We all like to save money when shopping, right? I know I do. This post is going to discuss some of the biggest closeout stores in the US to date. These places give a lot of name brand products at great prices. I am going to profile three top stores.

- Big Lots: This store offers tons of brand name products at closeout prices. When I go into Big Lots I can literally spend hours searching for bargains. They have a vast array of merchandise such as furniture, food, cleaning products, and even decor. Big Lots was founded in 1967. Since then they have grown into over 1400 stores in 48 states in the U.S.

- Family Dollar: I love Family Dollar. I used a lot of their decor after I lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. Family Dollar is an expanding Fortune 400 company. The store was founded in 1958. It has now grown to over 6,000 stores in 44 states. They too have great name brand items at super reasonable prices. Family Dollar has been around for the past 50 years serving our communities. Family Dollar is also a giver to the community. They support a number of non-profit organizations. They created the Family Dollar Giving Program. It is always great to see a business give back.

- Tuesday Morning: Tuesday Morning is another great retail closeout store. It is not as big as the previous stores but still makes its mark. There are over 800 stores nationwide. Tuesday Morning has been around for 30 years and still going strong. They carry even bigger name brands than the other stores, also at closeout prices. What more could you ask for?

If you love shopping but have a strict budget, like me, these are three fantastic closeout stores to get things at a great value.

Sources: Big Lots
Family Dollar
Tuesday Morning

Photo â„…: Big Lots

Everyone knows about the dollar store. You can even lump in some bigger places like Big Lots and Family Dollar. How exactly do these places work in order to give us the cheapest possible sale prices? Why is it sometimes you see something in a slightly bigger store, then turn around and see it substantially cheaper in a dollar store or some place like Big Lots?

There is a simple answer to those questions. These stores tend to get overstock from bigger chain stores. Or if something is damaged and is still okay to sell you may see it at a dollar store. Sometimes merchandise comes into bigger stores and the carton is damaged. It could be that only a few things within it are damaged but they will not keep anything from that damaged carton. They either throw it all out or sell it to one of the close out chain stores for a fraction of their cost. Sometimes stuff turns up on the shelves that is outdated or close to sale date.

Basically, dollars stores carry hand-me-downs. The goods are new, do not get me wrong. It is just overstock or things that bigger chain stores could not get rid of in a timely fashion, or at all. So they pass it down to the close out stores. They, in turn, pass the savings down to us.

Source: Yahoo! Answers
Photo: Dollar Tree

You’d be amazed what kinds of quality items you can find at closeout stores. If you’re thinking of starting or are currently running a gift basket business, making gift baskets others can give for special occasions, closeout stores can be your best friend. The first time you get a customer’s order for multiple baskets of the same type, you’ll know what I mean!

If you plan to offer a set range of baskets in addition to doing custom work, stocking up on the supplies you’ll need to put them all together is essential. That’s where closeout stores come in so handy. They can act as wholesale providers without needing a wholesale account – which usually comes with the need for a tax ID and sometimes, proof of business or corporation. Just like with wholesalers, you can buy in bulk from closeout stores, so you’ll always have what you need on hand.

Imagine if you plan to offer a line of baskets geared towards business people, such as something a company might give to clients or employees, ordering multiple baskets of the same kind from you at a time. Most closeout shops have quality office supplies you can use to creatively fill a basket with useful items that will truly be appreciated.

Or if you focus on gift baskets as party favors, you may want clever, creative knick-knacks and party gifts guests can take away with happy memories of the special event. Closeout shops are an excellent place to look for party supplies.

What if you work heavily with custom orders, not doing baskets in bulk but doing them piece by piece for individual clients? You’ll still want to keep a few basic items on hand that you know are tried and true crowd-pleasers, to use as fill-ins or to accentuate items you may buy retail, but that by themselves wouldn’t round out a basket very well or make the basket cost-effective.

And as an added bonus, you can often find baskets in closeout shops, too, so you can bulk order what you need to ensure you have supplies on hand. Furthermore, some stores have cellophane rolls and gift tags, too!

Since buying from closeout stores means you’re getting goods for pennies each, you can really save costs on basket assembly in the long run. You can in turn pass those savings along to your customers, or leave a competitive mark-up and enjoy the benefits of greater profit!

Closeout stores often have a high turnover of stock, as well, so you could find a whole new batch of goods every time you shop at one or visit a closeout web site.

Truly, the sky’s the limit for using closeout stores for your basket business, and if you have any doubts, just visit a closeout store and think creatively. It won’t take long for all sorts of ideas for basket fillers to come to mind!

Image c/o mothernaturebeauty.

When you dig into the details of planning a great party, you’ll invariably find that the costs mount quickly. There are some things you have to buy fresh, like food, but other things like decorations, plates and serving ware, and goodie bag components you can all buy at closeout stores extremely cheaply. And because you’re typically buying these goods in bulk, the bulk ordering procedure standard to many closeout shops is a perfect fit for your needs!

