Reportedly heavy discounting by retailers this summer

[Atash Hagmahani]

http://www.lewrockwell.com/spl/retailers-dump-summer.html

I have a feeling that the Christmas shopping season will be the last for many retailers. Just like a number went bankrupt last year over weak Christmas sales, so it will be worse this year.

[hancocs]

Just waiting to see which big mall will shut down first. My guess in our area would be Everett Mall.

[opsec]

MacWilliams, a nurse practitioner, said her company no longer matches her 401(k) contributions, and she worries about the job security of her husband, a professor. So she's spent only $200 this month on clothes for her family, compared with about $600 a year ago.

That's wrong. Clothing is an essential need and a durable good. I would suggest that people do get a bit spendy and stock up on clothes under the assumption that the price of clothing will increase exponentially soon and it's something that you can't stop using.

Any durable goods should be gotten while the gettin' is good. Clothes (especially shoes), food, weapons, water, medical equipment, survival gear, car tires + any other needed repairs like a tune up with belts/hoses/filters.

This reminds me, I still need to get a solar cooker. I can make one if I need but I'd rather get a solidly manufactured one while it's still available.

[Atash Hagmahani]

Just waiting to see which big mall will shut down first. My guess in our area would be Everett Mall.

My money would be on those malls that are on the outskirts of town, with low ratios of population to mall. These will have relatively newer constructions than, say, Northgate (possibly the oldest indoor mall still in existence--it was #2 after one in Minneapolis that I doubt exists anymore), and therefor probably have a lot of construction debt on their books, while having fewer customers.

[MountainMeg]

Clothing is an essential need and a durable good. I would suggest that people do get a bit spendy and stock up on clothes under the assumption that the price of clothing will increase exponentially soon and it's something that you can't stop using.

Add shoes to that mix.  I've been buying my kiddos clothes well ahead of time.  When things are on clearance or I run across a garage sale I really stock up in future sizes.  I have bins with the kids name & size stacked up.  Working on shoes now.  I have my son and daughter set up for the next 2 sizes.  Also extras tucked away for myself.  I'm working on hubby, but he's picky and it's hard to get him in a store during a clearance.  My biggest problem is that my daughter must be getting into the MiracleGro!  The clothes I bought her for next summer are coming out now.

[Atash Hagmahani]

Hmmm....

I wonder if we should stock up on fabric at our house. My daughter sews. Sometimes that works out better than trying to second guess what size someone who is still growing will be next summer.

[MountainMeg]

Not a bad idea Atash.  I have a stash of quilting fabric, some of which can be used for shorts and skirts.  I'm trying to add denim, twill and flannel to the mix.  Also, keep an eye out for Joann's $1.99 pattern sales -- they show up every month or three.

[opsec]

Time to start scrounging. Disabled American Veterans, Salvation Army, and Goodwill are the places to stockpile clothes on the cheap. I don't trust shoes from those sources though. You have no way of knowing what was on somebody's feet before those boots wound up on the shelf.

[hancocs]

http://65.108.108.197/catalog/solarcookerskits-c-1.html?osCsid=4cd60d639e777f14e9a9885909fba672

Opsec, good site for a Solar cooking if your looking for one. It's on my list to order to.

[opsec]

That's the site I had in mind. I need to find out if a turkey oven bag will fit over my 6 quart dutch oven before I make a final decision.

[Dame]

The least expensive way to put away emergency clothing if sewing is an option is to purchase table linnens, draperies/curtains, bedspreads and very large sized clothing at the thrift stores.  They generally have a surplus of these at extreamly low prices.  A couple of size 42 fancy dresses make great lingerie, dressy shirts and outfits.  My favorite patterns are the old clothes I wore until someone told me to quit, I now add an inch or two here and there to some of them.  A diluted coat of weldbond glue and plastic wrap backing would make them extra durable.  There are ususally great sewing instruction books at the used book stores as well.

Do not forget the buttons,  buy 10 cent grarage sale items with buttons, zippers and other notions.  These little things can be pricey if purchased new.  And I do not ever relegate an item to the rag pile without removing these items first if they are in reasonably good condition.

For durability and reduced work load, replacing collars and cuffs on quality shirts and blouses can be a great labour saver.  

My husband is currently learning to sew on the occasional button rather than declaring a need for a new shirt, pants.  New shoe laces can save the day as well.

[opsec]

Tip to make shoes last longer: Don't wear them inside the house. Sparing them the extra wear when you don't really need them makes them last a lot longer.

[Dame]

Wearing shoes outside only, would work here only during the summer, particularly if we keep needing to turn the heat down to conserve energy as the costs go up.  Personally I have tended to wear steel toes construction shoes when doing housework, ever sence I dropped a a waterbed side rail on my toe and limped around for six months afterwards.

[Lady Lilya]

The kid dropped a very large soup can on my foot the other day. 

[Dame]

Ouch, and I do hope you were wearing shoes.