Money Saving Monday–Saving Cardboard Items

Sorry for no post last week – it was SPRINGBREAK!  Well, at least that was what the calendar said.  Here in NY, that meant snow and ice with a short bit of nice, sunny weather in the middle.

This week, I was thinking about the décor I would like to have next year.  I have been using the Dots on Black Pattern this year and I have been liking it, but might change it up for something lighter next year. For the previous two years, I used Dots on Turquoise and loved that even more!  At any rate, as my décor changes I find that some of my classroom items no longer match and I just don’t want to spend my budget or my own money on replacing perfectly good things that just don’t match my momentary décor choices. 

Spray paint is the answer!  I am astounded at how many colors Lowes, Walmart, and Home Depot carry!  I spray paint my cardboard organizers almost every year to match my décor.  The other important thing is that the spray paint can totally transform cardboard quickly!

A great example is my cardboard mailbox unit that I bought (myself) for my classroom 13 years ago!!!  Yes, 13 years ago.  It started out blue and faded in spots after a year of use.  Since then it has been painted black, red, sky blue, and now teal.  Not only does it look brand new, but the coats of paint have protected the cardboard that can easily become shabby after a year in an elementary classroom.  One of my good friends replaces her mailboxes every year – a significant use of our small budgets.  I snag her cast offs and paint them to match, creating all sorts of organized goodness!

Next time you think of throwing something away – especially cardboard organizers – try applying some spray paint and see how beautiful it looks!

Money Saving Monday–Professional Development

If you are like me, you are a professional development addict!  I love to learn new things – especially when they are taught by other professionals practicing in the field.  Plus, at least where I am, professional development counts in your professional review.  Unfortunately, if your district does not offer staff development opportunities or you are looking for something beyond what your school does, you are going to pay big bucks for it. 

I have found 2 really good sources for free professional development resources.  The first is for professional reading. Stenhouse Publishers offers free previews of new texts that are being published.  This is a fantastic way to preview a professional resources, get some great ideas, and decide if you would like to own it – goodness knows I usually end up buying the book because I enjoy a good-old paper version that I can sticky note and highlight to my heart's content.  You just need to join the site to access the previews of the books.  Click on any book available and you will at least see a chapter, but many have the full text.

The second is edweb.net.  This site offers free webinars to educators. Once you are signed up, you can register to “attend” a webinar that is scheduled or you can review webinars that have already been presented.  After a short quiz, you can print out a certificate that indicates you have attended a 1 hour session.  Love putting these in my PD binder and learning some new things!  Check out the calendar on the website to see the upcoming webinars!

 

Check out these great resources for some professional resources and development!

Monday Saving Monday

Hello folks! I’m back for another Money Saving Monday!  Where I am, it is almost time to order supplies.  I used to dread ordering supplies because it was hours of looking for items and filling out forms. You wait months to get your supplies and then realize half of what you ordered is not needed or was not worth the expense.  With such tight budgets, it is important we get the most for our supply money and spend wisely. 

The last few years, I have put a bright piece of paper in my planning binder.  As I run out of a supply that I can order or find something that I need, I write it on the paper.  When it comes time to do my order, I have a ready list of the things I really need.  This helps to make sure that I am choosing items that I need and prevents hours of trying to figure out what to order.

Here are some things to keep track of:

• construction paper
• paint
• markers/colored pencils/crayons
• tape
• glue
• post-it notes
• pens/pencils
• lined paper
• folders
• notebooks
• binders
• birthday celebration supplies
• stickers and rewards
• Expo/permanent markers

This has made a hectic time of year soooo much easier!  And the nice part is that it takes so little time and is ready for the next year!

What else would you add to the list?

Money Saving Monday

Hello folks! I used to do a feature called “Money Saving Mondays” and, since I have not been posting regularly, it kind of fell through the cracks.  I thought I would resurrect it because it is always nice to keep a little more in our pockets!

Today I wanted to talk about classroom supplies.  You know, all those things you have to run out and pick up so you can pull off the perfect lesson or supplement an activity.  For the last few years, I have been keeping a page of labels in my planning binder.  Whenever I think of something that I need to run out and buy, I write it on a label.  In the fall I put the labels on cute little papers or die cuts for parents to pick up at Meet and Greet, Open House, Conferences, etc.  This saves tons of time and lets parents help out when and where they are able to. 

