Bargain Hunting Tips from Oprah's New Pal Carson Kressley

We're not at all surprised that former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy style guru Carson Kressley is into shopping, but we had no idea that the snappily dressed co-host of the Oprah Winfrey Network's find-a-TV-star competition, Your OWN Show, is also a frugalista who rarely pays full price for anything. He fills us in on his favorite finds.

So you love a bargain?
I'm all about that. I am the biggest bargain shopper ever. The thrill of the hunt and getting the deal! I almost never pay retail.

Do you shop online?
Not normally, but here's what I learned: Sign up for your favorite stores and you'll get bonus stuff. If you sign up for their e-mails, you will get coupons, such as 20% off. J.Crew has all their sale items online. I go to the store and scope it out, and I wait for the e-mail that says what's on sale today, then I buy through the website. Same thing for Horchow for the Home. Amazing deals on towels — monogrammed towels for 20 bucks each.

Where else?
I go to outlet malls. The two best ones are Cabazon in the [California] desert and Woodbury Common in New York. I go to Loehmann's; I go to HomeGoods. I like to buy a lot of stuff, and if I can get a deal, I can buy more. More is more.

Where did you get your TV?
At the outlet mall at the Sony outlet. I didn't do a lot of comparison shopping, but I feel like I got a good deal.

What kind is it?
A Sony flat-screen. It's in my bedroom.

Is there a gadget you can't live without?
My BlackBerry.

Do you have an iPad?
No, a MacBook Air. The really skinny laptop.

What's your splurge?
Skin care products and food. You don't want to skimp on skin care. I buy Sisley — great stuff. Shoes are the one thing I sometimes have to give in on, but I wait till the major department stores have their sales, such as Neiman Marcus. Sometimes I'll buy two; I'll buy the same shoe again. Your favorites will wear out.

Where did you do your holiday shopping?
I did it early. That's a great tip. When you're in a panic you spend more. I did a lot of stuff on Cyber Monday because there were a lot of special incentives. I shop at outlet malls throughout the year in case I see something amazing. I'd rather give someone something amazing if I can get a deal at an outlet mall than give them something average that's not so 'wow!'