We're coming down the stretch...4 weeks to go! We can do this...but it will require an extra amount of focus, an increased level of intensity, and a deep breath of endurance to finish WELL!
Now is not the time to regret any goofs in the past nor rely on your successes to date--now is the time to rally, run and a make a mad dash for the end of the month.
This week's tips and ideas will focus exclusively on how to "SAVE MONEY" in a variety of ways:
1. Shop your closet -- You have a "field trip" this week! Browse through (or buy) a recent fashion magazine or store catalog (free) and look through it for styles that you like (shoes, pants, dresses or skirts) and especially observe colors. Then go through your closet and mix and match pieces from previous seasons that you might not have purchased together. Ex: yellow or pink sweaters and blouses to wear with grey (rather than black)!
2. Field Trip to Target, Gap, and JC Penney-- Isaac Mizrahi, for example, is a NY designer who designs clothes for Target at an extremely affordable price. If you are on a tighter budget and have never taken a look at the brands at these clothing stores, you'd be surprised and amazed at how cute (and inexpensive) the sweaters, T-shirts, and swim suits are for all sizes!
3. Hair Cuts -- Instead of a monthly hair cut, just go in for a bang or neck trim (most hair dressers will do this for free or a tip); AND if you've been tempted to grow your hair longer, NOW is the time. Save on haircuts and suffer with the "growth" while saving money!
4. Save $$ on Food/Groceries -- Use your freezer not only for leftovers but for keeping certain foods longer (ex: freeze browning bananas and use in smoothies for desserts, instead of ice cream; freeze ginger root and take out only what you need). Cut your portions down (1/4 pound burgers instead of 1/3 of a pound; eat 1/2 carton of yogurt per snack and add sunflower seeds to make it a more filling and fiber-loaded snack; cut candy bars and gum portions in 1/2!)
These are my tips for SAVING MONEY this week...of course, the more you save, the more you can give away!
If you are reading through the CYL Daily Bible, Proverbs 10:22 was a great reminder, "The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it."
Be encouraged,
Becky
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8 comments:
Hi Everyone,
Please, forgive me have not checked in for some time. My overall rating for the last 2 months would be a 4. I have struggled in all areas, except I have keeping my daily appointment with God. Which is crucial!
I am committed and determined to change! My goal is to have an overall rating of 7 for March. I am also committed to continue to keep our group in prayer. Thank you for your encouragement.
Becky, I wanted to let you know how encouraged I am. I signed up for the 60 day challenge a year or two ago and felt completely defeated. A year makes a difference and weekly conf. call is great. Thank you!
Sherry
Becky, thanks for telling us that you are benefiting from the group as well. The assignments that you are giving to us are great tools to learn for all of life. Thanks for making it so practical.
I feel encouraged.
Hi Becky and All: I missed the call today because I was out taking a walk with my elderly Mom.
I guess that is a good thing!?! I think my number this week would be 8.
For the new topic I would say, I always shop my closet, because it is full from years of buying too many things. I kept the things that were not too trendy. I don't shop like that anymore, though I do love shoes.....
I have really long hair and only cut it every 6 to 10 weeks.
My tip would be that for some really nice ideas, besides magazines, most stores and magazines have web sites where you can access fashion articles and view online catalogues (Becky may have mentioned that?). Target even tells you online, if the item you want is available at your nearest store.
I would love some more grocery ideas, and that idea on the black dress (but I dont have a black dress). It seems in an effort to eat more healthy things, our grocery bill has gone sky high.
Thanks for any tips.
Hi all,
This tip is for saving money:
I use to get my hair colored every month because I have dark brown hair and when it grows, even just a half an inch, you can see the gray. But to save money, last fall I started using the Clariol Touch up kit that you can buy at the drugstore. It is an application that you use to just touch up the roots near your part, temple and around the ears. It has saved me a lot of money!!! So instead of going to get my hair colored every 5 weeks, I touch up on week four and go another 4 weeks. Now I only go about every 8-9 weeks. I live in the New York area so it is quite expensive to get a cut/color. By going every 8-9 weeks I have saved the $110 it would have cost me on that 4-5th week!! The touch up kits REALLY works!!! Try it.
Maureen
I have a clothing tip. :) I have a professional type of job so I need to look pretty decent most days, but I don't want to spend too much. So the first thing is that I DO NOT OWN a lot of clothes. I use a lot of scarves and costume jewelry to change things up. But for the things I DO purchase, what I have been doing for the last few years is to buy the basic pieces at Nordstroms (nice slacks, blazers, a really nice sweater set, etc that last forever) and buy all the rest at Target. Most days I am wearing Nordstrom pants and a Target blouse or jacket. Or it could be a Target skirt and a Nordstrom jacket. This has been a huge savings for me over the years. (Haicuts are another story for me, though!) I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Steph.
Wow! Lots of lively comments this week--woo hoo!
Sherry--keeping your daily appointment with the King is the only thing that matters to Him...and He has the power to change the rest! Stay focused on Him (Mt 6:33)
GMV--thanks for the encouragement! I've decided to weigh-in on Wednesday mornings before our call:) B
Emmab--Yes, walking and helping someone at the same time is a good use of time and calories--and probably even saved you money! Great 8! As for groceries...one idea is to plant your mint--for me, it has been an ongoing savings, especially as I use organic mint for my sassy water (12leaves in every pitcher)! Cut your portions in half and add fiber (ex: seeds) to cut costs...
Maureen--great "color" ideas...keep those $ savers coming!
Stephanie...Keep mising and matching; as for the hair cut--call the office (since you're local) and give Reg your address--and I'll mail a coupon to you.
Be encouraged everyone (I am...)
Becky
Becky
Yes! I clocked over 10,000 steps on my pedometer yesterday. I have never worn one before, so this is fun. Whoo Hooo!
Great suggestions and lots of practical advice--Sounds as if everyone is determined to "make that mad dash" and finish March strong.
I'm sort of limping along right now. In fact, I haven't yet listened to last week's recorded call, but I promise to catch it, along with tomorrow's, after I come home from school.
Right now my yearbook students and I are racing toward our final deadline, which is next Monday at midnight, and my four senior classes are finishing their research papers to hand in a few days from now. The good side that I have had NO time to spend money on things I don't need, but the bad side is that I haven't made the best choices in meals or built in as much time for exercise as I need and want. Things look brighter for the future, though.
Thanks, Becky, for the very practical suggestions and encouragement, and all of you who have added your own great ideas, too. I love reading the posts.
May we all finish strong as we swing into spring.
Thanks again and God bless!
Wanda
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