Now you may have read the title and thought, “Oh heartwarming…next.” When I say the things I need, I’m thinking I NEED a tarp to cover the Cozy Coupe in the back yard. I need baskets or boxes to make my living room look less like a daycare.

I need 500 more dollars a month in my paycheck. I need cute classroom things I saw on pintrest I need new clothes.

These are really not needs, these are wants, and I could DIY some things to keep myself more organized.

I realized the other day that I could cover diaper boxes and get my baskets (if I can do it tastefully. I have crates, scrapbook paper, and scissors. I’m trying to come up with a solution for the tarp, but I definitely will be brown bagging it through January.

I think I might have what I need, it’s just figuring out how to make what I have fit those desires. I also have that mushy stuff too, but maybe I could use to be a little kinder too.

First I go to Wal-Mart at 7 or 8 AM. I’m looking for pencils. I give pencils every year, and they are 50 cents at Wal-Mart. I look for gift sets. Things I can split into bags. Multiple lotions (not so much with the body wash) accessory sets like sponges and loofahs,  make up brushes, hairbrush sets, and large scented candles. I also look for things I can put into a child goody bag or prize bucket: tiny pens, bubbles, card sets, and general bags like brown paper bags. I will look at food and candy that is seasonal, but something I wouldn’t buy like Lindor Truffles or peppermint bark.

Then I go to Target. I look for the same stuff, but I’ll look for table items. The last couple of years I have found the electric candles. I will also look at the “men’s gift” items. I have been able to get things that I never thought existed, like a car fridge, for a few dollars. Target also does a big toy event December 26th.

Then I will go to specialty stores or department stores. Ulta has great deals on makeup sets while Kohls has everything from jewelry to lotion.

Here is a list of tips you might be able to use.

1.Try to make a plan. Know how much you can spend, and what you are shopping in anticipation. This keeps you from coming home with gold cuff links because they were on sale.

2.Wrap, tissue, and bows- Dollar Tree charges a dollar for wrap, bags, and tissues. If it is a dollar and it’s not a unique tissue or wrap, put it back. As far as multipacks, I wrapped some huge presents and only really used two rolls of wrap. I have over bought many years, so I won’t be buying wrap. Bows are another story.

3. Cards- I have bought cute unique cards…then I see them on 90% on Jan. 1. I have sent photo cards the last few years. I pay more for being individual, but they are entirely mine.

4. Candy- Under $1, only if you’ll eat it right away, and nothing “cheap”. Russell Stover will not go on Sale because of Valentine’s day and they can unwrap those boxes. If you like peppermint, it’s a great time to stock up. Remember you can’t save for Halloween, and Easter candy is much tastier.

5. Buy general items that usually don’t go on sale. I have bought table runners, placemats, and napkins that are general colors and have no holiday decor on them; Baskets with covers that can be taken off; and glasses and stemware that can be used year round.

6. You can bring coupons, but it may not be worth it. I’ll be honest, I don’t gift anything I could buy in the supermarket as far as soaps and shampoos. Also if the item is more than 50 cents than even if it has wreaths on it, it’s not worth your time

7. The big expensive name brand electronics will not be on sale, but the accessories will be. Sure there are sales and good prices. Chances are what you want (Ipad, Xbox, Playstation 3) are set prices. They give the retailers very little of the sales profit on these items. Accessories will be on sale because this is where they have room to mark things down.

That’s all for now.

Merry Christmas!

I pray to never endure the burden of cancer, and that my family doesn’t endure either. Still, there are families that have children with pediatric cancer. The blanket fairy gives blankets (and maybe other treasures) to children in need.

Check them out.

Staples had copy paper with a rebate making it one cent, cap erasers, pens, and photo paper.

Office Max has twenty five cent zipper bags, colored pencils, erasers and Sharpie’s.

I was at Target on Saturday and they had school supplies on clearance. Washables for $2.50 and glue stick 12 packs for $2.50. However, I do hate paying a price that i wouldn’t pay in July for supplies.

My Dallas Mommy has a huge BTS section. Just click on the icon on her website.

Note: Staples says that you must buy $5 worth of stuff before you can get teacher limits of 25.

Here is the comparison spreadsheet, so you can see if you are getting a great deal. I have 4 years of data on this blog if you want to go back and look.

Spreadsheet:

EDLP- Every Day Low Price, **pick up the ad in store there is a coupon

I highly recommend, with sales like Mardel, Teacher’s Tools, and Scholastic, to download an Amazon ap for your phone, or make a list and search Amazon when you get home.  What you find is with the free trial of Amazon Prime, or paying shipping on a used book, that you get the expensive book for at least 30%- 40% off the cost. My Amazon “store”, where you can see and buy books I have used in my classroom,  is here.

My Dallas Mommy has a huge BTS section. Just click on the icon on her website.

Note: Staples says that you must buy $5 worth of stuff before you can get teacher limits of 25.

Here is the comparison spreadsheet, so you can see if you are getting a great deal. I have 4 years of data on this blog if you want to go back and look.

Spreadsheet:

EDLP- Every Day Low Price, **pick up the ad in store there is a coupon

Pencil 10 packs for twenty five cents, net book for $ 174. Might be worth checking out.

I highly recommend, with sales like Mardel, Teacher’s Tools, and Scholastic, to download an Amazon ap for your phone, or make a list and search Amazon when you get home.  What you find is with the free trial of Amazon Prime, or paying shipping on a used book, that you get the expensive book for at least 30%- 40% off the cost. My Amazon “store”, where you can see and buy books I have used in my classroom,  is here.

My Dallas Mommy has a huge BTS section. Just click on the icon on her website.

Note: Staples says that you must buy $5 worth of stuff before you can get teacher limits of 25. Every week they have a “free” deal. It’s pens or pencils you have to pay for and get a rebate. I have been able to spend $4 with a $4 rebate and essentially I’m getting the blowout deal for just a $1 purchase. This week they have Zebra pencils for $3.99 with a $3.99 rebate. You can only get one, but every little bit helps.It throws a wrench in trying to get 125 of everything, but it does help.

Here is the comparison spreadsheet, so you can see if you are getting a great deal. I have 4 years of data on this blog if you want to go back and look.

Spreadsheet:

EDLP- Every Day Low Price, **pick up the ad in store there is a coupon