Cashmere for less cash: Needless to say, we did not plan to buy a cashmere sweater when we trekked into Tesco for the weekly shop, but it was hard to resist when we saw the €55 price tag.
There are V-necks, polo-necks and cardigans, in colours including light grey, chocolate brown and light pink, and they come on hangers with a reusable plastic cover. Not the most luxurious quality in the world, but still a lot softer than lambswool. Penneys has a cashmere selection as well, with prices starting at an even lower €37.
Sound sleep: One of the soundest and most extravagant investments you can make is to buy a divine Kaymed mattress, made in Ireland by King Koil. The individually made, pocket-sprung versions cost €1,300-€1,800, or the "memory foam" version, which many hotels have installed, are a similar price. (Full range from Frank McGowan Furniture, Airside Shopping Centre, Swords or Arnotts, Henry Street, Dublin 1). If the real McCoy isn't within your budget, cheat a little with a well padded and washable "mattress topper" which Dunnes Stores is selling in four sizes, €25-€55.
Cinderella's slipper: Buy a pair of Pied a Terre, Roland Cartier, Bertie or Nine West shoes at Brown Thomas in Galway today or in Dublin next Saturday, and if you find one of 12 glass slippers in your shoe box, you win another pair up to the same value.
Wireless whisper: The Philips digital wireless baby monitor, which also allows you to talk to your baby, is on sale at half price in the Philips shop, 19-22 Dame Street, Dublin 2.
BT for free: Spend €100 in Tilestyle and get a €50 voucher for Brown Thomas. Offer ends Monday October 30th at 5pm. Tilestyle, 89-90 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 , 01-8555200, www.tilestyle.ie.
Crafty customers: The Doolin Crafts Gallery winter sale is offering 20-40 per cent off all stock until the end of 2006. Drop by and enjoy wholesome dishes in the gallery restaurant or order from www.doolincrafts.com.
Score a half-century: O'Reilly's Jewellers has operated from Wicklow Street, Dublin, since 1956. To mark 50 years in business, the owners are halving the price of some items in their range of Celtic-influenced jewellery.
• Is your shop having a sale? Have you spotted a bargain? If so e-mail salestalk@irish-times.ie. Thanks this week to Eleanor Fitzsimons.