Just last week, I realized that cold weather is almost upon us and Silas was going to need clothes to wear since all he had currently are shorts, t-shirts, polos and the pair of jeans I bought him last week. I had planned to head to Target to see if I could find some good deals but life got busy and it didn’t happen.
Well, earlier this week, I lost my phone and ended up having to “tear apart the house” to find it (I eventually discovered one of the children had put it under the front seat of the van!). In the process, I found six pair of pants for Silas! I had been given these from friends last year and had stashed them away and completely forgotten about them.
I was so thankful I hadn’t gone shopping yet. If only I could buy some brain cells at the store, though. 🙂
Then later in the week the week, I was able to pick up four items for Silas — for free! — at our church “giveaway”. (Our church has a twice-yearly “giveaway” which is basically a big swap meet with the families in our church. We all bring items we no longer need or use and take home items we can use from what others have brought. The extra items are then donated to a local ministry for low-income families. Not only is this great incentive to clean out our homes and clear out clutter, but it’s also a way for us to save money and help one another out in the process.)
Finally, a friend emailed and said she had a few extra boy clothes and a pair of shoes and could she please send them to me? She wouldn’t even accept reimbursement for postage! I was really touched at her generosity and gladly accepted her kind offer.
So, instead of spending the $30 or $40 at Target I was planning to, by waiting, I now have enough clothes to tide Silas over for awhile and have spent $0 out of pocket!
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Did you snag any great deals or bargains this week or save money in other ways? If so, be sure to post about them on your blog and leave your link below. Please remember that this weekly round-up is to share deals you personally got and/or money you were able to save this week. In order to keep this weekly round-up focused on helping and inspiring others in their efforts to save money, links which have little-to-no content other than promoting affiliate links, etc. will be deleted. Also, to make it easy for everyone to navigate quickly through the links, your link must link directly to your Super Savings Saturday post.
Raleigh Mommy says
OOPS … sorry! Link #145 is a duplicate AND the link isn’t working. 🙁 I’m new to this! 🙂 BUT, Link #144 is working and shows how I spent $2.06 OOP for a bunch of stuff that I NEEDED!
Thanks for providing a forum where we can talk about our good deals! 🙂
Stephanie at Thrifty Ideals says
Patience always pays off, doesn’t it? Way to go, Crystal!
I was so happy that I got $16.97 of groceries for only $5.97 OOP at Kroger yesterday. I linked it (I think I’m #140 on the linky list). This bargain shopping is like a game to me and I am loving it!
Blessings!
Spendwisemom - Free $10 coupon CVS says
I only spent $4 after ECB for all this. It made my day!
Milk Donor Mama says
I freecycle too but whenever I post a wanted, I get no replies 🙁
However, whenever I OFFER, I tell you I get dozens of people who want what I’m offering, especially kids clothes.
I’d like to have more kids but we want to move, and I know that it’s easy to get kids clothes at a minimal cost so I’m passing things along as we’re done with them.
It doesn’t do anyone any good to have boxes and boxes and boxes of clothes in the basement when someone could be putting them to use.
Stephanie says
That’s why our boy clothes go away immediately (only one boy)but with 23 months between the girls we hang on to those clothes until they are both finished and then pass them on.
Ellen says
I was going to suggest free cycle also. I just gave away four bags of boys and girls clothes…
You could go on and request the size you need, you would be suprized what you will get…
Christy says
God is so good!
Lorraine says
The next time you lose your cell phone, before “tearing the house apart” looking for it, just call it from another phone [land line or cell]. Hopefully you’ll hear the ringing and be able to go straight to it! Of course, this won’t work if you’re in the house and it’s in the car … :>
Crystal says
Or if it’s dead — like mine always is when it’s lost! 🙂
Allyson says
We have a yearly swap where we live as well. It is such a great idea. We always try to take as much as we can and have been blessed with what we’ve been able to bring home. ur next one is the beginning of November, so I’m loading up a box.
