Saving money at home-part 2, Regifting
I want to make some things clear to you as I continue with this section. What I do on the side in order to save money is not always easy. There are always several factors I’ve needed to consider. With gas prices these days, I have to think about driving distance as well as the time it takes once I get to the location itself.
Sometimes I have to wait longer than expected. You should always make allowances for the unexpected. We humans run around this life of ours thinking we’re in total control and don’t realize it’s quite the opposite. I guess we wouldn’t be able to function and carry on knowing we’re not really in control…ok, I digress. I also don’t want you guys to think I drive around all day and try to fill my trunk with free food and free toiletries, etc… I always make sure that in every one of my endeavors and or transactions I try to show appreciation through small donations or kind gestures.
I keep a calendar hanging in my kitchen and mark down days for certain events, give-aways and weekly or monthly visits to places and people that already know me and expect me; like the clothes closet on Saturday mornings. You have to be quite organized and carry pen and paper at all times to write down any new events you might see or hear about along the way. Inviting friends to join in also makes the time spent more enjoyable.
The next thing I’d like to mention is to make sure your family and friends know and understand the way of life you have chosen. Not all family members and friends will understand. Don’t let this stand in your way, it then becomes their issue, not yours, if they choose to be judgmental. This is also a good way to find out who your real friends are!
You do have to have a pretty thick skin to follow through with this frugality way of living; just maintain your focus and center yourself each day knowing you’re reaching your goal to a much more liberating way of life. My family and friends have known for a while now and totally accept it. My way of life is a learning tool for them. They’ll sometimes call me up for some home-remedy for a sore throat or how to clean their tub naturally.
Some of them have actually become thriftier and happier along the way…like my sister in law. We just had a conversation the other day (after months of not speaking on the phone) about how much more liberating and happy she feels. She doesn’t feel as though life owns her. She made quite a few changes too, like removing her children from expensive private schools and finding good public schools. They even take the bus and she saves on gas. We can all do this with a little time and effort.
With the holiday season right around the corner, I’d like to touch on the subject of re-gifting. I rarely purchase new things for family and friends. For example, after I get to know the person’s likes and dislikes, I take time to put a little care package together and they always seem to really enjoy and appreciate it.
It’s so much more personal than going into a store and picking something up. It’s a lot more meaningful for all involved and they always end up with an assortment of gifts rather than just one or two items. It’s fun going through a package of stuff not knowing what comes next!
Recently, my son’s art teacher’s daughter had her 7th birthday. I went into my shoebox collection in the hall closet and decorated the boxes. I filled the boxes with lots of little things I know she’d like; books and movies we no longer used, a bracelet I never wear, a little purse I never use and some tops my daughter can no longer fit into.
I always make sure things are in good condition and clean. I also wrapped up a separate gift containing a beautiful knitted blanket I no longer use. I made a homemade card and wrapped it creatively using last year’s holiday wrapping paper and tied a pretty scarf around the outside as a bow.
The scarf itself was yet another gift. Another touch you might want to try is putting in a sheet of fabric softener inside your packages. When they open up the gift they immediately get a fresh nice smell and makes the gift even better. I also washed and sprayed the knitted blanket with some fabric refresher.
This way of gifting is very beneficial not only to the environment because you are recycling, keeps your surroundings clutter free and saves you loads of money and travel time and gas. You’re also making continuous room for more items you find for free or next to free.
Well, I’ll get back with you sometime later in the day. I want to talk to you about what I did when my husband lost his job several months ago as well as what I do to get help with my own children’s holiday presents. And now, I have to get ready to meet a friend at the clothes closet .I find some really great gifts there all year round which I save for holidays and birthdays. Don’t let the holidays stress you out. Liberate yourself and realize the real meaning of the season.
Later-g