Thrifty Thursday #2 ~ It Pays to Wait

    

    Hello, and welcome to our second Thrifty Thursday post!  Today I want to talk about how it pays to wait.  My tip is:

Exercise patience when shopping, as acting on impulse is most often the enemy of frugality.

    What do I mean by this?  Quite simply, when I want (not need) to buy something, I don't just go out and buy it.  I wait, even if I have the funds for it.  I can't tell you how many times I have wanted something, but not wanting to pay full price for it, I pass it up only to find it cheaper somewhere else.  Sometimes, I find an alternative that I like better.  Other times I forget about the item altogether or realize that I don't really want or need it after all.  And of course, there is always the high chance that something will eventually go on sale.

    I held back a photo from last Thursday's post because I knew it would fit so well with today's theme.  This is just a small example.  I had been eyeing Rachel Ashwell's decorating books, but as they weren't something that I deemed a priority, I wasn't going to order them.  Then I saw one at a used book store and I thought, "Aha!"  But when I looked at the price, it was $18.  I just wasn't going to do that, either.  "I'll just wait," I thought.  Then as we were thrifting last week, I found these:

    They were only $3 each, so I snatched them up!  It pays to wait.

    I bought my gas stove the same way.  I researched and read reviews, shopped online to price compare, and finally found the one I wanted.  It was pricey, but for things like that, I am willing to invest.  However, just as I was about to order it, I saw that it would take over 3 months for me to get it (as just about everything these days).  So I thought I would wait.  Then it occurred to me to check Craigslist, and listed there was a beautiful gas stove that looked almost new.  I wanted it!  Of course I sat on it for a few days to make sure, but eventually Colton messaged the seller.  It was being sold by a man who lived in the Country Club estates, and he was remodeling his kitchen to accommodate a commercial stove because he loves to cook.  He said it worked great, and he even had the user manual.  I bought it for a fraction of the cost of the new one I almost bought.  It really upgrades the look of the kitchen, and it is serving me well.  It pays to wait.

    Another example: I have been thinking about how I want to have the boys' room once James moves into a "big boy" bed- which is going to be soon- so I have been looking at bedding.  Of course, ads pop up online and I saw the cutest little sheet sets from Pottery Barn.  One set had construction vehicles and another had dinosaurs- both things my boys like.  The problem is that they wanted $80 per twin size set!  I just can't justify that.  I'll invest in the comforters/quilts for the top, but I can't bring myself to do that for sheets, especially in the potty training years.  I decided I would just buy plain white ones when the time came so I wouldn't have to worry about matching.  Then one day as Colton and I were perusing the Walmart clearance aisle (we always check it when we go, even though most of the time we don't find anything), I found these:

    They are not the same as the Pottery Barn ones, but they are close enough!  And for less than $15, you can bet I was excited.  So it pays to wait.

    I have been wanting to buy a pajama sewing pattern to use for John, but I knew I didn't need to pay the MSRP.  I waited for a sale and snagged one for $1.99.  Waiting saved me nearly $12.

    Because I decided to wait instead of buying a dining room light fixture from a big box store, I now have a German crystal chandelier hanging above my dining table.  I never thought I would ever have anything like this, but it came from Craigslist for a song.  It was listed by an elderly gentleman who was going to be moving in with his son.  He had had it from his military days stationed in Germany, and he said he just wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate its beauty.  I appreciate it every day!  Can you believe it?!  It pays to wait!

    I have countless examples of this, but these are some of the more recent ones.  One thing I have learned over the years is that there is no rush when it comes to "wants" because something will always turn up.  If you do end up missing an opportunity, another one is sure to come along.  It just takes patience.  

    What about you?  Do you have any examples of how you saved by waiting?

Now for the ways I saved this week:

    As Colton has had the week off from school (he has been working as a school nurse on his days off from the fire station), we took another road trip.  It was just a short day trip this time, but we still managed to find some little thrift stores along the way to our destination.  I didn't find anything at the first one, but I found a few things at the second one: 

    The sweater is a J Crew brand wool/cotton blend.  It is so soft and doesn't look like it has any wear at all.  It was only $2.  The book actually goes along with today's tip!  I am a Sally Clarkson fan and have several of her books.  This is one I have been wanting, but since I have two by her that I still haven't read yet, I decided to wait.  I was just giddy when I found it at the thrift store and couldn't believe it.  I also found a little board book for James, but it isn't pictured because he quickly took possession of it.

    I packed snacks for the road, as usual.

    We had to stop at Walmart, and as is our custom, we checked the clearance section.  It was a different town, so I was especially interested to see what they had.  (I guess I'm easily amused!)  I found a set of popsicle molds that will be handy for making some healthier summer snacks and some craft supplies for my budding artist:

    Being in thrift store mode and taking advantage of Colton's time off, I went to our local thrift store the next day.  I hadn't been in months.  I found another sweater and a vintage princess style coat:

    I also found things for John, including a baseball glove, some geography-themed books, and a set of dinosaur stamps.  He was thrilled about the stamps:

    We sold our three ducks and one Silkie rooster.  I'm only four Silkies away from having my hatching pen back.

    I got out a fresh budget sheet for February and filled it in.  I love having a fresh start each month.

    I am being very careful to not let any fresh produce go to waste.  This week I had some things that were still good but nearing the end.  I boiled the rest of the white potatoes and made mashed potatoes to be eaten during the week.  The potato water was saved to water my rose bushes.  I baked the rest of the sweet potatoes for me to eat throughout the week, as well.  I chopped and froze celery, and I juiced some limes and saved the juice for adding to drinking water.

    I saved kitchen scraps and fed them to the chickens, dogs, and compost pile.

    I saved rainwater for watering seedlings (when I get them planted).

    I saved $39.16 on groceries by shopping the sales and using coupons.

    And that wraps up my week!  I am happy with my finds and my savings.  The last two Thursdays have seen me do an unusual amount of thrifting, and it was fun, but I think next week should look a bit more "normal" for me.  I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!