I recently had the problem of deciding to fill in the artificial nails that was given to me as a gift from my husband or taking them off and saving the money spent for upkeep. I do feel like I'm worth $15 every other week, but in the end I think it just comes down to the fact that I have other interests that I would rather put my money.
In deciding to explore just what I could do with $15 bi weekly I realized that just as artificial nails require upkeep, so do many other items in our lives. It just comes down to is the price to keep the item worth the sacrafice somewhere else.
In my instance, the item cost at the bare minimum $15 bi weekly or 26 times or $390 yearly. $15 biweekly does not sound like much but when one takes it a step further and then investigates what could that $15 really buy that would give equal joy to myself, then that is where the significance is really seen.
For me personally, I decided I would get just as much enjoyment for my $30 this month in the following way: I could buy school supplies for a child I do not know or I could buy a lot of pencils and take to the school for use when a child does not have one. The next month, I could find a nursing home in my area and take $30 worth of socks in all different sizes or I could save my money for a couple of months and take some nightgowns and PJs for the ones that do not have family.
My nails were pretty but I found after examining that I can get much more joy for my money. I'm gonna take the same money and buy some polish, calcium and vitamin D (as someone mentioned) and work on my own nails and use the leftover money in a more frugal and neighborly use.
By notwrong
Must haves:
After a recent visit home, I realized that I was getting tense because there was so much work associated with all my stuff. I have pictures of my family as my only one splurge on the road. I am in the process of scanning and loading onto CDs to see as a slide show.
My tip is to unload a lot of the stuff that is not essential to everyday life. If you have to dust it, move it, or clean it and it is not adding anything to your daily life, get rid of it.
By Notwrong
By Leslie from Brandon, MS
I have found myself in reduced circumstances pretty chronically for the past 5 years - probably more. I am sure that I share this fate with many people, but, in spite of knowing this, my predicament has seemed like a very private and shameful hell. At least it did, until I became real about it. More people than not live less-than-prosperously, whether because the economy did them in, or because they chose a less fruitful, if more emotionally fulfilling, path to life. I can count myself in this camp, since I decided to pursue art and creativity as a focal point of my attention for many years.
I do not believe that wealth and material abundance are the sine qua non to a good existence, and I don't believe that anyone, deep in their hearts, does either. But everybody pretty much chooses to buy into the b.s., and makes their life goal the acquisition of more, or the upholding of a certain elevated standard of living. By buying into the B.S., we perpetuate a cultural situation where we ignore and underplay all the multifaceted things that bring value to life - a value immeasurable with cash, and not easily exchanged. By underplaying the inherent value of certain things, choices, and opportunities due to their bad conversion in the commodities framework, we castrate our sense of personal destiny, and harbour feelings of shame and inferiority if we fail to rake it in. This in America approaches a cultural disease - which, according to some, translates to physical sickness as well.
Back to my circumstance: I have pursued creativity and personal interest above material acquisition, above having a job. Though I freelance and aggressively pursue financial opportunities (such as writing these essays and things), I spent 80% of my time in pursuits which bring no direct cash conversion, and am reasonably happy. This, summed to my failures in the self-promotional department, have led me to inhabit a place of poverty for many years. By choosing to not buy into the cultural disease, I see my situation as a challenge, and as an inevitable consequence of the life I have lived for many years, and of my actual values.
I have felt values emerge as a direct response to tough circumstances: I am thrifty, non-materialistic, and refuse to take anything at face value. I am ingenious, through choosing to implement solutions through materials and resources I may already have. I don't feel entitled to anything, and am generous when I have something to be generous with. I have learned to really crystallize my own morals, and prioritize my goals, since limited resources force such discipline. And, discipline-wise, I have learned to do without - a lot. Do you know how empowering it is to be just fine when not being able to buy something that to most people - and to yourself at one point - seemed indispensable to existence itself?
