3 Ways to Save Money on Care Packages

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If you’ve been around the blog long, then you know that I love sending care packages to my long-distance loved ones.

I send them to my husband when he’s deployed, I send them to my niece and nephews for birthdays and holidays, and I send them to friends and family when I can’t be there to celebrate special events.

But if I’m being honest, they can get really expensive.

Its easy to spend $100+ on a single care package, especially when you are sending gifts. However, care packages don’t have to be expensive.

Here are 3 ways to save money on care packages:

How to save money on deployment care packages — *(That half-way mark feels so good!)*

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Buy After-Holiday Clearance Items

One of the easiest way to save money on care packages is to shop in the clearance section, especially after holidays.

It’s easy to find candy and snacks on sale after any of the holidays. Heff doesn’t mind eating a Reese’s peanut butter egg, Christmas tree, or heart at any time of the year!

And for some holidays, like Christmas and Father’s Day, you can find hygiene items on clearance. (That would be a good time to send a bath-themed care package!)

Make sure you check out those after-holiday sales for care package supplies!

How to save money on care packages. — *(This box from Pinterest cracks me up!)*

Snacks Variety Pack for Adults- Gift Basket Snack Box- Birthday Gifts for Men and Women- Food Sampler Care Package for School, College, Office, Kids, Teen, Boys, Girls, Adults- Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Easter- Chips Variety Pack 50 Ct Snack Mountain Care Package (25 Count) Cookies Chewy Granola Bar Candy Chips Popcorn Variety Gift Bundle Mix College Students Holiday Assortment Basket

Send Mini Care Package

Not every box you send has to be big and full to the brim.

I typically send a large flat-rate box from the USPS. However, the medium-size box still holds a fair amount of goodies and its made the same way, so you can still decorate it if you want to!

Or you don’t have to send a box at all. Many times, your long-distance loved ones are just excited to receive something from you and are glad that you are thinking about and missing them. Instead of sending a box, send a card or letter with some pictures. It would be just as, if not more, meaningful.

Sending something smaller is a great way to save money on care packages.

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Don’t Underestimate the Dollar Store

Since most of the care packages that I send are to a deployed service member, I keep in mind that he won’t be able to bring back a lot of stuff with him. A lot of times, it’s whatever he can fit in his rucksack that’s already stuffed with gear.

So, I try to send snacks and disposable items. Every now and then I’ll include a ‘bigger’ item like a new Hydroflask, t-shirt, book, video game, etc. but I try to limit it to small items.

I buy a lot of my care package supplies at Dollar Tree, 5 Below, Dollar General, Wal-Mart, and Big Lots. They usually have a good selection of snacks and fun items to send.