This is a sponsored post from Kmart
If you’ve recently won the Lotto or if you’re Gina Rinehart, then you should probably stop reading this now. You see, this post will be of no use to you. Sorry.
You see, today we’re talking trends and how to stay on them (or in them?) when you don’t have a fortune to spend. So if you aren’t interested in looking awesome and saving lots of money then it’s time for you to move along.
We know that it can be pretty hard to keep yourself and your house looking up-to-date without accidentally spending the money you were supposed to be using to pay rent, buy the kids school shoes or get some extra groceries. You know, live and stuff.
Kmart isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when you think about shopping for fashion or to re-style your living room. But you know what we have discovered? It really, really should be.
The entire Mamamia editorial team went to Kmart recently. It was like a school excursion but with no daggy and compulsory floppy hats and FAR SUPERIOR take-home souvenirs.
If we’re completely honest with you… we went kinda NUTS. Okay really nuts. Like a hyperactive squirrel nuts.
There’s neon, there’s colour, there are stylish items in every aisle.
The clothes are of good quality, they’re no throw-away after one wear stuff. They are also right on trend – there was more neon in the t-shirt section of Kmart than in the whole of Mia’s wardrobe. And that’s saying something. The kitchen items and the decorative household stuff were also similarly stylish and practical.
And the best part of all? The prices are so LOW. Forget about forking out a month’s pay on that sparkly top that’s only going to be cool for about 2 months – you can get it at Kmart for the same amount that you probably spent on breakfast that morning.
Take a look at our Kmart ‘Finds’ and leave your own in the comment below.
These bags are rad. But I faced the inevitable dilemma of which colour? But at $15 a pop - it seemed easier to just buy both. - Jamila Rizvi, Managing Editor
Kmart is Australia’s home of irresistibly low prices on everything, every day. But behind the low prices you’ll also find amazing choice, giving you so much more to have fun with. For more surprises, and to see our products come to life, click here.
You can win one of five $100 Kmart vouchers just by commenting on this post and telling us about the best bargain you’ve ever found. (Bonus points if it was at Kmart!) The five best comments will win. You must be a Mamamia member to enter. Competition closes 27/08/12.
This post is sponsored by Kmart. Comments on this post are just for this post. If you want to talk about the IDEA of sponsored posts or the choice of advertisers please click here. We will be reading all those comments too for feedback.
Comments
234 Comments so far
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Love all the recent winter clearances. Managed to pick up some great kids clothes, pieces all under $10 each. With the ongoing cold weather still get so much use out of them all. Love Kmart for plates, mugs, etc. All their kitchen stuff looks good and is so cheap. Love it
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On Christmas Eve last year in the final trading hours before Santa arrived, I grabbed the bargain of all bargains a mini stand alone slide and two-person see saw rocker for the backyard for my toddler daughter, tied crepe paper to her cot and wound it all through the house to the yard for her to find them. The best $20 money could buy. 8mths on and her and her brother still rock on that seesaw everyday and slide on the slide (despite having outgrown it already) and always remember ;santa left it in the backyard’. Love Kmart.
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I always go to Kmart to buy work and gym clothes! Good sizing, affordable on a uni budget and surprisingly on trend.. definitely has improved over the past few years.
The best bargain I have found in Kmart is a short black and white striped dress that I have worn religiously for the past 12 months and constantly get complimented on
I can wear it by itself in summer with cute flats or team it with a black cardi, stockings and boots in winter.
The best bargain I have found OUTSIDE Kmart was on my birthday last year.. I put $2 into the vending machine at uni for a packet of chips and somehow ended up with a whole pile to share
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Oh how I love Kmart. Its a mummy treasure trove of hidden delights, super specials and bargains just around every corner. Kmart is a little like a Willy Wonker wonderful land for Mummies. It is jam packed with all the delights you could ask for, at a price you are happy to pay.
