Help Me to Save?

[SavingSweetOneL]

Hello All,

I went to a local, sit down lunch/dinner chain resturant, and there they had a Salvation Army Angel Tree.

I picked two names:

A 4 year-old girl

And a 64 year-old man, Senior Angel.

The child wants: 12" Bike, Princess Dolls, and a Kitchen Play set.

The Gentleman wants: Books. (I have no idea on what kind. I have two hardbacks, at least, that I plan to give him. One is a Businessman's Biography.)

They both need clothes. He takes a Men's Medium. She takes a child's size 5.

Any ideas on how I can get these items at a good price?

I'd like to spend under $100 for both. (I'll eat a bit different for a few days, to afford it.)

Please let me know your thoughts, on ways to save.

Thanks.

SweetOneL

[susie michelle]

I'm inspired by your gift giving! To make sure your money goes as far as possible, I would recommend looking at some of the online discount stores, such as Overstock.com (they often have online coupons, too, especially to help you save on larger orders and they would have everything from bikes to clothes to books, so you could do a one-stop shop.)

[SavingSweetOneL]

I look at Overstock.com, for Housewares. They have kids stuff too? and Adult Men's Clothes?

I'll Check tomorrow.

Thanks.

SweetOneL

[disneysteve]

I'd focus on thrift shops in your area to find suitable gifts for the girl and for clothing for the man. As for books, that's pretty tough if you don't know what types of books so for that, I'd probably do a Barnes & Noble or Amazon gift card.

[SavingSweetOneL]

Hi Steve,

I just talked with Salvation Army, and asked about a gift card for the books, and was told "no"., politely, that I couldn't do that. I guess I can see how it can create complications.

He may be a person that will read anything, since no genera was mentioned. However, that may mean he has read *everything*. I think I'll look for books over the next week, and hope that God, will guide me concerning it all. I think anybody would enjoy reading the two hardbacks I plan to give him. I may be willing to take other books off of my shelves. I need to go through and purge, as I think I am ready to give some of them up.

Can anyone explain to me how kids bikes are like "ranked" or "Classified"? This is the most expensive item on the list, and the lady at the SA said I didn't have to buy it, but, I can remember asking and getting my first bike as a kid at Christmas, I'd like to pass that along.

I never had kids, so I don't know anything about kid's bikes.

Thanks for any information.

SweetOneL

[disneysteve]

If you want to get a bike, I'd highly recomend craigslist. You should be able to get a bike for a 4-year-old for $25.

[RaeMazda]

Thoughts on saving

I dont know what area your in but we have a half priced books which can be good for gently used books for all sorts, and goodwill isn't too bad for basic tshirts, i've gotten plenty of nice good condition tshirts for like a 1.50 or cheaper at goodwill. Bike, I would check craigslist of even your local newpaper listings people post stuff on the time, or even if you happen to cruise by a fall garage sale you may find a nice one there too. the dolls I would check craigslist as well as once upon a child type of places or even google secondhand stores that may take childrens stuff they may have some stuff as well. Hope you find what your looking for.

[SavingSweetOneL]

Hi Steve and Rae, (And, everyone.),

I did check Craigslist, and there was a bike for the girl, in excellent condition. Gently used, and I plan to clean it on the next sunny day, the wheels primarily, with some good all-purpose natural soap, and oxyclean.

I only paid $20 dollars for it, and it was delivered to me! (How about that? )

I do believe it is a 12 inch bike.

I got two Cinderella dolls at toys are us, buy one, get one half price. And, a 42 piece play dish/cook set. I'm still watching ebay for dolls, and will check the thrift stores.

I've bought a Disney Snow White costume, on Ebay for $8.00. I'm watching a couple of others.

I'm over budget for the girl, but, I think she will be happy.

I found a good Medium shirt for the man, at a thrift store and plan to check the other thrift stores tomorrow, (and this week), as I go around.

If JCP prices clothing right, I'll get him a set of New, New clothes, kinda like interview, quality. I have a $10 dollar coupon there. The toy section there didn't have much selection.

I'll look for play clothes for the girl at the thrift stores, as well.

And, I got a call tonight for work tomorrow, however, couldn't accept it, as the time for the work, was in the middle of a meeting that I have already agreed to. So, I feel more work will come for me, at the right time.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. Please keep them coming.

SweetOneL

[snafu]

How wonderfully generous to gift these two individuals.