This is a post from FHD Contributor Stacey of Layered Soul.
(I know the word tightwad has a negative connotation, but since I started my journey reading The Tightwad Gazette, it has a special place in my heart.)
My black Friday budget looks a little different this year. No, I am not currently sitting in a tent waiting in line for black Friday deals. There are extremes for shopping for deals and I am not crossing that line.
My mother, my daughter, and myself have spent the last several years getting up early to shop on black Friday. After a few hours of deals we end our time with breakfast at our favorite restaurant. We have fun standing in lines and saving money.
This year my black Friday budget should be zero dollars, to match my zero dollar Christmas budget but my mom says I can’t stay home. It’s tradition for the ladies to shop; I have to go.
So I could either grumble the whole morning about my situation or I can form a new plan. Yeah, I am choosing a new plan. My black Friday budget is $30.00. My goal, to buy a few items that will save me money in the coming year.
Black Friday Budget: What a Tightwad Buys
K-Mart:
- They have hair clippers with 4 guards for $14.99. If I give one haircut to my boys, the clippers pay for themselves. If I give my 3 guys, 3 hair cuts every 6 weeks in 2014…I will save $270. (Using price of haircuts as $10)
- A 30-piece food storage set for $3.99. These smaller containers would be great for storing items like a homemade taco mix. Taco seasoning can cost between $1 and $2 a pack. I have been able to make homemade taco seasoning for about $.25, which saves me almost $1 each week. Since we have Taco Tuesdays at my house, that is a $52 savings. I am looking at other mixes and cleaners for this set of food storage containers.
- An air popper for $16.99. We love popcorn at my house. Cost comparison: microwave at $4 for 10 bags or a bag of kernels for $2. I can save about $.30 each time I air pop. If we eat popcorn twice a week that is a $32 savings. Of course it’s going to take a little longer with this purchase but the longer you air pop the more you can save.
- Now ear plugs are on sale for $4.99. I have a certain young man in my house who goes through earplugs every 8 weeks. If I bought some of these and sold them to him at full price I could start a little side business. I am just going to mention to him to buy a pair now and save them for when his current pair breaks.
Wal-Mart:
- Rubbermaid food containers for $6.92. This set is really good for packed lunches. My husband packs his lunch every day, my kids pack twice a week. My husband alone saves $100 a month packing his lunch. I always cook extra for dinner so he has something to take for his lunch.
- Sharpie markers for $8.88. Pinterest has a lot of great homemade Christmas presents using Sharpie markers. I might be tempted to get this 28 piece set to make some presents.
Of course if I have any funds left over, batteries are on sale at a couple of different places.
My black Friday budget will consist of hair clippers, food storage containers, and sharpie markers for a total of $27.86. I am hoping to save at least $300 next year and have some supplies to make some special Christmas presents for family and friends.
If you are looking for a list of presents for under $5, Meet Penny has a list for you.
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