Recently, someone told me that they don’t believe people appreciate clothes for their children unless they pay something for them. On the contrary, we’ve only purchased a few article of clothing ever for our three chilren and we’ve thanked God numerous times for all of the wonderful clothes we’ve been given and the generous hearts that he’s used to bless our family. Some times our oldest (3 yrs old) will even spontaneously say “Thank you God!” when she gets dressed in the morning.
gwen says
I had the first boy in the family after two girls. My baby boy had his fare share of pink and purple lol. Of coarse not the fluffy or flowery stuff, just the plain basic. If it was clean and he can fit in it, bring it!
My family actually when and bought him “man clothes”, like they said. 😀
Marie says
First off, what a cutie!
God sure does take care of us, doesn’t He? I really truly believe not using credit helps us see those blessings more clearly. We’re so much less likely to go and swipe and take care of things ourselves when that temptation isn’t present. Of course in this case, one of the kiddos helped out in that situation by hiding your phone! Love it!
Jan says
Silas is super cute!
Brandi Skipper says
I live in Prescott AZ. At the local Costco I bought 3 packs of CFL lightbulbs for 99 cents each! There was an instant rebate from the local electrical company for $4.00. Check with your local Costco to see if your electrical company is doing the same rebate.
Liz says
I love finding stuff I’ve stuck back and forgotten. Makes my day!
Anitra says
That’s fantastic! I have been searching for winter PJs for my toddler and coming up short – I’m really not OK with spending $40-50 just so she can have 3 sets of jammies that are warm enough.
Well… my husband really needed new shirts and dress pants, so my mom gave him a Kohl’s gift card for his birthday. When he went there, he spent over $50 (most of it on the gift card), so they gave him Kohl’s cash that could be used this week. He wasn’t planning on buying anything more, so he gave that to me.
I went into the store yesterday and walked out with brand-new fleece PJs (size 3T, unisex design so we can use them for baby #2) for free!! God is good!
Kasey says
Love your free clothes story! I found $25 in an old bag I cleaned out the other day- that’s enough to buy myself a few brain cells, right? LOL!
Carrie says
Crystal, with your lack of clutter and your organizational skill, I’m SHOCKED you would have anything in your house you don’t know about! LOL I guess we can blame this lapse on your recent move. 😉
Love the idea of the church swap. With the light use baby clothes get, no one should have to buy them new if they don’t want to. Fortunately, enough people want to that there are always enough hand me downs for those of us who don’t!
I recently volunteered for a consignment sale where we are very particular about the quality of the items we sell. Anything with a tiny stain has to be put aside to be dropped off at Goodwill. With the mangers’ ok, I looked through the donation bin before I went home from my shift and salvaged many items for my daughter’s preschool teacher to keep on hand for kids who had an accident or didn’t bring a jacket. AND after the sale had ended I realized that one of the reject items made a perfect fall jacket for one of my kids. I can’t for the life of me figure out why it was rejected … maybe it had some small mark that came out when I laundered it.
Carrie says
@Carrie, That was your blessing for thinking of others first 🙂
Crystal says
I might have a lack of clutter, but I apparently also have a lack of brain cells. 🙂 I was totally blown away when I opened his bottom dresser drawer (currently not in use and I thought it was empty!) to find that stash of clothes someone had given us last year. I’m thinking I need to go through my house thoroughly any time I think I need to go buy the children new clothes — just in case I stashed something else somewhere and forgot about it!
Emily L. says
Almost brought me to tears at the overwhelming confirmation of how God provides for His servants. He is an amazing God. Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus.” Love it!!!!
linda says
I have two girls and two boys. So i saved alot because my kids past their clothes down. They after my younger daughter couldn’t wear them anymore we donated them to hope for moms.
linda says
Also sears is having a 85% off apperal instores online. Wow I can’t believe it. They had clearance on all apperal depts. Got lots of clothes for 2.99 and under. Another good thing is the kids advantages. Plus we also got a $50 giftcard for Sears to use oct.13-19. That was amazing!
