Frugal Friday

Okay it's Saturday but really this was to be posted on Friday. And Frugal Friday sounds a heck a lot better than Frugal Saturday. It just rolls off your tongue a lot better and frugal is how we roll around here.

Thinking of becoming frugal in light of the ongoing awareness of the economy (just recently the latest is that we have been in a recession since December 2007). Anyway, this post isnt at all to be jumping on the bandwagon of those bemoaning the economy. No this post is to encourage the simple and relaxing life that comes with being frugal.

I previously posted 10 Frugal Tips. Here are 10 more....

1) In one word ~ Coupons. Get your Sunday newspaper, cut them out, coordinate them with the weekly mailers from your locale grocery stores, and use them. By rolling this way I have actually paid for items up to 75% off the original price. By not doing rolling this way it equates to throwing dollars away.

2) Get to know your local CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens. I have been following the craze that's out there. Each store has it's loyalty shopper program. They make it worth its while filling out those pesky applications for the more pesky little swipe cards. Just the other day I spent $37.00 at Rite-Aid and with rebates it goes down to $25.00. Better yet I didnt spend a dime because I received a $30.00 gift card from a previous transferred prescription. CVS and Walgreens works just the same. Either look at their mailers on-line or in the Sunday Newspapers.

3) Swap games with other family friends. Have you and your family played a game to the point of not wanting ever see it again? Have a game swap with your friends. Obviously, each game should be in good condition, have all its parts, and be in your families age range. Money spent=zero.

4) Indoor plants are so good for your environment. Learn how to make many plants from just one plant. Purchase any pots needed at your local thrift store or yard sales for next to nothing.

5) Learn how to knit or crochet. There are so many free tutorials online. You tube has many tutorials that offer a good way of learning from watch inside of just reading. After learning how to knit or crochet you can make a whole variety of items that will cost next to nothing, last longer, and it feels so good to make usable items with your own hands. Oh, yeah, a gift of let's say knitted wash cloths is a very treasured gift.

6) All that paper that have printed mistakes ~ reuse it. The other side is just as good to use. Cut or tear in 4's then stack together then staple in the upper left corner. Viola you have scratch pads for your purse, book bag, message pads, or just about anywhere you will need paper. There are many tutorials out there that show how to make a decorative pad of paper. Look them up on google.

7) Use pillows as a way seasonal decorating. Change out your pillow case covers for fall/winter and then for spring/summer. Make the pillow covers yourself and save even more. Just with this simple change you can feel like your home has been refreshed.

8) A little change is a good thing, currency change that is. Save those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Get in the habit of emptying your purse or pockets. Change adds up quicker than you think. I know this person I worked with that paid for her wedding dress with her saved change.

9) Looking for a family activity? Many museums and concert halls have free activities. Take advantage of them.

10) Turn the lights off! Leaving them on will cost you money. This was an on going debate with my husband and I during the nine years of our marriage. I wanted them off and it bugged the heck out my husband as he thought me being controlling. It took a recent article that showed him that leaving a light on for hours a day can add up to $10.00/perday on your electricity bill. Doesnt matter that I was right (no I dont want to be a right fighter) he has finally seen the errors of his ways and now turns the lights off:)

There are always many ways to be frugal, always ways to push the limits on this matter. Instead of doing everything all at once try one or two ideas every couple of weeks. Sometimes this doesnt happen all at once, just make sure you are going forward not backwards with being frugal and you will be doing just fine.