A frugal mom's Christmas gift giving guide

With all the commercials and toy books that come out this time of year its hard to stick to a budget. My first recommendation.. CASH ONLY.. make out what you can AFFORD to spend. Take that money and use it to shop.. I cannot fathom going into debt for Christmas gifts.. It makes absolutely no sense. Maybe I need to market Christmas cards that say "Merry Christmas, I used my car payment to buy your gift"..

There are may ideas that a frugal and/or cost worthy.. so here's my little gift giving lowdown

Make it. If you are crafty, or maybe if you aren't a personalized or handmade gift can carry much more sentiment than store bought ones.. Maybe a quilt, made of old family materials, ie old baby blankets and such. A scrapbook filled with photos of loved ones. A hand painted picture. Create a book, I "published" a book from a story Jacob and I made up one year. Maybe record a book on tape.. For the older generations, make your family a recording of old family stories.. I have heard many people say they wish they had the family stories after loved ones had passed.. Grandparents seem to love anything with grandchildren's hand prints/footprints.. I made my mom a t-shirt once with the kids hands on the front and feet on the back. She has requested and updated version ;). You can get plaster and little gems at the craft store and make decorative stepping stones for a flower garden or walk way. Salt dough can also be fun to make small things. Esp for kids to make. There are hundreds of websites that have ideas.

Shop Thrift stores.. some people can shop year round and hide things for Christmas.. I, Nicole, am a Christmas eve shopper LOL.. Mainly because I am terrible with those kind of surprises.. If I get something for the kids I want to give it right now! plus If I do manage to hide it it wont be found again till we move. But shopping thrift store is a wonderful way to save $.. With new resources such as freecycle.org and craigslist.org it has opened up thrift store shopping to a whole new level!

Sometimes a gift is worth the extra cost.. When we do buy toys and games we try to make sure they have some educational value and longevity.. One of our favorite it Leap Frog Games and Toys.. those have stood the test of time. Knex, if you havent seen these they are awesome. All my kids love to play with them.. To keep thier life they are stored in a rubbermaid bin in my bedroom.

Other things that we like to buy are science project type gifts and books.. My kids LOVE books.. Craft projects and supplies are excellent.. and good for most kids of all ages.. Magazine subscriptions also make great gifts. Deseret Book has some great scripture related gifts for kids and aduls..

A tip I try to share with new parents is dont focus on the baby.. Its easy to get wrapped up in Baby's first Christmas.. they generally dont need much and are more fascinated with the paper and boxes! If you really want to go out for the baby, skip the baby dept and find a photographer, or DIY! .. $100 ( or less) worth of beautiful baby photos will be one of your best investements.. I mean how cute is this!


Plan a family activity or trip.. A membership to the zoo or museum or a weekend camping package make great gifts.

Other unique ideas are tree's they can plant in the spring, maybe a coupon book of sorts. A"Me and you" day out package.. There is so much you can do!

A frugal mom's Christmas gift giving guide

With all the commercials and toy books that come out this time of year its hard to stick to a budget. My first recommendation.. CASH ONLY.. make out what you can AFFORD to spend. Take that money and use it to shop.. I cannot fathom going into debt for Christmas gifts.. It makes absolutely no sense. Maybe I need to market Christmas cards that say "Merry Christmas, I used my car payment to buy your gift"..

There are may ideas that a frugal and/or cost worthy.. so here's my little gift giving lowdown

Make it. If you are crafty, or maybe if you aren't a personalized or handmade gift can carry much more sentiment than store bought ones.. Maybe a quilt, made of old family materials, ie old baby blankets and such. A scrapbook filled with photos of loved ones. A hand painted picture. Create a book, I "published" a book from a story Jacob and I made up one year. Maybe record a book on tape.. For the older generations, make your family a recording of old family stories.. I have heard many people say they wish they had the family stories after loved ones had passed.. Grandparents seem to love anything with grandchildren's hand prints/footprints.. I made my mom a t-shirt once with the kids hands on the front and feet on the back. She has requested and updated version ;). You can get plaster and little gems at the craft store and make decorative stepping stones for a flower garden or walk way. Salt dough can also be fun to make small things. Esp for kids to make. There are hundreds of websites that have ideas.

Shop Thrift stores.. some people can shop year round and hide things for Christmas.. I, Nicole, am a Christmas eve shopper LOL.. Mainly because I am terrible with those kind of surprises.. If I get something for the kids I want to give it right now! plus If I do manage to hide it it wont be found again till we move. But shopping thrift store is a wonderful way to save $.. With new resources such as freecycle.org and craigslist.org it has opened up thrift store shopping to a whole new level!

