SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING, AND STUFF #14

It's that time again, time for me to let you in on what you can save on in the month of August. You do like to save, don't you? That savings and financial expert Ellie Kay suggests you purchase the following in the month of August, and you can save big. She should know. It's her job to sniff out proven savings routinely, and share with others. So where can you save a buck or two?

This month, buy your...

bathing suits

fresh vegetables

kids' clothing

new cars

patio and lawn furniture

pens, pencils, paper

rugs

summer footwear

towels and linens

swing sets

toys

...and you should be be able to put back a few coins in the old piggy bank.

Okay, I've got to go back to making up a story that uses the words from the list above. It's usually just a made-up story about savings that I like to entertain (I mean bore) you with. I didn't do it the last couple of savings posts (you're probably glad), but I thought I'd do it again. At least, I enjoy it. So let me get my entertainment on, will ya?!! Okay, so here it goes:

As I was sweeping my new rugs, purchased at rock bottom prices from a local dealer, I noticed that I needed to throw my linens and towels in the wash. Oh, I must tell ya, they're my new towels from one of the department stores in the mall. But I've got to admit, I didn't even pay half for them. I was so proud of myself! Mean time, in come the girls in their bathing suits and summer footwear from the local, super discount store, and they were dripping all over my new rugs! I immediately sent them to put on one of their new kids' clothing items that I had purchased, on sale too, mind you, from the same discount store as the bathing suits.

Once my chores were done, I asked the girls if they wanted to accompany me to the local produce market (in our new car that we saved $5000.00 on, I don't mind telling you, because we waited for the right time and asked a lot of questions) to buy fresh vegetables. The farmer at the market was supposed to be getting ready to discount everything and sell all in preparation to close the market down for the rest of the year. We were excited! On our way to the market though, we got sidetracked. Out in front of the super discount store, there was a gentleman holding a sign letting passersby know that the store had a clearance in the toys section of the store. This included swing sets among other forms of entertainment for kids. I got to thinking, I could purchase gifts ahead of time and put them in my gift closet at home. We could even buy a swing set for the girls, set it up, and let them enjoy the rest of the summer at home.

After so much shopping, we were tired, as you can imagine. We even picked up things while out, that were on our "to get" list that we almost forgot about, like more back-to school stuff. What was I thinking?!! We needed that stuff! School was about to start. How could I have forgotten?! We got home and I couldn't make it into the house, so I just plopped down on the patio furniture that my sweet husband had just put together. He was proud of himself for the deal he got on it and I was happy to see it welcoming me to take a rest on it.

Well, for the rest of you who had a less busy day, happy shopping!!!

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING, AND STUFF #13

GOT COLLEGE-BOUND BABIES?

I found a really neat post at Ellie Kay's blog site that I thought you'd be interested in. Most of you know who Ellie Kay is, but for the ones who may not, she is a savings and financial stewardship expert that I have come to really respect. She is a wife, mom, and speaker. She and her husband have 5 children and she has learned to live on just her husband's income so that she could come back to the home. While this may not be for everyone, or may not be your season to do the same, Ellie will show you how to do it, if it ever comes up in your life, and she does it successfully.

I shouldn't leave out the fact that this (the above) is not all she speaks about. She talks to the average person about shopping wisely, saving, tithing, coupon-clipping, spending, etc. If you want to be a wise or wiser steward, check her out.

Anyway, I'd like to leave this link so that you can check out a post about how to be able to financially and successfully send your children to college. Hers is a personal account about how they're doing it with their children. It's worth reading and investigating (and discussing with your children) some of the helpful information she has there.

Click here.http://halfpriceliving.blogspot.com/http://

It's the first post you'll get to, but there are some many more awesome things on her blog and website.

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING, AND STUFF #12

It's time again, for me to share with you Ellie Kay's well-researched suggestions for saving in the month of July. If you're new to this Saturday post of mine, I try to do this segment once a month, usually using suggestions, tips, and proven methods from America's Family Financial Expert, Ellie Kay. She helps America shop smart and save in numerous ways. You can visit her at http://www.elliekay.com/. There is a wealth of information there.

I don't get any recognition or rewards for suggesting Ellie and her tips. In fact, I'm sure she doesn't even know I exist. I've just bought her books and used her methods over the years, and I know they work. If it works, I want to share it, especially if it will help us be better stewards of our resources.

