Times are tight for everyone this holiday season. Wouldn’t it be great to have a little more cash?
Wouldn’t it be great to figure out how to make the cash you do have stretch farther?
Thanks to Nickelodeon and Walmart you can do both!
Yes, Nickelodeon and Walmart have teamed up to sponsoring a contest that will not only collect together some of the BEST holiday money saving tips on the web, they are also giving one lucky Frugal Upstate reader a $500 Walmart gift card!
Talk about a present that will always be the right color and size!
Since the stakes are high for this contest, so is the bar! There are multiple ways to enter this contest, but for each entry you must submit a separate-that means different folks-holiday specific money saving tip.
Be sure you leave an email address with each tip. If I can’t contact you, I’ll have to choose another winner!
You can enter 5 separate times by doing each of, or any combination of, the following:
#1-By commenting on this post and leaving a holiday money saving tip.
#2-By writing a blog post mentioning a) this contest, b) Nickelodeon, c) Walmart & d) Frugal Upstate. Then in that post you have to give a different holiday money saving tip (don’t just repeat your original tip) and link back to this post. Then you have to come back here and leave another comment with the link back to your blog post.
#3-If you use twitter, you can tweet a holiday money saving tip, using the #nick11 hashtag in the tweet, and then return and leave another comment.
#4-You can create a Video Blog (Vlog) with a holiday money saving tip. You must mention a) the contest, b) Nickelodeon, c)Walmart and d) Frugal Upstate in the video. Then post it to Youtube & come back to comment here and link to the video.
#5-Subscribe to this blog, then leave a comment letting me know you have with, yes, another holiday money saving tip. If you are already subscribed you don’t have to do it again, just tell me that and leave your tip.
I WILL THROW OUT any entries that are not about the holidays, or that do not follow the directions above (ie didn’t link back to this post in their post, don’t mention Nickelodeon etc)
The winner will be chosen at random (using the random number generator) out of all the valid entries. I say again-the VALID entries. Make sure you read and follow those directions above folks!!!
The contest runs from today-Friday November 28th through Monday December 15th at 12 noon, EST.
You can enter to win a $500 Walmart gift card not only here but at all of the ElevenMoms’ sites. You can only win once, but you can try to win at each site. Each contest may have slightly different rules, so make sure you read carefully! Many of the tips will be featured on the Elevenmoms site-maybe even yours!
So good luck! I am looking forward to seeing all the great ideas. . .
I try to shop year round and hit the sales — start collecting the gifts before the mad rush begins!
Amy
Make handmade items — scrapbooks and baked goods.
Amy
MAke a list and check it twice — watch for sales – and try to limit what we do not need. Sure I buy some extras but I try to choose items that won’t be thrown away in 2 months!
I have a holiday gift list that I keep up-to date all year long, and whenever I see something that’s on sale, I buy it right then and there. For example: an awesome dinosaur stencil book that I was able to purchase at 25% less than retail way back in July!
A good money saving tip is to hand make gifts. I went to the bead shop and spent $10.50 and I bought everything I need to make 4 pairs of earrings, now I will just need to go to the crafts store and get some pretty little boxes for about $1.50, and wallah, I have four beautiful gifts for a total of $12 that is only $3 each gift!
Sara
Marriedroses@yahoo.com
I save money by spreading the word that I’m looking for coupons from some of my favorite stores like Gymboree or the Gap, then friends or family send them to me, it helps with buying those winter clothes or Christmas outfits!
I watch clearance and overstock sections of websites all year for good buys, so by the time the holidays approach, my shopping is virtually done! My favorite site is Lands End – their Overstocks page has so many great deals, and they offer such a strong guarantee on their products.
I’m a subscriber!
I also save by using Pampers Points to get toys, codes for photo gifts, and other items that I can use as gifts! I only have to pay for shipping, and the photo calendar in particular was a big hit.
We got rid of a lot of wasted spending and household excess at the same time. When I noticed how the kids barrelled through piles of toys and didn’t even know who gave them what…plus didn’t even care for some of them two weeks later….we decided to have everyone choose ONE thing they really wanted. If it was an expensive item (you would be surprised how often it isn’t) then we all go in on it. The kids REALLY think what they want, too. And then we donate last year’s toys and clothes to charity to help others who have less than us.
I use my amazon credit card for all my routine purchases, collecting amazon points. I pay off my balance every month, so I pay no fees. Now I have almost 100 dollars in amazon points saved up to do some great Christmas shopping on amazon.com! Thank you for the great give-away.
My favorite holiday money saving tip is to hit the clearance sales the weeks after Christmas. That is the best week to stock up on wrapping paper, decorations, and stocking stuffers to store for next year.
