I love a good deal.  In fact, I have a sort of Chinese way about buying things, where I don't feel buying something nice is cool...unless I get it cheap.  By the way, please believe me, I mean this as a compliment to Chinese people.  I found out this accidental kinship once, when someone complimented me on my shoes.  I shot back that I got them for 60% off, and they are all leather, etc.  I just could not help myself.  The two Americans present seemed to find this vaguely distasteful, but the two Chinese with me were THRILLED!  We talked about this for quite awhile. Man...I thought...these are my people.

Getting a good deal is like hunting to me.  In contrast, my wife hates shopping...totally.  She does not even like walking though a store.  I don't like her along, she wrecks my shopping mojo. 

Good news on deals.  More retail stores are getting really cheap, like Costco.  Also, online shopping has really dropped prices.  Bad news on deals.  My beloved garage sales are not what they once were.  I used to buy everything at garage sales.  Guns, liquor (partied at a garage sale), clothes, food, art, shoes, underwear (just kidding), lots and lots of books.  But now there seems to be less good stuff.  I think EBay is skimming off a lot of it. 

I just found a cool new furniture store in LA, called Barn Furniture.  It seems to have some nice things are reasonable prices.  That is where I am heading this weekend.  

Oh!  Tightwad Tips:

Fluorescent bulbs, Rotisserie Chickens and Pizzas at Costco.  Also, the Kirkland suitcases they sell at Costco are just excellent.  I travel a lot, and my current case is just fantastic.  It has lasted longer than all my other previous suitcases.  The Pur water filters at Costco are a significant amount up front, but are FAR cheaper than bottled water.  Yes, I even wash out my previously used bottles, and use the filtered water to refill.