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 love your blog!!
I re-use holiday gift bags.
Thanks,
cmaccursoatyahoodotcom
Holiday saving tip: redeem MyPoints points for giftcards! I used them to give as gifts and use towards gifts. Saved a lot of money!
mar013coupons@gmail.com
(i posted on twitter: http://twitter.com/melisaur)
saving tip #2: only buy things on sale!!
mar013coupons@gmail.com
I subscribed to your blog through Bloglines
tip #3: Use online coupon codes to save on purchases – especially when they’re offering free shipping
mar013coupons@gmail.com
Provoke altercations with colleagues, friends, business associates and lifelong friends around T-giving. Wait until January at the earliest to reconcile. Voila – no holiday presents necessary!
I have started saving money by making my own handmade cards and gifts. They’re more personal and heartfelt, and appreciated by the recipient.
Jen
jenbrookern@hotmail.com
I took surveys all year, and I collected all of my gift cards from them and used them for Christmas gifts. I also took advantage of Target’s prescription transfer offers. Thanks for the great giveaway!!! cmcain31 at aol dot com.
To save money during the holidays, a few select friends and I agree to ‘celebrate’ Christmas during another random month throughout the year. Think, Christmas in July, only pick your own month! This way we still have fun picking and receiving gifts later on, but that’s one less on our list to stress about right now! (faded.jadeline@gmail.com)
One thing I’m doing to save money this year is also helping to keep my holiday green! Instead of purchasing new products to make my cards, I used only what I had on hand and then I am making the envelopes from those gadzillion catalogs that are streaming in! This is saving me money (envelopes are insanely expensive for something that just gets thrown away!) and I am reusing those catalogs!!!
jinglesells at gmail dot com
I subscribed to your blog! My second tip is to keep your eyes open! I know that sounds silly, but often you can great great deals by looking in unexpected places! Try new stores, read the blogs, and keep yourself informed. The more you know, the better armed you will be when you get out there! And…you may even get lucky and win some of your holiday gifts for free!
jinglesells at gmail dot com
This close to the holidays you need to avoid panic shopping. That’s what I call it when you realize you aren’t ready for the holidays and go out to the stores in a panic. Usually the outcome is over shopping, as well as over spending. Take the time to write a list of what you need, who you need to buy for, and how much to spend. Use that list as you shop and cross off items or people as you go. If you stick to the list, you’ll stick to your budget and not have to pay for it later (literally).
Thanks for the giveaway!
Liz
http://www.sweetwatersavings.com
My holiday money saving tip is to get online and figure out what you want to get everybody on your list, then find the cheapest place to get it. Don’t go out shopping willy nilly because you probably won’t be satisfied with what you get people. Plus it is a lot easier to stay within your budget if you stick to a list.
I don’t buy wrapping paper or tags – you can easily make your own out of different papers in your home…these type of wrappings also seem to be appreciated by those who receive them.
I only bought gifts that were on sale this year to help save money. And also, we’re saving money by making most of our decorations, including these grat wreaths made of colored paper tracings of the girls hands. Some of the decorations will be given to family and friends as gifts as well.
I only bought gifts that were on sale this year to help save money. And also, we’re saving money by making most of our decorations, including these grat wreaths made of colored paper tracings of the girls hands. Some of the decorations will be given to family and friends as gifts as well.
I subscribe – and my tip is to not go out shopping this time of year without a list. Everything always looks so good and you are tempted to buy, but then you get home and relize you didn’t really need it.
Set a budget for gifts for you children. We get each child 1 gift (plus some very inexpensive stocking stuffers) We set the price, which will vary according to your budget. Last we had $50 for each child, it was fun picking that special gift that fit each personality. We ended up buying used items in excellent condition for 3 of them. They were items that we could not afford to purchase new. They loved it, and the appreciation factor was higher with only receiving 1 gift.
vanillamarti@yahoo.com
I always look on-line for printable Q’s before leaving the house for holiday shopping. I can usually find a printable coupon for the stores I plan to visit. Just recently I saved money on two pair of shoes with a printable coupon. If you sign up at Rack Room Shoes on their website for e-mail sales updates they will send you a Q for $10.00 off a $50.00 purchase. And they are already buy-one-get one half off. Then they took an additional $10.00 off.
I save money by shopping for gifts all year long, that way it’s not such a shock to spend money in december.
I shop starting the day after Christmas, until the next year. I find all kinds of great gifts throughout the year this way. Shopping thru ebates is awesome too! Talk about recirculating the money! We always reuse gift bags, ribbons, etc. as well. Cooking from scratch saves a ton of money as well, you don’t get much buying overly-processed foods or premade items! Hope this helps!
here’s where i posted on my blog, and another tip I have is to check on-line deals regularly to find the lowest possible prices for what you’re looking for.
http://frugalupstate.blogspot.com/2008/11/frugal-holiday-tip-contest.html
I just subscribed, and another idea I have is to make home-made gifts. I created digital scrapbook calendars of various sizes and print them out for adult family members. they contain pictures of my girls growing throughout the previous year.
