Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: Time- and Money-Saving Postcard Printables

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

National Letter Writing Month Collage

Another National Letter Writing Month Challenge from our one and only Dollar Store Diva.  Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

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Hey! How’s it going with your letter-writing April? It’s hard to believe that the end of the month is only a few days away. I have been checking some names off my list, but I still have several friends and family members I hope to write before the calendar turns to May.

To help me, I created postcards for sending some love in the mail.

The beauty of postcards is that you can write a quick, warm note; but, in addition, the picture on the front can add an extra level of greeting.

For example:

PostCard-MapSource

I LOVE this Map Postcard I created for my family. I live in New York, but I have children, grandchildren, and sisters in Pennsylvania, Texas, Kansas, and Virginia. For me, the front of this card says so much. Obviously  I wrote more words on the back, but the map and text express the message of my heart

And then there’s this one:

Thinking of YouSource

There were people that I just wanted to send a smile to. As I wrote these Thinking of You cards, it was fun to visualize them opening their mailbox.

post cards

It’s easy to turn the printables into postcards.

1) Print the pdf file onto cardstock or heavy paper. 2) Trim the individual cards 3) Turn each card over  4) Draw an off-center line on the back.

The message will be written on the left side, and the stamp and address will be on the right side.

And don’t you think those little apple postcard stamps are as cute as anything?!

By the way – don’t have colored ink?  You could check with your local library to see how much they charge for colored copies.  Or print them in black and white – your recipient won’t mind!

*****

Okay one more thing – I have a confession to make: I don’t know what I’m doing.

Honest.

Check out this picture:

attachment-407237340

Just look at those hands. The first time those hands touched a keyboard it was a black manual typewriter, and my fingers got all inky each time I had to change the ribbon.

Here comes the part where I explain why I don’t know what I’m doing. If you look carefully at the picture, you will notice that is a MacBook Pro. Yup, I am now the proud owner of a Mac!

I was warned that there would be a learning curve.

A learning curve indeed.

So, after more hours than I want anyone to know, I finally created the postcard printables I have included in this post . The thing is–so sorry–I couldn’t get them to center properly.  So, I hope that you won’t think dark thoughts about me when you have to trim the postcards a bit, will you?

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And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of the month, we’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts.  So that means the more you get involved with National Letter Writing Month, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

  • Write someone a post card – using one of these printables or whatever your heart desires!
  • Then leave a comment below (click here if you’re reading this in an email) letting us know that you did.  (That’s it!)

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away.  But as always, the rest is all me!

 

 

 

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: A Little Twist to Stationery Printables

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

National Letter Writing Month Collage

Can you believe April is now halfway over?  The National Letter Writing Month Challenge is still going strong though – here’s another post from our one and only Dollar Store Diva.  Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

***

In my previous post, I  gave an idea for creating beautiful writing paper personalized with printed transparent labels.

Well, here’s a little twist to that idea: Instead of personalizing the inside of the note card, use printed transparent labels to seal the envelope.

Cute, huh?!

So-many-thanks-cards-056-640x480

 A friendly Hello! to seal the folded card

Folded-cards-finale-008-640x5021

I have created some Envelope Labels that can be printed on transparent address labels

Quick and Easy Steps:

1.) Print the envelope labels and let dry.  2.) Using the tutorial in my previous post, create your stationery  3) Write your letter inside  4.) Fold the paper in thirds (as shown in the video tutorial)  5.) Choose a happy greeting from the printed labels  6.) Seal your envelope

And there you have it!

****

Profound letter-writing advice in three words:

Best Writing Advice Ever Received

Lest you think that I’m encouraging you to make a long list of names and scribble off as many notes as you can to win some sort of a letter-writing prize, be assured that this is neither my personal goal nor my hopes for you.
My son-in-law Wes sent me the link to an article by Donald Miller called The Best Writing Advice I’ve Ever Received. Donald Miller is an author, and he was actually talking about writing for publication, but what he said is totally applicable to writing letters. When he summed up the best writing advice he had ever received, it included only three words: Love your reader.
Love your reader.
That’s what letter-writing is all about.
Garrison Keillor writes (as only he can): “Such a sweet gift–a piece of handmade writing, in an envelope that is not a bill, sitting in our friend’s path when she trudges home from a long day spent among wahoos and savages, a day our words will help repair. They don’t need to be immortal, just sincere.”
Love your reader. With just pen, paper, & a stamp.
*******

And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of the month, we’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts.  So that means the more you get involved with National Letter Writing Month, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away.  But as always, the rest is all me!

 

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: Free Stationery Printables

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

National Letter Writing Month Collage

Another National Letter Writing Month Challenge from our one and only Dollar Store Diva.  Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

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So, how about some easy-as-can-be handmade stationery?

If  you’re like me, you have p-l-e-n-t-y of scrapbooking paper in stock. Since I was a Creative Memories consultant for many years, you can be sure that I have a lovely supply available. I also keep an eagle eye open for paper sales in craft stores and dollar stores.

