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Sweet Treat for College-age kids Before they head back to school, hide a few dollars in some of their jacket pockets or pant pockets with a “love, Mom” post-it note attached. Who isn’t cheered up to find some snack money unexpectedly?! Especially from Mom on one of those homesick days! Useful Birthday and Special Occasion Gifts Skip giving yet another toy (no recall worries or extra clutter) and ask family members to help fund some new activities for you and the kids. Art, golf, music, crafts, karate, etc. Gift certificates or cash to apply towards a new hobby is a wonderful gift and very useful for a family budget. A few of my friends have come up with other creative gifts that are useful and don't add to the toy box clutter. A date at the movies with a friend, tickets to the Abraham Lincoln Museum, or lunch at Tea Thyme for the younger girls in full princess dress attire! Activity- based gifts are truly the gift that keeps on giving! Visit our Classes and Activities and Sports pages to get some local ideas! www.netflix.com Thanks to Megan Moore. Movies straight to your doorstep! For a monthly fee, Netflix provides unlimited DVD rentals, (although there is a limit on the number you can have out at any one time) and you can keep the DVDs for as long as you like without paying any late fees. When you are ready to return a DVD, you simply seal it into the included postage paid envelope. They have an incredible selection of movies -- more than you could ever find at local retail chains. Now they have a great feature where you can allow different family members to create their own "queue" with movies that they would like to select. Perfect for busy (and forgetful!) families! Locally, you know that all Family Video stores have a great selection of Kids Movies that are FREE to rent and a huge selection of $1 rentals.
www.booksfree.com Thanks to Michele Tungett for this idea! It's like having a library in your mailbox! If you are a subscriber of Netflix, (see above) you will understand the concept behind Booksfree. Booksfree is a paperback book borrowing service that's been in business since 2000 and offers over 49, 000 titles to choose from. You can subscribe to their book service for as little as $7.99 per month (paperback, audio CD or MP3). Based on the service you choose, you can have between 2 to 29 books delivered to you home each month. And shipping is free both ways!
Your Public Library Here’s a great way to save some money and perhaps become more involved in your community. Visit your local library. Why not order your bookclub books online from your library? Or, vary the repertoire for your kids by borrowing some new titles. Many offer terrific programs for little ones, so check that out while you’re there too. The Rolling Prairie Library System offers most our area libraries online. Visit them online at www.rpls.ws Five Buck Club Does your family love watching movies on the big screen, but not those box-office prices? Ann Londrigan of Springfield suggests you join the “Five Buck Club” through Kerasotes Theaters. It’s free, and your card will arrive in your mailbox within days of your online application. Present it at the ticket counter of any participating theater in town and go see selected movies for $5 a pop. You’ll even get a weekly email list of eligible shows and times. Granted, the savings don’t kick in until a movie’s run in the theaters a few weeks, but the savings are worth waiting for! Snack saver: Avoid buying the overpriced prepackaged bags of snack chips, crackers, cookies, etc. Instead, buy a large box of the snack item and make your own travel size version in Ziploc bags. Do this all at once and they will be ready to go! Chips can be frozen without loss of crunch when they’re thawed.
Kid’s shoes: Spend money on good walking shoes and go cheaper on special occasion shoes that they don’t wear as often. www.Striderite.com and www.payless.com have good tips of shoes and printable shoe charts. Prewalkers: Robeez Bargain Find: Add up the cost of lost socks and it’s worthwhile to splurge on the popular Robeez leather shoes made especially for infants (pre-walkers). Your child can wear them with or without socks underneath, they stay on and come in many different patterns. A great tip came in from Allyson Straugh: “I just recently came across a fabulous site on ebay about a month ago. You know the robeez shoes for babies and toddlers? Well, this lady sells super cute look-alike ‘robeez’ for a fraction of the normal cost. Her screen name is ‘shoeszoo.’ She ships same day and I have been getting my orders in approx. 4 days from Canada! The styles are cute for boys (hard to find) and girls. I always receive lots of compliments from parents when my son Dawson wears them. Just an idea for parents looking to keep their kids ‘stylish’ at a cheaper cost!”
Save Money Year-Round With Consignment Shops By Lisa Barutcu About six years ago, after my first child was born, I discovered Consignment Shops as an alternative to garage sales. I love them almost as much as garage sales. The best part? They are open YEAR round-and I don’t have to go to a dozen of them before I find something I like.
As a mom of 3 young children, I buy lots of clothes. About 75% of their clothes are second-hand. Since I usually find great bargains, I wanted to share my best tips with all the busy “Springfield Moms” out there who are busy and on a budget. So I spoke to three local consignment shop owners/managers and learned some interesting facts about consignment shops.
