Does winter have you singing the blues? It's about this time of the year when I start to feel like Winter is never going to end. The endless cold and snow just gets me down! Here are some of my ideas to beat the winter blues on a budget:
Make Summer plans
Start planning your spring or summer activities. This is a great way to forget the cold momentarily and have some plans to look forward to!
Buy a bouquet of spring flowers
This is my favourite way to perk myself up! Tulips and daffodils are an affordable option to bring some life and colour into your home. I've seen daffodils as low as $1.99/bunch in the past.
Pamper yourself
Get your hair cut, get a manicure/pedicure or do your nails yourself. Pick a bright cheery colour for your nails. Spend some time making yourself pretty!
Try something new
Have you been wanting to try an art class or a pottery class? Do it. (Check out your local recreation or art center for budget friendly options.) Enjoy baking or cooking? Try an entirely new recipe that may challenge you a bit further.
Exercise
Bundle up and head out for a long walk. Try out some snowshoes. Put in a fun exercise video. It's a proven fact that exercise releases endorphins that make you happy, more relaxed and more alert!
Invite a friend over for coffee or tea
I tend to hibernate in the winter months so inviting a friend over or inviting myself over to a friend's, really is a great pick me up! It's so nice to indulge in great conversation and if you have children, a great excuse for a play date.
Read a book
Stop in at your local library and pick up some books that take place in the summer months or that will "take you away"!
What are your favourite ways to beat the winter blues on a budget?
The following is a guest post by Liz from Sturm und Mom.
As a Mom of six kids, I rely on hand-me downs to stretch my budget. But sometimes an item doesnʼt get “worn out” enough by the time the last child has outgrown it. And what about the oldest — where can I get hand-me-downs for her? The solution: childrenʼs consignment stores!
Consignment stores are gold mines for the de-cluttering Mom. Buy and sell all types of childrenʼs gear: clothing, toys, footwear, swings, strollers, high chairs, books, tapes — in other words, the works. They are an fantastic place to get barely used childrenʼs clothes, often with the tags still on, for a fraction of the price.
Consignment stores work by selling gently used items for you, and keeping a portion of the price (usually around half.) Unlike thrift stores, they pre-screen and organize all the merchandise into a shopper friendly format, making them a super go-to resource for the frugal parent.
Here are some tips to make your consignment shopping and selling, something youʼll be doing again and again.
Research your Store’s Policies
Before you bring your items in, either phone or drop by to see what your local storeʼs policies are. For some stores you need an appointment, and others are drop in. Find out if they pay you up front for the items they take, or after they sell. Most stores have a limit on the amount you can bring in at one time, and the type of items they will take, so check ahead to avoid aggravation and a wasted trip.
Bring in Great Condition Items
Make sure the items you want to sell are clean, in good repair, freshly washed and folded (if clothing.) If itʼs been washed so many times that you canʼt read the tag, itʼs not suitable for consignment. Time your items to correspond with the seasons (bring in summer things during the spring, not November.)
Find Out of Season Clothing Easily
Camping trip in August and no warm sweaters that fit, or swimming birthday party in February but the swimsuitʼs bit the dust? Consignment stores are great places to get out of season clothing in a pinch.
Shop with a List
Come shopping with a list. Donʼt undo your savings by buying what you donʼt need.
Check Consignment First
I donʼt know how many times Iʼve ended up paying full price, only to find the exact same thing on consignment for significantly less.
Check Back Often
My experience has usually been that consignment stores have a lot of what I am looking for in stock, but not always. Supply can vary from week to week, so check back and donʼt get discouraged.
So, attack those kid piles! Your local consignment store is waiting and ready to turn your bursting drawers and over-flowing toy box into some money for your pocket.
Liz is a Mom to six kids 10 and under, who is always trying to get her dollars to go further, and do things better. Her hobbies are cooking, reading and crafting. She blogs about motherhood at lizsturm.wordpress.com.
After all the shopping you did for Christmas, you may not want to open your wallet again for a long time. But there are a few things in January that may be worth purchasing.
Here’s what to buy in January:
Christmas Items
Now that Christmas is over, the stores are trying to rid their shelves of Christmas stock. Expect deep discounts on wrapping paper, Christmas cards, Christmas candy, decorations and pretty much anything Christmas related!
Organization Products
Organization tends to be a top priority in January. Look for sales on plastic containers (Rubbermaid for example), baskets, clothes hangers, storage ottomans, shoe racks, or anything related to organization!
Exercise Equipment and Weight-Loss Products
Perhaps your New Years resolution is to get more active? You’ll find anything related to exercise equipment (treadmills, yoga mats, athletic shoes, athletic clothing), dieting, gym memberships and even programs like Weight Watchers on sale.
Linens
Now is the best time to purchase sheets, duvets, pillows, towels, table cloths and more since they go on sale in January during what’s known as a White Sale.
Winter Clothing
January is the perfect time to buy winter outerwear, sweaters and boots since they’re on high demand this time of year. Once spring stock starts to arrive, look for these items at even greater reduced prices.
Computers
Right around Boxing Day, you’ll start to see computers/laptops/tablets go on sale as new models are introduced. You may even find the newest models with a bit of a discount. But if you don’t mind not having up-to-the-minute technology, then you’ll find the greatest discounts on older models.
Cold & Flu Products
Unfortunately, January is cold and flu season, well, winter in general, which means you’ll find medicine and vitamins on sale this time of year.
Tax Software
The dreaded tax season is commencing. If you do your own taxes, look for sales on tax software such as Quicken and TurboTax.
Homes
January is a great time to get a “deal” on a new house. Since the winter months are the slowest in the real estate business, many home sellers are willing to drop their prices just to get the home sold.
What are some other items that are great to buy in January?
Here’s a great new money saving post from Lorraine! Enjoy!
The following is one way that we stretch our holiday gift budget:
We make up a list that includes people that we plan to give gifts to right after the Christmas holiday. While we’re out and about, during the months of January, February and early March, we shop the clothing sales and purchase anything that will be appropriate for the people on our list.
During the rest of the year, we keep an eye open for deals such as jewellery, household items for our young up-starters, and specialty teas/coffees when they are on sale.
We also do the rounds right after Christmas to purchase supplies for the next season; ex. gift wrap, greeting cards, chocolate, candy canes, decorations (only if we need new additions). Last year, I bought over $100 worth of merchandise (gifts, wrapping paper, bows and Christmas cards) for approximately $17.00! As a result of that amazing haul, I will not have to spend a penny on these items this year or next!
Thanks, Lorraine! I love that you look for specific items during certain months of the year. It’s important to know when particular items are at their lowest price point so you can get the most bang for your buck! Check out this post: The Best Time of Year to Buy Anything in Canada.
