Happy Friday: Frugal Valentine’s Day Surprise

By Bryn | Operations Manager

Feb 09, 2018 @ 5:00 PM MST

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Sent from reader, J:

Hi there! I thought I’d share my frugal Valentine’s gifts for my kids (ages 3 and 7). My mom always had a small little surprise for us on the kitchen table every Valentine’s Day morning and that sweet memory has turned into a tradition for my own children. However, unlike my parents, we’re paying for private school tuition, flipping the home we live in, trying to beonlinee debt free in 2018 and juggling special diets, which can get expensive fast. Oh, and all while I’m a stay-at-home mama. One inonlinee – EEK!

Anyway, thanks to thinking a month ahead and to Kroger sales, coupons and Ibotta, I got the Lindt chocolates, Oreo cookies and juice for free. (Since my youngest is on a special diet, they don’t get these types of snacks often.. won’t they be surprised!) Then, I swung by my local Salvation Army store and grabbed the gift bags for 29¢ each, tissue paper for 49¢ and the tiny TY babies for 39¢ each. That’s a grand total of $1.85 (+ tax) for everything. Just under $1 per kid?? Yes, please!

It’s not much but just a little bag of goodies to say “I Love You”, just like my mother did for me. ♥

HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Join The Discussion

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Casey February 9, 2018 at 5:07 pm MST

How sweet! Love this.

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Jaci February 9, 2018 at 5:07 pm MST

Very cute! ❤

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keesh February 9, 2018 at 5:08 pm MST

So cute i love it

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kw February 9, 2018 at 5:10 pm MST

Memories > Things ..simple, but true!

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Christina February 9, 2018 at 5:10 pm MST

I do this for my kids every year. It’s one of my favorite traditions!

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Christie February 9, 2018 at 5:10 pm MST

I also am a stay at home/homeschool mom of 2 and I love your idea. Very sweet!

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mrs.greenway February 9, 2018 at 5:24 pm MST

Kid’s will love anything we do for them ❤

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Jennifer February 9, 2018 at 8:06 pm MST

So true! It’s the thought

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trace February 9, 2018 at 5:34 pm MST

Good job! You did better than I did! And I only got a few things each for them at the dollar store. I feel for you about the private school…we r in the same boat, no one gets it and it’s really hard being on one inonlinee. It’s so worth it though and you’ll be so thankful you did what you did.

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J Canvek February 10, 2018 at 8:43 am MST

I agree, people kind of roll their eyes at me haha but we’re very determined so raise our kids this way! You’re right, it is SO worth it. ♥

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Michelle February 9, 2018 at 5:39 pm MST

You’re a sweet, creative mom. 💙 Love that you’re taking a favorite memory from your childhood and incorporating it into your own kids’. 😊

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Patrice February 9, 2018 at 5:42 pm MST

I love this idea! My parents did the same thing I do it for my 3 boys now.

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Laura February 9, 2018 at 5:46 pm MST

LOVE it

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Jestemqt February 9, 2018 at 6:16 pm MST

Hi nice idea. I’m very curious what are you doing to beonlinee debt free in 2018 ? If you could share some of your secrets I would love to know . Thanks Monika

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Elvira February 9, 2018 at 6:25 pm MST

I think one of the most important things about beonlineing debt free is sitting down and being honest with yourself by taking a hard look at where your money is going. Cut out unnecessary spending and nonessentials (Cable, restaurants, attractions) and use that money to bring down credit card debt or any other bills.

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Amy February 9, 2018 at 7:31 pm MST

What counts as debt free? Is your house paid off? That is the one bill we have. No other debt here.

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Erin February 10, 2018 at 1:36 pm MST

Mortgage is debt.

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Mei February 10, 2018 at 1:38 pm MST

If you owe money on it – It’s debt. No way to spin a mortgage other than debt on a house.

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Elvira February 11, 2018 at 1:35 pm MST

Yes I would count that as a debt. I agree with other posters. David Ramsey has a great plan for going debt free.

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Bethany February 9, 2018 at 8:02 pm MST

Look up Dave Ramsey’s budget – envelope system for financial peace. It’s called something like that 🙂 anyways there are YouTube videos about it too. There are a lot of families I know that are doing it and it works great!

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J Canvek February 10, 2018 at 8:31 am MST

My husband works extra hours, I coupon, Dave Ramsey (EveryDollar.online is the best budgeting website/app!), meal planning with frugal meals (as much as possible with diets), reducing cell phone plans, eliminating unneeded expenditures, finding cheap activities for the kids, receiving wonderful gently used clothes from extended family members for our kids, applying for scholarships for the private school my children attend, etc. We’re just overall trying to be as smart as possible with the money we’re blessed with. One secret a financial adviser gave us is we now put “Exempt” on our W-4 tax form through our employer. This means they won’t take any taxes out of paychecks but take it all when we file tax returns. So, since we qualify for child tax credits, our return is just smaller but it’s like we gave ourselves a raise all year long (like $100+ per pay period!). Not every likes doing this but it works for us. Hope this helps you!

