Composting is Free "Black Gold"The benefits of composting are many, such as free vegetables, healthy flowers, and the joy of knowing you are removing garbage from landfills.
My Frugal Life: A Life Without Financial WorriesWhen my husband and I first married, I didn't have any real sense about saving and/or spending wisely. I allowed my husband to assume control over finances because of his excellent upbringing.
Money Saving TipsI decided to write another post to help others out since my first post was a success. I want to share my opinion on stuff that works for me.
My Frugal Life: Defining ThriftyWe should try to make thrifty not just doing with less, or spending less, but also thinking how to be globally responsible. You know, rags rather than paper towels, cloth napkins not paper, using a drying rack or clothes line instead of our very wasteful dryers.
My Frugal Life: Thrifty is a Wonderful ThingI live on a tight budget. My family doesn't have much money, but I manage to stretch the money we do have in some creative ways that enable us to pay our bills, take care of all our needs, and still have some fun.
My Frugal Life: Beverly Hills on $30 a DayI struggled for years to put myself through college. When at last I was employed, and besieged by credit card offers, I was not very wise. I had lived so lean for so long that the temptation was too strong; and I went under.
My Frugal Life: Coupon ClassI recently went to a couple of Coupon Classes locally, my brother's wife was very interested. I wrote down a few things that I learned and then after reading it a few times decided I should share what I learned.
Is the Season Beginning or Ending?Oh, but it's getting ugly around here. I am speaking of my garden of course. For one thing, about this time I lose interest in it. The magic of watching the plants grow, then blossom and put on their colorful array of tasty treasures for us to enjoy is long past.
My Frugal Life: Of Gardens and JournalsI found out this year how fun it can be to try new things in the garden. I have a new Patio Peach tree, which was given to me as a Mother's Day gift, and I have some beautiful wildflowers which I have had a wonderful time watching.
My Frugal Life: Thrifty Midwest MomHi, I am a Midwest mom of 6, and I currently don't work outside the home. I take surveys, do secret shoppers, and occasionally provide homecare. I never have the extras in life, but I would like to have some nice things.
My Frugal Life: Waste NothingWhen growing a garden and preserving your harvest, make sure to use it all. If you have to many green beans make dilly beans or make homemade soup to freeze or can. Make up casseroles and freeze for busy days.
My Frugal Life: Six Decades of FrugalityI can't remember a time when I was not frugal. My parents were young during the big depression so I learned "thrift" early on. Now at 63 with my hubby at 67, we find that frugality is what allows us to survive.
My Frugal Summer DayIn our household, frugal living is easiest in the summer. Since I am an early riser, morning chores are my domain with the assistance of Keira, the cat. Our first task is to unload the dishwasher which dear hubby has run earlier in the morning.
My Frugal Life: Focused On FrugalityAs a teacher, off for the summer, I am especially focused on frugality. This is a time for me to review where my money has gone and why. What spending gave satisfaction? What would I do differently?
My Frugal Life: Penny Wise or Pound FoolishIs there such a thing as being too thrifty? Are we many times penny wise and pound foolish? I ponder this because by nature I am a logical, practical person. I have been told this all my life. So the following situations make no sense to me.
Beautiful Thoughts on a Frugal LifeIt seems as if others are learning for the first time how to be frugal and enjoy it, which I have known all along, but now that prices at the pump are at an all time high, I am so happy I know how to save money!
My Frugal WaysI am a single mom of two awesome boys. I am always looking for ways to be frugal. I hang clothes to dry, make food from scratch, and I never turn down clothes, etc. for my boys and me when someone has them to share.
Small Business Ideas That Save MoneyIf you have a computer and printer, you can save quite a bit of money on office supplies. For instance, if you buy blank labels at an office supply or discount department store, you can make your own return address labels.
My Frugal Life: Thrifty Grandmas Stay With You ForeverGrandma was born in 1895 and raised 6 children on her own after her no-good husband ran off. This was long before the days of Social Security. She had lived through some really hard times, and she taught me so much, it still makes me smile.
