Target has Cool Audio Gear

In our big box wanderings, we've noticed that Target has a great selection of audio gear.  They have Crosley AM/FM radios for $50.  They incorporated ducted tube speakers like you'd see on the Bose Wave Radio and they sound great.   They also have Bose speakers for your PC for about $99.  These too sound awesome!

Last Minute Gifts from the Drugstore!

Sometimes, your last best hope for a Christmas gift is the small box stores - your local drugstore.  Many times they are just more convenient than the big box stores and they have some good deals.  If you are at a loss for a gift or you need to pick something up quick on the way to an event, here are some ideas for last minute gifts from the drugstore.

Last Minute Gifts from Your Local Drugstore

Hot Technology Gifts for Less than $100

We're in December and it's time to hit the big box stores again for Christmas gifts.  It always a challenge to pick cool gifts that fit into the budget.  However, this year shoppers are blessed with lots of affordable technology gifts.  Here are five of the top affordable technology gifts:

Hot Technology Gifts for Less than $100

Affordable Technology Products for Christmas 2012

Retailers are trying to lure us back with excellent deals on technology products for the holidays.  They are even moving Black Friday Deals back to Thursday Night!  While that will cut into family time, we all have reason to celebrate.  Many of the hottest technology products will finally be affordable for most American families.  Here are a few things we may be able to get deals on this Christmas!

Five of the Hottest Technology Gifts for Christmas 2012

Abandon Cart! Abandon Cart!

Have you ever walked away from a full cart of merchandise while shopping at a Big Box Store?  What made you do it?  We often abandon carts full of merchandise when we are shopping at stores like Walmart, Target, or IKEA.  Why do we do it?  Here are three reasons we abandon carts full of merchandise while we are shopping:

1.  Stock Out - The store is out of the item we came to get.
2.  Item Not Carried - Some vital item we needed was not even carried by the store.
3.  Check Out Line Too Long and Too Slow - Some items just aren't worth standing in line for.

Photo by:  w:nl:Gebruiker:Michiel1972 -

• CC-BY-SA-3.0-migrated

American-Made Products at Ikea

 I recently spotted an amazing and rare thing in our local Ikea store.  It was like a unicorn or a white whale or the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  It was a Made in USA Label!

It was on a 6-pack of SVALKA red wine glasses that was on sale for only $3.99.

Cheers with an American-Made Svalka Red Wine Glass!

 It's a start IKEA!  I'd love to see more products made in the USA and made in Scandinavia!

Fading Away: The Kodak Camera

Now that Kodak is in bankruptcy and has announced that they are no longer going to make cameras, the Kodak cameras that remain on the shelves in big box stores are declining in price.  I spotted this forlorn looking Kodak Z5010 digital camera in Kmart with a price that has declined to $120.

Kodak Z5010 Digital Camera

American-Made Products in Walmart: Okabashi Shoes

A lot of folks think that Walmart is all about Chinese products.  Sometimes it seems that way.  But, a couple of weeks ago, I got a good deal on some American-made flip-flops at Walmart.  The shoes were made by a American company called Okabashi and are made in Buford, Georgia.  They are high tech, recyclable flip-flops, with arch support and comfortable soles.  They were displayed prominently on the sales floor.

The flip-flops that I got were called "Surf" and are all black with an aggressive tread design and comfortable foot bed.  You can read a complete review here:

Cheap Shoe Review:  Okabashi Men's "Surf" Flip-Flops

Walmart in the Wee Hours

If you don't mind maneuvering around stacks of merchandise in the aisles and sometimes being plowed over by uncommunicative clerks who are putting goods out on the shelves, the wee hours of the morning can be the best time to visit your local Walmart.  There are just a few customers, no crowds, and no rambunctious kids.  You can get in and out in just a few minutes or you can linger at any display for as long as you like!

 

What time is it? Walmart time!

When I wander through Walmart, I always gravitate towards the watch department.  The prices are amazing--especially for the no-name quartz watches.  For less than $15, you can get a great watch!  But, there are a few things you need to know in order to choose a good watch, to learn them read my article:

How to Find Great Watches at Walmart

The Walmart Workout!

You may not realize it, but Walmart is a great place to get some exercise.  It's big.  It's climate controlled.  It's got weight lifting equipment.  What's not to like?  Here are some slightly goofy tips on getting exercise at Walmart:  How to Exercise for Free at Walmart.

By Clemensfranz (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes I feel like sombodies watching me!

Last night, we wandered through one of our local Atlanta area Walmarts and I got the sneaky suspicion that someone was watching me!

Of course, I can't blame 'em.  It's Atlanta and you have to watch everybody!

