The Savvy Shopper

After a long hiatus from the blog, the Savvy Shopper is back to work! Hope everyone had a great holiday and spent lots of time shopping in Rutherford County!

If you're like me, you probably received gift cards as gifts from friends and relatives. With all the current sales going on this month, it's a great time to use them. January is traditionally the month to find great buys on linens, winter coats and left over Christmas decorations. It has also become the month to purchase many household items such as washers & dryers, vacuum cleaners and other appliances. Many manufacturers are debuting their latest models and older models are being discontinued and clearanced.

I've also noticed that the home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot are now offering great deals on installation of items such as carpet, due to the slump in new housing. Figures show that people are starting to update or remodel their existing homes, rather than buy or build new. So.... take advantage of $97 entire house carpet installation, plus cash in on the

discontinued carpeting at low prices. It's sure to be a win, win situation!

For those of you who got engaged over the holiday, be sure to visit the Bridal Shows being held in the local areas. There is one scheduled for Saturday, January 9 at the new Carolina Event and Conference Center on Hudlow Road. Doris Cute, event coordinator of Fresh Start Wedding and Event Services, is putting on the Blue Ridge Wedding Show. The show will begin at 10:00 am with a Mother/Daughter Brunch. Participants include Joy's Bridal of Forest City, Staley Clothing of Spindale, Tuscany Italian Grille, Foothills Bridal Magazine, Bostic Florist, First National Bank, Larkins on the Lake, Carolina Chiropractic Plus, Honeymoons, Inc., Chad's Video Services, Belk and Bruce's Fabulous Foods, as well as other vendors from Rutherford and surrounding counties.

For more information, contact Doris at 447-2674 or visit http://www.freshstartwes.com/

Make plans to stop by Fireside Books & Gifts Friday evening. Nicole Seitz, a native of Hilton Head Island, SC, visits the area on Friday, January 8, with a stop at Fireside between 5:30-7:30 pm to share her latest literary gift Saving Cicadas. The book follows the revelatory and haunting journey of a struggling single mother from South Carolina. Refreshments will be available for you while you browse the bookshelves and visit with this renowned Southern author!

And don't miss the live radio interview Friday morning at 8:35 am with Nicole Seitz during the Jim Bishop Morning Show on WCAB 590 AM.

Be sure to stop by your favorite shops in the next few weeks. With Christmas decor being put away, new shipments of merchandise for Spring will be arriving! Happy shopping!!