It reminds me that I don’t need to spend a million dollars to make my children feel a million dollars! It’s sometimes just the simple things that are so important and to be able to provide these, whilst still keeping my budget and wallet happy is a pleasure.
My bargain of the century was the ideal purple T-shirt for just $4 that produced squeals of delight from little Miss seven year old . She was the purple people eater in her school play and needed the perfect purple T-shirt to complete the outfit. Once again the Kmart gods provided this – there it was sitting on the rack just waiting for me to show up. It was the last one left and simply seemed to already have my name on it. The size was correct and it was free of horrid slogans and unnecessary brand names.
Mission complete – happy daughter, purple people eater costume outstanding and budget intact.
Cheers, Hooray and hugs to you Kmart, from a grateful Mum. A million dollars doesn’t buy happiness , but for a few minutes one $4 purple t-shirt certainly did!
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must admit, I love the K-mart ad with all the gals having a great time together bouncing on trampolines … and shopping … at K-mart … it’s fiction, but I love it!
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So many bargains, not enough time!
$3 BONDS baby clothes @ Big W. Yes, $3! I snapped up a whole lotta Bonds love!
$8 red striped espadrilles @ Kmart. Espadrilles are the new ballet flats for Spring. So says me!
$15 red and blue plastic bike @ Kmart. Even my 16 month old son loves Kmart. His face lit up when we saw it on the shelf. What price happiness!!!
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Years ago, I had four glass latte mugs with handles. Naturally, they all broke over the years. You think I could find replacements anywhere? NO-ONE SOLD THEM. It was so frustrating, I tried everywhere from those boutique-y homewares stores, IKEA, Big W etc. I had given up looking. Years later I was wandering through K-Mart looking for a girl’s birthday present, when lo and behold THERE THEY WERE. Not only had I found them, but THEY WERE SIX FOR $10!! Luck and bargain at the same time! How often does that happen? I now enjoy my home made iced coffees in fancy glass mugs, thanks to a Thursday night wander through K-Mart.
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We are running a little Kmart competition of our own on iVillage – you might just want to enter here http://www.ivillage.com.au/stuff-we-love-fabulous-finds-your-baby-win-100-voucher/151572
Just saying
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Love KMart recently bought 2 bedside tables, then got another for the spare room, then 2 more for other parts of the house, so in total bought 5!! then my mum loved it and I had to go and buy one for her, part of my bargains for getting mine is they couldnt find the box for one, so they knocked $10 off the price for me, without me even asking AWESOME. Think I may go back tomorrow
need some new cushions!
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As a struggling single mother, principles about overseas workers wages are easy to have if you have enough money to afford them. They aren’t really high on my list. I am glad they have a job and hope they can survive in their country on the wage they are earning. It’s quite simple to me really – I shop where I can afford to.
I am just grateful that I can afford so much more for my family because KMart has such low prices and the quality is pretty good in most of the stuff. I buy so much there ( I also live right near one so it is very convenient too) – most of my house comes from KMart with a few random Vinnies thrown in
They have the best returns policy of any store I have ever shopped at – if something is faulty or needs to be returned (even just for change of mind), they will usually give you a full refund so easily. I went to BigW a few months ago and wanted a refund on some (unworn) brand new shoes that I felt were just too tight once I got them home. It took over half an hour and 2 supervisors having much discussion and me being questioned repeatedly before I could get my $30 refund. At KMart I don’t even have to tell them why I want a refund !
Wow -I just re read this and I sound like an ad for KMart – I promise I have no connection at all but I seriously couldn’t manage to support my family as well without the place.
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My $39 padded black parka from Kmart which looks like a million dollars and every time I wear it I am asked which designer store I bought it from! It’s Soooo warm and cosy too. Love it!
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I recently discovered the wonders of k-mart!! $4.50 floral sneakers! $8 flats. I was so excited, and I wear them all the time.
