Living on a Tight BudgetThis is a page about living on a tight budget. More and more of us are trying to make ends meet on a tight budget.
Frugal Living AdviceReading advice from others who live a frugal lifestyle can be helpful in developing one of your own. This page contains frugal living advice.
Frugal Living SayingsSometimes a saying or quote can help set a course or keep you on task, even when it becomes difficult or discouraging. This page contains frugal living sayings.
Frugal Living Lessons from the Great DepressionThis is a page about frugal living lessons from the Great Depression. There are many useful lessons that can be learned from how people lived during the Great Depression.
Bartering for Goods and ServicesThis is a page about bartering for goods and services. Bartering can be a great way to get the most out of things you own, make or services you can provide. Bartering also keeps the value of those goods and services in your local community.
My Frugal Life: Coupons and SwapsI use a few sources to cut the cost on my lifestyle. I am a single mom, to a 7 year old daughter, that works retail part time. My money doesn't go far, so I need it to stretch as far as possible. Coupons, and swaps have proven beneficial to me.
My Frugal Life: Frugality Taught Me FlexibilityThrough the course of adopting a frugal lifestyle I have discovered that frugality has not only helped me become more flexible, it has shown me that flexibility must reign supreme over routine when saving money is the goal.
Favorite Tips from the Tightwad Gazette?What are some tips from the Tightwad Gazette that you love most and still implement?
Reflections on a Frugal YearI have always tried to live a frugal lifestyle. Sometimes that frugality was a matter of choice and sometimes living frugally was a necessity rather than an option. This year has been one where frugality was a necessity, not just for me but for many people.
Watch For Pests In Secondhand ItemsSo many people like to "dumpster dive" or find furniture that needs to be picked up and hauled away. I moved into an apartment building which has been infested with several types of bugs, bed bugs, cockroaches, and who knows what else.
My Frugal Life: Our Way of Celebrating ChristmasMy husband is a long haul trucker and more often than not will not get home for Christmas until late Christmas Eve night and will have to leave again early on the 26th.
Saving Money at WalmartThis is a page about saving money at Walmart. Walmart may have low prices on some items but not everything they carry is a great value. Shop smart and watch for good deals at Walmart.
My Frugal Life: GiGi's Labor of Love"Hey, Lady! What are you looking for?" asked the driver. "A penny," said I from the pavement next to him. "It's sort of a game I'm playing, and I need to find the penny myself. You know (I lied), for luck."
My Frugal Life: A Predictable Mess!At the young age of five years at the time, my daughter was a very bright, intelligent, helpful and energetic young "woman", as she would laughingly tell it today at age thirty five.
Shopping Time LimitIs it hard for you to stick to a time limit when shopping? If so, buy a small oven timer and set it to the desired time you wish to spend shopping. Stick it in your pocket or purse, and when the timer goes off, it's time to go home.
Sell Your Broken or Unwanted ElectronicsThere are a number of online services that accept your broken or unwanted electronics and give you money in return. My son has a number of cell phones. For two of them, he can get $30.
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: 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.
Buy Resale Items To Keep Money LocalBy buying items at garage sales and resales, I stay "green" and avoid paying out money to foreign countries for items manufactured there. I know when I do this, my money stays in the U.S.
Saving Money on JewelryThis is a page for saving money on jewelry. Whether you are talking about gold and precious gems or simply costume jewelry, it can be expensive. Share your tips on finding the best deals to fill your jewelry box.
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.
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: 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: 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 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: 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: "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: Painting MargaritavilleMrs. Mural and I both received an invitation for dinner at the Tibbons'. I called and asked Mrs. Tibbons to allow me to make the dessert. Since my "new found life path" seems to have been paved with coffee cake, I had no problem deciding what I would make.
My Frugal Life: Bread With a MissionMy husband enjoys going on mission trips with our home church, but the cost is expensive for the trip. In order to defray the costs of the trip, I make homemade sourdough bread on a weekly basis and sell it at church for $5.00 a loaf.
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: 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.
Sell Empty Ink Cartridges?Is there a place that will pay for empty ink cartridges?
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: 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: Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!Ahh! There is nothing like the soft scent of peach, cinnamon, and vanilla; or maybe you like flowery scents like rose and lilac. For me, I will always be reminded of my mother and the outdoorsy scent of balsam and pine she loved at Christmas.
