Frugal living anyone?

I know tons of ways to save money, especially when it comes to cars (been researching for a while). If you want ideas, let me know.

I would love to join!! Add me:)

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I'm so in for this! My budget is getting a lot tighter next month when my student loan deferment ends and every little bit helps!

I'd love to join!

consider my self a frugalista. My family has lived on a very VERY small budget for 2 years now due to the economy and layoffs. Finally we are both working again so hopfully getting out of this blackhole soon.

But that said I have learned to live on a $70 a week grocery budget. thats 3 meals and snacks a day 7 days a week for my family of 4. that includes buying all personal care and diapers. There are lots of websites I have found in my search that provide great moneysaving ideas and tips. let me know if I can assist you in your challenge in any way.

I know exactly what you mean. I am on a very strict budget and mine does not allow for error even though like life, mistakes happen. I think living frugal is the new "Green" way to be. I especially found ways to reduce my energy bills. For instance trying washing dishes by hand with soapy water with a little bleach and it will save on the dishwasher. I also keep my hot water heater off unless I am going to do dishes or shower. Both of those combined saves me 20+ dollars a month. In my experience anything that uses heat will up your bills like crazy. I also watch the supermarket ads to make sure I get as much at one store as possible.

Rebekah

Yep, I'm in. I'm a girl who's trying to eat healthy on a budget.

I absolutely love this topic!! Unfortunately, every way of saving money I have found means time and loss of convenience but I've decided to put the effort in. Here is a list of things:

-buy water bottles (like the BPA free ones) and use tap water, you don't need to buy the plastic water bottles... I have three and keep them filled in the fridge... if you to drink something other than water make your own iced tea (pop is a money sucker and not so healthy)

-go grocery shopping with a list and don't add things to it once you get there and don't be afraid of generics

-eat less meat and more vegetables

-use your leftovers!! (and freeze them if you can't use them soon enough)

-pre-prepare your own meals and eat at home instead of going out to eat (healthier and cheaper)

-you can make your own laundry detergent very cheaply, also consider air/line drying your clothes

-when doing dishes by hand use a dish pan, don't let the water constantly run down the drain (also reuse the water when you are ready to dump it, you can use it to water plants this tip also works for water from boiling noodles and stuff)

- consider buying your clothes at the discount stores (around me places like TJ Maxx, Gabriel Brothers, etc) or clearance racks

-landscaping the yard: grow them from seed yourself...if you have the space, try a garden. (also call your water company and ask about the gardening plan for the summer- it might be too late I'm not too sure)

-for credit cards you are supposed to be able to call every 6 months and get the interest rate lowered as long as you weren't late on a payment

-females... Google the Diva Cup and decide for yourself if it's something you'd be willing to try (definitely a money saver though!)

-mend your clothes rather than replace them... also be creative and cut up and redesign old shirts for a new style

-turn off every electric thing (and lights) when you don't use it (I've even read to put it all on surge protectors and flip that switch when you aren't using it...if you don't do this at least unplug phone chargers when not in use)

-use daylight as much as possible instead of lights

-turn the heat down when you are sleeping or not home (and in the summer you can get a lot by learning the right windows to open and when to close up the house and avoid turning on the a/c)

-only leave the water running when it's needed (washing hands, brushing teeth, showers... turn on to wet, of and on again to rinse) and for the toilet possibly go with "when it's brown flush it down... yellow let it mellow (unless it's potent)

I would love to join also....just reading all of this there is a lot I could learn...

I am always looking for ways to save money. My husband is quite the opposite of me. Case in point-he was not happy with a recipe I was trying for dinner, so he threw out the food and we ended up not only wasting the money on the food he threw away, but we then went out for dinner because nothing else was thawed! Drives me mad! So anything I can do to off-set his more wasteful tendencies is great. I love to clip coupons and find sales, and nothing makes me happier than finding items on clearance.
Fantastic topic!

I'm in!!! especially for grocery store items and dept store stuff. Extreme couponing has cought my eye, but I agree, the cheap stuff is always the "unhealthy" stuff.

For department stores or really any store you like to shop at frequently you should sign up for their email lists on their websites. Then you will get the sale notifications and coupons emailed to you. At the very least it takes the work out having to search for the sales when you need to buy something. I've also found that pretty much anyplace that has a loyalty program will email you tons of coupons if you register your loyalty account online.

bump

Also, everyone check with your electical company. Here they reduce the electrical rates from 9 am -2pm then 10p to 4a (almost by half) so whomever is home is doing laundry! lol or we use the timer setting on our laundry!

-eat less meat and more vegetables

-use your leftovers!! (and freeze them if you can't use them soon enough)

-pre-prepare your own meals and eat at home instead of going out to eat (healthier and cheaper)

-./...., also consider air/line drying your clothes

-when doing dishes by hand use a dish pan, don't let the water constantly run down the drain (also reuse the water when you are ready to dump it, you can use it to water plants this tip also works for water from boiling noodles and stuff)

- consider buying your clothes at the discount stores (around me places like TJ Maxx, Gabriel Brothers, etc) or clearance racks

-landscaping the yard: grow them from seed yourself...if you have the space, try a garden. (

-females... Google the Diva Cup and decide for yourself if it's something you'd be willing to try (definitely a money saver though!)

-mend your clothes rather than replace them... also be creative and cut up and redesign old shirts for a new style

-turn off every electric thing (and lights) when you don't use it (I've even read to put it all on surge protectors and flip that switch when you aren't using it...if you don't do this at least unplug phone chargers when not in use)

-use daylight as much as possible instead of lights

-turn the heat down when you are sleeping or not home (and in the summer you can get a lot by learning the right windows to open and when to close up the house and avoid turning on the a/c)

-only leave the water running when it's needed (washing hands, brushing teeth, showers... turn on to wet, of and on again to rinse) and for the toilet possibly go with "when it's brown flush it down... yellow let it mellow (unless it's potent)
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Wow, I must be doing okay as I do all the above. I also make my own household cleaners with vinegar, water, baking soda, etc. I also belong to a clothing circle, where the kids clothes are handed between about 6 families on the way down, works for the adults too with the sizes being recycled to those smaller/larger than you are wearing.