Planning ahead is the number one way to save money. I’ve preached this over and over whether I’m talking about freezing meals and “extra” groceries that you’ve managed to stockpile or buying clothes for your kids on clearance a size up so you will be ahead of the game next year.

This time around I’m talking Birthday Parties. My kids are at the age when they have begun to make friends. We have play group, gym class and soccer practice to meet and make friends. With friends come Birthday Parties. We are currently planning two parties of our own, one in June for Lilli and one in July for Brendan. We celebrate “Half Birthdays” by having parties with our friends since the kids’ actual birthdays are overshadowed by the Winter Holidays.

What does this have to do with saving money? Well apparently we aren’t the only ones having Birthday Parties this time of year…they are suddenly coming at us from every direction. When we go to a party I most certainly a) Don’t want to spend a lot of money and b) Don’t want to give a gift that is “junk” because of reason “a”… and I appreciate it when the parents coming to our parties do the same.

So where does this leave us? Lucky me, I planned ahead. Toys on clearance after Christmas… random deep discounted items on Amazon that I know the kids would like… I pick these up all year round as I see them. I have a space in my closet dedicated to “party gifts”. My Little Pony had a B1G1 coupon out this Spring so there are a couple of those in there. Playdough, puzzles, Yahtzee, Chutes and Ladders (travel edition), Tag books, Littlest Pet Shop, craft items and some baby toys are also waiting around in my closet for a good home. I bought a Busy Ball Popper to give Ryan on his first birthday back in January. He was only 4 months old when I bought it, but I got it for nearly 75% off.

My point is, I keep my eyes open and I plan ahead. I didn’t spend more than $5 on anything (except the ball popper…that was $7) in the “gift closet” and I spent the money over a period of time that made it not stressful to my budget. Now, when we get invitations to parties, my kids can “shop” at home… adding one more benefit to this crazy planning ahead thing: I don’t have to run out to find a present before the party! Now, if I only had some wrapping paper…