Clothing Exchange PartiesHere is a great way to help each other out with clothing, works for adult clothes too. Get your neighborhood, church or whatever together for a clothing exchange.
Mark Coupon Holder With Phone NumberIf you use a coupon holder when you shop, it is a good idea to put your phone number in it and a note saying: "If found, please call...". Last week I decided to do this because I have been so forgetful lately. To me, coupons are valuable since they help me save money.
Watch Store Receipts For ContestsLately I've been looking at my store receipts. Almost every time, I notice a website to go to to complete a satisfaction survey. You seem to either get coupons or a chance to win gift cards from the store.
My Frugal Life: One Income FamilyI have always been a penny pincher from day one. As a teenager growing up at home, I clipped coupons and took them shopping from time to time when mom went to the grocery store.
Frugal "Oprah's Favorite Things" Gift PackagesOne year I surprised colleagues with a bag of goodies that I claimed were my favorites of that year. Unfortunately, you can't always do like Oprah and give people thousands of dollars worth of products but there are definitely frugal ways around this.
Filling Containers FrugallyLike so many other gardeners, I lust after the magazine cover decks and porches pictured overflowing with color. But I've also priced out some of those containers at over $40 each, just to buy the annuals needed to fill them. And that can be ONE container.
Pull Your Coupons Off Products Before CheckoutDon't expect the cashiers at the check out to pull coupons off of products for you! Some do but some do not! I have been disappointed several times about this.
How Much Food Do You Toss?The Average American tosses $859 worth of food a year, how do you stack up?
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Fix It or Do WithoutI have a little money saver here. With the recent down turn with the economy, I now live by different rules. Use it up, wear it out, fix it or do without. I have never had new furniture and what I had, I got second hand when I got it and it was all busted down.
Bargaining 101Some people are comfortable bargaining, but others would rather stick with the number on the price tag. There's no need to fear bargaining; the worst that will happen is that a person will say "no deal."
Trade Unwanted Stuff With FriendsOne person's junk is the next person's treasure. The things you don't use around the house anymore and that wind up in a cupboard or garage, may make someone the happy owner of something they can really enjoy and/or use.
Unemployed People Receive 20% K-Mart SavingsAccording to K-mart's website if a person is unemployed they can get an additional 20% savings on their own brand merchandise. There are a few requirements: ID and proof of unemployment.
Selling Used VCRs?I have many VCRs with or without the DVD combo. They just need minor cleaning. What would be the best way to sell them? I hate that I just have them sitting around the house taking up space. Most all of them just need cleaning.
My Frugal Life: Learning From a Frugal MotherI remember as a child, my mother would save small soap pieces and put them it hot water and mush them up, making liquid soap. We would use it to wash our hands. There were other things she did, such as saving any food containers.
My Frugal Life: $20,000 Experiment in Happiness a FailureWe all seek joy and happiness. That seems to be the very purpose of our being. But in the U.S. especially, we continue to believe happiness comes from things we buy, whether it's a Porsche, an exotic trip, a fabulous haircut, or an upscale cup of cappuccino.
What You Should Be Doing Yourself (But Might Not Be)There are luxuries, but in bad economic times this isn't the time for luxuries. If you're looking to whittle down on your budget, be sure that you're not giving in to luxuries.
What You Shouldn't Try Yourself (But Maybe You Have)Chopping the budget is invigorating, especially when extra money can be seen as a result. However, sometimes it can get a bit too invigorating and lead to some over-pruning. Just like the shrub in your front yard, your budget may be more beautiful to look at if it's pruned regularly but over pruning could kill it.
Use Pipe for Towel BarsA great way to save $ on towel bars is to purchase a small piece of pipe of your choice (I happen to like the copper) at the hardware store. You can simply attach these with curtain rod hardware.
My Frugal Life: Saving Money and WaterI have lived a frugal life all my life. I am 1 of 11 children so we had to learn to save almost everything from food scraps to water saving. Now I have 4 children. Every summer, I place a bucket in the shower so we can still water my plants.
