I feel so blessed to have enough...enough food, enough money to pay our bills, enough money for coats for my children. There are so many who are in need this season and I have to say that I'm really enjoying using my couponing skills to give back this year. It is the perfect time to give because so many need food and clothing in the cold weather and also toys for their kids who may not have anything under the tree. So here are a few ideas on how you can give to those in need, even if you don't have much cash to spare.
1. Raid your Stockpile. I did this this morning for my kids' school donation to Harvesters food pantry. I found that there were quite a few things that I got for free or cheap that our family didn't like for one reason or another, but would be great for someone out there (I can't stand Kashi...there...I admit it). I also grabbed a few things that I bought WAY to many of when I got a good deal. Yes, I have learned that there IS such thing as too many boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats. I rounded it out with things that we would eventually use, but I was happy to part with them for a good cause.
2. Work the Deals. You can get free boxes of Swiss Miss hot chocolate this week at Target (with the $1/1 coupon from Target.com). You can also get cheap toothpaste at CVS. There are ALWAYS deals out there where you can get free or cheap items. Even if your family won't use these things, pick them up anyway and donate them. Canned veggies especially seem to be on special these days and that is the perfect donation food! I was able to get a lot of Del Monte veggie cans at Target a couple of weeks ago for less than $.25/can...I got as many as I could and donated what I couldn't store.
3. Don't forget the toys! I always buy a ton at the Target Toy Clearance and save it all for birthdays/Christmas/eBay. I plan to take what I have left and donate it to Toys for Tots or another toy drive. I'm also keeping an eye out for great toy deals like this week's Trio King's Castle. It's not the kind of thing my son is interested in right now, but I may pick one up and put it under the tree of another little boy who will love it!
4. Make it a Game. Take $10 and see how much you can get with it...use those high dollar coupons, shop the sales, work the freebies at CVS...do whatever you can and be really proud of the huge pile you have with just a small portion of your monthly grocery budget. If your kids are old enough, get them involved, too! Feel free to come here and post how you did...I would love to see it!
I wish I had more to give, but it feels good to give a little and make a bigger impact this year.