--I like Target and Walmart for inexpensive items.
--I like Dillard's, Nordstrom, Frank and Meier's, etc... for clothes, though I usually like to explore their clearance racks first and buy clothes on sales. Recently, at JcPenney's, they sold a lot of clothes like 50 to 75 percent off. I was amazed and bought some clothes for like 8 to 12 dollars each.
--For some reason, I do not like B3 (Bed, Bath and Beyond). It just seems to be so full of junk packed in all one place, but sometimes they do have good sales on certain items. I love going to William and Sonoma's for food and cooking items.
--I like going to the Body Shop and Body and Bath Works for soap, lotions and fragance products. Again, I usually buy on sale, and when I receive coupons from them. Sometimes I do find their prices to be a bit high.
--For books and movies, I tend to order online, but I do love going to Borders. I used to work as a special orders clerk at Borders back in New Jersey, and loved it. I would put books on hold for those special employee discount days, where we could purchase books for 30 percent discount IN ADDITION to our regular 25% discounts. That was great, and I have way too many books back in New Jersey! Of course, I no longer work there, so I have to contend with sales, bargain books and online discount stores.
--As for holiday-making, I rarely go to a travel agent. I like to research around on my own on the internet, and read reviews in the local newspaper for travelling. I have learned a lot through this process, and it's been really interesting. I love to look at
www.tripadvisor.com which has a lot of reviews from everyone about places, such as hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, etc... You name it, they have it. It's good to know what other people think of it before just going ahead to make reservations.