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I can’t help but wonder where exactly all these items are being made. K-Mart is one of many stores that has considerably dropped their prices over the past 2-3 years. When you’re able to buy clothing at $5, I have to question what country they are being made in, who is making them (children, slave labour, sweat shops?) Are they being paid a fair wage?
K-Mart, like most stores and companies these days have no information about where their products are coming from. Aside from a label which just says “Made in (insert country here)” There is no further information available.
Since K-Mart is started selling products in this price range, I rarely walk into a K-Mart store, and haven’t bought anything from one in years.
Since this post is sponsored by K-Mart, I would love to get a response about where and how their “cheap” clothes are being made.
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Yes an answer would be great so that we can all move on and enjoy the bargains (or not enjoy the bargains!)
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Where do you think ALL clothes sold in Australia are made? Off shore.
The piousness in some of these comments is breathtaking.
Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it was made here.
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I agree. I really hate this fast cycle consumerist culture that values ‘more stuff’ ‘cheaper stuff’ and getting rid of stuff above quality, responsibility and fair working conditions.
I would rather own two pairs of great shoes that hundreds of $15 kmart ones. I hope your $15 ballet flats were worth making Aussies unemployed
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Ok, so i read this article yesterday and it sure got my interest. So today i decided to make the trip to the local K-mart. 3 pairs of thick velvety black tights and a pair of straight dark stretch jeans for …………..wait for it…………..$17 !!!
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I just can’t do Kmart. Seems full of cheap useless stuff that we fill out houses and landfill up with.
My best bargains have been from op shops. This season Witchery Coat, $229 at Witchery, MINE for $12.99. Heaps of country road skirts and loads of excellent quality Tupperware.
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The best bargain I ever found actually WAS at Kmart. Last season when button up, collared sheer shirts came into fashion, I could only find nice ones at department stores for $50+ (being a poor uni student meant that wasn’t an option). A trip to Kmart found the same style and quality for $25. Even better, when I got to the register, it scanned for $5! Bargain!
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Kmart is my first go to shop for anything I need for home. We have been on a pretty tight budget for about 9 months now and I love a bargain. I get clothes for my daughter from there – she is at the top of the hand me down tree being taller than the rest of her cousins and friends. Kmart have great little t shirts that are great for everyday. I recently got a new doona cover and ironing board cover for $13 each.
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I bought the best fat sucking undies from Kmart. The nancy gantz fancy pants are like $80 and I found some that do the same job for like $25.
They have a whole range. I forget what it’s called.
A home brand I think.
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I LOVE K-MART! We have just moved so I have pretty much been purchasing everything from K-Mart (“I’ll get it from K-Mart” has been my most used phrase these past couple of weeks) Just yesterday I went and bought 2 large sauce pans, an iron, cutlery tray and steak knives for all under $50! And thank-you for extended trading hours; if only all department stores would do this!
My best bargain would have to be a silhouette metal cuckoo clock with swinging pendulum (I added a picture, it just too awesome for words). It was marked at $49.95, loved it t but couldn’t afford it that week so went and put it on lay-by. When the cashier scanned it, it came up as 0.87c!! 3 years later I still love it and every time I look at it brings me joy to know I only paid 0.87c.
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I snapped up a grey marle sweater a la Isabel Marant for $12. I have been wearing it pretty much every second day, I can’t imagine what the price per wear is!
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As i type i am wearing a Kmart shirt dress that i bought last week for $10
So far i have had 3 compliments on it and my partner thinks i look particularly hot today so thank you Kmart
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K Mart is the bomb! I have never had a problem with their clothing and I have no problem with how cheap they are! I figure that if someone is employed off shore and is only making a small amount of money making their products – atleast they are earning something! That is the reality of the market. Does it suck yes but atleast with the current seasons clothing they have something bright to look at! (Sorry that was bad
)
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I choose not to shop at chain stores as much as possible because I can’t get rid of the nagging voice in mu head asking “who made thst great $15 bag? Were they paid a fair wage? What are their living and working conditions like?” etc ad nauseum. Plus, I can’t justify bringin more stuffinto an already overcrowded house/life/planet. Just my 5c (inflation)
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I have purchased two items from Kmart recently (in the last year).