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: 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.
Ordering Books from the LibraryI love reading books and spent a fortune in used book stores. Then I developed a back problem and could not leave the house. I started ordering all my books and DVDs from the library, my library had a program where they mailed all the books directly to my home, free of charge.
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: 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.
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.
Use Electricity at Cheapest TimesMy local electric company just sent out a brochure with the savings I can make from using my electrical appliances in the evening. I save almost 50% by doing baking for the week, washing clothes, etc by planning to do those things after 9 pm.
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: 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: 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: 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.
Buy Coupons On EbayTo get more money for your family, remember coupons are money. Why not go to eBay and purchase coupons there? Or sell your time to clip coupons?
Use Envelope Labels As Return LabelsYou don't have to get return address labels specially printed. Cut out the typed address block from business envelopes/letters sent to you. Stick them on your out mail with glue or tape where you usually put your return address.
Use Rags Instead of Paper TowelsIf you use paper towels, think about going green and switching to rags. You can make your own non-paper towels with your own old t-shirts, baby blankets, flannel shirts, etc., or you can find them cheap in thrift shops.
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 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: A Winter MiracleI wanted to share with you all what our "stay at home married ladies" group at church did several years ago at Christmas. We were a Wednesday night group of about 15 women who met weekly for Bible Study and grew rather close.
Wash Clothes with PlungerWhen I want to wash a separate article by hand or do not want to use the washer for a few black socks, etc., I use the "plumber's friend" or plunger. Just swish the plunger up and down like a washing machine.
Hot Water Bottle to Reduce Heating BillsBrrrrrhh! It's so cold at night now in Southern California - low 40s. During the winter months for the past seven years, we use the plastic water bottles.
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.
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.
My Frugal Life: The Wisdom of FrugalityI am blessed to have grown up in a family where my parents had gone through the Great Depression and then WWII. They never made being frugal seem like punishment, but more of a game, where I was taught to look at the bigger picture.
My Frugal Life: Keeping Our World CleanFall is here and I'm so thankful for cooler weather. It has been a long, hot summer and not a good time to pick up a lot of litter.
My Frugal Life: Out Of Sugar?Making another trip to the store; that makes how many this week? Is it a want or a need? A little planning always is the better way of course, but sometimes things come up and we do run out of something we think we just have to have.
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.
Frugal Laundry DetergentI go to Winn-Dixie and buy a box of 20-Mule-Team Borax washing powder and a box or Arm and Hammer washing powder. Next I go to Save A Lot and buy a bar of Zote bathing soap. Use 8 cups of each powder and grate-up the bar of soap, like cheese.
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: 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: Ways To Reuse RecyclablesI buy a box of any kind of plastic Ziploc, store brand, or zipper bags from the dollar store and use the bags for snacks for school for my daughter for school or freezing my meats.
Make Stickers Out of Free Address LabelsIt's getting to be that time of year again, when you get loads of those free address labels from charities, etc. Make them work double duty for you by cutting the cute little graphic off and using those "stickers" as envelope seals, or give to your kids for chores well done!
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.
Making Quick Curtains With SheetsWhen I have a sheet that is too nice to use in dog kennels, I make it into a double sided small window curtain. If you have a smaller window in your home, garage, or office, this idea would be perfect since you don't need a large amount of material.
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: Reuse and RecycleI save the paper left after drying hands and use it to pick up spills on counters and floors at home. I save the small bags that pet food comes in to use for coffee grounds, eggs shells, and bones, fat, or scrapes left over after dinner.
Reuse Paper to Print CouponsI've seen lots of tips about couponing and using coupons printed from computer sites. My tip is to save paper that is printed on one side (scrap paper) and use it to print those coupons.
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.
Free Tuesday Movies And Other Promotions From CablevisionFor the people who live out here in the east and happen to have Cablevision as their cable supplier, PLEASE take advantage of their free movie Tuesday offers!
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.
My Frugal Life: Rebuilding Our HouseWhen we got married, Jim and I had only one thing in large numbers: children. We decided to purchase some land in the country where the six of them could have room to grow. We had $5,000 saved, and used it to put a down payment on an 11-acre piece of marginally useful land.
My Frugal Life: Me And The BeeBeing frugal has to do with more than just money; you need to be frugal with your time. This was especially true years ago when moms stayed home to care for the kids, clean house, and have a meal on the table when hubby got home from work.
