Save the Paper

We had a birthday party for Kassi and Noah this weekend. I was folding up the gift bags and tissue paper, when I fondly heard my grandma's voice in my head saying, "Be sure to save the paper." I smiled as I folded each piece of tissue paper into nice neat squares and placed them into my gift wrapping box that I keep under my bed. In the slow economic times we are experiencing, I anticipate that I will be using more and more of my grandparents' tips for cutting corners. Those margarine containers are looking like the thrifty way to replace my dwindling rubbermaid containers. I recently tried my hand at canning jam and found myself telling the kids to save the jars and rings (man, those things are expensive.) because I can reuse them. These are all things I've seen my grandmother do to save money. Now it's time to use those tips and pass them on to my own children. I saw an Oprah about 10 yrs ago where someone said that whatever financial obligations you have, you will pass on to your children. For instance, if you pay for cable your children will feel it's a necessity. Ok, so I do have satelite. This is a case of do as I say, not as I do!! LOL! But it is giving me a moment to reflect on what we spend money on that I don't think my kids need. Another thing I have learned in all my years of wisdom ;) is that you can save time or money, but very seldom both at the same time. It's very much a juggling act to see what is more important, and every case is different. For instance, when I tell people I use coupons to save money, they say they don't have time for it. But my problem is that I don't have the money to save the time. On the other hand, I do pay for a website that tells me what coupons to use, where, and when to use them. This costs me a little bit of money to save time that is worth it to me. So as threats of the flu in Mexico get closer to restricting our trade and making our recession even worse than it already is, it's time for all of us to reevaluate our spending and where we can cut corners and be more thrifty like our grandparents. If anyone has any tried and true tips from generations past, please share them!! Thanks!