How Consignment Works If you want to sell your children’s outgrown clothing and toys to consignment stores, here’s what you need to know: When you bring in a tote of previously-worn clothing, a store employee picks through it. If you’ve got really nice clothes in near perfect condition, they will usually take them. From there, you have two choices:
1) Consignment. The store will try to sell your seasonally appropriate items over a fixed period of time, and you will earn a percentage of the item’s selling price. 2) Buy-out. The store will offer you a flat amount of money for your items, and they give you cash, check or store credit on the spot.
The following consignment shops sell baby and children’s clothing (preemie to size 18), baby furniture, toys, maternity clothing, books, DVD’s, shoes, room décor items, dance outfits and shoes, fancy outfits (think wedding or special occasion clothes) and more. For this article, I looked at The Kids’ Closet in Rochester (click here for a $5 off coupon) , Kids Treasures in Springfield click here for store info, and Just Kids in Sherman and Just Kids II in Springfield click here for store info.
Top Brands of Clothing and Toys Some store owners report that they accept 80-90% of what a customer brings in for consignment or buy-out. The stores require that clothes be in excellent condition, freshly laundered and a style no more than 3 years old. If your child happens to wear one of the best-selling clothing brands, you’ll have even better luck. The following brands are great sellers at all of the stores:
Gap Adidas Gymboree Nike Children’s Place Old Navy Limited Too Abercrombie Ralph Lauren (Polo) Tommy Hilfiger
Baby and toddler toys are big sellers, as are Thomas toys, musical and educational toys. Large Little Tikes, Step 2 toys, slides and riding vehicles are also popular.
If you are one of the lucky moms who have figured out the magic formula for consignment success, you will earn between 40% and 50% of each item’s sale price. This means that if Junior’s papasan bouncy seat sells for $39.99, you will receive between $19.99 and $23.99 for it. Buy-out works differently. The buyer will review your collection of items and make an offer. However, you can do this year round and for any clothes, regardless of the season. One store does charge an annual account fee to consignors; the others do not.
Find More Cash In Your Closets I have not been a successful consignor. While I have brought in adorable, freshly laundered, stylish clothes, I rarely have what they are looking for, and I am often disappointed when the store won’t take my items. A little insight from the store owners may help me in the future.
Anne Ghere, owner of the recently opened Kids Treasures in Springfield says: “I always explain to them (customers) why I didn’t take an item and always go through their items in front of them.” Kitty Boyce, owner of The Kids’ Closet in Rochester explains how to earn more as a consignor, and why they may seem picky. According to Kitty, “The cleaner an item is and the better the condition, the more money we will pay for it. Taking a little time to wash and lay items flat neatly in a laundry basket will also increase the payout. Don't bring garage sale leftovers. If you couldn't sell it for 25 to 50 cents, odds are we won't be interested, either. We accept items with our customers in mind.”
Bargain Shopping While I may not earn much taking my clothes to the consignment shops, I do have more money in my wallet because I find great deals. Here is a sampling of items I’ve purchased in the last couple of months: an infant bathtub, a Valentine’s Day t-shirt for my daughter, new winter gloves for my son (after he informed me that “mittens aren’t cool, Mom”), an activity toy for my baby to lay under that entertains him, 2 pair of swim trunks for my infant son, 4 books, 2 VHS movies, a little toy for the baby’s car seat, a car seat cover, a toy bin organizer for my daughter’s room and a half a pack of Huggies. I bought all of these items for less than $90. Below are some tips for saving money as a shopper:
If you haven’t shopped at consignment stores, I highly recommend it. The inventory is always changing, so there is always a great selection available. Give it a try! Lisa Barutcu is a mother of three from Springfield.
Do we have your money? You may be among the 10 million residents, businesses and heirs who have cash or valuables being held by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. Log onto www.treasurer.il.gov and follow the Cash Dash link. It is free and easy to search your name and file a claim.
Allowance Tips for our Kids by Kathi Davis I got this idea from my friends, and it works great for our family. When you pay each child their allowance, per week (I pay my 10 yr. old $5/wk and my 5 year old $3/ wk to do certain chores), they have to divide the money they earn (this counts for birthday money and babysitting money as well, at least for us) equally between three jars:
With savings, they can save indefinitely for a large item they want to purchase (Mahalia is saving up for a car!) or they can save back for some smaller item, as long as they don't empty out their bank account (takes $25 to start one). With spending, I try to let them use it as they wish, encouraging them not to blow it on incidental items, although the choice is theirs. With giving, we research where they'd like to give and I explain the different options (ie., local organizations: homeless shelter, animal shelter / national organizations: wolf recovery, hurricane relief / international organizations: tsunami relief, Jane Goodall foundation). Anyway, this really works for us and it teaches my children about banking, how to save, how to spend wisely, and how to contribute to causes and to those less fortunate. FYI: I give my 10 year old, who helps a lot, between $5-6 / week and my 5 year old $3/week. That way they can divide the money evenly between the jars.