It saves time, too! There is no need to worry about buying decorations and wrapping supplies during the busy season.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://www.car-insurance-choices.com
Christmas means collectibles, or really breakables. I pack my ornaments in paper from the shredder. It saves us from trying to wrap our bulbs with newspaper that doesn’t particularly work and we don’t have to buy one of those bulb organizers.
lkziegler[at]gmail.com
My holiday money saving tip is to carefully watch online sales with coupon codes. Try to get an extra 20 to 50 percent off already marked down prices and free shipping. No gas money spent and many times, online shopping can be cheaper, especially with free shipping!
jenarowATyahooDOTcom
The best way to save money during the holidays is to pare down your list of gift recipients and give handmade gifts when you can! (This is especially cute when the gift is from a child!)
anastacer at verizon dot net
I’m a subscriber.
anastacer at verizon dot net
I price shop online so I can compare and get the best price. I also will not buy it online unless I can get free shipping.
We save all the gift cards that we are given over the course of the year (unless they expire, of course)! Then, when we sit down to plan out our Christmas gift giving, we plan how to use the cards.
This way, Christmas shopping doesn’t seem so crazy expensive – because it’s all “free money.” This might not be exactly what the giver of the gift card had in mind, but we get a) the thought of the gift and b) whatever leftovers are left after buying a Christmas present for someone else gets spent on stocking stuffers for us!
I like this gift-giving method, especially for large families.
Write down the name of each person in the family (and guests if you have any for Christmas) and have everyone draw a random name.
Everyone only buys a gift for their chosen person.
Another tip is to go with just stocking stuffers and one big gift for the whole family such as a membership at the pool, a ski trip, or a fun family video game depending on how much you usually spend on the kids.
Cheers!
Aster.Etsy.com
shop online! take advantage of coupon and deal sites
I love to purchase new decorations and Christmas cards during the after Christmas sales.
I reuse gift bags from year to year. (I am lucky to have frugal family as well) Cut the gift card in half or remove it completely and store it in a manner that will not let it get crumpled. Viola!
I subscribed to your rss feed.
One idea for a money saving tip for a gift for a little kid is to find the sites where you can download and print pages to be colored…print them up, bind them together in a cute little book, maybe go to the dollar store and get crayons, and voila! You have a cute and very cheap gift for a smaller child.
-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I have subscribed to your blog through AOL now.
Another money saving tip is to save all the decorations you can from one year and use them over. If a friend is going to throw something out and it can be kept, ask for it and use it yourself the next year!!!
lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I purchase Savings Bonds (they collect very little interest in Canada) all year round – I don’t miss the money (because it is a constant amount which I never see). At the end of October I cash the majority of them in and finish my shopping. Yeah all done by the first week of November. Plenty of time for family and baking etc. the next weeks.
One great thing to do is to make decorations using Christmas cards. If you take a Christmas card and put it in a frame and either spray the glass lightly with fake snow or foil the frame it looks really nice. Even makes a great gift.
Don’t buy wrapping paper. Instead use materials you already have. Use comics from the newspaper, paper bags and you can even use fabric materials from around the home to make ribbon. Old VHS tapes make great ribbon and bow material.
You can save a great deal of electricity by using candles instead of electricity (as long as they don’t contain lead). They are pretty and set a festive atmosphere for the home. You can also purchase LES lights for decoration, which use a fraction of the electricity.
Purchase used holiday decorations. Many people buy new ones each year for posterior. Take advantage and get slightly older ones that look just as nice, especially outside decorations.
My family has used this tip for years at our extended family Christmas gathering. It would bankrupt us all to buy a gift for everyone in attendance, so we each bring one $5 gift and play Bingo for them. You can jazz up the game with rules like stealing each others’ presents, etc. This has the added benefit of taking care of the entertainment for the evening, as the game itself is a lot of fun.
kmg365 (at) gmail (dot) com
I subscribed!
Another tip is to enter as many sweepstakes as you can manage over the course of the year. You’ll end up winning things you might not personally be able to use, but they’re great as gifts. Example– sometimes I win perfume, which I can’t wear because of allergies, but it makes a terrific gift.
kmg365 (at) gmail (dot) com
I make one or two kinds of treats in HUGE bulk amounts at the begining of the season that can be frozen. I take them out in small amounts and use them for when we have guests over, as gifts and when we need to take something to a holiday party. Saves time and money, buying in bulk and only once.
I purchase gifts through the year, whenever I get great coupons such as $10 off any $10 purchase at Pennys or Get one item of your choice free with any purchase at Bath and Body Works. It really saves to be able to spread out the spending and get such great deals.
I am making recipe books for my family this year. Doesn’t cost much (paper, binder, time), but they will be thrilled to have all our family recipes in one place!
What a BIG BLESSING this would be….On Social Security….
Well, we use a combination of related methods. Here are some of things we do:
* Subscribe to blogs/newsletters (like yours and WalMart’s) that explain how to use coupons, match them and how to get things for free (ex: last week I got lotion, shampoo, earbuds,razors and more- for free!) I then make theme based gift baskets for those on my list and for the local sharing and caring.
* Print love coupons- specific to each recipient- ex: parents of kids= free night of babysitting, elderly parents= # of hours of helping with things around the house- kids= trip to the park or library or game time. They especially love going to the Nickelodeon site.
* Shop the thrift stores and find out their sale schedule- then use it. (for example last week we got VCR tapes (good condition) for 20 cents each…. Great gifts- some were still in their original wrapper….)