Allison V. says
Oh by the way, if you lose your phone again, and it’s turned on and not on silent, you can go to wheresmycellphone.com and put in your phone number, and then they call it and you can hear it ringing! Of course that’s not nearly so rewarding and finding new clothes, but it takes less time!
Paula says
This is so nice to hear! I have a son who is 3, and also a fast growing 8 month old boy. Now that the weather is becoming more cold than warm in the northeast I realized I was running low on warm outfits for my youngest who is between the 12 month and 18 month size already. After going downstairs to our storage area I realized I had SO MANY clothes leftover from my oldest son! It was such a blessing to be able to shop in my own basement for his winter clothing needs! After seeing all the clothes we still had I was inspired to get a bunch of recycled copy paper boxes from a local insurance office and get ALL of the clothing I have for the two boys organized and labeled just in case we need it for another boy! So, we got clothes, and storage bins for free! What a lucky and fun chance to see God provide for us! I think he knew I was getting the shopping temptation, and pushed me to the basement just in time to save me countless dollars on clothes and those expensive storage bins! Now we are still on track with our debt snowball!
Amanda says
@Paula, Good job! I also organize kid clothes with paper boxes. I label the end of the box with the gender, season and size. So, one box would say “BOY Winter 3T” and another would say “GIRL Summer 12 mth.” This system has saved me a ton of time and money (and headache). I can easily sort my kids’ clothes and I can put away hand-me-downs for later. I have two boys and two girls and another on the way, so it is a great relief to have the items I need organized and ready for use.
Stephanie says
I have a similar system for the kid’s closets. Each child has a box in the closet and as things are pulled from the drawers and discovered to be too small they go directly to the box. That way the clothes stay clean and are not mixed in with stuff that fits, when the box is full it is labeled with gender, season and sizes and put in the attic (girls)or given away (boys).
Cheryl @ Simply CVS says
How great–patience paid off for sure!
Stephanie says
We have been very lucky recently- my stepson finally ripped out the knees in two pair of jeans that he is “this close” to outgrowing but the next size up is still too big. We were given three outgrown pair of jeans in his current size. We have a formal occasion in two weeks and another friend’s son just outgrew his suit and also gave us the dress shirt and tie to go with it. I found like new dress shoes in his size for $5. My two year old has her dress and shoes already and because the other kids were all set I was able to spend $24 (ouch) on a new formal dress for the baby. I have been looking since she was born and there hasn’t been anything at thrift stores, consignment or ebay that was available in her size or less expensive. We have several occasions in the next few months so at least it will be worn more than once and Gymboree has resale value. I am also reminding myself that other than some socks that we bought her all of her clothing is gifts or her sister’s hand me downs. We have the money to spend on baby clothes but we try to spend wisely. Sigh…
jennifer says
I love finding lost things! And I love friends willing to give clothes and shoes their child has outgrown. I am going to check out church swaps! We just moved. So what a great idea.
Amy says
It is such an incredible blessing to see how God provides for us!
Steph says
I have three girls (ages 7, 6, 4) and a boy (17 months). It’s great if you can find a family with the opposite of you and switch off. For example, anyone I know with a boy 3 or older and a girl 3 or younger I offer to pass my girl clothes along to and ask it they mind passing their boys clothes to me. For my oldest daughter, I ask women I know who have daughters older than my oldest what they do with their clothes once their daughters outgrow them. If they plan to consign or sell it at a yard sale, I ask to pre-shop. Usually they are thrilled to just have someone to give them to.
We also have a free swap at our church once a year.
Lastly, a friend of mine lent me an entire 12-18 months wardrobe to use for my little boy for this winter and asked that I give it back when we finish since she plans to have another baby. What a blessing that was!
And I also give tons of stuff away to anyone I can find that needs it 🙂 Hope you get some ideas from this!
Laura Chubb says
So ahppy to see that i am not the only one who does these things…it’s always a blessign to find them in time!
