One Response to “Budgeting?”

1. Treadstone says:

   May 13, 2010 at 9:21 am

   It helps to shop for gifts a few era a year & stock up a bit in advance instead of waiting aptly before a party.

   Use your experience from previous years to estimate your needs and keep a schedule of events.

   Keep a list of gift thoughts & an inventory of items you have.

   1) Shop after Christmas sales & other after season sales to stock up on toys & other gifts.

   2) Shop at scheduled sale events. Get on the mailing list & e-mail list of your favorite shops for notices & coupons.

   For ex) Bath & Bodyworks has a twice yearly sale on lotions, shower gels, lip balms, etc. so you can stock up on gifts for girls. This store sometimes sends out e-mail coupons too.

   The Body Shop has frequent promotions too.

   Ancient Navy has clearance sales about every 3 months. Check the racks for purses, totes, jewelry, tee shirts, etc.

   3) Check out community discounters like Tuesday Morning, Ross, etc. for toys. I’ve seen some fantastic Lego sets, Barbie dolls & accessories @ really low prices @ Tuesday Morning.

   Check the book sales racks @ Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc. I’ve seen some fantastic craft kits, journals, and cute tale books on those tables & racks.

   4) Stick w/ more traditional toys like enter games, Etch-A-Sketch, Play Doh sets, etc. These tend to be lower priced because they are classics and have to compete w/ more modern items like video games.

   5) Try to reckon of gift sets you can make w/ items from discount retailers like Target.

   For example, girls would like embellished hair pins, headbands & pony tail holders in a plastic case. You could include a styling brush, a compact mirror & some mini beauty products.

   A boy might like a tee shirt w/ his favorite super hero & a few comic books.

   As for fund raisers, find other ways to contribute or participate. (e.g. by volunteering to help w/ organization or help publicize the event)

   Set a austere limit for the year & track what you spend. Don’t feel terrible about sticking to your limit either. Just politely decline if you must or if you cannot use anything being offered.

   Try to limit your buy to 1 item per fund raiser & make it a multi-purpose item. For example, buy a roll of gift wrap you can use for b-days and other special occasions.

   Selling cookie dough is another typical fund raiser. You can buy 1 tub and then use it to bake cookies for a pot luck or school bake sale. You can make them special by adding sprinkles or drizzling some melted chocolate over them.

   You can choose what you want to do for the year and set a policy for yourself. If you reckon money is going to be very forceful – then do not buy anything from fund raisers & to be honest, do not sell anything for fund raisers @ the office. You don’t have to clarify yourself – just politely decline & know that you won’t be imposing on anyone either. Or you can stick to the 1 item per fund raiser & only make a buy if it’s something you can use. Not every fund raiser is a excellent one.

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