So what exactly, are the things that you can save money on this month? Ellie says:

Craft supplies
Dryers
Fabric
Ground Beef
Hot Dogs
Sodas
Summer Clothing (clearance)
Used Cars
Washers

Even with our "funny" economy, you should still be able to find pretty good deals on these items. I wish I could add gas/fuel to the list above, but...you know how that is. In fact, you can't afford to drive out too far looking for deals on the items mentioned or you won't end up saving at all, unless it's a REALLY BIG or good DEAL (like on one of the major purchases) and well worth the drive. You do the math before you set out. Your local stores ought to carry a good deal though, on most items, without you driving too far out of the way and losing money in the way of fuel.


I went to our country's largest discount superstore today (I can't hardly stand to say the name because I am NOT a big fan of the store for many reasons--I, unfortunately, just can't afford to do major shopping anywhere else--yeah, they count on that too!), and it's true, there are sales on craft supplies and summer clothing. I found really good deals on tank tops, short-sleeved tops, leggings, and shorts for my girls today. I'm sure if you checked out your major craft stores, they'd have sales on too. I should look in Michael's or Hobby Lobby to see what crafts, supplies, and ideas I can find for my homeschool this fall. This would be a good time to stock up on that stuff.


This time, I won't make up a neat story using the items on the list, since I've talked (typed) so much already. Maybe I'll resume doing it next time. I pray and hope you find reasons to be a better steward of God's time and money. That's always my encouragement on these particular posts. He'll be pleased and you will be too.

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING AND STUFF #11

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK ON SAVINGS!!

Okay, you guys know how I like Ellie Kay, the savings and financial expert, and her wonderful advice on how to be better stewards of God's money. She's got a book out that I want to recommend (the one pictured above obviously). I think you'll love it! I can't wait to get my copy! I already have her book called 1/2 Price Living- Secrets to Living Well on One Income, and it is a great, practical, can-do book. Ellie, as you may know, makes her living on showing and teaching others how to save, budget, shop, and invest. I've asked this a thousand times--who wouldn't want to save, budget, and spend their money wiser?

So anyway, what's up with the new book? Look out below!

A Tip a Day with Ellie Kay: 12 Months Worth of Money Saving Ideas
-$40,000 in consumer debt? Ellie was there and says, “Wipe it out!”-Up to 80 percent savings on groceries? You can do it!-Clothing and household goods at a fraction of the cost? Find out when they are cheapest.-Looking for that elusive nest egg? Ellie will help you find it without ruffling your feathers!
Saving money isn’t just about the dollars. It’s about the things in life your money touches-the products, the people, and the purpose. Saving more means more opportunity to give!
Ellie says: If you can save time while saving a cent, then there’s a greater reward for your effort. If you can save your marriage by learning to communicate about money, then you’ve preserved something priceless.
And if you can send resources to support a child in a third-world country, then you’ve saved something created in the image of God.
So what are you waiting for? Start saving today and every day with A Tip a Day!
Available at your favorite bookstore or Click here to order your book today!
Ellie Kay & Company, LLC 3053 Rancho Vista Blvd., Suite H-102 Palmdale, CA 93551 661-547-6820email: ellie @ elliekay.com** or assistant @ elliekay.com** or webmaster @ elliekay.com**

or view our Contact Us page.Photos by Jimi Allen(c)
Note: This is an ‘anti-spam’ email address written so that the robot-spiders don’t read it. Please type the email address without the spaces when you submit an email to us. Do not copy and paste it, the spaces will cause it to be incorrect.

I absolutely could not wait to share with you this information about Ellie's new book.

I hope you learn to like and appreciate her and her wonderful, practical ideas and proven methods and tips as much as I do. Have a fruitful day!

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING AND STUFF #10

WHAT CAN WE SAVE ON IN THE MONTH OF JUNE?

Well, of course I'm going to tell ya. I consulted "old reliable," Ellie Kay, the savings and financial expert, to see how we can be good stewards of God's money this month. Here's what she found we can save on and the best month out of the year to buy these items:

Bedding

Floor Coverings

Furniture

Refrigerators

While the list is small this month, it's pretty significant. Obviously if you plan on moving or building a new house, or just refreshing and renewing the one you have, June is a good month to do it. You can save on your large purchases by looking around, comparing prices, and buying this month. And now, my little "diddy" or story to go with this month's items (you know I always do this):