Most of all, I have compassion and open-mindedness towards all people and treat all folks equally, and I condemn the shallow hateful attitudes I see - even right here in Madison County NC - that most folk who consider themselves 'open-minded' employ, when confronted with someone 'less than'. This might not mean much to anyone save Jesus Christ, but it means a lot to me.
For anyone who's read this far, I invite you to view your circumstances - no matter how bleak or mediocre they seem - as a gift, and a classroom for important life lessons. And please try to view all of life in all its marvelous entirety, as opposed to through the tired-old one-dimensional prism of 'profit margin' or 'cash value'. You may be surprised as to what you find.
By Alicia C A.
How do I make my money stretch? I buy used as much as I can. Garage sales, thrift shops and www.craigslist.org are my go to places for everything. I purchase most non-food items from thrift shops. Many have sale days, frequent buyer cards and coupons sent to you when you sign up via email (see www.gooodwill.org and www.thrifttown.com). I also scan my local newspaper for church sales, senior sales and fundraiser sales, noting them on a calendar so I can look for them next year as well. I hunt for garage sales on my local www.craigslist.org page under the "for sale" area as well as www.garagesalefinder.com and my local online newspaper in the classifieds section. I also frequent flea markets for makeup and household supplies (no tax)!
Clothes: At garage sales I always ask for a discounted price especially if I am purchasing more than one item. I am open and flexible to what I might need, so I usually am able to find a complete wardrobe with classic neutral colors in no time. If I need a specific hard to find item or undergarment, I usually purchase them new at a discount retailer. When I lose a button, I sew on a replacement I have salvaged from another garment. If my sock has a hole, I darn it or use it as a rag. Nothing leaves my house unless it has been used or donated to a needy organization or posted on www.freecycle.org.
Car Repairs: This year we were told that I needed a new engine by a trusted mechanic. My husband took it to a slower, but methodical mechanic and we did not need a new engine after all. We relied on riding our bikes to work/shopping for several weeks and on friends for rides occasionally, but we managed-even in the Texas heat! We also have learned to change car brakes, do our own oil changes, and replace broken parts (eBay is a great place to find replacement car parts).
Food: One change we have made at my house is to manage food waste. We refuse to throw anything away and eat leftovers always! When I cook a whole chicken, not only do we save money per pound, but we have meals for several days. I always cook the carcass in a pot of boiling water to make chicken stock and freeze for future soups along with saving odd meat and vegetable scraps in a freezer bag. We have substituted beans for meat in more of our dishes, but don't feel deprived. It is a rule that we get go out to eat once a week and splurge, provided we have eaten at home and taken sack lunches during the week.
Yes, it takes time, creativity and determination to be frugal, but I am proud of the savings we have achieved. In the process we have learned these four rules:
By Karin from Benbrook, TX
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
I have been frugal all my life. Thrift shop, giveaways, and garage sales have been as much a part of my life as breathing. In my early years it was out of necessity. In my later years, the same thing, but I found a new purpose and a new community of people who share the same vision. One of my mottos is "do what you can with what you have."
I have started using coupons (not extreme, but enough to see a savings of $61.00 dollars for the month of October, minus expenses) I live in a rural community and the coupon's face value is not that high, so I think I have done pretty well. I will usually buy two papers. To acquire even more coupons, I buy old magazines from the library. They newer issues cost 25 cents and the later issues cost 10 cents. When I am through with those magazines, I take them to work or trade them at the hospital or doctors office. One of the hospitals that I visit will have a cart of magazines for people to take. One person's trash is my treasure. One of the magazines that I buy is called All You. They list the total amount of all the coupons in that issue. I found a subscription to the magazine for $1.66 an issue (the store's issue is 2.49). Plus I use the subscription with another site Ebates. Another savings opportunity.
For the past 6 months, I have been renting new movies from the library. I can rent as many as five movies for three days. The library also lets me reserve movies ahead of time. I will usually get the first run movies no later than a week after their DVD release. I can wait.
