The Frugal Files: Frugal Random Acts of Kindness

Happy Holidays frugalicious ones!!

It has been a couple of weeks, but I needed some downtime to focus on some other things in my life, but rest assured, I've been thinking about you!! Hope all is well with you and your family this holiday season!! I know trials come and we get discouraged every now and then, but please know that trouble doesn't last always and you can find ways to have joy and peace in your life, even during the storm.

If you don’t live under a rock, then you know that horrific event took place last week. All those beautiful children and adults who cared for them gone; lost due to senseless violence and someone’s personal agenda. It was traumatic for all involved and all who watched. We were all affected by it, but I’m here today to challenge each and every one of us to rise above the slump of depression it caused and honor the memories of those who lost their lives.

I will not get into discussions about what could have, should have or might have happened if. It is time to turn off the television, stop reading the recaps and move on with living our lives because we are still here. Because we’re still here, to me that means, we’re still in the position to bless others. Don’t let those lives be lost in vain; do something to help your fellow man today, everyday!!

How? By making Random Acts of Kindness a lifestyle; a way of life. We take kindness for granted in this society, but I feel when we’re kind to ourselves and others, we truly do make this world a better place. You never know how a person’s day is going, so don’t underestimate your smile or wink at them, you holding the door for someone, you complementing someone on their outfit or hair or even going back to the basics: saying “Thank You”. It’s not only polite, it invites others to be just as nice as you, even if just for that one moment.

Are you ready to fill the rest of 2012 and all of 2013 with your acts of kindness? They don’t even have to be random if you don’t want them to be. I think God will be pleased, as well as the recipient of your kindness, if you PLAN it. Sit down, make a list. We won’t mind. It’s all good…literally. While you’re here, let’s start one now. You know you’re here with the Frugalicious Diva, so we have to put a frugal spin on it. Lets’ just see what we can come up with, shall we?

Donations. You know this is always a big deal for me. Also, it’s the end of the year, so you still have a little time to donate to charitable organizations and get your tax deduction forms. If fact, here’s your first frugal act of kindness:

• Donate your goodwill tax deduction forms to a homeowner who can benefit from them.
• Drop your used clothing and shoes into the donation bins in your community.
• Give your old trophies to the Special Olympics organization.
• Have money left on your coffee house card? Give it to the next person in line.
• Slip someone a $20 bill when they’re not looking. Make their day!!
• Allow your child to choose 1-2 toys to donate to a child that is spending Christmas in a shelter.
• Use freecycle to give away nice things that someone can use again.

Couponers, I wanted to separate this list especially for you because you will understand the terms. I’ve gotten some of these ideas from my fellow online coupon buddies. They are great ideas and ensure that you’re both paying it forward and passing on the blessings!!

• Make a basket of stockpile goodies for your mail carrier, assistant or your child’s teacher.
• Donate items from your stockpile and replenish your church’s pantry or a food bank.
• Bag up your free beauty items in cute goody bags and donate them to a women’s shelter.
• Ask if you can host a pamper party at a Domestic Violence shelter and gift every woman with a gift bag
• Donate proceeds from a sale to a needy family for Christmas.
• Did you run across a coupon related MONEY MAKER at the store? Walk around the store and randomly give the rewards or money to someone shopping.
• Give out coupons to other customers while shopping. They won’t mind you snooping in their cart if you’re going to help them save money.
• Make stockpile laundry baskets for college students. They will appreciate that toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and soap!!
• Find all your mailbox freebies a new home, or use them!!
• Share the gift of couponing!! Make someone a coupon binder and watch them go!!

As you can see, the possibilities are ENDLESS!! What else can you do to make it a “Random Frugal Acts of Kindness? kind of day? I’d love to read them!! Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. Use hash tag #frugalicious #frugalRAOK and #26acts to honor the fallen in Connecticut. Enjoy your blessings and even more, your ability to be one!! Muah!! 

Happy Holidays!!

Frugalicious Diva

Follow Me on Twitter at @FrugaliciousDva

The Frugal Files: Declutter Time: Clear it Up, Give it Out

We're at the end of March and finishing up our Spring Cleaning tasks toward our finances. This month we've projected our budget sheets and tracked both our spending and our income. Doing so allows you to see exactly where money is going and what adjustments can and should be made to our budget. We have also improved the way we treat our money. Implementing respect for our money allows it to grow, as we expect to have it; allows it to come easily and quickly as we treat it with the value that it is to our lives.

Lastly, we've attacked our fear of "the credit report", and found that it isn't to be feared at all. When used, it is a great tool to grab hold to our finances and whip them into shape. It shows us the mistakes we made in the past, as well as brags about what we did right in our fiscal affairs. Looking at our scores, coupled with a plan to increase the number, is exactly what the finance Dr. ordered.

This week we want to look at the area that may have lead us to the rise or downfall of our previous subjects of budget, money treatment and credit score: our accumulation of STUFF!! In what areas have you been spending your money? Do you use cash or credit? How has that affected your overall financial life, which in turn affects your family and everything else you do?

I'm thankful for the beautiful and warm weather we've been having lately. It was like we barely had a winter. As I pull up to my driveway and see the new blooms beginning to come in, I smile. Then my smile fades, as I realize I need to clean out my flower beds, as there's still leaves there from the Fall and twigs from when the snow became too heavy for the branches. It's time to clean it up and out, so my flowers can have room to bloom the way they want to.

Begin to take inventory of your belongings. Remember, we're Spring cleaning and not everything needs to go with you to the next season. Just like my leaves, some of your things need to go and now is the perfect time to determine those. So, it's time to DECLUTTER!! Make room for what wants to come into your life: wealth, abundance, love. Give room to bloom by getting rid of the junk of your past. Here's what you need:
- 2 large boxes (or more)
- a little time and creativity

Label your boxes: SELL and GIVE, then take a walk. Grab a pad and pen and walk through every room in your home. Scour the room with an eagle's eye and grab the items you no longer need. This especially includes anything broken, old/outdated or you simply no longer love it. Perhaps you never loved it. It's time for those things to make their exit from your home and from your life.

Your SELL box is self-explanatory. These are items that are new, like new or in good enough condition to sell to someone else. Dust and clean them off, snap a photo and list it on sites like craigslist.org. There is no fee to sell your items there and you set up an online garage sale for the whole world to see. You can also put up flyers where permitted for additional local exposure. Once your item is sold, you have money to pay off debt, save or invest and you have more space available for things you really love. Need help selling, refer back to Sales Part I and Part II.

Your GIVE box are things that can be donated to anyone of your choice. Freecycle is one of my favorite ways of keeping junk out of the landmines, but you can opt to give to Goodwill or Savers or another thrift store. Consider donating to organizations that serve the populations related to the things in the box. Not sure where you can donate? Check out this list of places: 23 Ways to Recycle Your Stuff. Don't forget, before leaving your treasures with their new homes, be sure to grab your tax deduction slip to write off your donation at tax time.

I'm decluttering right along with you. With my recent coupon adventures, my stockpile of donation items have indeed piled up and it's time for me to send them away. My sorority adopts organizations yearly at the national, regional, state and local levels. Next month the Great Lakes Region has adopted Covenant House, in Detroit, who provides shelter and support to homeless teens. Feel free to join us. So clear it up and give it out!! Enjoy your week!!

Frugalicious Diva