My Frugal Life Results

Painting Formica Countertops

My home was a mecca of ugly and strangely colored laminate countertops; hunter green, brown, navy blue, beige, etc.. I set out to paint them to improve their look, thinking "they can't get any worse, can they?" Paint was my frugal friend.

First I studied granite samples online and did my homework. Then I set out to buy, or in some cases, shop in my own basement for existing paint and supplies. All I needed was a good primer (2 coats), some natural sea sponges, and as many colors of acrylic craft paint (little bottles) as I wanted, at about $1 a bottle, with some on sale for as little as $0.27 cents!

Next, I wanted some glitz, so I bought Martha Stewart glitter. The crowning glory of my supplies that would pull of this look together successfully, was Envirotex Lite. It's a coating that spreads on like corn syrup, and is equal to 50-60 coats of shiny poly. That, along with some inexpensive foam brushes, and tape and drape for cabinets, I was ready to go.

I started with my powder room. It turned out so lovely, that I moved to my master bath. Which was amazing. Moving along, I did my entire kitchen, followed by my upstairs guest bath, and my mother's house too. I'm an addict!

Once you get a good stash of primer, paint bottles, and your glitter, the only new stuff you're buying are the foam brushes (thrown away after each use), and your Envirotex Lite. Total cost for my bathrooms, on average: $25-50. Total cost for my kitchen: $125.

Now, I'm going to share the look with you. Please know that however "nice" they appear online in photographs, the photos just do not do them justice. They are amazing! I swear, while they may not be natural stone, they are prettier than any granite. I encourage you to get out there, use your thriftiness, and cover-up your ugly laminate countertops America! You will not be sorry you did.

By Suz from Belleville, MI

My Frugal Life: Keep Your Eyes and Heart Open

I love to make the best of what I find along the way in my lovely life in a little central European country. This year for various reasons, we didn't manage to plant much in the garden so my itch to put up preserves for the long winter isn't getting scratched as much I would like.

Yesterday, we visited a supermarket to pick up a few bits and pieces. On a bench outside, there was a guy selling tiny red, sour Ringlo plums for the giveaway price of 50 euro cents a bag. I thought "good for him, he got up this morning and needed a few pennies so he took the initiative, picked some fruit and brought them down here to give it a shot." We had no cash on us so I scrabbled around in the front of the car until I found some change. I dashed back to the guy and pointed. He filled a bag and I gave him the euro I had got together and walked away.

I heard a shout and turned around to see him chasing me across the car park with his basket. "Oh no" I thought, "I made a mistake, I haven't given him enough money!" How wrong could I be! He grabbed the bag and, grinning away, tipped the rest of the basket into it.

When I got home, I weighed my bargain and found I had 5 lbs. of tiny intense fruit. I dried some and made the rest into 6 jars of zingy, fruity jam. This morning, our neighbour came promenading through the village with her new born granddaughter. I ran out with a hug and a jar of the only just cooled jam to be greeted with smiles and rewarded with a sneaky peek at the swaddled baby.

Then about 10 minutes later, the neighbour popped across with a big bucket of freshly dug main crop potatoes. I know they will be delicious, they always are. There is enough to last us for at least 2 weeks. I still have plenty of jam to spread around my other friend and neighbours, if you will pardon the pun!

By Ayesha from Slovenia

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My Frugal Life: Toys from Trash

"Tolan, how cool is that?" queried Papa who had just put together a wagon with his three year old grandson. And posing with his newly created robot, twelve year old Cole said, "I think I'll be able to use this for school too."

Both boys had just completed projects using the age appropriate kits that I gave them. These reusable systems encourage youngsters to stretch their creative abilities. Tolan and Cole found used items from around the house (like empty boxes, egg cartons, paper cups, bottle tops, and coat hangers) and they combined these items into something else (a wagon, a robot, a car, a space ship, an animal.)

"Just add a box and some imagination" say the creators of RoloBox, Tolan's kit. It contains four brightly colored plastic wheels and brackets, eight wing nuts, eight bolts, and one pulling handle. Tolan, with the help of his grandfather, enjoyed twisting and turning the screws and later pulling his stuffed animals and mommy's keys around the house.

