WFMW: The Store In The Closet.

Ok, so this is a cop-out since I've already written this article for Grace and Honor, but I figured it will also work for me as a WFMW post . :)

~~~~~

Have you ever been faced with an unexpected event and wished you had a gift to go with you? Perhaps it was a birthday party, a ladies’ gathering, or a family having you over for dinner. Rather than rushing around at the last minute and stopping at a store on the way to your destination, I offer you an alternative: the store in the closet.

The store in the closet has supplied me with countless gifts over the years and I was able to purchase them at a fraction of the cost! Let me explain how it works.

In my closet I have a rubber tote filled with gift bags, tissue paper, gift wrapping, and a variety of other items. The “variety of other items” is your actual store in the closet. As you go through department stores, grocery stores, consignment shops, antique stores, tea rooms, farmers markets, convenience stores, gift shops, yard sales, craft/fabric stores, community fundraisers, tourist shops, malls, specialty stores, flower shops, restaurants, estate sales, auctions, and flea markets, keep a lookout for items that can fill your store in the closet.

You probably have a very good idea of the things your friends and family collect and wear, so why not purchase an item that makes you think of so and so? Purchasing these items well before the event takes place means you’re not in a frenzied rush trying to buy an over-priced item for Aunt Sarah’s 80th birthday party.

Once you have your store in the closet set up, all you have to do is go shopping in your store for the appropriate item when the event comes up. Also, it’s always a good idea to keep pretty stationery, pens, ribbons, gift bags, wrapping paper, scissors, and tape on hand. Keeping it all in one place is the most efficient way to finish out your gift.

Remember Proverbs 31:27 ~ “She looketh well to the ways of her household.” Frugal gift-giving can be done… and you’ll probably save more than two cents along the way!

~~~~~~

Go check out Shannon's blog for more ideas!

Yankee Candle Coupon.

I received a coupon in my e-mail the other day I thought I would share with you all...

If you like Yankee Candles, then you'll want to use this coupon... it's only good until December 7th, so you better act quick! If you are using the coupon online, enter the code YCFF08.

I sure hope this is a blessing to someone:).

Crystal is hosting Frugal Friday so head on over to her blog to see some more great (frugal!) tips and ideas:).

One Extra Christmas Card.

The other day Boo Mama linked to Big Mama about "a very easy - and meaningful - way to encourage families of deployed soldiers over the holidays." (That's a direct quote, y'all!)

So I moseyed over to Big Mama where I expected to find a Christmas Mama - I was promptly disappointed, but I did find "a very easy - and meaningful - way to encourage families of deployed soldiers over the holidays."

Rather than plagiarize (is that allowed in the bloggy world???) Big Mama, I think I'll just direct you to the very easy - and meaningful - way to encourage families of deployed soldiers over the holidays." (This is your cue now to go check out the link and see how you can bless an Army family this Christmas).

It's definitely worth the time, and who can't write out one extra Christmas card and stick it in the mail? I did, and it took me exactly 3 minutes. Plus I'm planning on sending the card back with one of the girls that's here with a group right now but is leaving Saturday morning.

Just imagine how you would feel if your family member was deployed for 15 months. To quote Big Mama:

These families will be without their spouses, mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters this Christmas season and I think this is such an incredible way to say thank you for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. It’s a simple way to say we don’t take the sacrifice for granted.

Works For Me Wednesday.

One little tip I found that works for me is this: when I receive a gift with a pretty ribbon tied around it, I'll throw away the wrapping (if it's ripped! Otherwise I'll keep it) but keep the ribbon. I have found ribbons make for a quick and easy hair accessory and each ribbon I have is unique! Nothing earth-shattering here girls, but at least I don't have to go buy hair clips and such and the ribbon-turned-hair-accessory adds a nice touch to an outfit!

Frugal Friday

Almost two years ago, a new LL Bean store opened in my area, so I went to check it out. While oohing and aahing over the brand new store, I noticed this:

and immediately bought it (in pink, not blue!). I've had my fair share of Dollar Store water bottles, but invariably they would leak or break within a couple of months (or sometimes weeks!) of me getting it. So I invested in this water bottle and since then I have been very happy with it! I tend to be a little klutzy and this water bottle has endured its fair share amount of being dropped. I have yet to see a dent on the bottle, although there are some scratches on it. This has really been a good thing all around because I know exactly how much water I've had for the day, I have no need to buy bottled water (very rarely am I without my water bottle!) and it's really cute too:o).

Go check out Crystal's blog for more Frugal Friday ideas!

WFMW - Accountability

Several weeks ago (months???), my church began an accountability program regarding memorization. It's pretty simple actually. You memorize a verse once every two weeks and then say it to your accountability partner. Once that's done, you go check it off on the big poster board in the foyer (you know, where everyone can see how you are doing!) This has really worked well for me in hiding God's Word in my heart.

