While I’m fairly certain that many of you are striving to live daily life more simply in terms of less stuff, less waste and less expenses, this series is focusing on simplifying the process of Christmas. Focusing on the organization aspect so that you don’t give too much of yourself in terms of finances or time.
Christmas can become a nuisance rather than a joyful, meaningful time if we’re constantly feeling stressed. This goes to say, I think the best way to have a more organized, more peaceful Christmas is to do your holiday tasks a little at a time. Tasks on our holiday to-do list can easily morph from fun to miserable when we’re too busy or wandering without a plan.
This week’s task is to plan your gift list.
It’s definitely not too early to plan your gift giving, especially if you plan on making some homemade gifts. Since you’ve hopefully planned your holiday budget already, you should know exactly how much money you have for gifts.
This week you should:
Write down all the names of the people you have to purchase gifts for
Add gift ideas for each person
Take a look at this year’s Simply Frugal Holiday Gift Guides that are available! I hope it will help you find a ton of great affordable gift ideas!
But for now, what’s the hardest part about gift giving for your family? What are your solutions?
Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist! This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. You’ll also receive a weekly email with each week’s “task”.
Are you excited to work your way to a more organized Christmas? Today marks the first day and task in the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas series that I hope will be super helpful to you!
Before we get started, I have a whole bunch of printables and checklists for you to print out to help you along:
Alright, on to the first task, an important one. 🙂 This week, if you haven’t already, sit down with a hot cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate… and create your holiday budget. This is what you think your holiday season will cost and will allow you to put limits on your holiday spending to keep you from shopping regrets if a credit card bill comes your way!
Here is an extensive list of things you should keep in mind when you create your holiday budget:
Gifts:
spouse
kids
parents
siblings
nieces/nephews
grandparents
neighbors
coworkers
friends
secret Santa gift exchanges
Activities/Events/Parties:
tickets
dining out
clothing
Food (not including regular groceries):
baking ingredients
dessert ingredients
Christmas eve
Christmas dinner/brunch
Boxing day
parties
Cards:
stamps
cards/envelopes
stationary for family newsletter
photos
Clothing:
outfits for photos
parties
Christmas day outfit
Decorations:
tree
lights
ornaments/candles/wreath/etc.
craft supplies
Giving:
charities
volunteering
Now, these suggestions are just a guideline. Every family is different and has different needs. My intent is to bring to mind every possible thing that could incur an expense during the holiday season. I’m sure many of you won’t even spend money on half of these things this year. Also, in my mind, the more planning you do, the more money you will save and the saner you will feel. 🙂
As for my family, we only buy gifts for immediate family and a couple of close friends. My husband and I only exchange stockings. I make some homemade gifts as well as collect credits throughout the year so I can do some online shopping for “free”. Of course, I search for deals too. I will probably buy a few inexpensive Christmas decorations this year. This year, I’m toying with the idea of having a cookie decorating party with the girls’ friends. I think that would be fun! As for any party that we are invited to, I like to bring some baking along.
But enough about us. 🙂
If after writing down your expenses, you’re scared of the number you see, you have two options: Decrease your expenses or increase your income.
Decrease your expenses
To make a happy holiday season, you really don’t need to spend a lot of money. In fact, I’m daring to say, that being extravagant in your spending can be overwhelming not only to you, but the recipient as well. When I was a child, one set of grandparents used to be quite extreme in their gift giving. It was SO exciting, but I remember being quite overwhelmed with all the gifts once Christmas was over.
Gift giving is probably the easiest expense to cut back on. If you have a large extended family, consider drawing names so each member is only responsible for one gift. Or do what our family does and only give gifts to the children. My parents have also started to set a $20 limit on each other in recent years. Jesse and I exchange stockings.
Setting a price limit on each gift will allow you to shop within that budget. If your limit on sister Sue is $30, then that $50 purse is off limits.
It’s possible to decrease your food budget too by shopping the sales and limiting the baking and Christmas dishes you prepare.
When it comes to decorations, why not create some memories by making some homemade decorations? (I’ll be featuring some ideas in a few weeks) Or read my Fond, Frugal Christmas Memory post for a fun Christmas tree idea.
Increase your Income
If decreasing your holiday expenses is not an option, then consider increasing your income. Many retailers hire for the holiday season (and may offer an employee discount!).
A couple of other ideas are to:
Sell extra baking to those that may not have much time to create their own.
Sell unwanted household items for cash (make room for new stuff too!)
What are your tips for staying on budget at Christmas time?
Sign up for the 8 Weeks to a More Organized Christmas newsletter to receive a FREE Christmas Dinner Checklist! This checklist is quite detailed and will help you remember all the details needed for a memory filled dinner with family and friends. You’ll also receive a weekly email with each week’s “task”.
Do you want to finally get your home in order? You may be finding that you still have a bit of extra time these days so it's the perfect time to whip your house into shape!
