...of Creative
Frugality
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Sharing
the Wealth of Your
Creative Frugality
When, due to your creative
frugality, you have find more good deals than you can reasonably use,
what do you do with the overage? What suggestions do you have for
donating ‘extras’ to organizations and other groups that can put
them to good use?
"I seemed to
have the same problem: lots of extra shampoo,
soap, toothbrushes. Two things: My family fills
shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We send a
few toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap for each
box. If your church participates in this
wonderful program you could donate to that.
Also, a few months ago I made myself a promise
not to buy anything else until my stash had gone
down. So far I have kept the promise. It is hard
to pass up a good buy though. Especially when
Bath and Body Works has their semi-annual sales
in January and June." ~ Tonya in
Pennsylvania
"If there
is a women's shelter in your area, that is a
good place to start. Many of the women and
children leave with the clothes on their
backs. It would be greatly appreciated. We
also drop off things at the local nursing
home. A lot of residents don't get visitors
and these items can be used a gifts, or for
something nice instead of the items the
facility purchases. We drop off all our old
magazines there as well as leftover birthday
cards, Christmas cards, etc. You could also
donate items to The Salvation Army, your
local church, the food pantry etc." ~
Liz
"My
cabinets are overflowing with toothpaste,
shampoo, shower gel, paper products and
grocery items that I have gotten free or
almost free. I am aware of three ladies in our
Sunday School class who could use some help,
so each month I fix them a basket of goodies.
I know exactly who is getting these items and
know that they are very much appreciated. They
can take the money they would have spent on
these items and buy something they need or
want. It is so much fun to fix the baskets
each month." ~ Eunice in Virginia
"Any women's shelter, homeless shelter or
food pantry would love to have donations for
health care items. Women's hygiene products
are often forgotten when someone is down on
their luck, but a necessity each month."
~ Anggie
"There is a
very good battered women's shelter in our
town. Women and their children flee there to
escape abusive relationships. They come to the
shelter with just the clothes on their backs.
Two of my elderly aunts have died in recent
years, and we took their clothes to this
place, and also to a group who takes lots
of things to an Appalacian ministry.
Personal care items are especially needed.
So, if I had coupons and/or sales through
which I could get items free or almost free,
I'd certainly donate what I couldn't use to
such a place." ~ Anonymous
"I also
love using coupons and get many items free
or nearly free. I was able to donate lots of
toothpaste to the Red Cross for disaster
relief bags for fire victims. We help fill Christmas
boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I
donate things to my mom for the seniors on a
fixed income at the senior center. There are
many ways to donate. It helps to take the
focus off ourselves when we can give to
others, but not break the bank to do it."
~ Diana
"Until I volunteered at an animal
shelter, I didn't realize they need
donations of a variety of items other than
the typical money, pet food, pet bowls,
leashes, etc. I am sending a
copy of a local suburban Chicago
animal shelter's request for donations so
you have an idea of what animal shelters
are in desperate need of besides the
items I listed above.
To find a
wish list for an animal shelter in
your area, please go to: http://www.petfinder.org
and look for your local animal
shelters. Most animal shelter web
sites post their wish lists; if not, call
them and they'd be happy to tell you what
they need." ~ Viki
"Let me start by saying, how
blessed you are to find these good deals
and that you are willing to share them.
Your "wonderful dilemma' brings to
mind a book that I finished reading a
few weeks ago titled, 'Shop, Save, and
Share' by Ellie Kay.
I would
suggest donating your items to a
Domestic Abuse Shelter. Many times
the women and children that leave an
abusive home actually leave with the
clothes on their backs and nothing more.
If I find
that we have more boxes of dry goods in
the pantry than we really have a
need for, (ie: noodles, stuffing mixes,
cake mixes, all items bought on sale for
$1.00), we donate these goods
to our church food pantry. It is a good
feeling to know that we are helping
someone less fortunate and it also
teaches my two sons that giving is a
good thing to do." ~ K.T.
"Like
you, I too have many 'good deals' that
can add up! In the past I have donated
to our local homeless shelters. But in
the past three years I have also been
donating many items to the troops. Our
oldest son's best friend is serving in
Iraq and I send a package once a month
with many extras so he can share. This
month we will be going on vacation and
staying at a military instillation (my
husband is retired military), that has a
hospital will wounded military members.
I am planning on donating many items to
these people -- with permission, of
course!" ~ Sandy in California
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"
"At Christmas
time at work we collect these types of personal items
for the various agencies in our town (from the food
service center to various house for recovering
alcoholics and unwed mothers, homeless shelters, etc.)
All of my extras I have gathered through my bargain
hunting are a large and welcome addition to these
collections." ~ Mary
"Extra non-perishable food donations can be given
to food banks. Extra non-perishable crackers, cookies,
etc. can be donated to the children’s Sunday school
program for snack time (or to VBS or other child-centered
programs where snacks will be involved).
Our church puts together health care packets for
migrant workers and seamen, so this is a good place to
donate extra health care items. Women’s
shelters and homeless shelters would be another option
to check with regarding health care items. ~ Jen
"I, too,
use coupons, rebates, etc to get loads of items free
or nearly free. I am one of those folks who
can't resist a freebie even if I don't need it.
I wanted to pass along my ways of sharing the wealth
when I rack up too many bargains.
~ Shelters for women and children can always use
feminine hygiene products, tooth brushes, tooth paste,
laundry detergent, deodorant, paper products, bath
soap etc. I will often take 1 gallon Ziploc bags and
put together kits of basic toiletry items. I
have found that shelters often receive women and
children who have left home with next to nothing.
Being able to shower and brush one's teeth seems so
basic but means so much.
~ If you live in or near a port area there is likely a
Seaman's House or something similar. The volunteers
are always in need of hygiene items for the sailors
who work the cargo vessels. You can usually find
'Seaman's House' in the phone book.
~ Animal shelters, SPCA, etc - I often end up with
free pet food and treats. The shelters are always
grateful for these donations.
~ Churches often have outreach programs for college
students who are sent little goodie boxes. Soap,
toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc are usually gratefully
accepted.
~ A local homeless ministry in our area runs a day
center where homeless people can wash their clothes,
shower, and receive clothing and shoes. They are
always in need of laundry detergent.
~ Food items are easily donated to church food
pantries or the local food bank.
In general, I keep enough on hand for myself and my
family to last 12 weeks (the typical sale cycle).
Anything over that goes to a donation of some
sort. Otherwise the clutter gets to be too much."
~ Shara
"These
kind of donations can be used by the Safe Haven
for abused women. I have started helping an
organization called 'When Help Can’t Wait'
that services 20 nursing homes in the area.
There are homeless shelters in most areas. We
have a another ministry in Augusta, GA called
Christian Women Job Corp that helps women and
these items help them. Ask around. I know
of more than I can afford to help." ~ Linda
Editor's Note: Thanks to these readers for taking time to share
their ideas!
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