Thrifty Thursday #11 ~ Mark Your Calendar

    One of the best ways to find a good price on new items is to pay attention to your calendar.  Most stores run holiday sales, seasonal sales, end-of-season sales, etc.  If you have an item on your list, waiting for one of these sales can really pay off.

    In the US, we are now in our back-to-school season.  Art supplies and office supplies are at their lowest price of the year, so this is the best time to stock up on those types of things.  Think ahead for the year, and also keep in mind that you can use any of these supplies as gifts later on.  For example, a pack of pens can be given with a set of handmade cards or a notebook (which will also be on sale this time of year).  Crayons, markers, paints, or colored pencils can be paired with a coloring book or blank sketch pad.  Other things like back packs, lunch boxes, thermoses, and food containers are also currently on sale, as well as lunch box type food and snacks.

    Back-to-school season also means that some will be going off to college.  Small appliances, bedding, storage containers, and organizers are on sale to help students get set up in their dorms.  Again, think ahead for the possibility of gifts later in the year if you have someone on your list who might benefit from any of these things.

    Here in Texas, we have Tax Free Weekend coming up, when there is no sales tax on clothing.  Many stores often run additional sales that weekend to lure customers in.  We might brave the crowds this year as Colton needs a new wardrobe for his school nurse job.  John grows out of his pants faster than we can buy them, so we might do some shopping for his next size up, too.

    As summer comes to a close, stores will clearance out all of their summer gear: toys, garden supplies, pool items, outdoor grills and accessories, patio furniture, clothes, etc.  Now is the time to act on what you might need for next summer.  This goes for any end-of-season sale.  Look ahead to next year and you won't have to pay full price when the time comes because you'll already have what you need.

    Of course, there are always sales around holidays.  Major appliances usually go on sale around Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Father's Day.  (This post is not about whether or not these holidays should be commercialized, so please don't come after me!  I'm simply saying that if you need something, you may as well buy it on sale and save your household some money.)  A lot of craft supplies go on sale around Halloween, and again in March as that is National Craft Month.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are good times to stock up on baking and pantry items, among other things.

    After-holiday sales can be just as good, if not better.  Again, think ahead for what you might use the next year.  Things that go on clearance after a holiday are not necessarily holiday specific, either.  Red or green will be associated with Christmas as long as it is in an aisle of Christmas items, but if you have a red kitchen and there are red cookware items on sale, for instance, no one is going to know any different.  The same with pink or heart-shaped items after Valentine's Day.  These can be used any time, or saved for other romantic occasions like anniversaries.  After last Valentine's Day, I bought several bath salt gift sets on clearance, none of which said anything about Valentine's Day on the packaging.  Something like that would make a great gift at any time of the year.  I saw a video by Frugal Fit Mom on YouTube where she went to the after-Christmas sales and bought shampoo and body wash gift sets in the brand her family likes.  She said she does this every year and buys enough of these toiletries to last them until the next after-Christmas sale.  This takes care of her needs for a fraction of what she would normally pay.  Again, I'm thinking these could be used as gifts, especially for people who may be hard to buy for, like men or teenagers.  Things like candy can, of course, be enjoyed no matter what the wrapper or packaging looks like (speaking from personal experience).

    The start of the year is all about health and fitness.  If you have been wanting to invest in exercise equipment, or you need some new tennis shoes or other workout gear, that is a good time to shop.  Many stores also run semi-annual sales in January and again in June.  Anything from household items, bedding, and linens, to clothing and beauty products can be found at a discount.

    If you keep a list such as the one we talked about last week, or if you keep a gift list for others, look over it and see if you can time your purchases to catch a sale.  Waiting for a deal is a sure way to stretch your money.

    Have I forgotten anything?  Let me know if you think of other times to save throughout the year, so we can all mark our calendars! 

Thrifty Thursday #10 ~ Keep a List

    As I wrote last week, being frugal does not mean living a life of deprivation.  From time to time, we are going to see things we want to buy and think of things we'd like to have.  Inevitably, expenses will also come up as we manage our homes and things will need to be purchased.  In order to keep track of these wants and needs, I suggest keeping a list of them.  

   { I was recently inspired to do this by Mrs. White in her post about keeping a "wish book". }

    As it wouldn't be prudent (or possible) to buy everything we want or need all at once, making a list can help us prioritize these things and see where we need to focus our efforts.  Until our budget allows for a purchase, it is fun to dream and plan, and it can serve as extra motivation to save in the meantime. 

    Keeping a list is handy when you are on the hunt for something.  If you like to shop at thrift stores or garage sales, referring to your list can help you stay focused on what you are looking for so that you don't forget anything.  This is also a good reminder to watch for sales on the items you want so that you can avoid paying full price.  In both instances, remember that It Pays to Wait.  A list can help you do that.

    Here is my own little book I made from things I had on hand:

    I have different categories: books, home, garden, preparedness, homeschool, beauty (self-care, clothes), and miscellaneous.  I also made sections for Colton and the boys.  This is so I can write down things they need or little things that they mention they want and use that as a sort of gift guide.  If there is an occasion and I need a gift for them, or if someone else asks, I can refer to my book.

    I did get a little carried away in the decorating process, but fun is part of the point.  I am thinking of writing a crafty post...if you are interested in my process and a more detailed look inside, please let me know in the comments!

Edit: Here is a detailed look inside!

    Before I close, I want to offer a word of caution.  It is so important to be content with what we have, as opposed to longing for the things we don't.  This book isn't meant to inspire any sort of materialism, covetousness, or discontent, but rather as a fun and useful tool to help you reach your savings goals while enjoying some little pleasures along the way.  So please, enjoy this activity but let it serve you and not the other way around.  Remember to lay up your treasure in Heaven.💕

How Long Will It Last?

    Many of us like to keep a well-stocked pantry and have a good supply of things we regularly use.  But have you ever wondered just how long that supply will last?  Or maybe you know how long you want your supply to last but aren't sure how much to stock.  For things that get used over a period of time, such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, laundry products, water jugs, and even some foods, you can take the guesswork out by simply marking the date on the packaging the next time you open a new product to use.  Once the product is gone, use that starting date to calculate how long it took you to use it and record it in a journal.  From there, you can figure out how many months' (or years'!) worth of a product you have in your pantry.  Or, if you want to store a year's worth of something, for example, you'll know exactly how much you need to reach that goal. 

    If you are like me, you can also turn this into a challenge.  If it takes you two months to use a bottle of something, see if you can stretch the next bottle to last an extra week.  Writing the date on the bottle will remind you each time you use it to exercise moderation.

    If you record your usage throughout the year, you can also see if your needs change seasonally and adjust from there.  For example, summer might require more laundry if you garden or live in a hot climate.  It does here!  You might go through more dish detergent in the fall and winter months if you do lots of seasonal baking and hosting.

    This is a simple way to tailor your pantry to your own family's size and needs, and I hope it helps you in your preparedness efforts.  Let me know if you think it's something you might try!