This month’s newsletter is even more short than the last! For those who know me, you may be aware that my son had surgery last week. Thankfully, it was orthoscopic (on his arm – assisting with the healing process from a broken bone). We are still praying the Lord will heal Peter since it will be a few more months before we know if the extent of the surgery’s success. Between vacation and medical issues, July was a busy month. I hope to have a longer newsletter for September.
Website Recommendations
How about you sharing a couple of new ones with me?! My only recommendation for websites this month is to select one or two that encourage you in your financial goals. Hit those sites quarterly and keep your surfing to a minimum. Otherwise, you’ll spend most of your time researching and reading instead of being with your loved ones.
August Shopping
Many states have tax-free shopping for school supplies and clothing. This weekend, August 4-6, Virginia has a tax-free weekend. Items tax-free in VA are school supplies valued at $20/item and below and clothing valued at $100/item and below. I heard on the news that Circuit City is having a “sale” and offering 5% off all merchandise, regardless of price, to entice you to shop.
My only 2 suggestions w/ back-to-school shopping is use a list (try to curb impulse purchases) and don’t bring younger children with you for school supplies, unless absolutely necessary (they beg for things they don’t need).
Kohl’s—July was a big sales month (January is the other month for great Kohl’s deals). I was in Kohl’s this week and noted many clearance items still on the sales floor. This might be a good place to shop with the tax-free weekend this weekend. Buy end of season merchandise for next year at bargain prices. This tip is true for any place you shop!
Excursions
Let me share about an opportunity for next July! If you’re in the DC area, think about an incredible and FREE concert on July 3rd. The nation has a huge concert televised on PBS on 7/4. But on 7/3, you can go downtown to the mall area in front of the Capitol and watch the dress rehearsal for free. The crowd is still about 100,000 people on 7/3 vs. 500,000 on 7/4. We enjoyed this year’s concert with Vanessa Williams, Michael Bolton, Stevie Wonder, and some excellent dancing! It’s a fun night out and it’s a frugal way to celebrate America…just a day early!
TIPS
1-Kendall shared that she hired a teenager girl from her church to help with her daughter’s American Girl Doll B-day party. The teenager was relatively inexpensive (and compared to hiring a party coordinator or clown….a lot cheaper). The teen helped the children with games and offered an extra set of hands. Plus, the kids thought it was fun to have a teenager around. If you have a teen in your home, maybe this could be a way for her/him to make a little extra money?!?
2-With school starting in a few weeks, be on the look-out for teacher gifts (piano teachers, Sunday School teachers, and school teachers). There are lots of great items on sale now you can stock up for Christmas gifts. For example, I give my kids’ teachers a gift bag of stickers, reward items, and supplies they can use in their classroom.
3-Stocking stuffers: With most discount stores featuring Crayola crayons at $0.20 per pack, this is the time to get a few items for your kids’ stockings. I also give a few mid-year school supplies to nieces at Christmas.
4-Many charities are collecting school supplies for under-privileged children. Buy this weekend while prices are the lowest of the year and you can avoid sales taxes!
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Looking forward to speaking in October at First Baptist Church Alexandria, and possibly to a MOPS group in Atlanta in 2007!
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.