To get back to the frugalness that we all share and love, I'm going to post a few frugal tips each week... that is, when I remember. ;)
Feel free to add a few to the list!
Trying to save money? When shopping, if you see something you really want (but are not in need of), put it back on the shelf. Wait 6 weeks, and put a little bit of money away each week until you have the amount needed. If you still want it, you have money set aside without having disrupted your budget for the week. Chances are, you'll realize you do not want it anymore, and you've just saved up some money to sock away for a rainy day.
When grocery shopping, skip the snack aisle all together- cookies, crackers, snack packs, chips, etc. Not only are they expensive, but in most cases, they are empty calories. Instead, fill your cart with lower cost fresh fruits and veggies. Fruits and veggies are healthy, but they also fill you up faster, so while you may be hungry still after a snack size bag of dorito's, chances are that the apple will leave you feeling refreshed, and no longer hungry.
Additionally, when buying those fruits & veggies, get the items that are on sale. They are just as fresh, only cheaper, and you'll constantly be adding something different to the "snack cupboard" each week. If you can't find much fresh, supplement with canned, but get the low-salt versions to cut back on your sodium intake!
If you can, remember to set aside a bit of money each week for YOU. An adult allowance, if you will. Whether it's $5, or $50, if you mark it for YOUR use, you'll be less likely to dip into the family budget fund. Lower amounts mean taking time to build up enough to save for an item you might be eyeballing, whether it's a new DVD, a book, or a nice towel. And, you'll feel less guilty spending your "me" money.
My last frugal tip of the day-
Don't buy that book! Check the library, then Freecycle, and lastly, check out Paperbackswap.com! Between those three places, you'll never want to pay for a book again!
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More by Princess Spanky Pants ~ The Real, Original, Heather T |
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Comments: 52
So much money can be saved doing that, and so much junk can be kept out of the house! ;)
You are welcome, Leigh!
Though canned fruit and veggies are just as unhealthy as chips and snacks cause they are filled with a bunch of preservatives that you don't need and canned fruit is filled with Sugar. I'd definitely say buy frozen fruits and veggies if you can't find the fresh stuff at a decent price.
I used to have an envelope system before I had a set bank account and a lot of bills. I would split my pay check into envelopes to pay my bills and then to buy something I wanted. This is how I saved for things like a vacuum cleaner, a set of dishes I wanted, etc. If I changed my mind, the money was there for something else.
When you get a freebie in a nice padded Kraft envelope, carefully peel the flap up instead of just tearing into or cutting open the envelope. Gently pull off the label or tape a piece of scrap paper to the addressed side, put your item in, staple and seal the envelope with packing tape, and you saved yourself at least 50 cents. I recycle padded mailers all the time to use for my ebay. This way, I don't pass along the shipping materials cost to my buyers either.
Sorry, I guess that is two things:)
I remember when I worked at Target I would scan the racks... one time I found this $20 skirt I wanted, and I saved $5 a week out of my paycheck to get it. By the time I got to buy it, the skirt was $1.78. I got it in three colours and still paid less than $5 for it!!! The rest, I saved up to put towards the next thing I wanted.
Read this group (and any other "frugally-oriented" groups you belong to) every day or at least as often as you can. Two reasons: one is that you certainly don't want to miss a good deal! :) But the other is that just by stopping by to check in, you remind yourself once more that you *can* save a lot of money just by doing simple things. Keeps you motivated. And it's nice to check in with friends!
I have started swapping coupons through freecycle, and this is such a huge help. I just gave away a lot of baby coupons that I didn't need, and since the lady knew I use coupons she just dropped of a huge bunch as well.
Good tips Heather.
My latest frugal find was a book I had been wanting to read - on clearance at CVS. It is a hardcover that sells for $20. It was marked down to $4.99 and they had a 90% off clearance so I ended up paying 49 cents. Sweet deal:)
And by making sure that the two of us are on the same page it becomes easier to plan and keep each other focused on the task at hand…saving.
Since we’re both working toward the same goal, we’re far more aware of what we’re spending and we’re not wasting money on frivolous things. Saving, not spending is our focus. This way we’re able to put enough aside for those “dreams” we agreed on.
Thanks for some great tips!