Use Netflix for DVDsThe thing that is saving me the most money is Netflix. It is $8.99 a month versus $4.99 a movie at rental places, and we were renting 2 per weekend.
Reuse Plastic Bags At TargetTarget deducts .05 off your total for every bag you bring in to bag your purchased items. I keep mine in my vehicle so they are always available.
Turn Boxes Inside Out for ShippingThe holidays are upon us, and you will no doubt want to send things to loved ones through the mail. Some of the best boxes to ship in are illegal to use: bleach, alcohol, paint, etc. So, here is how to use them if you need them.
Shop Early Morning for Mark DownsOne good way to save money at the grocery store without clipping coupons is to shop early in the morning. By getting to the store at 8 a.m. or so, you are able to take advantage of the mark downs. They do go fast.
Determining the Best Price on Toilet Paper?How do you determine the most economical price for toilet paper? Is it by the square feet on a roll, number of sheets on a roll, single or double ply, etc? I am wanting a formula I can use at the store, to determine if I'm getting a "bargain".
Make More Than You Need, Spend Less Than You EarnTen words are all you need to be a financial genius!
Gourmet "To Go" Coffee at HomeHere is a great tip for anyone who loves mocha flavored coffee at home for a fraction that you will pay at Starbucks.
Free Calendars on the InternetDon't forget the wealth of free for the asking calendars out there. Do a quick search for "free 2010 calenders snail mail".
Simple Tips For Frugal LivingWhen you are want to buy something extravagant, do this first. Take your yearly gross income, take off 25% for taxes. Take the net you make and divide by 2000 hours, the average a person works per year.
Using Fleece for Top SheetSince it has been so cold, I began using fleece for a top sheet. It is really warm and easy to wash. And my dogs love it too.
Stopping Drafts In Your HomeI bought a roll of thick plastic and cut it to fit over several windows of the house, and the house is much warmer. I just hung some string across on two nails, or screws and secured the plastic to the string with clothes pins.
Favorite Tips from ThriftyFunI enjoy this site and have shared it with others. My question is: What have been some of your favorite tips?
Add Bath Soap Slivers To New BarWhen your bar of bath soap is getting thin, instead of discarding it or watching the last pieces swirl down the drain, get a new bar and "glue" the old to the new. It's very easy. Just wet the new soap and then use just a little pressure to make the old soap stick.
This Year, Recycle Christmas (Update)A few months ago, I shared a tip, "This Year, Recycle Christmas". My family, all six kids, spouses, grandchildren and friends agreed, since many of them had had income setbacks this year. The idea was that nothing was to be bought new.
Don't Use Microwave to Melt CandlesI read a suggestion to melt the wax by putting the candle in the microwave. However, I found this was not a good idea. I put it in for only 10 seconds and a FIRE started! Luckily I stayed by the microwave to keep an eye on it.
Leave Printer Off Until NeededI found myself printing all kinds of information from websites thinking I'd use the information later. This caused so much chaos around my desk and on top of my dresser as my office is set up in my bedroom. I've found things I've printed and wondered why I printed them.
Robin's Thrifty Tips: Share With Your FriendsMy husband and I have always had to watch our money our whole married lives, and try to be as frugal as possible. When we had children at home, I had to get as creative as possible, at times, in order to feed and clothe everyone well.
Scent Lightbulbs When Expecting VisitorsWe all know when cleaning we want that fresh smell especially when people are coming over. I find to rub vanilla on the light bulbs and then turn on the stove just on low and sprinkle it with cinnamon. The smell with last for hours.
Cosmetics at Yard Sales and Thrift ShopsDon't overlook thrift shops or yard sales as sources of cosmetics or other beauty products. I found 2 new Lancome lipsticks and a variety of little Lancome eye shadows, brand new, in a basket in a thrift shop over the holidays!
Frugal Rule of Thumb: "Is is Necessary?"The best rule of thumb for a frugal life is to ask yourself. Is it nice or necessary? Most of the time one indulges themselves when purchasing something is not really necessary.
Frugal Patio Door CurtainI have been exploring ways to "Decorate on a Dime". I needed a patio door width curtain rod. I purchased a length of 1 1/2 inch bamboo from the garden center and some wooden brackets in natural wood color from a thrift store and I have a nice feng shui look.
