Thrifty Thursday

This post is something from my norm.  I wanted to share another side of me.  Sometimes I wake up with an overwhelming desire to go to a thrift store. When this happens I usually get one location in mind.  If my schedule allows it, I usually try to squeeze it in.  With the start of a few fall activities, I wanted some longer skirts - something I normally don't wear.  With my body type I find getting a good fit hard to do sometimes.  I love getting bargains at thrift store though.

This cute sweater will be my Christmas top.  I've developed a habit of finding something red in summer or fall for the upcoming season.   

And a closer look - it still has the 79.00 tag.  New for only $4.00!

I bought this skirt to go with the red sweater - however I think this skirt will get much more use in my closet.  I just love black with small white poke a dots!   So classic.  For my Christmas outfit I have a black lace covered shell I plan to wear. 

This outfit was hanging together.  It's a Christopher and Banks - which is one store I usually find a great fit in.  This of course was much less expensive than getting it straight from the store.  The skirt looks much lighter in the picture than it really is.  The flash picked up all the light colors.  The perks of longer skirts is that I can wear to church when I hang out with the second graders and not worry about how I sit on the floor.

And my favorite piece.  White and turquoise.  I have several ideas on how this will work.  When I went shopping I was sure I would find several A line skirts, this was the only one.  What a gem!  I have several things planned to go with this skirt.  It will replace a couple skirts I can't currently wear because of my waist line.  Now if my knees will allow me to wear the matching high heals again.

I found a fabulous red dress that was a bit to small.  I struggle with whether to buy it.  If I lost some weight it would fit - so buy it.  But I gave up filling my closet with close that will fit when I lose the weight.  So I hung it on the rack.  A lady behind me picked it up for her sister. I glad it went home with someone.  I knew it wouldn't last long.

One thing I don't have a picture of is a set of vintage dishes my mother has wanted for years.  It wasn't the exact print, but one the complemented what she had collected and she loved them.  I found a seven piece setting of plates, saucers, tea cups, bowl for under $15.00.  Much higher price on Ebay!

Remember God love you!

Savings Tips

Things I use to save money.  It take time.  Just consider it extra pay to yourself for each dollar you save.

Coupons

Sunday Coupon Preview blog.  I follow this blog.  I look at the coupons for the up coming week to see if it's worth getting a weekend paper.  My only flaw in this plan is sometimes I forget to get the paper on weekends when the coupons are good.  It does save me on those weekend where there is no coupons.

I file my coupons by month.  Then review each week with sales ads when item goes on sale or I need the product.  I also go to various coupon sites to print coupons from my computer.  

Price sheet.  

I keep a price sheet on items that go on sale frequently and are usually a bigger savings.  It's good to know what you're spending.  I update every few months in the store, which is writing down the price as I shop.  Also, I update after shopping trips.  I enter the price from my receipt.  It's really helpful when I look at sales ads.  I often list things by price per piece, like toilet paper and bar soap.  And remember that if you do have a sales ad with a lower price, Wal-mart will match it.

I list the stores that I'm most likely to shop at and are on my way during my normal week.  I don't like Meijer, since they don't include all their sales in their ad, although one is really close to me.  And for non-grocery items (besides pet food), I pay several dollars more for most items.  If their sales ad was more inclusive, it'd be a different story.  I may be missing out on deals, oh well.  I want to know the deals when I leave my house to shop, not wait and see what each store has to offer.  That leads in to...

Sales ads.  

On weeks I don't get a paper, I go to Shop Local. com.  This site has most the ads for my area.  I still might have to go to the actual store site sometimes.  This site save a lot of time.  Only drawback it it isn't in print and if there were coupons in the ad (like Walgreens), then I'm out of luck.  It's great to use as a comparison on my price sheet.  Then I know whether it is a good price or if I just think it is.  

Retrench

“Can we retrench? Does it occur to you that there is any on article in which we can retrench?” and They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt. – Jane Austen

Anne Elliot is often thought of as dull insipid character.  I think she is patient, kind and secure.  She is confident in her own that it does not bother her so much when others slight her.  Even being close to her love, she becomes vibrant, just like me when I am close to my Lord.

But this isn’t about Anne, this is about the need to retrench.  This is self imposed, not because of a direct need.  I do feel that I spent a little to much last month do to lack of planning, however, we’re still financially sound. 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

No this is more about a need to constrain myself to what is truly needed.  To be a better steward of God’s provisions.  We have some goals we want to meet and won’t get there if we keep making those little extras that add up.  I’d like to tackle our mortgage (our only debt), plan a family trip and do a slight remodel on my bedroom (I hope to post that later this year).  I also want to be more generous to others in need.

These goals won’t be met unless I cut back.  Since I spend most of our discretionary funds, it’s up to me to retrench.

I’ll be posting about ways I retrench.  The obvious ways will include:

cook at home, less processed foods

use my creative skills to make things rather than buy

use coupons, sales ads and price comparison list when shopping