I used to buy my kids’ clothes a year in advance, on clearance. Then they both hit huge growth spurts and started skipping sizes. So this year I found myself needing to buy winter clothing for both kids…right before winter.
I wasn’t too hopeful that I’d find a great deal, but I did. For my son, I hit The Children’s Place Online. Looking in the clearance section, I was able to buy 7 shirts, 4 pairs of pants, and a nice, heavy hoodie for $82. Then I applied a $20 off $80 code. Add $5 for shipping, and I spent $67. In addition, I shopped through Ebates, so I’ll receive 3% back.
But could I find that kind of deal for my daughter, since she’s right between children’s and junior sizes?
I logged into Swagbucks, and realized I had enough for a $100 JCPenney gift card. So I redeemed my bucks for a giftcard. As soon as the gift card hit my account, I hit the sale section at JCPenney, logging in through Ebates. I was able to buy 4 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, and a hoodie for $111 shipped. But then I used a coupon to take $15 off, to bring the total down to $96. So I paid nothing out of pocket, and I’m getting 3% back from Ebates. Not bad, huh?
If you’ve never used Ebates or Swagbucks, make sure you sign up! It’s definitely worth it!
News of Note
Next week I’m going to be writing more about budgeting, and I have a fantastic giveaway to go with the theme! So be watching for that.
And I don’t usually beg for votes, but the daughter of some very good friends of mine is entered in a Halloween costume contest. She’s doing very well, but there’s some stiff competition. If you could vote for her, I would appreciate it! You can vote 3 times, and voting ends today! Let’s help the princess win!
The Roundup
If you’re looking for more great reading, make sure you check out these articles:
Have a great weekend!
Photo by theogeo.
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The following is a regular feature by Kyle of Rather-Be-Shopping. If you like this post, consider subscribing to his blog’s RSS feed.
I like Lynnae’s tagline, “Live More. Spend Less.” This made me think of some of the more unconventional ways you can spend less money in everyday life. Most of us are already familiar with money saving tips like cutting back on the cable bill or stop driving through your local Starbucks for a $4 milkshake, I mean, umm, cup of coffee. Those are fairly common sense. But here are a few not-so-common sense ways to save money. Some of which I have done and some are courtesy of my very frugal Dad.
~ Water Plants With Recycled Water. This one comes from my Dad. He puts a 5 gallon bucket in the corner of the shower and when it gets full, he uses the water on his houseplants and plants on his patio. Plants can always use a little conditioner I guess.
~ Haircut For Less. This one is courtesy of my wife. She was going to a hair salon for a few months when she decided to ask if they had a “training day”. They did, and now she gets her hair done by a trainee, they always do a great job, and it costs a fraction of the regular price. Ask about this at your hair salon or look for a cosmetology school in your area that may offer training days.
~ Save Water In The Shower. Again, this one is from my frugal Dad. He gets in the shower, turns on the water to get wet, turns off the water, soaps up, then turns the water back on. He does indeed save water, but he has not had a warm shower since 1973. :-)
~ Brick In The Toilet. By putting a brick in the back of the toilet, you use less water every time you flush. This tip works best if you have an older toilet that uses a lot of water on every flush. The newer ‘low-flow’ toilets use much less water and would make a brick in the back less useful.
Do you think any of these tips are worth the time and effort? Please feel free to add your unconventional frugal living tips. Looking forward to your comments.
Now on to a more conventional money saving idea, online coupons. These coupons may be able to help you save money on things you need or maybe your early Christmas shopping. If your favorite store is not listed, please contact me and I will do my best to personally find you a coupon code.
Eddie Bauer.com
Get 20% Off your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: HOLRESTW9
Expiration: 11/09/09
See All: Eddie Bauer Coupons
Lands End.com
Free shipping on your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: NOV6 w/ the PIN 00009025
Expiration: 11/06/09
See All: Lands End Coupons
Mikasa.com
Get 20% Off the Highest Priced Item in your order
Coupon Code: TWENTY
Expiration: 11/22/09
See All: Mikasa Coupons
Melissa & Doug.com
Free Shipping on your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: freeship75
Expiration: 12/31/09
See All: Melissa & Doug Coupons
Old Navy.com
Free Shipping on your $50+ online purchase
Coupon Code: ONSHIP50
Expiration: 11/08/09
See All: Old Navy Coupons
Puma Store.com
Get 30% off your entire online purchase
Coupon Code: FANDF0911
Expiration: 11/07/09
See All: Puma Coupons
Sensational Beginnings.com
Save $10 off your $50+ online purchase
Coupon Code: MONEYSAVER
Expiration: 12/25/09
See All: Sensational Beginnings Coupons
Photo by stevendepolo.
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I like to send and receive Christmas cards. In today’s busy society, sometimes Christmas cards are the only time I update relatives on our family. And sometimes it’s the only time I receive updates.
But a few years ago, I found that my Christmas card routine was getting pretty cluttered…and expensive. I would buy the cards. Then I’d sign every one, with a short, personal message. Then I’d type up a longer family update in a family newsletter. I’d march the family down to a photo studio, for a Christmas picture. Then I’d have to cut out the pictures and stuff them into the envelope with the card and newsletter.
There had to be a better way.
These days I’ve changed my card routine a bit. We still write the Christmas letter, which we sign with our very own handwriting. Sometimes we attach a personal message too.
But instead of buying Christmas cards and paying for a professional portrait, I take a picture at home, and then I order photo cards. I stuff the envelope with the photo card and the family newsletter, and send them on their way.
Photo cards don’t have to be boring or expensive. A couple of our pictures from years gone by are:
The kids in front of the Christmas tree (I gave my son a present to hold, to keep his hands busy).
And the whole family in front of the tree in our matching pajamas.
I’ll admit that I’m not creative when coming up with Christmas picture ideas. A quick search of the internet will lead you to more ideas than you’ll ever use, though. The best ideas I came across can be found at Thrifty Fun here and here.
After you’ve taken (and possibly photoshopped) the perfect picture, you can either make up Christmas cards yourself and print them out, or you can upload the picture to a third party website, like Shutterfly or Snapfish to create Christmas cards for you. I don’t have photoshop, and I haven’t had time to learn Gimp yet (the free alternative), so I use whatever site has the best deals on photo cards at the time I’m shopping. Right now Vista Print has the best deal, so that’s probably who I’ll use.
If you give yourself enough time, you can create your own unique and frugal Christmas cards.
If you have a frugal tip, write a post and link back to Being Frugal.net. Then sign MckLinky, so others can find your post.
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