* Use Ebates, Mr Rebates and cash back codes groups…. These saved us big this last weekend when rebates were doubled and a bonus for signing up was offered….
* Use local for sale and freecycle groups- works great!
* Start early and store it till Christmas and Birthdays…
Lastly- but far from least, Pray and ask for guidance and help…
May your holidays be blessed
KAro
pray@inbox.com
shop on line, lots of sites that offer coupon codes, or shop through airline site, get flyer miles and good deals at the same time. read toy reviews, see what other kids and parents have said about the toy or gift you are thinking of buying
Beverly
Another money saving idea, don’t wrap all the kid’s toys. They don’t care about wrapping paper. Big or really odd-shaped gifts shouldn’t be wrapped either. Just put a bow on it. (from last year!)
Put some gifts in brown paper grocery bags and either you or let the kids decorate the bags with drawings, Christmas scenes, etc.
Thank you, Nickelodeon, and Walmart for this great giveaway.
wofat1@lycos.com
Beverly
I’m a subscriber via email.
Thanks.
wofat1@lycos.com
I just subscribed – yippee!!
We love giving photo gifts each year. If you start surfing around you can find GREAT deals and even freebies. We ordered photo book for my mother in law of my three year old…we used the free Oprah deal from snapfish.com…and she is SURE to cry when she opens it. I also ordered a free photo calendar for my mom from vistaprint.com. It was free + a 4.95 photo uploading fee…great deal. These gifts look much more expensive than they are and they make GREAT personalized gifts. Photo websites often have promotions and freebies for new customers. Some sites to try are picaboo.com, shutterfly.com, walgreens.com, kodakgallery.com, and the two mentioned above. The key is to check in often and early to account for shipping times. We love giving these gifts and family and friends love getting them – not to mention we save tons of money!!
Another way to save is to find free/inexpensive books from thrift stores and book sales. We try to find something meaningful or a classic that needs a little TLC. Then, we recover it! We make a personalized cover using paper, lamination film, and craft supplies…complete with the date and a personalized message. We love to give these as gifts AND donate them to local nursing homes and hospitals. Everyone loves them!
We search out sales and deals all year long and pick up gifts when they are on sale. Never ever pay full price!!!!
rcfsmf[at]yahoo[dot]com
1. Make a budget (and stick to it)
2. Look around your house (we’re giving my sister a video game that we no longer use but would be too expensive to buy new)
3. Shop on Craigslist (we got my dad a very nice gift for 50% and it was like new)
4. Make something (like these pocket organizers …. http://organize-my-life.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-pocket-organizer.html)
I try to get most of my shopping done throughout the year so that I am not having to settle last minute.
I am a subscriber and my second holiday tip would be to do homemade gifts for family, friends, teachers, and co-workers. Not only are they cheaper, but then i don’t have to fight the crowds.
I am a subscriber and my second holiday tip would be to do homemade gifts for family, friends, teachers, and co-workers. Not only are they cheaper, but then i don’t have to fight the crowds.
This year we are saving money on my daughter’s friend’s gifts. We bought striped sweaters from goodwill for $2.00 and made accessory sets out of them. We made leg warmers from the sleeves, gloves from the bottom and beanie hats from the necklines. You have to choose sweaters that have that tighter knitted area at the ends or you have to use elastic. Chenille does not work so don’t bother. Each friends will get a custom, recycled( Green), Home-Made with Love gift that fit in my 13-year old’s budget. It was also a good opportunity to show her how to sew on the machine. We made labels by her “designer name” on the leftover inkjet iron on paper that we saved “just in case” and we ironed the logo on some white ribbon scraps that we made look pretty with pinking shears. We even made some little pompoms with yarn we had that matched at least one of the stripes. Since all the girls are wearing legwarmers again, it was a perfect way to make a custom look that could not be bought. My daughter wants to start her own business now.
She tucked some small (unsappy) pine branches from the backyard into recycled tissue paper and sewed the edges to make sachets for the gift boxes.
I tweeted with the hash tag, first time I used that, now i have to figure out what that is all about. Hope I did it right. Ok, my third holiday tip, we ( my baking friends and I) visit the local fishmonger and have him order our christmas baking supplies in bulk from Sysco. He just adds what we need on his weekly order, we save BIG bucks. Who wants to pay $4 for a tiny can of almond paste? Not Me! Those little bottles of anise? I get a quart bottle, it lasts forever!
This year I bought my Christmas cards at a dollar store! $1 for 15-20 cards! I saved $70!! Personally, I don’t really notice the cards, only who they’re from…
You can buy a full Christmas meal from Angel Food (www.angelfoodministries.com) for $35! Or, you could go ahead and splurge at Christmas, but offset that with regular weekly meals for 4 from Angelfood for $30 each week.
Raid your cupboards/fridge and freezer and make some meal plans from that. This is a great time to use that pie crust that’s been in your freezer for 6 months. Add some leftover Thanksgiving turkey and mixed veggies and gravy, and you have a pot pie! If you plan “freezer” meals into your meal plans for the week, you’ll save!