), the most FABULOUS floor to ceiling library style bookcase for about 10% of original price, a 14 foot trampoline for $35, stained glass repair specialist, etc.

You can find just about anything on Craigslist... even a date (if that sort of thing is what you are looking for). You can certainly find out about events in your area. And of course, YOU can list items to sell, give away or barter.

So.... bargain hunters, set your browser to: www.craigslist.com and find your local area. Enjoy!

As always... let me know what kind of great bargains you find.