you are about to read a blog post dedicated to colorful tape & a roasted peanuts can. but really- it is so much more than that. i am often convicted of my personal spending habits. luke & i bring home a very modest amount of money each month & one of my goals is to spend it wisely. i have slowly learned- with many mistakes sprinkled throughout- that we can live within our means & not spend very much to live a purposeful, happy life.
when i first began sharing happy mail with others, i was a little worried that i wouldn’t be able to afford the project. i have shared this before, but we budget a certain amount of money each month – $50 to be exact – on “projects.” this includes home projects, craft projects & personal projects. so, if i want to mail a little package to a friend, that means i am cutting into my money for projects around the home. this can be so frustrating at times, but it encourages much more creative & thrifty outcomes.
so, when i got the itch to send my dear friend jennifer a little package, i had about $5 left in the budget (the perfect amount to cover shipping). i began looking around our home & came up with this:
a peanut can. oh, how badly i wanted to stop by target & purchase a cute little glass jar (she’s worth it, too!), but i knew that can was the best option. i cleaned it out, gathered my supplies & decided to mail my girl a party can!
i wrapped the peanut can in washi tape from my stash (several layers are needed to cover the logo) & added a bit of fun tissue paper from my wrapping station. just a tip- always, always, always save your tissue paper! it will come in handy for wrapping gifts & adding a layer of extra protection when mailing a potentially breakable item.
i stuffed the little can full of white tags adorned with fun tape, little clothespins, kraft stickers, twine, ribbon, little handmade bits & a handful of colorful confetti for fun.
i used my rubber stamps to add a little “&” to a couple of wooden tags purchased at the craft store on clearance a couple of months ago. i love adding the little details to make a gift extra special.
i finished this quick & simple project with a couple of stickers & a vintage fabric ribbon.
this idea could be used for creating easter baskets, crafting homemade birthday gifts or sending your friend a little something to brighten her day. the most important takeaway is to use what you have on hand & create within your budget.
here are some more ideas & tips for thrifty creativity:
– save your jars, food containers, etc. i love using glass jars from salsa & other condiments for another project. here’s a cute & affordable tutorial!
– don’t purchase a box. it is so tempting to purchase a box from the post office for mailing your happymail goodies. instead, find that old shoebox in the back of your closet & decorate it with stickers & colorful paper you already have on hand.
– purchase things you use often when they are on sale. when i see something i use often, like white gift tags & twine, i will purchase it even if i still have some left at home. this only applies to well-used items. even though those cute things are on sale doesn’t mean you buy them when you have several of those things at home that go unused. this is a consumer trap! i would rather spend my money on something i will use & need.
– buy secondhand. i love finding little things for loved ones from thrift stores & flea markets. the items are usually unique & affordable. i love the excitement of the thrifty hunt!
– avoid your weaknesses. my weaknesses are target & hobby lobby. unless i need something from one of those stores, i avoid going there. there’s nothing worst than leaving with a bag of stuff you will have regrets about the next day. it feels much better to spend money you have on things you will enjoy owning down the road.
– host a craft supply swap! i hosted a craft supply swap during the fall & had great success. i swapped some of my supplies for a few beautiful skeins of yarn & a couple of canvases. it was so much fun & a great way to connect with my crafty friends.
friends, i am no expert. my husband & i dialogue quite a bit, though, about staying within our financial goals & this also applies to my creative life. being mindful of our limited budget can be frustrating, but it can also be freeing to see what you can do with those things that would otherwise be wasted or go unused.
i would love to know- how do you stay mindful of your spending when being creative?
love,
natalie
this weekend was an interesting mix of good & unexpected. we checked a few things off our ever-growing to do list, dirtied up a sink of dishes while baking the most delicious strawberry yogurt bundt cake, cuddled a handful of quickly growing chicks, savored breakfast at home, & managed to get out of the house for a day of fun just when we were getting a little stir crazy.
of course, as life so often happens, we experienced a bit of the unexpected, too. the weather wasn’t what we anticipated with the mix of rain, sleet & snow right outside our door & dampening our spirits. with unexpected trips to the mechanic, two cars & three new tires later, we spent a hefty amount more during our spring break than planned.
as always, we bounce back. these next few weeks we plan to go on a sort-of purchasing freeze to recover from our unplanned expenses & get back on budget. i journaled for a bit on sunday the many ways i could serve our family, stop spending & get a little creative with what we do have.
i am naming this week clean out the pantry week, a week of using up & eating those ingredients leftover or forgotten in the back of our cupboards & hidden in the fridge. i have several delicious meals planned, including storage winter squash stuffed with apples & sausage from the farm, homemade cornbread, split pea & sweet potato soup, roasted beet bites, omelets, tomato soup with grilled cheese, & sauteed kale from the garden.
my spirits can grow a little weary when i dwell on the unexpected hang-ups of life, but that survivalist in me loves a good, healthy challenge mixed with a bit of thriftiness. there is so much growth & goodness to be found in making the most from very little.
how do you creatively make the most of what you have?
love,
natalie
happy friday to you!
today luke & i have a big day planned & are calling it our “special spring break getaway day!” luke is off today so we planned on leaving town early to go camping this weekend. after an unfortunate look at the weather forecast calling for freezing rain & possible snow, we decided to scratch that. instead, we made a list of indoor activities we would like to do & picked our top two. today, we are doing those things!
my list:
– thrifty trip!
– dye eggs
his list:
– barnes & noble
– coffee shop date
so, it’s omelets this morning with bacon & coffee. then, we’re dressing up in our best date attire & hitting up our list for a day of fun!
& before i go, i wanted to share a little joy with you! i am offering 25% off everything in my etsy shop until tomorrow evening in celebration of spring! these bookmarks would make the perfect little addition to your spring easter baskets. the postcards are fun for sending happy mail!
just go here & enter “HAPPYSPRING” at checkout!
love,
natalie