I also have an accountability partner for four other areas: my speech, movies, devotions, and maintaining a pure heart as a single. Each area has been assigned to a different friend who periodically checks up on me to see how I'm doing, and sometimes to prod me along! Most of these accountability partnerships will come to an end when I leave for Thailand, but it's been such a good thing to have in place all summer long. My pastor recommended that not one person has "all access" to my life and I've found that particularly helpful. Each lady has her own area to check me on, and that's the best thing for me!

Frugal Friday - Saving On Trips.

One of the best parts about our recent trip to Boston was that we four girls split the cost of everything. (Well, with the exception of buying those Starbucks coffees for Em and SJ... they were on their own for those!) We kept a running total of how much we spend: gas, tolls, parking, and food. We had already scored on free lodging because we stayed with Clarke's aunt for both nights. We also packed our lunches for all three days and had breakfast in the car or at Clarke's aunt's house, so that only left dinner. While in Boston, we girls split our meals and then in Rockport, we got two orders of fish and chips to go (saving the cost and time of sitting in the diner ~ plus our view of the ocean was much better on the rocks!).

So, for an almost-1,000 mile trip, each girl kicked in $68.00, and it would have been less if we hadn't crossed the Tappan zee Bridge twice:o). With the price of gas, trips can get to be expensive, so it takes a little planning that goes a long way. We honestly wouldn't have had a better time if we had eaten all of our meals out or stayed in a hotel room!

For more frugal ideas, head over to Biblical Womanhood.

Free Postage!

The other day I received an envelope in the mail from the Colonial Williamsburg Society asking me to blah, blah, blah. Now the only reason that I receive anything from CWS is because 7 years ago my class and I decided to go there for our senior trip, and I was the type of person that likes to plan trips out (hmm, not much has changed in 7 years!). Over the last 7 years, I've received plenty of envelopes from CWS, and they usually include note cards and personal labels. Since my name is spelled wrong on the labels, I don't use those (plus I have gads of free ones from other companies:o)), but I do use the note cards.

So the other evening I sat down to write to some of the missionary wives from my church by using the (free!) note cards. I then stuck them in the missionaries' mail boxes in the church office, where they will be slipped into an airmail priority envelope (that the church is going to send anyway with all their mail!), so I didn't have to pay $2.70 in mail three little envelopes.

So not only did I have an opportunity to write to the ladies who are faithfully serving the Lord on the field, but I was able to do it very frugally too!

Frugal Friday Tip.

For this week's Frugal Friday tip, I thought about one thing that really stretched some pennies (and dollars!) for me last year. Now it might sound like a contradiction at first when I tell you that you pay $25.00 up front, but it really is worth it!

I've been buying the Entertainment Book for the past two years, but it is completely worth the money. First of all, I buy the book through MyPoints.com, so that gives me 750 points right away for buying the book through them (and remember, those points add up to free gift cards!). Then, because I bought the book when I did, I got a $25.00 gift certificate - for free! So it was a good bargain:o). Plus the book is chock full of coupons, discounts, and savings. Let me give you an example:

In mid-December, I took the senior girls from my school to a nearby Christmas event. On the way home, we wanted to stop for dinner so I pulled out the Entertainment Book and got out two coupons for Subway: Buy One 6-inch sub, Get One 6-inch sub free. Since I had two coupons like that (and four girls with me!) it worked out perfectly for the girls to get a cheaper (!) dinner.

Another way this book is a bargain is for my parents. They rent a car a few times a year when they go on extended trips. This book has all sorts of Car Rental discounts in place, so that they usually save at least $20.00 when they're renting a car. More savings!

The one thing you have to check out is where in your area the coupon might be valid. I have had only one problem with a place not accepting a coupon, but other than that, it's been great!

For more frugal hints and tips, go to Biblical Womanhood:o).

Some Ways I've Saved.

Crystal hosts Frugal Fridays and today it seems that most of the ladies are posting on 5 ways they saved $100.00 last year. I haven't participated in a while, but figured I would give it a go again:o). Here are some routine ways I try to be frugal and resourceful:

#1 ~ I can tell you exactly how many pieces of clothing I bought brand-new this past year: 6 items. 3 shirts (in Thailand!) and 3 skirts. One of my skirts actually ripped while I was gone (go here if you need a reminder as to what happened!) but the other two have been serving me just fine. So I don't buy brand-new, and the ripped skirt is a big reason why!

#2 ~ I do, however, browse through second-hand shops and walk away with bargains from the Lord! For instance, when I was in Indiana a couple of weeks ago, my brother and sister-in-law planned to take me into Chicago for a day of sight-seeing. I was inclined to go until my sis-in-law mentioned that ALL the Goodwills were having a 50% off sale on everything! So guess which trip was replaced by Goodwill hunting?!?:o). It was well worth it to bring home with me several name-brand long-sleeved shirts (just what the Lord knew I needed) for $2.00 a piece!

#3 ~ I joined MyPoints in October of 2006 and have earned $75.00 in free gift cards! One gift card I received was to Bath & Body Works, so I waited until their 75% off sale after Christmas before I bought some things I didn't need at the moment, but knew would be used down the road. Plus everything I picked out was covered by the gift card, so I walked away from B&BW with stuff for free... and everyone likes free:o).

