Egg cartons are sturdy containers. If you’re used to throwing them away, save one or two and put them to use in your home, use them for gifts or donate them.
Here’s how:

Gift:

Money can be placed in an empty egg carton (you can reuse plastic Easter eggs, too). You can use an egg carton to wrap other gifts, such as soft headbands or hair ties. One reader, Denise from Illinois, shares: “Give a year of socks to kids!
January: White socks for starting the year fresh
February: Valentine’s or red socks
March: St. Patty’s or green socks
April: Easter or spring pastel socks
May: Flowered socks
June: Any summery color
July: Red, white & blue or starred socks
August: Low cuff crew socks (ankle)
September: Find socks with buses, apples or rulers/pencils or sew a school-themed button to the cuffs
October: Halloween socks
November: Thanksgiving socks or plain brown socks
December: Holiday socks
Roll up each pair tightly and stuff into a section of the empty egg carton “gift box” to make a perfect dozen. Buy the socks on clearance after each holiday and then give the gift the following year.”

Fire starters:

With some dryer lint, leftover candle wax and an egg carton, you can make fire starters. B.C. from North Carolina shares: “I have a paper egg carton where I keep dryer lint balls and a couple of cotton plugs from over-the-counter medication bottles. I melt wax and pour it over the lint or cotton. These make great fire starters for home or when camping.” You can add candle fragrances found at craft stores, too.

Craft paints:

Use an egg carton to hold a palette of paint colors for kids.

Organizer:

Use egg cartons to organize small items such as golf balls, jewelry, craft supplies, baby socks, seeds, rubber bands, small pushpins or paper clips, nuts and bolts, screws, etc. Stack cartons on a shelf or slide one into a drawer. Use them to hold small game pieces and toys such as dice, Legos or Barbie accessories, too. To make a homemade mancala game, visit: www.sinasohn.com/crafts/mancala.htm. Or add an egg carton to the laundry room to hold loose change found in pockets.

Molds:

Egg cartons make great molds for homemade chalk or crayons. Another reader, Carolyn from Georgia, shares: “Homemade egg-shaped sidewalk chalk is fun and easy to make. Begin by separating the halves of a plastic egg. Liberally coat the insides with petroleum jelly, adding extra near the seam, and then set both halves upright in an empty egg carton. In a disposable cup, use a plastic spoon to mix together 1/4 cup of plaster of Paris, 2 tablespoons of cold water and about 2 tablespoons of powdered tempera paint. Spoon the plaster into the egg halves, filling them both almost to the top, and let them set for a few minutes until the mixture reaches a mud-like consistency. Then snap the plastic egg back together and briskly shake it to combine the mixture. Repeat for each color of chalk. Let the chalk eggs set overnight before removing them from the molds, wedging the tip of a table knife between the chalk and the plastic (a parent’s job) to help loosen it, if needed. The chalk eggs can be stored in an egg carton or clean plastic eggs.” For photos and instructions on how to make recycled crayons and their own take on making chalk, visit www.homemadesimple.com/en-US/Crafts/Pages/diy-egg-shaped-chalk-and-crayons.aspx.

photo by lovelihood

Outgrown or worn jeans can be used to make something new. Rather than throw them away, create a gift or two for the holidays, or donate them for others to reuse.
Here are a few ideas:

Purse:

Make a purse from the pockets. This doesn’t have to require sewing. You simply cut the back pocket out (leaving seams intact, so it remains a pocket and forms a mini purse). Next cut out the leg seams. Use safety pins or Velcro to attach the leg seams or use beading or ribbon for the purse handle. For a photo, visit: http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/sewing/114793-pocket-purses.html
One reader, S.W. from Missouri, shares: “I made denim purses to give away as goodie bags for my daughter’s party. Each girl received a personalized purse with a candy bar, hair accessories and a push pencil inside. The girls loved them! I even had other girls at my daughter’s school asking me if they could pay me to make them one.”

Denim book cover:

Made much like a brown-bag textbook cover, this makes a cute gift idea for the student in your life. Don’t forget to glue on the pocket — it’s perfect for holding pencils. For a tutorial visit: margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-love-to-create-recycled-denim-book.html. You can slip a bit of ribbon underneath the pocket before you glue it and use it as a tie enclosure, too.

