I know a lot of you are really disappointed when you can’t get a $65 or $45 coupon to Old Navy, so I wanted to possibly bring some things into perspective for everyone.
Old Navy has select women’s shirts on sale for $7 this week. IF you only bought $7 shirts, it would take 15 of them to reach $100 to use a $65 off $100 purchase coupon (total would be $105 before coupon). You would then be spending $40 after the coupon on 15 shirts that are of the same design (keep in mind that most other things are well over $7 unless you shop only the clearance racks). This makes each shirt cost roughly $2.67 each. That’s not too bad of a deal if you want 15 of the same shirt. If you plan on getting higher priced items, it will obviously cost more per item after the coupon. And let’s face it, Old Navy clearance is usually slim pickings lately.
So here is what I got today at some yard sales:
6 shirts and 1 pair of capris.
Keep in mind, that these are not the drab plain shirts that are on sale this week for $7. I could have easily gotten 15 items at this yard sale, but I didn’t need 15 items. I only got what I liked and what I needed, and paid .50 cents per item. Most everything at this yard sale was name brand, and I picked up mostly Old Navy items. If I had gotten 15 items, my cost would have been $7.50. That’s quite a significant difference from $35-$40, don’t you think?
This is my favorite shirt that I picked up, and it’s practically brand new and made by Old Navy! So now you all know why I don’t get upset over the Old Navy coupons. Yes it is fun to hunt for them, but not a tragedy when I don’t get one. Thrift stores and yard sales always fair better for me, and I don’t have to spend so much money at once. Just don’t be afraid to rummage through those piles of clothes at yard sales!
So, Old Navy Coupons: Are They Thrifty? I guess that’s up for you to decide for yourself, but you all know what I think.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
You have to be very, very careful to keep it thrifty at ON. Shopping clearance and having a list of what you need is the way to do this!
I will be buying several of the $7 shirts- but it is budgeted. And in all honesty- yard sales around here are less like a treasure hunt and more like diving into a field of haystacks looking for that one elusive needle.
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I agree with you Crystal. Unless its an item that is NEEDED, Old Navy isn’t always thrifty. When I had gotten a $75 off $100 my dh was switching from day shift (dress clothes) to night shift (jeans/tees) and he didn’t even own a pair of jeans, so we would have needed the jeans anyhow, so it was a deal, plus the 1/2 off mens clothes. I haven’t gotten a coupon since, its fun to look, but no hard feelings.
The only difference I really see is that at Old Navy, items are new. It is true that at garage sales or thrift stores, you can find new items at cheap prices, but most are not. So if a person is set on having brand new clothes only (I am not, but some people are), then yes, I think Old Navy coupons are thrifty. (Although I would still argue you can get better sales at other stores.) In my opinion, something is not really a bargain in the first place, unless it’s 75% off or more, and preferably 90% off or more
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I agree. I think ON clothes have really decreased in quality lately. I did get a coupon and used it to buy a few shirts. After 3 weeks, TWO of them had holes. And I line dry my clothes too! That’s nuts. With most of my clothes, I get at least a year or two of wear. I’d rather go to thrift stores and get higher quality brands cheaper.
Another question that is worth asking, I think: is it worth the time? Being thrifty with money is great, but as the mother of three littles, being thrifty with my time is also really important. For me, searching for an elusive ON coupon might be fun, but it is not the best use of my time.
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I should say, though, that I do appreciate having the smaller coupons posted…I used a 15% off coupon on a pair of shorts that I needed. That was just plain money saved, and I was grateful!
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If I spend 7 dollars on a T-SHIRT at ON I do not expect it to last for a year! I expect it to only last for the season. The same goes for Target. You get what you pay for. I love the coupons and I use them often. It is not the same thing as buying a blouse for 40 dollars.
btw – I love your blog. I tell all my friends to check it out.
I agree, way to keep things in perspective!!
In my area, there are plenty of great deals to be had at kids only consignment stores, garage sales, thrift stores, etc.
