Start going through your belongings and begin deciding which things you are no longer using or wearing.  Get a few boxes and put price stickers on your things you are not keeping, or begin listing them on Craig’s list or eBay.  If you have clothing, call a few clothing consignment stores and see if your cast offs can turn into cash.  If you don’t sell it on eBay or Craig’s list, and consignment shops aren’t interested, then set it aside for a garage or yard sale.

Review your calendar for May, and budget how much you will be spending for each gifting occasion.  If you normally purchase a Christmas present for those same people, plan on purchasing the Christmas gift at the same time.  Remember to record the purchase in your book.

            Spring brings out the restlessness in everyone.  We want to do or buy something new.  We also get into the mood for a get away.  It is really hard to do this when on a budget and during a time when we are trying to save money and avoid using a credit card.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be adding some vacation and date ideas that you can fit into most budgets.  If you have children, often the most expensive part of date night is child care.  Find a few other couples with children in the same age range as your kids.  Then, start a child care sharing group.  You will watch their children for one evening or a specified time, and in exchange, they will watch your children.  You can drop the children off at their home and pick them up after the date, or invite the other couple into your home to watch you kids there.  That way, you don’t have to end your date by putting tired kids to bed, since the other mom/couple has already done that for you.  When you or your spouse watch their children, offer to do it in their home.  After their kids are in bed, you and your spouse can watch one of their movies or listen to their music… and snuggle on their couch… It gives you a bit of a date just because it is someplace new and different.

Spend a hour cleaning out the “junk drawer”.  We all have one, that one drawer in the desk or kitchen that is a catch-all for all the stuff we gotta have, but hardly ever use.  Go ahead and throw out everything you haven’t used in 6 months.  Find homes for as many items as possible.  Try to get the drawer mostly empty, then fill the new space with those little items you actually do use every few days or every so often.  If you have less junk to go through, you won’t give up and go buy  replacement.  You’ll find it fast in a clean junk drawer.

While you are hunting through your closets for a “new” Easter outfit for each family member, pull out all clothing that is not being worn.  Pay special attention to winter clothing that the kids have that won’t fit next year, and those items you have that don’t fit any more.  Put them aside to sell at a yard or garage sale, take them to a consignment shop, or list them on e-Bay.  Put any money you get from these items in your tin.