Sometimes a gift is worth the extra cost.. When we do buy toys and games we try to make sure they have some educational value and longevity.. One of our favorite it Leap Frog Games and Toys.. those have stood the test of time. Knex, if you havent seen these they are awesome. All my kids love to play with them.. To keep thier life they are stored in a rubbermaid bin in my bedroom.

Other things that we like to buy are science project type gifts and books.. My kids LOVE books.. Craft projects and supplies are excellent.. and good for most kids of all ages.. Magazine subscriptions also make great gifts. Deseret Book has some great scripture related gifts for kids and aduls..

A tip I try to share with new parents is dont focus on the baby.. Its easy to get wrapped up in Baby's first Christmas.. they generally dont need much and are more fascinated with the paper and boxes! If you really want to go out for the baby, skip the baby dept and find a photographer, or DIY! .. $100 ( or less) worth of beautiful baby photos will be one of your best investements.. I mean how cute is this!


Plan a family activity or trip.. A membership to the zoo or museum or a weekend camping package make great gifts.

Other unique ideas are tree's they can plant in the spring, maybe a coupon book of sorts. A"Me and you" day out package.. There is so much you can do!

Changing Seasons

last weekend I did our bi-annual clothing sort.. Its a big job.. this year it took two days.. How it works is all year I collect clothes that I like that might fit someone.. then twice a year ( according to the seasons) we sort, purge, donate, store, or hang the clothing

First we pull all the clothes out of the boxes and the closet and we make piles.. (r. to l.) Boys pants/shorts, boys shirts, girls shirts, girls pants, and pajamas




then we sort the pants and shorts.. and fold and box up the shorts- we have a box for donations as we purge at this point

then we do the same with the shirts
when its all done we match our fall/winter outfits and hang them. the pajamas, sock. undies etc go in their proper bin


For us stockpiling clothes is awesome. I do not know my exact budget but my guess is we spend less than $200 a year on clothes.. (excluding socks and undies which we buy new). The kids are always excited to do this.. They enjoy seeing the outfits they wore go to the next kid and they also like to see what is new in the pile.. For Abigail, she is glad to finally start fitting into the dresses and sweaters I bought a few years ago..

Changing Seasons

last weekend I did our bi-annual clothing sort.. Its a big job.. this year it took two days.. How it works is all year I collect clothes that I like that might fit someone.. then twice a year ( according to the seasons) we sort, purge, donate, store, or hang the clothing

First we pull all the clothes out of the boxes and the closet and we make piles.. (r. to l.) Boys pants/shorts, boys shirts, girls shirts, girls pants, and pajamas




then we sort the pants and shorts.. and fold and box up the shorts- we have a box for donations as we purge at this point

then we do the same with the shirts
when its all done we match our fall/winter outfits and hang them. the pajamas, sock. undies etc go in their proper bin


For us stockpiling clothes is awesome. I do not know my exact budget but my guess is we spend less than $200 a year on clothes.. (excluding socks and undies which we buy new). The kids are always excited to do this.. They enjoy seeing the outfits they wore go to the next kid and they also like to see what is new in the pile.. For Abigail, she is glad to finally start fitting into the dresses and sweaters I bought a few years ago..

Where to begin..

internet photo

we all want to save money but sometimes where and how to begin is the biggest challenge..

One thing I recommend to everyone is to make a list. Over the next week write down what your household uses.. If you are stuck on a name brand write that down as well. Remember, its going to be a long list.. also add about how much you use

an example for us would be

milk 3 gallons a week
Palmolive dish soap 4 bottles a month
rice 25 lbs 2-3 months
toilet paper 3 rolls a week
cereal 6 boxes week
etc....

Once you have this then you know what items you need to purchase and how much of it you need. For example, if you use 1 box of cereal a week and you can buy cereal at a great price you know that 52 boxes will last one year.. shelf life on cereal is about a year.. ( longer if you are me LOL). If you only eat Frosted Flakes then you can work on collecting 52 frosted flakes coupons..

How does this help.. well if you spend $3.59 a week on Frosted Flakes that's $186.68 for a years worth.. if you spend about $5 on 52 coupons and get the Frosted Flakes for $1 a box then you have spent $57.. you just saved $129.68.. that was pretty easy too!

It also lays your shopping and eating habits out on the table.. You may realize that the 3 bags of chips you eat each week at $3.50 a bag might not be such a necessity.. you may decide that buying 3 bags of pretzels at the dollar tree for $1 each is worth more than the $7.50 you just saved.. you also have healthier eating habits.

..... more to come......

Where to begin..

internet photo

we all want to save money but sometimes where and how to begin is the biggest challenge..

