Do you hear that?

Do you hear that? It's fall knocking on your door - and what follows fall?

The culmination of Halloween parties, field trips, Thanksgiving dinners and BLACK FRIDAY BABY!

As school is well under way we find a resurgence of organization; agendas dusted off, menus prepared, home lunches packed, homework checks, and a further litany of daily activities. It is the perfect time to re-visit your Christmas Shopping List. It is up to date? We've reattached our handy spreadsheet to help you.  Also, as fall kick into high gear revisit your budget and potential gift receivers - has anyone new come into your life? Teachers, aides, afterschool helpers? Neighbors..does your daughter have a bestie now? Or your son has a BFF this year? Can't forget them...

To avoid high pressure buys and the "I just need something..." moments, get ready ahead of time. Making a list (whether on our spreadsheet or somewhere else) is the easiest way to make sure everything is planned out. Won't it be nice to be the envy of your friends this year?

If you’re a techy (I'm willing to admit - I LOVE my iphone!) consider keeping your list on your phone. Those last 20 minutes of your sons soccer practice is the perfect time to make a note to yourself, write down a quick thought or add to your list. By the end of the week, you've got your list up to date and you didn't have to carve out "extra" time to get it done.

Lastly, you need to be thinking about with which friends you are going to be shopping. If you travel during Thanksgiving, or you rotate houses with in-laws, figure out what town you are in this year and make a plan of who wants to be on the trip. Don't get over zealous. Three friends, maybe 4 are perfect. More than that, and there's not enough room in the car for the people and the purchases!

Keep posted to us as we move into our Black Friday Frenzy. This can be done my friend. We'll help you all the way

Nature Calls

The craziness of spring time, our new favorite hobby, COUPONING, and numerous little league practices have kept us away from our computers. But, let's take an hour and focus on SHOPPING! Black Friday is coming up. Have you checked out your Black Friday List in the last month? Any new additions to your list?

We've discussed the art of making a good list. We discussed planning, getting organized (more to follow when we get closer!) and recruiting friends. We've outlined break times and sustenance.

But, what about potty breaks?

It really happens. Unlike your favorite fiction novel where no one EVER uses the restroom, in the real world - at some point (an hour after the Starbucks stop??) it is going to be neccessary.

Theanswer seems simple enough if you are shopping in a group (another great reason to go with friends)while waiting in the check-out line, take turns visiting the restroom while a line holder maintains the spot. The moments it takes to use the restroom will make the difference in getting that screaming deal, or being left looking at an empty shelf! It has happend to me a time or two!

Being the line holder has perks as well. It is a great chance to review shopping plans in anticipation of the next stop/store. It's also a swell time to evaluate purchases: Did you get everything wanted at this store? Did you find a better idea? Or did you miss out on something, and need to peruse the ads for a replacement? If there are multiple people on your team, take turns as the line holder, and help gather items on the teams lists.

Another perk of being the line holder is chatting with other shoppers. Often you will see something fun in their cart and consider it as a replacement gift rather than the one on your list. Or, you might have headed in with no ideas for a person and be inspired by another shopper. If you have gone in with matching apparrel (check out our Pink Camo sweatshirts! Other merchandise will be available for purchase in the late summer) it will spark discussion with other shoppers.

Lastly, it is a good idea to have one team member hold the place in line upon entering the store if it has a very long line. Last Novemeber, we arrived at Kohl's at the same time as another team: They got in line right away and we didn't. We were stuck in line for 2 HOURS and they waved as they headed for the next store!!! A simple plan in our group as we walked in the door would have saved us time, energy and momentum.

Happy Shopping!!!

Snack Attacks...