Pillow:

Cut off the legs, sew the openings and use the zipper to stuff the pillow. Another reader, Kim from Florida, shares: “You can make a no-sew pillow easily. Use a pair of jeans, two rubber bands, cotton batting and decorative ribbon. Cut one of the legs off the jeans. Cut off the bottom hem of the leg so both ends are frayed. Secure a rubber band tightly about four inches from the end. Stuff the pantleg from the open end, leaving four inches of unfilled space at the top. Put the other rubber band on this end and secure it tight. Cut two lengths of ribbon to the desired length, wrap one ribbon around each rubber band and tie as desired.”

Denim bibs:

Trace the outline of one of your own snap-on bibs onto the jeans. Cut it out, then add a snap or Velcro. For a tutorial, visit: thimblythings.com/2009/06/01/in-praise-of-denim-bibs/.

Clothespin holder:

Take an old pair of blue jeans and cut off the legs. Sew the holes completely shut, leaving the waist open. Cut a canvas belt into two strips. Now, sew the strips like suspenders to the jeans. Hang it on your clothesline using a coathanger. You can also sew the strapping together under the hanger to keep it from falling off. This works well with toddler overalls, too.

Cell phone case:

Use two pockets from a pair of toddler jeans. Leave extra material above one pocket to fasten the top pocket, which will serve as the flap, to the bottom pocket. The pockets can be sewn together or glued using fabric glue. One pocket holds the phone, the other pocket works as a flap to close the case. For a tutorial, visit:
esavebudget.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-recycle-denim-jeans-into-cell.html.

Pocket magnet:

Cut out the pocket from an old pair of jeans, leaving the back intact. Laminate a printed image or photo and hot-glue it to the pocket, or simply use an iron-on patch. Glue a magnet to the back, tuck a small notepad and pen inside the pocket and hang the pocket on your refrigerator. You can also turn the pocket into an ornament by foregoing the magnet and attaching ribbon or copper wire instead.

Donate:

The “Cotton. From Blue to Green” mail-in program recycles donated jeans into cotton fiber insulation for communities in need. Visit cottonfrombluetogreen.org/ for more information.

photo by jenny_belly

Staying motivated and focused on long-term money-saving goals is a common challenge. The daily grind of making positive choices that work toward your goals can be frustrating, especially if your goals aren’t recreational or fun. The thrill of spending money you don’t have or splurging senselessly can seem more fulfilling than experiencing a sense of denial and sacrifice, but that feeling is temporary. In order for any positive outcome to occur, you need to be determined and firmly commit to reaching your goal.
For tips on maintaining a good attitude, visit www.frugalvillage.com/2007/02/25/avoid-negativity-and-feeling-deprived/.
The following are methods to stay motivated:

REMEMBER THE STRESS.

Don’t dwell on the negative, but remind yourself of the stress money has caused. Let that serve as a deterrent and a catalyst for change. Poor credit? Buried in debt? Living paycheck to paycheck? You have it within your power to change your situation. Imagine being able to have a money discussion that doesn’t include someone getting upset.

WRITE IT DOWN.

Write down where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re heading. This will later serve as visual proof of your progress and confirmation that your hard work is paying off. If you’re at a frugal plateau, this record of your money decisions will help you understand why. You can also identify your weak spending areas, so you are prepared to combat them and hold yourself accountable.

SEEK INSPIRATION.

Read books and seek out others who have been successful. You might discover tips that could work for you and witness that your goals are truly attainable. Learn to say “NO” to those who aren’t inspiring or are derailing your efforts.

THINK POSITIVELY.

Look at your thriftiness as a game. How low can you go? How much can you save? How great do you feel when you overcome obstacles? With each small success it becomes easier. Feel confident that you are being a good role model, whether it’s for your children or for someone else who might be struggling. Remind yourself that you are being less wasteful. Think about the freedom and peace of mind you can enjoy, and the bragging rights that come with accomplishment. Be content with now and appreciate the difference between having what you want and wanting what you have.

DON’T GIVE UP.

If you make a mistake or overspend, don’t let it prevent you from picking up and starting over. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Sometimes life simply happens. Don’t beat yourself up over unforeseen expenses or repairs that might set you back (that’s what emergency funds are for, after all). Don’t be afraid to ask for support and help.

HAVE DESSERT.

Like dieting, you can occasionally treat yourself to “dessert.” But indulging is a small treat or reward, not a big-ticket purchase. Remember that if you overspend, you’ll have to work a little harder to start to see progress again.