My Frugal Life: Healing on the Oregon CoastIn 2008, I was in a car accident in Tennessee. A month in a trauma care unit was not enough to heal from injuries like mine. After a year of healing, we bought an RV and moved to the Oregon Coast, leaving everything behind.
My Frugal Life: Clothing Is FabricI was raised in an area that was a long drive to the town, and we went in to town only two times a month - once for paying bills and another for shopping and visiting friends.
My Frugal Life: Of Chickens, Dogs, and FencesThe rooster terrorizes the entire family, save myself and my husband. Yesterday, I had to drive home to let Mom and my daughter in the house because Phoenix had jumped down and refused to let them in the house.
My Frugal Life: Going Home Again"Wake up and smell the roses, you really can't go home again". That's what I thought anyway. But with childhood memories dancing in my head and trepidation in my heart, I gave it a try.
Still Trying To Be FrugalI have been at my new job for 4 months now and I have had my days reduced to 3 days a week from 5. I am not a happy bunny but as the job is pants, its forcing me to look for something else, which is good.
My Frugal Life: Recycling In the GardenThere is nothing better than something cold in the hot weather, and ice cream fills the bill for us! I frequently plant pinto beans in these wonderful containers.
My Frugal Life: Downsizing To the PastI grew up in Europe during World War II, and after the war we coped with rationing until 1952. There were no washing machines or anything electric to ease the annoyance of housework.
My Frugal Life: Fun When You're BrokeIn college, we were all short on cash, so here of some of the ways I made it during the hard times. They were some of the best times in my life.
My Frugal Life: Disguising Generic ItemsMy husband insists on buying name brand foods, etc. He thinks the generic brand of food is "nasty tasting". I can agree with him on a few items (very few), but I am a penny-pincher!
My Frugal GardenI have found many ways of saving money, while still having a lovely garden to provide fresh food and flowers. I have found that plant sales at churches and garden clubs can be a good source for perennials.
My Frugal Life: Carl the CadillacI work just a block away from home. I had been walking to work, but pulled my Achilles Tendon and had to start driving to work.
My Frugal Life: My Iron Claw BathtubWe have an old iron claw bathtub that has been enclosed in a small bathroom instead of being allowed to stand alone. It is wood paneled into the spot where a normal bathtub would have been.
My Frugal Life: Ways To Live On LessI have been collecting disability since 2000. I was previously living in a Women's Homeless Shelter. I learned while I was homeless how little that I really need.
My Frugal Life: Being Mentally ThriftyI have always mentally been a thrifty person. As a child, I was confused by the other kids who would spend all their money on candy, toys, or other little things.
My Frugal Life: On The SidelinesSometimes it is hard to sit on the sidelines and watch things happen. Sometimes you want to get in and help, but all you can do is sit on the sidelines and be patient.
My Frugal Life: "If Nothing Ever Changes, Nothing Ever Changes"One cannot lose weight by eating a faulty diet. I eat whole grain bread, lots of fruits and vegetables, and keep bad fats like margarine and chemically-extracted oils and sugars, especially white sugar, to almost nonexistent.
My Frugal Life: Shopping WiselyOnce again today, I scored at the thrift store. Last week, I did very well at Aldi. My family is considered "upper middle class" and yes, we shop at such stores.
My Frugal Life: Letter to My DaughterThis is a letter to my daughter who has been out of work for 2 years.
My Frugal Life: Fulfilling The Urge to PaintWe bought a house in KY from my oldest son who had remodeled it and painted all the walls white. That was bugging me, so one day I got this wild urge to paint the living room.
My Frugal Life: Food On HandI am dependent on a small monthly check for all my outgoings. Recently, I realized that I had absolutely no money left AT ALL and ten days to go before that check arrived. At first I wondered how I would eat.
My Frugal Life: I Can't Find Enough to Do!That seems to be my motto lately and I don't have the slightest idea why; not until my husband came home from his cardiac rehab last week, that is.
My Frugal Life: Frugality RocksWhen the worst things occur at the worst times in the worst way, Frugality Rocks!