Stephanie P says
I ditto Carrie’s post….I also would love more info on your church’s ‘giveaway’…This is a great idea! I am already being urged to do a coupon night…this would be another great idea of reaching out to others from our church and community! A copy of the bulletin advertisement or promo would be great!
Thanks so much!
Ashlea says
@Stephanie P, I also would love to hear more about this. I’m always looking for ideas on how we can support one another and give to the community as well. This is a great idea! I’d love to hear some of the specifics on the rules of the swap in hopes of getting this going at our church.
Carrie says
That’s truly wonderful; we too have benefited form the kindness of our friends’ hand-me-downs. I lost my job two+ years ago and my husband has been working two jobs to make ends meet. Things have been very difficult for us and our three boys, and always get worse during the winter when my husband’s hours are weather dependent. Hand-me-downs are a true blessing at those times in particular.
I was wondering if you had more information on your church “giveaway”? I would love to introduce the concept to my church, but would like to know how your church makes it work (in detail if possible). It’s a great concept, particularly in this economy.
Carrie says
@Carrie, I would also like to know how it works. It may be something that would work at our church as well!
Stephanie says
Please post that info- do you think that concept would work for other groups too?
Wendy says
Isn’t it great how God provides for us! I went consignment shopping this weekend and luckily found a ton of clothing for all of my kiddos (my 2 young ones wear gymboree since it seems to fit them well and last all through the season). I spent about $100 but that was for ALL winter (pj’s, sweaters, pants, sweats, skirts, etc) and a good amount of stuff for my teen which was the hardest! I LOVE seeing how far I can stretch my $ especially with the brand names!
Shantique says
Last week my husband finally started a new job (he was out of work for over 2 years) so over the weekend I was prepping my 2 girls’ rooms switching from summer to fall. My 16 month old is very luckily ready to fit into her big sister’s stuff from last year! However, I realized pretty quickly that I had nothing for my 2 1/2 yo. My mom went out and got her 4 outfits from Ross Stores (really cute and full outfits for less than $10) and then my sister’s friend came over with a TON of pants from her twin girls. Luckily she does not dress her kids in matching outfits so it was literally twice as nice!! I was so grateful! Only two pairs needed to be put aside because the were a tad long and big all around! I was very fortunate this week too!!
Marisa Stone O'Brien says
Praise God your husband got a job.
Elizabeth says
Oh my goodness, isn’t he cute?!?
Coupons and Freebies Mom says
What a blessing for your family and those who shared with you! I love the church swap meet idea, would love to see that started in more places!
Kelly says
Do any of you ladies Freecycle? This is a GREAT way to get (and give away!) stuff all year long. I encourage everyone to sign up for a local group and when you have extras, share them and when you need stuff, ask. You’ll be surprised how many people might have what you need! Plus, it’s all FREE!
Allison V. says
I have received SO MANY hand-me-downs from family and church family, and even friends of friends I don’t know. My kids have clothes and shoes for the next several years boxed up in the closet. Too many, really! Which is a huge blessing, because we can’t really afford clothes and have relied on family members to gift them to us. I now have enough I need to sort through and thin them out, and sell some or bless my friends with kids.
I totally hear you on the brain cells thing. I can’t tell you how many times in the last month I have gone hollering for one of my kids whom I think has wandered off, only for someone to point out that I’m already holding their hand or holding them on my hip!!!
Angela says
@Allison V., I can relate to every thing that you said! I love, love, love hand-me-downs and have been greatly blessed with lots of them for my five children. And….just the other day I found myself scanning the room searching for my baby and then realized that I was nursing him. I tell my kids all the time, “I used to be smart!” 🙂
alisia says
I would love to be able to swap clothes like that. I have only spent about 30 out of pocket for pjs and several outfits. Probably like 6 outfits and 2 pjs if I remember correct. My girl friend is stopping by after church with a bag full of clothes that her son has out grown. So since I bought fall stuff hopefully she will have winter items.
Heather@Family Friendly Frugality says
Thanks so much for letting us link up Crystal!