In this consumer-driven and wasteful society, we still have the option of living frugally. It’s a lifestyle change, and your progress will depend on consistently making positive choices, both big and small. It isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition, however. You can pick and choose what works for you, experiment and try new things, or jump in with both feet and see where the journey takes you.

photo by sweetonveg

Plastic ice cream containers seem too good to throw away. They’re bulky, so you don’t want to save them without having a purpose for them. Some are now available as a square container. This makes them great space-saving storage or gift containers.
Here are a few ways to use them.

KITCHEN COMPOST:

Keep them on the counter or under your sink to hold kitchen scraps that you want to compost. The lid keeps odors to a minimum.

MAIL HOLDER:

Instead of stacking your mail on the counter, place it in the container until you can pay the bills or sort through it.

TRAVEL CONTAINER:

If you’re heading to a picnic or a cookout, use the containers for your potluck dishes, such as salads, chips, popcorn or cookies. The handle makes them easy to carry, and you don’t need to worry if you accidentally leave it behind.

IN THE GARAGE:

Use a few containers to store car wash supplies, such as car wax, chamois and sponges. They can hold pet food, birdseed, small tools and snow salt, too. Use one for gardening supplies, such as starting seeds or holding garden markers, seed packets and garden gloves.

CRAFT SUPPLIES:

Fill them with supplies to use on a rainy day or as a boredom buster, such as crayons, markers, paints, brushes, scissors, chenille stems, craft foam, fabric scraps, yarn, sewing supplies, etc.

WINTER GEAR:

Use one or more containers as a simple storage solution for winter hats, baseball caps, gloves, scarves and mittens.

KITCHEN STORAGE:

Store seasoning packets, boxed gelatin, sponges, instant oatmeal, coupons, plastic grocery bags, recipe cards, batteries, twist ties or cookie cutters.

CLEANING SUPPLIES:

Store them under the sink and use them to hold scrub brushes, sponges, scrub pads, clothespins, rags and plastic grocery bags. Use one to hold homemade laundry soap, too.

TOYS:

Organize toys such as small cars, game pieces, Barbie clothes and accessories, blocks, playing cards or flashcards, action figures and Legos. Take one to the beach for sandcastles; one can also be useful as a snowball holder or for a backyard sandbox. Use one to hold sidewalk chalk or Play-Doh. Fill one with activities for kids to do or small toys to play with during car rides, too.

SOCK BIN:

Each family member can have his or her own container. Or place mismatched socks in it until you find their mates. Use one to hold dryer lint, too.

BATHROOM ORGANIZER:

Organize washcloths, tub toys, soaps, deodorant, cosmetics, hair accessories, free samples, toothbrushes, etc.

GIFT CONTAINER:

You can cover the outside with decorative adhesive paper, line the inside with tissue paper and fill as you would a gift basket.
Some ideas include:

– Pet kit: Add homemade treats, a leash, a collar and grooming supplies.

– Back-to-school kit: Add pencils, a ruler, school glue, glue sticks, erasers, scissors, highlighters, hand sanitizer, a pencil sharpener, facial tissue, etc.

– First-aid: Add bandages, gauze, cotton balls, tweezers, a reusable ice pack, calamine lotion, peroxide, etc.

– Get-well kit: Add chicken soup, puzzle books, magazine, tea, cold medicine, slippers, cough drops, etc.

– Baby kit: Add shampoo, body wash, baby washcloths, towel, nail scissors, bibs, rattle, etc.

– Office kit: Add items such as a hole punch, a stapler, thumb tacks, paper clips, pens and pencils, sticky notes, a calendar, a mouse pad, facial tissue, label maker, calculator, rubber bands, tape, stamps, etc.

– Teen girl kit: Add nail polishes, earrings, cosmetics, brushes, hair accessories, a journal, lotion, a T-shirt, etc.

– Sundae kit: Add ice cream syrups, sprinkles, maraschino cherries, nuts, plastic bowls, an ice cream scoop, etc.

– Kitchen gadget lover: Add a whisk, a melon baller, cookie cutters, an apple corer, dish towels, recipe cards, a spoon rest, potholders, herbs and spices, etc.

– Beach kit: Add sunglasses, sunscreen, a beach towel and a book.

