Here’s an example of how I have used the “buy ahead principle” for purchasing my daughter’s Christmas gifts.

• bath robe – regularly $20, after Christmas sale in Feb for $5
• two-wheel scooter – regularly $17, Black Friday sale for $5
• Hanna Montana doll set – regularly $28-32?, after Christmas sale in Feb for $7-8
• guitar purse – regularly $8-9, clearance for $2-3
• Barbie Advent calendar – regularly $20, after Christmas sale for $5
• Pet Shop bubble bath – regularly $10, clearance for $2.50
• High School Musical umbrella – regularly $8, clearance for $2
• Pet Shop electronic game – regularly $13, clerance for $3.24

This is approximately $125 in gifts for the bargain price of about $35.  My daughter will have a nice selection of toys under the tree this year, and all things that she likes.

Those of you with older children may find buying ahead more difficult, however, it is not impossible.  Try picking up just a few things that you’ll know they’ll like, even if it’s just stocking stuffers or dvds.  Every little bit saved helps.

Did you shop all year for Christmas?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

KidsPark centers offer day, evening and weekend care for children ages 2-11 and is open almost each and every day of the year with parent schedule friendly hours – they’re open from 8 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. KidsPark also offers recession conscience prices (about $7.50 per hour) so most families can afford it. There’s no reservation needed – families register once and they’re in the KidsPark system.

Safety - KidsPark exceeds state licensing requirements with an average teacher-child ratio of 1:8. At all times, no matter the number of children present there are two staff on site. If a child needs one-on-one attention, another teacher is available to the group.

All KidsPark staff is:

• Certified in First Aid and CPR
• Screened by the Department of Justice
• Trained in Early Childhood Education and Recreation
• Required to attend staff development and skill building workshops

KidsPark offers lots of hands-on projects, art projects, games and a pretty slick calendar of seasonal special events. Additionally, various areas for different activities are designated at each center. Such as…

• Creation Station – for art, cooking, hands-on-science and more.
• Activity Area – where kids can play individually or in group with toys, play pretend in the playhouse or investigate the book nook.
• Mountain of Energy – an active minded structure that kids can pretend is a mountain, space ship and more.
• Theater – an areaused for story times, music, G-rated movies, games and guest performers.
• Sport Court – perfect for kids tired of being inside all winter, kids can kick goals, shoot baskets, play 4-square or just enjoy a game of catch.
• Blue Crew – a school-age area that encourages interaction with peers. Older kids can learn more detailed art projects, play age appropriate games and non-violent video games or do homework.

The only downside I see to KidsPark is that there are not nearly enough of them. Current locations include Arlington/Texas, Jacksonville/FL, Scottsdale/AZ, Olathe/Kansas and in California – Chico, Northridge, Corona, Fresno, Rocklin, Sacramento, and their pilot centers in San Jose, CA. That said there are also three additional locations opening in the first half of 2010.

If you live in one of the areas with a KidsPark you may want to check them out for holiday care this year while they’re out of school or while you need to holiday shop OR set up a date night with your partner.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Look for pre-Christmas 50% off sales - Craft stores such as Michael’s, AC Moore, and Hobby Lobby frequently have select merchandise 50% off before the actual holiday.  The sales change each week, so be sure to keep a watchful eye on sales papers or better yet, sign up for their emails.

Use coupons - Some stores have online printable coupons or coupons in the Sunday paper.  Again, it’s important to sign up for emails from stores.  This is usually where you’ll score the good printables.  Also, check coupons.com.  A few weeks ago, I was able to get a $5 coupon off Mr. Potato Head.  Using the coupon, I only paid $.99 for the toy.

Shop after Christmas sales - This tip isn’t going to help you now, but it’s a great money saving tip.  Each year, I try to put aside a little bit of money so that I can add to my collection.  Some years I buy things for my village and other years I purchase things for my tree.  Now that we have our own home, I’d like to buy a few things for the yard.

Look on Craigslist and Freecycle - Sign up for email alerts for Craiglist and Freecycle postings in your area.  Many times during the holidays, people use time off from work to sort through things and get rid of things they don’t need.  You can also post a wanted ad.