Isn’t this double-sided Creative Memories paper bee-eau-ti-ful?  (That’s my friend Sally’s link if you’d like to order some from her!)

Folded cards labeled 013 (640x480)

Last year I had a National Letter Writing Month blog Just Pen, Paper & a Stamp. I created a video clip for that blog showing a quick and easy way to use scrapbooking paper to create beautiful note cards that–yay–don’t need an envelope. And since the paper is double-sided, when the card is opened, there is a surprise inside: a happy new design!

As Easy as Can Be!

Here is a simple tutorial:

Folded cards labeled 032 (555x640)
Cut the paper in half.
Folded cards labeled 057 (640x473)
Fold it in “thirds” (notice the picture) and round the four corners with a corner rounder. And there you have it.
But, wait! That’s not all!
You can make all-occasion stationery!
I bought some clear address labels  and created a variety of greetings.
Folded cards labeled 034 (640x517)

You can add a personal touch to your stationery by using these Stationery Labels I created for you.

(A word of caution: it’s takes quite a while for the ink to dry after the labels have run through the printer.)

Folded cards labeled 043 (640x597)

If you keep a supply of these note cards on hand, when it’s time to write a birthday note, you can just slap on one of the Happy Birthday labels.

Or if your aunt has been sick, use one of the Get Well Soon labels and send her some love via the USPS.

Folded cards labeled 048 (573x640)

Oh, the possibilities are endless.

Folded cards labeled 061 (640x600)

Just waiting for an address.

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Sooo–if you haven’t done it yet–now is the time to make a list

In another Just Pen, Paper & a Stamp post, I gave suggestions for people my readers might want to write. Here are some of the ideas I shared:

Think outside the box; perhaps these will spark some ideas for you.

–Senior citizens who are sitting alone looking out their windows

–Those who are grieving a loss

–Someone who has faithfully provided a service for you

–your beautician

–a waitress at your favorite restaurant

–the woman who never loses your clothes at the dry cleaners

–a teacher who made learning calculus fun

–a pastor or Sunday School teacher who impacted your life

–a neighbor who used to make chocolate chip cookies for you when you were a child

–an aunt who faithfully sent you a birthday card when you were little with a crisp dollar bill enclosed

–a librarian who knew you loved Harry Potter and had the latest edition waiting for you

–the hospice worker who was so kind to your mother during her last days

–a childhood friend you haven’t had contact with since you watched The Brady Bunch together.

–someone who babysat you when you were young and didn’t berate you for crying when your mother left

–your grandchildren who bless you every time you’re with them

–your mail carrier who drops lovely letters in your mail box in rain, sleet, or gloom of night (OK, your bills too, but that’s not the mail carrier’s fault).

It’s time now to choose a name from your list, use a pen on this stationery, and add a stamp.

