Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 5, 2015

It’s also a wonderful experience for the whole family, and spending some time in the great outdoors can teach the kids a thing or two about “roughing it” and what it takes to survive out in the wilderness (even if you’re in a park). Don’t buy expensive water bottles. Borrow or buy a used tent.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Family Kids and Family 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 26, 2015

In 2015 I’m challenging myself to rethink purchases by taking advantage of more cost effective solutions like borrowing, buying second hand, or just making do with what we already have. But I also found success at a thrift store. Instead of buying new this year, ask yourself these questions: Can I borrow from someone?

Thrifting 100

Thrifting March Thrift Stores Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

The season of family, faith, food and…shopping… collective sigh… The spending part of Christmas can get crazy, so I’ve come up with a list of last minute ideas to find some extra cash for your Christmas spending. Think high school senior portraits or family photos for Christmas cards. Consider tutoring.

Christmas 235

Christmas Finds Part Time Thrift Stores 235

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 5, 2015

So for 2015, I want to challenge myself and you, to rethink our purchases by taking advantage of more cost effective solutions, like borrowing, buying second hand, or just making do with what we already have. While I love thrift stores, I can be easily swayed to run into Target or Kohl’s when I’m in that part of town.

Thrifting 100

Thrifting 2015 Thrift Stores Buying Second-Hand 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

In 2015 I’m challenging myself to rethink purchases by taking advantage of more cost effective solutions like borrowing, buying second hand, or just making do with what we already have. Maybe I’m still recovering from the Christmas shopping frenzy, but I had little desire to step into a store. February Update.

Thrifting 100

Thrifting February Thrift Stores Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 11, 2017

Have a large extended family that buys gifts f or everyone ? I belong to many frugal living Facebook groups and so often people rant about how expensive and overwhelming gift giving can be for the extended family. Years ago, my extended family decided to play a gift exchange game. Thrift store finds.

Games 100

Games Christmas Gifts Family 100

Couponing 101

MAY 29, 2019

Buy Out of Season. Buy Used Clothing. That means a lot of other families need to offload children’s clothing that was barely worn, so you can snag some great deals. You can find used children’s clothing at thrift stores, garage sales, or online via Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Ask Family and Friends.

Clothes 84

Clothes Clothing Simple Friends And Family Sale 84

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Because so many people are living on incomes that cannot support their spending habits; living on borrowed money, moving money from account to account, buying, spending, hiding the bills, and eventually the ‘dog of debt’ will catch up to you and bite you right in your credit report. Buy Store Brands. Don’t know how to cook?

Saving Money 221

Saving Money Money Budgeting Budget 221

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 4, 2020

Also, I tend to keep pieces for a long time, as I learned years ago that buying quality clothing lasts much longer than fast fashion. While I like to shop at thrift stores, I have a hard time finding TALL length jeans for my 5’10 frame and I was in need of new jeans. I won’t need to buy jeans for a few years. $20

November 130

November 2020 Frugal Old Navy 130

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 1, 2017

We found a guy who buys appliances from bank foreclosures and resells them. April’s Thrift Store Finds. I have no problem buying equipment for our kids’ activities, but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something that my daughter is just trying out. Total Savings: $300.

April 100

April 2017 Washer and Dryer Daughter 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 11, 2015

The holidays are a fun time to get together with friends and family. And you don’t have to buy a new ugly sweater, you could either visit your favorite thrift store or decorate a sweater you already own. Swaps are a great theme for your moms’ group, the neighborhood, and family. It’s PARTY time.

Christmas 100

Christmas Budgeting Budget Swap 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 29, 2015

In 2015 I’m challenging myself to rethink purchases by taking advantage of more cost effective solutions like borrowing, buying second hand, or just making do with what we already have. Instead of buying new this year, ask yourself these questions: Can I borrow from someone? Can I make do with something else around my house?

Thrifting 100

Thrifting January Thrift Stores Financial Goals 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 15, 2015

If you are in more of a hurry, find a thrift store instead. But, find one in a high end neighborhood, one where the store sorts through the donations to select only the best. Look for sales in neighborhoods matching the kinds of things you want to buy. If you are still reluctant to buy used, consider the below bargains.