"Oh honey, I so love the new bedding we got. It's so luxurious and soft." "Thanks. I got it at that new store in the shopping center up the street. You know, next to Dale's Floor Coverings." "Oh yeah, speaking of Dale's Floor Coverings. I went by there, and the price to put in the new living room floor as compared to the larger DIY stores is too high. I can get the same flooring put in for $50.00 less per square foot." "Well, I'm glad you checked. BTW, I was thinking that we'd give our old furniture in the living room to a single woman or college student moving into their own apartment and put new furniture in after the floor is down, if we can find what we're wanting and can fit it in the budget of course." "Great idea. We'll look and then talk about it. Let's go look over the budget for the month again. Where we saved for the last 6 months on certain things, I can see where we may be able to squeeze in a much needed new refrigerator when we buy the furniture." "Hey, I see in the entertainment section of our budget we've accumulated a pretty decent amount. All this thinking and saving has made me hungry. Let's go out to eat tonight and catch a movie." "I'm all for it."

Have a great Saturday! Have fun, but stay within your budget (or means).

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING, AND STUFF #9

THRIFT STORES AND RESALE SHOPS ARE THE BEST!!

I bet you already know this, but I just had to say it anyway!!

Who doesn't love a good "find?"

Who doesn't love to save money?

Who doesn't like both of the above together?

I love to FIND neat things and pay less than retail. I love old things,I love new things on clearance, I love the thought of treasures you may find in vintage, re-sale, and thrift shops. I love garage sales and estate sales. Do you get the picture?!! This stuff just thrills me to pieces. No, I'm not hard to please.

Yesterday, in preparation for a Mommy/Daughter tea banquet, I looked around for the little odds and ends that I needed to complete the tea table that I was hosting at church. I was tired when done, but I had a good time going from store to store shopping for the items. I found fabric napkins, nice quality ones, for $3.00 and $6.00 a pack (Tuesday Morning). I found crystal serving trays and spreaders in mint condition at a resale shop for not more than $1.00 a piece (Dogwood). I got floral decorations from a dollar store for obviously $1.00 a strand (Dollar Tree). I found a nice gold and silver, 45pc., flatware set for $20.00 and a beautiful tablecloth for $5.00 (Big Lots) (I had to end up taking the tablecloth back though, because I picked up the wrong size). I have a friend who manages a re-sale store in town who knew what I was preparing to do and so, she told me that if I weren't going to use the props I needed from her store any more after the banquet, to just borrow them for the day and then, bring them back on Monday. How cool is that?!!

I was just so blessed yesterday. Let me tell you, I definitely dedicated my shopping to the Lord and asked Him for bargains if they were meant to be had. I asked Him to let me find everything I needed for the big day, and sure enough, the Faithful One did!! I almost thought I'd failed the directors of the banquet and let the guests that would be at my table down, because I didn't feel like I really had everything and it would be "nice." Well, I didn't have the best looking table by far, but I had everything I needed on it, and I was very pleased with the color scheme. I did my best with what I had, and I had fun!! What else mattered?!! Thank you Lord for my successful day, in more than one way! You came through for me and lots of others again.

Happy shopping and saving you guys. Go "thrifting" more often. There is no telling what you'll find! Maybe more than that, ask God to help you shop. He does better than the best bargain hunter!!

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING, AND STUFF (#8)

WHAT CAN YOU SAVE ON IN THE MONTH OF MAY?

The time has come again, my friends, for me to share with you how you may be able to save big in the month of May, according to one of my favorite ladies in the professional shopping and saving world (Mrs. Ellie Kay). Remember, our money is not really ours; we're just stewards, and as such, we should be wise stewards. Consider how you spend your pennies. Save where you can. Plus, who doesn't like a good bargain?

Here we go:

home maintenance items
linens
radios
spring cleaning supplies
TV's
towels

Now you know sometimes I have to make up a little story using the words from the list of items you can save on above. This is the fun part for me. Here we go again then...

While you're dreaming about you and hubby at Home Depot or Lowe's looking for those very necessary home maintenance items, change dream courses and think of all of the money you just saved on that soft linen you're now snuggling under. Soon, you're awakened by the blare of radios you just purchased for the kids on discount. To keep down the noise, you tell them to turn them off and occupy themselves by grabbing the spring cleaning supplies and going to work on the house. Of course they'd rather watch TV, you know, the HDTV you just got on sale at your local electronics store. Well, it's time to just climb out of bed, shower, wrap yourself in those luxurious towels you caught on clearance along with those linens, and start your day.

Happy shopping everyone!!

