One way to save for items such as appliances is to buy gift cards. I am soon planning on replacing my dryer, and each month I am buying a gift card to go towards it. We buy all our appliances at Lowe's, so I am buying a $25-$50 card each month.
That way I am protected from spending that money on something else. If I was unsure of where I would buy an item, I would probably get a Visa gift card that could be used anywhere, or a prepaid card from my bank that has no activation fees.
Check your state laws first. In my state, Missouri, gift cards can not expire or be deducted from monthly. (In other states they can).
This is also a great way to save up for Christmas. You can either give the recipient the gift card, or spend it yourself on their gifts.
Store your gift cards in your safety deposit box so you don't loose them to theft or fire, or simply through being misplaced.
By mom-from-missouri from NW Missouri
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If you shop at Target or any other stores that have the promotional "get a gift card with purchase of this item", save your gift cards (someplace you won't forget or lose them, like I tend to do) until the amount builds enough for you to buy a big item - preferably around the holidays.
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