The holiday season can be a time of stress for many households, rather than a time of joy. It’s not because our minds are in the wrong place. It’s because we have the desire to give more than we actually have. It can be very discouraging to discover that we don’t have the means to give our loved ones what we want to. This is why we need to think about the holidays now instead of November or December.
Plan Ahead
What traditions are the most important to your family? Do you want to have stockings? Is there a pajama tradition for your family? What do you plan to have for a holiday dinner? Will there be traveling during that time? It’s best to plan for these expenses long before it’s time to pay for them. At least then you know what your financial goal is for the end of the year.
Saving Now
Now that you have a number in mind for the holiday season and it’s time to make a savings plan to achieve your goal. Some people have more difficulty making money during the winter season. If you work as a gardener, pool cleaner, or even a diesel mechanic, you know what I’m talking about. Summer is a time of abundance, but if you don’t save up for the winter you have a few hard months ahead of you. It doesn’t have to be a large amount that is saved every month, just so long as you are saving up.
Buy It Now
Not all items that need to be brought are difficult to get outside the holiday season. Even gifts aren’t time sensitive. It is especially easy to shop for younger children throughout the year. I just use the age appropriate markings on the packaging for how old my children will be during the holiday season and buy these items months earlier than Christmas. Then I store them in a closet and wrap them when December comes around. I don’t have to worry about getting them all at once and making a huge dent in our budget. Best of all, I can snag them on sale or clearance. 
Crafting
One of the more time consuming money savers during the holidays are crafted gifts. Blankets, toys, and clothing all take time to make. So do scrapbooks and picture albums. The holidays are a busy time, often too busy to start and finish any project. It’s best to start early in the year when there is time to actually produce a quality gift, especially if you’re planning to make several gifts.
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Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 6)
Graduation
Birthday
Baby Shower
You can make a custom photo mug into the perfect gift!
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If you’re in the market for toothpaste, photos, make up or yogurt, then you’re in luck because you can get them for free this week. Check out all the other cool full-sized freebies you can get by using coupons and store rewards dollars this week.
WALGREENS
Buy 3 Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Warmers $1.00 each, when you buy 3, sale price through 4/26
Use three $1.00/1 – GladeOil: PlugIns Scented Oil Warmer or Starter Kit (coupons.com)
Final Price: Free, when you buy 3
Buy 1 Ban Total Refresh Cloths, 10 ct $3.99, sale price through 4/19
Use Free – Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths from SS 4/13
Final Price: Free
Buy 1 Morton Epsom Lotion, 8 oz $6.00, sale price through 4/19
Buy 1, Receive $6.00 Register Reward
Pay $6.00, Receive $6.00 Register Reward
Final Price: Free
CVS
Buy 1 CVS Antacid Flavor Chew Peppermint, 12 ct $1.49, sale price through 4/26
Buy 1, Receive $1.49 ExtraBucks through 4/26, Limit 10 (Monthly Deal)
Pay $1.49, Receive $1.49 ExtraBucks
Final Price: Free
Buy 2 Almay Shadow Softies Eye Shadow $4.99, regular price
Buy One Get One 50% Off through 4/19
Use two $4.00/1 Almay Cosmetic Product from SS 4/13 (exp 4/27)
Final Price: Free, when you buy 2
Buy 1 Ban Refresh Cooling Body Cloths, 10 ct $3.39, regular price
Use one Free – Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths from SS 4/13
Final Price: Free
Buy 1 4 x 6 Photo Book $4.99, sale price through 4/19
Buy 1, Receive $4.99 ExtraBucks through 4/19, Limit 1
Pay $4.99, Receive $4.99 ExtraBucks
Final Price: Free
Buy 1 Colgate Max Toothpaste, 6 oz $3.00, sale price through 4/19
Or Colgate Total Toothpaste, 4-4.2 oz $3.00, sale price through 4/19
Or Colgate 2-in-1 Toothpaste, 4.6 oz $3.00, sale price through 4/19
Or Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, 4 oz $3.00, sale price through 4/19
Use one $0.50/1 – Colgate Toothpaste, 3.4 oz or larger from SS 4/13
And use one $2.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste, CVS Coupon Center Week of 4/13
Final Price: Free
Buy 1 Almay Color & Care Liquid Lip Balm $5.99, sale price through 4/19
Or Almay Eye Makeup Remover $5.99, sale price through 4/19
Buy 1, Receive $1.99 ExtraBucks through 4/19, Limit 1
Use one $4.00/1 Almay Cosmetic Product from SS 4/13 (exp 4/27)
Pay $1.99, Receive $1.99 ExtraBucks
Final Price: Free
TARGET
Buy 2 Mucinex Allergy, 5 ct $7.49, regular price
Buy 2, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card through 4/26
Use two $5.00/1 – Mucinex Allergy Product from SS 3/16
And use 10% Off – Mucinex and Delsym, Target Cartwheel Offer (exp 4/19) – (cartwheel.target.com)
Pay $3.48, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card
Final Price: $1.52 Moneymaker, when you buy 2
WALMART
Buy 1 Oscar Mayer P3, 1 ct $1.00, regular price
Use one $1.00/1 – Oscar Mayer P3 Portable Protein Pack (proteinproteinprotein.com)
Final Price: Free
Buy 1 McCormick Taco Seasoning Packet $0.56, regular price
Use one $0.75/1 – McCormick Spice, Herb, Extract or Food Color from RP 4/6
Final Price: $0.19 Moneymaker
Buy 1 Yoplait Yogurt Cup, 6 oz $0.50, regular price
Buy 1, Earn $0.50 with Checkout 51
Pay $0.50, Submit for $0.50 Checkout 51 Credit
Final Price: Free
I think free make up is of my favorite type of freebies. And lotion…and groceries…and photos…Okay, I guess I’m just a sucker for freebies. How about you?
Being thrifty doesn’t mean dressing frumpy. When you can save 60% off designer goods you can have the luxuries without breaking the bank. How do you do this? Be signing up with Amazon My Habit! It’s free to join, so why not sign up then shop online?
Save $10 off a purchase of $25 or more of regular, sale, and clearance-priced apparel, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry and home purchases JCPenney April 16th – Saturday, April 19th. Printable Coupon – Redeem in-store!
So many cell phones! Have you upgraded lately? You can sell your old cell phone at uSell.com.
That’s another way to live life as a Thrifty Diva, take advantage of making money from things you already have but don’t need!
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