Cole's kit, on the other hand, called MakeDo, is actually for young people over five (although some adults have been known to use it in their offices as well.) MakeDo comes with an inspiration poster and 165 reusable parts: two plastic safe saws, 17 lock-hinges, 73 connecters, and 73 releasers. In addition, its website provides video tutorials and a gallery where "kids" can upload their creative images, some of which will end up on the next poster. "We love making . . . not just making but making do, using stuff we have to make something new" is the motto of the makers of Cole's kit. He spent several hours building his robot, and his older sister Tayler contributed a handmade bird. Both said they were surprised at how quickly time flew and at how much fun they were having.

RoloBox and MakeDo are great gifts for special occasions and nice to have around the house for “rainy days.” (Of course, if one has a well-stocked workshop at home, he or she can put together something similar without having to purchase the kits as I did.) These gifts have benefitted my own grandchildren by encouraging creative activity; by helping them see value in everyday objects—even waste; and by providing a new way to look at and care for the earth.

By Viaux from Miami, Florida

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My Frugal Life: Good to the Last Drop

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!

1. Good to the Last Drop Milk: This is the one that started it all, hence the name. When the jam jar, honey jar, molasses jar or peanut butter jar is empty, fill part or all the way with cold milk, depending on size of jar. Close tightly and give it a bit of "cocktail" shaking. The result is a deliciously flavored drink that is good for you too!

2. Good to the Last Drop Salad Dressing: Same idea as above except with empty mayo, mustard or ketchup jars. It could also work with salsa or other dressings. We just add oil, vinegar and seasonings to the bit left in the jar and shake. Nothing is wasted, those last bits clinging to the sides of the jars blend into the dressing and pour right out.

3. Good to the Last Drop "Ice Cream": This was thought up because the juice from canned fruit always went to waste. Freeze an un-opened can of pears, peaches or mandarin oranges. When frozen solid, remove from can by opening both ends and pushing. You may need to thaw it a little first before opening. Put in your blender with a good dollop or two of plain yogurt. I've never tried it with flavored but it could work too. Blend until slushy but not melted. It makes 4 servings for under a dollar and tastes like a delicious frozen sherbet, slushy or blizzard. And not one drop of that precious juice is wasted!

4. Good to the Last Drop Conditioner: When you are at the end of the bottle, open the top and add a bit of water. Pour conditioner over hair as usual and work in well. Let it sit a few minutes, then rinse. Got every drop and soft hair too! If you remember the first conditioners, like Tame or White Rain, we always mixed with water before pouring over our hair; but if you remember THAT, then don't admit your age, LOL!

5. Good to the Last Drop Vegetable Stock: Whether from canned veggies, or ones you have steamed or simmered yourself, don't toss the water! We keep a tupperware in the freezer and add the liquid as it becomes available. Then about once every 2 weeks to a month, we use it to make a yummy soup, adding whatever veggies we have at the moment. We have made onion, tomato, zucchini, chicken veggie, minestrone and beef veggie. And not a bit of that vitamin rich water was wasted.

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

My Frugal Life: The Willow Story

About 45 years ago, probably in 1967, when we were living in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, my eldest son won an art contest at school with a painting of a gorgeous weeping willow in the yard across the street from us.

The following summer in July on a very hot day, there was a dreadful electrical storm. The willow was split down the middle. I joined the neighbors in a crying fest and then asked for some cuttings. I was told by all the neighbors I couldn't plant in the middle of the summer. I was bound to try. I am a very stubborn person and not willing to give up on most things.

Now you have to understand about the soil in Oak Ridge. It is awful! There is a problem with huge rocks about a shovel's depth underneath the surface. These must be dug out before any sort of planting can take place. When I found a place for my tree, I was met with a "boulder" about 14 inches long and probably that big around. It took at least 45 minutes to dig that rascal out leaving a perfect "bowl" to hold all the water I was planning to give Mr Willow.

I stripped all the leaves off some of the branches and put them in there along with some other goodies, like potting soil and such and planted my tree. It got a good watering every day and started to flourish. I must add that while I was planting the tree, all my neighbors were standing about laughing at me. At least two of them had degrees in horticulture.

Several years later as willows are wont to do, he started causing trouble in the pipes. The owner/manager of our apartment complex told the maintenance crew to snake out those pipes every day if need be, but "do not" touch that woman's willow tree. We left Oak Ridge in 1977 and the tree was still alive and taller than the 2 story building. Eventually the building was sold and torn down and the tree had to be removed for a business complex of some sort.

