10 Budgeting Tips for the Frugal Minded :)

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

Another Tip:

 

Keep an expense record.

 

I am keeping an expense record as well. I write down every 25 cents we spend on the wedding here...to keep track and in truth, it prevents me from spending and not realizing what we spent the $ on. It really works...I can now say that in my initial engagement excitement, I wasted about $400 on "stuff" that we most likely will not use. It did not look like much at first because it was $5 here, $10 there..but then I added it up and saw it for what it really was....a waste! It is quite sobering....

[boven]

Great post with some great ideas. Thank you!

[faithers81]

Make a list of all you need to buy and keep it in your purse.

 

 

This is a great one! I have a list of things to get. Every week that I get paid, I order something. For instance, I am going to have welcome bags for my guests. I have a list of what I want to put in them and the cost. Each time I get paid, I order 2 or 3 things and spend like $60. This is the only way I can do it!

[budgetjamaicabride]

Love this thread... thanks for all the great tips. I am a queen at finding something and then figuring out how to do it for less. I am practically vested in VistaPrint but I am curious... you mentioned doing program fans on vistaprint. Can you tell me what you used?

[KimmyG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithers81 Make a list of all you need to buy and keep it in your purse. This is a great one! I have a list of things to get. Every week that I get paid, I order something. For instance, I am going to have welcome bags for my guests. I have a list of what I want to put in them and the cost. Each time I get paid, I order 2 or 3 things and spend like $60. This is the only way I can do it!

I love this thread!
What I've been wondering- when getting things together for your welcome bags, how do you know HOW MANY to prepare for? RSVPs won't be finalized for a loooong time and I don't know how to estimate how many people will actually come! ANyone have advice?

[budgetjamaicabride]

I have been wondering the same thing. I have been ballparking for now.

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimmyG I love this thread! What I've been wondering- when getting things together for your welcome bags, how do you know HOW MANY to prepare for? RSVPs won't be finalized for a loooong time and I don't know how to estimate how many people will actually come! ANyone have advice?

I started my OOTS right after I got engaged, because I know our Dollarama in Toronto..they have great stuff, but once it is gone, it's gone! I estimated how many people I thought would be coming. Realistically, I estimated about 30 by the time I considered our immmediate families only...anyone else was a bonus. So ballparked it at 15 bags...thinking if I need more, that's Ok and if I need less, I'll just have extra. I think is is easier to add if you need more than to end up with tons of stuff you won't use. (On a side note, you can always sell it one here!)

I also started buying things in 15s...15 Spanish for Dummies books, 15 Devotionals, 15 puzzle books, etc. because for me, it is one bag per room, not one per person.

It has worked for me....I have 14 bags accounted for and it looks like I may have a few more people joining us, so I may have to create a few more bags, which is fine. They can get the same type of items, if I do not find the exact same ones.

Can I just interject a personal budgeting OOT Bag tip of mine here?

To fill your OOT bags, buy what your guests will forgo or forget - not what they will already be bringing.

For mine, we are filling them with things that guests will overlook/ not think of bringing.

So we did not fill them with sunscreen, shampoo,hair spray,OTC medications, etc. because guests will most likely be bringing their own favourite brands and will not use our cheaper dollar store versions. This way your dollars are free to go to things that they would like and not think to bring for themselves, like the travel mugs, puzzle books, first aid kits, etc. And you'll have more money to add in those funny gag items like the beach ball and Spanish for Dummies.

Just another two cents of mine

[faithers81]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimmyG I love this thread! What I've been wondering- when getting things together for your welcome bags, how do you know HOW MANY to prepare for? RSVPs won't be finalized for a loooong time and I don't know how to estimate how many people will actually come! ANyone have advice?

I have been buying everything in 25s. I think we are going to have about 50 people and I plan on having one bag per room. If I have extra bags, I will give more than one to a room. If anything, I may have to buy more bags and things near the end. Either way, it is cheaper to start buying something now!

[cdngurlie]

Hello, i love this tread but im also trying to find the one called "what i would and wouldn't do again". I tried searching those words but the words are too common. Anyone know the name of member who posted it? thanks loads

[jmb0902]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that Michael's has some GREAT stuff right now in their bargain bins right now. I went two nights ago and got monogram folded cards 10/$1 (prob used them for thank yous), travel design playing cards $1, a "packing list" checklist for guests 40 sheets/$1, and tons of other stuff (there are luggage tags, that also have matching passport holders). Also, they have a whole aisle of DIY invites (the Martha Stewart ones are great). Just wanted to give an update for anyone looking to save now or for the future!!