I sign up for emails from all the stores that I shop at. They will usually send a sneak peak of their up coming ads so that I can match my sales with the coupons that I have on hand. I use free bill pay to pay most of my bills and pay all my bills on the day I get paid. Everything else is paid with money orders. I get my envelopes from the dollar store and I buy stamps for the month. I cannot stand overdrafts.
I find all my clothes at the thrift shop and free giveaways. I will take a plain shirt or top and use fabric paint or iron-ons (all from thrift shops and clearance racks of local crafts shops) and make it my own. The Goodwill by my house has started a new program where certain colored tags are half price. I will also purchase worn out sweaters to make new scarves, headbands, and decorative touches to my clothes.
At my house, we have a very old computer. It has gone through the mill. It takes some time to warm up. A friend of mine (he is so wonderful) gave me an older model laptop. As a matter of fact, I am typing this post on that laptop. Since I write 6 blogs, It is easier for me to type up my blogs, without waiting for my desktop to warm up, save them to my jump drive (I cannot use the internet on this laptop unless I am within 1 mile of the nearest wi-fi link) and insert them into the blogs. I use every minute that I can.
The majority of my beauty supply is from the dollar store. Anything else I need, I use coupons or make myself. For me to be truly frugal, I try to make all my products do double duty. Baby oil, Vaseline, powered milk, scrubbers, Epsom salts, makeup, powders, hair accessories, and the list goes on. One of my purchases has been a lip brush. This makeup tool extends the life of my lipstick and helps define my lips. I could not live without this tool.
Since I make all my own jewelry, I have collected beads from the craft shop, dollar stores, garage sales, and thrift shops. I also find purses, belts, scarves, hats, and shoes. All you have to do is clean your items and you are good to go.
This is my way to do what I can with what I have.
By Georgetta R. from Waterloo, IA
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
Times are definitely tough for many of us and there is little or no cash for treats and little luxuries. At our house to make belt tightening a bit more fun, we have invented a game; "Good to the Last Drop". To "play" the game, the contestant must come up with a usable idea to stretch our resources to the limit. It is amazing how creative we have become. Below is an example of some of our ideas See what YOU can come up with!
Well, I think you get the idea. Some kinds of peels from well scrubbed veggies can go into soups and stews. Sugar bowls can be rinsed and the water added to a pot of tea. Scrapings from the biscuit batter bowl can be added to the roast drippings to make the gravy. And well washed and scrubbed citrus peels can be made into delicious candied peels! These are all ideas that we have tried and enjoyed, maybe you will too!
By PlumCottage from on the beach in NJ
I feel very close to the people in the English Colonies. I may be somewhat different in my circumstances but I have the same heart! I appreciate all that I have and try to make it go as long as it can. I use things in different ways, that I think they might have given me the nod of approval.
From saving rainwater outdoors for the plants to making tape rolls for next year's garden, to making and keeping seeds from the years before to use the next year, it all adds to an attitude of using what I have to make more. It also gives me a chance to be closer to the workings of nature, seeing the beautiful life cycle of the plants and flowers.
There is a simple form of joy in this and there is nothing more purely blessed than to see a home overflowing with love, not so much from expensive store bought items, but meaningful things that make us think of what we have and love, being all around us at all times, as we walk through our homes.
I have clay ornaments with messages on them, glittered and bright, sitting around, on the tables and on the Christmas tree with it still up. I have recycled cans and containers, as you will find most of us do in this community, and they have adorable pictures on them, I have lots of homemade no-sew scarves and pillows for the winter, that I have made out of fleece, and they are warmer than any ones you could buy at the store already- made. I simply buy a yard of the fleece and cut them out myself and cut a five inch long fringe on them. I make them extra long in length too, for the cold winters. They are very warm.