One thing I recommend to everyone is to make a list. Over the next week write down what your household uses.. If you are stuck on a name brand write that down as well. Remember, its going to be a long list.. also add about how much you use

an example for us would be

milk 3 gallons a week
Palmolive dish soap 4 bottles a month
rice 25 lbs 2-3 months
toilet paper 3 rolls a week
cereal 6 boxes week
etc....

Once you have this then you know what items you need to purchase and how much of it you need. For example, if you use 1 box of cereal a week and you can buy cereal at a great price you know that 52 boxes will last one year.. shelf life on cereal is about a year.. ( longer if you are me LOL). If you only eat Frosted Flakes then you can work on collecting 52 frosted flakes coupons..

How does this help.. well if you spend $3.59 a week on Frosted Flakes that's $186.68 for a years worth.. if you spend about $5 on 52 coupons and get the Frosted Flakes for $1 a box then you have spent $57.. you just saved $129.68.. that was pretty easy too!

It also lays your shopping and eating habits out on the table.. You may realize that the 3 bags of chips you eat each week at $3.50 a bag might not be such a necessity.. you may decide that buying 3 bags of pretzels at the dollar tree for $1 each is worth more than the $7.50 you just saved.. you also have healthier eating habits.

..... more to come......

Not much for deals this week

Only the P&G was in the paper.. stores are recouping from 4th of July sales

I use these weeks to organize my coupons and get 4th July stuff on clearance..

Walgreens does have diapers on sale for $5.99 and wipes for $1.99

I will try to get some freebies posted tomorrow.. I havent done that in a while

Not much for deals this week

Only the P&G was in the paper.. stores are recouping from 4th of July sales

I use these weeks to organize my coupons and get 4th July stuff on clearance..

Walgreens does have diapers on sale for $5.99 and wipes for $1.99

I will try to get some freebies posted tomorrow.. I havent done that in a while

July Challenge

Ok did you save your receipts for June? do your tallies and see what your spending is.. In July your goal is to shave off 10%..

Also look into other areas to save.. or lat least figure your spending.. see where you can cut back.. and having these figures helps give you perspective on things

For me, since I am a pet groomer, I think in dogs.. how many dogs to I have to groom to pay for this.. you may use hours at work or items sold.. this gives you a new way to look at how you spend money.

Also breaking it down.. my elec bill averages $50 a month.. thats $1.66 a day or .19 a day per person.. what do you spend $1.66 a day that you could cut back or eliminate..

As for meals.. also break those down.. for us a meal is costing us about $5. for all of us.. cereal for breakfast may cost us $3, dinner may cost us $8 but it averages out to $5 a meal.. remember that when you are at Subway or Mc'D's getting lunch for $5.. I feed 9 people with that $5!!

Perspective!

but dont give up your treats.. I stop at Mcd's and get a $1 sandwich on occasion.. and the Icee's at Sams for $1.20 but these little tricks will help you cut back and save where you can

I will try my best to do more $5 meal ideas.. remind me!!

July Challenge

Ok did you save your receipts for June? do your tallies and see what your spending is.. In July your goal is to shave off 10%..

Also look into other areas to save.. or lat least figure your spending.. see where you can cut back.. and having these figures helps give you perspective on things

For me, since I am a pet groomer, I think in dogs.. how many dogs to I have to groom to pay for this.. you may use hours at work or items sold.. this gives you a new way to look at how you spend money.

Also breaking it down.. my elec bill averages $50 a month.. thats $1.66 a day or .19 a day per person.. what do you spend $1.66 a day that you could cut back or eliminate..

As for meals.. also break those down.. for us a meal is costing us about $5. for all of us.. cereal for breakfast may cost us $3, dinner may cost us $8 but it averages out to $5 a meal.. remember that when you are at Subway or Mc'D's getting lunch for $5.. I feed 9 people with that $5!!

Perspective!

but dont give up your treats.. I stop at Mcd's and get a $1 sandwich on occasion.. and the Icee's at Sams for $1.20 but these little tricks will help you cut back and save where you can

I will try my best to do more $5 meal ideas.. remind me!!

Frugal Living Challenge

I am going to do my own Frugal Living Challenge.

it will start June 1st.. let me know if you are in.

First step. figure out your grocery spending for May.

Frugal Living Challenge

I am going to do my own Frugal Living Challenge.

it will start June 1st.. let me know if you are in.

First step. figure out your grocery spending for May.

Freezing Meat

I for one have never had issues with freezer burn.. I have never used the expensive freezer bags, unless it was a "mega deal"

so when it comes to freezing meats, we are financially responsible and earth friendly

I save our bread bags.. I use them for all kinds of things..