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leslie February 9, 2018 at 7:24 pm MST

Always do this for my girls still 19-20💜

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Tina February 10, 2018 at 12:19 am MST

Dave Ramsey’s envelope system and program is the way to go! He lived thru it and he’s lead thousands (if not a couple million) thru financial freedom. Going through his program now and there is soooo much wisdom! It’s like the diet plan that works!

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Phyllis February 9, 2018 at 7:28 pm MST

With the love you include with the gifts they will be thrilled. To be remembered with love is what we all desire. Happy Valentine’s Day.

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Janelle February 9, 2018 at 8:10 pm MST

I love this! The smallest treats can be so special! Well done mama!

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A.B. February 9, 2018 at 8:31 pm MST

I think this is such a sweet post!!! Well done, Mama!!! Thanks for sharing this H2S! 🤗

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J Canvek February 10, 2018 at 8:41 am MST

You’re so kind. Thank you!! 🙂

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Kay February 9, 2018 at 8:32 pm MST

Also a SAH mom. Also started this new tradition (for us) of setting out valentine gifts on kitchen counter. With Christmas over and a boring month just passed (Jan is my least fav month), it’s fun to give presents again…this time on a smaller scale. U did great with ur budget. Congrats! Very cute n sweet n frugal.

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MrsFelix1004 February 9, 2018 at 8:52 pm MST

If your kids are in private school and a dependent of someone in the military please apply for the Folds of Honor Scholarship…it pays up to $5000 per child per year they win and all three of my kids won for one year and I won last year for my college and received $4500 for myself. Big big thanks to Folds of Honor and CVS!! Any other scholarship tips please let me know! My husband is 100% permanent and total disabled veteran serving in OEF and OIF. Thanks!

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J Canvek February 10, 2018 at 8:34 am MST

Wow! THANK YOU! I’ll check into this!! Our school offers the scholarships I apply for through private donors so it’s not a national one, unfortunately. I deeply appreciate you posting about Folds of Honor. 🙂

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Nina February 9, 2018 at 9:09 pm MST

God bless all of you military moms n dad’s! And this is an awesome idea, leaving a little something for the kids 1st thing on Valentine’s Day 😍

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Ger February 10, 2018 at 12:02 am MST

I always do this for My girls & they look forward to this every year!!! It’s great when I work late on valentines Bc I get hit up Wally World 🙃 for After V Day sales. Then my girls wake up to an array of goodies on our dining table😍

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Roks February 10, 2018 at 5:21 am MST

Would you be able to share what type of diet you follow for your kids? Is it due to allergies? If you can give me an idea that would be so helpful as I take care of two little ones at home

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J Canvek February 10, 2018 at 8:39 am MST

We’re basically Paleo. It’s due to auto immune issues. My advice to you, go Paleo. I have done it for my kids for a while now but recently pretty strict for myself… I’ve lost 17lbs since January 1st! Won’t onlineplain about that!

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Laura February 10, 2018 at 6:26 am MST

Be careful those ‘Juice’ drinks, they will rot your teeth out.

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J Canvek February 10, 2018 at 8:35 am MST

LOL! Yep, that’s why it’ll be such a surprise to them.. because they don’t often get these types of snacks. 😉

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Happymama February 10, 2018 at 7:05 am MST

I love this! My kids don’t get candy or ice cream except for something special as well. There is nothing better than the reaction from a surprise for a child 🙂

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Laura February 10, 2018 at 7:54 am MST

I give my kids each a little Valentine themed book for v-day. Nothing big, but just a little something to make them smile. And NOT candy! 😉

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Dana February 10, 2018 at 2:52 pm MST

Your children will look back and love the memories you’ve made. My mom always did these type of treats for my brothers and me and now for grandkids. I have been doing it for my girls since they were very little-usually a practical item (a book or socks) and some fun things like their favorite treat like goldfish or candy. They’re 16 and 17 and still love getting these surprises💕 It amazes me how these little things mean so much to them

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Cb February 10, 2018 at 5:25 pm MST

So sweet and savvy! ❤️

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*Angela-Miles* February 11, 2018 at 4:39 am MST

Aww my mom always did this for me and my siblings too, on all the holidays. So fun, she actually still does it whenever I go to her house LoL!! She would get us a pair of socks, some lip balm, candy and other random item for that holiday. I think we got them on St Patrick’s day, Valentine’s day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving… It was always a nice way to start off that holiday morning with a surprise. I loved this post!! Memories are forever 🙂 🙂 🙂

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