Hey, and just for fun, leave me a comment trying to use all of the listed words yourself. Let's see what you've got.

SATURDAY SHOPPING, SAVING, AND STUFF #7

Sorry I'm late with the list of things you can save on this month. Here I am giving you the list mid-month, and you've probably done a lot of your shopping and saving for the month already!! Well, if you're like me, and you haven't done all of your shopping and saving yet for the month, maybe you'll get some use out of this list. For the rest of you, this is good for that last minute thing or maybe next year. What things can you save on in the month of April? It's a good time to buy:

Easter clothes and accessories (haven't you seen this stuff everywhere?!!)
Eggs
Electronics (time to get that new, expensive TV with HD that you're going to be forced to get whether you're satisfied with your "regular, working-perfectly-fine" existing TV or not, or, like us, get the converter box--wonder if April is a good month to save on that too--oh yeah, you can go online and get a coupon for the box--well, isn't that a wonderful courtesy to extend to ones you're forcing to do what they didn't choose for themselves and their family in the first place?--oh I keep forgetting, it's just a matter of keeping up with changing technology; it's for our own good; it's what you must do unless you plan on dieing any time soon. What was I thinking?!)
A kitchen stove
Paint (start thinking about refreshing those rooms guys!)
Wallpaper (oh well, skip the paint and go for the wallpaper!)

And these my dears, are all of the wonderful things you could have or can still save on this month! Have a really good shopping and savings day today. Come home, look over your purchases, and feel good about your careful, prayerful choices and what you did with God's money today!

SATURDAY SHOPPING AND STUFF (#6)

HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON COFFEE AND STUFF?

Okay this is not going to be a sermon, so I won't preach (unless i'm preaching to the choir), but I was just out nosing around town while the kids were at birthday parties and spending time with their friends and noticed something--the long, long lines at Starbucks (Okay, get the band-aids out, I might have just stepped on some toes til they bled, but it's going to be okay:)). I'll be the last one to blast someone about the little luxuries like coffee, TEA!!, chocolate habits, purses, extras for our cars, etc. I don't do all of these, but everyone knows about my TEA. Anyhooty, just stop here for a few seconds (it might take some of us minutes to add this up depending on the habit), and try to come up with a dollar figure for what we spend per month, then per year for these habits or luxuries. Oh my Word!! I can hear some of you going, "Yeah..., and?" But some of us are thinking, "Uhh, is it really that much?!! Boy what I can be doing with that much money!"

When I saw the lines at Starbucks, I wondered, "Are these people regulars (probably), first-timers just getting into the habit, every-now-and-theners, or what?" For the regulars, how regular is regular? Do they get the same thing every time? What's the average amount someone would spend on a cup of latte or coffee? Is there any thought behind the purchases? Do they have an actual coffee budget? I have a friend I went out to lunch with the other day who admitted to me that she stops at Starbucks twice a day, every day. She said that it took us going out to lunch and talking about something (I can't remember what it was now) for her to stop and realize how much she was spending on that habit every day. She says that just the Mon-Fri habit alone was over $50.00. $50.00!!!! Yall, am I aghast because I'm poor or is this my stewardship needle bending heavily toward "can you give yourself a little treat every now and then because it's in the budget (life's little pleasures that God allows and gives us the privilege of having on this road), but consult God about wanting you to do something else more meaningful with the rest of HIS money?' Or is it both with me? This all made me go back and look to see where I might be spending on luxuries (that's what it's called you guys, when it is not a necessity for life--I know we don't always like to hear that though) and pray for wisdom on whether that's where my money should go, even if I can afford the luxury.


Don't get me wrong, and don't stop reading here. I don't think we should go around to prove something by making ourselves do without things that I'm convinced God allows us to be privy to. Life won't be easy for any of us all of the time, and the Christian's life will come with all kinds of trials and sometimes persecution, but again, I'm convinced that God has created and allowed man to create some wonderful things in this life that He allows us to enjoy, BUT...can we enjoy those things and be grateful for the privilege and then re-focus and look around to see if there really are other places or things our money would be so much more useful for? As for me, I'd like to be more conscious of this than I already am.


What I think is cool is that there are so many "affordable, little luxuries." This is good because there are plenty of very expensive habits that we could be getting ourselves into, if we chose to and could afford it. So, I guess I'm just wondering are we conscious sometimes of what we're spending and if so, have we decided for sure that what we're doing is "okay", or can we see where we may need to do something a little different? Just a thought...