Fabulous Winter SalesWhen the winter doldrums keep many inside, there is an encouraging reason to face winter head on-winter sales. Now is the perfect time to search for key items that are marked down for quick clearance.
Buy Better Quality DVD's Instead Of Blu-RayYou do not need to buy a Blu-Ray player. I was plagued by DVDs skipping and freezing. New ones, old ones, borrowed, burned, you name it, no matter which player I used.
My Frugal Life: Thank You, GlenitaI also was never taught to be frugal. I was only taught to work hard and anything on sale was something you didn't want, it was someone's throwaway. My family was always tight on money.
Add Sterile Water To SoapI keep reading about people adding water to their soap to be more frugal, but the problem is that when you add water to a bottle of soap, it breeds Pseudomona bacteria. If you want to keep from breeding germs in your soap. you will need to add sterile water to your soap.
Poor But Proud is on the Move, Again!I planned to spend a year in VA, but fate stepped in and changed the plan! I am flying back to Oregon on Wednesday, so I will be "home" before this is posted.
Bring Tea for the MallWhen going to the mall, I pack tea bags in my daughter's diaper bag. That way when passing through the food court, I ask at a fast-food restaurant if I could have a coffee cup with hot water in it.
My Frugal Life: Christmas AngelsThe first Christmas after my husband and I divorced looked as though it was going to be very hard. I had four children, two teenagers and two little ones aged four and three, and virtually no money for food or gifts.
My Frugal Life: Tips For SpringHappy Spring Everyone! Make dry erase boards of any size out of cardboard covered with clear wrapping tape. I have heart that white contact paper works too but I like to stick with the clear wrapping tape.
Save Change For The Grocery StoreI save my change, I am talking pennies mostly here, some quarters, etc. Where I shop, they have a coinstar thing. You pour the change into it and it gives you a receipt, which is basically the same as a coupon you give to the cashier at the time of purchase.
Extending the Life of Perfumed GelHere is a tip to increase the life of your perfumed gel. When it's just a thin dry skim around the top and bottom of the jar, add warmed up coconut oil. Shake, allow to cool and use as you did before.
My Frugal Life: Take Care of YourselvesThis post is about how frugal, caring women usually put themselves last. Everything is so expensive these days. If you have children, there are their needs to be met, school supplies, clothing, food, then there is the rent or mortgage, the never ending utility bills, and on and on.
My Frugal Life: Run Of Bad LuckWe have had an unbelievable amount of financial issues lately. This all happened in a matter of days. First our toilet seat broke off. The next day, our garage door opener broke so we couldn't get the cars out of the garage.
My Frugal Life: Separating Wants From NeedsWith the uncertain times we are all facing now it is even more important to save where we can. It is hard sometimes to tell myself to hold off on purchasing something I really want and distinguishing a want from a need; this is what I have come up with.
My Frugal Life: Stay Prepared For EverythingI was born in a large family. Our needs were met. We had a roof over our heads, food on the table. Beans, potatoes and cornbread one day, then potatoes and beans the next. Meat once during the week and once on Sunday.
Thrifty Mailbox PostMy husband and I love to take drives into the countryside. While we're driving around we also love to stop and take pictures. Recently, while we were out. I noticed this "thrifty" mailbox post and just had to get a picture of it to share.
Mark Your Purchases When Shopping With A GroupWhen you go shopping with other people, take return labels along. Stick one on your packages and at a glance you all know which package belongs to who. Saves time when you get home and are tired.
My Frugal Life: A Lifetime of LearningWhen my mom died, I was 8 and my sister was a newborn. No longer could my dad go away for work, so he quit his well paying job and moved us closer to his family. He found a job where he was home every evening to make us dinner and tuck us in at night.
My Frugal Life: No House Or Car PaymentThree years ago my husband and I sold our home. We made enough off of the sale to buy a mobile home and 2 - 1/2 acres of land. The upside of this is, our home is paid for, no mortgage. The downside is we are on a dirt road, which turns to mud during a lot of rain.
