Will You be Going into Debt for Christmas?

Does this sound about right to you?

I was reading an article over on Lendedu.com, The Cost of Christmas in 2018, and some of these figures and stats jumped out at me. I do not spend that much on any given Christmas. I just don’t have that kind of money.

Talking to others, I’m aware that many people spend a couple of thousand – or even more – each year. To me this seems crazy, but then I think about my growing family and I know I’m going to have to be vigilant at keeping costs down or I’ll need a part-time job just to cover it all.

No thank you. I just don’t have the energy or inclination for that. I’ll have to figure out how to keep costs down with the ever rising costs we face.

Gifts were the biggest expenditure in this figure at 66.49%, then decorations at 12.69%, travel expenses at 11.81%, and then other expenses at 9.01%.

Does this sound about right to you? The percentages? That figure?

For me, gifts are the biggest expense, then food, then other things such as wrapping needs and decorations.

There is a good chance that, since you are on this site, you’re looking for ways to cut costs, and I have plenty of ideas for how to do this. If it’s too late to implement these ideas for Christmas the current year, then consider them for the next.

Have a Frugal Christmas

For me, saving money on Yule and Christmas – yes, that is two celebrations at this time of year along with two to four other get-togethers each year – means starting with a list I create while I decorate.

• As I’m decorating, I make a list of anything I notice I may need. This year, two sets of lights died. They are so old and well-used, they aren’t really fixable any longer. I put them on my shopping list, along with a few other items I needed. This list will go into my purse for the after-Christmas sales. If I can’t find those items during those clearance sales, they will be bought before the next holiday season when things are generally on sale to attract customers.
• Once the holiday cards were made out, I added a generous estimate to my clearance shopping list of how many cards I will need for next year.
• I cull my holiday card giving list each year as well. If I haven’t received a card from or hardly heard from someone in a few years, I take them off my card-giving list. This saves me postage.
• My family is aware that I reused items such as gift bags and boxes, tags, tissue and wrapping paper, and bows year-after-year, and they are more careful than normal not to completely ruin these items. They keep them looking nice for me. Sometimes people even give me good bags and such that they have received gifts from others in, knowing that I will reuse them.
• I also add these items to my clearance shopping list some years, in case I find any great deals and want more of a stock.
• I shop the after Christmas clearance sales, often with the bestest and sometimes with my daughters. I find that, if I keep checking back, prices will generally drop more, but the selection isn’t as good. So I start right after Christmas, but then check back a couple of times over a couple of week period.
• I shop thrift stores when my grandson needs clothing, and also find baskets, decorations, and other things I can use in those establishments. I can get him an entire wardrobe for under $30.00, and it is all in good condition. Also, my daughter and son-in-law don’t have to worry about the cost when I do that, saving them money in the long run as well.
• I shop yard sales for mugs, gift baskets, decorations, and other things. If it is still in good condition, it is fair game.
• I sometimes make things. I’m a crafty person, and like to make things for people. I can make holiday candles for people by reusing the jars and the utilizing the candle ends. All I need to buy are the wicks, and the stickers to make labels with.
• I’ve also been known to make my own draw-string gift bags for gift wrapping.
• I shop clearance sales year round.
• I do not have a specific list of what I am buying, but I do have a list of favorite items each recipient likes. Their favorite candies, colors, scents; anything I can come up with that will help me with my shopping.
• I do re-gift, though it isn’t often that I receive something I don’t like or cannot use. I think it has happened twice in a five year time period.

Holiday Food Ideas from Frugal Recipes

• Homemade Food Gifts: Baked Goods
• Gifts Made with Love
• Food Gifts for Yule and Christmas
• Candy-Filled Ornaments or Gift Tags
• A Frugal Christmas or Yule Potluck
• A Frugal Christmas or Yule Buffet

I have noticed that even clearance prices for items aren’t as good a lot of the time as they were when my children were young, and this means that they’ll be more costly as my family grows. I’m going to come up with more creative ways to keep costs down. When I do, I’ll mention what I’m doing here on the blog.

Warmest Wishes for this Yule and Christmas.

Shannon

Is it Okay to Pick up Gifts at Yard Sales, Thrift Stores, Etc.?

I love yard sales, thrift shops, clearance sales, and flea markets. I always find gems when I visit, and save so much over the price of new-bought items. I am a frugalista at heart. How about you?

When buying from places such thrift shops and flea markets, you’re reusing other people’s stuff. This means that it is not going into a landfill, and someone local is earning money. Both are worthy reasons to buy items from these places.

But, should you buy gifts for other people at these places?

There are some that would say this is cheap. Maybe even tacky. They don’t want to receive something that was acquired this way, not even during a clearance sale.

I disagree. Especially when money is very tight. And no one has ever held it against me that their gift at least partly came from a yard sale.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling anyone to go out and buy just any gifts at these venues. Make sure the stuff is of good value, and well-kept. No one wants a ‘new’ comforter with holes or a huge stain. That would be wrong.