Use blogs and other frugal sites to get info on best deals and use all the rebate and point site to at least earn something for money you spend.
For holiday parties do a potluck so you can enjoy the party as well.
I reuse all my shipping materials from packages mailed to me. That way I’m never spending money on shipping boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, etc. And I feel good about recycling.
Thanks!
I subscribe to your blog via RSS google reader (nape9393).
Tweet-a-tweet-tweet!
http://twitter.com/nape9393/status/1050306402
We celebrate Christmas by teaching our kids about Jesus and his birth so our children get three gifts each! (Since Jesus got three gifts from the kings!) It’s been a great way to set boundries and save money! (We have four kids already!) We also draw names for members of our families so that we don’t have to buy for everyone and to make it fun we pick themes or set boundries. (For instance, we may say “All gifts are to be handmade this year!” or “All gifts must be under $50” we have even done “Family themes” which is great because we got creative and bought games or tickets to interesting amusement parks etc.
Niki Vail
nikirvail@Msn.com
The way we save money is to watch for sales throughout the year and also buy after the holidays when they have the big sales.
I tweeted ~ https://twitter.com/andreashops/status/1050654159
Blogged it~ http://mylifesahoot.blogspot.com/2008/12/win-500-wal-mart-gift-card.html
Never leave home without your coupons, you never know when a great deal may come along. Plan out a head of time what you are shopping for so you aren’t tempted to get more than you need. Getting cards, decorations, wrapping paper and secret Santa gifts during the week following Christmas saves you money and gets you a head of the game for next year.
I am a firm believer in shopping at thrift stores. Of course, I look for things in like new condition w/price tags attached. I try to never buy anything unless it is on sale. Nowdays if it’s not on sale, just wait, it will go on sale!
Im a subscriber
sam090496@hotmail.com
My money saving tis for the holiday is to learn how to do the cvs thing, and roll those ecb for stocking stuffers. Also walgreens has ways to make rr and then use them for gifts.
sam090496@hotmail.com
Holiday meals are well planned so we can purchase our non-perishables in advance with coupons and sales. Stocking up on flour, chocolate and sugar for holiday baking takes the bite out of budget.
Thanks for the opportunity to win such a generous giveaway!
Grocery stores offer many food bargains now, so stock up on non-perishable items. Make as many decorations as you can, from natural materials like fir branches, seeds and pinecones. Reuse gift wrapping paper and bows. Make your own wrap from comics, paper bags and fabric scraps. Look in dollar stores for stocking stuffers
I set a budget, make lists, check for deals on-line, then grab my coupons before I head out to buy gifts.
esscie(at)couponbycoupon(dot)com
I subbed to your feed!
Another tip: I make as many gifts as I can, both crafts and baked goods.
esscie(at)couponbycoupon(dot)com
my best holiday money saving tip is to give crafted or baked items. These tend to cost less, but definatly have heart and soul. People seem to be very appreciative of these gifts made with love and it sure helps my pocketbook!
thanks! Brittney toomuchrock@comcast.net
i wrap presents in brown paper bags and them decorate them.I also wrap them in the funny paper.
rachelcrisman@hotmail.com
I subscribed to you!
I make special Jars of soup and some home made hot chocolate to give out to the many people my husband works with.It saves so much money because we do not have to buy them gifts.All the coworkers look forward to it every year!
My best tip is to buy during the year when things are on sale. You will find the best deals this way and it truly makes for a less stressful time with you family.
Monica M. from S. Tx
I subscribe via email
Cheransalvaggio(at)yahoo(dot)com
We save money by making our own wrapping paper from the paper grocery bags, bake gifts, make gifts for grandparents, give pictures of the kids for family, and give the gifts of our time to close family and friends like trip to zoo or museums. That is like a give you give them and yourself.
Cheransalvaggio(at) yahoo.com
Buy your Christmas decorations AFTER Christmas when they all go on sale. You can save a bundle this way.
stacie_vaughan@hotmail.com
I’m a subscriber. Another tip is to start shopping early. I start in August so then I am not in a mad dash for presents and not have to shell out alot of money all at once.
stacie_vaughan@hotmail.com
wow $500, however, way too many rules and instructions. I will NOT enter. Like your blog though. PW always has very simple requests. Love to and always do enter her giveaways. Something to think about. She has a lot of traffic on her site.
http://organize-my-life.blogspot.com/2008/12/giveaway_11.html
Shop on Craigslist (we got my dad a very nice gift for 50% and it was like new)