Get Your Holiday Paper Goods This Week!

Do your kids ask you where you got your fabulous wrapping paper at the holidays? No, mine don't either. Does anyone? No--unless it is handmade (my favorite), no one cares how much is spent on wrapping paper or paper goods. So why spend a ton of money on these items? The key, though, is to not wait until Black Friday and the days beyond, when you will spend precious time waiting in line for these items. This is definitely the week to get to the Dollar Store (Dollar General or Family Dollar) to pick up holiday paper goods. I'm trying not to even think about the holidays yet, but a shopper can save a ton of money by getting wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, bows, tape, all paper goods used for holiday meals, plastic utensils, tins for baking as well as other winter items that seem to get misplaced easily such as gloves, hats, and socks all at a dollar store. Make your holiday time less stressful--spend less money on the items that matter less and don't wait in line for them.

The Hand-Me-Down Circle, A Way to Give Back

I have to tell you how wonderful my friends are!  One of them just handed-me-down a big bag of clothes for two of my children.  Her children are one size larger than my daughter and son, though they are a year younger.  Yes, I know when I was younger, "hand-me-downs" weren't my favorite clothes, but the times have changed.  How best to save money has become a necessary part of the SAHM's job these days.
  My kids pored through these bags completely excited, pulling out this sparkly item or that pair of jeans--my daughter especially.  Hand-me-downs from other peers help her to be her own little "fashionista"!