The steps to becoming frugal, please.

I re-use my freezer bags... I wash them and promp them open to air dry. I always freeze left overs if there is at least enough for one meal. (and I use a piece of tape to write on what the food is!)
Hope that helps you some.

Great advice. Thanks and God bless you! I am still working on getting the bags dry so I can reuse them.

Here are my suggestions:
Grow as many foods as you can and I can see from your posts that your already doing this one. I use some of my produce to make breads, cookies, muffins and cake.

Send for the free samples and I regularly post several every single week. I have many days where I haven't spent a single penny for anything I ate that day; however, it does take work to get the grocery bill that low.

If you shop at CVS, then be sure and read the great tips posted, as one of the ladies on Money Savers pays very little all of the time. Several ladies post several of the other stores also.

OH, Mary G.! I am trying to get into the walgreens and CVS and I am really struggling. I used to do it but it has been a long time. I am trying to get back into it. I do try to send for some free samples. I got to get into all of this big time! Thanks and God bless yo!

First, take stock. What do you buy pre-packaged? Is it something you could make yourself for less $ (For example, here is a blog writer who makes her own pop-tarts:
http://ovenlove.blogspot.com/2009/05/mays-pmow-challenge-homemade-pop-tarts.html)
or something you could completely do with out? (For example, we don't purchase cable. I haven't watched tv in years. Never missed it. Or Buying books? Never. That's what the library is for!)

It wouldn't bother me to get rid of cable but that is up to my husband. yes, I had just made the statement that I needed to cut back on pre-packaged items. Thanks for this blog I will be checking it out., God bless you

I buy the one gallon can of tomato sauce at Costco for under $3 and make my own spaghetti sauce then freeze several portions. I do add hamburger but this still makes cheap, healthy sauce because I know what goes in it. That's one thing I've been pleased to find that has saved a lot as my family loves spaghetti.

That is a great idea! I like knowing what is going into my food. Thanks and God bless you!

If you are interested in CVS you can join my gather group CVS Extra Bucks Make Cents. I post weekly deals matched with coupons and extra bucks. There is a CVS 101 series of posts to help you learn the ins and outs of shopping and saving at CVS and they are listed on the home page of the group and all the current week's deals are featured there.

Also, check out hotcouponworld.com. It is a community of frugal folks sharing deals at drug stores, grocery stores, etc and frugal tips.

I have joined your group and am already a member of hotcouponworld but got to get back into the swing of things. I will be checking out more of the CVS 101. Thanks and God bless you!

I got thinking about Renita P.'s post on her new book--you would have to buy a copy, but it should be invaluable in getting started with couponing and saving big time at the grocery store. check her post out HERE.

Oh that book looks great! But I am embarrassed to say I cannot afford that $10 to buy it. I know it would pay for itself in one grocery visit I am sure. I may have to save my pennies. God bless you!

First, you have to ask yourself, "Why am I trying to save money?" Acknowledge a goal. It may be getting out of debt or building savings, or just getting by in better shape, but make it a goal you can latch onto.

Then write down everything you spend., every day, every minute, from the bottle of water when you're dying of thirst to the new computer you needed. Keep a log for at least two weeks, more if you can stand to. After you've done that, look over your expenses and some things will jump out at you. You'll be able to see where your overspending or where your money goes. Get a calculator and add some things up.

When you see that, you'll know where to logically cut back for your specific situation. There are tons of advice all over the 'net on saving pennies and dollars, but choose the ones you can do comfortably at first. Try adding one thing each week or even each month if weekly seems overwhelming. Don't try to do it all at one time or you'll find youself frustrated and feeling deprived.

Start with food if you like. Try generic brands, stock up during sales (but only of food you will actually eat and food that won't spoil too fast), shop alone with a list.

Food isn't the only thing you can save on, but it's a place to start. After that, look at your utilities, your insurance premiums, your entertainment bill... just move from one area to another until you have it covered.

Thanks for all the great advice. I appreciate you taking the time to answer me so in detail. God bless you!

You're welcome, and good luck! It isn't nearly as hard as it seems once you get rolling with it. :)

I would suggest cutting back on prepackaged stuff (which you already are doing.) The stuff that you do use and cannot eliminate, I would suggest going to the manufacturer's websites and compliment them, then ask for coupons. You'd be amazed at what they'll send!

Doing your own cooking should save a lot of $$$, plus you have the added bonus of being able to adjust it to exactly the way you want it (i.e. more seasoning, less fat, etc.)

Base your grocery lists around what is currently on sale. I find I save much more when I do this. Plus, coupons are a must. Also, stock up on things you frequently use when you see them on sale. It'll pay off in the end.

I'd suggest contacting your cable company and ask for a better deal. With DirecTV and all sorts of competition out there, they'll usually be pretty accommodating. This also works with insurance companies, cell phone companies, etc.

I'm a big fan of either borrowing DVD's from the library or renting them from the RedBox kiosk (they have their machines all over here, not sure about where you live.) RedBox is $1 per day, per DVD. Much cheaper than Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.

Every couple of months, I clean out our CD and DVD collections and our book shelves, and take the things we no longer want over to Half-Price Books. They'll review what you bring in, give you a price quote to buy the items, and if you are happy, they'll pay your "buy-out" in cash. Keeps the shelves neat and organized, eliminates clutter and gives me a little cash in the process.

I'm sure there are more that I'm not thinking of now.

Hope that helps!