Because you can usually buy in large quantities as well, closeout shopping for party supplies is absolutely ideal for large functions such as corporate parties, charity party events, and extended family get-togethers.

Here are some ideas to illustrate how bulk shopping for party supplies with closeout stores could work for you.

- Imagine you’re planning a large corporate party with a masked ball theme. You’ve got many dozens of employees and their guests attending. You want to provide them each with a simple mask in case they don’t bring one, so everyone can get into the fun. With a closeout store you can sometimes find blank or paper masks available in bulk, enough to cover hundreds of guests. Whatever you have leftover you can donate to the local school, theatre, or rec center for activities.

- You’re having a big Christmas party and want ambient décor to set a great mood. At closeout stores I’ve seen candle luminary bags with a classy Christmas theme to dot around your tables or even line a walkway outdoors. Even if you have a minimum bulk order you’ll find the bags end up costing pennies each and give you a sea of glittering, glowing possibilities for your party decorations. Group them in centerpieces, line your buffet tables, and place them on the counters in bathrooms. You’ll soon find you’ve used the lot, and since they’re reusable, you can give them to your guests to take home and use in their own seasonal decorations. The same applies to votive candle holders which are frequently available in closeout shops.

- What if you’re planning an enormous extended family get-together outdoors? You’ll certainly need table cloths, and with closeout stores you can buy plenty to ensure not just your guest tables but your serving tables are kept clean and protected. Imagine if you could buy 50 plastic tablecloths for less than $.50 a piece, making it a real steal for a disposable item. Or sponge them off, fold them up, and use them again next year!

- Party favors are a constant concern for parents planning a party for their children. Kids expect to go home with a goodie bag in hand and with a lot of attendees – especially if they have siblings who attend or who are present when the parents pick their child up at the end of the party, and you don’t want them to go home empty-handed – the costs really add up. At closeout stores you can often find small toys specifically designed as party favors such as figurines or puzzles to order in bulk at incredibly cheap prices, stretching your budget and giving you breathing room when it comes to ensuring you have enough to go around.

- Confetti is a fun addition to any party, particularly themed confetti to match a theme party’s décor. But buying in small packages as often sold in retail, the cost of confetti can be prohibitive. If you want to scatter your tables or centerpieces with it to add color and shine, or put some in balloons for a unique visual, you’re looking at a substantial investment. It’s not an uncommon item to find in closeout shops, however, so you can buy in bulk for extremely cheap prices per pack, and have all the confetti you want to accomplish your glimmering vision.

The sky’s the limit for how closeout shopping can help you pinch pennies the next time you plan a big party. If you’re looking for ideas, simply browse the offerings of any closeout store and you’ll find lots of alternatives to expensive retail purchases jump out at you!

Image c/o Henry Burrows.

Whether you’re sending your elementary or high school aged child off for day one of a brand new year, or sending your college age child out into the world, the costs of school supplies can be staggering. Every year they seem to increase! Even retailers that tout themselves as the cheapest out there, like Walmart, can end up taking lots of your cash at the register by the time you tick all the items off your list.

So how can this be avoided? Well, the first thing to do is make a budget and stick to it. But the second thing to do is find shops that can help you stretch that budget a long, long way, like closeout stores. H&J Closeouts is one such shop. Closeout stores are a great way to get super steep discounts on items you use all the time!

Because many closeout stores require you to buy in bulk in order to get their great discount prices, you may want to consider forming a group of parents, such as the parents of all your child’s friends, who will go in on the order. In essence, you’d be the distributor of these superbly inexpensive school supplies to other parents who’ve committed to reimbursing you for them.

With many closeout stores, supplies are only available until they’re gone (frequently there is no reordering), so be sure to jump on a good deal when you see it!

For example:

- A blank (no brand or logo markings) plastic retractable F-2 medium point blue gel ink pen costs only $.40 each. Here’s how it works: you buy a box of 25 and receive the deep discount that works out to $.40 per pen. You couldn’t buy a box of 25 quality gel ink pens in major retailers for anywhere near this closeout price! Even if you only have 12 parents involved in your group order, that’s about 2 pens per child.

- A retractable Sharpie green highlighter with chisel tip for as low as $.40 each. Minimum order amount is 72, so if you get together 18 parents that’s 4 highlighters per child, which should be enough to last the year.

- A clip-on book light can help your child prevent eye strain when reading homework in dimly-lit rooms. For just $1.00 a piece you can get great flexi LED booklights for your children with a low minimum order of 30 pieces. Get 30 parents involved and it’s an even split!

As a bonus, this kind of bulk buying arrangement can help you get to know the parents of your child’s friends. It’s accomplishing a task and enjoying socializing all at once!