Buy Books and Audiotapes At Yard SalesI read a lot and travel a lot. I find most of my reading material at junk sales for $.25 and $.50. That's a great deal when paper backs now run around $8.00. The biggest bargain I've found is on audio books for my long road trips.
Robin's Weekly Grocery DealsThere are lots of deals in our area this week from both our grocery stores as well as Wal-Mart. Here are a few of the deals this week at Wal-Mart:
Video And Link: Depression Era Cooking With ClaraJust wanted to take a minute to recommend to everyone that they go to You Tube and look up Great Depression Cooking. There you will find Clara Cannucciari. She gives wonderful recipes and tips as well as recalling the difficult times during the Great Depression.
Purchase Birdhouses At Thrift StoresIn the wood/basket section, I often find birdhouses for 99 cents! Many of them were made for decorative purposes, but can easily be converted for use by birds.
My Frugal Life: Trust That He Will ProvideSaving money became more and more important as I aged. Things beyond my control happened, and I found myself both depressed and determined to live within whatever my means.
Use Broken Flip Phone TemporarilyDid you know you can still use your flip style cell phone if it breaks in half? Well mine did and I'm using it until my replacement gets here. I don't have use of the display but I am able to put it on speaker phone and I'm using the speech commands.
Buy Magazines Used at Garage SalesI go to yard sales and garage sales and sometimes they have used magazines. I buy them for five to ten cents each. Sometimes they even give them away. They have really nice recipes and fresh ideas too. Cheap is good.
My Frugal Life: Frugal Is A Choice I've MadeI have been frugal all my life - first because I had no choice, and now because it's a choice I've made. My father died when I was young, and left no insurance.
My Frugal Life: Thinking ThriftyFrugal living comes naturally to me. I shop at Goodwill and Thrift stores the way others shop at the mall. I try to think before I throw something away or donate it to Goodwill. Will I use it? Is there some other use for it? Could someone I know use it or need it?
My Frugal Life: Possessions Can Be ReplacedI have been reading 'My Frugal Life' for some time now, and thought it was appropriate timing to submit mine. I have been fairly frugal all my life. My mum tells me when I earned money as a child cashing 'bottles', I would have my money box with me to put the cash in.
My Frugal Life: It's Just Common SenseBeing frugal or thrifty is more a matter of common sense than anything else in my mind. There are so many ways it is possible to save money, but it does require making small changes in the way things are usually done in our busy, hectic world.
My Frugal Life: Science LabAs a school teacher and the wife of a soldier with whom I have raised 7 children, cutting corners and making things last and S T R E T C H is nothing new. I have resized, reshaped, and revived hand-me-downs to supplement clothing budgets.
Reusing Hi-LitersI recycle hi-liters. It's best to do this before they completely run out of the original fluid. Add food coloring and anti-freeze in a 5:1 ratio to the worn out hi-liter. The quantity required depends on just how dried out the chamber is and the volume of the pen.
My Frugal Life: Trial And ErrorI have learned so much. I have made a few mistakes that have changed the way I do things; in the kitchen and elsewhere throughout our home. I really enjoy this newsletter, it is so fun and has saved me lots of money when I needed it!
My Frugal Life: My Garden Costs Almost NothingI have spent very little on my gardening, taking advantage of our local craigslist and freecycle. I have been given plants, seeds, pots, trellises, netting, mulch, hanging planters, tomato stakes and cages, and yes, even a gazebo!
My Frugal Life: Hunting Down A BargainMy frugal life has been going on ever since I was a young child. I began to save scrap paper to write and draw on. My family knew never to throw out any paper that was unused or blank on one side.
My Frugal Life: An Epic Tale!My mum worked two jobs to keep me and my bro. I did the cleaning, washing, ironing from an early age. I gave up the opportunity of University so my bro could go as he has a fantastic mathematical mind (mum couldn't pay for both of us to go).
My Frugal Life: Happy BarginistaBeing known to stretch a pretty buck has been my forte as it has kept me in-tune to bargains, better eating habits, and extra cash on a rainy day. It has also rubbed off on the bad spending habits and bad financial values of my husband.