Here are some of the things I ask for:

• large, plain paper plates
• small, plain paper plates
• paper towels (the real ones!)
• cleaning wipes
• scotch tape
• lined paper
• reuse-it hooks – best invention ever!
• roll of packing tape
• tissue paper

The response has been amazing!  And the nice part is that it takes so little time and is ready for the next year!

What else would you add to the list?

Money Saving Monday - Teacher Style

It has been ages since I have done a Money Saving Monday!  I haven't been too inspired in terms of classroom things lately, but it struck me that I have been saving money on my clothes that I wear to work.  I LOVE clothes!  I have Pinterest Boards dedicated to outfits, I stalk blogs on fashion, and I love watching lookbook YouTube videos.

However, I am also into saving money.  While I love JCrew and Banana Republic, the reality is, I just can't afford to collect items from those stores.  It is a conundrum.  We are supposed to dress like professionals, but we really don't get paid enough to dress as such.  I am a firm believe in dressing professionally everyday, except maybe on Fridays.

My solution is...Thredup!  Have you heard of it?  I am a big thrift store shopper and this is a fabulous modern version of one.  It is totally online and carries brand name clothes for a fraction of the price!  I have been picking up JCrew and BP like crazy!  It has given me the motivation to revamp my wardrobe (along with the new opportunities that may arise...) with more quality pieces - say good buy to *most* of my Forever 21 finds!

Here is what I picked up before Christmas:


The polka dot skirt is JCrew and was less than $10!  The first shirt is BR and $17, the cardigan is Zara and was $21, and the olive wool skirt is JCrew and was $12.  Gold is my school color, BTW.  I got a great discount for being a new member and caught the bug!  All of the items were beautiful - even better than they looked on the site.  I am so in love with all of them - I have been lusting after the polka dot skirt forever and finally got rid of the Forever 21 version that never really fit.

Well, since then, I have been stalking the site fairly often and found that I can get even better deals.  I just placed an order yesterday.  I am cringing and feeling lots of shame because I had vowed to not buy any clothes this year.  However, the first order included a bag to send items to them that will earn you money and that makes me feel a little better.  Here is my second (cringing) purchase:

I will rationalize this purchase by telling you that I spent around $125! That beautiful blazer is JCrew and was $7!!! I am telling you that the clearance section is your friend.  Anything in clearance in non-returnable, but anything else can be returned.  You can even choose items that are new with tag in your search choices. I am not sure if there is much of style thing evolving here, but I am loving pencil skirts and flowy tops to wear with slim-fitting pants.

The only things I do not like is that, even though the search function is fabulous, if you are searching by color the site is less reliable.  I also dislike that the discounts they put out are usually only for new members. Finally, I think the sizing of some of the pictures is bad.  It is hard to tell how pants would fit because they all look squatty and wide - more like wide-leg cropped pants.

If you are looking for some new pieces for your professional (or casual) wardrobe, check out ThredUp!  I am not sponsored by them, but the referral link below will will give both of us a $10 to spend! There is free shipping when you spend over $50.

Check it out and you will be as addicted as I am.  Let me know if I should take some pictures of outfits when the items arrive (or if taking pictures of outfits would be intresting in general). I am off to do something other than shop!

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Money Saving Monday #2

Ugh – a day late!  Sorry about that!  I have been fighting a stomach bug that’s supposed to last 24 hours, but I am on my second day of not feeling so hot.

Today’s topic…Books!

Last week I talked about the importance of using your local public library to find books for use in the classroom.  I know that we just have to have our own books too…we can’t resist.  So, if you need to add to your collection, update your library, or just begin one, here are some ideas:

1. Library Sales

Check out the local library sales – especially if they have a dollar a bag sale.  My library does and I always score a ton of great deals.  It’s sad, but the library discards are rarely picked up in the classroom.  There’s a reason they were discarded.  Try to find books that have been donated to bring back to you classroom.  Plus, your donation supports the library.

2. Yard/Garage Sales

I’m always stunned when people sell children’s book for a quarter at sales.  They paid many times that!  Pick up some gently used books by planning to spend a few dollars over the summer.  A budget of $20 will net you 80 books if you can find them for 25 cents. I also can’t believe how many times people just tell me to have things for free or a big discount when I sheepishly tell them I’m a teacher and that’s why I’m buying out their book collection!

