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Vintage Swamp

Vintage Swamp

How To Shop For The Holidays On A Budget!

You want the holidays to be fun and exciting with warmth and good cheers. Spending time with family and friends without thinking of not having enough money or how the economy is taking a toll on you and your family.

Instead, think of ways you can budget your spending and buy cost effective or functional items that family will use instead of tucking it away in the closet or giving it away for next christmas or birthday to someone else.

Some ways I have found shopping to work for me are:

Going to the Swamp meets or flea markets and getting bags or purses for a few bucks and filling them with hair accessories, facial pads, hair brushes, manicures, pedicure sets or cosmetics. You can find jewelry for a buck at the swap meets that are real gold or silver by just spending time looking and observing for great deals and great items. Dont forget the Penny Savers for yard sales.

Creating a theme is also very nice and convenient. If you know someone enjoys chocolate try buying a basket at the 99C store or thrift stores and filling it with chocolates then wrapping it with plastic wrap and a big ribbon. You can do this with candies, cups, aromatherapy sets, kids stoys, kitchen set, school items, teachers, and students.

If your looking to shop online you can write down people you want to shop online for and look for

comparison shopping at Ebay, Amazon, and Costco, where you you can buy items with no taxes and free shipping. or just google comparison shopping for whatever item your searching for and you will get a list of stores from major stores such as, Best Buy to private companies that have the best prices and products available.

Don't be shy when it comes to shopping at thrift stores for antiques, paintings or specialty items that can be restored or cleaned up.

Of course, you can shop at Walmart, Ross, Target, Big Lots and other discounted stores for great items too online and retail.

You can get on major department stores, restaurants, and even shoe stores guest list for coupons and discounts via email or mailed to your home.

If you dont have a paypal account its free and you can sign up and use it at most online stores. Go to paypal.com. All you need is a bank account and debit card.

Don't wait to save for next year holiday shopping. Open up a savings account for holiday shopping gifts and put a few dollars a week in the account or save all your coins and/or dollars in a big water bottle and don't touch it till November when holiday shopping comes around. Put another separate savings for vacations, and get everyone involved, its fun and it helps kids to save money too. Great for the whole family.

Try buying for a few people at a time, so its not overwhelming and avoid crowds if possible by shopping during the week. Take snacks with you, water and a note pad with items you want to purchase for gifts for family and friends. Be creative and look into Michaels or JoAnn arts and crafts stores for artistic ideas to put together that look expensive but are reasonable and original. A picture book, Camouflage of their favorite items framed, special photos, vintage themes,

Other helpful Tips:

Make a list of all the people you need to buy, how much you will spend and write down beside the list what they like. I usually ask friends and family what they like or want for Christmas and name three things. Make up a Christmas registry, write it on a note pad or computer.

Buy all your gift bags, gift baskets, ribbons, bows and wrappings at the 99c stores or dollar stores.

Buy in bulk for items you can use in quantity at Costco or Sam's Club.

If you dont have a Costco card ask someone to buy you a cash card online or at Costco and you can buy anything at Costco without a membership and it saves you around $50 for the yearly membership.

Happy holiday Shopping!

About the Author

I've co-written a book with Dr. Cohen, a workbook manual for the Institute of Global Education, an online university on reconnecting with nature. Also, an aromatherapy workbook for students learning about aromatherapy, crystals, and meditation. I've Attended the Arizona State University-majored in Psychology. American Colleges of Health Sciences-Certificate in Aromatherapy, Chemistry of Aromatherapy and Holistic Nutrition. Institute of Global Education-PhD student in Ecology, Holistic Psychology and nature therapy. I have over 20 years experience in Holistic Health, Alternative Healing, Crystal healing, Astrology and Energy Therapy. Co-owned, marketed and advertised a successful fine art gallery for over 15 years. Currently in the health care provider industry. I have three children, two in college and one in elementary. Worked in the past with at risk teens, low income project minority families and drug/alcohol counseling institution.

are there any import car swamp meets?

Ive been to the pomona swamp meet and to the long beach one and others but there all for muscle, vintage, hotrods and such. So are there any for imports in california

There's one at carlisle. They have a lot of "theme" swap meets.

You'll be shocked by this, but I googled "import swap meet" and found lots. Perhaps you can't find them online because you can't spell swap.

A swamp is a muddy place where alligators live. A swap is where I give you an old SU carburetor, and you give me a set of old Marschal fog lights.

Vintage Swamp