My Frugal Life: Making It Through a Little LongerMy husband and I moved here to CO to be close to our kids and grand-kids. We had lived in KY to be close to our oldest son, but we had to move away because of my arthritis, allergies, and asthma. Since we've lived here, we've both had to work and we're on Social Security.
My Frugal Life: Reuse CreativelyCreativity is important to living frugally. Before you go out and buy something, ask yourself "What can I use that I already have?", "What do I have that needs to be used up?", and "What can I make out of what I have?"
My Frugal Life: More Neighbors Come Calling For MuralsAfter some irregular heart beats, shaky knees, and many brush strokes, a new and stronger me has emerged. I can see clearly now and a path has been paved. I had taken a small snowball and placed it on a big ol' hill and before I knew it, that snowball began to roll.
My Frugal Life: Meaningful Not Expensive GiftsWhen I was quite young, I had my first daughter. I was only 17, still in high school, and I have to tell you that I was terrified of everything. I found that as soon as I got pregnant, I lost most of my friends. I became an expert at frugal living.
My Frugal Life: Coupon DivaI have considered myself a thrifty or frugal person my whole life. As a child, I would collect cans for extra money and visit neighborhood garage sales for toys I wanted.
My Frugal Life: Focus On What's Important (Part 6)I couldn't afford long distance phone calls or even a phone, except for the company required that I have one. So, my mom and I communicated with actual letters and calls on holidays.
My Frugal Life: Living in a "Post-Consumer Age"Almost two years ago, my husband and I bought our first home. We were excited about finally being about to make a place our own: fun wall hangings, even more massive amounts of bookshelves, unique paint colors on all of the walls, and so on.
My Frugal Life: Life After DivorceHaving gone through a destructive divorce 6 years ago, I have learned to economize my life. I was left with 2 teens who needed to maintain a "normal" lifestyle, which left me to become extremely creative in our living.
My Frugal Life: Focus On What's Important (Part 5)Know what you have cash in your checking account for the month. Without a credit card for dentist, doctor and monthly emergencies for the kids, I never was able to budget cash for those emergencies.
My Frugal Life: First Time On My OwnBeing a young woman who is not from the most well off family, I have and hold frugality close to my heart. From the patchwork duct tape tent to the tea pot water jug I've grown up with, the beggars can't be choosers mind set has gotten me through some weeks with only $20 in my pocket!
My Frugal Life: Find Out How Great You AreI grew up with the message that I was fat and worthless. A couple of years ago, I looked at the few pictures that exist of me over the years (I always avoided being photographed). Me at age 4 - not a bit fat, though my teenage sisters had me convinced that I was.
My Frugal Life: Learning From OthersWe live on a farm and raise goats. donkeys, shih tzu dogs, and bantams, plus we take care of every other animal that comes around. We are bird lovers, so we always take care of them along with the deer and the squirrels.
My Frugal Life: Focus On What's Important (Part 4)If you live in an all electric house it can get very expensive, even with new energy efficient appliances. So think a timer for your water heater. It will save you as much or more than a expensive solar panel on the roof.
My Frugal Life: Discount DivaI was laid off from a permanent job 6 years ago. My field is in oil and gas. During that time I have worked contract and my ways of savings have really helped my husband and myself.
Going Public After Cosmetic Surgery (For...I am content doing laundry because I now have cheery walls to look at. I have to tell you, I never thought there would be a part two to my previous story, but as I wash the paint off my brushes once again, I wanted to share my adventure.
My Frugal Life: Focus On What's Important (Part 3)Groceries, now there's where you can really save if you are one of two types of people. Either you have time and organization to coupon, or if you are like me, and just couldn't get the hang or discipline for coupons.
My Frugal Life: Surviving After A LossWhile people everywhere were preparing for the holidays, my children and I were preparing for a funeral. My husband of thirty years had a heart attack on December 14, 2008, passed away on December 23rd, and was buried on the 31st. It was indeed an indelible holiday.
My Frugal Life: Focus On What's Important (Part 2)I have found that listening and learning from others has been one of the best ways of saving money and living within my income. Asking questions, often saves hundreds of dollars that you think is going to be a long term investment.
