Happy Friday: What Saving Money Allows Me To Do…

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Birthday Bags

Sent from reader, Michelle:

Hi Collin! I just wanted to send a quick note letting you know that I love to look at all the deals you post each day, and sometimes help pass some along as well. I also wanted to let you know about a couple of projects I have started or been a part of lately, and that those are made possible by the deals that I find on your site. I was able to be a part of a group that made “Birthday Bags” for families to pick up for their children at our local food bank. I had enough toys and goodies in my “gift closet” to make half of the bags donated myself! This idea got me thinking and I decided to make “Birthday Bags” for our local county home. I had donated some items at Christmas time, however the director at the county home said, “Everyone thinks of us at Christmas, it is the rest of the year that the residents are forgotten”.

Happy Friday

So with help from Hip2save and other deals I have found, I will be making bags for each of the residents for their birthday. I had 8 to do this month because I am catching up from the beginning of the year. Not every item I included was one that was free or on sale, however with all of my “everyday” savings, I could afford to spend a little extra on some items. I know this site is great about saving everyone money, but to me it is also what that savings allows me to do. I want to keep on saving so my family can be blessed, and that I can afford to bless others as well…


HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Join The Discussion

Comments 88

  1. Mama

    Michelle, you are an inspiration. An angel. This world needs more of you. Thanks for sharing your beauty, with them and with us.

  2. Rosi

    Such an inspiring story! Ty 4 sharing & reminding us that we should pay it forward. May u b blessed tenfold.

  3. jessica

    Awesome kindness

  4. Stella

    What a wonderful story! Awesome.

  5. connie

    It is the best feeling in the world to be able to give to others. I try to teach my kids the same.

  6. LindaK

    I’ve been filling up 10 cartons for Meals on Wheels and I can’t tell you how much Hip2Save has helped with that! Great idea about the birthday bags!

  7. Carmen

    That is so awesome and so inspiring!!! I can’t even imagine how happy you make each person feel on their birthday. You’re a very special person.

  8. Luv

    So how do you know what items to get them, do you go in ahead of time to ask what they née dorkier do normal necessities?

    • Michelle

      Yes I had the director send me a list of each persons name and a list of items they would like. He even noted those with special dietary needs. Keep in mind this is the county home so they have residents of every age. This is also a smaller facility only around 30 residents so I can “splurge” and make larger bags. If you were trying to do this at say a nursing home of 200 residents I would suggest making it a “friends & family” project😄

  9. Brandy

    It never ceases to amaze me the thoughtfulness of the people that run Hip2Save and all of the readers. I’m proud to say I follow such a wonderful group of people!!! Keep up the good work everyone!!! Awesome job Michelle 👍😊

  10. Karen

    I’m a nurse that “slaves” for them. I’ve worked in many different capacities as a nurse, my nursing home & assisted living jobs came with many challenges & a lot of rewards. While in nursing school I enjoyed the nursery with all the beautiful newborns that brought such happiness. I thought for sure that is where I wanted to work. Then I worked with seniors and knew it was where I belonged. There is a special joy that comes from learning of ones history, life stories & experiences. I’m honored to work with my residents. It is just as important to be at the beginning of someone’s life as it is to be blessed to be with them as their journey in life ends. Hopefully I’ve brought a smile, nice thought or memory and made them feel wanted & important. Even with my most challenging patients I try to make them feel like they’re the center of my world for whatever time I am with them. That’s my own “birthday bag” to myself.

    • Shelby

      This was one of the most beautiful posts to a beautiful post that I’ve ever read. That you think of your kindness as a gift for yourself makes me want to have the world’s biggest bake sale and buy you a country. Love you sister!

  11. Sara Mason

    This is inspiring. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” That’s you! Thank you so much for sharing. Way to go, mama! 🙂

  12. ☘Biscotti🌻

    Beautiful post. 🙏 . My little girl will be one next month and I want to do something similar to this rather than spending money on a big party. I don’t know how to go about it though. Any ideas are welcome. Thank you.😊

  13. Linda

    I love this. Thank you for sharing your blessings.

  14. Lyubov

    How thoughtful and sweet!

  15. Melissa

    God Bless you and your family what an amazing person. If we all could be more like you😌

  16. Elisa

    Amazing!

  17. AmyH

    What a great idea!! How nice of you to do this!! I’m sure they love receiving the bags!! Kudos to you! 🙂

  18. Steph

    Every month I box up all the extra deals I get for free or very little out of pocket and give them to the county food pantry in our area. They are so very appreciative and it does feel good to help others. Plus I really do not need 20 bottles of shampoo or body wash just sitting around. Let someone use it who really needs help. Nice post Collin/Michelle

  19. Kali

    I like the idea very much . Last year when my son turned 2, instead of spending money on a party , we opened a small fund page , including us, everyone of my friends donated money. We used the fund money to provide tution fees for 4 kids in India .

  20. Jeanne

    So awesome! What a blessing!

  21. Happymama

    So inspiring! Keep these posts coming please! With all the negativity in the world and on the internet, posts like this are me fave! Thank you!

  22. Melissa H.

    Michelle, you are an amazing woman with a heart of gold. The world needs many more people just like you. I am sure that you brighten each and every one of the “birthday” recipients day! My grandmother had to go into a nursing home for the last month of her life and what we witnessed in the home is unforgettable. My parents made it a point to make sure to go there every day, to spend time with my grandma, and to make sure that she didn’t feel like she was all alone (she didn’t really understand because she was in the final stages of alzheimers ). What broke our hearts was that most of the time we were the only family there, none of the other residents had visitors. The director told us that most of the time this was how it was, people placed their loved one in the home and pretty much abandoned them. They would have visitors on Christmas and other holidays, but the rest of the time they were too busy (just like how people only go to church for Christmas and Easter)! Anyways, after my grandma passed away, my parents made a point to go up to the home and visit with all the lonely people, being their “family” at least a couple times a week. This little selfless action meant the world to these people, just like I am sure the people you give these bags to does the same for them! You are a beautiful person and you are making God smile and proud. Thank you for being there for all the people you help. May God bless you and your family. ❤👍😉

  23. Lisha

    God bless you, Michelle

  24. Mary

    You are awesome Michelle! =)

  25. Cheryl W.

    This is wonderful…I am going to look into starting this with our Women Ministry at our church…Spread the word of Good Deeds and you never know who may being reading and partake. Thank you Michelle for sharing and Collin for posting!

  26. Heather C

    God bless you & thank you for the wonderful idea 😍

  27. Sue

    Michelle that is really nice of you to do this.

  28. Tracy

    Great idea! So many people will be blessed by your generosity.

  29. thehenrydthoreau

    There are people who have sent photos of cart loads of donations to the Hip2save team that are never published here. I am talking $10k plus multiple donations. They quietly continue on without attention. Love the site for years but starting to question things lately.

  30. Abby H

    Thank you for the encouragement I appreciate it. Great motivation and reminder of blessing others

  31. Michelle

    Touches my heart in such a warm way! I to have only thought of needy children and seniors during Christmas. You have inspired me to do this also. Thank you for reminding me of how the little things throughout the year is so important. 😀

  32. Bunny

    Some people are not allowed to post their opinion.

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