Fast $5 ???

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 05-14-2009, 03:13 AM

Do hobbies that are 'productive' instead of costly...ie...baking (make own bread, etc.), crocheting (make baby gift from on sale yarn), etc.

Use craigslist and/or freecycle for shopping when you need large or expensive items. It keeps you out of the stores where you'll buy other things and is MUCH cheaper (not to mention "earth friendly").

**Siebrie** · 05-14-2009, 07:15 AM

Make your own birthday cards. If you buy 1 per week at $5, that's $1 per day. So make 5 in one evening.....

**missyali** · 05-14-2009, 11:28 AM

run around outside with your kids for exercise or take them to the park and play with them. no gym membership, you'll be "the coolest mom" and the fresh air will zonk everyone out

**mama2James** · 05-14-2009, 02:18 PM

This one is hard for me sometimes, but it's an easy way of saving even more than 5 bucks. Next time you have a special occasion you think you need to buy a new outfit for, take a long hard look in your closet first. There is probably something you can put together. If not, figure out what you absolutely need and try the thrift stores first. Recently I needed a dress and found a great never been worn one for $2.25 at Goodwill!

**rowdy35** · 05-15-2009, 03:13 PM

hmmm $5.00 ~

* pack your lunch instead of going to McDonalds

* bake bread or go to bread store for 99 cent loaves

* skip the lunch meat and eat P B & J instead

* step away from the vending machines (buy snacks/pop in bulk and carrying them with you)

* if you do go out to eat, go to a "dive" restaurant or bar rather than a fancier place to meet your friends

**peanut** · 05-16-2009, 12:51 PM

Walk or ride your bike instead of driving. It also limits how much you can buy when you go out!

**wanna_homestead** · 05-16-2009, 03:04 PM

Make homemade pizza instead of buying takeout pizza.

**miss_thrifty** · 05-16-2009, 03:44 PM

borrow magazines from libary instead of buying the latest at store -last minute i think i need it. nope
make cookie logs instead of buying pillsbury ones.

**lisetterenee** · 05-16-2009, 09:48 PM

Freeze the end of a gallon of milk individual servings a few days before it expires. I do this every week and every 3rd of 4th week, I can skip buying milk. Not quite a $5.00 savings, but close depending on the price per gallon. Believe me, on a $50.00 a week budget, I'm thanking my lucky stars I don't have to squeak a gallon of milk out of that budget EVERY week.

**heartofmine** · 05-16-2009, 10:42 PM

Make your own laundry detergent.
Make your own dishwasher detergent
Use vinegar for rinse instead of liquid fabric softener
Rent or borrow a video instead of going to the movies
Wait until a movie comes out on dvd

**Natalie** · 05-17-2009, 09:20 AM

Well, since I can't go by bike for work, as I'm a home health aide (my first place is 18-23 miles away), I have to take my car. My last stop is about 30 miles away from home, but the gas is generally cheaper in that town than my home town, so I get gas there, and at the lower priced stations there, too!

I do online bill pay as much as I can, too.

If you forget your reusable grocery bags, at least you can use the plastic ones to line your in-the-house garbage cans, keeping them cleaner, so you don't have to use cleaning products to clean up the garbage cans 'cause they stink.

**known2him5** · 05-18-2009, 07:34 PM

Line dry your laundry -- depending on how much laundry you have, and the cost of your electricity/gas, you can save more than $5/week.

**pryor208** · 05-19-2009, 03:58 PM

Avoid going to the grocery store on the spur of the moment to pick up one or two things, because you can't get out of there without picking up extra stuff. Create a meal out of what's in your fridge/pantry.

Swap stuff with friends/family to get what you need or want. Win-win situation.

**Sassyclass** · 05-19-2009, 07:59 PM

I cancelled the monthly $5 fee I was paying in case we had an inside problem. I found out it cost about $80 for them to come out and fix something, so I decided to keep that money in the bank. If and when I need it we will have it.

Cat

**Thevail** · 05-20-2009, 01:39 AM

Cancel the "wiring insurance" on your home phone.

Learn to sharpen your own knives and scissors.

Buy multi-packs of scotch tape right after christmas (the only time they ever go on sale).

Take the lightbulb out of your fridge... why are you rooting around in your fridge in the middle of the night for anyway?

Turn off the actual pilot light to your furnace as soon as warm weather hits.