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Frugal living

Posted: Jan 14, 2014

I've taken to very frugal living. It's not that hard really. Coupons, repurposing, etc. Anyone here want to share some of their more frugal habits?!?

;

I grew up with a saying - - NYMT

[ In Reply To ..]
"Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
or Do without."

Words to live by. I wash out and reuse Ziploc bags until they are too soft to use.

I make my grocery lists by writing everything down complete with prices and add it up before I leave the house, leaving about $10 for error and/or impulse. We almost never eat out or eat pre-made meals. Homemade food is tastier and better for you anyway! $3.00 of ingredients will buy a lot more cookie makings, too, then cookies (unless you buy the cheap, tasteless ones).

I use cash for everything. It's amazing how watching your cash stores disappear can deter you from impulsively buying things you don't really need.

I've had to live a frugal life sm - Old Woman

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most all my life. My parents had it down to a science and I wish I had paid better attention, but here are a few things that I do.

I seldom buy clothes because I wear them until they pretty much are used up. I have been blessed in that a friend of mine who was larger than I would give me her clothes when she outgrew them, and I have a closetful of nice dress clothes. I don't buy trendy clothes but just timeless classics that never really go out of style. When I do buy clothes, I look at the local women's shelter/Goodwill before the department stores. I wash them carefully and keep them in good repair. Same with shoes. I have a few pairs of black shoes, a couple of pairs of brown/tan/taupe shoes and a beat up pear of sneakers. I don't use the dry cleaners but wash and drip dry and press my clothes at home.

I do use coupons but not to the extreme that is being shown on the infomercials these days. I wish I could learn to do that, but I really have no need to stock 30 tubes of toothpaste for just my son and I. I shop the "specials" and use coupons on them if I have them. I cook very simply and don't make things that require a lot of exotic (at least to me) ingredients.

I don't subscribe to magazines or newspapers. I read them online and will only sometimes buy a Sunday paper for the coupons.

I do subscribe to DirecTV but that is our major form of entertainment at my home. We don't go out to movies or concerts or other events that cost money. My son works at the school so he can attend ball games free.

My parents grew a garden and fed a family of 4 on it and the occasional freezer calf or pig Daddy would raise. I wish I could do that, but haven't found the time to garden. I do get fresh veggies from neighbors during gardening season, though, and will cook those and/or put them in the freezer.

Hope these ideas helped a little.

I don't eat out, drive a 17 YO car, use cash. I don't - MT57

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skimp too much on HEALTHY food, as I think health is your most important assess. I shop at Goodwill or Salvation Army, Aldi's. I even save my bathtub water and use it to flush my toilets. Keep my temp at 66 degrees in the winter. Wear my coat inside if necessary.

Forgot to add, I canceled my cable TV, I do - MT57

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have Netflix. I have a cell phone but don't text or do anything that costs extra. Got rid of my land line. Raised my home owner's deductible.

Interestng idea - anon

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But I heard if you turn off your breaker for your hot water heater and only turn it on about 20-30 minutes before you take your shower you save a ton of money because your water heater constantly reheats water when not in use.

Good idea. Didn't know that. nm - MT57

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nm

How I save - sm

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Groceries at Aldi, where I save a good 50% over a supermarket and even Walmart or Meijer. Have my doctor write 90-day prescriptions instead of 30-day; this saves about 25%. When Hometown Buffet sends a coupon for buy-one-get-one, I'll call up a friend, and we'll each pay $5.00 for dinner! Greeting cards I pick up at out local Habitat Re-store for a quarter each (brand new cards). Even better, I signed up at American Greetings for $19.99 and can send unlimited cards by email all year! I turn off lights in every room except the one I'm in. Thermal drapes on windows. Set my printer to print gray-scale, saving about 50% on ink usage. Shop for clothes and household goods at local consignment stores, as well as Goodwill and other thrift stores.

The only thing I will not scrimp on is shoes. I buy expensive brand-name shoes that last several seasons. I live Birkenstocks in the summer months and Haflingers the rest of the time. It's a great investment. I have foot problems and need a well-made shoe.

