As I get older, I love looking back over my life and appreciating the times where the Lord worked for me. Specifically in my finances. There were times money was great! And of course, there were times when it was a vanishing act. None of us like the parts of life where we’re struggling to pay bills, or living paycheck to paycheck, but most of us have been there. We don’t like sacrificing our time for money, and then distributing most of our hard earned money to pay taxes, and bills, only to have just enough to scrape by after it’s all paid out. During these times, it doesn’t feel good at all and it certainly doesn’t look like God is working on our behalf. However, these are the places, where some of our greatest testimonies are birthed.
Even when we have to wait…God always shows up. It’s in the waiting, where we are able to exercise our faith, and remind Him of His word. At the same time, He imparts wisdom, shapes us, molds us and teaches us. During my own hardships, I have definitely picked up a few money saving tips that I’d like to share, and especially if you’re a mom or raising children! Some of them may be new to you and some may just be reminders. Either way, I hope they help you or someone you know!
Hand Me Downs
I’ll never forget being pregnant with my son, and having almost his whole wardrobe supplied via hand me downs! He wasn’t even born, and yet his closet was filled! Friends and co-workers of my husband found out we were having a boy, and just offered us bags and bags of clothes that their grandsons had outgrown. I didn’t have to buy clothes for him for the first couple of years of his life! The clothes we did buy for were completely optional, but he certainly didn’t need them! The same has happened with my daughter! It’s always right on time, and it’s always such a huge blessing!
If you know someone who has kids that are older than yours, consider asking for their hand me downs! I’m sure many people just don’t think to do this kind of thing anymore, but it’s still needed. Kids can grow faster than we’re prepared for and every little bit helps. If people are aware that you’re in need or willing to take stuff off their hands, I’m sure they’ll be happy to help.
On the other hand, the next time your children or grandchildren outgrow clothes or shoes and you don’t need to sell them, consider giving them to a mom in need!
Mom Swap
A few years ago in my community, a woman organized a weekly trade/swap event. Every Sunday, moms would bring baby and children’s items, clothes, or toys they were willing to trade with other moms. They’d park their vehicles, set up their stuff, and negotiate trades with their items! It was a great way to get rid of what they didn’t need, while helping each other’s families!
Thrifting!
I love shopping at thrift stores! I’ve found many brand new and gently used items at cheap prices both for myself and my kids. Last year, my husband and daughter went to a father daughter dance. Even though it was in late April, she needed a sweater for the dress she was wearing. We headed to goodwill, and I found her a beige cardigan from The Children’s Place that had the cutest beaded collar! It was only four dollars! Earlier this year, she outgrew her boots! I didn’t want to buy boots at full price, with Winter almost over. Not to mention she would probably outgrow them by the next Fall. So, we headed to Goodwill again. I saw some tan ankle boots for her, that were like new, with almost no signs of use. Four dollars and just her size! Look at God!
Most recently, the kids and I have been reading more and more, so thrift stores are great places to find books! I’ve found older, safer, agenda free, chapter books for them to read for a dollar, and a hardback children’s bible for three dollars that we read daily! It’s always worth a look at thrift stores when you’re looking for something specific. Be warned though, sometimes you find more bargains than you’re looking for 😉
Keep in mind that most thrift stores offer discount days! Certain colored tags will be discounted on certain days of the week. Most offer senior discounts, military discounts, teacher’s discounts, student discounts, etc. It’s best to check and plan your days accordingly.
Coupons
I personally never got into the coupon craze that was happening a few years ago. People were buying hundreds of dollars worth of household items for just a few dollars and even getting some items free! It was pretty amazing, but I never tried it myself. I think stores have cracked down on this type of extreme couponing, however, coupons and coupon codes are still distributed. I will admit, before I go to make a pricey purchase online, I’ll go on the website and see if I can sign up for emails. Companies usually offer 10 or 15% off a purchase when you do. If I’ve already used it, I’ll search online for codes for that specific store and sometimes…they work! So be mindful of this when online shopping. If you’re uncomfortable with email subscriptions, you could just search for a coupon code or unsubscribe after using the welcome code.
If you are shopping in a big chain store, like Wal-Mart or Target, and find their price cheaper on their website or app, be sure to tell the cashier! That way, you’ll get the cheapest price available! They will honor their own prices.
Social media can be a great tool for finding deals! There are influencers on Instagram that will give tips, post about sales, and email you with discounts and codes as they find them online. I personally subscribe to Brad’s Deals and The Krazy Coupon Lady. I’m know there are tons more out there. You can always search #coupon on IG, and locate them easily.
