Thrifty Thoughts- Creativity & Shopping your home

I have found that the way we save the most money in our home is by

thinking outside the box, being creative and saying no.

We live in a society that is constantly wanting and buying.

It can be overwhelming and an easy trap to fall into.
We have definitely been there and done that.
And I honestly never want to be there again.

It's easy to go out and purchase what you want.
Usually the exact thing you want.
And it may be on sale...it may not be.

Regardless you've spent money.

We have been trying really hard this year to spend our money wisely.
Moving out into the middle of the woods has certainly helped our efforts. ;)

I have become a big fan of shopping your house.
Remember when I talked about shopping your pantry before you grocery shop?

The same goes for anything else you might need.

Here are a few examples of how I've shopped my house in the past few weeks.

Example One
When we moved into our new home we designated one room for Emma and another for the boys.
Emma's room was painted pink and decorated extra girly.
The boys' room was painted blue and decorated for boys.

Over time we realized that Colt and Emma slept great together and Cade slept better alone.
So sweet Cade was moved into the girly pink room by himself.
And the other two are now sharing the blue room.
It was important to me that even though Emma and Colt shared a room that
I made it special for each of them.
Not too girly for Colt and not too plain and boyish for Emma.

I would have loved to buy bedding for Emma and Colt's room.

They were using Emma's light pink ruffle sheets and princess bed spread.

Not very unisex.

But new bedding is not in the budget.

And honestly who knows how long they will be sharing a room.
I didn't want to spend money on something that I might need to change in the next year or so.

This is where I shopped my house.

I found a white bottom sheet and a top vintage floral sheet.

And I also found a cozy white down comforter that went through the dryer
with a red crayon a few years back.

I added a feminine decorative pillow and a boyish decorative pillow.

And last but not least an afghan that was my great-grandmother's.

Is it exactly what I would have picked if I had been shopping?
Nope.

Is it cozy and a comfortable place for my babies to lay their heads at night.

Yes :)

Zero dollars spent!

Example Two

I have been wanting a new skirt for church.

We have money set aside for clothing but only a specific amount.
The kids are in need of new clothes more than I am so I didn't want to spend the money on one.

I found a skirt I haven't worn in a few years.
I bought it when I was a sophmore in college.

I loved the color and flow of it... but not so much the "low on the hip" fit of it anymore.
I was able to roll it up at the top, bring it up around my waist and cover it with a belt.

Zero dollars spent!

Another thing I've done recently is pulled all of my clothes out of my closet.

I spent a little time trying on different pieces that I had never worn together before.

I was surprised at how many new outfits I was able to put together.

I've been pairing different shirts with different skirts...

different sweaters with different dresses...

different tops with different jeans.

Switch up your jewelery or add a fun belt to an outfit!

Trust me...it'll feel like you've been shopping!

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I would love to hear ways that you've been creative and shopped your home!

And if you can't think of anything, NOW is the time to start!

Be creative and save money this week.
Then report back and let me know what you have done!
I would love to hear :)