Did you shop Singles Day 11-11?

Did anybody obsess at Aliexpress.com on 11-11?  I spent way too much time before hand and most of the day yesterday finding things for Shoeboxes.  There were some good deals to be had and some big coupons that may not be reflected in the prices I will list below.

I should mention that the current price I will list may not be lowest you can find. Many vendors sell the same items and I bought the lowest price YESTERDAY

WOODEN WHISTLES (Pictured above)
i paid 58.4 cents, currently 75 cents
$1.79 on Amazon

FINGER PUPPETS (400 PIECES)
Can order by animal
I paid 22.7 cents each,  currently 31.8 
On Amazon 31 cents, 27 cents, shop around

FOAM PUZZLES
Flat packed, 18 different animals
I paid 39.25 cents, currently 44 cents

FOAM BLOCKS 

Flat packed, fits perfectly in a shoebox.  When all pieces connected, makes a 12"x12" mat

I paid 81.3 cents, currently $1.02

$2.29 Amazon

FOAM MASKS, ASSORTED
I paid 38.72 cents, currently 57 cents each

FUNNY GLASSES, Love these as there is a whistle and party blowers in the moustache.
I paid 37.4 cents, now not much different 44 cents

COMPRESSED TOWEL
This is more like a handi wipe but won't take a lot of room
12" x 16" when expanded
This was a great sale item
I paid 7.3 cents each, now 20 cents

PEARL HEADED STRAIGHT PINS

One disk has 40 pins

I paid 15.87 cents per disk, now 20.7 cents per disk

SEAM RIPPER
Good for sewing kits
I paid 13.1 cents, now 14 cents

NEEDLE THREADER
I paid 1.46 cents each, currently 1.68 cents each

NEEDLES
30 NEEDLES PER PLASTIC CASE
I paid 58 cents, currently 66 cents each

SOCCER MINI FIGURERS (about 2 inches tall)
in packages of 100 assorted
I paid 15.8 cents each, 17.3 cents now

ALUMINUM WHISTLE

Listed as survival whistle so not a toy

I paid 15.5 cents and currently sold out

Amazon 59 cents and up

WOODEN TANGRAM PUZZLE

I have a sheet to include in the boxes with puzzles

I paid 67 cents, currently 79 cents

SPIROGRAPH TOY
This is a good size and can double as a ruler too.
8" LONG
I paid 83.6 cents, now $1.09

"LEGO" MINIFIG

I paid 20.9 cents, now 26.6 cents each

REMEMBER, ALL OF THIS WAS FREE SHIPPING

WON'T BE HERE FOR THIS YEAR'S BOXES

My typical 10-14 Boy Box 2015

This is a pretty good representation of one of my 10-14 Boy Boxes this year.
I have listed below what went into most boxes and how much I spent.  The boy boxes costs on average around $10, more than my girl boxes.  I ended up using some Dollar Tree items that make it more $$.  My goal for next year is to find calculators at a better price,  I have already found paracord at a great price to replace the polypropolyne rope.

  “Typical" Shoebox Contained:

·         Drawstring Backpack  (.533, misprint lot from HJClosetouts.com)

·         Tooth Brush (.333, Dollar Tree, 3 toothbrushes, 3 cases $1)

·         Tooth Brush Case

·         Soap (free, had coupon and matched to sale at Rite-Aid, 6 free bars)

·         Sports/Tennis Towel (.172, found bag of brand new ones at Goodwill)

·         Comb (.083, Dollar Tree pack of 12)

·         Tissues (.063, I sewed tissue case with fabric I had on hand, split pack of Dollar Tree tissues 8/$1)

·         Pencil Box/Case (.10-50, Staples, Walgreens, CVS BTS clearance)

·         Scissors (.09,  CVS BTS clearance)

·         Jumbo Glue Stick (.09 CVS BTS clearance)

·         Two Novelty Erasers (.12 CVS BTS clearance)

·         Post-it Notes (.09 CVS BTS clearance)

·         Pencils (.24, 6 pencils Amazon special Dr. Seuss, 4 cents each)

·         Pens (.25  6 pens, variety of BTS clearance, Staples coupon deal, free with rebate)

·         Highlighter (.20, at least one, variety of BTS clearance, Staple coupon deals, free with rebate)

·         Pencil Sharpener (.09 CVS BTS clearance, or Oriental Trading, also 12/$1 Dollar Tree)

·         Colored Paper Clips/Binder (.015, from 1/6 of assortment from CVS BTS clearance)

·         Colored Pencils or Markers or Crayons (.25-.50, sales around BTS)

·         Squishy Novelty Pen w/Magnet on floppy end (.09, CVS BTS Clearance)

·         Composition Book (.25, was cut in half with band saw from one composition book on sale for 50 cents at Back to School Sales) or 150 sheets notebook paper, cut in half above

·         Hard cover Small USA notepad, wire bound (.10, Kole Import on-line, was 5 cent and about 5 cent shipping)

·         Dry Erase Sheet (.148, bought pack of 2 sided, 5 sheets from Toys r Us Clearance, cut in half, punched hole in corner and attached string for marker)

·         Dry Erase Marker (.333, 3/$1 at dollar tree, but can find on sale for less, free with rebate)

·         Rope ($1, Dollar Tree tool department)

·         Small Knot Booklet ( one sheet of paper folded into a booklet with picture instructions for different knots, I have this available for download)

·         Beanie Baby (.50  at garage sales if you don’t already have, can use any small stuffed animal)

·         Erector Set type Model ($1, Dollar Tree, metal set with small screw driver and wrench)

·         Sports Lanyard (.10, Kole Import, was 5 cents and about 5 cents shipping)

·         Candy (varies, will get candy canes for next year after Christmas)

·         2 Hot Wheels (1.40, got set of 20 from Amazon and divided up.  Don’t cheap cars, Hot Wheels & Matchbox good quality)

·         Two carabiners (.40, from Aliexpress.com – China)

·         Coloring Booklet (free from Watermelon Growers)

·         Miscellaneous Stickers (free from variety of places)

·         T-shirt Ball (free, made with old t-shirts)

·         LED Flashlight (.41 promo misprint, HJ Closeouts, free shipping)

·         Bottle Cap Necklace (5 cents, 5 cent shipping, Kole Import)

·         Least Two items from this list: deck of cards, socks, kite, dominos, tatapan/tic tac toe board and markers (have instructions and downloads available) , balloon helicopter (.24 Aliexpress), t-shirt free promo or cheap clearance, balloon rockets Dollar Tree,  flip flops seasonal clearance, water bottle, cup, bouncy ball (25 cents from Old Navy store “gumball” machine), tools from Dollar Tree, underwear, solar calculator, ruler, protractor, compass, artist or doodle pad,

·         Miscellaneous small items (like party favors, any small items to fill spaces)

FOUND MONEY: Staples Survey

I clicked on an email from Staples this morning asking me to do a short survey for a $10 off any regular price purchase. It took less than five minutes and when done took me straight to a link to print. FOUND MONEY. 

I went over to check out clearance and found these cute play doh trucks at $4.99 each. Normally, I would not have  spent full price for this but with my FOUND MONEY, I got these two for free. Great wow item for 2-4 boys. 

Moral: click on emails from known companies, you never know what is inside.