The more I think about it, I really think that being organized is the key to saving money. Not only does my sanity thrive when things are organized in my home, I find our bank account is happier too. 🙂
Here are 6 ways being organized can help you save money:
Know what you already own
Having a spot for everything will help ensure that you know what you have on hand at all times. No need to buy the beans that are on sale because you know that you already have plenty in the pantry! Being organized (or more organized because we can't be perfect!) stops you from spending money to replace items you can’t find.
You'll avoid late fees
When you have an organized system in place for paying bills and returning borrowed items on time, you'll certainly avoid the ugly late fees. Avoid paying late fees by implementing a system that will work for you. I have to tell you a story about the one time I had a late fee on the Visa bill. My bill paying "system" is not how my husband would do it and he suggested I try it his way. His way was to pay off an amount as soon as there was a balance. My way is to pay it once a month on the due date, the balance of the statement in full. As soon as I receive the statement in the mail, I log into our online banking and schedule the payment to be made on the due date. Sure, it may be a larger amount doing it my way, but I'm never late in paying it! My husband has learned to just let me do my thing in that regard. 😉
Have time to plan a menu
When you're organized, you'll have time to set aside to plan the menu for the week. I'm a firm believer that having a menu plan in place will save you unnecessary trips to the grocery store and your sanity. In our case, it saves us a ton because we're avoiding the drive thru and actually eating what we buy from the grocery store.
Have time to cut and use coupons
If you're a coupon user, being organized means you most likely have some time set aside for printing and organizing your coupons. Which also means you are probably organized to use the coupons at the store to pay rock bottom prices!
Know what projects you have on the go
Let's pretend that I don't know all about incomplete projects. (you know, those unfinished sewing and knitting projects that I found...) Every once in a while I get an urge to do something creative. But when I take the opportunity to have an organizing session, I usually discover a few unfinished projects.
Most recently, as I was going through my fabric stash, I found two unfinished projects. A purse, which only needs to have the handles sewn on, and material for a sweatshirt I’ve cut out for my husband. I now have two projects to finish to satisfy my creative urge without spending any more money!
Buy gifts well in advance
When you're on the ball with upcoming special occasions, you can buy ahead when you find a great deal online or in the store. Helping you to avoid paying full price for something near your deadline.
How does being organized save you money? In what ways would you like to be more organized so you can save more?
Living in a small home with children doesn’t have to be a bad or hard thing. Living in close quarters is possible, if you have the right tools and tips to help get you through! Check out these 11 tips for sharing a small home with kids:
11 Tips for Sharing a Small Home with Children
1. Less stuff = more room
This is a tip that everyone should already know. However, when you have less stuff in your home, you always have more room, making a room feel more spacious.
2. Bunk beds
When you have kids and they need beds, going “up” is a great solution for leaving the floor space open. Triple bunks work wonders if you have more than 2 children sharing a room.
3. Utilize closet space
Closet space can be a real organizational nightmare, especially if you have a limited number of closets in your home. But learning the best way to maximize their usability is key. Use baskets, bins, shelves and even rolling cart techniques for linens and clothes to make the best use of the closets you have. Although that might mean you have to store some kitchen appliances in the linen closet ;).
4. Have strict rules on keeping items off the floor
When you have a small home with the addition of children, things have to be off of the floor or your home will end up looking messy in no time. And that’s the worst.
5. Purchase items that have double uses
Purchasing items that have two uses is genius. For example, an ottomanthat has storage space within is a smart idea! Doubles as extra seating and storage!
6. Get rid of any bulky items
Is your couch too bulky? Trade it in for a slimmer version. Is the coffee table taking up precious play space? Maybe it’s time to donate.
7. Slim down the amount of clothing
If the drawers are stuffed full of kids’ clothing, it’s time to eliminate some items. Here are some tips for paring down your clothes that you might find useful!
8. Utilize storage in the attic, garage, or shed
If there simply isn’t enough room in your home for your everyday stuff and stored items, try to store stuff in another area of the home if you can, like a garage or attic.
9. Stay as organized as possible
Organization is key when space is at a premium. Try to make sure that everything has a spot to call home. Encourage the kids to put things in their “home” by making labels with pictures indicating where each item goes.
10. Use wall space as much as possible
There’s always room on a wall for storage. If you’ve run out of room, use wall space. Build some floating shelves. Or create a command center with a white board to keep all the activities running smoothly. Pinterest is full of ideas for wall storage.
11. Reevaluate the way you have items set up in your home
Maybe it’s the current layout that isn’t working in your home. Reevaluate your home’s setup to see if there could be a better way, then change it up!
Making room for everyone in your home shouldn’t be a problem if you follow these tips. I’ve noticed that the less items we have, the less frustrated we get.
What are some ways you deal with living in a small space with children?
Simply Clutter Free Day 21: Declutter your Outerwear
Oh my goodness, we've reached the final day of the Simply Clutter Free Challenge! My house is feeling so much lighter! Even cleaner because I've been cleaning in those areas that don't often get cleaned!
Today, we're going to tackle our outerwear. That means we're finally going to let go of jackets or snow pants that no longer fit. Or we just don't care for any more. Donate or sell the items you no longer want. This task also includes winter gloves, hats, scarves, etc.
How many items do you think you'll be getting rid of today?
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