The closest outlet mall from my home is about 40 minutes away and whenever I’ve gone, the mall is packed. Not the basic crowding of a mall, but the kind where you can barely walk and forget trying to turn around – especially with a stroller. The lines are long, the cafe has no seats left, but yet everyone looks so – happy. Is it the great deals that everyone is snagging and I’m happening to miss?

Dealing with outlet malls is not always easy, but the main question is if they really offer the great deals that they say they do. What I’ve found is that many outlet malls have name-brand stores, such as Nike, Adidas, Coach, and Gymboree, so prices are going to be a bit higher from the get-go. So yes, outlet malls can offer great deals off this higher end merchandise, but you can still catch the same prices, if not lower, if you head to a department store sale or clearance event.

What I have found about outlet malls is that people who shop there know how to shop there! Many of the stores carry overstock or older merchandise that they’re itching to get rid of, so these clothes can be purchased for a fraction of the price. Plus, outlet malls carry plenty of goodies that have never been featured in stores, as well as merchandise that have minor, almost invisible imperfections. These are the best products to look for, some that can be purchased for a few dollars.

Even better, you never have to wait for a sale at an outlet mall, since everything is always on sale. And if you happen to hit an additional sale or clearance event, there’s more money to be saved. So next time I hit the outlet mall, I’ll know how to shop a little smarter. While not everything is necessarily a spectacular deal, if you look between the featured racks, you’ll see there’s some awesome prices waiting to be found.

References: Image from freeshipping.org

Women love their purses. Not only are they totally fashionable, but purses make a strong presence and represent their carrier’s personality and trendsetting qualities. While it’s not uncommon to see women toting around Louis Vuitton, Gucci or Chanel purses, chances are, it’s not you. As a mother of a one year old (and one on the way!), I find myself longing for an upscale Storksak that Brangelina has been seen toting around. But with young kids and a tight budget, there’s only one way to compromise: a Replica handbag.

Replica purses and handbags are replicas of designer bags, but are quite different than the knock-offs that people often think of. Replicas are closely matched to their designer bags and when done correctly, it can be difficult to tell the two apart. They are a great way to save money, while still toting around a designer bag of your choice. If you can find a reputable company that offers excellent craftsmanship, you won’t be disappointed. Here’s what to look for:

• Choose a company that uses quality materials, such as calf leather.
• Look for quality craftsmanship in every detail, including the material, hardware, stamps, monograms and locks.
• The handbag should be an exact replica, so it should look like its designer bag from top to bottom, with all the same details.
• Although Replica bags are a fraction of the price of designer bags, be ready to invest a bit of money. You are still buying a quality-made purse that is built to last, so you can’t expect to walk off for $20.

References: Image from eCRATER – deuxls

If you are an avid shopper then the phrase “outlet mall” should not sound new to you. Come on, huge mall with name brands all at great discounts? Who hasn’t heard of them? A more important question is how do these malls sell name brands such as Nike, Aeropostal, and Armani all at reduced prices? The answer to that question is very simple, and it is one that you will love.

Alright here is a quick description of how the retail industry works. When a brand sells some merchandise, they try to sell as much of the stock as possible, when the new line comes in, they put the leftovers from last year on the clearance rack, something that we are all familiar with. However you can’t keep everything on the clearance rack and eventually the store will sell all its left over stock to the outlet chains which can offer them at greater discounts so the company that makes the clothing can still make some kind of profit on them, even if it is only a few dollars.

I just cannot believe this one. It is called the Magical Wee Gnome. Now I am going to tell you about his magical powers. This little gnome lives deep in an enchanted forest. And he has a special gift to share with us all. First you submerge Mr. Wee Gnome in warm to hot water for about 3 minutes Then dip him in very cold water for a couple of seconds, Next dip MR. Wee Gnome in hot water and remove quickly. And poof magic just watch as nature calls. He pees people. What is this world coming to? A gnome relieving himself? Should you want to by one of these corny things check out my source link.

Magical Wee Gnomes

Are you working on a silent auction for the school PTA?  A craft project for Girl Scouts? Teacher Appreciation? Vacation Bible School?

Have you spent time looking at the closeout deals that are available at H&J Closeouts?  If you haven’t, now is the time to start looking there.

Some of the great ways that you could H&J Closeouts to help with your charitable event:

• Party Favors: These great candles would be great party favor gifts, http://www.hjcloseouts.com/products/36
• Decorations: Tinsel, ribbon, confetti, http://www.hjcloseouts.com/products/144
• Promotional Items: pens, http://www.hjcloseouts.com/catalog/12
• Gifts & Giveaways: CD’s, DVD’s, Books, http://www.hjcloseouts.com/catalog/8

There is even a great navigation bar that allows you to search by price!!!  Are you looking to do some kind of favor for under 25 cents?  Don’t worry, H&J Closeouts has you covered!