#1: ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES. Working toward a thrifty lifestyle and maintaining success takes consistent effort and hard work. The alternative of convenience is tempting but expensive--don't put off until tomorrow for tomorrow never comes-say hello to tomorrow today!

#2 ORGANIZE YOUR WORLD. List-making is the key. List items to buy and stick to the list-organize closets, refrigerators, shelves, etc. keeps you aware of what you have. Buying things you don't need is one of the greatest robbers of wealth.

#3 USE WHAT YOU HAVE FIRST! Look under your kitchen sink-you probably have enough cleaning supplies to clean for a year without buying anything. If we want to save money, why waste money on things that will just take up space? Think of the stuff in various kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom drawers. Do you randomly walk around and stick dollar bills in drawers? Of course not-use things up- you will have fun in the process!

#4 WASTE NOT! If you don't need something, find someone who does, give it to Goodwill. Better yet, sell it to one of the many fine second-hand store chains that are popping up around the country.

#5 BE CREATIVE-ESPECIALLY IN COOKING. Don't be afraid to experiment.
#6 LEARN PRICES. This helps you keep perspective when you think you've spotted a "GOOD DEAL". Watch the register as your items are rung up-most scanner errors are in the favor of the retailer. Why? Because items are on sale less than they are at regular price.

#7 PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING. Do things differently to improve their appearance be it food, furniture, or clothes. It helps you feel like you are getting more for your money.

#8 ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. Have fun doing this; everything you do to be thrifty, every dollar you save, gets you closer to the goal of financial independence than you would have been. Learn why each dollar you save is the most valuable dollar you'll ever have.

#9 FIGHT IMPULSE. Adopt the opposite of the Mike moot-"Just DON'T DO IT," When the urge to make an impulse purchase strikes, don't be afraid to walk away.

#10 DON'T BE SURPRISED if and when you "fall off the wagon." Just make sure that you get back on!

Great tips. I'm working on the presentation tip myself. Sometimes, I get really bored with the meals I make. I tend to make the same old things. I'm finding that just adding little things makes the plates look nicer and a little different. It's that little something extra. (ie. cut fruit, relish plate etc)

I made a cake today too and Gabe commented on how he liked when I made cake. I don't do it often, but it was so nice to know he appreciated it and it was so little effort.

Great tips Denise. Thanks for sharing them.

Thanks!

I really like these, thanks~!:smball:

Like Sara, I too find myself in the "meal rut"....
The old mantra, "If it ain't broke..." doesn't work with me anymore!

The meals I cook are getting healthier (wheat flour instead of white, and so forth) but it's basically the "same ol, same ol"....

I need to tweak the presentation of foods.....

I think I'm actually improving with the "stuff" we posess!
I'm active with my local FreeCycle group and of course, I'm still flinging!
I'm keeping the things I really love & arranging them in such a way that it not only shows off what we have, but it makes a statement - if that makes any sense!
The only statement our posessions made before was "help - there's too much of us!" :D

Great tips - thank you!!

These are great tips! Thanks!

I always found when using my good dishes and fancy glasses the kids behaved at dinner better. If we have a crowd we use paper anyway and who is sorth more than your family. The worst thing they can do is break something but I figured they weren't much good sitting on a shelf. My middle daughter and I still love to use fancy wine glasses for everyday day drinking of everything. The dollar store has some great ones. Who said only wine has to go in the glasses anyway. cau

Hi! I'm new to this site but I wanted to give you all a couple of ideas that I was introduced to in the past month. My uncle and aunt are very frugal, while staying at their house I learned to can (tomato juice, green beans, pickles, blackberry jelly), that was a very valuable lesson!! But what I wanted to comment on was their "treats"!!

1) Cake dough-no eggs (it is a cheap treat for the family)

2) Mix chocolate chips, peanut butter, and homemade icing together (YUMMY! It's really rich so a little goes a long way)

Love them! Here's another-
Aim for progress not perfection!:)