Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV
We all like to entertain and have our friends over to our homes from time to time. However, everyone is really feeling the ramifications of the economy. I would like to suggest to you throw a Pot Luck dinner and Game Night with your friends. Not only does it cost little, but it also is fun evening. Every one like to bring something over anyway. The last time we did this our stomaches hurt! Not only from all of the great food but from the laughter as well.
Here is a frugal tip that I learned about on QVC. If you want you candles to burn evenly and last longer chill them before use. You can place them in the freezer for up to 24 hours but in a pinch 8 hours in the refridgerator. I have done this myself and my Slatkin Candles (which cost a fortune) have lasted me a year now :O)
Well worth it to me!
This year I want to urge you to make your own gifts for everything, Christmas, Birthday's etc. Not only will it save you money, it will also teach you a new skill and everyone I know loves a homemade gift.
Here are some ideas:
Melt old crayons in a muffin tin and make new crayons
Make soap crayons
You could make food in gift jars.
Make a quilt
There are a ton of sources on line you could search and learn from.
Good Luck!
I have over the years learned some "old fashioned" skills and it has saved me a lot of money. Here are a few ideas for you.
I learned how to crochet and now I can make blankets for my family and friends for presents or just to lounge in.
I learned how to quilt it may not be the best yet, but it was made with lots of love.
I am learning how to sew a sorta straight line recently and made my own grocery bags.
Learn a new skill, and save money. It is fun to do and people always appreciate a hand made gift.
The easiest way to save a lot of money is this: SAY NO!
Say no to the coffee with friends at the Starbucks across the street. Have coffee at home instead.
Say no to the thirteen extra curricular activities your children want to do. Limit it to one, then you can actually eat dinner together as a family.
Say no to fast food for lunch each day, and pack a lunch instead. Maybe leftovers from last nights dinner?
ARC, DAV, Salvation Army, Goodwill what do these words mean to you? To me they mean bargain city baby!
I just love a good, clean, well organize, and well priced thrift store. I love going on the big sale day and looking for the hidden treasures abound. It might be the one book in a series I don't have, or a vintage cookbook, or it might be a diaper changing table for the baby. You never know what you may find when you go to the thrift store. Always shop with a list of items you NEED or are looking for otherwise your wallet will see a hit.
Some people turn up their noses when the word Garage Sale is said. Not me! I love a good Garage Sale, I love having them and I love shopping them. What a great way to get rid of my junk and make some extra cash. I also love shopping Garage Sales because my family likes to collect items. My husband and boys like legos and so we look for legos, we also look for tools and things needed around the house. I collect old cookbooks from the 1950's and I also like aprons. Some people I know collect Milk Glass, Garage Sales are a great place to look.
So the GREEN movement is in full force and everyone you know is jumping on the bandwagon. This is FANTASTIC news for you. How you ask? Because you have a beautiful opportunity to make money! We collect cans and cash them in, newspapers too.
Do you barter? Do you have a skill that no one else does in your circle of friends? Recently my husband started bartering with people he knows for services our family needs. How does he do this? Well, he offers a customized web site for their business in exchange for services for our family. It could be salon services, taxes, or legal work. I have been know to barter food services for painting or food services for some sewing work. (I still can't sew a straight line, I am trying!)
Go to craigslist.org run do not walk do it do it now!
Seriously, Craigslist is amazing not only can you sell anything without a fee, there is a FREE section as well! A frugal woman's dream. You can also barter if you wish.
What are you waiting for? GO!