Save on the Holidays -- 5 Must-Do Tips to Slash your Budget

The Holidays are coming quicker than you know, and it's this time of year that our frugal souls can make a run for it. Keep in your holiday budget by planning ahead.

1. Stock up on Christmas gifts throughout the year. At the end of every season, stores have items on clearance. Stores like Kohl's frequently have coupons like $10 off $20 which can be used on clearance items as well. Stocking up on toys, bath products, candles, fun gadgets, sports items, etc. can be a smart way to save on gifts. Tip: Target has their annual toy clearance in July, usually the last Thursday is when prices hit their rock bottom.

2. Stockpile non-perishable baking goods when you see a sale. Throughout the year, you'll see sales on sugar, flour, baking mixes, chocolate chips, canned fruit, etc. Buy extras and you will have what you need for all of that holiday baking!

3. Use those great sites I keep telling you about: EBates.com and Swagbucks. EBates can help you save money on your online purchases and by using Swagbucks, you can earn giftcards. Use the giftcards to buy gifts, or to give as gifts or stocking stuffers.

4. Participate in cookie swap. Instead of making dozens and dozens of different cookies, costing you lots of money in the process, get your friends together and bring cookies in bags to swap with each other.

5. Santa shops at JBF. JBF, or Just Between Friends, is an excellent consignment sale. There are tons of like-new clothes, baby items, books, electronics, strollers, furniture, and toys. Most items are at least half off retail and you can hardly tell the difference between new and JBF. In my area, the JBF sale is this week. If you haven't already, check out my previous post on JBF, and go to the Just Between Friends site to see when a sale is happening around you.

Do you have tips for saving around the holidays? Share below! I'd love to hear from you!

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.