by Beverly T.
Member since:
September 19, 2007

Rock Bottom Frugal Living Tip 2

January 08, 2009 01:49 AM EST
views: 149 | comments: 29

 

Today I saw this list of tips that I thought I'd share with you. These were taken from another article I read online recently.

JONNI'S TIPS
Here are some basic ideas that should make a dent in anyone's budget.

1. Don't think of being frugal as being cheap: This attitude is essential or you will never be able to keep to your goals. Remember that there is a greater reason for not spending the money.

2. Shop based on sales: When a store is having a sale on items that your household uses regularly, stock up on those items. Plan meals around sales. Avoid the warehouse club stores: They are not the cheapest overall. Local grocery store sales usually beat warehouse club prices [Bev's note: there's always exceptions].

3. Cut back on meats: Try some legume, bean or grain recipes, or have a soup and bread night. These are cheaper and healthier as well.

4. Cook from scratch as often as possible. This can be up to six times cheaper than buying a mix, a frozen meal, or eating out. It is usually more nutritious. [Bev's note: I hide vegetables in literally everything because my hubby is a veggie hater and I'm trying to "save his life." LOL!]

5. Don't spend money if it's not in the budget: Find the little unessential expenses that eat up your budget (fast food trips, toy stores, new fashions, etc.)

6. Replace entertainment with family activities or nature outings: Being together is the key, not how fancy the outing is.

@ Jonni McCoy

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About the Author: Jonni McCoy is a leading expert on shopping and frugal living. She has written numerous books, including Miserly Moms. Visit her website at www.MiserlyMoms.com.
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Comments: 29

thanks for the tips form her
B.B. B. Jan 8, 2009, 1:56am EST
those are some good tips, but its really hard, have you gone shopping with a toddler??? i am telling you, its hard... you end up buying more then you really need...
B.B. B. Jan 8, 2009, 1:56am EST
but i made my goal for 2009 to save some $$$$ and to have all our dept paid off by the end of 2009... lets hope i can do it
Teresa W. Jan 8, 2009, 2:23am EST
We try for number 6 a lot of the time, spending time with the kids and if there is entertainment to be had, we try to make sure its mostly centered around the kids (and that its cheap or free!). Great frual tips!
Amy Ostrander Jan 8, 2009, 8:26am EST
Cutting down on eating meat saves a ton! Also - don't forget to use coupons!!!!!
Laurie R. Jan 8, 2009, 8:42am EST
thanks for the tips.
Sandi S. Jan 8, 2009, 9:21am EST
#6 is a good tip... sometimes the simple things really are better!
Paul M. Jan 8, 2009, 9:33am EST
Those are some good tips. One thing not to do is like my dad used to do, which is buy a bunch of crap we'd never use just because it was cheap. It doesn't matter if it's 20 cents after a coupon if no one's ever going to eat it!
B F. Jan 8, 2009, 9:52am EST
With #6 we spent $20 for our first GPS unit and started Geocaching... The kids can't get enough of it!!! They'd rather geocache than pay to go somewhere with indoor activities...
Marilyn M. Jan 8, 2009, 10:19am EST
Good ones. We can all afford to cut back on food. If you follow the package directions exactly, you'll discover that most of us are eating far more than the manufacturers intended. For instance, that 16 ounce soda? If a serving is only 6 ounces, you're drinking almost 3 servings when you finish 16 ounces.
Beverly T. Jan 8, 2009, 3:32pm EST
I learn a lot by reading all your comments!
Beverly T. Jan 8, 2009, 3:40pm EST
BBB, yes I remember those days of shopping with a toddler!! Am I glad that's over with! I feel for you! But let me tell you what we did to reduce begging in the stores. First, we didn't watch commercials. We always turned the sound and even the picture off during commercials when the kids were young. Second, begging in the store was an "official offense" in our family, and it usually resulted in leaving the store and going home. Do that a couple of times with minimum of fuss and the begging stops. At least, it worked in our family.
Leslie - The Soap Lady! Townsend Jan 8, 2009, 6:21pm EST
Thanks! My husband and I have a weekly date and since my husband just took a cut in pay we now have made a game of seeing how cheaply we can eat out, using either coupons or eating from the 99 cents menu at fast food restaurants.
Courtney C. Jan 8, 2009, 8:22pm EST
Thanks for the tips
Donna S. Jan 8, 2009, 9:02pm EST
Great tips here, thanks for sharing.


When I want to laugh I visit Londons Times
#1 ranked offbeat cartoon site on the Internet.
Hixto Ingen Jan 8, 2009, 9:19pm EST
Good tips. We've been doing all those things for years.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Jan 9, 2009, 2:13am EST
FYI: For those who like Suze Orman's advice on living debt free, you can nowdownload Suze Orman's newest boo, "2009 Action Plan," courtesy of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Jan 9, 2009, 2:16am EST
Make that "Suze Orman's newest booK..." lol
Tammy N. Jan 9, 2009, 4:42pm EST
The last tip is my favorite.
Linda M. Jan 9, 2009, 8:10pm EST
Rethink leftovers and make them planovers. I always make an extra portion of what I'm fixing for supper, and put it into a Tupperware microwave container to take for lunch the next day. I pop it into the microwave at work for two minutes, and while everyone else is staring at the vending machines with the same old sandwiches, burrritos, etc that are always there, I have a home cooked lunch. Also, I line up 3 or 4 small Tupperware containers, open a can of fruit, and divide the whole can among the containers. Now I have fruit snacks for lunch and snacks. I want to scream every time I see a co-worker with one of those disposable single portion plastic containers of fruit. The portion of fruit is so tiny, and all of those plastic containers are going to the landfill each day!
Nora Davenport Jan 10, 2009, 6:26pm EST
Wow, these are really great tips! Thanks so very much!
Karen M. Jan 10, 2009, 7:33pm EST
Great tips...thanks so much !
Alison H. Jan 15, 2009, 12:16am EST
Thanks for the tips!
rainne chandler Jan 17, 2009, 1:22am EST
i save money by planting a garden and canning everything i can also buy also canning meat my family also hunts and we go fishing all the time so even that gets canned i have picked berries all over and i dry my own food if i have it last year i planted rhubarb this year i want to plant 5 trees so we are working toward being able to be self supporting it is a really long comming so every day it is another thing you have to learn
Molly O. Jan 17, 2009, 2:52pm EST
Great tips!
Selene N. Jan 18, 2009, 3:49am EST
Glad I am doing most of those already.
Jennifer B. Jan 18, 2009, 9:39pm EST
I like the tip about cutting back on meat. It really eats up your budget. I'm trying to think of ways to stretch the meat I do buy into as many meals as I can.
Melanie B. Jan 20, 2009, 10:57pm EST
~ Thank you for sharing. Have a fantastic day.. =)
Stacey (Jesus is coming soon! ) U. Feb 3, 2009, 6:56pm EST
Good advice

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