My Frugal Life: Pay As You GoIt seems that so many young people living in this fast paced world are getting in debt way over their heads because they want it right now or just because they feel they have to keep up appearances for their friends.
My Frugal Life: What Living Thriftily MeansMy 85 year old mother is a child of the depression, so when I was growing up I learned to shop at "discount" stores, but when it came to food it was store bought and brand name.
My Frugal Life: Focus On What's Important (Part 1)I have mantras or adages that in the worst of times have always focused my thinking and my will power to look at problems directly at what I can control. Believe me, as a single mother ,with no child support, there are things you can't control.
My Frugal Life: Difference Between Thrifty and CheapThere is a difference between being thrifty; and being cheap. Being thrifty takes into account time and money, and occasionally payback time. Being cheap only counts the amount of money spent.
My Frugal Life: Happy and ThriftyMilitary life is an interesting life. When I married my soldier husband, I quickly learned that we must stretch the money and learn how to live with sales and quality in mind.
My Frugal Life: Forced To Be FrugalWhen my husband recently had shoulder surgery and found out he would be off work most of the year, we were forced to cut back and live frugal.
My Frugal Life: Furnish Your Home With Used ItemsSo you are young and getting ready to make your own home for the first time, whether an apartment or your first house. Of course, you want to decorate to impress as well as to express your taste.
Our Little Trailer On the PrairieIn the early days of our marriage, Jim and I had six teenagers and a weekly food budget of $35.00. I am grateful that Jim is such a fine gardener, and that he thoughtfully included the children in that hobby.
My Frugal Holiday: Resolve to Eat HealthierNew Year resolutions are not something I ever make, I regret them all year long after I break them. This year we weren't given a choice but to make resolutions.
Add To Gift Box All Year LongI have a "holiday/gift box" that I keep in my closet. I started this box years ago when our church started a secret sister program. Each month, you give your secret sister a small gift, and at the end of the year, you tell her who you were.
My Frugal New YearIt is now 2011, and what more can we do to be frugal and save in this New Year? Here in Australia, prices are on the up and up - food, electricity, other utility bills, my rent.
My Frugal Life: Resolutions for 2011Aside from all the obvious resolutions I have just made for 2011 - to lose weight, eat more healthily, take more exercise etc., there is one other really important money and stress saving thing I have made up my mind to do.
My Frugal Life: Zany Ways To SaveEvery year I try to do a few more things to live more frugal and eco-friendly. In 2010, when we moved, we did not get a dryer. We use the lines in the backyard or hang inside. We have not used any paper napkins or paper towels and do not drink soda pop.
My Frugal Holiday: Thrifty And Green ChristmasHow I saved a lot of money this Christmas and helped save the planet while I was at it:
My Frugal Holiday: Gift Ideas For ChildrenWhen money is tight and you have children to buy presents for it, is very easy to become disheartened and disillusioned about the whole notion of Christmas. But stop and think for a moment and you will soon realise that you can turn this difficulty to your advantage
My Frugal Life: Bath in a BucketOnce you learn how to bathe yourself sparkly clean AND wash and rinse your hair clean by using one small galvanized bucket of hot water, I think a lifetime of frugality is required.
My Frugal Life: Little Tricks To Pinch PenniesI like to reuse Ziploc bags, I just wash, air dry, and reuse. Another little trick is to save packing material that comes in the mail and reuse it. If I have none and need to ship a box, I go to the store and ask for a paper bag. I turn it inside out and reuse, it's FREE.
My Frugal Life: How I Make Ends MeetEvery day I take the opportunity to look around my home and decide how I can make a difference in the cost it takes to make my household run. It can be as simple as turning off a light when someone else walks out and leaves it on.
Cutting Back At ChristmasBeing frugal at Christmas is just common sense. This year has really hit us hard with the prices of medications and food always going up. There are two of us that really need medicine everyday.
My Frugal Life: Surviving The Economic CrisisWhen the economic crisis hit, my county (Montgomery, bordering DC), the wealthiest in the nation, took a hit. Education, fire/rescue, police; all services have evaporated to bare bones and the trend continues.
