Guest Post: Would It Be All That You Need?

I'm busy getting ready for JBF (Just Between Friends), so Lindy of FrugalFriendsNetwork.com was kind enough to send me this post for y'all. I hope you enjoy it; I did. -- Jenny

Would It Be All That You Need?

Last night as I was taking a final look at facebook, I came across a viral post that caught my attention. Normally, I just skim by these re-posts, barely glancing at them. Perhaps it was the blue background surrounding this one that made me read it, or the name of the sender or the fact that it had received a lot of comments, but I think it was a little something more.

As I laid my head down on the pillow to go to sleep, the message was on my mind and when I woke up this morning it was one of the first things I thought about. The message was just simply...”What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”

As someone who prays first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and oftentimes in-between, I know I can confidently answer that my family and my home would still be with me. I always thank God for these things, but otherwise I tend to be more general in my thanksgiving (“thank you for all of my many blessings”). I wonder just what God would consider to be my blessings?

Saving on Big Ticket Items -- Your Credit Score

Let's take a break from saving money on essentials to how to save money on big-ticket purchases and bills. This involves your credit score. Believe it or not, your credit score can be your "coupon" in the financial world.

We all know our credit score is important. We keep hearing it on TV, right? But why is it important and how does it affect our lives?

Your credit score, and the detailed history that goes with it, is one of your most key parts of your financial life. Your credit score follows you forever. It can and does play a huge role in many major financial situations in your life. Many people think that a credit score really only matters when it comes to being approved for a loan or credit card, but it affects more than that.

A potential employer will often check your credit score as part of the overall picture of who you are. Credit score can also determine insurance rates for your vehicles and home. When searching for apartments, some landlords also check credit scores in evaluating if you're a good risk.

Raising your credit score can mean savings for you in a variety of areas, and unlike coupons, can potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year. Sometimes improving your credit score can be as simple as seeing what it is and the credit history that has factored into that score. There are sometimes errors on the credit report that can be fixed by contacting your creditors. Knowledge can also be motivation--if you're looking to buy a house, you're going to be more careful about paying all of your bills on time so you don't "ding" your credit score.

If you don't know what your credit score is, or haven't checked it lately, you should get a free credit score report. Knowledge is power!

Frugal Living: Cutting Your Families' Hair

As a frugalista, my "bible" for living cheap is Amy Dacyczyn's The Tightwad Gazette . If you've never read it, I highly suggest you should. Some of the tips may be outdated, as it was written a while ago, but Amy gave me courage to try so many new things in my quest to live on less. Some of the things I learned from Amy: how to use leftovers to make a variety of cheap breakfasts, making your own yogurt, using items around your house in creative ways, and the courage to "garbage pick" good items others throw out. You can check it out on Amazon:

One of the things Amy taught me was the courage to cut my families' hair. I have a husband and two boys, so by cutting their hair, I save between $30-$45 every 6 weeks. That's a savings of $240 a year!

It sounds scary, but it's not as hard as it seems. Of course, it's easier if you're starting off with toddlers or preschoolers so you can learn before they get too worried about how they look. Neither one of my boys remembers going to the barber because I started cutting their hair when they were very young.

The key to cutting hair is to start cutting less than you think you should. Cut it all a consistent length, then check and see if it needs to go shorter.

Free Halloween Costumes -- ThredUP

If you're a mom and not yet a member of ThredUP, I have to ask--why not? This is a great way to "recycle" your kids' clothes. Right now, they're pushing Halloween costumes, and they've got a great deal for new customers: your first box of kids' clothes, toys, or books FREE + shipping! What a great way to try them out--have your kids pick their next Halloween costume and receive it for super-cheap!

Once you try it, you're going to love it! When your kids have outgrown their clothes, box them up (boxes provided!), post your box one ThredUP, and you'll be able to swap for more clothes, toys, or books for your kiddos!

Just Between Friends -- A Sale that Shouldn't be a Secret!

If you're trying to stretch every penny, like me, you need to know about Just Between Friends. Just Between Friends (or JBF for short) is a great way to make a little (or a lot!) extra cash or buy great kids clothes, toys, books, and furniture for cheap. JBF is like a giant consignment store that only stays open for one weekend in the Spring and one weekend in the Fall.


For shoppers, JBF is awesome because they're really careful about only accepting really awesome clothes. Clothes must be completely free of rips, tears, stains, and fading. Baby items, such as cribs, car seats, and strollers, are checked against recall lists before being accepted. When you go to shop at JBF, therefore, you can rest assured that everything you buy is quality. Prices run somewhat higher than a garage sale, but usually at least 50% off retail.


For consignors (sellers), JBF is an easy way to get higher sales for your kids clothes than you would at a garage sale, and easier than eBay. Commissions begin at 60%, but you can increase your profits by volunteering your time, loaning them items (like tables), or "bartering" by bringing in snacks for the volunteers, or other things. This can be a great small income, or help to subsidize your purchases for your children--it can be a great way to "recycle" your kids clothes.


In my area, we have an awesome JBF hostess, Jayme Maxwell. She has really helped the sale grow over the time it's been hosted. Check out her sale at JBF and on Facebook. Our sale, in Sherman, TX, will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 1.  Most JBF sales occur sometime around Sept-Oct.


It really is worth waiting to buy your back-to-school clothes until after your JBF has their sale. Wondering if your area has a JBF sale? Check out this link to find an event near you.