Bargains abound

A recent NY Times story points out the obvious - with the economy tanking retailers are offering mondo deals to make a sale. But the story is a good reminder that now more than ever you do not want to pay full price.

"Retailers deny that the gloomy economic landscape has prompted them to offer deeper and earlier discounts this summer than in previous years," the story says.

"But industry analysts and those who study marketing and consumer behavior say the stores have an incentive to pretend nothing is amiss, even as they post eye-popping sale signs. "The sales are very aggressive," said Marshal Cohen, the chief industry analyst at the NPD Group. "They're trying to lure whatever dollar is available as quickly as they can get it."

If your favorite store is not having a sale right now, hold your breath until the next one. That's how frequent they are these days!