Shampoo can be used in a variety of ways in your household. This is helpful when you have an accumulation of free samples, or when you clean out your closet and find older, partially used bottles. Samples are wonderful to use when traveling, to tuck into gift baskets, or to use as stocking stuffers. You can donate them, too. However, this doesn’t help for any unwanted shampoo that’s already been opened.
Here are a few alternative uses for any extra shampoo you have left.

SHAVING:

Instead of using shaving cream, use leftover shampoo or free samples. One reader, Deanna H., shares: “I’ve read people use hair conditioner or shampoo instead of shaving cream and gels in the shower. I do one better: After I lather my hair with shampoo or conditioner, I take the excess and use it on my legs for shaving. You’re rinsing it down the drain, so you might as well get one more use.”

CUTICLE SOFTENER:

Add a squirt of shampoo to a finger bowl of warm water to soften cuticles for home manicures.

HOMEMADE BODY WASH:

Baby shampoo works well for hair and skin for all ages. You can use it as a makeup remover, too. Another reader, Tracy Q. from New York, shares: “I make homemade body wash from cheap shampoo. You need 1 cup of Suave shampoo, 1/2 cup water, 3 tablespoons table salt or Epsom salt. Combine all the ingredients together and whisk the mixture until it’s kind of frothy. Pour it into a recycled liquid soap container and voila! You have instant body wash at a fraction of the cost!”

ADHESIVE BANDAGE REMOVER:

Take the ouch out of removing a sticky bandage. Apply a few drops of shampoo on top of the bandage. Rub it in and let it soak in to work on loosening the adhesive for a minute or two. Then lift the bandage with ease.

WASH BRUSHES AND COMBS:

Fill a small sink with hot water and add a few squirts of shampoo to it. Soak brushes and combs in it. Swish the comb and brushes a few times. Use the comb to scrub the hair brush to remove any hair, hair oil or lint, and continue to swish until clean.

NO FOG MASK:

To prevent swim masks and goggles from fogging up, fill a squirt bottle with a mixture of one part baby shampoo and two parts water. Apply it to the goggles, and lightly rinse.

LAUNDRY PRE-TREATER:

Rub full-strength shampoo directly onto grease stains or ring around the collar prior to washing.

CLEAN THE BATHROOM:

Use shampoo to clean your tub, sink, chrome faucets and shower walls. Use a Scotch-Brite scrub pad, a loofah or a nylon bath puff to help you scrub away soap scum. You can cut the legs off pantyhose and use them as a scrubbers, too. Use baking soda with the shampoo if you need a stronger abrasive cleaner.
Another reader, Lisa C. from Texas, shares: “If you have tile on your bathroom floor and use a lot of hairspray products, then you have sticky floors like I do. I’ve been trying to find the perfect cleaner to take care of this problem. I’ve used Pine-Sol, vinegar, Scrubbing Bubbles and liquid Lysol, and none of these worked very well. So not long ago I thought, ‘OK, now what?’ Aha! Shampoo! It worked like a charm. It’s also very frugal, since I use whatever is on sale.”

photo by wonderdawg777

Frugal people sometimes get teased for reusing items. For example, you might save aluminum foil to reuse later. While some may find that idea silly, frugal people know there are plenty of ways to put foil to good use.
How have you reused aluminum foil? Here are a few suggestions.

DRYER BALLS:

Wad foil into balls that are approximately 3 inches in diameter and use them to reduce static in your dryer. You can wrap a tennis ball in foil, too.

POT SCRUBBER:

If you don’t like the dryer ball idea, you can wad the foil into a ball and use it to scrub pots and pans instead. One reader, Roxanne from West Virginia, shares: “That wadded-up foil will clean the barbecue grill, or at least take the bigger stuff off so you can clean the rack easier.” You can use the foil balls for cat toys or to scrub rust from chrome, too.

REMOVE WRINKLES:

A flat piece can be used on your ironing board under the fabric cover to reflect heat. This will make your ironing faster because both sides of your fabric will benefit from the heat.

PREVENT RUST ON STEEL WOOL PADS:

Place steel wool pads in a ziplock bag or in aluminum foil after use and store them in the freezer; they’ll last longer.

CARDBOARD SHUTTERS:

Cover foam board or layers of cardboard with foil and place these in windows to reflect light and heat. These can be placed in rear-facing windows, so neighbors don’t complain. Another reader, N.J. in Vermont, shares: “In my neck of the woods, people use solid foil-backed insulation board, covered with pretty fabric, to plug the windows. My aunt did this on the windows of her rambling old house. From outside and in, they looked like damask window coverings. They coordinated with, but did not match, the heavy drapes in the living room. She also attached grosgrain ribbon loops to the sides of the insulation boards for easy removal.” For more information and directions read: www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/CardboardShutter.htm.