Heartland Credit Union’s Moola Moola Kids Club & Teen Club
Their Moola Moola Kids Club is a great way for children to start learning to save their hard earned money, birthday money or loose change. By joining the Moola Moola Kids Club you will receive the following benefits: · Club savings card that allows children to earn a prize after so many deposits. · Quarterly cash drawings for deposits made within given quarter. · Bi-Annual newsletter with tips on how to save for a special toy or occasion, games and news on our upcoming events. · An invitation to all of Heartland Credit Union’s special Moola Moola Kids Club events. (Zoo outings, Holiday Party, Fall Fest and more!)
Minimum deposit of $5 and $1 one time membership fee
required. Access and print the coupon for your FREE Savings Bank with the opening of Moola Moola Account. Please stop by one of our full service branches to open an account today. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Sangamon, Montgomery , Macoupin, Morgan, Cass, Menard or Logan County 2213 West White Oaks, Springfield , IL 62704 , 217-726-8877 2717 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield , IL 62702, 217-726-8877 NEW! Heartland Teen Club Information for ages 13-18
Features
Requirements
Account Detail: Auto Loan option – As a teenager, it is hard to establish credit in order to secure a loan. Heartland Credit Union wants to reward teens who have worked hard and saved for a set of wheels. As a member of the teen club, the member will be given the rate of their co-signer. This will allow a teen to have the loan, which allows them to establish a credit history, with a great rate!Terms and conditions apply. This account is subject to change at any time.
The Bright Start College Savings program is the easy, tax-free way to save for your child’s college education. Accounts are easy to open with just $25, and contributions can be set up automatically from your checking account. Any friend or family member can contribute to your child’s account at any time with as little as $15. Best of all, Illinois residents can deduct contributions from their state income taxes and both earnings and qualified withdrawals are tax free. Learn more today at www.brightstartsavings.com.
Tax Tips for Busy Moms By Jill McClelland No one enjoys tax season, but to make it slightly less painful, here are a few organizing tips that can help you prepare right now to take the headaches out of next year’s return. Who knows, maybe these tips will even help you with last year’s taxes this month!
Tax season doesn’t have to reduce you to pulling your hair out as you search frantically through endless piles of paper. Take the time now to prepare for next year’s return. You’ll be glad you did!
Jill McClelland is a professional organizer with “Let’s Get Organized” and the mother of two middle school boys.
Discount Household items! Did you know that Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County also runs a Restore which sells new and used household items including paint, light fixtures, and much more for prices 20%-50% below retail prices. Income from the Restore helps pay for the use of the warehouse, pays the salary of the full-time Warehouse Manager, and also generates funding for building more houses! Your donations of new and used home improvement items are welcome and for your next home improvement project - Remember to shop Habitat's Restore first! 320 North Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, 217-523-2710 or log on to www.habitatsangamon.com
If painting a kids room, choose bedding first and then take a color from the bedding and paint the walls one of the colors in the bedding or complimentary color. You could then take some pattern off the bedding and paint it on a canvas and hang in the bedroom! Quick makeover Click here for a coupon from Lisa Cox, Decorative Painter 217-836-9112 if you want her to create simple or lavish design in your home!
Free Storage Use an old muffin tin to store odd bits and little pieces in your junk drawer or for your kids’ desk drawer for all of their precious collectibles!
Help! My Kid Puked (Or Peed or Pooped) On My Carpet! After Febreezing and fumigating an upholstered chair that had been puked upon by our preschooler, we remembered a book Grandpa gave us for Christmas one year, Haley’s Cleaning Hints, by Graham and Rosemary Haley. Their solution for eliminating the smell was cheap and SO effective and we already had all the ingredients on hand! It’s supposed to work great for pet odors, too. Haley advises to mix it up as you need it; it loses its effectiveness quickly because of its volatility. When nothing else works, try this:
Apply the solution to the area with a sponge. Let it dry and vacuum
The Frugal Family Goes to the Dollar Store by Amy McFadden Love to scrapbook but hate getting out that checkbook to pay for materials? Check out the selection at your favorite dollar store, where we've discovered surprisingly cute and quality scrapbook items like paper (we've gotten six sheets for $1), stickers and embellishments. While you're there, pick up a few puzzles and small toys in anticipation of your spring/summer travel. Stop by Target's Dollar Spot; they always have great kids and seasonal items on the cheap.