First, was a pair of black fake patent leather flats ($15) with a tiny wedge heel. After about 5 wears half the heel came detached from the shoe during the day and I had to clack around like a dill at work.
Second, was a large stainless steel stock pot ($25). On the second use the bottom of the pot expanded outwards due to heat (perhaps it wasn’t designed to be used on heat?!), making it unstable on the stove top (dangerous!). The base of the pot is now coming away from the sides.
You get what you pay for. I much prefer op shops where you can buy clothes made from quality leather, cotton, silks etc that have stood the test of time already. They also don’t add to land fill.
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You should take them back
KMart have an awesome returns policy. It’s usually so easy to get a refund or exchange especially when something is faulty. I know you get what you pay for but the goods should still be able to be used for the purpose bought eg pot on stove
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I got a beautiful new lamp for the bedroom for $7 and the globes for only $2 at… Yep you guessed it KMART. I love my lamp and it makes me feel grown up!
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My best bargain was definitely my boyfriend. Free, and I only have to make sure he’s fed and watered!
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As an accountant I am painfully aware that people are spending more money than they are earning, and they are unnecessarily adopting a mindset that debt is a normal part of life. Like losing weight, reducing debt is simple, spend less than you earn, but sometimes you simply do not know where to start. You are rarely going to get style advice from me …but here is my recommended must buy for all women inbusiness; this $12 K-Mart earring set.
For twelve dollars you get six different sets of simple classy earrings; including faux pearls, faux diamonds, and rustic roses. This is enough variety for an entire year ofbusiness dressing. Of course you can buy a set of pearl earrings from Tiffany & Co. for $205. Or you can buy this K-Mart set and no-one other than you will know the difference.
How do you feel about that?
I am always excited to find a bargain. I also get great pleasure from window shopping, but that is another story! But I know people who cannot afford it, yet still feel compelled to buy the real deal. The Tiffany earrings are not simply $193 more expensive than the K-Mart earrings. Worst case scenario, at the highest tax rate, you would need to earn $373 before tax to purchase the Tiffany pearls ($205/55*100). WOW!
When money is tight, I think you need to learn to take pleasure in how you look, not how much you spent on your look. I have an Indian friend with seriously expensive jewellery, and do you know when she wears it? Hardly ever! It is locked up in a safe at the bank. Instead she adorns herself with identical replica jewellery. She tells me this is commonplace in her community. If you do make the leap to the “cheap” side, don’t feel guilty. If someone complements you on the earrings, don’t feel compelled to tell them, simply receive it graciously. You don’t tell people that you dye your hair, shave your legs, or use deodorant do you? You don’t need to tell them about buying cheap either!
So how good are the cheap K-Mart earrings? I have had this set now for nearly 6 month, I have super sensitive skin, and most earrings normally cause me great irritation, but I have never had a problem with any of these earrings. They look nice on, and they have not flecked or tarnished, and I have not lost one yet! If expensive jewellery makes you feel good about yourself, then treat yourself when you deserve it. But if you opt for the K-Mart earrings allow yourself to feel good about looking stylish and saving money. Times are tough; learn to be happy that you have not paid ridiculous amounts of money for tiny little earrings.
Personally I would love to experience the joy a cyan blue box would bring me, but I would be so freaked about losing one of the earrings I would get minimal joy from actually wearing the earrings. If I lost one of the K-Marts sets, well I could buy another 15 more for the outlay I would make at Tiffany & Co.
I own very little jewellery and fantasize about dressing like Audrey Hepburn and owning Tiffany & Co. diamond ring. But unless I had silly money lying around, I am happy to wear good quality costume faux jewellery.