DRIP BARRIER:

You can reuse foil to cover your stove drip pans or on oven racks.

SHARPEN SCISSORS:

Fold foil in layers and cut with scissors to sharpen them. This is most helpful for youth scissors or cheap household scissors. But it’s not recommended for sewing scissors.

SOLAR OVEN:

Build a solar oven with cardboard and aluminum foil. For directions, visit www.solarcooking.org/plans. Another reader, Karen from Kansas, shares: “An excellent book on the subject is ‘Cooking With the Sun’ by Beth Halacy and Dan Halacy. Instructions for making your own solar cooker are included in the book, as well as lots of recipes. The recipes will indicate if the recipe will work in a reflector cooker, a solar oven or both. Check your local library for a copy.”

photo by aithom2

It can be tough to find more ways to save money. Members on my community forums shared ways to save at least $5 a month. Here are some of the highlights to help reach your savings goals.

MAKE YOUR OWN BREAD:

Making your own bread usually costs less than buying it from your local grocery store. If you already make your own bread, try making your own bagels or hamburger buns. Here’s a hamburger bun recipe (for a bread machine) to get you started: www.frugalvillage.com/forums/breads-muffins/115973-sandwich-hamburger-buns-bread-machine.html.

REFASHION CLOTHING:

Garage sales and thrift stores are cheaper than paying full retail cost at department stores, but altering clothing that you already own costs only your time and needs minimal supplies.

A few examples include:

– Old jeans easily become shorts.

– Add appliques. (Cut out favorite designs on old T-shirts or scrap material, and sew them onto other clothing such as hoodies or sweatshirts for a new, updated look.)

– A buttoned shirt can become a toddler’s dress. (For a tutorial, visit www.craftster.org/)

SOLAR LIGHTS:

Try them around your home during the summer months. One reader, Karen from Kansas, shares: “We have large solar lights and they work really well and are very bright. They even come with a remote for turning them on and off. There are also solar-powered LED ‘Christmas’ lights that work great on a deck or patio. The twinkle lights don’t attract moths and other bugs. We also have traditional solar-powered path lights and uplights to illuminate the front of the house. A few years ago we had an ice storm and were without electricity for a prolonged period of time. We would bring in the pathway lights each day to light several rooms of the house.”

MARKED-DOWN PRODUCE:

Check your local grocery store (talk to the produce manager) for marked-down produce. Go to ethnic markets and farmer’s markets, too. Another reader, Donna from California, shares: “I used to work the farmers’ markets every summer, and I manned a fruit stand on Sundays. There is a big incentive to get rid of stuff by the end of the day! No one feels like doing more manual labor after being up since 3 a.m.! You do run the risk of not getting what you wanted. But if you came by about an hour before closing, we gave some pretty good deals. I did see a number of regulars who would show up first thing in the morning, get their prime produce, and who would then show up at the end of the day to get the deals.” If you grow your own produce, consider bartering with someone to get anything you might need or want, too.

EXPERIMENT:

Try something new. Maybe you’ve wanted to do home canning, make your own yogurt or laundry soap, or dehydrate foods. Stop thinking about it; visit my community forums to learn more and do it! Another reader, Joshin from Washington, shares: “One thing I’m experimenting with is homemade seitan (wheat meat). I made some yesterday based on this recipe, www.hapabento.com/2010/01/10/how-i-made-my-own-seitan/, from whole-wheat flour. I used it in a teriyaki stir-fry instead of chicken. Shockingly enough, we couldn’t really tell the difference. My husband is a full-blown carnivore, but he said this had a good meat texture when he chewed it, and to keep using it. With meat prices so high, this should save us quite a bit of money this summer!”

photo by Qfamily

Frugal strategies can cost you. They don’t always work equally as well for everyone. It’s easy to justify buying or doing things when you believe it’s going to help you to save money later. You can fall into a trap and make poor decisions all in the name of frugality. Frugality isn’t an all-or-nothing lifestyle. Pick and choose what works best for you or adjust strategies to fit your life.
What frugal failures have you experienced?
Here are three common flops shared by readers.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP:

One reader, C.M. from Illinois, shares: “I tried to make laundry detergent. The recipe said it was supposed to become gel-like. It didn’t. It ended up being discolored water with yellow chunks floating on the top. Needless to say, we didn’t use it.”

