Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Each One Reach One

This post was inspired by Zengirl over at Heart and Mind. She has a great article this time with a lot of thoughtful suggestions about how you can help your unemployed friends. You can check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/2ckxd7z .

Let's face it, a lot of us are struggling financially right now, even if we are not unemployed. I have a few additional suggestions on how you can help your friends and family to help themselves.

Are you a whiz at using coupons? Why not share your knowledge with your friends and family so they too can save a bundle at the grocery store? Here is a quick lesson on how to use coupons for those who are not as savvy: http://tinyurl.com/25fzbc9 .

Do you regularly get a lot of items for free by taking advantage of rebates? Share your secrets! If you don't know how to rebate, here's a quick rundown: http://tinyurl.com/5uoyn7 . Don't forget about drugstore rebates. If you live near a CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreen's, you can get most of your toiletries for free. If you're not familiar with how the different programs work, here are some links that break it down pretty well: CVS: http://tinyurl.com/22tsoa9 Rite-Aid: http://tinyurl.com/2dld8wf Walgreen's: http://tinyurl.com/24lcu4v .

Is your thumb a vibrant shade of green? Why not help an agriculturally-challenged neighbor to plant and maintain a few tomatoes or a zucchini plant? Start small so you don't overwhelm the fledgling gardener.

Do you have Little House on the Prairie-type skills? Help a friend learn to make jam, bread or yogurt, or learn how to can or dehydrate produce. Then they can take advantage of those great supermarket produce markdowns, or their own garden surplus if they are talented in that area.

Are you a Knit-wit or Stitch-witch? Pass those sewing and needlework skills on! Making useful items from old clothing or altering cheap yard-sale or thrift store finds can be a valuable skill.

If each of us taught only one other person a skill that would help them to save money and improve their life, what a difference it could make!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this idea. We all have some knowledge we can share. And who doesn't love to learn a new trick!

Anonymous said...

Even to help someone with any of these ideas would be good also. Sometimes two heads together will get more done. Creative things come when you work together.

zengirl @heart and mind said...

Betsy,

These are some great suggestions to help others. Thank you for mentioning my article ! We can sure give and receive help from others any time.

Betsy Bargain said...

Anon 1 and 2, thanks for reading. Anon 2, you make a good point about maybe not learning an entirely new skill, but maybe just some better ways of doing things you already know how to do.

Betsy Bargain said...

Zengirl,

Thanks for continuing to read my blog, and occasionally providing inspiration for my posts ;)!

Anonymous said...

Very good ideas also enjoyed Zen girls blog

Betsy Bargain said...

Thanks for reading, Anon, I'm glad you found some useful ideas. I'm glad you discovered Zengirl's blog through me. She has a lot of excellent posts.