Please note I posted a similar post on my own website..
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Kmart saved the day, after hours when i needed to get last minute outfit for childrens bookweek character!!! Ballet flats, dress, hair piece and socks – our version of Alice in wonderland for under $25 – couldn’t have done it without Kmart!!!
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Loving those flouro tops. Getting me some of that this week to wear with jeans. Bring on Spring.
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My best Kmart bargain was these amazing men’s trainers for $12. They looked just like converse so I got 3 pairs for my boyfriend. BEst shoes he’s ever had and they’ve lasted 2 years so far.
Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it falls apart.
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I read a post on here a while ago about your happy place. I think Mia said hers was Sass & Bide? Mine is totally kmart.
There’s just so much different stuff. And because it’s cheap I don’t feel guilty.
You can come out of there with a couple of bags and change from$50.
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I actually commented in Mia’s “Happy Place” post that my happy place was Kmart! When I lived in a sharehouse, I used to stop at Kmart on the way home from work to avoid going back to my feral house for a few minutes longer. I love wandering the flouro-lit aisles. I love that the staff leave you in peace to wander at your leisure. I love that you can always find something cheap and cheerful to brighten your mood.
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I like Kmart home wares and stationery and some of their basics type clothing like singlets and pjs and undies.
But as far as quality and fashion goes, I’m more a Target girl. ;D
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Kmart is the only big store within 40kms of where I live. I hate it. It’s not a huge store, the variety is pathetic and anything made for my size is either a shapeless tent or a style-minus. The shoes aren’t bad and my son’s black jeans for school cost $8 each so no complaints there…I just wish I had an alternative. Oh, and they never restock unless an article has completely sold out e.g. 10 brown L’oreal mascaras that have to sell before they restock the black too. So frustrating.
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Gosh some people are narky today.
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Best Bargain ever!
Was strolling in our local Kmart while my teeny baby slept and literally walked into a huge box on the floor that was a swing set. It was on clearance for $50! I bought it then and stored it under the house for a year! Still going strong 4 years later. Bargain!
Love KMART and love that my local Kmart is open 24 hrs!
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Tried the cheap stripped and dotted dinnerware. The handle fell off a cup with hot coffee in it and a bowl cracked when eating out of it. You get what you pay for…
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Well I am with Mia and the team here in firmly believing there are to types of people: poor people, who provide cheap labour and well off, fashion-conscious people who have a right to buy our clothes as cheaply as possible.
If Mia and the rest of us here belong to the second group, we shouldn’t go all guilt trippy about it. We should be thankful that poor people exist, otherwise we wouldn’t be able o buy so much stuff!
It might sound rough, but like jamila has said, there’s nothing wrong with shopping and whining about the exploitation of poor people isn’t going to change anything.
Yay mamamia for saying what everyone else is too politically correct to say. We love shopping and finding bargains, and if we’ve worked hard to earn our money then we shouldn’t worry if other people are suffering so we can indulge our fahion addiction!
Mia and the gang are talking about shopping, people, not social welfare! If those poor people want to get out of the factory then they should work hard and make different choices so they too can enjoy the pleasure of buying a pair of colored jeans at a bargain price.
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I cannot believe that not only has no one challenged this, but that 9 people have upvoted it.
“If only the kids in the sweatshops worked harder, they could better their situation”
FFS.
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Hear! Hear! #aynrand4life
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Happy shopper you are the perfect example of a bogan
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I thought this was a joke Happy shopper untilI realised it couldn’t possibly be tongue in cheek. I’m not sure if you are a bogan or very stuck up but either way, a generous dose of humility wouldn’t hurt you at all.
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I remember when I had just had my son, I was so tired all the time. he was a bad sleeper and i was so not dealing with the shock of no sleep (probably should have expected that). Anyway one night the power went off and when it finally came back on, the microwave didn’t. I started balling my eyes out as I couldn’t heat water up for his bottle . I was so devastated. Thank God for 24hour k-mart. hubby went out, got $30 microwave.