–Get recipes from a trusted source.

If using a website, look for recipes that include ratings, reviews and photos if possible. Because results can and do vary, always test a small, inconspicuous area or a rag first, too. If interested in a homemade laundry soap recipe (liquid and dry versions), visit www.soapsgonebuy.com/Laundry_Detergent_Kit_with_PRE_GRATED_Fels_Naptha_p/pkg1001.htm.

–Explore your options.

You might discover that buying laundry soap when it’s on sale coupled with coupons is the better way to go, or you might enjoy options such as soap nuts (www.buysoapnuts.com) or Charlie’s Soap (www.charliesoap.com).

DISCOUNT FEVER:

This type of buying is impulsive and often leads to buyer’s remorse. Another reader, Michelle from California, admits: “I love garage sales for the money they have saved me. However, they have also been my downfall along the way, as I have made the occasional errors in judgment and purchased items I didn’t need and/or ended up not using. One mistake was clothing items purchased one or two years ahead of time for my 9-year-old daughter, who decided she didn’t like them once they finally would
fit. They have been or are being garage-saled again.”

–Ask yourself the following questions prior to purchasing:

Do I need it? Will I use it? Is there room for it? Can I borrow this? How long will it last? Can I do without it? Can I find a better price? Are there negative consequences?

BULK COOKING AND KITCHEN GADGETS:

The concept is great, but it’s not the most practical or useful solution for all families. Many people have bought products such as juicers, dehydrators, canners, food sealers and meat slicers. They don’t use them often enough to justify buying them. Maybe you don’t have the time, or it’s not as cost-effective for you as it is for someone else.

–Consider your resources.

Such as whether you can buy appliances secondhand or have a source for inexpensive food. Know your limitations, too. Maybe instead of a large-scale bulk-cooking session, you can cook once and eat twice, such as making a large pot of soup or spaghetti sauce or a big pan of lasagna. Another reader, Jessica from Washington, shares: “My family started getting sick of casseroles. I have found that instead of making ‘heat and eat’ meals, I try to do a lot of the prep work and freeze the ingredients. Then all I have to do is throw it together the night we’re eating it. For instance, instead of freezing a big pot of chicken and dumplings, I fill a quart-sized bag with shredded chicken. Another small bagful of chopped carrots, celery and onion, and some poultry seasoning and flour. Another baggie with homemade chicken broth. I store all of these little bags in a larger bag in the freezer. When it’s time to make the meal, I just heat some oil in a pot, toss in the veggies and saute them briefly. Then I throw in the chicken and chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Then I make up some dumplings (or use refrigerator biscuits) and plop them in. A fresh, homemade meal that doesn’t taste like it came out of the freezer.”

photo by gezellig-girl.com

Behind every frugal person is an item or two that boosts their frugality. Spending money to enhance frugal living might seem like backward thinking, but there are many free or low-cost items that can help you save time or money. Many pay for themselves in very little time, too. Some items that top the list are coupon organizers, food storage containers, cookbooks, sewing machine and hair clippers. What’s your favorite frugal treasure?
Here are a few more examples:

LIBRARY CARD:

If you haven’t visited your library recently, it might be well worth the trip. Many libraries are offering much more than books. Many of them offer toy lending, book clubs and reviews, facilities rental, games, crafts, DVDs, audio books, fun family events such as movie nights and special guests, coffee bars, homework help, art rental and book sales. One reader, Darlene B., from New York, says: “I love my library card and would be lost without it. It’s definitely the good plastic to have in your wallet.”

APPLIANCES:

Some households have fancy cooking gadgets and no one actually cooks in the kitchen. Frugal kitchens contain practical, money-saving appliances such as a dehydrator, freezer, slow cooker, wok, toaster oven, grain mill and meat slicer, to name a few. Thrift in the kitchen isn’t a lost art for many families. Another reader, from Heidi, from Greece, says: “My pressure cooker saves water, electricity and time, and allows me to cook cheaper foods easily (dry chickpeas cooked in eight minutes).”

TOOLS:

If you’re not handy, you can still learn many DIY tasks to help you save money. You can’t do even basic repairs without proper tools, so investing in at least a few is money well spent. While some jobs might be best left to professionals, an investment in quality tools means you don’t have to go running out to replace a cheap hammer or screwdriver each time you need to use one.

