Get Creative With Springtime Savings

Spring is definitely in the air. The temperature is rising, flowers are beginning to show their delightful and fanciful faces and that old familiar feeling of life arises and wakens the senses of people everywhere. There suddenly is a call to action and we know we cannot just sit around in our hibernative state any longer.  It does not have to cost a lot of money to enjoy, so here are some ideas that hopefully inspire and delight you and your family.

With spring comes creativity and what better way to get inspired than a visit to a local  craft store in Bonney Lake? Amazing deals on spicy apron patterns, sunny farmhouse themes and colorfully creative wall murals with tulips and butterflies can be found now through March 27 so hurry on in and catch some deals or preview ahead of time.

Speaking of aprons—these delightful little numbers are no longer for the housewives of the '40s and '50s.  Aprons have come back with a serious fervor and guess what? They can be fun, frivolous, sexy and yet still serve a purpose. Vintage aprons can be “newly” found at novelty shops but why pay more when you can make your own… in style.

To learn how to make an apron, check out www.tipnut.com, where there are over 50 patterns to choose from. Thrift stores around town have a hidden section: bedding. Hiding beyond the comforters, one can usually find fabrics on rolls or samples. Vintage prints and kitschy fabrics are abound and guess what—it costs nearly nothing to acquire.

Check out the following thrift store websites:  www.tacomagoodwill.com, (not just for Tacoma) www.salvationarmy.com, and More Pennies from Heaven in Enumclaw.

Once you and possibly all your family members have your test aprons on, why not make some tea? Okay, you don’t need an apron, but all I know was that I could not wait to watch the sun tea being made at my house when I was a kid. The best thing is, you don’t need sun, just some light and the fresh outdoors.

Basic ingredients for sun tea: 

To make sun tea, you need seven tea bags and a one gallon container. (Preferably glass, but a milk gallon jug will do.) Place the tea bags with the strings outside the container, fill with water and set outside. The magic begins when the tea starts to change colors and starts to look like a science experiment. I am sure there is a website but really... do you need one? Just have fun.

Tea is not the only thing that requires sun, the parks around town do too. With spring comes more light and outdoor activities, so why not take the family to one of many local parks or trails? Check out the  in Orting.

Enumclaw parks include Crystal Ponds Park, Nolte State Park at the Green River Gorge, Flaming Geyser State Park and Federation Forest State Park. More information on where to find local parks can be found on www.ci.bonney-lake.wa.us, www.ci.sumner.wa.us  and www.cityofenumclaw.net. If you do not have a picnic basket in your inventory, go to the same thrift store you found the fabric at for the apron and find one!

Last but not least: spring cleaning. This task does not need to be daunting, especially when there are tips and helpful hints everywhere online. For coupons, free samples and helpful household hints, check out these fabulous and trendy informational sites:  www.frugalgirls.com, www.frugaldad.com, www.frugalfamily.com andwww.savingslifestyle.com.

So, let’s embrace spring with open arms without having to open our wallets, break into Spring without getting broke and spend some free time with the family for free.