We actually have started the back-to-school shopping process all ready! Yesterday we loaded up on notebooks and construction paper and today my daughter bought a new lightweight jacket at the mall. I know it’s only a small start, but, at least it’s a start. When we got home from our little shopping trip today, I found an interesting brochure that had arrived in today’s mail and it pertained to saving for college. I have to tell you, I’m scared to death that we are not going to be prepared in a few short years when our own daughter heads off to college.
We had very good intentions all those years ago when she was born and we started saving immediately. Unfortunately, since then, several things have happened over the years that have caused us to deflate that college savings and so we are no where near financially prepared. Seriously, there are so many things to consider even beyond tuition and books. Obviously there are living expenses if our daughter moves away from home to attend college. I think it’s important now to start teaching her how to attend college on a low budget!
I can still remember my college roommate and I eating lots and lots of baked potatoes, popcorn and nacho cheese made in a hot pot! We rarely ever ate out, we didn’t have the money to do something that extravagant! I don’t want to be getting those calls on regular basis either, you know the ones, “Mom, send money”. It’s critical that she know how to live on a budget!
I know some parents send their kids off to college with a credit card, but I’m not sure in today’s economy, if that’s a good decision or not. I do like the idea of sending her off with a re-loadable gift card like Sears offers. It’s pretty cool because the student gets a card and the parents also get a card. So, I could add money to the card either online or at a Sears store and then my daughter can use her card to make purchases at either Sears or Kmart. That’s pretty simple and I wouldn’t have to deal with credit card bills. Sears CampusReady program is simple to use and helps kids be ready and parents stay on budget.
Sears CampusReady on Facebook where it can help students and parents get ready for college. There is a 3D program to help design your dorm room. Not only is this a fun program, but think how well it could help decide what will and won’t fit into a dorm room. This can keep all of us from over spending on dorm junk. There is also a “Gift Getter” program that allows a student to list things they’d like to have and friends and family can see their list and consider purchasing those items as gifts for the new student. (I really like that idea!) If you know anyone getting ready to head off to college, I definitely recommend checking out CampusReady on Facebook to help in the planning process.
As I’ve said before, my nephew is getting married in July and we need new clothes to wear to the wedding. I got my dress purchased a few weeks ago and we were sort of thinking about waiting to start looking for my daughter’s dress just in case she has a growth spurt between now and then. However, I’ve changed my mind about waiting and I think we really need to take advantage of the clearance sales going on right now. The wedding is only 3 months away, how much can a 13 year old grow in 3 months?!
As luck would have it, Sears is currently having a phenomenal clearance sale with prices that are 75-80% off of original prices on most fall and winter clothing and the sale is going on from now until April 18th.
While I was checking out the Sears website, I found the cutest dress that I can’t wait to show my daughter. It has a beautiful sheer layer that is dotted with sequins, sparkly, but not tacky. The dress has little spaghetti straps and a tie in the back. I really love the color of this one, it’s called “wine”. As a mom, I really like the length, not too short, but still looks young, appropriate for a 13 year old. The picture is a little small, but what do you think?
With all of the budget cuts going on in our household, I’ve been struggling to find the best ways to satisfy different needs that we all have. One of the biggest is the fact that we have a teenager who is in need of some new clothes that fit, she’s grew over the winter. I have to make sure to make the hard earned dollar go even farther than it ever has and so I’m always looking for good quality clothes, on sale.
We also have my nephews wedding that is coming up in July and my daughter and I both need new dresses to wear to the big day. I’ve been shopping around for the last month, hoping to take advantage of some good pricing, but it’s not been easy. Today, I can honestly say, I have had a successful search!
There is a huge sale on Sears apparel and I feel fortunate to have found exactly the style of dress that I have had in mind to wear to the wedding. Here is a screenshot of what I saw on their website, let me know what you think.
If you’re also looking for good deals, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the coupon that Sears is offering. March 20-22nd, Sears is offering an additional %15 off shopping pass on regular, sale and clearance priced apparel, shoes and accessories. The coupon is good in stores AND at Sears.com. To make things even better, Sears is offering 75-80% off of original prices on apparel from the fall and winter collections from now till April 18th.
I don’t know about you, but even in these trying economic times I feel blessed. I have a nice home and a loving family that I get to see every single day. While we have had to cut back on our spending, we’re still able to do special things together like occasional dinners out, movies and some shopping. The holidays have come and gone and yet, there are many out there who deserve our support.
Military service members, veterans and their families give of themselves on a daily basis so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have. They live and work around the globe and receive little for their efforts. It’s time for the rest of us to step up and give back with the Sears Heroes at Home program. Our monetary donations are turned into Sears gift cards and distributed to those military personnel and families who have registered with the program. Although these donations are not tax deductible, they are well worth it to know that we can help these deserving families will have their wishes granted.
‘Tis the season of giving and a time of thinking of those who continue to make a difference in our lives, especially those serving in our armed forces. Through the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry it is possible to fulfill the holiday wishes of over 30,000 military families as a way of thanking them for the sacrifices they make for us on a daily basis. All donations will be turned into Sears gift cards and given to families who have registered with the program.
The Heroes at Home Program was established by Sears in order to allow others to provide support to military personnel and their families as well as veterans and their families. This is done through alliances Sears has made with various non-profit organizations. This holiday season, Sears has expanded its Heroes at Home program by allowing Americans to make monetary donations online that will allow these families to see their holiday wishes come true.
Visit the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry to read stories from military families around the country. While there, you can also see the top 100 wishes that have been made by our military families, as well as stories of those who’ve all ready received help.
After making your donation, don’t forget to download the exclusive FREE MP3 download and video of a holiday favorite song, My Favorite Things, sung by Trisha Yearwood.