DRYING RACK OR CLOTHESLINE:

The savings can be considerable, and it’s a great option even if you use it only some of the time to dry clothes. You can make your own PVC drying rack. For directions, visit http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/laundry/74830-make-your-own-pvc-pipe-clothes-drying-rack.html.

FITNESS PRODUCTS:

You can get the exercise you need on a budget at home. Another reader, Anne, from South Carolina, adds: “We have collected various items over the years for particular goals at the time or specific exercise programs (like P90X), so now we’ve got:

Exercise ball
2 yoga mats
yoga block
resistance bands — set of five
jump rope
5-pound weights

And we have My Fitness Coach for Wii. We also have a FitDeck (www.fitdeck.com), which is really cool. It’s a deck of cards, each with an exercise you can do without equipment, so you can do up to an hour of working out.”

Don’t forget walking, using stairs or a step, exercise DVDs or TV programs. Or visit Web sites such as Prevention (www.prevention.com) or the American Council on Exercise (www.acefitness.org/exerciselibrary). Shop secondhand sources for your fitness needs, too. Another reader, Polly, from Pennsylvania, adds: “Every summer people sell their I’m-going-to-get-fit fantasies for a song. After Christmas, they set their sites on losing weight and getting in shape for their New Years resolution. They went out and purchased expensive machines, gambling that since they spent so much money, they wouldn’t think of not using them. But, like most New Years resolutions, getting fit was long forgotten by February and these machines have sat gathering dust and becoming clothes racks. This summer, yards will be littered with treadmills, total fitness machines, exercise bikes, etc.”

photo by onthedotcreations

Practicing frugality is different for everyone. What might seem extreme or petty to you is everyday life for someone else. Each person decides what they’re comfortable doing to save a buck. However, there are times it’s not simply about saving money. Sometimes it’s about being less wasteful. Frugality can be a split-second decision. Keep or toss? Buy or delay? Some frugal decisions are easy to make, but others fall into the shades-of-gray area — not because it’s foolish, but maybe it’s time consuming, slightly embarrassing to admit to or doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. But you still choose frugality. What have you done to be less wasteful that’s on the fringe of what you’d tell others?
Here are a few examples.

FLOUR:

You flour the counter when rolling dough and when you’re done, you still have excess flour on the counter. Some people don’t feel comfortable saving it. Others will brush it into a bag to use later.

Side note: Visit our bread making forum!

DRINKS:

You have a family with kids that don’t always finish their drinks. Some people will pour it down the drain. Others will save it in the refrigerator or freeze it in an ice cube tray for later use. Many frugal people will dilute beverages such as juice or milk, too. One reader Sharon K., from Ohio says: “I drink diet pop, but I fill up a glass with ice cubes and half water and the rest diet pop. I keep adding ice and water and will probably put in about 1/4 cup more for the day.”

VACUUMING:

Your vacuum dies. Some people will rush out and buy a new one. Other people might buy a used or refurbished vacuum or a manual carpet sweeper. Marie from Texas shares: “When our vacuum died, I couldn’t justify going out and spending money on a new one, so I started sweeping the carpet with a broom to clean it instead. It takes a lot of arm power to do the whole house, but it saves me money. Some people might think it takes up too much time, and it is time consuming, but I kind of enjoy it now. My husband just bought me a new vacuum cleaner, but I refuse to use it. It uses too much electricity.”

CONSERVE WATER:

Many families don’t conserve water. Fewer reuse it. Some frugal families will turn a faucet off when sudsing soap in their hands or while brushing teeth until the water is needed to rinse, and some people collect cold water in the shower or bath or sink before it heats up and reuse it to water plants or to manually flush their toilet. Lisa from Indiana, shares: I let the three littles use the same bath water (unless it’s very dirty).” Some people will even reuse bath water to wash their floors.

SAVING LEFTOVERS:

For some people, leftovers are amounts of food that are large enough to be made into another meal or more. Of course, there are some people who don’t “do” leftovers. Many frugal people will save very small amounts of leftover food such as meat and vegetables and freeze it until they have enough to make a soup or casserole. Michelle from New York says: “I save and freeze all of our leftover meats, and when I get enough, I make a sandwich spread with it. I just add a little onion and mayo and seasonings.”

photo by grongar