My kids wear high quality nearly new stuff for pennies on the dollar.
For myself, I buy my clothing on clearance at places like LandsEnd (free shipping, free returns)
For the entire family, I look for high quality name brand stuff only. ON doesn’t fit that bill, even with a discount.
Keeping it Thrifty??? Lol! I got a $75 off $100 purchase and it happened to be the weeks that ON had 50% off on all the men’s stuff… so yes, in my case Thrifty does apply! I have to make it a game and spend the least amount possible, but also like to buy practical things that I would actually wear.
$200 worth of NEW clothing for $25 is good isn’t it? PS -I’m a garage sale nut too! But, new is NEW.
Yes Jen K, the men’s sale made it a deal for me that week too
Just trying to help everyone keep it in perspective.
Another factor in figuring final cost would be sales tax, which doesn’t come into play with yard sale purchases. Our sales tax is significant at 10%.
I visit your site a couple of times a day and am never disappointed, TM!
Great frugal garage sale finds ~ the shirts you got are adorable!!
Great find!
And this is a wonderful post! I really think that we need to keep it in perspective. Coupons, sales, and bargains come and go. I really like to hunt for the coupons, but I don’t care if I get them. Honestly, if there is something I really want, then getting 10% that item is a better deal since I’ll pay a lot less than what is needed with the high value coupons.
Some people have become so desperate over these coupons, but you show a good example of how ON is NOT the only place to find a great deal!
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I don’t shop ON, I have bought one or 2 things on clearance there because I wear plus size and the store doesn’t carry this, only online. The store does take returns though, so I don’t get upset at all when I can’t get a coupon, gave the lat to my sis with 2 small kids. I tend to get better deals at JC Penney here in MI. PS. Love your site, TM
While I would love to shop yard sales, I’m a plus size and rarely do I find yard sales with bigger clothes. My ON has a women’s section, as well as maternity, and large baby/children’s section…so I can buy a little for myself and my baby…then I usually look for little things that are on clearance to use a filler gifts on stockings and birthday gifts, etc. By the time I leave, I’ve usually gotten myself an shirt or two, a few for DD and a Christmas gift for a friend or two…and I only go in I get a big coupon or if I’m in need of something particular.
I think hunting is fun… until you start reading the bitter “morning after” posts. I think this is a great reminder to not think these coupons are the only way to get a great deal. My friend called to say ON site had refreshed but we had just sat down with company we hadn’t seen in years. I was actually tempted to leave them and go sit on the computer. Then I just realized it wasn’t worth it to me. I get fantastic deals on new clothes at Ann Taylor and Gymboree by shopping sales and using coupons. I got great deals using my 75/100 ON the one and only time I got it. (And, yes, I was a little disappointed to not get one this last time.) Anyway, thank you for the reminder. Let’s try to keep the coupon thing fun and believe that God will provide for us even when finances are really tight.
My local Salvation Army store has 50% off clothing every Wednesday. I can usually find plenty of Children’s Place shirts for $.50 or $1 and TCP, Gap or ON jeans for $1. I don’t often find new things, but the items I buy obviously have held up well, and still look good, so I’m confident they will continue to serve us well. I also like to buy my own jeans and pants there, because I figure they’ve been laundered a few times and have shrunk already. So if they fit when I try them on in the store, they’ll continue to fit (I hate when I get a new pair of jeans and they end up being an inch shorter after I wash them).
I like how you showed the comparison of what seems like a smokin’ deal at Old Navy to resale prices on brand name good used clothing.
I would say that I’m reluctant to buy resale shirts because they tend to be faded and have a “worn” look.
Whatever the need or want we must really take a moment to “think through” regarding every purchase. It’s helped me a great deal!
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TTM! You are wise beyond your years! I am so glad that you took the time to share this example with us. Old Navy coupons are fun and I personally love to hunt for them, but you are right, we have to keep our perspective focused. Thanks for letting us have use of your chat room especially for ON nights!
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