Written by: niki
Thursday, May 15, 2008

I Just got back from my weekly thrift store run and there is nothing like a little "cheap" retail therapy for a tired mommy pick me up.  The problem with secondhand shopping is you cannot go with the sole intention of finding a specific thing, I guarantee you won't, you will only get discouraged and head to the nearest Wal-Mart. The trick is to constantly have your eyes open for items you need but are not a necessity at the moment....think Christmas ornaments in July.  I keep a little notepad in my wallet with a running list of items that I would like, need or are generally a good find.  On my list you will find stuff like a large Tupperware for freezer storage, tiny glass Christmas ornaments to adorn handmade gifts or a linen table runner to decorate with stencilled leaves for our fall table setting (try finding that when you need it)  Throughout the year if I think of something that is not absolutely necessary to have at the moment but would be nice to have it goes on this list.  A quick glance is all I need before heading out to refresh my mind of what I should be on the lookout for.  One thing that I always pick up for a song is wrapping paper and other items to decorate gifts.  I am sure this has happened to you.  You are ready to wrap that last minute shower gift before heading out the door only to discover the remaining choice in wrap is half a roll of Scooby Doo Birthday paper.  You make a mad dash to the local department store, dish out $4 for a measly roll and curse the whole way home.  The dollarstores do have some paper available but it is either so thin it tears before you get it wrapped or the roll is so short you barely have enough to cover the gift. I have found the best quality Hallmark stuff for as little as 49 cents.  Remember though you have to pick up any occasion regardless of need. 

In my upstairs attic I keep a large Tupperware gift box filled with various paper and other embellishments to have on hand when that invitation arrives.   Of course the obvious frugal tip is to pick up paper after the holidays but lately I have been finding the sales less than stellar and if I do happen upon one I buy solid prints to use for more than the intended occasion.   The other item I am constantly on the prowl for is embellishment for those lovely packages.  Usually thrift stores group like items together associated with the upcoming holiday.  This is where I find tiny ornaments to adorn a gift of homemade cookies at Christmas.  For Halloween I can usually pick up small plastic spiders and ghosts to attach to a special bag of goodies for a special someone.  These usually cost pennies but can add such a punch to an otherwise boring wrapping job.

 

For more frugal tips visit Biblical womanhood online

 

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