Garage Sale 100

Garage Sale Garage Finds Sale 100

Saving Cents With Sense

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids grow out of them so fast that buying them new really is a waste. You can find lightly used clothes and toys at garage sales or thrift stores to save as much as 90 percent off retail, according to LivingOnADime.com, a site dedicated to frugal living. Another great item to buy used is your car. All rights reserved.

Frugal 75

Frugal Family Student Thrift Stores 75

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 30, 2015

In 2015 I’m challenging myself to rethink purchases by taking advantage of more cost effective solutions like borrowing, buying second hand, or just making do with what we already have. Instead of buying new this year, ask yourself these questions: Can I borrow from someone? Have you joined the challenge?

Thrifting 100

Thrifting April Thrift Stores Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

If you are self-employed, work for a company or in an industry that is unstable, or maybe you or someone in your family has medical issues, you might want to save 6-12 months of expenses. It sounds dreadful, but it is possible to reduce your grocery bill without making everyone in your family miserable. 9 – Collect your change.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

If you are self-employed, work for a company or in an industry that is unstable, or maybe you or someone in your family has medical issues, you might want to save 6-12 months of expenses. Read 11 Simple Menu Planning Tips to learn how to reduce your grocery bill without making everyone in your family miserable.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 19, 2014

I had three baby showers when I was pregnant for my son–one from each side of the family and one from my co-workers. There was very little I had to buy for my child after these showers. Garlick got all of her children’s clothes and gear from friends, family, and sites like Freecycle. It turns out, quite easily.

Friends And Family Sale 176

Friends And Family Sale Clothing and Accessories Kids and Family Clothes 176

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 19, 2014

Don’t spend too much money on a sun tea jar, I see them at yard sales and thrift stores all of the time. Do you buy it or make it at home? I’ve had mine since the early 90′s as you can probably tell by its decor. As I said, I love my iced tea with herbal simple syrup. I also use the syrup in adult beverages.

Food and Drink 180

Food and Drink Thrift Stores Thrifty Thrifting 180

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 29, 2011

As I am trying to choose thrift first when it comes to purchases for my family and our home, I realized once again recently that my local, friendly thrift store rarely lets me down. Armed with a mental list of things that I needed to keep my eye open for, I headed to the store on Wednesday for the 50% off sale.

Thrifting 149

Thrifting Home and Garden Friends And Family Sale Thrift Stores 149

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Many of us are struggling to make ends meet (as in what’s at the end of the receipt meeting what’s at the end of your checkbook), and sometimes we discover that money for enough groceries to feed a family just isn’t in the budget. Don’t let pride make you go broke because there is no shame in buying Weis spaghetti sauce instead of Ragu.

Groceries 252

Groceries Grocery Bills Used 252

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 16, 2015

My husband volunteers at our local YMCA for a free family membership. Thrift : I regularly stop by my favorite local thrift store and find crazy bargains. I only shop on Wednesdays, when the store has a 50% off everything sale. I keep a list of needs with me so I’m not buying stuff we don’t need.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Thrifting Thrift Stores 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 4, 2013

A meal plan can be one of the best ways to avoid last-minute takeout runs, as well as ensure that you have a way to use the food you buy. If you decide to buy in bulk as a way to save money, you can preserve some of that food for later. Pay attention to that when you buy. One solution is to buy things loose.

Re-use 278

Re-use Home and Garden Bulk Electronics 278

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 21, 2014

And when these squares wear out, I’ll head to the thrift store for some cheap flannel shirts. Do you buy the refills or do you make your own? This post is linked to Follow Our Thrift. This post is linked to Follow Our Thrift. Thanks for supporting Family Balance Sheet. Do you use a Swiffer?

DIY 100

DIY Thrifting Thrift Stores Vacuums 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

My family’s finances have also been affected. It was during this time that I created my first Family Balance Sheet. As the Family Office Manager , I handle the day-to-day finances for our family and I needed a way to communicate our finances to my husband. Everything changed. I still use my spreadsheet to this day!

