September is a great stock-up month.  I have this issue withclearances, I see something on clearance and I think I need it or I come up with an idea to use it for the next year.  This has saved me money over the years, but it can also be a bit of a clutter problem (ask Hubby).  This year my goal is to not clutter up, but buy responsibly.  So far, so good. I got Elle’s next years safetyswim vest for $13 with free shipping from Land’s End and Stainless Steel water bottles on sale with $2 shipping.  I am trying to cut out the cheap plastic… but steel is pricey!  I thought I would share a few of my go-to places for saving money and starting on Christmas and Birthday gifts for the next year.

Check out the Dollar General and you can get kites, bubbles and more for around $0.30.  K-Mart often has bathing suits for under $5 so I can stock up for next year.  Disney.com has really nice beach towels for super cheap.  Of course school supplies are just screaming to be picked up and stored away for the cold winter months.  Towards the end of September you may find great buys on backpacks, water bottles and more high-end school items.  These can make great Christmas or Birthday  gifts!  The big wheeled back packs aren’t often great for school but make good overnight suitcases.

Land’s End has a lot of free shipping offers right now and their swimsuits are on sale as well.  Soon they will have all those cool back packs and lunches boxes on clearance! I bought all of my girls backpacks from there in colors that will stay “cool” for a few years.  I have not bought Meg a backpack since the First Grade (she’s in 4th this year, Yikes!)  and it is still going strong.   Mita and Enu also have Land’s End back packs that are in their second year of use.  I learned early to not buy characters or really trendy backpacks and lunch boxes and it has saved me a lot of money.  This  year I will be eyeing deals for Elle’s Kindergarden back pack (sob sob).

I don’t do the while “school shopping” thing.  It is still warm when school starts and the kids grow overnight, as you well know!  Jeans, long sleeves T’s and shoes will hit great prices once the Holiday items come out (October!).  TheChildrensPlace.comhas a flat shipping rate of $5 and monster sales for shirts especially.  They have great quality clothes and are pretty affordable.  Beware of the bright T shirts with Hibicus flowers on them though, they bleed horribly which is unusual for them.  Hopefully it is an odd occurance!

To save money and to be green, I have re-usable sandwhich bags and buy snacks in bulk.  Those 100 calerie packs have some much packaging.  A re-usable 4 oz. Rubbermaid or Tupperware container hold is a great way to save on pakaging and is usually about 1 serving size or 100 calories.  I like to find my sandwhich bags on Etsy.com.  Don’t baulk at the prices…you will get your money back. I am using the same bags I bought last year and believe me they are used a lot!

Before buying anything on-line I do a google search for coupon codes.  This normally works pretty well and cuts down prices and often shipping costs.

This is what I do in September to save money.  Now give me your secrets!

Photo Credit

Tomorrow is the last day of school for my three older daughters. Elle’s last day at pre-school was today. She took everyone stickers and claimed to be excited about going to “Kiddie Kollege” in the fall. Of course that is what she says today, I’m sure she will change her mind when she remembers she has to actually wear clothes when she goes to school!

Meg is pleased with the thought of summer. Camps, summer reading programs, long days with nothing to do are happy memories to her. Plus she is going to horse camp again this summer, which is her FAVORITE THING ON EARTH!

Mita and Enu are a bit upset over the end of the school year. They loved their teachers and made such great friends, I think they are worried about yet another change in their life. I have let them know of all the fun ahead in the summer months and the schools have done a great job of them getting to know their teacher next year. Plus, they all have class with close friends next year.

Tomorrow the day will be full of games, food and lots of fun. I have goodie buckets filled with the tools of summer: bubbles, sidewalk chalk, kites, books and water shooters. I think they will have fun finding the buckets and playing with their new trinkets.

I will be busy putting away school supplies that we can still use in the fall and storing away back packs. Piles and piles of papers will be sorted, tossed and recycled. I love this time of year!

I also know that towards the end of August I will be ready to get out the backpacks, crayons and lunch boxes. The kids will be ready to hit the books, study spelling words and see friends everyday again. I really love the cycles of life right now.

Happy summer everyone!

Green Thumb Girls

 

We have hit Spring and I am as happy as can be!  A few 80 degree days followed by rain, rain and more rain!  All the winter gear is put away and the capri’s are out along with new T shirts.  Today my mom and I cleaned all my windows (I have a lot of windows!) and we planted some flowers. 

I should clarify that my mom did most of the planting.  She didn’t pass down her green thumb.  I tend to kill plants, especially inside plants, but  I can magage a few annuals and some hanging baskets.  The house looks transformed with color and life.

The girls love to help with planting of the flowers.  The joy on their faces is amazing.

Yeah Spring!  Come on Summer!

Enu with her special garden