Ways to Save $$$ from Readers

A part of being prepared, which goes hand in hand with food storage is to be frugal. The holidays are just around the corner, and wouldn’t it be great to be DONE  ( & have the money) with your shopping by Dec 23rd? I selected some great tips from readers on how they save money.

Tiff, “ Plant a garden. Even the smallest space can save you money. If you don’t already have permanent fruit or vegetables like Grape vines, blueberry bushes, strawberry plants, it is so easy to begin. Planting these kinds of things is nice because all you do is plant them once, water, fertilize and enjoy the fruits for years and years. Watching your food grow is very satisfying.”

Traci, “This is my little tip that i have been doing. I have a fireplace and we use it all winter. This is our main heat source. We chop and store our own wood but we did buy fire starters, they cost alot just to burn up. So I save dryer lint and put it in empty toilet paper tubes. Cover the ends in with a little wax and it works great. We take them camping and to start our grill. Anyways it may be silly to some but it works for me.”

Jami says, “I consign my clothes, my children’s clothes, toys, etc. at the seasonal consignments in the fall and spring b/c you get to set your own price on your items and you get to keep 70% of what sells. A website to check for consignments in your area is thebargainwatcher.com. Whatever does not sell I will take to the local consignment stores and then from there I will usually have an anually or semi-annual garage sale. I take the money from all of this and turn around and use it to buy more clothes, usually from garage sales (I know the neighborhoods to shop in!).”

Jenny says, “Buy in bulk and on sale. We try to eat as organically as possible which not often the cheapest thing to accomplish. For this reason the coupon clipping days where I could get boxed cereal for 50 cents a box are just not thrifty for us. I have found we spend less on doctor bills, medicines and just feel better and have more energy when we eat as naturally and simply as possible. So to stay in our budget and still provide those important healthy and yummy foods we buy in bulk from Azure Standard, and local stores health food stores. This way I can use half of my monthly budget for fresh items and non-food item and half goes to either buying or saving for bulk items. Then I rent a canning machine from the LDS Cannery (for free) and purchase #10 cans and lids from them (under a $1.00 each) and can the extras to keep them fresh and use them later…healthy, organic and affordable food storage! I think food is something we should spend money on to get the best product to put into our bodies and save on the other things.”

What are some ways that you can save money around the holidays? I know that when I am not prepared, that is when I have to fork out the cash. Below are a couple of suggestions to be ready for the holidays:

• It’s the most wonderful time of the year - year round! Whenever you hear a loved one say something they want - write it down! That way, you can shop sales throughout the year, and come the Holidays, you will have all your purchases done! You will also be able to spread your budget year round, instead of spending a TON of money around the holidays.  ( Hopefully Oct 1st is warning enough)
• Shop clearance for gift ideas and stock up. I came across some towel warmers for $10!! The year before I spent $60 on the exact some towel warmer for my in-laws. Yup - I was sad!
• If you know you will have a “food assignment” over the Holidays, be sure you know what it is ahead of time. This way, you have time to look and can buy things when they are on sale before the holidays.

What are some ways you save $$ in preparing for the holidays?