Do I have any fellow migraine sufferers out there? Then you’ll get why my ‘C’ themed post for the A to Z Challenge is coming a day late. And if you haven’t ever had a migraine then I hope you’ll consider yourself lucky and give me a break anyway.

For the past several days, I’ve been experiencing the token head pain along with blurred vision and sensitivity to light, which has made it near impossible to sit on my computer for too long. It gets to be a real problem when both your day job and your hobby are centered around a computer screen!

Even though I’m still not 100% yet, I’m excited to continue with my A to Z theme of ways to save and wisely spend money on your pets! Today we’re talking clearance racks and post holiday sales.

How to Spot Dog Mom Deals - Depositphotos | @damedeeso

Depositphotos | @damedeeso

If you are anything like me, you get super excited When you first hear the word “clearance”. It means discounts galore, right?! Well it can also mean spending money you wouldn’t normally and therefore bending or even breaking your budget.

The one thing I have learned is to try to stick to things on the clearance rack you would normally buy. Dog treats? Check! Dog toys? Check! Crazy dog costumes? We’ll have to think about this one a little more.

Clearance Rack Checklist:

  1. Would I normally buy this? If not, will I actually use it?
  2. Is anything broken or stained?
  3. What’s the expiration date?
  4. Is it actually cheaper than buying it somewhere else or on sale?
  5. Will this break my budget this month?
  6. Is it a final sale item?

I have learned my lesson by buying something I was so excited about only to find that it was broken or stained once I got home. Take it from me. It is the worst when that happens. Then you have to determine if you can still use it or if it is worth returning. Sames goes for expiration dates on food and treats. Make sure you can use it before it’s past the date.

For bigger ticket items, I also usually double check how much the clearance discount actually is and how it compares to prices on major online stores like Amazon.

Clearance Rack Deals for Dog Moms - Depositphotos | @nicomenijes

Depositphotos | @nicomenijes

My favorite clearance sales are the ones that come after holidays. I’m lucky enough to have space to store a few things until the next year (though my boyfriend probably doesn’t agree), but fairly often I find deals on items that are good all year round.

Some of my favorite stores to check after the big holidays are Target, Walmart, PetSmart, and Petco. I keep an eye out for pet products as well as human products that a dog mom can’t live without.

Clearance Deals for Dog Moms (and Dads)

  • Soy candles – I love using these to get rid of that doggy smell!
  • Ziploc bags and containers – Great for storing treats or food when you travel or board your pup. Plus they won’t care if it has a bunch of snowmen on it.
  • Stuffed animals – Great alternatives to dog toys that are often cheaper. Just make sure they don’t have any plastic eyes or other pieces your dog might chew off.
  • Cleaning supplies – To help wipe off all those muddy paw prints.
  • Paper towels – Because you can never have enough!

For specific dog products, keep an eye out for rain gear in late summer and winter coats in late winter. Keep in mind this may very based on how the weather has been. I’ve also had great luck finding dog toys, treats, costumes, and seasonal collars after the major sales holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Easter).

If you are on the hunt for a good clearance deal, I always recommend checking more aisles than just the seasonal section. When I have a few minutes, I always walk the back side of the aisles because sometimes the clearance sections are hidden on those end caps.

Don’t forget you can sometimes combine manufacturer coupons with clearance sales! But, remember that some of these deals might be final sale, which means NO returns.

Do you shop clearance racks for you or your pets?

< B is for Baking for Special Occasions || D is for DIY Projects for Dog Lovers >
A to Z Blogging Challenge 2016

Jessica Shipman
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