What New Frugal Living Skills Did You Learn In 2008?

[TheRootedNomad]

I already posted a thread about areas I will be looking at improving in, in the new year. In looking back though there are also some new skills that I learned. Some I learned here and some I learned other places. Sometimes I look at other peoples posts of the things they do and think " hey, I wanna learn that ". I'd love to hear what you've learned over the last year. Oh, and please comment on the items. Do you continue to use that knowledge, or does it save you a lot, or was/is it just a hassle, and so on.

Here's what I can think of off my list of new frugal knowledge for 2008:

~ learned how to can spaghetti sauce (This is wonderful. I can't wait to learn to can more. It saves me tons of freezer space.)
~ learned how to make my own laundry detergent
(Big money saver for me and is easy to do.)
~ learned how to make three kinds of solar ovens and that of the three tire, box, and funnel that the funnel type works best. (Not really sure how much money this will save as it's December and we've only done cookies but I can't wait till it gets hot to try out a meal.)
~ learned how to download free trial games on the computer.
(Lots of free entertainment.)
~ learned how to put pictures on the computer and e-mail them
(Saved me postage and I actually send out pictures.)
~ learned how to use the bonus points on one of my store cards
(this is a little bit of a hassle but netted me $50 of free gift cards for places I'll use.)
~ learned how to use my slow cooker for a lot more meals than I was useing it for. (When I am planning ahead this saves me tons in running out to grab something because I get home from work and don't want to cook.)
~ learned that Habitat for Humanity also has stores. (This can save you tons on home impprovement projects if you hit them at the right time.)
~ learned how to wash my hair with baking soda
(hated it)

I'm sure there's a few more. I'll post them when they come to me. Looking over this though I'm not really seeing any construction type knowledge so I'll be looking into learning a new skill in that area this coming year. In 2007 I learned to spackle, make blowout patches, and tile. Those are some truely money saving things. Maybe this year I can look into plumbing along with some more extensive canning.

Now give me some ideas. What have you learned?

[LastDragonfly]

I learned to make my own laundry soap, soft scrub, and all purpose cleaner.

I learned to make soap! Fun! Cold process is worth the wait, but I did do a generic batch of HP crock pot soap.

I learned to scrapbook in 2008, it enhances my card making skills.

I learned to can! It was so much fun and it wasn't very hard. Just took some time!

I learned how to sell things on ebay.
I learned how to use up my old magazines by making a bowl.

I learned to bake bread and to dehydrate things I've never thought about before.

[homesteadmamma]

What a great thread. I learnt how to:

~put batting together to make a couple small pieces into larger pieces for quilts

~I learnt how to print pictures from a new digital camera. Now we don't have to travel to get pictures developed for our scrapbooking.

~I learnt how to use items around our home for scrapbooking, saving me from buying scrapbooking supplies.

~I learnt how to grow fruit trees

~I learnt how to do mudding on gyproc.

~I learnt how to make baked beans that my family loved. It's a cheap meal.

I'll probably think of a few more too.

[mommyoffive]

OK ,this is going to sound really simplistic, but the biggest thing I learned was to make a budget each month that changes with what that month is going to bring. I used to have a general number in my head for each budgeting area, but I never stuck to it. Now, I write it all down, and I am mindful about every penny I spend. Then at the end of the month I figure out how I did and how I can improve the next month.

[Cricketlegs]

Laundry soap and cleaners and air fresheners and also dishwasher soap.

I kicked yeasts butt! Yes I can make all kinds of bread now.

I learned how to do ceramic tiling

I learned the real value of a budget system.

I learned to not only live within my means but to also improve my means!

[The Muse]

I learned:

How to make laundry soap

How to REALLY cook & bake from scratch

How to garden

How to knit

How to invest

How to live more simply and be happy with used or what I already have

[ladykemma2]

i learned how to really follow mary hunt's advice of using a freedom account.

i foolishly racked up a credit card and relearned why i shouldn't do that.

[TheRootedNomad]

I learned how to sell things on ebay.
I learned how to use up my old magazines by making a bowl.

Selling on ebay sounds like a good one to learn. I just bought my first item moff of ebay this year, maybe selling is the step for this year.

Now about that bowl....What kind of bowl? Is it decrative or can you put food in it? Can it hold liquid or just dry stuff?

**** side note***Some days I feel like the cartoon charecter, was it Wilbur maybe, that is simply full of that "insatiable curiosity".

[peanut]

I learned to work better with DH on finances...thanks to Dave Ramsey and Gail Vaz-Oxlade.

I learned that I have more skills and experience than I thought I did, and that I can use those to better benefit for the family and friends.

I learned that I like to socialize while working on projects. And consequently started a crafting group and am finishing projects that benefit the family and friends and charity.

I learned to use Quicken...kind of...at least I can do it with DH watching me and guiding me.

I learned to sew aprons...lots of them...lots of different styles...from leftover fabric I had given to me.

I learned to acquire hobby supplies cheaply/free from friends/Internet.

I learned how to be a general contractor...LOL! Well, we had several people working on the property and DH had to go to work, so it fell to me. This wasn't a choice, believe me!

I learned how to have an all cash Christmas...making bath salts, spiced honey, etc.

I learned how to knit shawls and socks.

I learned how to make fleece hats, headbands and scarves.

Jean

[curvaliscious]

I learned...

1. How to bake bread by hand successfully
2. How to make my own powder laundry detergent
3. How to make my own deodorant
4. How to declutter everything that I own - and that I can live with a lot less than I thought I could
5. How to watch movies online for free

[forHISglory]

Hmmm......
1. I learned how to get a house ready to sell and how to stage it (we didn't actually get it sold, but I DID learn this!)
2. I learned how to save money while on a fixed income.
3. I learned how to have a second-hand Christmas.
4. I learned much much more about scrapbooking and crafts.
5. I learned how to make some kinds of candy that I didn't think I was capable of.
6. I learned that I still could memorize and act in local drama groups, even at my age!

[Yart]

I learned how to water bath can... Pickles, salsa, strawberry jam, peach butter, applesauce, tomato starter....(I use this for when I make spaghetti sauce. It is tomato, onion, green pepper & garlic.)

I learned how to make laundry soap / fabric softener is vinegar... (can't even smell the vinegar)

I learned how to grow potatoes in tires.... I know what to do for this years garden

I started the learning process of making bread I hope to prefect it next year.

I started to knit.... I like to crochet better. I am faster at it.

[shoiji]

This past year really has been a learning or relearning process. There are so many different areas where I learned.

1) A stockpile really does come in handy. And can be very comforting.

2) I really can live large on a small budget.

3) It is a good thing I have a sewing machine. Made rags, napkins, altered clothes, duvet, etc. Quite the money saver.

4) Plan ahead and write in the calendar when the good clearance sales start.

5) I have more than enough things and anything coming in means something needs to go out of the apartment. Makes me think more of what I have than buying what I already have or really don't need.

6) Knitting is fun and you really can make useful items.

7) Making largers amounts of food and freezing it does save time in the long run.

The list just goes on and on. I really do feel more at ease with my financial situation. Thank you Frugal Village!

[mkkl19]

This year I learned
-how to garden
-how to can
-how to make jam, apple butter,apple sauce, spag. sauce, biscuits from scratch, muffins from scratch and pies
-how to finish a knitted project

[ri*smom]

How to:

make pizza dough from scratch

make Easter egg bread

grow blackberries, blueberries, and apple trees

grow asparagus

make photo scrapbooks online (saves a ton on time/money compared to the hands-on way)

make my own spaghetti sauce

make my own basil pesto



I know there is a ton more, but that is all I can think off the top of my head.