photo by D’arcy Norman Not everyone is frugal. Often, you might think frugality is nothing more than good old common sense. Sadly, what appears to be obvious for some people isn’t even a consideration for others. Maybe you’ve heard frugal suggestions yet have never applied them. Frugality is in the news on a regular basis. [...]
photo by Liane In previous columns, I’ve mentioned organizing recipes and coupons, creating a price book to track product prices, a garden journal and menu planning. A frugal notebook is a place to organize all these useful tools. It’s easy to put together and cheap, too. All you need is a binder, page protectors, dividers, [...]
photo by Mark Strozier Money doesn’t buy happiness. If you take a look around, you’ll discover that there are joyful benefits to the recession. Not simply monetary opportunities in real estate, airfare, cheap stocks or from businesses struggling and discounting prices or liquidating and going under but in your personal life. It’s an involuntary pause [...]
photo by Durgan Food is something you might take for granted. As a country, we’re fortunate. But if you’ve ever gone through a weather emergency or financial hardship, you know you aren’t as immune to a food shortage as you’d like to think. If you’ve ever participated in Scouts, you might have learned a bit [...]
photo by timparkinson Are you an emotional spender? Often, a trigger can lead many of us into a shopping spree for things we don’t need. Maybe you feel incredibly happy while buying. But the joy is temporary. You get home, and the guilt and anxiety sets in. Identifying your emotional triggers can help you confront [...]
photo by madaise Frugality helps you seek out ways to save. You look at your daily habits to find any money leaks. Some frugal choices are typical, such as using plastic grocery bags to line trash cans, keeping a change jar, or buying clothing on sale. But some aren’t as common and might appear too [...]
photo by yanec Americans overpay for many products and services. Often, it can be justified by the fact that your enjoyment outweighs the money spent. But what if there are cheaper alternatives? And what if these options are almost or equally as good? You can save money. What do you overpay for? Here are a [...]
photo by Janet Dancer Parties can be expensive. One way to combat the high cost is to have a frugality party. Typically, when you entertain, you might not consider recycling or creating less waste. These aren’t simply parties on the cheap. Frugality parties are environmentally friendly, too. One reader, Sarah in Illinois, shares: “I got [...]
Reuse it instead of throwing it away. You hear this often, but you don’t want to save too many containers and create clutter. This is why it’s important to reduce the amount of packaging you buy in the first place. You pay more for items with excessive packaging, and you create more waste.
Frugal living seems filled with sacrifices. You can feel as if you’re alone and swimming against the current. It can be tough to convince your family to waste less and spend wisely to reach your goals if they view frugality as deprivation. It’s often through your cheerful frugality that others will follow suit. While showing the numbers — a decreased utility bill or shopping receipt — works well, sometimes more subtle proof that your frugality is working can get your point across, too. They’ll come around in time.
photo by blueyeda73 Doom-and-gloom stories are everywhere. At every turn, we’re hearing about unemployment, foreclosures, bailouts, crime and violence or the recession. It’s frustrating, depressing and downright annoying. You’re busier than ever, too. It’s important to be informed, but no one wants to become Chicken Little and it’s tough to unwind after a long day. [...]
You make money. You spend money. And hopefully, you save money, too. It can be tough to eliminate unnecessary spending. Many products, activities and services become a part of your life. The fact is that you probably don’t want to let go of any of them. But when the choice is between these comforts and conveniences and your financial health, it’s time to make the best decisions and not cling to the very things that keep you from debt-free living and a healthy savings.
photo by Burning Image You might be wasting water and not even be aware of it. Maybe you let the water run down the drain for dishes, teeth-brushing or your shower. Or you drain off the boiled water used for cooking pasta or vegetables. Some water can be saved and reused for watering indoor and [...]
photo by sleepyneko Ice-cold drinks are refreshing during the summer. Whether you’re lounging outside alone or serving them to friends, they’re the perfect way to cool down and quench your thirst. When serving guests, instead of using your typical plastic pitcher, spare milk jug and plastic cups, pick up a two- to five-gallon glass beverage [...]
photo by ifindkarma An organized home doesn’t have to break the bank. You don’t need to buy tons of fancy and expensive supplies, hire a professional or spend hours of your time. But you do need to be disciplined, creative and resourceful. You also need to allow yourself to own some practical tools to make [...]
photo by jarrodlombardo DEAR SARA: I teach at a middle school, and every year, we all give gifts to the other people on our team. When I first started there, the team consisted of seven teachers, including me. This year there are 14 of us — a frugal gift-giver’s nightmare! Anyway, I feel strongly about [...]
Hanging laundry to dry requires hauling clothespins. You can carry them in various containers such as a plastic ice cream pail, plastic milk jug, a pillowcase, a toddler dress or shirt (sewn on the bottom) or jean shorts, or you can wear an apron with pockets. The first reader tip shares another creative way to [...]