I weigh out one pound and put it in the bag, tie a knot and add another pound. tie again.. I put em in the freezer. you can smuch them after they have been tied to stack easily in freezer.
**

when its time to thaw I cut off one pound and thaw in a plastic bowl in fridge

I do this with boneless chicken breast as well

Freezing Meat

I for one have never had issues with freezer burn.. I have never used the expensive freezer bags, unless it was a "mega deal"

so when it comes to freezing meats, we are financially responsible and earth friendly

I save our bread bags.. I use them for all kinds of things..

I weigh out one pound and put it in the bag, tie a knot and add another pound. tie again.. I put em in the freezer. you can smuch them after they have been tied to stack easily in freezer.
**

when its time to thaw I cut off one pound and thaw in a plastic bowl in fridge

I do this with boneless chicken breast as well

New Layout

I need to re arrange some text and applications but this is the new layout.. three column, and pretty! Tell me what ya think! Its the first blog background I made

I picked up some vases off freecycle yesterday.. I love free stuff! I unloaded some 2T clothes my 2T daughter wont fit into..



If you dont freecycle you should http://www.freecycle.org/

also Craigslist Frees http://craigslist.org/

New Layout

I need to re arrange some text and applications but this is the new layout.. three column, and pretty! Tell me what ya think! Its the first blog background I made

I picked up some vases off freecycle yesterday.. I love free stuff! I unloaded some 2T clothes my 2T daughter wont fit into..



If you dont freecycle you should http://www.freecycle.org/

also Craigslist Frees http://craigslist.org/

A bit about my shopping

I have been couponing for nearly 3 years and stockpiling food for about 2 years.

I rarely buy anything that is not either on sale and/or has a coupon.

Couponing isn't just an afterthought to shopping.. to really make it work it has to be the basis of your shopping.

In a typical week I will ONLY buy the items listed with coupons match ups, with some exceptions

Staple items I buy..
Kroger Bread .88
Kroger slice cheese 1.29
Kroger sliced meat 1.39
Ramen Noodles .15 each
Kroger brand butter ?
Blue Bonnet sticks for baking .70?
Kroger brand drink mix $1.79
( I may add more later as it comes to me)

I try to make what meals I can with what we have.. we have a pretty good source of items.. some a bit odd.. I currently have more Royal Jello in my house than Walgreen's actually has in stock at the local store.. and it has nothing to do with being Mormon LOL

On occasion I will buy an impulse treat.. maybe a package of store brand cookies or an item I really like and the sale and coupons have since passed..

Its taken some adjusting.. but its worth it.. in many ways. I never pay full price for food and we always have food on hand.

I no longer use products I use to and I use alot of products I never thought I would.. My kids never ate fruit roll ups.. they were too expensive.. now I get em free or close to it.. I use to use Tide loyaly..but I have learned that not only are other brands cheaper.. but my clothes are just as clean. CVS and Walgreens practicaly give away ALL and Arm & Hammer. I dont shop the way I use to,.. and it actualy takes less time.. each and every trip is carefully laid out. I know exactly what I am getting. no more no less no forgotten items... well usually ;)

A bit about my shopping

I have been couponing for nearly 3 years and stockpiling food for about 2 years.

I rarely buy anything that is not either on sale and/or has a coupon.

Couponing isn't just an afterthought to shopping.. to really make it work it has to be the basis of your shopping.

In a typical week I will ONLY buy the items listed with coupons match ups, with some exceptions

Staple items I buy..
Kroger Bread .88
Kroger slice cheese 1.29
Kroger sliced meat 1.39
Ramen Noodles .15 each
Kroger brand butter ?
Blue Bonnet sticks for baking .70?
Kroger brand drink mix $1.79
( I may add more later as it comes to me)

I try to make what meals I can with what we have.. we have a pretty good source of items.. some a bit odd.. I currently have more Royal Jello in my house than Walgreen's actually has in stock at the local store.. and it has nothing to do with being Mormon LOL

On occasion I will buy an impulse treat.. maybe a package of store brand cookies or an item I really like and the sale and coupons have since passed..

Its taken some adjusting.. but its worth it.. in many ways. I never pay full price for food and we always have food on hand.

I no longer use products I use to and I use alot of products I never thought I would.. My kids never ate fruit roll ups.. they were too expensive.. now I get em free or close to it.. I use to use Tide loyaly..but I have learned that not only are other brands cheaper.. but my clothes are just as clean. CVS and Walgreens practicaly give away ALL and Arm & Hammer. I dont shop the way I use to,.. and it actualy takes less time.. each and every trip is carefully laid out. I know exactly what I am getting. no more no less no forgotten items... well usually ;)

Coupon Parties..

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6739007&page=1

would you pay for a coupon class?

Coupon Parties..

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6739007&page=1

would you pay for a coupon class?