thirteen things that save

I'm going to try to post a Thursday Thirteen list each week this year... no promises of perfection, but it's a fun way to challenge my creativity! There are hundreds of others who meet the challenge well, so check them out, too.

This week, I'm sharing tips that save.  Time, money, and sanity always seem to be at a premium for me this time of year, especially while we "recover" from a busy holiday season. Hopefully some of these are useful as "saving" ideas - or for a timely chuckle! :)

1. Photo or artwork cards. Not sure what to do with that 190th crayon drawing or paint-stamped art project from preschool? Do you have a few photos from Christmas? Cut or trim them to card-size shapes, then label and paste to the front of inexpensive cards. You will have personalized cards to use as thank-you's or notes, and the recipients will get to enjoy a bit of your life and art.


2. Set a budget, and use cash.  Figure out what you spend weekly (or want to spend weekly) on things like groceries, gas, etc.  Withdraw the cash for that amount, and spend what you have from each category.  This takes a while to get used to, but eventually really saves you from the end-of-the-month surprises on your bank or credit card statement.  It is also a sure-fire way to stick to a budget (once the money is gone, it's gone!)


3. Shop online for gifts, books, clothing, etc.  There are purchase you make once in a while, like back to school, growth spurts, birthday presents, etc.  You can go to a store for those things, but how does $5 in shipping really compare to loading everyone into the car, parking, driving around town, and going in and out of stores to find what you're looking for? Retailers often have free or flat-rate shipping (and often free returns!), so take advantage of it and save yourself the trips, time, and cost. Plus, online shopping usually matches up to my "list," reducing impulse buys of those must-have sales on store shelves.


4. Clean the bathroom while giving the kids a bath. This really only works if you have little kids who are comfortable playing in the tub. I imagine teenagers want their privacy, as do roommates. (If you don't have kids, imagine the challenge of being elbow-deep in cleaning supplies while the house gets eerily silent with mischief - yikes!) I fill the tub with bath bubbles and set the kids in with their little rubber toys. Then, I set to work on the toilet, sink, mirrors, etc., easily keeping my eyes on the Obi's while getting everything & everybody clean. Once the room is sparkly, I take the kiddos out of the tub and wrap them in cozy towels, then scrub the tub before taking my own shower.  Presto!


5. Eat a big breakfast. There's more about saving money and eating well here, but remember that the cheapest meal to eat healthfully is breakfast. Walk past those boxes of cereal and granola bars and get some oatmeal from the bulk grocery section. Cook a big batch of scrambled eggs and drink lots of water in the morning. For less than a dollar, you can feed the entire family a breakfast that will keep them satisfied (and eating less snack-stuff) all morning.


6. Use safe, non-toxic cleaning supplies. White vinegar, baking soda, castile or organic all-purpose soap, and microfibre cloths. There's not much you can't get really clean with these things, they're safe for the environment, and they cost much less than the chemical-laden products. Plus, if I use safe stuff like this, the kiddos can help. Bonus!


7. Buy real fruit and veggies for snacks. It's so much less expensive, and far healthier, to eat an apple rather than an apple-flavored granola bar or fruit snack packages, and your metabolism will thank you for the carrot sticks you ate instead of the chips. Get the real thing, and thank yourself later.


8. Rest time.  You think you don't have time for it.  I tell you, you don't have time to skip it! Make quiet and have everyone take a mid-day break.  Your body, mind, and spirit will have time to grow.


9. Plan meals.  I used to think this was only for the super-organized.  Folks, I'm far from super-organized, but it saves me time & money (plus our health is far better) when I plan our menu a week at a time.  


10. Shop once a week, or less, for groceries.  Set one day as your "grocery day."  Make a list (see above), check your pantry, and get it done in one swoop.  You'll save time, trips, and probably money as you avoid multiple hungry-shopping moments each week.


11. Have people in your home.  You meant to do it last year, but the neighbors are still just over-the-fence faces, right?  Put it on your calendar - host somebody once a month at least (better if you get to once a week or so).  The important thing is, have somebody into your space on a regular basis.  Your house will stay a bit more kept up, and you'll let go of perfectionist notions after a while.  Your meal dollars and ingredients can stretch more than you know, and you'll build "others" into your budget easily.  Ideas to get started: lunch on a Sunday, dinner on a Tuesday, host a small group from church, or play group with a couple other parents. If you don't know your invitees very well, have more than one new face invited. Your house doesn't have to be perfect, your food can be take-out, but it's important to get people into your life - literally!


12. Plan a vacation.  It happens frequently - we want to go somewhere, but another month (or year) goes by and we haven't set aside the time or money to do so.  Open a free savings account at nearly any bank, and set up an auto-payment into it every pay day.  In little time, you'll build the money needed for a vacation.  Start looking at the calendar and give yourself a window (say, "any time in August") so you can shop for the best travel deals for that time and be flexible with work needs.  Work within your budget and remember to set aside a bit for fun adventures or souvenir shopping.  Go someplace you haven't been, try camping this year, or visit those friends who moved away.  


13. Start a prayer journal.  I've done this in the past, and am moving back into the habit.  Keep record of the things (specifics) you pray about.  When somebody asks you to pray, write it down here.  Look back through it periodically and you'll have plenty to praise Him for, and you'll remember those needs.  Then, rejoice in how your prayers are answered!  It's sadly easy to forget God's faithfulness, and it's also easy to lose perspective.  Perhaps He answered a prayer in a different way than you asked or expected, or perhaps it seems as if He's staying silent.  If you've written things down and reviewed it on occasion, you'll have something to encourage and inform your prayer life. 

May you save much and enjoy even more this year!  

blessings,

MamaToo