tanakawho

The shrubs in our front yard had become overgrown, making our house look like the Addams’ Family’s place.  Using my landscaping skills and my wife’s eye for arranging, we set off to the nursery to remedy the situation.

I figured this was going to cost me a small fortune.  Last year, friends of ours had bought a bunch of trees for their yard, and they paid through the nose.  So I was prepared for sticker shock.  Instead, what greeted us but a sign for 40% off all shrubs.  Yippie!  My wife brought me back to reality when she noticed the sale date had passed.  Crap!  We decided to look around, anyway.

We found a few shrubs that we liked, and headed for the checkout.  My wife asked the manager if the sale was still on, since the sign was still outside.  He told the cashier to give us the 40% off.  We left the nursery elated!

My day would get even better.  The next place that we hit had a sign for 50% off.  That’s right, a 2-for-1 sale.  The lousy weather in June must have really put the hurt to these nurseries.  I’ve never seen a 2-for-1 sale in the middle of the summer.  We found a couple of shrubs, paid the discounted price, and headed home to plant them.

After we planted our new shrubs, we took stock of what we had planted.  Because of the apparent buyer’s market in the nursery business, we’re going to head back while the 50% off sale is still in effect.  We’ll buy low at the discounted prices.  It’s the frugal thing to do.  And I can use the exercise.  I’m thinking a nice Japanese Maple like in the above picture.

Have you come across any unexpected bargains that you’ve taken advantage of?

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