Saving Money on Gifts

It’s time for those after Christmas sales again! Now is the time to buy those Christmas cards, wrapping paper, ornaments, and any other Christmas decoration you can think of for anywhere from 50% to 75% off.  Here’s your opportunity to buy some of next year’s Christmas gifts too. Take advantage of the deals when they are out there. Buying smart when they are at a major discount is a great idea. Nobody has to know when you bought their Christmas gift. Being smart with your money and saving in the process shows you care. Being a smart shopper is the main idea.

Now is a great time to buy candy cheap. I use this opportunity to stock up for gifts for Birthday parties. Every child goes home with a little candy bag as a thank you gift for attending my child’s birthday party. Most candy is marked down to 50% to 75% off. I also pick up little-stuffed animals and ornaments these are great to put into their little gift bags. Buying this after Christmas saves me a bundle on gift bags.

Talking about birthday gifts, I have a great idea that will not cost a lot of money. When we were first married, money was tight and my husband did not know what to get me for my birthday, so this is what he did. He gave me the one present I still have to this day and all it cost was the price of a Walmart picture frame. Every day I read and look at the poem he wrote for me. This poem makes me cry. This gift came from the heart. He thought I wouldn’t like it, but this gift I will cherish for the rest of my life. He wrote me this poem right after our first child was born, and that was 22 years ago and I still have it on my dresser. Making something or writing something will have a lot more meaning than any expensive gift you could ever receive. Here is the poem my husband wrote to me.

The Feather

The sound of a feather

Falling to the ground

I know that I never

will feel that by chains I am bound

From the beginning, when sadness was strong

Cupid pierced my heart with a lance

and in the distance, I heard a song

and I asked you to dance.

You were alone, still, you were scared

Then you let me in

And better we fared.

And now we will never feel all alone

Because our love every day grows,

Yes, your love for me shone

A light in your face glows.

Every morning I awake

Every morning I know

I get up for your sake

for my love for you will every day grow.

So now like a feather floating high in the sky

I want to spend every day with you

Till the day I die.

My mother made each of her 4 children homemade quilts one year, and to this day I still use my quilt. I received this quilt when I was 16 years old, and I am now over 50 years old and still use this quilt during the winter months.

My grandmother knitted blankets and gave all her 20 some grandchildren one for their wedding. This homemade blanket still sits on the back of my couch to this day.

We have been married for 28 years now.  Personalized gifts mean so much more and can save you a bundle of money. Think before you spend. Watch for the after season sales and save big time. Check out thrift shops and you can really find some really nice stuff at a fraction of the price. Now is the time to be thinking about next year’s Christmas shopping if you are a thrifty shopper and want to save money. Don’t let your credit card debt scare you, be a smart shopper and save now for next year.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and have a safe and Happy New Year from Suzie Homemaker.

Grocery Shopping Tips

Today I would like to talk to you about shopping for groceries. Groceries can really add up fast. So today I am going to give you a few tips on how I shop for groceries. I do not go to just one store when I shop, I go to several stores. Saving money is always the best deal when I shop. I will be showing several stores I shop at and why, and how to save money shopping there. The reason why I shop at several store is because I can get better deals at certain stores this way.

The first place I like to shop is Costco. The big ware house stores are great for bigger quantities and sometimes better deals. Bring your calculator along and always check prices very carefully. I usually buy paper products, soda and food that is on sale. Watch very carefully for prices and ounces in packages. I only go there once a month to restock. Always be careful not to over buy too much. Only buy what you need. Remember other stores you can us coupons at and you can get a better price.  Choose wisely.

The second place I like to shop at is Piggly Wiggly. Yes, Piggly Wiggly can be a little more expensive but I will show you what I do to save big time. Always pick up an ad upon entering and look through very closely. Try to shop on Friday through Sunday so you can use up to 10 coupons and get double off. All coupons up to $1.00 double off. Only buy the food items that are on sale and hopefully, you have a coupon to boot. This is the store where I buy all my cereal for under $2.00 a box and use my coupons at double off. Always look at the end of the rows for your best deals.

The third place I like to shop at is Aldis. Here is where everything is a lot cheaper. You have to watch for quality here. Some foods are not as fresh. I tend to buy all my milk, granola bars, tuna, noodles ,rice and bread here. Prices are much cheaper here. Watch for their special deals. Right after Easter they had hams on clearance for 50 cents a pound. I picked up 5 hams and stuck them in the freezer.

The last place I shop is Walmart. I only shop for food I have left on my list here. Always watch for sales and deals throughout the store here. I love Walmart for their clearance sales on clothes and shoes best.

Saving money on groceries is like a game for me each week. I like to pride myself on finding the best deals I possibly can. Take the time to use coupons and hunt for those deals. I have a budget I stick to on a weekly basis when I shop for groceries. Saving money is always your ultimate goal. I hope these ideas help you with your grocery shopping, from Suzie Homemaker.

What to do with Leftovers

What to do with those leftovers! Don’t throw them away, this is wasting money. There are so many things you can do and make with leftovers or food that is getting older or too ripe. Like most families, my children do not like leftovers.  So here are a few ways to use those leftovers without the children knowing about it.

1.       Use those leftover vegetables in omelets for breakfast or make a vegetable soup for lunch or dinner.

2.       Make some smoothies from fruit or vegetables. Take your very ripe fruit and freeze them to be used later for smoothies. I like to freeze raspberries, apples, strawberries and pears. All these can also be used in pies or sauces at a later date.

3.       Make your own stocks and broths from the meat and vegetable trimmings. After I make a roast or chicken I take the leftover juices and turn them into stock for soups and gravies. Just freeze the juices and use at a later date. Why buy broth and gravy from the store when you can make your own.

4.       Freeze those crusts or stale bread. I like to use these for French toast and homemade bread crumbs. Take your bread crumbs add a little olive oil and spice and bake. French toast, all you need is a couple scrambled eggs and milk and a little cinnamon. Dunk your bread in mixture and fry them up.

5.       We do not go out to eat very often, but when we do we ask for a takeout container. Most meals are way too large so the leftovers become a meal for the next day. Another great way to save is to split a meal .Just ask your server to bring two plates and share your meal. I do this a lot with the children because they can’t eat a big meal by themselves.

6.       Once a week clean out your refrigerator. Anything that doesn’t get eaten is now put in the freezer.

7.       Even though the children don’t like leftovers, I declare a day free so mom does not have to cook. Every leftover is taken out and is laid on the table. Everybody takes there pick and makes their own meal. This is a way to have no arguments, because everybody gets to choose their own meal.

Be creative with those leftovers and the whole family will be happy.  Throwing away food is a waste of money. As you can tell I do everything possible to save money.  Being a stay at home mom means finding any way possible to cut costs. Another food savings tip from Suzie Homemaker.