            I know I am watching too much of the Food Network, but I am inspired for this week’s blog post.  Planning your meals for big shopping days is essential!  Black Friday can start anywhere from Midnight, or 4 A.M., or at Noon based on your personal shopping enthusiasm.  Jaime was in the checkout line at Toys R Us somewhere around midnight this year!!  The early bird gets the worm - or in this case the perfect present!
            Back to the food….  It is a good idea to have a protein packed breakfast to give you lasting energy for a great day of deal hunting.  I personally like the portability of an egg sandwich on an English muffin with Canadian bacon or real bacon.  I can wrap it in a paper towel and hit the road running.  If you want to delegate responsibility on the Big Day, assign a buddy to make the sandwiches for the group. 
                No matter how great your breakfast is, eventually the hunger pains are going to rear their ugly mood busting heads, so ward them off by packing sensible snacks.  Almonds, cheese sticks, and trail mix are all good ideas, but in being honest, a sugar pick me at some point in the day is important too, so don’t forget your favorite candy or cookies!
                Along with snack you are going to need refreshment.  Your best bet is water, but you can pack a cooler of whatever floats your boat.  The important thing is that you have everything you need so that you don’t need to take an untimely break from what’s most important here, the shopping! You might consider planning a Starbucks run in between stores. Plot it in there, or be flexible saying "in between stores A and B or B and C we will make a run." This way, everyone stays hydrated and harmonious.
                Even with all of our preparedness, the girls and I like the break for lunch when our shopping time is waning.  Sometime around 1 P.M. many of the door buster sales are over and hopefully you have snagged every hot ticket item on your list, so it is a great time to mull over your conquests and a margarita! 
                Watch for meal deals at local restaurants.  One year we snagged a free appetizer by swinging by a local radio station’s broadcasting in s store’s parking lot, yay us!! 
                Post your great meal deals or ideas here to share with other super shoppers like yourself!  

Why pink camouflage…

Ok some of you die hard Black Friday shoppers might be thinking that matching sweatshirts is an ingenious idea while  you other more faint-of-heart shoppers think it is an over-the-top gesture.  We love the idea - and it’s practical! Read on!

 

The inspiration came from Sherrie’s family.  Hector and Brandy had their 'uniform' laid out the night before the big shopping day -  Sherrie had a good laugh, but as the shopping day progressed she found it was easy to spot Team Garnica in their red hoodies, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.  This was frustrating and yet amazing to Sherrie since she had some challenges finding her own team partner, Marcie, who is nearly 6 feet tall!  Sherrie and Marcie’s team could not be

coordinating with Team Garnica - so they took their time over the next few months to seek out the perfect uniform.   

 

Yet again, Brandy explained to Sherrie’s new husband, an outdoor enthusiast, that shopping was Sherrie’s kind of hunting trip.  After that, it was pink camouflage all the way!  Conveniently, Marcie’s grandmother has an embroidery machine and we were able to have our team logo stitched into our snazzy new sweatshirts, “Hunting for a Deal”.

 

Jaime thought Sherrie and Marcie were nuts at first but she quickly got into it.  She wanted a sweatshirt that had and arrow on it that said “I’m with them!” 

 

Now adorned with our unique sweatshirts, we hit the sales every year as a trio, and the practicality of our team sweatshirt makes it easy to spot each other in the crowds!!  Even for Sherrie, who can barely see over the shopping cart…just kidding.

 

Many people comment to us about what a good idea the sweatshirts are and this year I saw more groups getting in to the festivities with their own creations.  One of our favorites was a group of women called the “Black Opts” and the each wore a t-shirt with one of the letters on it so together it spelled out their team name. – Love It!

 

What are your great sweatshirt ideas? Watch our website this summer, for more great ideas, and sweatshirts and team logos that will be available for purchase.

Foxy Pocket Time

Jewel 7  “Sherrie, stick this in your Foxy Pocket,” Marion told Sherrie as she was gathering up her things to head back to school after a weekend visit to the mountains.  "My what? What the heck is a Foxy Pocket?" Sherrie questioned.  She was surprised that she had not learned this pearl of wisdom:  Every woman should have a few bucks, that her husband doesn’t know about, to do with as she pleases.    Ah, understanding...  Sherrie continued listening to Marion's stories of heading to town for monthly grocery shopping, and before returning home they would stop in a local tavern for a little nip of something before the 30+ mile trek home.  Sherrie died with laughter, but this was serious business to Marion.  A gal should always have few extra bucks tucked away in a secret fold of her wallet, or under the lining of her shoe for those times when you want something special for yourself, or you just want to let your hair down.   Sherrie may have laughed when she first heard Marion, her godmother’s, stories, but she took the words to heart.  Ten years later She still has a Foxy Pocket.  It’s not much, just $10 to $50, but she feels closer to Marion and her grandmother knowing that she is carrying on their tradition.  Plus, let’s be honest, those couple of buck lets women be just a little more independent. Cheers to wise women!

