Rachael embraces a bargain just as much as the next person; she loves sifting through the bins and shelves at the outlet stores near her house. But there are a few things she splurges on, like things for her kitchen or shoes. For her, it's more about value than about saving a buck. After convincing this penny-pinching mom to shop without even glancing at price tags, Rachael tries to teach her to treat herself every now and then.

"I'm not cheap; I'm thrifty," says Margie while admitting she has rules for her spending habits:

• She buys discounted day-old bread and dented cans at the grocery store.
• She re-uses dryer sheets and paper towels at least twice.
• She never goes out to eat unless she has a coupon.
• She takes extra packets of sauce from fast-food restaurants and keeps them in her fridge.
• On vacation in Paris, she was on the hunt for food courts and fast-food restaurants.
• She takes the coffee creamers from hotel rooms home with her.
• She buys shampoo and conditioner at a dollar store, then refills the bottles with the samples she gets from hotels.
• She brings her own snacks to the movies.
  

As a military wife, Margie goes to many black-tie functions but will only spend around $20 on a dress. The most she ever spent was $60 -- and that was for her daughter's wedding! So Rachael enlists Gretta to take Margie shopping for a new formal dress with one condition: Margie, under no circumstances, is allowed to look at any price tags. Even though Rachael's treating, Margie still finds it difficult to stay away from the sale racks.

After Gretta finally pulls her away from the discounted items, Margie comes away with a gorgeous gown (and a little sticker shock) plus a few tips from Rachael.

Tips:

• It's worth spending the money on quality: "Quality costs!"
• Splurge on yourself once in a while; it won't break the bank and you're worth it.
  
• If it's a higher-end item and you're going to get a lot of use and enjoyment out of it, it might be worth it to spend the extra money.
• Think quality over quantity. Instead of buying multiple items on sale, buy one high-quality item that will last.
• When it comes to splurging on clothes, ladies, remember: The same dress can be worn with a different crowd, so you will wear it again.
• Alterations can equal added value. By hacking some length off of a long, formal dress, you can turn it into a whole new outfit for a more casual cocktail party!

Online Extra! Gretta's final thoughts on splurging once in a while.