My Frugal Life: Share Your GardenMost of what I have in my gardens in the raised beds (other than the fresh vegetables planted) pretty much came from others. As friends and neighbors, we check over each others gardens and say what we have extra of.
Make Panty Liner Work for Thong UnderwearI like to use panty liners every day but I wear more than one style of underwear. For the thong style, I just partially fold in the bottom edge of the liner.
My Frugal Life: I Love The Internet!I have never been the type to stay online for hours at a time; I never could find that much to do. I always wondered what people did when they stayed on for hours at a time.
My Frugal Life: Robyn's TipsI was looking on here for uses for old candle wax, and I came across the following ideas. I have kind of changed several of the ideas into one that would utilize what I had in the house.
My Frugal Life: Independence!Hello everyone and welcome to MY essay regarding frugal living! I was once employed for, what I thought, to be a career to which I could retire one day. Unfortunately, things did not work out for me that way.
Jazz Up Inexpensive ItemsQuite often inexpensive items can be jazzed up to look much nicer! I picked up a fan for $1, but the print was a bit garish. I used my permanent markers to "color in" the flowered pattern and now it's gorgeous and doesn't look like it was a cheapo.
Make Your Own Slide and Negative ViewerTurn your expandable extra leaf table into a slide and negative viewer. Use a 3/8 inch; Plexiglas sheet you cut to the size of the table leaf. Underneath the table, place a converted table lamp.
My Frugal Life: ThriftyFun FamilyIn 2007, I lost my entire family. We grew up in San Diego. As the kids became adults, we found that even with decent jobs (I am a school teacher) we could not afford to live in SD. My mom helped my siblings buy houses, but not me.
My Frugal Life: Frugal Is FunWho knew being frugal could be so much fun? When I talk frugal, I'm NOT talking about being the cheap friend who never picks up a lunch tab. I'm talking about ways to not spend money on things that do not bring us pleasure - paper towels.
Follow Your DreamsI have always had to budget my money but what it taught me has paid off well. I started out as a single mom over 40 years ago working as a secretary. Things were much different then for single moms - we basically did not exist so there was no help out there.
My Frugal Life: Brought Up FrugalI was brought up in the frugal lifestyle. A lot of my clothing was from second hand stores or made over from another garment. About the only things bought new were underwear and shoes. Even after I got married and had kids, I still look for bargains.
My Frugal Life: My Love Of GardeningMy mother always said not to waste food. Dad always said not to depend on others until you knew you could do it yourself. Then, at times, depending on others is OK. I grew up in the city of Memphis, TN, so I didn't have access to many garden spots.
My Frugal Life: For Our Planet's Sake!I believe that my living frugal is also good for our planet! Teaching these values to my children to carry on this lifestyle has always been important to me.
Things You Should (And Can) Get For FreeMany banks offer free checking and most with no required minimum balance. All you have to do is ask.
Stash "Get One Free" Grocery Items for a Rainy DayWe are all stretching our dollars as far as they can go, and I think most of us try to do our grocery shopping weekly. If you can buy one thing that you need, and get it "buy one, get one free", put the free one in the back of the closet and pretend you did not get it.
Do It YourselfThe old adage "If you want it done right, do it yourself" carries significant merit in the frugal times of a frail economy. Donate some time to completing three tasks yourself, and you'll save money every time. Not enough time?
My Frugal Life: Me And The BeeBeing frugal has to do with more than just money; you need to be frugal with your time. This was especially true years ago when moms stayed home to care for the kids, clean house, and have a meal on the table when hubby got home from work.
My Frugal Life: Rebuilding Our HouseWhen we got married, Jim and I had only one thing in large numbers: children. We decided to purchase some land in the country where the six of them could have room to grow. We had $5,000 saved, and used it to put a down payment on an 11-acre piece of marginally useful land.
My Frugal Life: The Coupon LadyLike many of the stories I have read on this site, I grew up poor. My father died when I was 4, leaving my 35 year old Mother with a 4 year old, a 6 year old and a 7 month old. She was unskilled, but tried many jobs to make money.
