live off less advice.....please new tips

**sinopa27** · 03-08-2010, 03:30 AM

I saw this on yahoo and I am a sucker for trying to find out new tips to live off less. Once again.....the same old advice. PLEASE!!! Someone come up with NEW advice and not the same old tips just reworded!!

7 Ways to Live Well on Less on Shine

**ladykemma2** · 03-08-2010, 06:01 AM

what's interesting is it's still how to SPEND money. also written on a 10 year old level.

**frugalwarrior2** · 03-08-2010, 06:54 AM

Sorry. Same old for me. I have reduced my groceries for a 75-50% savings. Equation=sale +coupon= savings. Buy enough for 12 weeks (stockpiling) as sales/coupons cycle about that.
Meijers; if you have 1, offers online coupons which can be paired w/ manufacturer coupons plus sale for even greater savings. Add a catalina which you recieved on a previous trip and you are really down lower than 50%. Make sure you also buy multiple papers to take advantage of the sales to the fullest.
LAST week
McCormick Grillers sale 2/$3. -manufacturer C-meijers meal box coupon= .50 each. I used to pay $2.50 for McCormick Salad Seasonings, LAst week I got 4 for .50 each w/ multiple coupons. $2.50/.50 is 1/5 the cost. This leaves $2. in the budjet for something else. (Makes my milk "free"??).

**khaski** · 03-08-2010, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by sinopa27

I saw this on yahoo and I am a sucker for trying to find out new tips to live off less. Once again.....the same old advice. PLEASE!!! Someone come up with NEW advice and not the same old tips just reworded!!

7 Ways to Live Well on Less on Shine

I hear you- I used to get excited about segments on tv about how to reduce your cost of living, only to find out they were always stuff I was already doing.

I guess my 'new' advice you may not have done recently? Call your utility companies (phone, cable, that sort of thing) and see if you can haggle down your price or get a better package for what you're paying. Don't forget to research your car insurance every year to make sure you're getting the best price!

**sunshine** · 03-08-2010, 08:15 AM

Grab an OLD book from the libary, called "Living More with Less" by Doris Jansen Longacre. She also wrote the "More with Less Cookbook" - it has living on less ideas as well.

**Judi Dial** · 03-08-2010, 08:17 AM

you'll find that essentially the same info has been touted for many, many years. I've got frugality books back to the Civil War,and although we dont' have to worry about getting the maid to do more with less cost, or organizing the seamstress' work so that it's economical, the basic priciples apply.

Stockpiling, shopping sales in season, preserving the harvest, and buying for future needs rather than only current needs (aka stockpiling, nonfoods) are some examples.

Judi

**Preston** · 03-08-2010, 08:33 AM

set aside ONE day of the week to do ALL spending (groceries, gas, etc) and then do not buy anything until the next week. This creates some challenges.

**Sara Noel** · 03-08-2010, 09:07 AM

Last night I saw a frugal blogger that said she strives to make frugality sexy, delicious and fun. What in the what??? Maybe she has some "new" ideas to get excited over. LOL

**daughter of pearl** · 03-08-2010, 09:51 AM

Sexy frugality? What next? It's like the magazines that promise "100 Ways to Save $$". Here's one: don't buy the magazine!

"Living More with Less" is the bset frugal book I've ever found, closely followed by the "Tightwad Gazette", but the rules don't change:

If you have it, use it up.
If you don't have it, find something you do have that can substitute.
If you need to buy it, do your research and find the best bang for your buck.
Understand that need and want are very different things!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 03-09-2010, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by sunshine

Grab an OLD book from the libary, called "Living More with Less" by Doris Jansen Longacre. She also wrote the "More with Less Cookbook" - it has living on less ideas as well.

Oooooo! I love her book! I FINALLY got my own copy and am so excited! Hooray for Amazon!

Yeah, those seem like ways to spend a little less rather than just save... I'm so glad we all have HERE!!!!

**Josephhgoins** · 03-09-2010, 03:32 PM

ok, I just ordered the book used from Amazon for .57 plus 3.99 shipping.

I will order the cook book too.

Thanks

**lparker** · 03-09-2010, 04:57 PM

"live off less advice.....please new tips"

Aw, man, I read it wrong.....I was going to answer -
1. don't read newpapers
2. Stay away from frugal message boards
3. keep away from MILs
4. don't ask your neighbor
5. don't ask your friends
6. don't watch TV
7. don't listen to NPR

then I realized you wanted new tips to live frugally
NOT tips on living with less advice

There's nothing new in the world - EVERYTHING is
recycled.

**Grainlady** · 03-09-2010, 05:01 PM

What I find interesting about these "lists" is that they are not all that helpful for people who have lived really frugal lives. It's more difficult for us to find a new tip - but I'm always looking. For those who have lived at the mall, destroyed their credit with credit cards, can't cook from scratch, have never practiced "economy" and don't know what a budget is - I can see how some of these lists would be new information for them. We all started someplace....

I was happy to be reminded of Doris Janzen Longacre's books. I'll have to get them out and re-read them - it's been awhile since I did. I still use many of the recipes. The books were a great inspiration all those many years ago when I was a young homemaker.

I bought More-with-Less Cookbook way back in 1976 when it was published, and Living more with less in 1980, which was finished and published after the author, Doris Janzen Longacre passed away at the young age of 39 after a 39-month battle with cancer. There is another book written in the same spirit of More-with-Less -- Extending the Table... by Joetta Handrich Schlabach.

It's the reminders of being thrifty throughout the books that is the teacher. Gentle reminders from people who lived it! Lots of great vegetarian recipes, some I still use on NO-MEAT Fridays at our house.

**frugalfranny** · 03-10-2010, 01:21 AM

I know what you mean sinopa...........I do the same thing when I hear something on TV---then it comes on and I shake my head thinking they had the same thing on about two weeks ago..........but they said it differently.

I find that our stores are really 'tightening' up too........I have to shop much harder to find good ('good' the key word) sales! So when it is non-perishable stuff I really stock up.

**knitnmom** · 03-11-2010, 10:03 AM

I have the books "More with Less" and the other one. I really like those too. Has anyone read "Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression" by Rita Van Amber? Those were very interesting and it also helps you appreciate what we do have compared to how bad things got back then.

Oh, and I love the "Tightwad Gazette." All these books I keep handy and read often just to keep me motivated.