Make a List & Save! don't go to the grocery store hungry, we all know how that can increase our bills! So, here's a good tip to help steer you by those end of aisle impulse buys! Thanks to mother of three, Susan Faivre. "If you are like me, a quick trip to Target or Wal-Mart can easily turn into a $100.00 shopping bill. Since I usually find myself there at least once a week, I came up with an idea to get my spending under control. As a spin off of the custom grocery list idea, highlighted in the Premiere Springfield Moms™ issue and posted in our In the Kitchen area, I made a household shopping list. I modeled the list after my favorite store, Target. I simply made the list based on departments and my usual route through the store. I keep this list on the refrigerator (next to my custom grocery list) for all the family to add to. Now when I go to Target I only purchase what is on my list. I have easily cut my weekly spending in half, and I find I go less often when I have a list of things I actually need. "
Cooking Co-op! by Melissa Allen You may want to brace yourself for this one. It’s a little involved, but according to my sister it’s well worth the investment in time. She and three other families take turns cooking once a week. Each family is assigned one day a week with Fridays off. So, that means each Tuesday her family is responsible for preparing four of the same main courses and delivering them to the other members of the co-op. The other families are all friends and live conveniently close. Then the other three nights a week, they have no cooking to do. I was extremely skeptical when she started this over 6 months ago. Apparently it is still working well for them. It does take some coordination between the families, but they manage to save both money and time. Also, her kids seem to be enjoying the variety in menus. If it can work for her in Colorado, maybe it can work for moms here!
Kids Rooms: Designing on a Budget In Correspondent Lori Harlan's article "Room to Room Review", she interviews Springfield Moms Founder Kim Little who shares her tips for designing on a budget and keeping rooms functional for years to come. Room to Room Review" Reprinted with permission from the STATE JOURNAL REGISTER: July 28, 2006 Toy Swap Are your kids starting to lose interest in some of their toys? Consider doing a “toy swap” with a friend. Gather up some of your child’s toys and throw them in a tub. Be considerate and wash them off or spray with disinfectant first. Ask your friend to do the same with her kids’ toys. Then swap for instant “new” toys for your kids and no cost to you or your friend. When the new wears off, swap back! 1-800-FREE-411 How many times have you been out and needed a number, but been too stingy to call 411? At $1.75/call on some plans, I’m with you. However, I heard about this on new number on Kathy & Judy’s WGN program and thought, “this is too good to be true.” Nope, it works. This number is a free 411. Connects you to an actual operator --priceless in the age of cell phones. Occasionally, you might hear a brief commercial, but that hasn’t happened to me yet. Enjoy & make sure to pass this on to someone else! No reason to pay any more! Coupons Coupon Assistance Save time and money with this tip from reader Delinda Hawkins! I marked all the coupons I wanted with an "X", gave my kindergartner some scissors and told him to cut on the dotted lines with all squares that have an "X". He LOVED it! My toddler got to have scissors, too, but he got to cut up scrap paper. Everyone wins!
Register & Save Big! www.gerber.com www.similac.com www.pampers.com Every mom needs to know about this. Register at these websites and you will start getting coupons in the mail and on-line. It’s just that easy. Formula coupons are $5 coupons, so well worth your time. Pampers.com is a little more involved, but still worthwhile. Inside each pack of Pampers, there is a sticker with a code number. Enter it at Pampers.com under Gifts to Grow. You’ll start earning points that can add up to purchases. You can pick from a selection of books, toys and dvd’s when you register and redeem the points. Be prepared to spring for shipping (ours was $4.25.) www.dealtaker.com - Thanks to Linda House for sending us this! This is a free website that has "Deals" listed for stores all across the US and of course on the internet. They have links to coupons, sales, free shipping offers, and more. While on this site I found a spot in the forum section called Garage Sale. You can list things for FREE on this site that you want to sell. They also have a place to list items you are looking to buy. They do ask you to register, but it is totally free!! www.theholidayspot.com & www.coolarchive.com Readers’ Digest recommends these sites for downloading free fonts & clip art to your computer.
Avoid buying the overpriced prepackaged bags of snack chips, crackers, cookies, etc. Instead, buy a large box of the snack item and make your own travel size version in Ziploc bags. Do this all at once and they will be ready to go! Chips can be frozen without loss of crunch when they’re thawed.
Here’s a great way to save some money and perhaps become more involved in your community. Visit your local library. Why not order your bookclub books online from your library? Or, vary the repertoire for your kids by borrowing some new titles. Many offer terrific programs for little ones, so check that out while you’re there too. The Rolling Prairie Library System offers most our area libraries online. Visit them online at www.rpls.ws |
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