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 9, 2012

While it is true that most e-books are cheaper than their printed counterparts, they can still be fairly expensive, especially if you find yourself buying more than one book a week, or you find yourself consistently purchasing new titles, which tend to be more expensive. This is a great option for a family that has multiple Kindles.

Saving Money 188

Saving Money Money Library Saving 188

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 9, 2014

By the end of the month, my goal is to help you have a detailed financial plan for your family. It is my personal mission as the household manager for my family to live well, but I want us to do so on less money. I want my family to enjoy life, but we also have some pretty serious financial goals that we are trying to achieve.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Finance Organic 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 21, 2015

She writes about family, finances and faith at her blog, Principles of Increase. Tell us about you and your family. We are a musical family and love plugging into our urban community through volunteering and mentoring local youth. As a family, we love cooking and spending time together. Where are you from?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Las Vegas Finance 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 22, 2013

Learn About Impulse Buying vs. Using A List. Talk about why you make a list (to keep within your budgeted expense amount and still get what the family needs), how you use it (Do you put the items in order by where they are in the store? Do you buy only exactly what is on the list? Learn About Customer Satisfaction.

Money 229

Money Kids Storing Kids and Family 229

Couponing 101

MAY 10, 2012

One of the simplest ways to save money (especially if you love bread as much as I do) is to home-make your bread rather than buying it at the store. A loaf of bread from the bakery at the grocery store costs at least $2. A few hours later, you have a beautiful and delicious loaf of bread that feeds the entire family.

Bread 68

Bread At Home Frugal Bread Machines 68

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 23, 2011

There is an initial investment, but I have seen similiar containers at yard sales or thrift stores and at Bed Bath and Beyond where they regularly offer 20% coupons. Use plastic store bags for trash bags. Re-use glass jars instead of buying plastic storage ware. Thanks for supporting Family Balance Sheet.

Economical 185

Economical Kitchen Paper Groceries 185

Couponing 101

AUGUST 6, 2019

But while your child’s participation in sports may be fun for the whole family, it might not be so great for your pocketbook. Buy Secondhand Equipment. You can find secondhand sports gear at thrift stores, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and sports resale shops, like Play It Again Sports.

Sports 40

Sports Kids Craigslist Kids and Family 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 13, 2017

But, we also need stuff for emotional support – stuff to remind us that we are part of a generations old family, that we have accomplished significant tasks, seen impressive places and conquered difficult situations. Kids will naturally accumulate stuff, even when they can’t buy it. You donate to suitable charities.

Cycle 113

Cycle Kids and Family Friends And Family Sale Garage Sale 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 7, 2011

The holiday season can bring shudders and tears to folks who have lost family members or friends; who have lost jobs and income; who have seen illness come into their lives; or who have lost hope and aspiration. There is a family, torn by divorce and struggling to understand it’s new circumstances in order to deal with them.

Holiday 183

Holiday Friends And Family Sale At&T Giving 183

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 13, 2012

Thrift stores are also a great place to shop. For family dinners, have everyone bring a dish, or better yet, do a traveling dinner. Our extended family get togethers always involve folks bringing their own favorite alcohol as well as a specific dish for the meal. The main purpose is just to enjoy each others company!

Holiday 202

Holiday Friends And Family Sale Kids and Family Christmas 202

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 6, 2016

That is close to what an average family spends on food in one month. Invest in reusable containers with lids to store leftovers. Buying a coffee is a guilty splurge for me, but to be honest, the particular coffee shop brand that I love is sold in grocery stores, like Giant. That’s crazy! Brew your own coffee.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Gift Cards Money Giveaway 100

Saving With Shellie

AUGUST 8, 2012

So how does a Spartan mom dress her family these days? About five years ago, I started thrifting. I have found my greatest buys when I wasn’t looking for something in particular. The next time I’m at a thrift store, then I know to focus my attention there. but I prioritize the needs first. :: Find “Your” store.

Thrifting 76

Thrifting Thrift Stores Clothes Clothing 76