What is The Most Important

**Hollyhandi** · 01-21-2005, 11:15 AM

Frugal tip you have ever learned and practice the most?

**kimmee** · 01-21-2005, 11:32 AM

Don't replace it before you have used it up!!!
Ie - don't open a new milk before you finish the first one - don't get out a new roll of paper towels or they wont use the few left on the old roll - don't by a new body polish before you finish the old one (cuz you'll end up with lots of half full bottles) etc. Everyone always wants to move on to whatever the new thing is rather than finishing up the old one...

**guest2** · 01-21-2005, 11:45 AM

Learn to make it stretch! Growing up, we always had "extra" people in our home and my mom was a master at making the food stretch to feed everyone. I learned well and according to Mom, I have far surpassed her abilities in that area.

We have 3 teen boys of our own and all of their friends seem to congregate here so we go through lots of food!

**FrogMom** · 01-21-2005, 11:47 AM

Tracking *every* penny. Even though some might not consider that a frugal tip - I do because it helps us to see where our money is going.

**graci42** · 01-21-2005, 11:49 AM

"Mind the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves!"

Don't remember where I heard that, but it makes cents! Pun intended!

**Hollyhandi** · 01-21-2005, 12:36 PM

My mother could also make food stretch to feed an army.
I have had to learn that one myself the last couple years.
Theres never any milk left before i open the new one.
TP i have a problem with others opening a new on before the old one is used.
tracking the money is the hardest thing and I haven't mastered that yet.
Pennies and dollars just disappear somewhere out there....

**homesteadmamma** · 01-21-2005, 12:43 PM

Don't go into debt unless its for a home or a vehicle. Pay cash for anything else. Its truly amazing what you can do without when you don't have a credit card to pay for it and no extra cash to spend.

**Shell** · 01-21-2005, 12:49 PM

Pay yourself first. Before you piddle away your money put your money you want to save in a separate account FIRST!

**QuilterMom** · 01-21-2005, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by FrogMom
Tracking *every* penny. Even though some might not consider that a frugal tip - I do because it helps us to see where our money is going.

I completely agree!

**paelthom** · 01-21-2005, 01:28 PM

Check the second hand shops before buying something brand new. Often there is one there in great shape for pennies compared to what the same thing would cost new.

**thrifty gal** · 01-21-2005, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by homesteadmamma
Don't go into debt unless its for a home or a vehicle. Pay cash for anything else. Its truly amazing what you can do without when you don't have a credit card to pay for it and no extra cash to spend.

ITA!

**matt&roxy** · 01-21-2005, 02:44 PM

I agree with CJ and Jennifer.......

**mrscornbread** · 01-21-2005, 03:14 PM

Just because something is on sale, dosen't mean that you will save money if you buy it...learned that the hard way.

**nicsmom** · 01-21-2005, 03:41 PM

When the freezer and pantry are full (or plentiful) I've learned to throw the Sunday paper flyers away before looking at them. Even if I know that I don't need anything, somehow when I look at those flyers, I always seem to be able to come up with a list