Shopping Tip Blog

Back-to-school shopping is big business in the US, and spending is projected to reach $17.6 billion this year according to a recent survey conducted by BIGresearch for the NRF. Families with school-aged children will spend an average of $527 on needed back to school supplies, and many of these shoppers will be turning to the web make their dollars stretch.

Shopping online is attractive for many reasons, but the biggest reason most moms turn to the web for their shopping is the thrill of the hunt! A little online detective work can save these moms big!

Many of these “CleverMoms” have discovered the secret world of online coupon codes. These secret codes can be quickly plugged in to a “discount” or “promotional” code box when shoppers check out at their favorite online merchants. Most coupons provide free shipping or 5% - 30% off of an order, but sometimes shoppers can get lucky and find savings in coupons of 50% or more!

Anne Fognano of Leesburg, Va., discovered the secret of the codes in 1999 when shopping in public became overwhelming with a baby and a toddler. “If my baby wasn’t crying, my toddler would be racing through the store playing hide and seek! Shopping was just not a pleasant experience for me! ” Seeking an alternative to shopping with kids in tow, Fognano started scoping out merchants online when her kids were napping. She was amazed at the discounts and free coupons available for online merchants and was determined to create an online community where she could compile this information to help other busy moms save money.

Working late night hours as her family slept, she pioneered “CleverMoms.com” where today, over 10,000 moms a day begin their online shopping savings adventures. The mom-created and run site currently offers sales, discounts and coupons for over 600 popular online merchants, and is updated several times a day. CleverMoms is a free service to consumers, registration is optional, and links are provided to listed merchants from the site.

In 2004 Fognano added “CleverDads.com” and “CleverBabies.com,” and plans to release “CleverTeens.com” by the summer of 2007. “CleverMoms.com” has been featured in many publications including ‘Woman’s Day’, ‘Woman’s World,’ and ‘Smart Money Online.’ CleverMoms has also been featured as Marshall Loeb’s Money tip.

So forget dragging your kids to the mall this year for back-to-school shopping! Simply boot up the computer and start saving online! You too can join the ranks of these “CleverMoms,” now that you know the secret of the codes!

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Shanghai China’s Xiang Yang market is one of the favorite tourist shopping stops in Shanghai. The Xiang Yang market offers both tourists and locals the opportunity to shop for many types of famous brand knock-off products at bargain prices. It helps to understand the customs and practices of shopping at Shanghai Xiang Yang and most of the rest of China
before embarking on this adventure.

Shanghai’s Xiang Yang market is located in the central shopping district of Shanghai making it easy to find. It is on HuaHai Central Road, one of two main shopping streets in Shanghai, near the intersection with ShanXi South Road. The Xiang Yang market can be easily reached by taxi, or from the Shanghai subway line 1, getting off at the Shan Xi Nan Lu stop. Walk west on HuaHai Road about 1/2 block and follow the crowd into the market.

Upon entering the market, visitors will be approached by hawkers offering watches, DVDs, purses, etc. Pass them by and continue into the main part of the Xiang Yang market where there are hundreds of small booths offering products of all varieties. Included are shirts, ties, watches, sunglasses, golf clubs, jackets, coats, backpacks, ladies handbags and a wide assortment of other items.

If asked, the clothing vendors will usually tell you that the products are genuine and overruns from the China factories. In most instances this is not true and the products are copies of the real thing. If you don’t care and realize what you are buying, there are good bargains to be found.

Price haggling is the norm and is expected in Xiang Yang market as in most places in China. Initial price offerings to foreigners will be 3-4 times the local price, but many still consider it a good deal and pay anyway. The best advice is to offer no more than 15-20 per cent of the first offered price and gradually negotiate up to no more than 30-35 percent, depending on how badly you want it. At that point, start to walk away and your offer will likely be accepted.

In Chinese price bargaining, if you offer a price and it is acccepted, it is considered extremely poor form to then change your mind and either decline the purchase, or start bargaining again. A deal is a deal.

The Shanghai Xiang Yang market is very crowded and the only danger is that of occasional pickpockets. Secure your valuables as you would in any other crowded urban surrounding.

Xiang Yang market shopping is one of the “must dos” for visitors to Shanghai and is a good way to spend a half day before returning home.

For more information regarding China culture and etiquette, please visit www.doingbusinesschina.com

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An old saying goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Most of the time that’s true, but in the case of Ridgemar Mall Fort Worth, one of Fort Worth’s premier shopping center malls, you actually can judge this book by its cover.

I was visiting Ridgemar Mall the other day and entered through the main entrance on the east side. Even as I was parking, the art deco entrance was inviting and hinted at what’s inside.

OK, you caught me. I’m not certain that the entrance was in the art deco style - it’s my best guess. I know a lot about malls, but design styles aren’t my specialty.

Back to the point - just what does Ridgemar have to offer? Let’s open that book and see what’s inside, shall we?

Here are the top seven reasons to visit Ridgemar Mall Fort Worth.

1. Ridgemar has the only Neiman Marcus in Fort Worth/Tarrant County;

2. Strolling minstrels in the food court (at least when I was there);

3. Family-friendly with play area & giant concrete tortoises spewing water into the fountain;

4. It’s very convenient for west Fort Worth and cities west of Fort Worth, like Weatherford;

5. A lot of the stores grouped in districts by their specialties (Arts & Fashion District, Kid’s District, and Sports District);

6. Shop and support a great charity - toss your loose change into one of the fountains. Ridgemar Fountain Foundation donates all fountain money to non-profit organizations;

7. Rave Motion Pictures - State-of-the-art stadium movie theater.

A bonus for me is that Ridgemar Mall Fort Worth is just south of the Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, so you can park on the north side of the mall and watch jets takeoff and land.

Bottom Line: Ridgemar Mall Fort Worth is a great shopping mall that is an excellent place to shop and take your kids.

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