I make adorable no sew pillows from my children's outgrown clothes, and they are reminders of joyful times past. I have dozens of pictures framed and hanging up, not of store-bought paintings but drawings the family has made, both adults and children of this generation and the one before. I have rocks decorated and glass beads, and all that is in between. I have jars of memories with little cloths on top and they hold lot of memories for me and hold lots of joy to look upon.
I do these crafts, as a way of expressing happiness and joy to my family and a joyful task for me as well. Some of these take the place of skills I don't have that the Colonial people did. They would quilt, and needle point. For me, I do crafts in the place of quilting, with fleece scarves and then I paint on rocks and make pretty images for the needlepoint which I don't do. These all make a home so meaningful, even for the English Colonies, they were not all for necessity but also out of joy of home life and of freedom.
I am going to pass this on to my children, who will learn how it was so long ago, and how hearts would be creative and loving, turning a hard circumstance into a chance to bring something of beauty into their harsh lives.
Here is but one small item, pulled from that time, brought to the present here, in my busy home. Some of the habits and mannerisms that comes from that time, long ago, and some of the etiquitte that belongs to that age I include as just an anecdote and a flavor of times past. I am happy with kids running into the kitchen in running out with food they like. That is success to me. I am not really concerned with how to place the butter on the plate and the amount of preserves with the cream on top.
Nevertheless, how interesting it is to see these, habits, these behaviors from that time long ago. It is in that spirit of love and home life that I am presenting this slice of the past, English Scones. I hope you enjoy them as much as the colonial peoples did long ago, in their homes with warm hearth and family around them.
What is a Scone?
These are a product of the colonies, and eaten with butter, preserves, and whipping cream. You split them into, like you would a biscuit. You are trying to eat with manners. The butter and jelly are spooned on the plate not the scone, and the scone is sliced in half, not torn in half with the hands. Only enough butter is spread on the scone, as is enough for one biteful. If cream is served, it is spooned, only on top of the preserves, not dipped (the English children must have been very refined if they followed all of this at the dinner table).
Here is a English Scone Recipe, it is pronounced either 'Scon' or the 'Scone'. They were a staple of the meals of our English Ancesters in the Colonies. Here it is, presented with love, from an earlier time when frugality was not only a necessity but a joyful way of life
http://www2.thriftyfun.com/English-Scones.html
Enjoy and serve with family. Cheers and blessings to all.
R: Research online before making your purchases for something you want. Is it a NEED or just a WANT?
U: Use up what you have already have- Don't WASTE anything!
G: Give to receive! Check out, join or start a SWAP GROUP to barter for things you want!
A: Always wait a day when you really WANT to purchase something larger. Have you really checked every other option first?
L: Learn from others who are smart savers, like parents and often older folks too! And don't forget Thrifty Fun members! Some gems here!
By Donna from NE PA
I love saving money. I love shopping. I love living the good life. Sometimes those worlds collide with each other. I wonder if the occasional going out or buying something with a coupon or on sale, makes me a frugal fraud.
Here is my story. I grew up with a single mother, brother, and sister. Money was always tight around our house. We lived in a tiny two bedroom apartment. There I met Mrs. Hatter. She was the lady who lived above us. I use to run errands for her. She would always invite me for tea. Mrs. Hatter lived in a smaller apartment than ours. She had a lot of stuff and I was completely fascinated. She had china, several different tea pots, lace dollies which she made herself. Her walls were filled with pictures, needlepoint and anything you could hang on a wall.
I love visiting and working for Mrs. Hatter. She would teach me things. She had the largest couch and chair I had seen. She taught me how to crochet, knit, needlepoint, and she tried to teach me to sew (that was a disaster). She taught how to serve refreshment and pour tea, how to fold a napkin. What she taught the most was how to wring every last drop from what we spend. Everything in her house was made by her or her group of friends who came over for tea, talk and crafting. I didn't know I was in my first crafting circle. I was still a girl of 9 years old.
