Filed under: Gift Ideas, Shopping, tips | Tags: free christmas gifts, frugal, frugal gifts
Here’s a great idea that can save you some money for the people on your Christmas list this year.
When you’re shopping for your usual products and items, keep an eye out for special deals such as Buy One, Get one Free, Or get this item FREE after a purchase. Some places also give cash back rewards after certain purchases.
Now, where can you find these deals. Start online. Search “Buy one, get one Free ___!” Magazine Subscriptions offer such deals as well.
Keep an eye out for newspaper and magazine ads for specials. Many department stores have a FREE gift offer at their cosmetic section if you buy a certain value of products. I like it how stores like Anchor Blue and Rue 21 offer reward bucks back good for your next purchase.
Talking about bucks, try shopping at CVS and getting a CVS card. Every week, they have specials that you can get items that have reward bucks good for your next purchase. Some items even end up free. And the cool things is that they also accept coupons too. Other stores that do the same progrmas include Rite Aid and Walgreens.
~kristine cruz-munda
Outlet shopping can be very fun, but it can be overwhelmed as well. You can easily get distracted and go out of budget. Here are a few tips on making your next outlet shopping be worth the trip.
for the frugal mommy from Las Vegas
1. Set a spending limit per store. Nothing can ruin a shopping trip like going home and feel completely guilty about your purchase.
2. Practice percentages in your head. You can use this to compute discounts that will be taken off at the register
3. Set a price limit per item. For example, if you put a $15 max limit per shirt, if you find one for $16.99, stick to your plan and pass it up?
4. Try clothes on first before you buy it. You’ll regret it once you get home if you don’t.
5. Bring coupons with you. Or, you can stop by the information desk and ask for specials and possibly a coupon book.
6. Park on one side of the outlet and go through the outlet as much as you can and come back to your car. You can drop off your bags and find a closer parking spot from where you left off.
7. Check your receipts. Make sure you were charged appropriately per item.
8. Bring a snack and a bottled drink. Outlet foods can be pricey.
9. Be sure of the sizes and preferences of the people you’re buying for. You wouldn’t want to buy an item to come to find out that the person won’t fit that item or dislikes that color.
10. Don’t buy the first thing you find. Scout around for the best deal before you purchase an item.
11. Finally, if you have doubts about the item you are purchasing, then don’t buy it. Following your instincts can save you lots of money.
~kristine cruz-munda
Here are a couple of cool unique presents, or even just for your own collections. You can go to the following websites and make personalized items. I think it’s so awesome that you can now do these on your own!
1. My MMs-- This one is what I’ve seen around the longest. People have been using them for party favors using the dates and names of he event. Just today, I saw an add saying you can even put your picture on it. How cool is that?
2. My Fruit Rollups-There are preloaded images available for you to pick and choose from. Then you can personalize the sentiment on the roll up for your special occasion.
3. My Jones Soda- I’ve always been a fan of their soda. It’s very unique how each label is a photo submission from a fan. Now you can order you own 12 packs case with your photo on the label. Yay!
4. Kellog’s Cereal Box- How come I haven’t seen this before? I think this is the most genius way to make your kids not skip breakfast? Imagine, your face in a cereal box, next to Tony the Tiger!
5. Shutterfly Photo Adventure book- There are many websites offering services to personalize a storybook with your child’s info in it. I like Shutterfly’s version better because you can also include the face of the child in the story.
6. Cafepress- I love Cafepress! It’s an oldie but goodie. You can always find something for every topic. Or if you want something specific, make a design of your own!
~kristine cruz-munda
The other day, I saw a flier that said “Christmas in July Sale!” Then I realized, there’s only five months left till Christmas. We better start planning on gifts this year. Have you? If you need some ideas, here are a few tips on scoring the best value for your money.
1) Use company discounts to establishments your work may give you. Some may have discount movie tickets, discount to retailers, themeparks, etc.
2) Use coupons and rebates. Aside from saving using coupons, you can even get free stuff if you use rebates and cashback offers.
3) Use credit card rewards for presents. Rewards vary from Starbucks cards to Macy’s Gift cards to hotel gift cards.
4) Use search engines for coupon codes before checkout at online stores. You can save either on your total purchase or you shipping.
5) Subscribe to money saving websites for current listings of sales and special deals. Try Babycheapskate or Freebies4Mom.
Filed under: Gift Ideas, tips | Tags: $10.00, children presents, Gift Ideas
Times are much harder nowadays than ever. Fortunately, it is still possible to find wonderful presents for children under $10 they will surely enjoy. Here are a couple of ideas to make Christmas shopping for children more affordable.
1. Buy seasonal accessories- Many stores sell glove and beanie sets between $8-$10.00. Some of them would even include a scarf. With all the sales going on nowadays, you can even find sweaters for $10.00 or less. Just keep an eye out for the child’s favorite character of color.
2. Arts and Crafts Kits- A few examples of these kits are jewelry making kits for girls, play dough, coloring kits with books, mini figuring painting kits, spin art, etc.
3. CDs or DvDs- It is still possible to find inexpensive, quality CDs and DVDs. You can go to Rite Aid, Walmart or Target for a wide selection. If you still can’t find the exact one you’re looking for, you can always try Amazon.com. You can get free shipping if you order enough items, or some vendors will sell you a product for about $5.00-$6.00 and ship it to you for less than $3.00.
4. Story Books/ Activity Books- You can find really great ones under $10.00 at the Bargain bins of Barnes and Noble or Borders. For the money you’re willing to spend, you might even be able to buy 2 books with your money.
