Happy Friday: What Saving Money Allows Me To Do…

By Bryn | Operations Manager

Apr 08, 2016 @ 5:50 PM MDT

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Birthday Bags

Sent from reader, Michelle:

Hi Collin! I just wanted to send a quick note letting you know that I love to look at all the deals you post each day, and sometimes help pass some along as well. I also wanted to let you know about a couple of projects I have started or been a part of lately, and that those are made possible by the deals that I find on your site. I was able to be a part of a group that made “Birthday Bags” for families to pick up for their children at our local food bank. I had enough toys and goodies in my “gift closet” to make half of the bags donated myself! This idea got me thinking and I decided to make “Birthday Bags” for our local county home. I had donated some items at Christmas time, however the director at the county home said, “Everyone thinks of us at Christmas, it is the rest of the year that the residents are forgotten”.

Happy Friday

So with help from Hip2save and other deals I have found, I will be making bags for each of the residents for their birthday. I had 8 to do this month because I am catching up from the beginning of the year. Not every item I included was one that was free or on sale, however with all of my “everyday” savings, I could afford to spend a little extra on some items. I know this site is great about saving everyone money, but to me it is also what that savings allows me to do. I want to keep on saving so my family can be blessed, and that I can afford to bless others as well…

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at [email protected]. Every Friday, we post one photo, submitted by a Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into their frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

Join The Discussion

onlinements 88

Mama April 8, 2016 at 8:12 pm MST

Michelle, you are an inspiration. An angel. This world needs more of you. Thanks for sharing your beauty, with them and with us.

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Rosi April 8, 2016 at 8:14 pm MST

Such an inspiring story! Ty 4 sharing & reminding us that we should pay it forward. May u b blessed tenfold.

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jessica April 8, 2016 at 8:21 pm MST

Awesome kindness

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Stella April 8, 2016 at 8:22 pm MST

What a wonderful story! Awesome.

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connie April 8, 2016 at 8:24 pm MST

It is the best feeling in the world to be able to give to others. I try to teach my kids the same.

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LindaK April 8, 2016 at 8:26 pm MST

I’ve been filling up 10 cartons for Meals on Wheels and I can’t tell you how much Hip2Save has helped with that! Great idea about the birthday bags!

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Carmen April 8, 2016 at 8:45 pm MST

That is so awesome and so inspiring!!! I can’t even imagine how happy you make each person feel on their birthday. You’re a very special person.

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Luv April 8, 2016 at 8:45 pm MST

So how do you know what items to get them, do you go in ahead of time to ask what they née dorkier do normal necessities?

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Michelle April 8, 2016 at 9:26 pm MST

Yes I had the director send me a list of each persons name and a list of items they would like. He even noted those with special dietary needs. Keep in mind this is the county home so they have residents of every age. This is also a smaller facility only around 30 residents so I can “splurge” and make larger bags. If you were trying to do this at say a nursing home of 200 residents I would suggest making it a “friends & family” project😄

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Brandy April 8, 2016 at 8:48 pm MST

It never ceases to amaze me the thoughtfulness of the people that run Hip2Save and all of the readers. I’m proud to say I follow such a wonderful group of people!!! Keep up the good work everyone!!! Awesome job Michelle 👍😊

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Karen April 8, 2016 at 8:54 pm MST

I’m a nurse that “slaves” for them. I’ve worked in many different capacities as a nurse, my nursing home & assisted living jobs came with many challenges & a lot of rewards. While in nursing school I enjoyed the nursery with all the beautiful newborns that brought such happiness. I thought for sure that is where I wanted to work. Then I worked with seniors and knew it was where I belonged. There is a special joy that onlinees from learning of ones history, life stories & experiences. I’m honored to work with my residents. It is just as important to be at the beginning of someone’s life as it is to be blessed to be with them as their journey in life ends. Hopefully I’ve brought a smile, nice thought or memory and made them feel wanted & important. Even with my most challenging patients I try to make them feel like they’re the center of my world for whatever time I am with them. That’s my own “birthday bag” to myself.

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Shelby April 8, 2016 at 9:25 pm MST

This was one of the most beautiful posts to a beautiful post that I’ve ever read. That you think of your kindness as a gift for yourself makes me want to have the world’s biggest bake sale and buy you a country. Love you sister!

