Nifty Thrifty Thursday: Christmas In July Part 2

Welcome to Nifty Thrifty Thursday: Christmas In July Part 2. Click here for Part 1. If you have any questions or requests, leave me a comment below!


Let's imagine for a minute (:::cue dreamy dissolve effect:::)... So you're planning for Christmas. You've got your budget all made out, your gift list is ready to be filled, you've got wrapping paper and homemade gift bags begging for something to cover. You grab your purse and (---cue needle scratching album sound---)!!!

WHAT?!?!? Your wallet is empty?!?!?!?

Let me assure you that it is okay. Its only July and you have plenty of time to prevent the above situation. Let's get saving!

As I mentioned last week, you can put away a little money each week for the next 22 weeks, Even $5 or $10 a week will help! Do you hear me? Put that money away in an envelope or escrow account or start buying gift cards and gifts. Have any of you begun doing this? I know there will be times when you absolutely can't, but don't let the fear of that keep you from doing it at all. Just think, if you got to Thanksgiving Day and found $30, you'd be so happy!! You can do it!!!

So now you need some way to make a little extra holiday cash. I say cash because you don't want to just be putting it all on a credit card. Earning extra money requires hard work and discipline.


CUT YOUR BUDGET BACK MORE
This is number 1!! Most of us have had to tighten our belts because of the current economy, but I'd wager there are still a couple of notches on that belt that can be reached. Use the money that you save to put towards Christmas.

-Use coupons. 56% of consumers don't use them and there are plenty out there.
-Remove extras from your phone or cable service.
-Switch from a contract cell phone to prepaid if you don't use your mobile as your main phone. The cancellation fee will probably be less than what the rest of the bills in your contract will cost you. Check into whether you can port your number to the new phone.
-Plant some Fall veggies and herbs!
-Make your own cleaning supplies. Try laundry detergent, All-purpose cleaner or Daily Shower Cleaner Spray to start with. Most things will come clean with a damp cloth and some elbow grease.
-Only drink water between meals. Its healthier, too!
-Unplug "vampire" electronics. Phone and game chargers, toasters and TV's all continue to use electricity when not in use. Even power strips switched to off still use electricity. Make a habit of unplugging them!


WAYS TO EARN EXTRA HOLIDAY MONEY
-Use coupons and put away the amount you saved each trip.
-Have a yard sale. Better yet, have a yard sale with family or friends!
-Sell on eBay or Etsy.
-Blog/Write for money. I have a few links below for this.
-Roll those coins! Every little bit helps.
-Cash4Books.net will buy books and pay for shipping. They use paypal and you could print off their "buying now" list and find some of them at thrift shops or yard sales.

-Offer a service:
*Holiday Decorator
*Personal Shopper
*Dog Walking
*Cleaning
*Baking
*Babysitting for shoppers (you set the days/hours and advertise)
*Make holiday cards or gift tags
*Scrapbook for people
*Gift wrapping
*Assemble gift baskets
*Assemble recipes in jars

Start early and give yourself a goal. For example: try to be done with the majority of your Christmas prep by December 1st. Think of all of how great it will be to have it done and spend December with your family rather than out fighting the crowds!

Finally, and above all, remember that Christmas isn't about being perfect or buying the most expensive gift. Its about being together and celebrating the birth of our Lord.



PRODUCT COUPON LINK$

Click here for $1 printable coupon for Scrubbing Bubbles® Mega Shower Foamer!
Click here for a $1 printable coupon for Scrubbing Bubbles® Toilet Cleaning Gel!
Click here for a $2.75 printable coupon for Scrubbing Bubbles® Action Scrubber™ !
Click here for savings on the new Bic Soleil Shimmer razor (click on "special savings").
Click here for coupon savings on HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® swimpants. (One per month)
Click here for a 10% off coupon for Vaseline Intensive Rescue™Moisture Locking Lotion.
Click here for a $.55 off coupon for On Country Crock® Omega Plus.
Click here for a $1.00 off coupon for any Baskin-Robbins® Sundae!
Click here to visit a page with 4 coupon offers for Dawn Dish Washing Products!
Click here for a $1.00 coupon off of Chinet Casuals.





PRINTABLE COUPON $ITE$

PrintableCouponsBlog
CouponDiscounts.com
RedPlum.com
SmartSource.com
Coupons.com
CouponSurfer.com
BettyCrocker.com



GROCERY AD $ITE$

The Grocery Game
MyGroceryDeals.com Type in your zip code and find the nearest grocery deals from local stores!
Aldi.com sign up for their FREE email newsletter and receive their ad in your inbox!



REWARD$/AFFILIATE PROGRAM$

Ebates. Click here to sign up for Ebates:http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?id=32644971. Use my email: mhlessiter(at)zoominternet(dot)net as your referral and we'll each get $5!!
Amazon Associates
MyPoints.com
HeyButler.com



PAID WRITING/BLOGGING $ITE$

Helium.com
BuzzFuse.com
AssociatedContent.com
EzineArticles.com
PayU2Blog.com
Blogsvertise
PayPerPost
SponsoredReviews.com



BARGAIN$

RatherBeShopping.com coupon codes for online shopping and great frugal articles!
Zwaggle is a great online consignment shop.
Websquare offers many of the latest online coupons and deals from stores like Dell, Office Depot and 1-800-Flowers!
Bradsdeals.com is a site that is full of coupons, coupon codes and the latest deals on the web!


FREEBIE$ (new additions to the freebie list are listed first)

Click here for a FREE sample of Dove Therapy hair care.
Click here for a FREE dual pack sample of the Curél® Life's Stages™ Moisturizers line.
Click here for a FREE sample bottle of Clorox2® Colors - Color Safe Bleach!
Click here for a FREE sample of Greenies Pill Pockets- an easier way to give pets medicine!
Click here for a Free Sample of Zostrix arthritis cream!
Click here to visit the FreeSamplesBlog!
Click here for a FREE sample of Greenies pet treats!
Click here for a FREE sample of STOPAIN arthritis cream!
Click here for a FREE sample of Under Jams!
Click here for a FREE sample of Eucerin Calming Creme!
Click here for a FREE sample of Airborne Power Pixies!
Click here for a FREE sample of GlucoBurst.
Click here for a FREE sample of AZO! (You can also download a coupon on this page.)
Click here to visit Baen Free Library- Book Downloads!!!
Click here for a FREE sample of Purex!
Click here for a FREE sample of Kotex!
Click here for a FREE sample of KY Intrigue!
Click here for a FREE sample of Dove Pro-Age!
Click here for a FREE sample of Alterna Hair Care!
Click here to sign up for a FREE sample of Metamucil!
Click here to sign up for a FREE sample of Sunsilk shampoo!
Click here for a FREE sample of Aquafresh Extreme Clean!
Click here to sign up for a free sample of Tide with Dawn® StainScrubbersTM!
Get FREE magazines at lowpricesubs. No kidding!
Click here to visit Walmart's Free Sample page.
FREE sample of Aquaphor here! (This is one of my favorite products!!!)
Check out VistaPrint. They have monthly freebies listed under "Free Products" in the left hand column.


Please notify me of any broken, expired or non-working links. Thanks!


Join me every Thursday for more thrifty tips and links! Now get out there and $ave $ome money!!!