My Frugal life - Paying for Prom and Eating Meat on a Budget

Date: 05/01/2006 Topic: Better Living > Frugal Living > My Frugal Life

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My Mother was raised during the depression so being Frugal is a way of life for me. Mother would never go anywhere unless it was to work, she did all her shopping on the way. If a store was more than a block or two off her route she didn't shop there.

Our gifts were either from Gold Stamps or she rebuilt, repainted, and remade finds. To this day, I can't remember ever having a birthday party, they were a waste of money. Now that I have raised my family, I thank her. My husband and I have raised 9 children, 5 lived with us full time, without my having to work outside the home.

Here are some frugal things I do...

For gifts I rebuild, repaint, and remake finds. This includes children's birthday parties. I just can't make myself give them up. My youngest daughter has been planning for prom all her high school life. She has 3 dresses to chose from without costing me anything. The dress she is going to wear she got from our church. Our church had a barn full of clothes for any member that has a need and she fell in love with a dress they had. She has volunteered her time in exchange for the dress. I actually have 2 two children going to prom this year and have spent less than $100.

For My Son

I got his clothes at a thrift store:

Tuxedo... $20
Shirt... $4
Shoes... $7
His (Senior) ticket... free
Date's ticket... $35
Date's corsage... $12.50

For My Daughter

Dress... Free
Shoes... Free
Senior (Senior)
Her Ticket... Free
Corsage 12.50

That's a total of $91.00 and both kids look great.

When they were younger I could feed us all on $50 a week. A 5 pound roll of hamburger made 4 meals. We would eat 2 pound roast for Sunday night. A 10 pound bag of chicken leg quarters for the remaining meals. For just $16 we had meat for every evening. I would also buy 10 pounds of potatoes, some noodles, and 14 cans of vegetables. Any extra money went for soaps. shampoo, and snacks. They ate lunch at school and I ate leftovers for lunch.

Randa from Martindale, TX

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RE: My Frugal life - Paying for Prom and Eating Meat on a Budget

Post By Sandra (Guest Post) (10/19/2006)

try www.freecycle.org. This site is awesome. People are always giving stuff away.

RE: My Frugal life - Paying for Prom and Eating Meat on a Budget

Post by Tanya39 (16) | (10/09/2006)

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I too have 9 children. I have a deadbeat husband who refuses to help us. He has moved on with his life leaving us behind to deal with life on our own. I am not bitter nor are my daughters. I was interested in your free prom dress since my oldest daughter is going to Junior prom this year. How did you get it for your daughter, so I can do the same for my daughter. I am on rental assistance. I rent a two bedroom mobile home now. Our rent is $198.00 a month on assistance. There is no money for a dress. Any help would be good. Did someone give her the dress and shoes. Thank you. PS I do have a sofa sleeper and bunk beds. This is where the money that is extra went too.
from tanyarj_2006@peoplepc.com

RE: My Frugal life - Paying for Prom and Eating Meat on a Budget

Post By (Guest Post) (05/02/2006)

CHECK OUT THE CRAFT FORUM HERE REAL COOL AND INEXPENSIVE GIFTS

RE: My Frugal life - Paying for Prom and Eating Meat on a Budget

Post By (Guest Post) (05/02/2006)

ALWAYS MAKE A MEAL PLAN SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'LL NEED AT THE STORE. I SHOP AT ALDI'S MOST OF THE TIME AND BUY AS MUCH MEAT WHEN IT'S MARKED DOWN AND MAKE A LOT OF MEALS FROM SCRATCH THAT GO FAR. LIKE SPAGETTI,GOULOSH,HAM AND BEANS,ETC YOU GET THE IDEA. I MAKE HOMEMADE CAKES AND COOKIES ETC FOR SNACKS. FRENCH FRIES AND MASHED POTATOES ARE MADE FROM THE REAL MCCOY I DON'T BUY FROZEN THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD RECIPES AND IDEAS FROM ALL THE FOLKS THAT COME TO THIS SITE
GOOD LUCK

RE: My Frugal life - Paying for Prom and Eating Meat on a Budget

Post By Aquarius (Guest Post) (05/02/2006)

I am very interested in some of your frugal ideas. Can you tell me how you only spent $50 per week for groceries? I have 2 older sons and a sister that live with me. I seem to spend a LOT of money on groceries every week and can't seem to find a way to do it any cheaper. I use coupons whenever I can.
I would also like to hear some of your ideas on remaking and rebuilding gifts. I am not very good at creating ideas.....once I see them done, I am on my way. You can reach me at Lmm3880 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Thanks

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