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 subscribe via Google Reader…
Tip #3…
Make a list & check it twice. 🙂 Write down EVERYONE (even the mailman!!) that you want to buy/make a gift for. Browse the 'Net, catalogs, etc. & so on and write down ideas for each person. Write down dollar amounts & make sure they fit your budget. Think outside the box for handmade items. Stick to the list!
My best tip is shopping for holiday decorations AFTER Christmas is over! In the past I have gotten expensive and gorgeous items for up to 80% off. I hit every big store early the day after that carries decorations (Home Depot, Wal Mart, Target, etc) and buy them up. I have reuseable crates downstairs and there they sit until after Thanksgiving. It’s all brand new and I save alot of money this way!
Vanessa C.
vanessasuethompson@gmail.com
I am not a crafty person so i need pre-made decorations. I use the dDollar store a LOT andf that’s my tip.
eddiem1.1@dslextreme.com
Everyone in my family lives by the Secret Santa code. Saves a lot of money each year.
eddiem1.1@dslextreme.com
You can save a lot of money by buying all your wrapping paper, bows, Christmas cards, ribbons, gift tags, gift bags, and boxes at the end of each Christmas season. It saves a ton of money. You can often get Scotch tape, as well. I also make homemade presents, like: wreaths, dough ornaments, faux dough pies, homemade cookies and candy, and homemade breads. You can save money and give a gift that will be enjoyed and appreciated. Thank you.
My holiday savings tip is to bake, bake, bake. You can make very inexpensive holiday treats and put them on decorative plates that can be found at yardsales or thrift/consignment shops. Makes a great gift.
PS I sure could use this giftcard!
It may sound odd but save money by not buying presents! Some other things you can do with a fraction of present-buying money is go on a trip or make a small donation to a charity. The holidays are more about love and family togetherness then material goods!
lauren
croasla0(at)sewanee.edu
We save money by making gifts for family and friends. We have so much fun making them. The grandparents love getting homemade gifts from their grandkids!
LEAVE THE PLASTIC AT HOME!
dolniaks@connecttime.net
Do homemade gifts.
twitter entry!
http://twitter.com/Twincere/status/1030500994
Make holiday cleanup fun and enticing!Play games, sing carols, offer small “treats” for helping with dishwashing ( a little elbow grease goes a long way)
I have several tips that seem to be popular throughout the comments, I routinely shop clearance throughout the year for things i need and maybe a present or two for my children. I use an artificial tree (I am allergic to the real thing) I bought it eight years ago for $100.00 and it has held up very well. So do the math for savings. I buy all my ribbon, gift wrap, baking containers, bags etc at the dollar store unless I picked up clearance from the year before.This year I spent $20.00 in supplies for 30 people. Use X-Mas dinner plates and clear cellophane with ribbon for a pretty plate of goodies as a simple gift. I also have a X-mas club account for gifts and financing Thanksgivings and other holiday dinners. I make a lot of baked goodies and other homemade gifts to give. I really try to plan starting in the summer because I am the busiest between Oct-Jan due to working retail, and I want to enjoy the season with my family. Try to plan time for yourself and the family, appreciate the tree, the lights a cozy fire, and remember the true meanings for the season whatever your faith is:) Also I subscribe on my google reader.
Switch to LED lights. They are cheaper in the long run and nicer to look at.
save money by making your gifts,then you dont have to worry about size an color,this year my little grandsons an I made their moms gift,I got some cheap childrens paint an canvas at the dollar tree,an we made their handprints an a dollar frame for it,was a very precious gift of their hands on something their mom will love forever an it cost pennies,an they are so happy that they got to make their moms Christmas gift,thanks
I buy my holiday decorations an paper after the season is over at at least 50-75% off,this past year I waited an got 90% off,I got stocking to hang for all the kids an grandkids for a quarter each,an small items to fill them with,very cheap to bring a smile to someones face An I subscribed
The Internet is your best friend, when it comes to saving money on holiday gifts! I’ve had my eye glued to sites like MamaBargains, BabyCheapskate and BabySteals for weeks now, and I’ve been following deals on Amazon. Plus, the internet has tons of great ideas and inspirations, like Baking and Books’ Holiday Gift Guide, all about sweet treats that you can make for people.
I posted the contest on my blog: http://ncavillones.tumblr.com/post/62261431/frugal-upstate-frugal-holiday-tip-contest
and here’s another money-saving tip: Instead of things, offer services! Offer your neighbor or sister free babysitting, offer to teach a friend how to cook, etc. Make up a nice “coupon” on your computer and present it in a festive way to make it more special.
I tweeted the contest! My twitter handle is ncavillones.
Another money-saving tip: Recycle things in your house in a crafty way, such as games with missing or broken pieces. Get the kids to help! Grandma will love it!
We make ornaments as gifts from the kids. We buy the clear ornaments from the craft store, the kids then put paint in them and shake them up. It makes a cute smaller gift for people that you don’t necessarily want to spend a ton of money on– but want them to know that you care about them. The kids are super proud of them too!
lizames2003 (at) yahoo dot com
Instead of presents we give of ourselves! As a family we each have a little stocking. Through out December we put in slips of paper that let the person know what we will do for them. Make their bed. Help them clean their room. Help plant a garden. We open them on Christmas eve. It is what my kids give eachother instead of spending more money on presents.
