One wonderful thing that frugal living people can do is to share their bounty with others. Whether it is sharing with friends and family or giving to special charities and families in need, you can take advantage of some opportunities right now. Not only will this give you the ability to give more for less, but also your spending on gifts will get distributed quite nicely instead of occurring over just a few weeks.
School Supplies
One brilliant mention in our church’s newsletter reminded us to stock up on school supplies. In December, we have a few different giving missions, such as filling shoe boxes with needed and wanted items for children.
Right now, you can get crayons for $.25, glue sticks for $.10, etc. These are great items to include for giving. I have even seen some great deals on backpacks that render them free or almost free. How wonderful to be able to fill a backpack full of supplies for a child in need. You might even be able to gift it through your own school when school starts if you don’t want to wait until the holidays.
Yard sales and outgrown sales
I had such a fun time helping out at an outgrown sale. When the sale was close to closing, everything became half off! This would be a great time to stock up on clothing and toys for a giving tree or for your own family and friends. Let us say that you prefer giving new items. That is fine. There are many finds that still have their tags or are sealed in their original packaging. Or, you can do what we do: buy new items to fulfill the wish list and then supplement it with plenty of extra yard sale items. I’ve never had anyone turn down the extra supplies!
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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