Pinching Pennies

Frugality may be termed the daughter of Prudence, the sister of Temperance, and the parent of Liberty. ~Samuel Johnson

We have been to three seasonal consignment sales. Two were on the 11th and one was on the 18th of this month. It is getting increasingly difficult to find the modest, tea length dresses and other clothing that both the Princess and I prefer. What is in style for her size is short skirts, short shorts, and rather sparse tops, like tank tops and spaghetti strings over the shoulder.

Then there is the commercialism to filter out also. It seems that my daughter sizes have been promoted to add pop stars along with Hello Kitty, which is one I don't mind so much, and Disney Princesses, which I tolerate in limited number. A neighboring shopper giggled as I sighed, "If I see one more piece of clothing with Hannah Montana on it, I think I will scream!" Why do so many people pay extra money to advertise someone else on brand new clothes is really beyond me, but then I am not impressed with such things even at bargain prices just for playwear either.

It has come down to when I see a dress that is the kind we like in larger sizes, although it will not fit her now, I still grab it up. I also look in boys for Bermuda length shorts, which are so few and far between in both boys and girls; boys, because they wear them out with rough play and look too boyish, and girls, because they are not the "in" style.

The Princess needs to try on all the clothes we have gotten so far and go through her clothes to identify the ones she has out grown. Anything too small, even the ones just purchased—at least one pair of jeans were too short that we just got—will be prepared and listed to sell in another upcoming sale in April. This one is rather picky, which is hard for the seller as they have special lights in their gymnasium that pick up spots one cannot even see in bright sunlight. It is, however, great for the buyers and I will be shopping there also.

We also had extra time on Thursday so we stopped in at a Goodwill Store on our way to piano lessons. With the most expensive books being hardback adult books at $2.50 we walked out with some good finds under $2O in total, including one on horseback riding and The Way Things Work by David Macaulay.

Today, while shopping for some clothing necessities for work since they changed dress codes, my husband spotted some white shoes at 50% off for the Princess, plus we have a 15% off coupon, so tomorrow after church we will be going to Kohl's and then she should be set for her upcoming piano recital in a few weeks.

~ My Lord, thank you for the blessing of being frugal because it is a verification of Your promise that You will provide all we need regardless of what we have. ~