Christmas Shopping: The Start

I'm in awe of those who are done, I just started today and that was by accident. I'm going to follow my model of how I shopped last year as I kept it reasonable and was happy with the results. My guidelines:

• Nothing wrong with window shopping. There are some things you don't know exist to look up on line and others that you need to see/touch/feel in order to get a good idea of before purchasing.
• I jot notes while shopping so I remember the title of to look it up online to see if there is a better price to be found. I also use it to jot down where I found the item in the first place in case the local price was better.
• My favorite price comparison tool: Google Shopping, which I just searched for a DVD I'd found in a local shop today. I knew the price in the store wasn't competitive, but I wasn't sure that Amazon's was the best either. Turns out it wasn't, by far.
• Also need to keep in mind Rewards. I have an Amazon Visa that gets me 3 Amazon Rewards points per $1 spent at Amazon. I got the card for the original $30 cash back and I don't shop Amazon enough. In two+ years of having the card, I still haven't gotten enough points for the $25 Amazon gift certificate so this card doesn't really pay off for me. Related issues for me: my American Airlines Visa gives me miles and I find those more valuable, however that card's annual fee is soon to hit, so I won't renew it. I may begin to use the Amazon card more often if I don't replace the AA Visa with something else, however I don't see this card ever getting much use as compared with my primary card, the SPG Amex, which wins hands down.
• Don't over spend. Yeah, this one is going to be the challenge because I haven't set a budget. That said, I don't have too many people I buy for. Mom, brohter, grandma, three friends and a couple miscellaneous i.e. work and an as-yet undetermined white elephant exchange.  We'll see.

Starbucks Gold

the e-mail announcement of this new program isn't going to do much to help me kick the Starbucks habit especially since it's just started to get cold enough to really crave their hot chocolate. That said, I'm pretty good, or I try. I refill my Starbucks card (registered so I can get rewards) when I have the extra funds and try not to buy when I don't have that.

That said, in a sign of the economic times, the Starbucks behind my office closed seemingly overnight. It was there on Friday, I think, or at least Thursday and gone yesterday. I have to walk "all the way" to 51st and Broadway now. I'm actually surprised that one didn't close. Their service is shocking. Both are next to theaters. I need to try some of the others, apparently 54th & BRoadway, 55th & 7th (though I don't like this one). 

Drug Stores: Prices Vary

Not speaking here for pharmaceutical purchases, but rather other things purchased OTC and personal care/cosmetics. What I've noticed of late

• Duane Reade is clearly the most convenient, with their being as many if not more per street corner than Starbucks, but their prices vary wildly. Sale prices are good, list aren't always competitive. That said, they do have the Dollar Rewards Club, and $5 coupons accumulate with ridiculous speedy due to bonuses and other incentives. They've certainly won my loyalty with that because I'll weigh the rewards factor when I'm considering the DR price v. purchasing elsewhere.
• CVS - less ubiquitous than Duane Reade but still plenty throughout. I don't find their ExtraCare program to be as rewarding as Duane Reade but that may just be because I don't shop their as frequently. With DR across the street from both my office and my apartment, I don't find the need to go further for CVS. Because I'm not in there frequently I don't see their circulars so it's possible I'm missing out on good deals.
• King's Pharmacy - at least I think that's its name. I go in on occasion to pick up water because it's next to the gym and have made the occasional photocopy there, but haven't shopped there extensively.
• Walgreen's - no loyalty program and their prices are higher than Duane Reade but their circular is in the Sunday Daily News and I tend to clip their coupons. They had some great back to school specials. There's one about 10 blocks away, or across the street from K-Mart.
• K-Mart - never been to the one on 34th Street but discovered the Astor Place store when I had classes down there. Good prices, generally better than Duane Reade but no rewards program and not particularly convenient. I wouldn't go down there for day to day things (i.e. shampoo) but do pick them up if I'm down there for other reasons. Also has a large selection.
• Bed Bath & Beyond - the store on E. 60th has a cosmetics/personal care items section and their prices are generally competitive. The 20% off and $5 coupons are good too, though I prefer to save them for larger purchases. There's also the issue that it's hard to get out of there without buying something else, therefore eliminating said savings.
• Wal-Mart - the one in Secaucus is easy to get to and a $6 RT from Port Authority. The $6 bus fare is more than recouped by their prices, which are definitely the lowest I've found. I've planned to try and do a once a month or once/six week trip to pick up basics. The $1 off coupon on NutriGrain bars is even nicer when you're starting at $2.14 instead of $3.99. There is the factor of carrying the stuff back, but I found that manageable.

I really haven't looked into online purchases such as drugstore.com, Amazon or other sites for these. I need to do that and see what the shipping costs are. (In)ability to use coupons is another factor. Any other experiences?