Free Tuesday Movies And Other Promotions From CablevisionFor the people who live out here in the east and happen to have Cablevision as their cable supplier, PLEASE take advantage of their free movie Tuesday offers!
My Frugal Life: Watch Every PennyI am a 47 years old, and now on Long Term Disability for the first time in my life. Things are very difficult when it comes to paying my bills. My first tip for saving money would be to watch every penny.
Reuse Paper to Print CouponsI've seen lots of tips about couponing and using coupons printed from computer sites. My tip is to save paper that is printed on one side (scrap paper) and use it to print those coupons.
My Frugal Life: Reuse and RecycleI save the paper left after drying hands and use it to pick up spills on counters and floors at home. I save the small bags that pet food comes in to use for coffee grounds, eggs shells, and bones, fat, or scrapes left over after dinner.
My Frugal Life: Triage Casual SpendingI conscientiously keep EVERY invoice even if it is only for a coffee, in fact particularly for such minor purchases. I just drop every bit of paper into the bottom of my handbag.
Making Quick Curtains With SheetsWhen I have a sheet that is too nice to use in dog kennels, I make it into a double sided small window curtain. If you have a smaller window in your home, garage, or office, this idea would be perfect since you don't need a large amount of material.
My Frugal Life: It's Crazy What They Throw OutI've become more frugal over the last few years out of necessity and for the challenge and fun it can be.
My Frugal Life: One Man's Trash . . . Have an occasional impulse to snatch something sitting at street side for the weekly trash pickup? Amazing what people throw out, but look for inherent value as the item may be more valuable in the future.
My Frugal Life: Ways To Reuse RecyclablesI buy a box of any kind of plastic Ziploc, store brand, or zipper bags from the dollar store and use the bags for snacks for school for my daughter for school or freezing my meats.
Make Stickers Out of Free Address LabelsIt's getting to be that time of year again, when you get loads of those free address labels from charities, etc. Make them work double duty for you by cutting the cute little graphic off and using those "stickers" as envelope seals, or give to your kids for chores well done!
My Frugal Life: Of Grandfathers, Gleaning and Gluttony
On Sunday mornings, Grandad would sometimes call for my younger brother and sister and I take us for long, exciting walks in the countryside around the small rural town where I spent my childhood.
My Frugal Life: Make the Harvest Last All WinterMy adult daughter called me recently to remind me that I'm a great mom. She went on to tell me that when she and her sisters were young I fed them very well. She was remembering how we always had 2 or 3 vegetables or fruits on our table at every meal.
My Frugal Life: A Lifelong LifestyleIt's so amazing to see my lifelong lifestyle-frugality becoming so popular, especially after the mass consumerism of the 90's. At one time early on, I was a single mom with 3 children, but it started even before that.
My Frugal Life: ReminiscingHave you ever reminisced for say 40 years about doing a childhood activity? Did you go out and purchase the means of doing it? Did you do it and find it really was a childhood thing? Thank God it wasn't just me. Whew! Well, do you want to know about it?
Frugal Laundry DetergentI go to Winn-Dixie and buy a box of 20-Mule-Team Borax washing powder and a box or Arm and Hammer washing powder. Next I go to Save A Lot and buy a bar of Zote bathing soap. Use 8 cups of each powder and grate-up the bar of soap, like cheese.
My Frugal Life: On The FarmSpending the summer running around with no shoes was a normal occurrence. Mom bought boots for the fall and winter and carded and spun wool for socks, mittens, hats, and other winter clothes. Our cows provided milk and butter.
My Frugal Life: Good InvestmentsWell here I am again feeling a little rather chipper at the moment. I have purchased my yogurt maker and am quite apt at making and drinking thick and Greek yogurt. Mixing in the different flavors to suit our mood.
My Frugal Life: Out Of Sugar?Making another trip to the store; that makes how many this week? Is it a want or a need? A little planning always is the better way of course, but sometimes things come up and we do run out of something we think we just have to have.
My Frugal Life: Keeping Our World CleanFall is here and I'm so thankful for cooler weather. It has been a long, hot summer and not a good time to pick up a lot of litter.