Start your own foxy pocket! Tuck away $5, $10 or $20 a month in a special account or secret place. It doesn't have to be a secret..Jaime's husband knows where hers is, but he doesn't have access to the account. It's the money we ditch away for when we really are craving something and a birthday or holiday is not nearby. Sometimes, you need the YAY ME! buy.

Show Me Whatcha Working With!

Jewel 6

GAWD, we’re tired. Seriously, all this happy, happy, I love you business. The kids are on a sugar high, and are coming home with red hearts and coloring pages. Yes, honey, it’s lovely. LOL

We are gearing up for Spring: begging for some nicer weather and with that comes, what Jaime refers to as, “The Busy Season.” Sports start up again, fundraisers kick into high gear (would you like to buy a chocolate bar?) and we are so bogged down with our lives, the furthest thing from your mind is saving money. So, we’ll digress with you.

Stress.

What? Never heard of it?

Liar.

Shame on you. 

How are you dealing with yours?

Send us your ideas. I certainly need some new ones.

So far, We have chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Alright, so yeah, we all bought some of the damn chocolate bars from the annoying girl in the neighborhood. In fact we bought a few. Hey, our lives are stressful.

So, help us out. Show me whatcha working with!

Cash in your pocket!

Jewel 5
As February rolls in, the last thing on your mind is Black Friday. Right now its Valentine’s for your kids’ classroom, or doing something nice for your honey. Jaime heard a radio commercial that says Valentine’s Day isn’t about “I love you”, but rather “I love us.”

We loved this thought – it takes a team effort. Black Friday shopping is similar. Going by yourself involves exhausting trips to stores, standing in long, unwavering lines, and endless searching for that “perfect gift.” Shopping with friends takes the edge and pressure off of the “find” because it has become just a fun time out with the girls. Ignore the stereotypical media bash you hear about Black Friday, just come out, laugh with the rest of us in line and enjoying saving money!

Saving the money is the key. Aren’t you tired of hearing “in this economy...” What a downer. We're tired of hearing about “12 easy ways to lighten your budget” or other cheesy clichés that have goofy advice like, use less laundry soap, which will add up to a savings over the course of a year. Seriously? WTH? Use less laundry soap? We suppose it’s a good idea, but it’s certainly not going to be any cash into our pocket right now!

Therefore, we’ve developed a few ideas that might actually put cash in your pocket BEFORE the end of this month. At this point, you’ve already done your budget and have a good idea of how much money you need to save each month.  (If you haven’t already done your budget, do so now!) These tips will help you meet this monthly goal without taxing your regular budget.

In January & August – These months are great for selling used textbooks online.  Classes start in these months and you can generally get a decent price. Try amazon.com to sell your books. OR, they even have a program now that allows you to sell your books to a 3rd party vendor anytime of the year (at a cheaper price that you might earn yourself though).

Anytime is a good time to sell something online. Dig through your kitchen cabinets, closets and see what you want to get rid of. As well as helping clean out your stuff, you might find things of value that you are ready to give up – take a picture and put an ad up on Ebay, Craigslist or whatever local sales website you have. Take a few hours to set this up – and over the course of the next few months, you could make a few dollars without a lot of hard work. This is hardly a get rich quick scheme, but rather just an idea to create some of your Black Friday budget.

Think about what you are good at: Are you really good in Math? English? Dancing? Painting? Consider making some flyers and leaving them at schools to be a tutor. Pass the word with friends in your area. Or, hey, take an ad out in the paper, post it online…blah blah blah, you get the drift.  Even in tough times, we take care of our kids. A child could take lessons or receive tutoring from you: Make your prices reasonable-you want people to come back more than once!

Crafting: If you are good at one of these (scrapbooking, crocheting, hair bow making card-making WHATEVER) consider putting together a few bundles of things and selling them to friends/family or online for holidays (Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s, Easter, Summer, 4th of July, etc).

If you have more ideas, post them here! Or send us an email at moneysavingjewels@gmail.com