Best TWG tip you have

[Bethany]

What's the best tip you have used from TWG over the years? Maybe one you use on a regular basis?

[nuisance26]

~Aquiring things secondhand. I can't even imagine how in debt I would be if I bought stuff new at department stores.~

[PrairieRose]

I ditto that one, 2nd hand is the best as far as I'm concerned. I'm not saying I don't buy new but I really prefer 2nd hand most of the time.

Also I do that cutting the empty tube of toothpaste open to get every last bit out all the time. Works for about 3-5 more days of brushing after you've squished and squeezed as hard as you can

[sunshine]

Hmmm. . .figuring the amount of hours I have to work in order to pay for something (is it worth giving up that much of my life for something?)

Close 2nd-- think outside the box. . .look for unusual or different ways to use soemthing, etc.

[dmvezina]

I use so many on a daily basis.
Using a pricebook, though, is my favorite that I never buy anything without checking my pricebook first.

[celina]

1) that i was right about it not being profitable for us for me to work..
2) that second hand xmas gifts are fine....i bought everything ELSE second hand but hadnt even thought of it.....last yr santa brought a 60$ helicopter by tonka...for 1.99 even came with the batteries that i have yet to change...he still plays with it daily..but if the gift ends up being a flop i'm not out lots of dough
3) that it is actually cheaper to cook from scratch...i think my generation we really believe store bought is cheaper....

[babetteq]

scratch cooking and condiment making and figuring out what a meal costs per serving. THe cost per serving was a real eye opener!!!

[Hardy1]

This is a good thread!! Price comparing definitely and from scratch cooking. I can't believe how much I have saved and also how much food I used to throw away every week because it hadn't got used up. Now I menu plan around good deals. I do plan for left overs though which I don't think Amy does...or is it that she doesn't menu plan??? Anyway, I do both and it saves me a lot.
W

[frugalfriend]

Buying things secondhand, especially kids clothes! They grow so fast! If I can find things for .50 cents at a yard sale or up to maybe $2 or $3 at a thrift store, why would I pay Dept. store prices?! I often find like new items, name brands too. I do occasionally buy new items off the clearance racks when they are equal to thrift store prices.

I did do a pricebook years ago and in doing so, now I have a "pricebook" in my head so to speak! It got so I didn't need it anymore since I'm really good at knowing lowest prices on things I buy. I still need to check unit pricing with my calculator once in awhile.

Amy's books taught me so much I could go on and on! Just love her! It's been a few years since I read them, so thought I'd go back and brush up.
She has made me laugh many times too - she's so industrious and clever!

Does anyone know if she still does her annual newsletter? I used to get it a few years back, and was thinking of sending for one this year if she is still doing it.

[PrairieRose]

Amy's not doing her newsletters anymore . I used to get them too and loved reading the updates. I think she opted for a bit more privacy for her and her family while she raises her kids. I'd love to know about their lives now though.

[frugalfriend]

Lisa - thanks for letting me know that! I'm sad to hear it, but I kind of figured she would stop at some point. Do you happen to know when was the last one? I think she might still send out back issues.

[Nantahala]

Stop using the dryer!

Cooking from scratch, even condiments was a biggie.

Writing out goals and staying focused was big for me too.

[watchingpennies]

Just got my "Complete TWG" today! I am so excited to check out all of the stuff! I already am amazed at the things I could change very easily and save money (juice boxes in lunches...from now on it will be refillable drink containers). Look forward to finding other easy things I could do that don't take much time but will save money!

[Bethany]

Thanks for all the great ideas!!
For me, I think these are my top three:
~Always Buy Second Hand Clothes (I used to just do this for the kids, but now I'm hooked too!)
~Not use the dryer
~Loop errands (actually, I've cut out pretty much all unnecessary (sp?) driving.
~Oh yeah, number 4, I NEVER buy books. I keep a running list of books I want and then I ask my library to reserve them for me. My library is part of a network, so practically any book I want I can get within a month! FREE READING! Because of this, I've been reading 3-4 (or more) books a month!

[AprilKD849]

I just found TWG on ebay really cheap! I can't wait to recieve it! I never really thought about not getting juice boxes and using refillable containers. Something to think about...

April