Yay! for National Letter Writing Month.

~~~~~~~~~~~

And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of the month, we’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts.  So that means the more you get involved with National Letter Writing Month, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

  • Start making a list of those you’d like to send a card to this month.

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away.  But as always, the rest is all me!

 

The Dollar Store Diva: National Letter Writing Month Prep, Printable + a Giveaway!

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

National Letter Writing Month Collage

In case you haven’t heard, the Dollar Store Diva is helping us celebrate National Letter Writing Month by actually writing letters!  Plus don’t miss the big GIVEAWAY announcement at the bottom of this post!

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Step #1–Decide to join in on the fun of the Cha-Ching on a Shoestring National Card and Letter Writing Month Challenge

Step #2–Get organized

Letter-Writing-Organization-017-525x587

Ready, set, go?

Hopefully your local Dollar Store will have some similar buckets and caddies like mine did.  I’ve also seen these in the Dollar Spot at Target.  If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find some cute stuff on clearance after Easter too!

You will not need both the caddy and the buckets, so here are the links and steps if you choose to organize with the buckets:

 This Dollar Store Diva post introduced my favorite just-about-for-anything paper flower decoration:

Letter-Writing Organization 017 (640x465) (143x163)

 [Paper flower Tutorial]

 It’s as simple as can be and so darn cute. For this project, I cut them from the wrapping paper and adhered one to each bucket with double-sided tape. I matted the labels with more wrapping paper and stuck them to the buckets with magnets. (Yes! Magnets do work on our cute little buckets.) I also cut a strip of wrapping paper, folded it lengthwise, and tied it to the wire handle.

[Pens, Cards, and Stamps printable]

The font I used for the labels is called Pea Tolman and I downloaded for free here.  In fact, I encourage you to visit this site; the free downloadable fonts are endless and ever so much fun!

I’ll be back tomorrow with tutorials and printables for the carry-all, decorated binder clips, check list, and quote.

***

And now for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

{Drumroll please…}

As an added incentive to encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post (click here to do so if you are reading in an email) and you will be entered.

At the end of the month, we’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts.  So that means the more you get involved with National Letter Writing Month, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

Click here to pin this post to Pinterest.

Then leave a comment below letting us know that you did.  (That’s it!)

*If you don’t have a Pinterest account, don’t worry.  There will be many more opportunities to enter!

Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away.  But as always, the rest is all me!

*Closed* Giveaway: $50 Target eGift Card from Swagbucks!

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

 

swagbucks

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet – the online search engine that earns you FREE stuff?

If not, I have two AWESOME reasons to do so TODAY.

1.  I have an exclusive code for new members!  Through April 5th, enter code 70CHACHING to start off with 70 Swag Bucks in addition to the 30 you normally get when you sign up here and complete your profile. (Just look for the text that reads “I have a sign up code” when you sign up here.)

2.  I am giving away a $50 Target eGift Card to one lucky Swagbucks subscriber!!

If you aren’t familiar with Swagbucks, it’s my all-time favorite way to earn FREE stuff.  I use the gift cards I’ve earned to help lower my Christmas spending, to pay for my Starbucks cravings and much more.

What I love about Swagbucks is that it’s so easy to earn.  We all search the web, right?  Why not earn free stuff for doing it?   Plus you can earn even more by watching Swag Bucks TV, playing games, signing up for special offers and more.

Once you’ve signed up, be sure to check out my Swagbucks tutorial to learn more about how to earn BIG!

I’m excited to share that one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader will win a $50 Target eGift Card! (One of the many rewards you can earn as a Swagbucks member.)

Target gift card

Here’s how to enter:

REQUIRED:

  • Sign up for Swagbucks.  Leave a comment on this post letting me know that you did.  If you are already a member, simply let me know in a comment.

You have up to three other optional methods of entry:

  • Subscribe to this site by e-mail or in a reader and leave a comment letting me know you subscribed.  If you are already a subscriber, simply let me know in a comment.
  • “Like” Cha-Ching on a Shoestring on facebook and leave a comment on this post letting me know.  If you are already a fan, simply let me know in a comment. (I love comments on the facebook page as well, but those will not count toward the giveaway!)

Note: Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to leave your comments.  (If you are reading this is an e-mail click here to do so.) By leaving a separate comment for each entry you will have a greater chance of winning!  E-mail responses will not be considered as an entry in the giveaway.

This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, April 5, 2013. I will randomly select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on this site.

Disclaimer: Swagbucks is providing the $50 Target e-gift card to give away.  But as always, the rest is all me!

 

*Closed* Giveaway: Staples Organization Kit (Valued at $65!)

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

arc system

If you are anything like me, Spring brings a renewed passion to organize your household and office space.  Whether my passion is renewed because of tax season or simply Spring Fever doesn’t matter.  Just give me the supplies and I’m ready to tackle any project.

And I love that Staples makes it easy to get organized!   Their expanded assortment of products helps me get my act together in a few easy steps.

  • Shed – purge unwanted files or papers and organize the documents in binders. The Internal Revenue Service recommends keeping important business records from three to seven years, depending on the documents.  Staples recently launched its Binder Recycling Program, which gives customers $2 off the purchase of a new binder for each binder they bring in to a Staples store to recycle.
  • Shred – protect your business and identity against fraud by shredding unneeded paperwork with sensitive information. For larger jobs, consider Staples Copy & Print, which offers confidential shredding at great prices.
  • Get Ahead – The New Year is also a good time to make sure electronic files are secure and protected. It’s critical for any small business owner to have the right organizational tools such as network storage devices to back up files especially as tax season gets started.


 binder_standing

Check out some of Staples’ top organizational products for staying organized all year:

Staples New BETTER® Binder with removable FileRings™ – the first of its kind binder features file rings that detach from the shell for easy filing in any standard filing cabinet.

Staples One-Touch™ Aero Stapler – Perfect for the consumer who has an eye for design and likes to personalize their desk supplies. The 20-sheet capacity Aero offers contemporary designs with a raised handle that makes stapling effortless.

M by Staples™ Arc Customizable Notebook System –This customizable notebook has repositionable sheets that can moved from one section to another making organization a breeze.

Relay Flash Drives – The easy and smart way to transfer files from one computer to another.

I’m excited to share that one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader will win a Staples Organization Kit – valued at $65!

Here’s how to enter:

You have up to three possible methods of entry:

  • Subscribe to this site by e-mail or in a reader and leave a comment letting me know you subscribed.  If you are already a subscriber, simply let me know in a comment.
  • “Like” Cha-Ching on a Shoestring on facebook and leave a comment on this post letting me know.  If you are already a fan, simply let me know in a comment. (I love comments on the facebook page as well, but those will not count toward the giveaway!)

Note: Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to leave your comments.  (If you are reading this is an e-mail click here to do so.) By leaving a separate comment for each entry you will have a greater chance of winning!  E-mail responses will not be considered as an entry in the giveaway.
This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, March 11, 2013. I will randomly select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on this site.

Disclaimer: Staples provided me with an organization kit and one to give away.  But as always, the rest is all me!