She taught how to take old furniture and make it new again, or to cover up something that was ugly with several yards of fabric. She was a treasure. She passed after we moved into a house. Her passing broke my heart. All things she instilled in me, into my soul and life. I will never forget her. She is the one who started on my path to creating.
What does all this have to do with being frugal? Sometimes you have to know where you have been, to find out where you are going. This will all make sense, from my opening statement, I promise. Next post, Part Two: Growing Up and Wanting More
By Georgetta from Waterloo, IA
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
Editor's Note: Here are the other two essays in this series
Also, pay your bills electronically. It saves 18.5 million trees and 15.5 billion (yes with a "B") gallons of water to process it.
When you 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. When you get your hourly net wage, divide that into the cost of the item and see how many hours you will have to work for that item.
That $100.00 pair of shoes might not seem so cool when you make $10.00 per hour net and have to work 10 hours to buy it.
Sage advice!
Source: Woman's World this year.
By Poor But Proud from Yorktown, VA
I have found that frugal living requires many of the same tactics and disciplines as dieting to lose weight or dieting to improve your health. I found it very helpful to pull ideas from standard dieting plans to assist me with my financial diet.
My earliest adult encounter with frugal living was as a twenty-something single woman living on $425 a month in the 70's. I was exasperated with most of the budgeting articles in ladies magazines with titles like "How to Get the Most Out of Your Roast".
Part Two - Growing up, I had two cousins who lived across the street from me. They were sisters. One was bigger and the other was smaller than me. The clothes went from my cousin to me, then back to the younger cousin. This went on for years. I don't remember getting new clothes unless it was for school or Christmas. It was normal for me.
Things changed after I got to high school. My mother, who had been sick most of my life, got a job. My wardrobe changed, and I finally got a room of my own. Though I was not lacking, I wanted more, which meant more money.
Money I did not have, so I started repurposing my clothes. My journey led me to my own style, which is bohemian chic. Though I did not dress in the latest fashion, my style was me and I did not let anyone sway me. What little money, I could muster went to the local thrift shop and I would go garage sales with my sister. I was the first recycler in my family. I even decorated my room with things from the thrift shop. I am a repainting, restyling and repurposing.
I had learned from Mrs. Hatter (earlier post) on how to make style and restyle. I had started dressing some of my friends. They like my style, and I liked it too. I felt like Molly Ringwald character in "Pretty in Pink". Making do with what you have and looking fabulous in the process.
My thrift shopping ways continued as I got older and had my own job. I just could not stay out of the thrift shop. I remember two incidents that happened that made value thrift shops as the way to go. On one of my shopping hauls, I found a camera case. It was black with silver trim and looked like a box with a flap. It only cost me 50 cents. I used it as a purse. My friends at work raved over that bag. Everyone wanted to know where I got that purse. Of course I told and they couldn't believe it. That is also when I discovered that some of the ladies were thrift shopper too.
My other incident was with my daughter's school. I had moved to an area called Park Forest. She was starting school. The local thrift in the area was only 10 minutes away. I love this thrift shop. They always had colored tag day, each week a different color was half off. A lot of their children clothes were 10 and 25 cents.
One day, I stopped in to see what was shaking. I left with two garbage bags full of clothes. I also found some crafting material (buttons, fabric, paint, and other goodies). Before I left I made sure that I matched up outfits. I washed, ironed, painted, added buttons; the whole nine yards.
My most proud moment came when her teacher sent home a note asking me not to send my child to school in her good clothes. I had to laugh. Those were my daughter's good, bad, everyday clothes. It made my heart proud. Part 3 - My true journey begins.
By Georgetta from Waterloo, IA
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
Editor's Note: Here are the other two essays in this series
Part 3 and final chapter; My true journey begins. It is 8:30 in the morning and I have just finished one blog and now I am working on this post. I found my true calling. I know how to save a buck or least try. As soon as I finish this post, I will be going to get my Sunday papers and look through the coupons, sales and ads.