5. Building Toys- From brand name toys like small Lego sets, to Konex, many toys are available under $10.00. They are mostly available at Target stores or KB toy stores.
6. Action Figures/ Dolls- Boys will appreciate a Spider man action figure while little girls will enjoy playing with a Barbie Doll. These are classics, and they are sure to please any child.
7. Snack Gift Package- You can always put together a snack pack and put it in either an inexpensive lunch box or plastic container. You can include some Fruit roll ups, Granola bars, Yogos, raisins, etc.
8. $10 Fast Food Gift Card- For child, a $10 fast food gift card can go a long way. Besides, they will enjoy being able to spend their own gift card the next time they go out.
9. Bath Sets- There are gift bath sets containing foam soap, a bubble bath and a toy for about $8.00 a piece at drug store chains. They have cool themes like Tinker bell, Shrek, Superman, etc. And lately, they’ve been advertising “Buy one get 2nd one half off.”
10. Slippers- There are a wide variety of comfortable slippers. There are many plain colored ones for the child who doesn’t like too much design. But there are also plenty of themed ones for children who likes characters like Hello Kitty, Elmo, Bob the builder, etc.
11. Pillows- Character or designed pillows are perfect for children. You can ask the parents what their bedroom theme is to give you an idea. If the little girl likes flowers or clouds, make sure you pick one in the right color scheme. Or if the little boy’s room is decorated with stars, or the solar system, a rocket ship pillow might be perfect for him.
12. Throw Blanket- There are plenty of throw blankets you can purchase for under $10.00. Some blankets even go on sale for three for $10.00 at certain stores like Big Lots or Walmart during the holiday season.
13. Outdoor Play Toys- These kind of toys are perfect to keep the children active during the holidays. You can get balls, a hula hoop, boomerang, Frisbee, etc.
14. Game Boards- Many toy stores or even drug stores sell game boards for a really good price. Connect Four, Checkers, Card games, and Snakes and Ladders are classic favorites. But of course, there are plenty of other ones that you can choose from.
15. Pajamas- Keeping a child warm in cozy pajamas is a great idea for a Christmas present. For younger children under age 5, stores like Carters or Children’s Place always have a good deal on pajamas. For older children, Target, Kmart and Walmart always have a fine selection to choose from.
Filed under: Gift Ideas, Gift wrapping tips, tips | Tags: covering prices on gifts, tips
Here is an example of a problem about giving away inexpensive presents.
You can still see the price!Here’s my solution:
Also, you can put small stickers on the dollar price. Or you can punch a hole on the price.You can leave it as is or…
…Decorate with a label, ribbons, both =)
What do you give someone who probably owns every paper they find at a scrapbook store? Here are a few ideas.
1. Paper Flowers
2. Adhesive
3. Paper Punchers
4. Fancy Chipboard Letters
5. 12×12 container for paper or unfinished projects
6. An exacto knife
7. A subscription to a scrap booking magazine
8. Buttons
9. Ribbons
10. A book of sayings
11. A gift card (and coupons) to their favorite craft store
12. Markers
13. Decorative chalk
14. Acrylic paints
15. Paper Cutter
Filed under: tips
Adding gift toppers to any present can make your gift wrapping a little more interesting and fun. Here are a few ideas on what items you can use as gift toppers which can even double as a smaller present for that special someone.
1. Small stuffed toy- An adorable stuffed animal attached to a present is priceless. You can fasten the stuffed animal’s feet with the ribbons on the present. Or you can make a pouch, out of fabric or paper, attach it onto the present and slip your stuffed animal with it’s head peeking out.
2. Rattles-These are perfect present for little babies. And they are easy to attach by stringing and typing them onto the present.
3. Candy- Small boxes of candy will do well as you can attach them by simply taping them onto your present.
4. Small picture frame- You can either have your message inside the frame, or have the recipients picture inside as well.
5. Keychain- These are always fun because there are many interesting keychain designs out there. Besides, everyone needs a keychain, right?
6. Ornaments- These are perfect for Christmas presents. They can add it to their tree ornaments. It can even be something something specific probably saying, “Baby’s First Christmas”, or “Our First Home.”
7. Hair Clips- These are fun toppers to put on little girl presents. Many hair clips are shiny and funky, they look like decorations anyway. This way, you don’t have to worry about how to wrap the hair clips separately as a gift.
8. Decorative Pins- These are beautiful toppers for women presents. My favorite present for ladies are scraves. And this is a perfect complement topper with the present.
9. Flowers- Silk Flowers are very beautiful by itself of with a present. They can be used as a decoration in the home even after the present has been opened and used.
10. Magnets- There are also a variety of magnets that you can use as a gift topper. It would be easy to attach them onto a present if they were in a clear cello bag or you can put them in a small baggie and tie it onto a ribbon on the present.
Filed under: tips
Who ever said that gift wrapping is limited only to gift wrap! Here are a couple of ideas that you can use to wrap that present to make it extra special.
1. Gift Tissue
2. Newspaper
3. Paper bag
4. Scrapbook paper
5. Towels
6. Blankets
7. Old calendars
8. Cellophane
9. Hankerchief/ Bandana
10. Scarf
Filed under: tips
Here are some ideas of how presents that maybe a small gift (gift cards, jewelry, pensets, wallets, note pads, small book, cds, dvds, soap, make up, belt, socks, tickets, etc.) can be made into a memorable present with a little creativity and imagination.
1. Include it in a gift set
2. Attach it to a balloon bouquet
3. Put it in a bigger box or container
4. Put together with other people’s presents
5. Attach it to a bigger present like a stuffed animal, candy or flowers
6. Personalize it.
7. Make your gift wrapping pop out