#4 ~ It pays to witness! No seriously, remember the guy who paid for my toll on the Turnpike? That's not why I give out my testimony tract, but it is one of the side benefits:o).

#5 ~ As mentioned by several of the ladies, I too pack my lunch for work. I think I'm "treating" myself occasionally when I go out and buy lunch, but that little bit always adds up. So I would rather spend $7.00 on picking up stuff for lunch and be satisfied all week long!

To read some more tips, go to Biblical Womanhood:o).

Frugal Fridays.

3-4 years ago, a few friends and I agreed together to get a membership at the local movie store. This meant we would pay a couple of dollars to rent a movie, and if we were really good, we would get it buy-one-get-one-free! Not too long after we signed up, I was in the library and realized that the library has a good collection of movies and they were free to borrow! I laughed at ourselves for being so silly to get a membership card to the movie store (where I wouldn't watch 95% of the movies anyway), and have been checking the library for free movies ever since:o).

I'm sure this varies from library to library (at another library I had to pay 50 cents or a dollar to get a movie), but it's definitely worth looking into, especially if you like to watch a movie on Friday nights:o).

Go over to Crystal's blog for more money-saving tips!

WFMW: A Packing Tip.

Tomorrow I'm heading out on an "extended" field trip to the new Creation Museum in Kentucky with about 30 students and 10 other chaperones... so the bus ride should be a little crazy to say the least! (It's about 14 hours, but that does NOT mean whines and complaints of "Are we there yet?" are allowed!) My goal as a chaperone is to make it back in one piece:o).

I don't ever stress about packing for a trip (when I went on my 3-month trip to Thailand, I packed about 12 hours before I left for the airport!) and this one handy-dandy tip has saved me quite a bit of stress over the years. I have, for lack of a more original term, a toiletry bag that I always keep packed with the essentials: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, spray, etc. Everything is all ready to go in that little bag that I don't ever worry about the little stuff when it comes to packing right before I leave. So tonight when I get home from church, it should take me about 5 minutes to pack for the two-day trip and that's what works for me!

For more works-for-me ideas, go pay a visit to Shannon:o).

Frugal Friday And A Blessing!

Crystal over at Biblical Womanhood is gracious enough to host Frugal Friday each week, so I thought I would share a tip and a blessing all rolled into one!

My Frugal Friday tip is very simple, but as the saying goes, "a penny saved is a penny earned" (Thanks Benjamin Franklin!), so here's my tip on saving those pennies.

A local gas station (Wawa in M-town, for those of you who are local) has two prices out on their marquee: one price for those who pay with a debt/credit card and another price for those paying with cash. The cash price is significantly lower (it can be up to 7 cents cheaper) than the credit card price. The nice thing for me is that they have my bank's ATM right inside the store, so if I don't have cash on me, then I can go to the ATM, take out the amount I need and pay for the gas. By doing it this way, I save pennies each time... and this time it was 51 cents!

Now the blessing. Tonight I stopped to fill up the gas tank (I think I was beyond empty!), and as I pulled in, I remembered a challenge my Pastor gave last night in the church service. He was talking about Personal Evangelism and then he said this: "Why don't you pray and ask the Lord to give you one person to witness to within the next 24 hours. Give yourself a time limit."

Oh me of little faith "kinda" prayed for the opportunity, but I *knew* that no such opportunity would come along because I would be at church all day. The only slightest chance might have been a repairman or salesman stopping by church.

Like I said, oh me of little faith!

God gave me an opportunity to give my personal testimony tract to the guy behind the counter and it was an opportunity I didn't even think could happen! Because my friend Emily had asked me to come to her house tonight for a game night (thanks Em!), I had to fill up my gas tank and it just so happened that the Lord provided an opportunity to give a person a tract!

God is good, all the time... all the time, God is good!

So there's my Frugal Friday post and blessing all wrapped into one:o).

WFMW.

Shannon does Works-For-Me-Wednesday (are you ready for this moment of genius??!?!) each Wednesday and I thought of something I would like to share that has helped me out on several occasions. I like to do gifts as inexpensively as possible (*Note: I'm not cheap, I'm frugal; big difference!) and that includes what the gift is wrapped in!

Every year at Christmas time when we were younger, we would take turns opening gifts and then each gift was carefully unwrapped in order to use the paper again, if possible. So over the years I've saved gift bags and wrapping paper. Within the past couple of years I've begun to save tissue paper as well. Tissue paper makes for wonderful "gift wrap" and tying some pretty ribbon around the package adds to the end product. It might sound like a very simple idea, but tissue paper is so much cheaper than gift bags or wrapping paper (the Dollar Store sells all different colors) and it's so nice to see all the gifts carrying their own personality (I lost a few of you there, I'm sure!) once everything has been wrapped!

So there you have it... that's what works for me! Go check out the rest of the ideas and see if anything helps you out:o).