My Frugal Life: Fun Ways To Save MoneyI have always been a thrifty person and actually find it fun to think of ways to recycle things and save money. I'm sure these may not be new ideas to some, but these are a few things that come to mind that will help you save money:
My Frugal Holiday: The Old Family BibleIt had a place of honor on the long table in the living room along with a pretty old lamp which had colored glass all around the shade part of it, and little crystal dangly things that hung down around the bottom edge.
My Frugal Life: Becoming a Smart Frugal MomAs a woman and a wife with two kids (both under the age of 6), I've taught myself to be frugal. I spend only what is needed and reuse what I have. I am the type of women who worked hard. I started from the bottom of the working chain and made it to the top.
My Frugal Life: Influencing Grandchildren's CharacterMy husband and I live in a 29 foot travel trailer. We recently sold almost all of our possessions and decided to live with less stuff and more happiness. Part of the reason that we now live in a travel trailer is for the opportunity to spend more time with our two beautiful granddaughters.
Buy Them What They WantI wanted to let you know how my family shares for Christmas. We now ask what each other wants, because we want to get the gift they want and we don't want to waste money on unwanted gifts.
Loving FrugalMy frugal life began in about 2006. My mother came to live with us due to having Alzheimer and my finance (hubby now) volunteered to stay home with her. One income meant cutting back.
One Size Doesn't Always Fit AllI have been a frugal woman all my life. And it seems I am always researching or joining a group in an attempt to find ways to be even more frugal. And in my quest for information I have found this; one size doesn't always fit all.
My Frugal Life: Economics of MenopauseWhat do menopause, singleness and caffeine have in common? You guessed it lower heating bills.
My Frugal Life: Adopted AngelsI love to be frugal and love to entertain. What I have been doing for several years now, is serve a single food, cookies, and simple beverage and ask for gifts. But, the gifts are not for me, they are for others.
Frugal Uses for VinegarI come from a family of thrifty recyclers. We were recycling and saving money way before it was the "in" thing. Mom and Dad taught us all to find new uses for things. Dad was a great believer in duct tape fixing everything!
My Frugal Holiday: Shop for Christmas All YearMy husband and I are on a fixed income rendering finances tight; therefore we start our Christmas shopping in January and we shop at thrift stores.
Lessons Learned From My GrandmotherMy Grandma Smith was the perfect example of what a Grandma should be. I feel very blessed to have had her for my grandma. I was the youngest of her many grandchildren and, until I was an adult, she always told me I was her baby.
My Frugal Life: Passing the BuckI pass the buck on expensive laundry detergent, and use my favorite dish washing liquid that I do hand washing in anyway. I use the extra money from not buying the laundry detergent and pass the buck over to fabric softener.
Fall Recycling ProjectsAt our house, we are celebrating the cooler weather and watching, photographing, and being awed by the beautiful colors and hues of the trees all around us. This time of year is special, since we get the house and the surrounding area ready for snowy winter months.
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: 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: The Thriftiness of GrandparentsLike so many of you, I remember my grandparents' thriftiness. They made it through the Depression, but its impact never left them. They made the most of every penny. Even when a lifetime of hard work made got them to a place of being financially "secure."
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?
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: 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: Ten Reasons to Embrace the Frugal/Thrifty LifestyleAs of August, I am debt free and I am very thankful for this. I just want to say a big thank-you to all of you, because I have really benefited from your frugal wisdom which you have freely shared in your posts.
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: 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: 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: 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.
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.
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.
Balancing Thrifty And FunFor as long as I can remember, my mother would have to scrimp to make ends meet. She divorced my father when I was in first grade, so was now home with 3 children, aged 6 and under. We had lots of hand me down and thrift store clothes and toys, but rarely anything new.
My Frugal Life: Of Grandpas and GardensGardening with my grandad was a lesson in patience. When I was a child my mother worked to put food on the table and shoes on our feet so I spent a lot of my time with my grandparents who lived across the road from us.
