Frugal Gift Ideas For Teachers

Teachers are special people in our lives. Often they are almost like another parent to our child, striving to make a difference in the lives of the children they teach. At Christmas or even end of the school year, gift giving is a small gesture to let the teacher know how much you appreciate all that they have done for your child. Finding the perfect gift for a teacher can be difficult. As a former teacher myself, I, like many of my co-workers, appreciated anything I received and even still use many of the items today. However, an often found … Continue reading →

How Buying Gifts Each Month Can NOT Be Frugal

Creating a title for this article was difficult, because I always recommend that people purchase gifts throughout the year to make Christmas a bit easier on the budget, it is an extremely frugal thing to do. People tend to overspend when faced with the daunting task of shopping for everyone on their Christmas list in November and December. I still hold true to that, but I have a bit of advice while you are doing it. Typically I suggest assigning a person to each month, which means that person is shopped for during that month. However this year we did … Continue reading →

Christmas Scrooge or Holiday Angel?

Here in the Frugal Living Blog, we talk a lot about how to save money and be thrifty. And now that we are in the middle of the holiday season, we are focusing a lot on having a frugal Christmas, from decorating to gift giving. We pinch those pennies and make our money go as far as it can. But, as you know, there is a difference between being frugal and being stingy. Sometimes, our frugality makes us better people beyond saving money. How? Well, one thing I have noticed about people who pinch their pennies, is for the most … Continue reading →

More Frugal Stocking Stuffers For Under $1.00

I love getting things for less, and there are so many wonderful stocking stuffers that are available for a dollar or less. Use your creativity and imagination and you will easily fill up a stocking on little or no money. Chapstick/Lip Gloss – Chapstick works for boys or girls and is particularly useful this time of year. What girl doesn’t totally love lip gloss? You can get lip gloss for under $1 at your local dollar store or discount chain. Bookmarks – The glory of a bookmark is that you can easily make these yourself. Watch for articles coming soon … Continue reading →

Frugal Stocking Stuffers Under $1.00

Perhaps your budget doesn’t warrant a $5.00 window on stocking stuffers, and instead you need to keep your costs down further. That’s fine. There are dozens of ideas for cute stocking stuffers, and remember – check out the dollar store, because that is the first place you will find loads of great items. In the meantime, here are a few ideas to get you started. Samples – Free Samples and the smaller trial sized and sample sized bottles of lotions, shampoos, conditioners and other items are perfect for stocking stuffers. They are typically under $1.00 or even free. Candy – … Continue reading →

Choosing a Frugal Christmas Tree

How will you choose a Christmas tree that beautiful but still frugal? Trees vary in price, so be sure to keep this guide in mind when you go shopping. It will help you make the best decision and save the most money, while still having a wonderful Christmas tree. First, let’s talk about real trees versus fake trees. I have had both kinds, and they both serve their purposes well. If you are looking for a fake tree, consider spending a little bit of money to ensure that you have a well-made tree. Although they are very popular, do your … Continue reading →

More Frugal Stocking Stuffers Under $5.00

Isn’t Christmas time beautiful? I love the beauty and serenity of this time of year, the problem is that many people get lost and don’t see it that way. They get caught up in the tradition of spending money and not focusing on what matters most. I’m sure you can learn a lot more about that in the Christian Blog. However, I can help make the holidays cost a lot less. Find ways to cut costs, save money and enjoy the season while not draining your account. Here are a couple more stocking stuffers under $5.00. Christmas Ornament – You … Continue reading →

Frugal Stocking Stuffers Under $5.00

One of the things I take very seriously every Christmas is filling those lonely dangling stockings to the hilt with practical, affordable yet fun, stocking stuffers. Typically I get started before December rolls around, whenever I see a bargain or discount or something that would suit perfectly for a stocking stuffer. This year I didn’t get started until the first of December and thankfully, as of this writing, I have all stocking stuffers needed to fill all five children’s stockings this year. Hooray for being done early. I thought I would pass on some creative, inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas to … Continue reading →

Simple Christmas Card Decorations

If you have not been saving Christmas cards, now is as good a time as any to start. You can also look for inexpensive boxed sets at dollar stores. I picked some up recently at two boxes for $1.00 (these are likely last year’s designs put on sale to make room for new ones, but they work). For a mantel or a shelf, you can arrange bare branches or (real or artificial) pine boughs along the length. Drape with tiny white lights. Then, tuck in Christmas cards as you receive them or use some you already have. It makes a … Continue reading →

Frugal Gifts: Nice Effect without High Cost

In the same way you can save money by limiting themed elements when decorating or planning a birthday party or holiday get-together, opting instead for more plain items and just a few themed elements, you can get more bang for your buck when shopping for holiday gifts. Opting for smaller or fewer name brand items and combining them with other gifts will give you a nice effect without such a high-end price tag. For the teenage girl that is all about brand name fashions, you do not have to blow your budget trying to make her happy. Instead of the … Continue reading →