Daily Preparedness

What?  How can there be after-holiday sales now?  Quite simple, my Frugal Friends:  Halloween has become one of America’s biggest spending holidays which means that retailers load up on all sorts of Halloween merchandise that goes well beyond costumes for the wee ones.  The merchandise extends throughout the store and if you shop smartly this week, you are likely to snag great deals on all sorts of items that will help you be better prepared, more organized, stock your pantry and have money left in your pocket!

What should you look for and how does it relate to provident living?  Where should you look? Read on:

• Shop at discount stores, grocery stores and craft stores for a variety of not only Halloween themed merchandise, but Thanksgiving decorations which are often included in post-Halloween sales.  Stock up now for Thanksgiving and beyond.  Don’t forget to look for dark gold or green napkins that can be used for Christmas.
• Look for organizers in ‘autumn’ colors.  Target stocked totes from tiny to huge that can organize and hold a variety of items.  Large totes are great for protecting bags of flour, sugar and other dry goods from creepy crawlies.  Food saving containers with orange lids or pumpkin decals may be as much as 90% off this week or next.  Does it really matter what color the lid of your dry bean container is?  I found snap-tite canisters with pumpkins on them for $1.34 last week.  Full price for the plain ones?  $4.75.
• Light sticks, bracelets and necklaces are often sold to encourage Halloween safety.  These are great for 72-hour kits, family outings, glove compartments, camping trips and power outages.
• Hard candy is a good addition to 72-hour kits, car kits and to carry everyday for those hunger or low blood sugar moments.
• Individual sized candies for Christmas stockings or other holiday gift giving.  Don’t forget about gingerbread houses, teacher gifts, community ‘helper’ gifts, etc.
• Paper goods for power outages, ’sick’ days and quick meals.  Black plates and cups look elegant for New Year’s if paired with silver accessories.  You may even find brown paper plates which are useful for many occasions.
• Small sized bags of chips, popcorn balls and other treats that would work well in lunch bags or for after school snacks.  You may even find juice boxes and high-end organic treats packaged for Halloween and now deeply discounted.
• Food storage bags for keeping items in 72-hour kits dry.  Of course, you can use these everyday at great savings.  Does it really matter if your sandwich is in a pumpkin themed sandwich bag?
• Flashlights are often sold in Halloween colors and now deeply discounted.  Again, add to 72-hour kits, glove compartments and stashed throughout your house.  Every bedroom should have a small flashlight stored where it is easily accessible.  Every glove compartment should have at least a small flashlight.  Use them as stocking stuffers!
• Christmas gifts.  Would your child or grandchild enjoy additions to their dress up box? Now is the time to purchase costume items, wigs, and ‘accessories’.  Package them together in a cute tote (one you get at 90% off) and you have a great gift.  To personalize, write the child’s name on the tote with a permanent marker and you have a treasure chest of fun and imagination.
• Baking mixes, cupcake papers and pre-made icing are often marked down because they have a Halloween theme.  Don’t want the orange and black sprinkles attached to the top of the icing?  Throw them away and smile at the 75% savings on the icing.  Or let your little ones ’sprinkle’ to their hearts content for a family treat.
• Tissue paper in autumn colors.  Often times these are useful throughout the year as they are patterned or in fairly neutral colors such as gold or dark green.
• Scotch tape with Halloween themed packaging.
• Black t-shirts, turtlenecks, leggings, tights and pantihose are often stocked before Halloween and now sold at a huge loss.
• Party favors sold as trick or treat goodies.  These large bags of inexpensive trinkets are perfect for birthday gift bags, game prizes or ‘throw away’ travel toys.
• Even band-aids are often sold in Halloween prints!  Stock up and be prepared for boo-boos around the house, in the car or in 72-hour kits.

As you are out and about this week, check those clearance sections for items that you can use well beyond autumn, then pat yourself on the back for being frugal, organized and prepared!