3. Ask Parents for Unused Books

Parents sometimes love to get rid of books, especially at the end of the year when their children are interested in more challenging books.  Make a little announcement as part of your open house spheal or put a little blurb in your newsletter. 

4. Use Scholastic

Scholastic is a great way to get cheap books.  You can use bonus points or receive reward coupons for parents ordering online.  I also really like their wish list function.  If parents are aware of it, they will sometimes buy an extra book for the classroom.  Be sure to put some choices on your wish list.

5. Thrift Shops

I love ‘em!  I do!  There are some beautiful thrift stores in my area and, though they are a little more expensive than garage sales, there is often a much bigger selection of books.  I have a great one nearby that alphabetizes their chapter books by author.  I can easily grab a few from a popular series. Plus, Goodwill has discounts for college students on Tuesdays and I qualify now!

6. The Teacher Discard Pile

You know, that pile that builds up somewhere in your building of all the unwanted stuff!  I can’t tell you how many times I have scored some pretty awesome books from that pile.  Especially books for my leveled library.  Teachers in my build(s) tend to get rid of multiple copies and books from old reading series.  They are perfect to put a level sticker on and tuck into books boxes. Don’t be afraid of the pile!  But don’t take too much from it either!

Are there any other sources for inexpensive books?

Money Saving Monday #1

I don’t know about you, but I know my budget for next year has been cut drastically.  In fact, I have the lowest supply budget I have ever had – EVER.  For some reason, that makes it impossible for me to choose what to buy for my kiddos next year.  I thought it might be appropriate to have a money saving series, because I have a feeling we will continue to spend increasing amount of money on our classroom so our little ones can have an awesome time learning.

So, today’s tip is use your public library!

(Is this not the coolest library? It’s really not mine, it’s Kansas City Public Library.)

I know that we all love buying books to use in our teaching.  With standards changing and, if you are changing units or topics, You many have your eyes on some new lovelies.  If there is anything I learned the past couple years, with all the changing grades and moving, is that we collect waaaaay too many books.  I love a full library too, but when I can’t actually find the ones I am looking for in my collection it becomes an issue. Do we really need to OWN so many books?

The answer is, probably not! (I know, I love those full shelves!)

A great alternative is to use your public library to find books for your classroom.  Here are a couple tips:

1. Find out how your public library works.
In my region the libraries of 4 counties are all linked.  I can search for a book or a theme on the website and order the books from any of the libraries.  They show up at my closest library for me to tote off to school.


2. Make a list of books or topics you are looking for.
If you are anything like me, I find all these great books and then forget about them before I can track them down.  I started writing my titles or topics right in my week’s plans to search for..It also helps if you are able to order books because you can do it in advance.  Additionally, many librarians are willing to do the searching for you if you just give them a topic!

3. Have a dedicated area in you classroom to keep library books.
My kiddos are so excited when I introduce new books.  The grab them as soon as they can and sometimes I lose track of them.  Decide on your rules and have a place to keep the books.  I had a basket in my  classroom last year and the kids had to put the books back right away.


4. Watch those due dates!
I swear I could fund my own library at this point.  My tip – especially if you have books with different due dates, is to use sticky notes on or inside the cover with the due dates.   I try to return them on the way home since the library is literally around the corner.  (My goal is to bike or walk there this summer.  I’m talking a country around the corner, so I think it is like 3 miles each way. And I need a bike…)I can also renew online at my library.


5. Have a library bag. 
I have a tote bag to store my books in the car.  As I get the books from the library, I put them in my bag and take it into school.  I put the bag in my car after I empty it and add books as I finish them.  That way, I always have a place for books to return and they are conveniently in my car.

6. Check out the online books.
My library system has a growing collection of books online.  I was able to download a Magic Tree House for the class to listen to, rather than having them hear my boring old voice that they tune out…I mean listen to…all day long.  We also have kindle and e-reader books to put up on the Promethean/Smart Board and they are immediately available!


So, the public library is FREEEEEE people!  Use it – that’s what it’s there for! 
Any other library tips?