I blogged a new tip here:
http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com/2008/11/giveaways.html
Tweeted a new tip here:
http://twitter.com/milliemux/status/1030891615
And am subscribing to your blog and adding THIS tip: Instead of bringing treats to your kids school parties, bring yourself and an activity or game that can be reused in each classroom!
I save by shopping online for my books and dvds. I comparison shop and then decide where I’ll get the best overall deal as well as free shipping.
Shop all year long at clearance sales for Christmas-time.
Kris Hickey
sendmyspamto@hotmail.com
I am a subscriber on googlereader!
My biggest way to save money is to buy on clearance–especially at marshalls and tjmaxx. They do markdowns so often there is always clearance items, and its good stuff!
My very best comment for budgeting at Christmas is this: When shopping for gifts, only allow yourself to pay with cash. I don’t even carry a credit card with me so that I won’t rack up debt in a weak moment.
I shop on Ebay or Amazon to save gas and time.
Instead of sending greeting cards use postcards instead. They are inexpensive and cost less to send. Also, you can buy blank ones and put your own special design on them. Money-saving & unique.
Buy your greeting cards after Christmas. They are way less expensive and will be just as good next year.
Gift cards actaully save a lot of money. You have a flat dollar amount budget because there is no tax. And you save on wrapping costs like paper & tape.
Keep track of how many presents you are purchasing. Like with all budgeting it is easy to lose track and end up buy a bunch of little things that add up to a large amount of money. Be careful. Nickels and dimes add up.
If you have a large family or office try to get your family or co-workers to draw names. This way each person get something a little nicer without breaking the bank to buy for every single person.
When shopping for gifts online, always open a new window and search for coupon codes before checking out. Most times I find a code that saves lots of money for very little effort! Thanks for a great contest!
We do four gifts for our children. Something they want
Something they need
Something they wear
Something they read
I learned this little trick from a friend and my kids are so excited about it! It really saves on the excessive gift giving and the gifts are much more meaningful.
My husband comes from a large family, so only the cousins draw names and exchange gifts. It’s fun for the kids to go and pick out an inexpensive gift and mail it off to their cousins.
Make a budget & stick to it. Pay in cash, no credit! Shop early, especially if you do ebay!
I use coupons and take advantage of sales.
I blogged ~ http://momcontests.blogspot.com/2008/11/500-walmart-gift-card.html
disclamer
I twittered a tip ~ http://twitter.com/momof2dancers
I like to make homebaked items for my good friends.
tcmcgarvey at hotmail dot com
I saved my Christmas cards from previous years to glue together for place mats this year.
I recycle wired ribbons from year to year. I leave them as is and just slide them on a wrapped package the next year. I also buy all my wrapping paper during the after Christmas sales and store them under the bed until next year!
Limit your outside light displays, you don’t need to be seen from outer space! All those tins and containers you got xmas cookies in can be sent out again with cookies or other gifts, let someone else figure out what to do with them!
Pay your bills on time, turn off lights/tv/DVR/DVD/Computer when not in use, turn off a/c/heater vents to rooms not in use, make homemade gifts (limit one gift per person, who needs to be so commercialized this season), bake food/treats instead of buying gifts, limit eating out/to-go food & I make spread sheets during the holidays so I know who gets what & where.
ashlomb at yahoo dot com
Beverly
We have a big family. We each draw one name. We buy that person a gift. It saves sooooo much money. As you all know it costs a lot more to buy everyone in the family a gift. We have a lot of fun.
Thank you for offering this great giveaway.
wofat1@lycos.com
The best tip I can give to have a frugal holiday is to plan ahead. I start shopping for the next Christmas the day after Christmas! I always find amazing deals that are even better than the before-Christmas sales. I keep a notebook and write down everything, including where I “hide” the gifts once they are bought. Throughout the year, when I come across an incredible deal, I buy it early, write it down, and store it at home. I’m usually done with shopping before the holiday season even comes around, and I have spread it out over the year so everything doesn’t hit at once!
We decided when our children were very young that we wanted Christmas to be completely about Jesus and His Birthday. So our Christmas celebration is not about Santa Claus and it isn’t about presents, but it is a birthday party for Jesus. Since Jesus got 3 gifts, our children get 3 gifts as well. By doing this, we are able to really cut down on spending and the kids have realistic expectations about what they are going to get. I also find that by limiting the number of gifts, the holiday season is so much more relaxed and enjoyable. It frees us up to spend time together and to make special memories together which is what kids really want for Christmas anyway.
Buy your cards and gift wrap on December 26. There’s still a nice selection, and if you want to start addressing cards in August so they will be ready in December, you can! Just remember where you store it!
The folks at M-networks have a great and FREE .pdf download with a bunch of holiday saving ideas. Here is the link Money Saving Tips
Being an avid twitter user (chipg) I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a second entry and used the hashtag #nick11 to send out a money saving tip.
The easiest holiday saving tip is plan ahead and buy only when you have cash year round- know who you are shopping for and only pay with cash you have..look at clearance aisles year round,and rebate sales- savings and gifts add up…best thing too is the credit card bill is not there and you have it all done so you can sleep in on black friday and avoid the crud and crowds.