Sucking it up when you can't get a price break

[annettemarie]

The problem with finding all these fabulous deals on the internet and getting stuff for free (or next to free) is that when you can't get a price break, it really really hurts.

My DH is a pastor. He wears black clergy shirts, the same kind Catholic priests wear, to work everyday (which makes it really fun when we run into each other somewhere during the day and he kisses me and the kids run up to him yelling "Daddy!!!!" but that's a different thread, LOL!). Short of making them myself, I cannot get a price break on these. There's one Catholic catalog that sometimes has a sale around Father's Day, but other than that, those suckers are expensive.

I bought three today-- 2 long and 1 short sleeve-- because the same catalog had 10% off and free shipping, and it was still $80!! That may not seem like much, but when you're used to buying things on super sale or a thrift stores, it's hard!

So, what things to do you have to suck it up and pay full price for?

[SuzyLee]

Similar to you, DH's work clothes.

LL Bean makes these amazing wrinkle free dress shirt that *hold your breath ladies* Are.Actually.Wrinkle.Free!

As in, I don't have to touch them up with a iron ever!

But man do I hate paying 30$ a shirt.

[lmonter]

Fwiw, I've gotten hubby's wrinkle-free shirts at JCPenney or the Van Heusen outlet around the holidays and/or with a coupon at JCP. Never ironed them, either, and some of them are a good 3-4yo now I think.

What we buy full price?
Steel toed boots.
Chainsaw sharpening.
Several car parts - most recently an exhaust manifold/headers. Time Warner Cable - our only cable/internet possibility here.
Stuff from Ikea, maybe? Since they rarely have sales, especially on things we're looking for.
Parawax. That stuff never goes on sale.
Gas for the car. Although we pay with debit cards/cash - it's 3-4 cents more per gallon at the Exxon station here if you use a credit card. But that's not exactly a negotiable thing. Sigh.

[mnnice]

The pastor at my folks church just retired. I sort of think that would be the type of thing never to make it out of you closet after you retired.

I wouldn't be afraid/be to shy to ask retiring clergy of similar size to your DH if they had any serviceable shirts.

[annettemarie]

Clergy never retire-- they just semi-retire and go on to supply preaching.

[neetling]

It pains me to pay full price for clothes and shoes.

[mnnice]

Your right.

Many still work even if it is visiting the shut ins just marginally more ancient and feeble than themselves.

I guess I was thinking about DH work clothes which would never see the light of day if he quit.

[thriftyqueen]

Just think of it this way, you are buying something that is needed for his job, which in turn, pays the bills (even if it doesn't pay that well ) and affords you the opportunity to have the time to go thrifty store shopping and look for deals.

In other words, some times even though it stinks to do it, you have pay the money for things that are necessary for a job. Just like you would spend the money on quality boots if you worked construction.

And think of all the money you have saved with freebies, coupons, etc. Buy the shirts and try not to think about it!!! I know it is very hard to do!!

[KatWrangler]

Are they tax deductable because they are considered uniform?

I know what you are saying. I pretty much only buy things when it is on sale AND I have a coupon.