I shopped at JC Penney again today…

Last month, I wrote a post comparing JC Penney’s everyday prices on a list of items to the prices at their competitor retailers in our area. I wasn’t terribly thrilled with the prices during that trip — it also marked the first time I’d been to JCP since the “no coupons, no sales” strategy was implemented.

Today, I was driving by the JC Penney store in Algonquin, and there were quite a few cars in the parking lot — many more than are usually there. I remembered that it was likely “Best-Price Friday,” one of the Fridays each month in which they do put things on sale or clearance. (Update: A reader noted that Best-Price Fridays are the 1st and 3rd of the month. Perhaps people have just gotten in the habit of going on Fridays?)

When I went inside, the store was buzzing with activity. There were quite a few shoppers scouring sale racks and carrying clothes to the fitting rooms. The Algonquin store is being remodeled too – large areas of the store are walled off with sheets of plastic and signs announcing “Companies Coming.” This is likely the new Town Square area that will feature a bunch of smaller shops inside the store, which is part of JCP’s rebranding plan.

I checked out the sales racks too, though I didn’t find any crazy clearance clothes for myself or the kids. I was a little frustrated because their navy blue signs say “Best-Price: $4” … and then in smaller text, “and up.” Four dollars and up was indeed the case, as everything I found on most of the racks was $8 or more. Still, when something has an original price of $16 and drops to $8, that’s not bad.

I did see some juniors summer sun dresses marked down to $7, which is definitely a good price. And then I saw something that I had to take home, because it was both practical and a deal… this tote bag.

I should share that I have a bit of a thing for bags. This bag thing is my mom’s fault. She too has a thing for cute, practical bags which I apparently inherited. And, I should clarify that our love of bags has nothing to do with luxury or designer bags whatsoever — I’m so not that kind of girl. My previous favorite tote bag came from CVS/pharmacy..! We just really like nice, fun, cheap tote bags.

Anyway, I was looking for a bag about this size to replace one that I gave away (and that’s another story, which I’ll share in a minute.)

How much was this bag? Just $3! It’s that price every day too, which is really the whole point of JCP’s new price structure… so I didn’t necessarily need to buy the bag today to get it for $3.

(Isn’t this a nice bag, Mom?) The bag is a lot bigger than it looks in the photo too. It will easily hold my laptop bag, my purse, and some other stuff too. Such a deal. It would make a good beach or pool bag for summer too, but that’s not why I wanted it…

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The reason I needed the bag

Whenever I travel, I like to keep a tote bag like this folded up inside the front zipper pocket of my suitcase. It’s my secret weapon for the “One carry-on, one personal item” rule for airplane travel! My personal item is usually my laptop bag. But let’s say I go somewhere, buy some souvenirs or bring home some swag, and then find that I can’t fit everything in my suitcase. Why, I just pull out the tote bag, put my laptop bag IN the tote bag, along with the other stuff, and I’m still compliant with having one personal item to keep under the seat.

Having an extra tote bag in my luggage has come in handy many times. But the last time I traveled with friends, one of my friends was in the exact same situation — too many things to take home and nowhere to put them. I pulled out my then-favorite-tote, handed it over, and then said… “Oh, I don’t need it back.”

(What was I thinking?!)

Ahh, it’s okay. I replaced the bag today with an even cuter one. And it’s still big enough to hold my laptop bag.