DY >It is permissable
shhh. “I am told” means by my kids, and it is great that they rebel through humras, I prefer it that way! I will only stop them if a humra is used to excuse them from doing something they should do (school work, help at home, etc). In this case, there is no good reason to be meikil even it is allowed. If there is a certain mood for sefirah, then why not follow it.
RebE>>> If you get a bargain during sefira, buy it but wait to wear it.
my question here is that the seller creates the bargain, knowing the rules. If it were due to pandemic losses, OK. But this is an annual thing, girls run to the laptops to look at one-day bargains right after yomtov havdala. Maybe, we could simply buy from same company later on and send two check – for 80% and for 20%, signed as tzedokah
Another twist – last year there was a psak allowing music during lockdown if it makes things more tolerable (and prevents covid infracions). We used that. This year, we are machmir on covid, but already adapted and see no need for kulos.