Do It YourselfThe old adage "If you want it done right, do it yourself" carries significant merit in the frugal times of a frail economy. Donate some time to completing three tasks yourself, and you'll save money every time. Not enough time?
Stash "Get One Free" Grocery Items for a Rainy DayWe are all stretching our dollars as far as they can go, and I think most of us try to do our grocery shopping weekly. If you can buy one thing that you need, and get it "buy one, get one free", put the free one in the back of the closet and pretend you did not get it.
My Frugal Life: For Our Planet's Sake!I believe that my living frugal is also good for our planet! Teaching these values to my children to carry on this lifestyle has always been important to me.
Things You Should (And Can) Get For FreeMany banks offer free checking and most with no required minimum balance. All you have to do is ask.
My Frugal Life: My Love Of GardeningMy mother always said not to waste food. Dad always said not to depend on others until you knew you could do it yourself. Then, at times, depending on others is OK. I grew up in the city of Memphis, TN, so I didn't have access to many garden spots.
My Frugal Life: Brought Up FrugalI was brought up in the frugal lifestyle. A lot of my clothing was from second hand stores or made over from another garment. About the only things bought new were underwear and shoes. Even after I got married and had kids, I still look for bargains.
Follow Your DreamsI have always had to budget my money but what it taught me has paid off well. I started out as a single mom over 40 years ago working as a secretary. Things were much different then for single moms - we basically did not exist so there was no help out there.
My Frugal Life: Frugal Is FunWho knew being frugal could be so much fun? When I talk frugal, I'm NOT talking about being the cheap friend who never picks up a lunch tab. I'm talking about ways to not spend money on things that do not bring us pleasure - paper towels.
My Frugal Life: ThriftyFun FamilyIn 2007, I lost my entire family. We grew up in San Diego. As the kids became adults, we found that even with decent jobs (I am a school teacher) we could not afford to live in SD. My mom helped my siblings buy houses, but not me.
Jazz Up Inexpensive ItemsQuite often inexpensive items can be jazzed up to look much nicer! I picked up a fan for $1, but the print was a bit garish. I used my permanent markers to "color in" the flowered pattern and now it's gorgeous and doesn't look like it was a cheapo.
Make Your Own Slide and Negative ViewerTurn your expandable extra leaf table into a slide and negative viewer. Use a 3/8 inch; Plexiglas sheet you cut to the size of the table leaf. Underneath the table, place a converted table lamp.
My Frugal Life: Independence!Hello everyone and welcome to MY essay regarding frugal living! I was once employed for, what I thought, to be a career to which I could retire one day. Unfortunately, things did not work out for me that way.
My Frugal Life: Robyn's TipsI was looking on here for uses for old candle wax, and I came across the following ideas. I have kind of changed several of the ideas into one that would utilize what I had in the house.
My Frugal Life: I Love The Internet!I have never been the type to stay online for hours at a time; I never could find that much to do. I always wondered what people did when they stayed on for hours at a time.
My Frugal Life: Share Your GardenMost of what I have in my gardens in the raised beds (other than the fresh vegetables planted) pretty much came from others. As friends and neighbors, we check over each others gardens and say what we have extra of.
Make Panty Liner Work for Thong UnderwearI like to use panty liners every day but I wear more than one style of underwear. For the thong style, I just partially fold in the bottom edge of the liner.
My Frugal Life: Happy BarginistaBeing known to stretch a pretty buck has been my forte as it has kept me in-tune to bargains, better eating habits, and extra cash on a rainy day. It has also rubbed off on the bad spending habits and bad financial values of my husband.
My Frugal Life: An Epic Tale!My mum worked two jobs to keep me and my bro. I did the cleaning, washing, ironing from an early age. I gave up the opportunity of University so my bro could go as he has a fantastic mathematical mind (mum couldn't pay for both of us to go).
My Frugal Life: Hunting Down A BargainMy frugal life has been going on ever since I was a young child. I began to save scrap paper to write and draw on. My family knew never to throw out any paper that was unused or blank on one side.
My Frugal Life: My Garden Costs Almost NothingI have spent very little on my gardening, taking advantage of our local craigslist and freecycle. I have been given plants, seeds, pots, trellises, netting, mulch, hanging planters, tomato stakes and cages, and yes, even a gazebo!