Make your own - There are so many cute ideas out there for making your own decorations.  Martha Stewart and Better Homes & Gardens always have such great suggestions.  There are many other sites out there as well.

Look at dollar stores - Over the years, I have found some nice ornaments and decorations (including Hallmark ornaments) in Dollar Tree.  Things can sometimes be a bit junkier than in times past, but occasionally you can still find some treasures in there.

Put it on your Christmas wish list - When your family and friends ask what you want for Christmas, be sure to tell them some Christmas decorations.  You might want to be specific though, so that you don’t end up with something hideous.

Be content - Realize that it’s not reasonable to have everything at one time.  It takes years to accumulate the things you want.  Be happy with what you have, try not to covet other people’s things, and have a simple and happy time.

What tips do you have for saving money on Christmas decorations?

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Here are few ways to save on babysitting.

1)  Go on a lunch date. This is our newest way to save.  Our three oldest children are in school and our youngest is in preschool part-time.  We finally have a consistent time that we can get out together.

2)  Trade babysitting with others.  If you know of other parents that have kids, offer to trade with them.  Everyone needs some time alone and they would probably be willing to work something out.

3)  Call on friends and relatives.  We are really unfortunate that we don’t live near family.  If I did, we wouldn’t have any issue with babysitting.  Thankfully, we have a person that we call on every few months to give us a night out together.  She does this for free because she loves us.  I used to do this more often before I had kids.  There’s nothing wrong with helping people out, right?!?

4)  Join a babysitting co-op.  Some co-ops are very organized and they have systems with points where you can earn points per hour, per child, etc.  It sounds a little complicated, but these parents have found a system that works for them.

5)  Check into community babysitting services.  Some churches offer free or low cost babysitting.  Sometimes it is a fundraiser for the youth group.  Activities are planned and supervised by adults while the youth of the church play with your kids.  Some churches offer a night of free babysitting as a service to the community.

What ways do you save on babysitting?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

One concern that some have about switching to cloth napkins is the cost involved. Here are some ways to save.

1)  Shop for used napkins.  You can find napkins at thrift stores and yard sales.  Many times you can find interesting fabrics and laces that you can no longer find in the stores.

2)  Make your own.  Use scrap fabric that you already have or make them from an old sheet.

3)  Check the dollar store or close out store.  My mom was able to find three packages of napkins at a pottery store for only $1 per pack.  That’s 12 napkins for only $3. 

4)  Ask your mom or grandma.  Mention to your them that you would like to have some cloth napkins and they might just have some shoved in a cabinet somewhere that they haven’t used in years.  Moms and grandmas are good for stuff like that.

5)  Improvise.  We used dish towels for a few days and my hubby and I actually like these pretty well because they are soft and absorbent.  One of my readers at Keeping the Castle suggested using bandanas.

Have you made the switch to cloth napkins?

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Tiffany from Stuff Parents Need commented with a great question.

Do you have any tips for how to tactfully remove people from your list? We have a few aunts and uncles that I’d like to stop buying presents for, not because I don’t love them, but because I think us continuing to exchange presents is really unnecessary at this point. But I don’t know how to stop because they always get us something, too!

I just went through this issue a few year’s ago, so here are some tips to make it through the Christmas list cuts.

1)  Suggest a gift exchange.  You could say something like, “I know that many of our budgets are tighter this year.  Rather than us spending money that we don’t have, could we have a gift exchange?”  Suggest making a want list for each person and drawing names.

2)  Suggest a gift game.  Some of you may have heard of Dirty Santa.  This is where you decide who goes first.  That person picks a gift. Then the next person picks a gift. They can keep their gift or take another person’s gift.  A gift can only be taken twice. 

3)  Make a charitable donation instead of gift giving.  Tell your family that everyone is so blessed and you think it would be great to give to a needy child or charity instead.  Perhaps everyone could go in together and purchase some goats, chickens, or something similar through World Vision for an impoverished country.