SATURDAY SHOPPING AND STUFF (#4)

I won't have time to post tomorrow, so I'm posting early for Saturday. I have a suggestion for a website that I think you'll be interested in. A lot of you have probably already heard of it, but I'm going to mention it anyway. This website will help you learn how to establish a budget, save, spend wisely, invest, teach your kids how to manage money, etc. Go to crown.org. This is a financial management website that is so user-friendly. There are tons of resources, guidelines, helps, downloads, tips, etc. here. I took a Crown class at church and it has proven to be invaluable to me and my family. We are now on our way to being debt-free (we've still got a little way to go, but are on track) and learning how to manage our finances overall better. One of our teen sons has taken the Crown teens class and we think that will prove invaluable to him too. We're looking forward to having a class with the girls. Crown takes the fear and apprehension out of trying to get control over finances. This subject is not comfortable for most of us, but it seems more uncomfortable when we actually have to put a plan in practice. Crown makes it much easier, and once you see that it works, you're motivated to keep going. Crown has all kinds of ways to get control from the old-fashioned pencil and paper method to using software and the internet. It's up to you. Do it with your spouse, children, aging parents, friends who may need help and financial accountability, etc. You'll be so glad you did. God will be honored too, that you learned how to spend and invest His money wisely. You did know it was His didn't you?:)



Spend wisely this Saturday!!

SATURDAY SHOPPING AND STUFF

The best month to buy the following is our new month, March:

air conditioners
china
corned beef (don't know why, but it's true. We just bought some on sale at Aldi.)
dryers (we are going to need a new one of these)
frozen foods
garden supplies
glassware
houses
luggage
spring clothing and shoe sales
storm window clearances
washers
winter outdoor recreation equipment

Happy shopping today and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.

SATURDAY SHOPPING AND STUFF

Since Saturday most people relax or shop, I thought I'd share a few tips I've learned from author, speaker, wife, mother Ellie Kay who is the ONE to go to when you want to shop on a budget, live well on one income, save, invest, find bargains, shopping tips and secrets, etc. I love her book 1/2 Price Living-Secrets to Living Well on One Income. I would encourage anyone who wants to know some really great things about any topic I've named above to get this book (she's got other great ones too!). She knows her stuff. I know that most women love a sale or bargain, and some of us love to make sure we're spending our money and time wisely (practicing good stewardship).

Ellie talks about the right days to shop for certain things. Yes, there are certain days you ought to try and shop for what you're looking for, unless, of course, it's something you need right then. But, if you use some of the following tips and plan ahead, you can save a lot of money. The following is what I learned from reading her book:

If you're shopping for a car, Ellie says, "Most people know late summer and early fall are the times when carmakers release new models and dealers want to get rid of last year's leftovers. But most people don't know a good time to buy is at the end of the month and often in the middle of the week-Wednesday. If you can buy on the last Wednesday of the month, you'll do even better. Another Wednesday factor is that dealerships aren't crowded in the middle of the week, and customers can get more attention from the sales staff. Early mornings and midweek are the least crowded times."


House shopping is another good thing you can do on Wednesday, because real estate agents have a tendency to show fewer homes on this day. Ellie Kay says the best season to look for a house is winter. She shares that "houses tend to have a lackluster appearance in the winter and don't show as well. They lose curb appeal in their dormant state. Higher home prices come in the spring, when most houses go on the market. So, buy in the winter and sell in the spring." Good advice we may not even think about when buying a home!

Since it's February, I'll share with you what things she says are best purchased in this month or may have special sales in this month. Sorry I waited until almost the end of the month to share, but...better late than never, right? Okay, here we go...
Bedding
Chocolate
Coats
Dinnerware
Floor Coverings
Furniture
Housewares
Valentine's Day Candy (after the 14th of course)

Happy shopping and savings to you. Hope you can find sweet rest on your new bedding while you eat your discounted chocolate from Valentine's Day. That's after you have gone out shopping wearing your new coat that was a steal at your favorite store. Of course you would have come straight home to use your new dinnerware while standing on that fabulous new floorcovering in your kitchen. While waiting for the dinner to be done, you slumped on the chic, new furniture the warehouse up the road had with unbelievable sale tags on it. That particular furniture store had a housewares section you could check out while there, to complete that look. Those prices were more heavily discounted than the furniture. It was unbelievable!!

Wouldn't that be a great shopping day?!! See you next Saturday!