This month’s newsletter is short and sweet! Hopefully, you can glean an idea or at least stay encouraged to press on towards your savings goals! Enjoy your Summer!
Website Recommendations
If you are in the DC Metro area, see what free events are occurring at www.washingtonparent.com or www.washingtonfamily.com. Outside DC. Most major cities have an affiliate magazine and/or website. Go to these sites and see if you can find your city’s link. Looking for coupons or discounts? Check out www.valupage.com and www.valpak.com.
Encouragement Corner
You know to pray, but here’s a reminder. Before going on vacation, shopping trip, or just running around town, take a minute and pray in your car/van. Seek God for His guidance on what to and not to do. Ask the Lord to “provide you the right X at the right price,” if you are shopping. You’ll be amazed at the deals you find! If the Lord closes a door on a purchase or a trip, you can confidently rest in the assurance that the Lord did not want you to spend His money in this manner.
July Shopping
Kohl’s—July is a big sales month (January is the other month for great Kohl’s deals). Buy end of season merchandise for next year at bargain prices. This tip is true for any place you shop!
Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store: Right now they’re offering an extra 20% off for purchases of $10 or more. You can buy 12 grain bread for $1.50/loaf (before extra discounts) or their famous Goldfish crackers for $1 or less a package. Stock your freezer! *If you know a Senior Citizen, they get an extra 10% off on specified days.
Groceries: This is the season to stock your freezer with July 4th deals. Most grocery stores feature meat at great sale prices. Save money by buying fresh produce, too. Avoid the expense of heating your stove/oven by eating fruits and salad during on hot days!
July Excursions
AAA—If you are a AAA member, don’t forget to inquire about discounts at local and vacation sites. You’ll be surprised that you can save a couple of dollars with entrance fees, hotel stays, etc. with your membership.
FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL—If you are in the DC area, check out the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival. It’s free, educational and fun. Dates are 6/30 -7/4 and 7/7-7/9. My family enjoyed the Festival on 7/2. It’s a tradition every year that we spend a few hours “taking in” the sites, making crafts, and listening to music. Don’t forget to carry lots of water with you to avoid buying it at the festival. It’s hot in the summer in DC!
If you are outside DC, consider a trip here one July 4th celebration. The downtown National Mall area has the most spectacular fireworks in the country with an incredible free concert. Due to the intense and diverse crowds, I don’t recommend going downtown for fireworks unless you like crowds and/or your children are mid-elementary age. However, there are numerous other sites here with great fireworks and celebrations, like county parks and Fort Belvoir.
Should you visit DC near July 4th, plan at least half a day on the weekend before or after the 4th to visit the Folklife Festival. The festival features at least three topics and includes native people from the countries featured. You’ll learn at least a few interesting facts while viewing great exhibits and enjoying culture.
TIPS
Here are a few ideas to try. Maybe one of these will spark an even greater idea you develop yourself that serves your family even better!
1-If you are “on the go” a lot (sports, pool, etc.), make numerous burritos and freeze them. Then, when you need a fast lunch/dinner, you can grab one on the go. It can thaw out while you’re running an errand or playing with your family. Of course, you’ll have to fully cook the meat prior to freezing! This, along with keeping snacks in your car/van, can save a few bucks!
2-I’m experimenting this month with this idea….make soap bars last longer. Take your soap bar out of the wrapper a week or more prior to using it. Supposedly, your bar will last longer. Maybe this is an “oxidizing thing”???
3-Set up a rewards bag/box. If your children are young, you can even re-use those “Happy Meal” toys in your prize box. When a child earns a reward (you decide the basis), you are ready with small items that have cost you little or nothing. Also, keep your extra rewards and toys to give to your child’s teacher or Sunday School/AWANAS teacher this Fall. I use some of my kids’ “spare toys” with my AWANAS class!
4-Plant Exchange—Find a friend who you can exchange plants with this summer. This is a good way to get a new perennial! (Don’t forget to bring some of your plants indoors in October/November. You can save annuals by keeping them inside your home during Winter.)
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If you have a church or civic organization, and you’re looking for a speaker, I would love to talk with you about the opportunity. Not only do I speak about financial matters, but I enjoy sharing about spiritual topics.
Thank you to those of you who have inquired about my book, Face of Courage. I’m having a lot of fun telling folks about my book and sharing in this ministry!
Joy to you!
Michele Buschman
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:12-13.