I suppose what I want to say is if you really want something to grow, and take very good care of it, you can plant it any time and expect it to flourish.

By Marty D from Knoxville, TN

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My Frugal Life: How to spell FRUGAL

• F: Find alternatives for expensive ingredients or purchases.

• 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

My Frugal Life: The End of the Road

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

• My Frugal Life: How Frugal Are You? (Part 1)
• My Frugal Life: Growing Up and Wanting More (Part 2)

Avoid Fees With Street Parking

I live in Los Angeles county where automobiles are simply part of the culture. Los Angeles is expansive, a sprawling metropolis, and owning a car is essential and as common as owning a hair brush. There are many challenges to driving in L.A., including bumper to bumper traffic, navigating the city, one-way streets, gas prices (one of the highest in the country), road rage and most frustrating of all parking.

If you are fortunate enough to find a sacred parking space, you are probably paying a king's ransom. Most average no frill restaurants in L.A. offers valet parking in their parking lot. This is where I draw the line. If I am going to patronize your business, I feel I should expect to be offered free parking. I am happy to park my own car, but this is not the case in L.A. where you must pay to park.

I do enjoy eating out, but do not want to pay between $5.00 and $7.50 to park, therefore I find parking maybe a block or 2 away and just walk to my destination. It is good exercise after a heavy meal and that is money saved for another meal out or something else. Added up in a year, on an average I eat out twice a week, I have saved between $480.00 and $720.00 per year by not paying valet and parking lot costs.

By Cathy from California

My Recent CVS Savings

I will start out by saying, use caution when CVSing its easy to get caught up and spend more than you planned! There prices are a bit high so use caution when comparing prices and make sure the extra bucks make up for it!

Here is my essay:

Hi all! I wanted to tell you about recent awesome CVS trip. I no longer have the receipt so amounts are approximate.

First, I bought my Loreal make up for $12, with a $1 coupon. I got 3 extra bucks.

I then went back to the coupon machine and it gave me a $2 coupon for hair color, which I was planning to buy anyway yay!

I bought two $10 boxes of Loreal hair care, on sale for $7. I used my $4 off two Loreal hair products coupon and my $2 coupon from the machine.

I also got an $8 whisk on sale for $4.99; I had a $2 coupon.

I got $50-60 worth of name brand stuff for $16 and it was all stuff I use! Yay, good for me! What is your recent good trip?

By Kathleen W. from Pittsburgh, PA

Take Better Care of Your Possessions

My husband is a professional appraiser and furniture restorer. I am a professional antiques dealer and a "nosey parker", LOL. So I am often in his workshop being "nosey" while he is working to repair a piece of what was once lovely furniture. It struck me one day that we have become a very careless society. Often the pieces that come in for repair suffer from just plain careless handling and neglect. How many hundreds of dollars could be saved if folks took better care of their possessions .

I recall how my grandmother and HER mother always took care to gently fold their precious hand knit sweaters into the pages of scented tissue that were always kept in their drawers " so the moths won't have a hearty lunch". And I remember how the dining table was ALWAYS wiped down after every meal with a lightly oiled cloth kept in a tin in the sideboard. Doors were never slammed and chairs were never dragged across the floor. The good china was stacked with little doilies between the plates to prevent chipping and the silver lived in its own drawer lined with green felt.

Now, I am a realist and I know we live much differently than my grandmothers did, but I still believe if we gave a thought now and then as to how hard we worked to earn the money to buy our things AND how expensive they are to repair and replace, we could all save a huge amount of money. One thing is for sure, I am more than grateful to my grandmothers for caring for their lovely things the way they did. Now I have the pleasure of enjoying them and I hope I can be as good a steward of them so that they may be passed to my own daughter when she sets up house.

By PlumCottage from on the Beach in New Jersey

Save Money on Meat

Two things help you save money on meat:

1. A good kryovac machine.

2. A local restaurant supply store.

Our local restaurant supply store has specials on meat. We get Angus beef for less that $2.20 a pound. The catch is you need to cut your own steaks. We take the slab home, cut the steaks to our liking and then kryovac one or two steaks per package. We do the same thing with their chicken breasts. The breasts come as a frozen block. We thaw enough to pull apart, then kryovac them. Another way is when your local store has a mind blowing special on roasts, have them grind up some of it and cut the rest into steaks. Best burgers in town!

By Donald from Caldwell, ID