What I’m saying is that you check an item out real well and, if it is a quality item, get it. The stuff I get looks new, for the most part. Unless I’m specifically looking for items that are slightly worn because I’m doing theme gifts.

When my daughters were young we made a lot of food gifts for people, so certain things were bought at these venues each year including:

• Baskets of various sizes.
• Tins of various sizes.
• Tissue paper, ribbons, bows.
• Coffee mugs.
• Assorted gift tags, and cards with envelopes.

One year, when Skye and Zowie were not very old, I bought most of their Christmas gifts at the local church thrift store. I was able to get them the most adorable clothes, and they loved each item. They didn’t care where the clothes came from, or how much was spent on them. The clothing looked almost new.

I bought so many books for them over the years from yard sales and flea markets; they hardly cost a thing. Games and puzzles, as well as stuffed animals and dolls.

So I’m going to say yes, it is okay to buy gifts at these venues if you need to. Or even if you don’t actually need to.

And clearance sales? Yup. Great buys right in the store. Far better than regular sale prices.

What do you think? Have you ever bought a gift for someone from one of these places? Tell us about it in the comments, or email me at shannonlbuck@gmail.com. I always reply!

Happy Shopping!

Shannon

(Originally published to frugalisfabulous.wordpress.com on 2/27/16. Still applies today.)

Buy for Quality

Have you ever bought something at a reasonable price thinking it will save money, only to find you are replacing it every year or two or five, rather than buy a good quality item for more money that would have lasted much longer.

When you sit down and think about the three dressers you bought for your daughter while she was growing up, because now you’re buying her a new one for her first place, you will likely realize you should have bought the sturdier, more expensive one made by the crafter next door – and saved a bunch of money over time.

While there’s nothing you can do about that now, you can change your ways and shop for quality starting now. This could save you hundreds over time, or more, per big ticket item such as tables, dressers, rocking chairs, bunk beds, and more. But it will also save you money on toys and other items.

It may take longer to save for the better quality items, but it will be worth it. Borrow what you can until you have the money saved, accept hand-me-downs to serve the purpose, or by second-hand so you won’t feel so guilty about buying an item that was more cheaply made.

Now I want to point out here that expensive does not necessarily equate to good quality. Just because something costs more, does not mean it is better. Often it just means the item is expensive.

In order to know if something is really of good quality, do your research. If you’re still not sure, bring someone along who will know. Also, a good craftsman or salesman should be able to answer all of your questions.

A sofa made years ago would last 10 to 20 years, depending on different factors within the home. Nowadays, a sofa might last 5. A cheaply made dresser made today may last 2 or 3 years in a childs’ room, while a sturdy one made from real wood should last the child until she graduates, at least.

Say you purchase the sturdy dresser for $180.00. Your neighbor continues to buy cheaply made dressers to “save money”. She ends up being able to make them last 3 years each, but ends up paying $59.00 each on 6 dressers over time. That is a total of $354.00 – $174.00 more than what you spent. Even if you strip and paint the dresser for a new look when your child is a teenager, there is a good savings on your part.

Ways to save money on good quality items:

• estate sales
• moving sales
• thrift stores
• flea markets
• roadside pickup days

Obviuosly, you want to look an item over well before purchasing, old or new. Check the front, back, top, and underside. Check drawers, and be sure the areas under and to the sides of drawers are sturdy. You shouldn’t see mold or any other disturbing things. If all it needs is to be stripped and stained or painted, you are good to go.

~ Shannon

Save Money While Living Healthier

Can you be healthy and frugal at the some time? You can, if you do it right.

How? By making smart decisions. You need to decide where you want to put your money. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to afford all the cool gadgets and super foods that are advertised, so you’ll have to make good choices.

There’s no reason to feel deprived, though. You’ll be doing great things for yourself in fun ways.

Physical Activity

Don’t bother with the gym or a personal trainer. There are other ways to get in exercise, that wont cost anything more than the price of a pair of sneakers and something comfortable to wear (if you don’t already have these). ~ Please be sure to consult a physician before starting any rigorous exercise routine.

• Walk. Everywhere you can. Walk to the grocery store if you live close enough. Walk to the park. Walk the bike path. Walk to the post office. Park away from the store or restaurant. Take the stairs rather than the elevator.
• Winter? Look for discounted walking videos to use inside.
• Go on longer hikes. Hike trails and mountains. Walk (at least part way) around the lake.
• YouTube has free beginner yoga videos that are full workouts.
• Swim at the lake or pond.
• Jog.
• Ride a bike to places that are too far for you to walk.
• Plant a garden, keep it weeded, then harvest.
• Paint that room yourself.

I got lucky. I’d been wanting a FitBit, but couldn’t justify the cost to my frugal existence. A friend’s son was buying her a newer version for Christmas, so she offered me hers. The free FitBit is helping me to track my walking and other workouts, as well as my water intake. I love it!