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Sara Mason April 8, 2016 at 9:25 pm MST

This is inspiring. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” That’s you! Thank you so much for sharing. Way to go, mama! 🙂

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☘Biscotti🌻 April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm MST

Beautiful post. 🙏 . My little girl will be one next month and I want to do something similar to this rather than spending money on a big party. I don’t know how to go about it though. Any ideas are welonlinee. Thank you.😊

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Linda April 8, 2016 at 10:21 pm MST

I love this. Thank you for sharing your blessings.

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Lyubov April 8, 2016 at 10:51 pm MST

How thoughtful and sweet!

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Melissa April 8, 2016 at 11:58 pm MST

God Bless you and your family what an amazing person. If we all could be more like you😌

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Elisa April 9, 2016 at 12:45 am MST

Amazing!

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AmyH April 9, 2016 at 12:46 am MST

What a great idea!! How nice of you to do this!! I’m sure they love receiving the bags!! Kudos to you! 🙂

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Steph April 9, 2016 at 3:12 am MST

Every month I box up all the extra deals I get for free or very little out of pocket and give them to the county food pantry in our area. They are so very appreciative and it does feel good to help others. Plus I really do not need 20 bottles of shampoo or body wash just sitting around. Let someone use it who really needs help. Nice post Collin/Michelle

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Kali April 9, 2016 at 5:22 am MST

I like the idea very much . Last year when my son turned 2, instead of spending money on a party , we opened a small fund page , including us, everyone of my friends donated money. We used the fund money to provide tution fees for 4 kids in India .

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Jeanne April 9, 2016 at 6:38 am MST

So awesome! What a blessing!

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Happymama April 9, 2016 at 7:01 am MST

So inspiring! Keep these posts onlineing please! With all the negativity in the world and on the internet, posts like this are me fave! Thank you!

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Melissa H. April 9, 2016 at 7:23 am MST

Michelle, you are an amazing woman with a heart of gold. The world needs many more people just like you. I am sure that you brighten each and every one of the “birthday” recipients day! My grandmother had to go into a nursing home for the last month of her life and what we witnessed in the home is unforgettable. My parents made it a point to make sure to go there every day, to spend time with my grandma, and to make sure that she didn’t feel like she was all alone (she didn’t really understand because she was in the final stages of alzheimers ). What broke our hearts was that most of the time we were the only family there, none of the other residents had visitors. The director told us that most of the time this was how it was, people placed their loved one in the home and pretty much abandoned them. They would have visitors on Christmas and other holidays, but the rest of the time they were too busy (just like how people only go to church for Christmas and Easter)! Anyways, after my grandma passed away, my parents made a point to go up to the home and visit with all the lonely people, being their “family” at least a couple times a week. This little selfless action meant the world to these people, just like I am sure the people you give these bags to does the same for them! You are a beautiful person and you are making God smile and proud. Thank you for being there for all the people you help. May God bless you and your family. ❤👍😉

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Lisha April 9, 2016 at 7:57 am MST

God bless you, Michelle

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Mary April 9, 2016 at 8:22 am MST

You are awesome Michelle! =)

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Cheryl W. April 9, 2016 at 9:38 am MST

This is wonderful…I am going to look into starting this with our Women Ministry at our church…Spread the word of Good Deeds and you never know who may being reading and partake. Thank you Michelle for sharing and Collin for posting!

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Heather C April 9, 2016 at 10:06 am MST

God bless you & thank you for the wonderful idea 😍

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Sue April 9, 2016 at 10:46 am MST

Michelle that is really nice of you to do this.

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Tracy April 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm MST

Great idea! So many people will be blessed by your generosity.

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thehenrydthoreau April 9, 2016 at 7:27 pm MST

There are people who have sent photos of cart loads of donations to the Hip2save team that are never published here. I am talking $10k plus multiple donations. They quietly continue on without attention. Love the site for years but starting to question things lately.

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Abby H April 9, 2016 at 7:45 pm MST

Thank you for the encouragement I appreciate it. Great motivation and reminder of blessing others

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Michelle April 10, 2016 at 9:50 am MST

Touches my heart in such a warm way! I to have only thought of needy children and seniors during Christmas. You have inspired me to do this also. Thank you for reminding me of how the little things throughout the year is so important. 😀

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Bunny April 11, 2016 at 8:17 pm MST

Some people are not allowed to post their opinion.

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