Last night, I checked on some of my other frugal sites to see what out there and what to expect. I like this site on FB called Deal Divas. They share info, post deals and showcase their latest hauls. I also subscribe to other coupons and saving sites. I visit well over 15 sites; coupons, tweeting, face booking, garage sales, thrift shopping, repurposing, restyling, recycling, shopping, paying bills, etc, etc, etc!
Sometimes it feels like I am in a bowl and I just keep swirling around. I admire those women who can get all this done. I give a good honest try. But I have a full time job and a family, with grandchildren. I am also trying to extend my part-time handmade jewelry business (Jets Jewelry) off the ground. Sometimes, I am not as frugal as I need to be. I don't always have a coupon. I tend to eat out more because of my schedule and there are days when I don't tackle anything at all.
Those days are far and in between, I don't like inactivity. Sometimes being frugal is a lot of hard work, especially when you are doing all by yourself. I was also younger, but still stunning. I live within my means, but I have no other choice. I make whatever I make work. I sit and wonder would I react any different if I had more money to spend and would not have to watch every penny that leaves my hand. Would I throw away my frugal ways and just go for easy, and smooth?
The answer is NO! Being frugal is choice, a lifestyle. I choose to save money, recycle, rethink my wardrobe, and visit thrift shops. All the words, being green, frugal, cheap, waste not want not, repurpose restyle all have the same meaning. The choice. I choose to see where my money is going. I choose to get the best bargain my money can buy. I choose recycle to make my world a better place to live. Yes, I slip up and resort back to spend without thought, but I always come back home. It's my choice.
By Georgetta from Waterloo, IA
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
Editor's Note: Here are the other two essays in this series
By Pamphyila from Los Angeles
If you think about it, on an average day, people waste so much.
By Sandy
In the event you find yourself unprepared for the financial hard times we are facing right now, Don't panic, here are some things you can begin to do to help weather the storm.
By Diana from Prospect, KY
Editor's Note: What are your tips for surviving tough financial times? Feel free to post them below.
Not frugal, it is too uptight a word. The word I like to use is thoughtful. Every time I save money, I smile because I have purchased quality.
I started a frugal life because I married a military man and money was short. Homemade bread, pies and cinnamon rolls and delicious meat meals sparingly stretched to make two meals out of a pound of hamburger. Leftovers made awesome soups. My husband can cook too, so he would slip in a tasty dish part of the time. The longer we are married, the more he cooks. We can save money and enjoy the meals just as much. Always tasty, always enjoyable.
Bev Sobkowich from Chilliwack
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
It wasn't that people in the community didn't want to help with the fundraiser, and it wasn't that they weren't interested in buying books and periodicals. Maybe it was because they were using their money wiser. We had several cash donations rather than purchases; people would rather see their money put directly into the organization than to purchase something and see only a portion of it put to good use. Many wrote down titles of good books and then left without a purchase.
Are we using our money wiser? Could we still work to be even wiser with our money?
Now is the time in our economic life when we need to borrow instead of buy. Rather than rushing to buy the newest movie or best seller, we need to borrow from community resources such as our libraries. In 2009, Netflix reached 10 million members. Borrowing is certainly a popular practice.
In a time when government funding for public libraries is being cut at phenomenal rates, the communities need them even more. Libraries offer books, periodicals, movies, internet connections, research databases, and newspapers for free. They also host classes that help with tax preparation or teach painting. They're great resources for the communities that they serve.
When it comes time for a party, think about borrowing here as well. Why buy folding tables and chairs when you can borrow them from others. Pick up the phone and start calling friends. Then, plan around the inventory that you've created with the phone calls. Children's parties can be expensive if parents look to buy every activity and decoration. Borrow games, decorations, videos, and CDs to create the desired theme for the party.
