How to Save Money at Oriental Trading

Oriental Trading is my go-to for supplies when I am planning a big birthday party, as I am doing this year. They have a ton of stuff, from decorations to crafts to goodie bag items. It is easy to find items to fit practically any theme. The spending could quickly get out of hand, unless you know the Oriental Trading money-saving secrets. My youngest, who usually gets short-changed in most things, by fortune of his birth (hand-me-downs and a much slimmer photo album) is finally getting his do with an elaborate (for us) knight-themed birthday party. He is inviting all … Continue reading

Saving $600

 Last week was a rough one. From a fallen tree to the truck’s transmission going bad, it has been one challenge after another. That is why we were pretty much exhausted by the end of it and almost lost $600. My family and I ran some errands on Saturday that kept us out pretty much all afternoon. We did want to make sure that we made it back home in time for the town’s free firework show at the park. So, with just enough time, we left the kids in the car and ran in to the house to grab … Continue reading

De-Cluttering Our House Has Lead to Saving Money

One of the lovely consequences of doing a huge de-clutter of our home and living with less is that we are actually saving more money! That is right, there is more money at the end of each month, despite rising food and gas prices. How is this possible? Well, analyzing things lately, here are some of the contributing factors and the connections that I can see from our budget since we have been de-cluttering, including some things that will be with us long-term. Bigger Tax Refund All of the donations that we made were itemized and served as charitable deductions, … Continue reading

Growing Kids? Here are 5 Inexpensive Sources for Great Clothing

When the pants get too short and the shirts get too tight, you know it is time to invest in a whole new wardrobe for your kids. It can be a tough thing to swallow, spending lots of money on outfits that they will grow out of within a few short months. Things can get costly. Parents on a tight budget should take note of some off the beaten path sources for great kids clothing that will have the kids looking chic while the parents save money. 1. The clearance racks In July, you will find summer clothing marked from … Continue reading

Saving on Your Work Wardrobe

High ho, high ho, it’s off to work and school we go…. Heading off to thrift stores or swapping clothes with friends is a lot of fun, but what else can you do to save on your work wardrobe this year? Choose basic items so that you don’t feel compelled to buy, buy, buy! Black pants go with any number of different tops. So do white shirts. If you’re staying home with the kids or in a more casual job, jeans are a great standby and go with just about everything. Avoid dry clean and hand wash only items. Have … Continue reading

How My Laundry Baskets Save Money

Who would have known that a little thing such as a laundry basket could save you money? My laundry baskets save me money both on a daily basis and on special occasions. Here is how. Saving Money While Traveling To save on the cost of water, snacks and meals on the road, I load up on supplies and place them in a large laundry basket. The basket fits perfectly in the back of the car, and the wide profile means that we can see what is available. There are no more unexpected food stops when we are traveling by car. … Continue reading

Getting Rid of Kid’s Stuff

If you’re feeling a little swamped by the idea of sorting your child’s stuff, or your child is suffering mental burnout looking at all of those toys, it’s time to get rid of things! Of course, the best way to get rid of items is to avoid getting them in the first place. But if you’re swamped with stuff, follow these suggestions to help it find a new home where it will be valued. Give things to a friend. The other day, a friend came over to visit and left with a bag of clothes. Only do this after you … Continue reading

Saving Money While Reducing Clutter

So much stuff winds up in the landfills these days, I feel guilty every time I take the trash to the curb. We all do live lives of excess. Everything is readily available to us, all those little things that make life easier. Fortunately for the planet there are lots of ways to reuse things. You just have to pay attention. This will be the first in what I hope is a series of how to use things we normally throw away. Every time I clean I come across something that has outlived it’s usefulness, the challenge is coming up … Continue reading

Saving Money On Stuff For The Kids

Having children costs quite a bit of money. However, many of the costs associated with raising children are things that we have at least some control over. From big things like whether and how often to place your child in child care to the little things (which can really add up) like where and how you purchase clothes, toys, and other things that your children need, it is definitely worth taking a little time to evaluate what you are currently doing and see whether there are some money saving changes that you could make to ease the strain on your … Continue reading

Staples Has a Back to School Savings Pass

The brand new school year will be starting in late August or early September of 2011. It might seem as though that is still very far away, when you look at the calendar. Can your budget handle the extra expenses that appear when school starts? Save some money by getting the Back to School Savings Pass from Staples. By the end of the Summer, many parents are anxiously looking forward to when school will start again. You love your kids, but sometimes, after too many hours of extended contact, every parent needs a break. If you are a stay at … Continue reading