Whew!
Christmas is over. 2012 is here. Flip-flops and tank tops should be appearing at the nearest Walmart any day now, forcing us to begin dreading swimsuit season as we launch Operation Christmas Cookie Detox.
It's time to reflect and look forward. As your resident bargain columnist and blogger, I owe it to you to be transparent about what I've learned in my 2011 frugal pursuits, as well as what I hope to accomplish this year.
Let's start with a look back at thrifty lessons learned during the holidays:
1. People appreciate homemade gifts. Our ornaments covered with Mod Podge and strips of Seth and Abbey Roy articles from old copies of The Advocate were a smash hit.
They also barely cost anything.
2. It pays to keep a "gift stash." Stock it throughout the year when you find a deal, then raid it at gift-giving time (Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, National Give a Toothbrush Day, etc.). It saves money and stress. Plus, if you're regifting, it allows other people to enjoy the things you don't have a use for.
The brand new Sleeping Beauty Barbie we regifted to one family member was a success, and I'm pretty sure the other not-new-but-not-used items also have found new loving homes valentines flowers.
3. I'm not convinced about the Black Friday hype. Toys, HDTVs and home theater equipment should be available on clearance through January, according to several sites I've researched.
I'd hate to be taking a commercial break from Lady Gaga at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve only to see an advertisement for my month-old $600 HDTV discounted to $399.99.
Talk about double stress factor.
Bonus lesson: No matter how tightly you cross your fingers and toes and hope and pray your 2-year-old won't get a popular singing, dancing, talking Sesame Street character for Christmas (mostly for selfish reasons), sometimes things happen that are out of your control.
Just be thankful for what you have, laugh between songs and try to hold onto your sanity as long as you can.
For my 2012 Frugal New Year's Resolutions, I'll revisit the goal list I set in October shortly after the Bargain Advocate came into being.
Some of them I accomplished (get something free, DIY -- although not the extent I'd like), most of them I did not.
Here's what's left on my Frugal To-Do list:
1. Set a budget and stick to it.
One of my original frugal goals was to use a cash-only system, at least for groceries. I still haven't tried this, although I've been more conscious about staying under a predetermined dollar amount.
My intent is to talk to a finance expert to get some useful information for this process, then fill you in on what I learn.
2. Go meatless for a week
Yup, still haven't managed that one. It's not that The Roys are carnivores (at least two of the three aren't), just that we need a bit more creativity.
3. Master the CVS Extra Bucks system
I've practiced it and had some success, but my technique and understanding still are lacking. I'm not sure at what point I can officially declare myself a "master," but I assure you you'll be the first to know about it when I do.
Bonus goal: Potty train. I'm really, really ready to save money by not buying diapers.
Once you're there, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on bargains, coupons and local deals.
Happy New Yearand happy saving valentines flowers,
Abbey
Christmas is over. 2012 is here. Flip-flops and tank tops should be appearing at the nearest Walmart any day now, forcing us to begin dreading swimsuit season as we launch Operation Christmas Cookie Detox.
It's time to reflect and look forward. As your resident bargain columnist and blogger, I owe it to you to be transparent about what I've learned in my 2011 frugal pursuits, as well as what I hope to accomplish this year.
Let's start with a look back at thrifty lessons learned during the holidays:
1. People appreciate homemade gifts. Our ornaments covered with Mod Podge and strips of Seth and Abbey Roy articles from old copies of The Advocate were a smash hit.
They also barely cost anything.
2. It pays to keep a "gift stash." Stock it throughout the year when you find a deal, then raid it at gift-giving time (Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, National Give a Toothbrush Day, etc.). It saves money and stress. Plus, if you're regifting, it allows other people to enjoy the things you don't have a use for.
The brand new Sleeping Beauty Barbie we regifted to one family member was a success, and I'm pretty sure the other not-new-but-not-used items also have found new loving homes valentines flowers.
3. I'm not convinced about the Black Friday hype. Toys, HDTVs and home theater equipment should be available on clearance through January, according to several sites I've researched.
I'd hate to be taking a commercial break from Lady Gaga at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve only to see an advertisement for my month-old $600 HDTV discounted to $399.99.
Talk about double stress factor.
Bonus lesson: No matter how tightly you cross your fingers and toes and hope and pray your 2-year-old won't get a popular singing, dancing, talking Sesame Street character for Christmas (mostly for selfish reasons), sometimes things happen that are out of your control.
Just be thankful for what you have, laugh between songs and try to hold onto your sanity as long as you can.
For my 2012 Frugal New Year's Resolutions, I'll revisit the goal list I set in October shortly after the Bargain Advocate came into being.
Some of them I accomplished (get something free, DIY -- although not the extent I'd like), most of them I did not.
Here's what's left on my Frugal To-Do list:
1. Set a budget and stick to it.
One of my original frugal goals was to use a cash-only system, at least for groceries. I still haven't tried this, although I've been more conscious about staying under a predetermined dollar amount.
My intent is to talk to a finance expert to get some useful information for this process, then fill you in on what I learn.
2. Go meatless for a week
Yup, still haven't managed that one. It's not that The Roys are carnivores (at least two of the three aren't), just that we need a bit more creativity.
3. Master the CVS Extra Bucks system
I've practiced it and had some success, but my technique and understanding still are lacking. I'm not sure at what point I can officially declare myself a "master," but I assure you you'll be the first to know about it when I do.
Bonus goal: Potty train. I'm really, really ready to save money by not buying diapers.
Once you're there, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on bargains, coupons and local deals.
Happy New Yearand happy saving valentines flowers,
Abbey
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