More than ever before Americans are comparison shopping, and the stores know it. Price matching deals and markdowns are all the rage with competitive retail stores. Take advantage of it. Do some serious shopping ahead of time. If possible, ask the sales clerk for additional, reasonable discounts. Know the competitor's price and use it to get the best price or package.
Likewise, this is the time that quality counts. Read customer referrals before buying. Keep in mind that some disgruntled customers will post negative reviews; look at the overall picture. Do another shopper a favor and jump online to write a review of a product you purchased. Just because you bought it at Target doesn't mean you can't post a review on Amazon as long as it's the same product.
Not only will you feel that you saved money doing things for yourself but you'll feel more accomplished. Try visiting those classes at the library to learn a new skill and put it to use in your home. Home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowes offer Saturday classes and project workshops. Whether you're painting a room or packing your lunch, do it yourself and save a bundle.
Source: I'm sorry, I don't remember where I read the electricity-saving tips on unplugging items when not in use.
By Vicky from Central KY
ThriftyFun
Take some time to calculate the price of a clothes dryer per year. The initial purchase of the dryer costs several hundred dollars. Then, there is the cost of the energy needed to run it. In the end a clothes dryer could cost $380 in the first year for a basic electric model or $310 for a basic gas model.
Instead, do it Grandma's way and hang clothes on the line to dry. In the warm months of the year this is a practical and fresh solution. Not only do the clothes smell fresh, but the initial cost of $10 for a clothesline and clothespins doesn't compare to the mechanical method.. Hanging clothes outside also allows for a chance to enjoy nature's sights, sounds, and refreshing air; consider it a free trip to a health spa.
Learn to can items while they're on sale. Canning is a simple process once it is learned, and supplies are reasonable. However, don't feel that making jellies and "putting up" beans is the requirement. Instead, think creatively.
While green peppers can be expensive in the winter months, they are much cheaper in the summer. Purchase a bushel in the summer months along with a bushel of onions. Then, in quart jars layer one half cut green peppers and one half sliced onions. In the winter, or even on a busy summer day, prepare sausage or meatball sandwiches with the canned peppers and onions. It saves not only money but time as well. Consider other combinations or "quick fixes" to prepare ahead of time.
The old-fashioned idea of a seed swap is fun and economical. Plantlings are expensive when they need to be replaced each year. While landscaping can be based around perennials which do not need to be replaced each year, nothing beats the sunny smile of a marigold. As the seeds form on the dead flowers, snap them off and place them on a tray in a dry place. When the seeds have completely dried in a week or more, store them in an air tight bag in a dark place until next spring. In March start the seeds indoors and move them out as the weather allows.
Walking could possibly be the most beneficial exercise. The pace can be adjusted as needed, and it can be done with a friend. Instead of hopping in the car to go down the block for a paper, walk. The benefits are limitless. Not only will it aid in overall health, but it will save on gasoline and car costs. Remember how Great Granddad walked to work each day? He must have been on to something.
What is frugal living? Where can I learn more about it?
By resm from Hartshorne, OK
By meshelle
06/04/2012
Frugal Living - welcome to the club. Its a change in mindset, change of habit and change of life.
I would suggest you start small and each week/month bring in new challenges but get use to one before going onto another new change. For instance, you need to look at incoming money and your outgoings. Obviously outgoings need to be less than incoming monies! If you have a debt, pay this off first and then start saving.
Instead of shopping/spending, can you reuse an item that you have so saving yourself money. For example, I have a side table/lamp table which was dark wood, so I prepped it and repainted it cream to match my sitting room style.
I reuse food packaging in different ways, e.g. cereal box is cut down and used to write on menu plans and shopping lists.
I buy wool from charity shops/thrift stores and crochet blankets.
So, start reading blogs and thrifty fun and taking on board new ideas and ways to live and give yourself a big pat on the back when you start saving money, the planet and making new friends. Above all, it takes time but enjoy!
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Do you have a tip, recipe or craft to share?
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