Who else hits the post holiday sales after Christmas is done, hoping to stock up at discount prices on the random supplies used during the season? I'm guessing anyone reading this blog already has that budget stretcher down cold. However, I have a real flaw in my deal getting-forgetting what I purchased and where I put things. I almost made the mistake of buying more wrapping paper, stumped why I didn't buy any last year on clearance with the assorted ribbons and gift bags. Then I remembered why I didn't buy any last year after Christmas. By chance I found we already had a stock pile from two years ago in a bin ready to be used. I dug further in an old bag of Christmas post clearance past and found disposable bread baking pans, perfect for making up batches and rounding out a few gifts, new hand towels I had bought as my Christmas ones were getting a little mangy, and two sets of bracelets for stocking stuffers for my girls, and kitschy sleep boxers for DS. I'll put all to use, and glad I stumbled upon them to use this year. I still have not fully tackled or resolved the organizational problems in my home. Besides being stressful, being disorganized costs me money. What good is getting deals if you can't find them when you need them? Besides the assorted wrappings, there were Christmas cards, individual ones, purchased for a song. Yes, I duplicating buying the odds and end ones this year that I send in addition to the family photo card. Other times, my disorganization, like not writing things down that are running low, costs me money having to buy full price and at more expensive stores. I bought a small bag of Pup's dog food for almost $10 in the grocery store when I can get three times as much for under $20 at Target. Yet, things were better in 2016 than they were in 2015. We got the extra room guest ready, and purged more than any house should have to, even knowing there is still as much to go through. We haven't gotten DD1's room converted back to my office yet because it is still holding furniture until after the sectional comes, but that will be a winter tackle. Maybe then I can convert her closet into a depository for all my good deals, giving me the right space to shop my own home first.
Speaking of organized ladies, check out the gift box give away haul offered by Sluggy at Don't Read This, It's Boring. I was the lucky winner of her November give away, the last of 2016. It is packed to the brim with make up products, shampoo, chocolates, and lotions, a perfect box for a mom of two daughters. Some items will be gifted to them, some will perhaps make their way to start a January donation box, but I've got my eyes on and have called dibs on several items, including the Nivea tins and the Toblerone. Sluggy is so organized, not only can she take care of her families H&B needs on a budget, she donates generously, and has room left over for these fun give aways. I'm sending warm wishes to her this week as she prepares for her families Christmas, while being a caregiver to her poor hubs after an unfortunate fall that left him with a debilitating broken leg. And yet, the box came to me the same week she announced the winner! I strive to Sluggify my shopping organizational habits in 2017.
Congrats on your big win - it looks like a fab box!
I try hard not to stockpile right now, because we will be moving at some point. And, moving a stockpile is really low down on my list of things I want to do. ;-)
But, in previous years when things were more stable, I created a box where I stashed extra/stockpile holiday things, labeled as such, and stuck in the garage with the decorations. That way, when I pulled the decorations down, it all came inside for review.
I need to do a better job of inventorying our supplies (toilet paper, coffee, shampoo, etc). I sometimes get offers for a shopping delivery service (via Costco), & like to use those offers for things we are running out of, but then I end up with more of one item and not enough of another.
I bought Christmas cards and then found I had loads hidden inside a box. I "intend" [if I remember] to put a note in the diary for next year to remind me where they are so I don't repeat the same mistake! Arilx
I have been both organized and written down where every thing I bought on clearance was stored and I have also just stowed it somewhere and missed whatever occasion it was bought for. Now I have a drawer in the guest room that is filled with nothing but early purchased gifts and a medium sized trash can in the guest room closet filled with deep discounted seasonal decorations or what nots. It has help tremendously.
2017, we can only get better. I'm glad you liked the card and we can continue to connect. i don't put much for family pics on my blog, so you are in the know on my goofy family.
For real! Sluggy is on top of it. Wow! Congrats on the win and congrats on finding the deals from year prior, hehe. At least you found them. You should give yourself some credit for that :)
I'm afraid once Christmas is over I don't think about it again until the next one is looming over me as much as I love it. I save some cash in a different account for Christmas but I don't buy until I start shopping in December. Now I know I'm probably missing loads of bargains but so be it my main focus after Christmas is my travel plans for the year lol. That goody box sounds like good fun though what a treat.
We all use our various strategies to manage life. perhaps if i do not get better organized, I should just do all my shopping and skip the deal, in December.I've spent a lot of time looking for things i know I've purchased.
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Congrats on your big win - it looks like a fab box!
ReplyDeleteI try hard not to stockpile right now, because we will be moving at some point. And, moving a stockpile is really low down on my list of things I want to do. ;-)
But, in previous years when things were more stable, I created a box where I stashed extra/stockpile holiday things, labeled as such, and stuck in the garage with the decorations. That way, when I pulled the decorations down, it all came inside for review.
I need to do a better job of inventorying our supplies (toilet paper, coffee, shampoo, etc). I sometimes get offers for a shopping delivery service (via Costco), & like to use those offers for things we are running out of, but then I end up with more of one item and not enough of another.
When I get my office back, I'll have a natural place, but not over doing will be essential.
DeleteI bought Christmas cards and then found I had loads hidden inside a box. I "intend" [if I remember] to put a note in the diary for next year to remind me where they are so I don't repeat the same mistake!
ReplyDeleteArilx
i just bought a family planning calendar for $1. i have a similar idea. Good luck to us both.
DeleteI have been both organized and written down where every thing I bought on clearance was stored and I have also just stowed it somewhere and missed whatever occasion it was bought for. Now I have a drawer in the guest room that is filled with nothing but early purchased gifts and a medium sized trash can in the guest room closet filled with deep discounted seasonal decorations or what nots. It has help tremendously.
ReplyDeleteAnother good idea. DD1's dresser can be used for that-once decluttered of course!
DeleteCongrats on your win! Isn't Sluggy the best?
ReplyDeleteI try to be organized. In some ways I am and in some ways I am not. I am going to try to take care of that in the new year.
Also wanted to thank you for the lovely card and note. It really brightened my day! :-)
2017, we can only get better. I'm glad you liked the card and we can continue to connect. i don't put much for family pics on my blog, so you are in the know on my goofy family.
DeleteFor real! Sluggy is on top of it. Wow!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the win and congrats on finding the deals from year prior, hehe. At least you found them. You should give yourself some credit for that :)
now I can't find a curling wand purchased for DD2-it's somewhere. Sluggy rocks!
DeleteI'm afraid once Christmas is over I don't think about it again until the next one is looming over me as much as I love it. I save some cash in a different account for Christmas but I don't buy until I start shopping in December. Now I know I'm probably missing loads of bargains but so be it my main focus after Christmas is my travel plans for the year lol. That goody box sounds like good fun though what a treat.
ReplyDeleteWe all use our various strategies to manage life. perhaps if i do not get better organized, I should just do all my shopping and skip the deal, in December.I've spent a lot of time looking for things i know I've purchased.
Delete