The Secrets of Walmart

My wife and I wander about in Walmarts more than any other big box store.  Walmart is huge.  They have girly things for women and manly things for men.  They have everyday low prices.  Unfortunately, Walmart often has huge crowds, long lines, and busy parking lots.  But, if you know the secrets of Walmart shopping, you can eliminate many of those hassles.  To learn more and make your Walmart wandering easier, read my article: 

Secrets of a Seasoned Walmart Shopper

An Interesting Clock from Ikea - Slabang

It's the goofy little stuff that makes Ikea a fun big box store to shop in.  Here's a cool alarm clock that we picked up for only $5.99.

It's called Slabang.  It's looks normal enough.  But, it lets you optionally record your own alarm sounds.  The possibilities are endless . . .

WAKE UP!  WAKE UP! 

WAKE UP YOU______!

You can read my complete review here:

Product Review:  Slabang Alarm Clock from Ikea

Target Shoes and the Viet Cong?

My wife and I were wandering around in Target recently and we passed by this shoe.  My wife likes the shoe section, but this Mossimo woman's shoe caught my eye. 

 
 It kind of looks like a shoe that the Viet Cong might have worn back in the 60s. 

The Secrets of Ikea

We've been a little concerned about our local Ikea.  The Kalle Kaviar and circular Wasa-style bread has disappeared from the grocery.  The employees put the chairs up on the table hours before the cafeteria is closed.  As an American of Scandinavian descent, I hate to see some of the things that make Ikea uniquely Swedish in character disappear.  Nevertheless, I still like to wander around in Ikea from time to time.  Over the years, I've discovered a few "secrets" that make navigation easier.

The Secrets of a Seasoned Ikea Shopper

Here's a secret passage under the shelves . . .

Are those Walmart shoes?

If you are going to wander the aisles of America's big box stores, you are going to need some comfortable shoes for walking.  If you are on a tight budget, these Dr. Scholl's Relay Athletic Shoes from Walmart might do the job.

Cheap Shoe Review:  Dr. Scholl's Relay Athletic Shoes

Buying a Gun at Walmart

What's the weirdest thing you've ever bought at a Big Box store?  I bought a gun at Walmart once.  My wife bought one too many years ago.  She was mortified when they announced over the PA, "Manager to sporting goods for a gun purchase..."  My experience went far more smoothly.  You can read more about it here -

Buying a Gun at Walmart

Setting up an apartment cheap - at Ikea!

It seems like I've spent much of my adult life sitting on the floor assembling Ikea furniture from diagrams that only make sense to Europeans.  But, you have to hand it to the Scandinavian furniture giant, Ikea can get you set up in a stylish apartment with a minimum of money!  Here's how you can furnish a living room for less than $500: 

Ikea Can Furnish a Living Room for $500 or Less

 

By SimonP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bookcase.JPG)

 [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or 

CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], 

via Wikimedia Commons

Buying A Wedding Ring From Walmart

A Review of a Titanium Wedding Ring from Walmart.com 

Men's jewelry isn't just for pompous ring-knockers, pimps, and pianists. Normal guys need a few simple pieces of jewelry as well. For example, every guy needs a wedding band. You can get by without a wedding band, but you may have to carry a stick to keep desperate single women away from you.

 
If you do have to get a wedding band, you can get one made out of titanium from Walmart.com for only $40. The Walmart alternative represents a savings of at least $150 over a gold band from a traditional jewelry store. This savings could be applied to the purchase of something useful like a trolling motor or, for wussies, a nicer engagement ring for your fiancee.

I got my new ring because my I've been married long enough for my fingers to get too pudgy for my original wedding band. However, if you have to get married quick, Walmart.com can deliver your ring within 3 or 4 days and it will arrive in a plain white box. Inside, it will have perfectly respectable padded presentation box and a small carrying pouch. Walmart.com has a variety of men's wedding bands with different finishes and materials at very affordable prices.

The ring design that I chose is a plain titanium band with a nicely detailed edge. The color and finish matches most typically masculine accessories like wristwatches, pocket knives, and stainless steel handguns. Like any wedding band, your ring will accumulate some small scratches. However, you'll be able to shrug off any that accumulate on your Walmart wedding ring and be secure in the knowledge that you didn't spend a lot of money for it. After a couple of weeks of constant daily wear, I have not noticed any unusual wear, fading, scratches, or skin reactions. The Chinese-made ring has stood up to showering, dishwashing, dog walking, and other typical daily duties. If you are into fishing, hunting, or other outdoor activities, the Walmart.com wedding band should be able to accompany you on your adventures without worries.

On a serious note, the wedding and jewelry industry works very diligently to pump your wedding day full of extraneous expenses. The Walmart.com wedding band is one way to fight back. While you should never scrimp on a woman's ring, Walmart.com offers a perfectly appropriate alternative for a man's wedding band. Congratulations on your big day and your big savings.

Welcome to my blog.  As the Big Box Wanderer, I'll chronicle the deals, steals, and experiences that I have at America's Big Box Stores.  I'll let you in on cool deals and goofy things that I see on shopping excursions with my wife.  I'll cover everything from buying Wedding Rings and Rifles at Walmart to the culinary wonders of Ikea.  It'll be fun!