And no, it did not occur to me until the next day that I could have used the stove…
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I really don’t like neon, but I really love K-Mart.
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It’s amazing how one “cool” item in my wardrobe can take away the frumpy mum feeling… Kmart $10 skinny jeans are my fav so far. And no “I-stay-at-home-and-we-can’t-afford-it guilt… Score!
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Cheap n’ cheerful
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I don’t really have any particular loyalty to any of the big stores. Target was the last biggie that sold a lot of Australian made clothes, particularly for kids. Nowadays only boutiques tend to sell oz made, or markets and oddly enough supre.
Otherwise it tends to come from china. It just depresses me. Your average worker just doesn’t have the money to have any real choice about where their consumables come from.
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I went to kmart last Friday and bought a heap of ladies underwear that was drastically reduced, 7 bras & 14 pairs of undies for $19….bargain! I really like the underwear selection at kmart, their “home brand” is dirt cheap. I also think they have some great homewares.
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Well, I’ve always thought of myself as one of these people who doesnot find sale stuff. I buy things the day before a sale starts, or the day after one ends. There are a few goodies from over the years though.
1. CD player for my car $165down from $250. Wasn’t supposed to be that cheap, but the salesperson put the wrong tag on it and told us if we bought it in the next 10 minutes, we could have it for that price. It even has a setting where it changes colour all the time. Plus, it plays music.
2. A 3DS for $160, just after they came out and were about 250. Dick smith had a sale online, so jb gave us the price.
3. 10 piece scan pan cookware for 400, down from 1000. It’ll last years.
Not so many at kmart, but they have nice low prices as it is. Their books, especially new releases are well priced. I think I picked up Zoe fosters latest book for $16. I like how their prices are mostly full dollar amounts, without these annoying 98 cents at the end of a price tag. It feels a lot more honest, because the other stores do it to make you feel like you’re saving money, whereas at Kmart you actually do
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My best buys come from op shops…you get great stuff & you help a charity!
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Yep! & not wearing the same thing as everyone else!
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I trot off to Kmart when I need some homewares or housewarming gifts, etc. Got a cute little colourful 3 piece serving set (e.g. for nuts, dips, etc) for a friend for a housewarming for about $10. Everyone liked it so much I went back to get one for myself, all gone. Wah
My son is 7 now and I used to find the babywear not that great, but now I’ve seen an improvement. Still to try the ladies wear and shoes but may take a look now! I’m a bit unsure as I worked at Kmart during school and uni and when put in Apparel to tidy there were rack after rack of Osti dresses. We used to joke about them being for non smokers as they had “avoid naked flame” on the 100% polyester label!
I haven’t liked the new TV ads with the women rhapsodising in feverish delight over the $2 mugs etc. I felt that let women down and was a tad insulting to our intelligence (or do we REALLY come off looking like that out shopping?!?!). They could scale it down a notch and still have happy women (and men) enthusiastically appreciating good value!
I’ll no doubt check out the neon options, thanks!
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Oh I thought of another one!
The 3 pack of school polo’s for $6!
My little girl broke her arm and dislocated her elbow at the beginning of the year and it was strapped up in a really awkward position in a foam sling that couldn’t be removed for 6 weeks. Obviously it wouldn’t fit under her school dress so she had to wear the sports skirt with a polo shirt 3 sizes bigger than she would normally wear! Instead of buying the expensive one’s from the school with the logo that she wouldn’t fit into again for years I grabbed a 3 pack from kmart for $6, problem solved!
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This was my comment, I don’t think I was signed in?
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I love the toys at Kmart. Especially the train tracks! They are good quality wooden ones, that conveniently fit with other branded types. And I love it because they are so cheap, we were able to afford to buy quite a few pieces (including tunnels and bridges) that kept the husband, sorry, the children, occupied for hours
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