Witch On A Budget: A few tips to get what you need without breaking the bank

Life doesn't always give us everything, especially money. This can make things a little harder because everything costs money. I am a college student, so I completely understand how that feels. Occult shops can be extremely expensive, and as much as I love supporting my fellow pagans, some things I just cant do, like pay 7$ for 50 sticks of incense whereas I can get 40 sticks of the same scent for 1$. Here is a breakdown of places where you can cut down most of you spending organized by item.

Incense and Oils 

These are tricky. I have charts and charts and charts of incense and oil meanings and usages, because when you are on a budget you have to learn to substitute. Buying foreign incense is not a necessity. Walmart has several types of the basic incense and oils. If you don't like Walmart, you can check out your local flea market. There is a website called Listia where you can basically get things for free by selling things and doing certain things to get these credits. You buy stuff with these credits and most of the time, the shipping is free. You can also use things like ebay, but never go above your budget and always mind the shipping. Another thing is there are ways to make them by yourself, but you would still need the herbs. Sometimes it is easier to make, others to buy.

Candles

From personal experience, if you were to buy these online, buy them only from ebay, amazon, or the brand's online shop. Walmart has loads of candles and so do flea markets. Boutiques and small shops usually have absolutely amazing sales. Their products are normally really high, but when they go on sale the prices become incredible. Always look for sales. Be aware of your town/ city festivals. They have vendors who have really cheap, homemade candles that smell great. I am not skilled in the art but there are people who say it is cheaper to make a lot of your candle needs all at once, if you are talented in that aspect, go for it.

Stones

For beautiful stones, if you live near a lake or river, just go out there and you will find tons! You might find many in woods. If not, you will have to buy them. I Bought most of mine at these little town fairs alot of places have, or gift shops. Dirt/ sand/ even salt works great for earth too.

Herbs

If you do not have a nice greenhouse shop with really inexpensive products, I suggest you start a garden. It is the least expensive thing to do, though it takes a little more work.

Books

These cost a little bit more. If you have a kindle or a nook, you are a little bit better off  when it comes to buying these. However, if you are a person who likes the feel of flipping a page its a little different. Check out second hand stores before hitting the bookstore. Just because they are used, doesn't mean it will take away from its knowledge. Here again you can also use ebay or amazon. Next check the bookstores like Books A Million or Barnes and Nobles. They usually have fantastic deals. (Thank Goddess because I usually splurge in the journal section, I love collecting them.) Lastly, if you see a book in Occult shops that calls to you, that you haven't seen anywhere else and your wallet permits, go ahead and get it. 

Athame

This you will probably have to spend quite a bit on. SAVE UP. Don't just splurge money on this if it will keep you from paying your bills. You can get it in Occult shops or on ebay or etsy. 

Wand

Go walking through the woods one day, praying to find one , and you will. Invest in some sandpaper and shoe polish. If you have good wire, like the wire inside ribbons, and a good crystal, you can add that to the tip.

Last Thing

If you do not live near a lake, river, ocean, pond, stream, or any other living body of water, I suggest you invest in a water filtration system. It is cutting back on the amount of plastic you use and gives you cleaner water to make pure water or moon water with. 

This is just the tip of saving money as a Witch. Always check your finances and make sure you can afford to pay for it and your bills before buying anything.I hope this has brought you useful information to incorporate into your life. Blessed be.