Shopping

Nothing says summer quite like a Farmers’ Market. Where else can you greet your local farmer, find delicious deals on produce, and enjoy one of our 300 days of sunshine? You can find a market for nearly every day of the week, so check out a few! Keep in mind that some markets are pet friendly (with a leash) and others not so much, so take care when deciding whether or not to invite Fido along. To fully participate in the eco-friendly experience, we suggest bringing along several reusable grocery bags or baskets for all of your goodies. A big shout out to MHOTC reader Jeff DePree for creating this handy map that shows most of the markets listed below. [Read more…] about 45 Denver Area Summer Farmers’ Markets

MHOTC’s Garage Sale page is an interactive map, where you can find sales of all sizes, some with pictures of items for sale. You can even add your own sale for FREE. The map shows 100+ sales this weekend, and as always, we crown a sale or two as our “picks of the week.” ♠ Kicking things into high gear this week is a biggie. Hundreds of homes are expected to participate in the Stapleton Community Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21. Residents choose to participate one or both days, so this is a true treasure hunt! If you want us to feature your community sale in our weekly post, drop us an email at info@milehighonthecheap.com. Just note that you still need to add any sale to the Garage Sale map yourself.

It’s rare to see a company reverse a “price increase”, but the competition in online shopping is fierce. To this end, Amazon just decreased its minimum purchase (again) for FREE shipping from $35 to $25. (The last change was just this past February — from $49 to $35.) My shopping at Amazon definitely decreased because the $35 minimum was still too high. The new lower minimum seems just right. For regular customers, its Prime Membership is always an option, too, with its FREE 2-day shipping on any purchase — click here.

Overall, it seems like Amazon Prime is the way to go for regular customers — buy a Prime Membership for $10.99 a month for FREE 2-day shipping with no minimum. Membership has lots of other benefits, including access to movies and TV shows. If you’re unhappy with its benefits, you can cancel at anytime.

For more details on its current shipping policy, click here.

Looking to support local artisans, while saving a buck? Check out a new store that just opened in Aurora at Southlands. The Local sells goods made by local artisans from Aurora, Denver and other nearby cities. (Think of it as a permanent local arts & crafts fair.) Everything is handcrafted or made by a home businesses and reports are the prices are pretty incredible. Items such as jewelry start as low as $5. The store stocks everything from painted signs, jewelry and clothing to food, Colorado-themed gear and furniture. MHOTC reader Kerry says, “It’s a great place to shop for a cheap, yet one-of-a-kind gift, and help support small business in Colorado. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6205 S. Main St., Ste. D-106, Aurora. Thanks to Kerry for sharing this tip with us!

We just can’t keep up with so many stores closing lately. It seems online shopping is taking over, so there’s no more need for brick & mortar stores. Next up, Gordmans in Lakewood is closing at 10755 W. Colfax Ave. (There is a second store closing in Colorado Springs — 1680 Briargate Blvd. All of the remaining five locations will operate under new ownership.) The store is expected to close in late May. Right now, the discount ranges from 10% to 30% off, depending on the department. (FYI – The sale started April 7.) I stopped by earlier this week and there’s still plenty on the shelves. Of course, as the final day of business approaches, the discounts will increase. I personally don’t start shopping close-out sales until it hits 50% off. Then, there are real bargains to be found — even better at 75% off!

Boulder’s Greenwood Wildlife Thrift Shop and Consignment Gallery is again holding a series of sales and specials in the downstairs thrift shop (but not in the upstairs consignment gallery). Apr. 1-2, 75% off winter outerwear; Apr. 3-7, double donation coupon; Apr. 9-15, 50% off Easter décor; Apr. 10-14, bulk clothing, 5 for $5 ; Apr. 17-21, 30% off fabrics & linens; Apr. 22, flash sale (check the Facebook page or stop by); Apr. 24-28, 25% off frames & art; Apr. 27, Take Your Daughter to Work Day BOGO, and Apr. 30, 50% off everything (as always, some exceptions). 3600 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-245-0800.

With the closing of all Colorado Savers stores, the MHOTC team has been on the search for new-to-us thrift stores. We just added Sister Carmen Thrift Store in Lafayette to our list. The store supports the programs and services of Sister Carmen Community Center, which provides help to individuals and families in East Boulder County. As with most thrift stores, you’ll find a ton of low-cost clothing, small appliances, toys, shoes, linens, household goods, furniture and much more. What impressed me the most is the wide variety of sales each month, and even a frequent shopper program, on top of the low prices. [Read more…] about Sister Carmen Thrift Store – Great Find For Lafayette Frugal Shoppers

The Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery, a highly regarded coop that has been showcasing and selling the works of leading local and national artisans since 1971, holds just one sale a year. For 2017, it’s Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, March 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The sale features 20% off the entire inventory, and with Mothers Day, graduation, those June weddings and Fathers Day coming up, take advantage of the opportunity to buy something special at a savings. 1421 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-443-3683.

If you received a gift card under the tree, review Bryan’s article at Living On The Cheap — “The Coupon Insider: Stretching gift cards.” He offers tips and tricks on how to stretch ’em further than their face value. A gift card may be hard plastic, but it’s definitely flexible — if you spend it wisely.

Plus, most of the holiday gift card bonus offers don’t end until December 31 — so you still have a few days to “cash in” on the offers. You might even consider spending some of your Christmas cash (if you received some) on gift cards at your favorite retailers and snag the bonuses before they’re gone. Review our “65 Gift Card Promos & Bonuses” post for more details.