I follow the financial markets a lot. I keep reading article after article talking about how many things are being discounted HUGELY for this last weekend before Christmas. Um, like anything I need? Apparently not. Oh, I’ve looked at the ads. But discounting a TV that I don’t need that still costs nearly 1000 dollars isn’t going to lure me in. Yeah, the flat screen computer monitors finally broke down to 100 dollars for a 19 inch. That’s nice, and if we get to 50 bucks, I might be tempted. But let’s face it. They could be had for 120 on sale before Christmas, so I don’t view 100 as HUGELY discounted. A nice deal? Maybe, if I *needed* one.

More importantly, I have been looking for 3 years for my favorite winter uniform: sweatpants, 100 percent cotton WITH pockets and preferably with the elastic around the ankles. Oh–and if they aren’t under 20 bucks, they don’t count. I am not paying 54 dollars for a pair of sweatpants (the only ones I could find in “my” preferred configuration so far). I’ve checked the normal places and I can find the usual sweat pants of 50/50 for about 6 to 7 dollars. No pockets, material that is scratchy and not likely to hold up. Hmm. Not much of a bargain there. And last year they were 5 dollars at WalMart. At 6 to 7, I’d say that’s a fine price for what you get, but it’s no better than is available every Christmas.

So. Just where are these HUGE discounts? When I hear stores are offering 70 and 80 percent off–why is it that the price is the same on items that I priced during the back-to-school sales? Or am I just looking at the wrong areas?

Anyone out there having better luck? Finding eye-googling deals and if so, on what items???