Stamp Out Hunger

Editor's Note: The following post is written by frugal friend and guest blogger Susan.

I have always been a frugal gal but things have gotten a little out of hand lately. Between this Northern Cheapskate and Freebies4Mom I have been racking up coupons and free items like I never have before! I have used coupons to purchase things I normally don’t use under the guise of “Oh, I’ll try it now that it’s free or almost free." I also can’t seem to get away from that Mid-Western voice in my head that says “It’s free! It’s un-American to turn it down!”

The end result is that I have all sorts of stuff I am not going to use AND I am short on cabinet space. What’s a frugal-ite to do?

The answer came in the mail today. I got a postcard from my postal carrier about their Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Details can be found at http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/.

The short story is that if you put non-perishable things in a plastic bag in your mailbox on Saturday May 10th, your postal carrier will take it away for you and donate it to a local food pantry! They only ask that it not be expired (of course) and not be in glass (Messy trucks are bad for the Monday delivery). The web site also says that most, but not all, post offices participate and if you want to check to see if yours is call 1-800-ASK-USPS.

I know our local food banks take personal care items in addition to food so I am putting in my tube of Aquafresh along with my 3 boxes of Chocolate Honey Bunches of Oats.

Does this make up for the cost of stamps going up the next day? NO! But I now won’t feel so bad on my next trip to the store with a fist full of coupons for things I normally don’t buy. And hey, I didn’t waste any gas going to the food pantry.

Editor's Note: Susan's idea for all your extra freebies is a very good one! I know that my local food bank really appreciates the personal care items because it is difficult and expensive for them to obtain them. Food banks and shelters are a great place to donate items you've gotten for free or almost free - such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and deodorant. Don't forget to donate those extra free samples you get in the mail and unopened hotel shampoos and soaps.