4)  If you still feel like you can’t completely cut someone out of your Christmas list, cut on the amount you spend.  Purchase each person a gift that costs $3-5 rather than a $10-15 gift.  These could be homemade gifts or something simple like a mug or basket with candy.  I’d certainly be happy if someone gave me a mug of Dove or Ghiradelli chocolates.  It wouldn’t matter if it only cost a few dollars.  

What do you think of these ideas?  Will you be cutting back this year?

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Here are some money saving tips to help you enjoy Halloween a little cheaper.

7)  Do it yourself.  There are lots of costumes and decorations that you can make yourself.  I like this idea because it means that your costume will be unique and not like everyone else’s.  Check out this list of 50 do-it-yourself Halloween ideas.

8)  Look online or in magazines for ideas.  Sometimes I have a hard time getting creative but it’s easier with the help of others.  Some of the sites I like visiting for ideas are Family Fun, Better Homes and Gardens, and Martha Stewart.  Family Fun has over 100 costume ideas for kids.

9)  Buy fall decorations rather than ones specifically for Halloween.  Pumpkins, gourds, leaves, scarecrows, and such can be used for both holidays.

10)  Use coupons from craft stores.  Some craft stores have a weekly coupon for 40-50% off one item.  You can use these coupons to get decorations, craft supplies, and costume accessories.

What ways do you save on Halloween?

Stay tuned for more Halloween tips, including ways to save on candy and photo taking tips.  Please check out 10 ways to save on Halloween, Part 1 and Part 2.

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It doesn’t take long for Halloween expenses to add up. Here are some ways to save.

4)  Shop yard sales.  When I moved last year, I had an entire table of holiday decorations.  There were Christmas ornaments and decorations and Halloween costumes.  These unused items frequently turn up at yard sales.

5)  Shop after-season clearance sales.  Of course, it is too early to do this now but when these items go on clearance after Halloween, consider buying some things for next year.  Last year I was able to find some costume accessories for 90% off.

6)  Repurpose an item.  My friend gave me a firefighter costume for my younger son.  It was too big for him but I was able to take the black cape and use it for my older son’s vampire costume.  A simple black cape can go a long way.

What ways do you save on Halloween?

Please stay tuned for part 3 of 10 ways to save on Halloween.  Also, please check out Part 1.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1)  Check out the selection at close out stores.  One year my husband stopped in a close out store and found Spiderman and Backyardigans costumes for only $5 each.  Those costumes would have cost us at least $40. The kids were thrilled!

2)  Borrow from a friend.  Check with your friends to see if anyone has any costume pieces that you can borrow.  Sometimes you can borrow enough for a whole costume or enough to where you just have to buy a few things.

3)  Purchase unisex costumes for kids.  This was easier when my kids were younger.  One year my daughter dressed in a Disney Pooh Bear costume. Another year she wore a pumpkin costume.  My younger son was able to use both of these costumes when he got older.

Stay tuned for part 2 of ways to save on Halloween.  What ways do you save?

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7)  Grow your own.  It’s a little late in the year for this option, but next year you might want to consider planting some things that you could use for decorating.  Perhaps you could have a garden with pumpkins and gourds.

8)  Take something you have and give it a new purpose.  That plain glass bowl you have would look great if it were filled with water and had autumn colored floating candles inside.  Or fill it will bright red cranberries, water, and floating candles.  Think outside the box and use what you have.

9)  Shop thrift stores, antique malls, consignment stores, and flea markets.  Someone else’s junk is always someone else’s treasure . . . and it’s cheaper too!

10)  Keep it simple.  Rather than decorating the whole room for fall, try a few simple things.  A table centerpiece, wreath, or colored napkins can really liven up a room.  Also, when purchasing items try to buy things that you can use during the whole season.  For instance, it would be better to buy decorations with pumpkins rather than some with jack-o-lanterns and ghosts.  Try accenting with fall colors and other items that can be used throughout the entire season.

What tips do you have for saving money on fall decorating?

You might also want to read Decorating on the Cheap, Part 1 and Part 2.

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