Hidden Gems
I try to buy organic food whenever possible, but since I’m not near a Costco or Trader Joe’s, local options can be limited. But all is not lost, I go to Kroger or Aldi for organic produce options. My local Kroger currently offers military discounts on Wednesdays, and they often mark down their produce, and even have some on clearance pretty often! I realize, Aldi stores may not be everywhere, but any store where you have to rent the shopping cart, and buy or bring your bags can have hidden gems!
Also, tis the season for Farmer’s Markets! Support your local farmers and get fresh produce weekly!
For snacks, I have found some awesome organic options at stores like Ollie’s and Bargain Hunt! Now granted, you will have to try new things and their options may be limited, or never seen again. For the prices they offer, it’s worth it!
Yard Sales
Who doesn’t love a good yard sale? They’re basically real life treasure hunts. I get so excited when I find a good bargain, as you can probably tell! Shopping at them is a great way to get items cheap, and having your own is a great way to make money! If you don’t have the yard space or a good location, find a friend that does have yard space and have a multi family yard sale!
If you’re unable to do that, then I recommend posting on some online yard sale sites, like your local Facebook marketplace! Or, if face to face sales aren’t your thing, you can sell on an online yard sale site like eBay. I have a whole blog post here on how to do just that!
Consignment Stores
I saved this one for last because I know there are negative stories about selling children’s items to stores like Once Upon a Child. I didn’t want to make anyone cringe before getting to the good part! But seriously, as frustrating as they can be, they have been there for me in tight spots! You won’t get a lot per item, but if you’re needing money, something is better than nothing, and cash is offered on the spot. It’s best to take as many items as you can in one trip. Most take baby gear, furniture, clothes, toys, etc. I know every store is different though, so check before hauling all your stuff there! If you have another children’s consignment store local to you, then definitely support it, but if Once Upon a Child is all you have, it’s worth a try!
Keep it Minimal
I’m no expert on being a minimalist, but I do try to be intentional. My kids are homeschooled, still growing, and our church is very casual. So, they don’t need tons of shoes, or clothes. I know in a social media driven world, it’s tempting to feel like we are in competition with the next. It may be the norm for kids to have the same amount of clothes or even more than their parents, but that isn’t practical for me and mine. They grow so fast!
Please don’t feel pressured to have to put your kids in the latest or most expensive big name shoes or clothing. You are an excellent parent even if you don’t aim to put your kids in pricey name brands! Most kids just care about comfort and their favorite characters anyway, not the label tags, like adults do. As long as your kids are clean, healthy and happy…that’s all that should matter. And kids will be kids… so they’ll just get dirty anyway! Save your money for when they have a hobby, sport, or experience they do care about.
However, if you do have expensive taste, and still need all the things…at least find a coupon code!
God Had Us
As I come to a close, I want to share a quick testimony. I came back to the Lord when I was fourteen. About a year later, I became friends with a girl there, and we bonded over our hunger and desire for more of God. We were both being raised by single parents, and chasing after Jesus as best as we could. We were too young to have jobs, but God had a solution for us for when we wanted new clothes or shoes…as teenagers often do! Our solution was in each other! Even though, there is a three year age difference between her and me, we wore the same size clothes and shoes! So we shared! It made life so much easier, and so fun! What are the odds of finding a friend like that?! The cherry on top, is that we went to separate schools!
Whenever one of us got something new, we’d be so excited for the other, because we knew it wouldn’t be long before we’d get to borrow it! She’d style articles of clothing one way, and I’d style them another. One time she received great, quality, hand me downs from a super fashionable lady we went to church with. She decided to split them with me! I will never forget the excitement we had as we both sat on the floor with those clothes scattered around us, envisioning how we’d wear them! It was Christmas for us!
For God to have taken care of two teenage girls by having them look out for each other, is incredible to me! I love how he’s in the small things! How much greater would we be as a society and as a body of Christ, if we took care of each other and looked out for one another in some way, shape, or form? That’s what the early church did in the book of Acts!
I really hope you’ve enjoyed reading through some of the tips I’ve picked up along life’s journey, and especially since becoming a mom. I’ve certainly loved the trip down memory lane. The Lord has truly been faithful! If you’re in a financial struggle, remember troubles don’t last always. Give yourself grace, and your burdens to the Lord. It will be ok eventually. Trust in the Lord and don’t lose your faith! Let me know if any one specific tip really stands out to you, or if you have one to share! I’d love to hear it, and as always, thanks for reading!