Write a Letter
One of my daughters had a penpal in Europe who used to send letters in lovely envelopes she'd folded out of pages from a magazine. The girl said she'd gotten the idea when she'd been traveling with a friend, and needed an envelope to mail a letter back home, but the stationary shop was charging too much, in her opinion. These envelopes were even more special to us because she was from Germany, so of course, the magazines were in German, too. It was an additional slice of life in a place far and away from here. Magazines, catalogs, sales fliers, papers from junk mail- all can be used again and it doesn't take any time. There are a number of different types of envelopes you can fold yourself here.
How much money does this save? I don't know- probably not more than a penny at the most. But it doesn't take much time, and it is a quiet statement about frugality, about reusing, about the throw-away culture in which too many of us live and move and have our being. It also helps develop those creative frugal muscles, in my opinion, every small act of frugality is a micro-message to yourself and to those who see you take it. YOu can also include folding your own envelopes in the handicrafts you teach your children, passing along a bit of the can-do spirit at the same time you pass along the small skill.
You don't have to have a separate page for the envelope. One summer when our oldest daughter was away nannying for the summer, I wrote her a few times a week and used the paper I wrote on for the envelope. You write on one side, and then fold it like this to form the envelope. I will say that letters I mailed her this way seemed to take a day or two longer to arrive than letters mailed in a conventional envelope- I suspect because the missing corners required hand sorting, but I am not sure.
Another way I like o save money on letter writing is to send postcards instead of letters- and my favorite postcard to send is for Christmas. I save old Christmas cards, tearing off the side that's written on, and keeping the front, which has the cute picture on one side and is blank on the back. I use the blank back to write my short message and address, drawing a line down the center like a pre-made postcard has, and address as usual. Postcards require less postage than letters in envelopes. This saves lots of money, both on postage and cards, is 'green,' and it can be fun to look through your stash of saved Christmas card fronts to choose individual cards for each person on your list rather than sending everybody the exact card.
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13 Responses to “Write a Letter”
September 5th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
i love the Christmas postcard idea!
September 6th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Both ideas are excellent. I am going to pass the postcard idea on to my mom. She’ll love it.
September 6th, 2008 at 9:12 am
You’re right on. Couldn’t have said it better myself. -Pete
September 6th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
My cupboard is always full of such stuff and i think this can be the best use of those surplus papers. Thanks for sharing such a nice tip to spread our culture and of course to save a little money.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Good tip. I need to be more frugal with this harsh economy.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I’m always running out of post cards at Christmas, so thanks for the great tip.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Good idea with the envelope. Not only does it save money but it is another creative way to say you care. Thanks for sharing.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Believe me, My wife is already expert at it and she has been doing it for many years. She is so smart and wonderful that I can’t express. When I read this entry,I let her read as well and she is happy that other people on this planet are going to do the same.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Postcards seriously cost less to mail where you are? Lucky you. It’s the same as a letter here in Canada.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:06 am
Wow! That is a great idea with the envelopes! I am actually also living in Germany, and have many friends in the US that would probably love to have an envelope made out of a german magazine! That is also a neat craft idea, and teaches a lot to kids by setting a good example of reuse.
Cheers!
September 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I have done this with large magazine pages. They do make beautiful pages. Also I have an envelope that I have kept as a template. I unfolded it and then I lay it on the paper and trace it. Next I mark where I need to make the folds. They come out beautiful. Thanks for reminding me of this. It has been a while since I’ve made one.
September 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
What a wonderful post! I’ve never heard of creating envelopes from magazines or even the letter itself. We sometimes receive a shoe box full of chocolates from one of my husband’s old clients in Germany and we are always more interested in the papers he uses inside for packing!
Any suggestions on how to reuse/ recycle birthday cards? Thanks!
September 20th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Great tip! I have a friend who always sends her letters in envelopes made from fashion magazine pages. Tres chic & tres cheap!!!
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