Ah yes, that joyous time of year when we rush to the stores and buy in bulk. Everything is on sale right? So why not buy two when you were only going to buy one. Oooh it’s half off, so I budgeted for the full amount that means I can give more! Can you imagine how much we would all save if we budgeted for the full value and set aside the extra money when things are on sale?
I recently went shopping with a friend at the Dollar Tree. Her daughter’s birthday is coming up and she needed supplies. Everything from plates and cups, to gifts for her daughter and the paper to wrap them in. We bought everything at the Dollar Tree. Our total bill was $16.38! And as she put it, why would I ever shop anywhere else? She’s on a tight budget and was still able to buy a few fun ornaments and other items for herself.
I have learned a lot by shopping with her. When she finds something she wants to buy for someone, her first trip is not to the store, it’s to the internet where she looks for coupons and discounts. She can afford to pay full price, but knows that if she saves it she can put that money towards something else. A lot of the time she puts it towards a donation to a charity.
This is where Good King Wenceslas comes into play. Based on a saint, a former Duke, the song is about a King going out to help a man he sees from his window. He takes him alms and invites him in. His overabundance of wealth and offerings were shared. So here is the challenge from your Angry_Anteater who is slightly mellowed due to Evan Williams Egg Nog (yummy!):
Do not buy in bulk. Buy only what you need. Set your budget up now, and every time you save money set it aside or put it directly into those bright red buckets from the Salvation Army. Be your very own Good King Wenceslas and hum as you go along your day. Or even better, download the bell ringing app to your iphone and help someone in need!