Your Mental State

There are many things to help your mental state, without dishing out money for a therapist. Unless, of course, you have a serious depression or other issue. Then you want to get the proper help.

• Again with the walking and yoga. These two activities do wonders for me mentally by clearing my mind of negative thoughts, and allowing me to free up space in my head to think more creatively.
• Positive self-talk is so important. I didn’t used to think so, but I trained my mind over time to think like this and it really does help. (Not that I’m perfect. I do still have the occasional down day.) I have a friend whom I always worry about. He’s down-in-the-dumps most of the time, saying “positive thoughts don’t work for me!” They would though, if he stuck with it. I know, because I used to believe the same thing.
• Meditation. YouTube is great for nature sounds, too. I try to do 15 or 20 minute meditations listening to those sounds. It sure does help to calm my mind. I’m always so busy with this-and-that, I need to slow down sometimes.

My daughter Skye gave me a few facial masks for Mother’s Day, and I’m as excited as can be to lotion up my feet, apply a facial mask, and meditate for about 20 minutes tomorrow. I figured I use them on Monday’s to help me to relax after my 16 hour Sunday shifts at work.

Healthier Cleaning

Homemade cleaning products are healthier for you and the environment. Try different recipes to see what works best for you. You do not need the essential oils to clean healthier, though they do make your space smell fresher.

Healthy Cooking Frugally

The sister site to this blog is Frugal Recipes: Spending Less to Eat Healthy. I’m trying to work out how to eat healthy while sticking to a budget. It isn’t always easy, because sometimes my budget is only at $17.00 to $20.00 for a given week. But when I have $30.00 or more I’m able to keep things real healthy. This makes me feel better, literally.

Here are some tips for healthier and more frugal meal prep:

• Use leftover bits of fruits and vegetables to make smoothies or vitamin waters.
• Put small bits of leftovers into containers in the freezer to make soups, casseroles, and chili.
• Grow organic herbs on a windowsill. I bought three plants a few weeks back, and just harvested to cut them back. This way, the newer parts will have a chance to grow. I ended up with 1 bunch of parsley and 2 of mint that are now hanging in bundles to dry, and chives that are in my freezer. (Yum!) At a fraction of the cost of organic dried herbs. And, I’ll get to harvest them at least one more time. I love using the fresh herbs in teas and in cooking.
• Buy the cheapest cuts of meat and roast them in the oven or crock pot with your choice of vegetables, top sides down. They will be just as good as the higher priced cuts.
• Do combination shopping for the best prices. Toward the end of the day at flea markets you might discover some great deals, as vendors don’t want to have to bring things home. Make a list of only what you need for that one recipe you want to make, then figure out what else you want at the store so you can take advantage of in-store deals as well. Use coupons only if you will truly save money by doing so.
• If you want organic items such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, nut butters, and the like, but can’t afford them, consider asking for gift cards at the holidays and/or your birthday. Use those to get the extras that you want, and use your money for the weekly essentials.
• Plan meals around the deals you find while at the store.
• Know the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15.

This is just a sampling of ways you can spend less while being healthy. Feel free to look around both blogs for more ways to do so, and let us know what you do in the comments.

Shannon

Save by Shopping Thrift Stores

I do a fair amount of shopping at thrift shops. As a matter-of-fact, most of what I bought for the baby shower I threw for my daughter and son-in-law came from thrift stores, and when Little Man is growing out of another size clothing, that is where I head with a list from my daughter.

I buy as much of my own clothing as I can at them as well. And many other things. Picture frames (usually 50 cents), baskets (25 cents to $1.00), tins (50 cents), silverware (5 cents each), this years weekly planner (for only 10 cents!), and many other things. Quite frankly, if I can get most stuff cheaply I will do it.

Pay attention to quality.

• You can outfit your family, at least somewhat, at thrift stores for a fraction of the cost you’d buy stuff new, then only buy what is necessary at other types of stores. Shirts, pants, dresses, coats, shoes, and boots can all be found in thrift stores. Even accessories such as fashionable scarves and costume jewelry.
• Housewarming gifts can be put together at these shops. Pick up a basket, or a large pot or mixing bowl, and fill it with kitchen necessities such as silverware, coffee mugs, cooking utensils, a pot holder or oven mitt, a dish towel and dish cloth, measuring cups and spoons, and whatever else you can find that will fit. Look for ribbon or a bow to decorate the gift with.
• Frame photographs for your living room at thrift stores, and buy puzzles to put together in your spare time. Puzzles can be used as artwork when complete.
• Shop throughout the year for school supplies, and maybe you wont have to buy much new.
• It is possible to grow your home library with books from thrift shops as well.
• And you can pick up gifts to give at the holidays.
• You can even decorate your home for the holidays with thrift store finds.

It really is possible to save a lot of money shopping at thrift stores. And get great stuff! The list above doesn’t touch on even a fraction of what can be done.

Have a great day!

Shannon