I love that your church has a big swap! I wonder if it’s something my church would be interested in ? You have me thinking!
Jennifer says
My youngest is 8 and 98% of his wardrobe has been given to us. He even has nice suits for Sundays! It is such a blessing to receive hand me downs. I have always passed my children’s clothing on to friends and family. It is fun to see other little boys wearing clothing that has been passed down through several children.
FrugalMom says
Free is definitely the best way, and it sounds like you have some very generous friends. You just reminded me that I have a bunch of clothes to freecycle. I have gotten clothes, furniture and lots of other things there in the past, so I always try to send some back as well.
With three boys in the house, my two youngest are always pretty much set with hand-me-downs. I usually gather my coupons, gift cards (from mypoints and elsewhere) a few times a year and then in August/September and January/February/March I hunt down the best deals for boys clothing. Last winter I got some fantastic deals on clothing for my oldest son at Kohls, where I paid almost nothing out of pocket.
Just this past week I got a pair of nice sneakers for my four-year-old for $2.60!
I would like to invite everyone to link up your savings at the Weekly Savings Linky @ Frugality Is Free , it’s a great place to connect with other frugalistas. You can win a free ad space too!
Kadee says
The recession hit our business hard, leaving our clothing budget at $0. However, from last fall to this fall, thanks to the generosity of people I hardly know, I have only had to purchase shoes for my 3 boys ages 3-7. I was truly overwhelmed when I pulled out the fall/winter clothes I had in the basement and found that all 3 of my boys had enough pants and shirts to overfill their closets and dresser drawers. God has truly provided for us!!
Kimberly says
We must have been on the same wavelength this week. My little boy who is 2 and a half, grew so much over the summer that his 2T jeans that fit in April and May now look like capris! Unfortunately for me I missed all our local consignment sales and most of my friends either have girls, or if they have a boy they are younger than my son. I had to go out and buy some clothes for him yesterday, but I took advantage of a sale at Penneys. I spent $35 but saved over $70!
Honey Smith says
Fun to see how God provides and knows exactly what we need when we need it!
vickie says
I love all the clothes you were able to get for him! You were so blessed! I always try to tell myself just to wait I’ll find what I need at a yard sale instead of having to buy it new. During the winter I make a list of things I think I just have to have and then I find them in the spring.
To think you didn’t even have to make a list!
vickie
Ginny says
God is so good, isn’t He? He provides what we need, often even when we don’t ask. I love the idea of the church giveaway. I can see it would especially benefit parents of small children who are constantly buying clothes for their ever-growing youngsters.
Amy says
God knows what we need!!! What an awesome God we serve!!!
Julia says
I’ve found clothes that I forgot we had too! I think it goes with the territory when you are a mother of three or more. =)
Sometimes I’ve also gone “grocery shopping” in the backs of my cupboards. It’s so nice to discover I don’t have to spend any money to cross things off my list!
The Prudent Homemaker says
That sounds about like how I clothe my boys! It’s been wonderful!
Sally says
Reminds me of the parable of the faithful servant!
Blaire Ruch says
I love how God provides in one way or another!
Amy says
Wow that is awesome! I checked out the Target sales today with the clothing coupons from their website! They didn’t have much but I did get a jacket for $2!
Great Savings!
Anna S. @ Living Healthy On A Budget says
I love the idea of your church’s “swap meet”. What a great way to help others and get some things that your own family needs as well!
Jenni @ Life from the Roof says
I love it when it comes true that “good things come to those who wait.” I spent a lot of time last week just organizing different spaces in our home that often get neglected (mainly closets, but also tupperware cupboards, etc.) and discovered a $25 gift card to Sears that we thought we had lost. As I sorted through the boys’ clothes to donate some, I also was able to reorganize and realize how much stuff they do already have. I’m glad you were able to save so much on your son’s clothes!
Kimiko says
Our church had a “swap shop” last weekend, which is pretty much the same thing! It’s so great to be able pass things we no longer need onto others who can use them and also be able to pick up a few things we need for free!