99 cent store...delusions of grandeur?

If you're like moi, you just love a bargain.

Though I don't scan the newspapers for coupons, or keep a hawk-like-eye out for a sale at a National retail out, I am just as keen as the next dude when it comes to saving a buck or two.

A sign of the tough economic times, I guess!

What do they say?

Watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves!

Judging by the shape my wallet's in, maybe I need to pay more attention to that.

I laughed out loud the other morning when a pretty young tourist flopped down at the table next to me at McDonald's with boyfriend in tow - and before dragging out her ubiquitious laptop - she was inclined to pose a question first.

"Is WiFi free?"

Uh-huh.

"Just click on the agreement, and once "Hola" springs up on the screen, you're ready to go."

"McDonald's is becoming the new starbucks," she giggled.

"But, it's a lot cheaper!"

You said it, baby!

In spite of that financial reality, a few retailers are itching to move up, and conquer new profit flows.

Are there any out there to scoop up, folks?

Take the 99 cent store, for instance.

Whenever I spy an ad in the newspaper for the discount outlet, or hear a peppy commerical on the radio touting their low-ball prices, it causes me to ponder the obvious.

Why waste advertising bucks on a business entity that appears to float its boat of its own accord (by way of down 'n out street traffic and the basic needs of folks in the hood?)

Well, everyone wants to move up, I suppose!

In the case of the 99 cent outlet (the King of the El Cheapo trinket) the owners appear to be suffering from a severe case of delusions of grandeur, though.

Has success gone to their heads?

For example, I was pushing my cart with the wobbly wheel down the aisle - keeping my eye out for Red Vines and Sony batteries (not necessarily in that order) - when a loud speaker crackled overhead just before a pleasant-sounding woman made a pitch for a sale overhead to the hapless shoppers below.

"Attention shoppers!"

Say, did I walk into K-mart by mistake?

No, just another stolen gimmick, from a giant worth paying attention to.

And, what followed, sent me for a loop.

"Shoppers, Toblerone chocolate is on sale for just 1 dollar for the next thirty minutes. The great-tasting treat sells for 3 dollars at other retail outlets, so take advantage of our prices at the 99 cent store. Try a sample, if you want, at the check-out counter."

The 99 cent store is giving out free samples???

Believe it or not, in spite of the bargain-basement prices that prevail all around, the dollar outlets are still keen on wringing out every extra penny possible by tossing impromptu sales like the Toblerone campaign throughout the course of the day.

What next?

Door-to-door delivery?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Karl Lagerfeld...Optic designer-eyewear big bucks deal!

Flamboyant Lagerfeld style trends

Not content to flop back and count the cash flowing in the till from lucrative licensing agreements with the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation (which currently spins out high-end product for eight brands which include bridal and denim lines, pricey fragrances, and luxurious furs) top-dog designer Karl Lagerfeld recently pacted an exclusive distribution partnership deal with Optic 2000.

Smart move, Karl!

Optic is France's largest optician chain flourishing on his home turf.

Just recently the stylish designer specs were shipped out to 1150 of Optic's prime upscale retail outlets.

The eye-catching line boasts twenty-three pairs of sunglasses, in addition to twenty-five optical frames, which were crafted in close collaboration with Christian Roth and Eric Domege.

Metallic ring features were inspired by Mr. Lagerfeld's finger-jewellery obsession.

Film border motifs also echo the celebrated designer's passion for photography.

For the style conscious a must-have!

Moi?

Because of my scatter-brained tendency to lose chic expensive shades at the drop of a hat, I tend to snap up an expendable pair or two at the 99 cent store during the lazy days of summer.

After all, I'm fashion-conscious enough to dread the thought of being spied among my adoring fans with any pair - stylish or not - affixed to a tawdry string around my neck!

http://www.julianayrs.com

99 cent store...bargains galore!

I'm a big fan of the 99 cent store.

When it comes to cleaning solvents, why pay more?

After all, soap is soap, isn't it?

When I've got a bad case of the blues, I head out to one of their busy outlets for some upbeat mindless shopping.

There are bargains galore at the popular chain.

For instance, white athletic socks are just a buck. Fruit-of-the-loom charges at least $2.99 for the same item. For someone like me who is quite hard on footwear, it's a plus.

Goods on tap range from party favors to greeting cards and even light snacks.

One of my particular favourites is the neatly packaged lunch snack consisting of cheese & crackers which includes a miniature-sized chocolate bar.

The tapioca pudding is hard to resist, too.

Although they have segued into vegetables, milk, and bread products, I'm inclined to pass; after all, I don't want to take my life in my hands, just yet!

But the canned goods are a safe bet. Also, the cheap beer and wine which we used to call "rot gut" when I was a teenager. It'll do in a pinch.

The other day I was wrestling over one lone package of Omega 3 in the sales bin with a feisty customer. She won!

If you're a man of letters like me, fifty envelopes at a discount price, is worth the trek down Wilshire Boulevard during busy rush-hour traffic.

One day the 99 cent store saved the day, too.

I was in a ditzy mood one morning and managed to misplace my prescription glasses; fortunately, I was able to facilitate a pair of their magnifying glasses until the new specs arrived.

Believe it or not, whenever I slipped the cheapo glasses on my snoz - invariably - strangers would comment on how much they liked the expensive look of the frames.

I was too embarrassed to reveal the cost!

Sometimes the overhead announcement can get under your skin a little.

Throughout the shopping experience you'll hear a perfect-sounding female voice lilting in a sing-song-y tone,

"Everything is just 99 cents. Even if the package says it's more, it's only 99 cents."

The slogan is becoming as famous as the one from that other discount store,

"Attention K-Mart shoppers."

There are a number of 98 cent stores sneaking into the neighborhood, but don't be fooled!

If you're a people-watcher, the 99 cent store offers up an eyeful, too. Folks from all walks of life and social persuasion shop there.

It seems that jet-setters with money to burn can't resist a bargain either.

Of course, when you arrive at the check out, it may floor you to have to get into a line that snakes all around the lower-end of the exit.

As I have always said, it may be thrifty but it sure ain't speedy.

I'm always amused by the cash register; if a product does not have a bar code, a cartoon-like voice quips in a small high-pitched voice, "Oh, oh".

Occasionally, I am inclined to mimic the voice as I wait in line. What can I say, I have an offbeat sense of humor.

Sometimes, people turn and chuckle with me, or give me an odd stare.

Heck, what do I care, I just saved ten bucks!