Cards, etc. - anon

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Did you know cards at the dollar store are 2 for $1. I also clip coupons and watch Coupon.mom for deals each week. I'm even so frugal I get my Sunday paper at the dollar store too as it is $1 there as opposed to $1.75 at other store. The difference almost pays for itself when I buy $5 of papers a week and save coupons I know I'll use that usually go on sale within a month or so!!

This could be fun and encouraging.... - heaven knows we're all scrimping and saving..

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Look up on youtube on how to make your own dryer balls (about 8 softball-sized ones), use essential oil for fragrance, wrap and wash in cheap panty hose to felt the ball so they don't come unraveled. There are rubber ones you can buy but heated rubber can emit carcinogens. They REALLY do dry quicker. Otherwise throw a completely dry towel in with your load, it works too. Homemade dryer sheets, use old cut up materials scrapes, Goodwill washcloths, etc., come to mind, soak in cheap hair conditioner (for static) from the $ store, wring out and they will last forever because they won't be washed and smell great for a long time!

frugal - anon

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I wash off aluminum foil if it's not touching something with bacteria, I saw butter wrappers to wipe inside a baking pan, Vaseline makes a great boot polish, witch hazel is a great moisturizer. Go to a beauty school for haircuts and nails done. I buy candles by the load after Christmas, they're outrageous any other time. I'm working on cable costs but have 2 old analog TVs in the bedroom. I use youtube and youtube converter to save music to CDs. I always check out the returned paint cans at Walmart. Ya never know what color might suit you that didn't suit someone else. Always, always, always wash in cold!! Boil on low with baking soda and vinegar to unstuck a burned on pan. I love second hand stores and always look at the end of the season clothes at say, Kohls, for my daughter. Next size up usually works especially for coats and boots. I collect coupons from my neighbor (89 yo) in exchange for taking out her trash. Never use whole detergent cup in the laundry, it's just plain not necessary. Use a dilute solution of bleach and dish soap as a counter and bathroom wipe. Check out whether your area has a discount animal clinic, especially for spay and neuter. They sell dirt cheap vaccinations there. Donate blankets and runs to the shelter. Take photos to Walmart and have them blown up, very cheap. Goodwill has some nice frames to put them in. At the beginning of the school year, buy LOTS of supplies. You'll never get them that cheap. I buy about 20 extra spiral pads, loose leaf paper, glue sticks, pens, etc., and my daughter will need them about about January! Don't use paper towels. Use old rags, they wash and last longer!! Libraries are great and so is half price books. My library allows a bin for people to donate coupons they're not going to use, so rummage at your delight or get one started at your library!! I'll list more as my ole brain thinks of 'em!! Have a great day!

Don't forget to donate - what goes around comes around

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Take old magazines and books to nursing homes, shovel an elderly person's driveway, it they're housebound do forget to ask if you can pick something up for them. Take a coke and sit and chat for 20 minutes or so occasionally. You'll be old too someday!

frugal - frugal living

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I save envelopes mail comes in. Saves me the cost of the envelopes and just plunk a stamp on there and ready to go.

Frugal - What We Do

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1) We put a timer on our water heater. It turns on at 5 a.m. and goes off at 7 a.m., and it's enough hot water for a couple of showers and dishes for the day for just the 2 of us. (Adjust time of day and amount of time according to family size and climate.)

2) I save all "free" greeting cards that come in the mail and use them for "thinking of you" cards or birthdays. If I need something special, I go to our local dollar store (where everything is literally a dollar), and I can get 2 cards for $1. For Christmas, you can get a box of 15-20 for a dollar. I buy cough drops, toothbrushes, candies, animal crackers, day planners, paper clips, and all sorts of things there.

3) I never use stationery pads to use as scrap paper. I cut up junk mail and use the backs for grocery lists, jotting things down, etc.

4) We cook our own food. You can make a heck of a big pot of tomato sauce or soup for practically nothing (and fewer calories and no preservatives), and freeze in portion-controlled containers.

5) We buy a lot of our clothing at the local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Ditto for paperback books and other doo-dads.

6) We buy designer nothing unless it's at the Goodwill, thrift shop, etc., and we need the item.

7) I don't text, use an Internet phone, I-whatever, tablets or anything else fancy. I have a fold-up cell phone and it's our long distance carrier.

8) In the colder months, we disconnect the dryer hose from the outdoor vent, put a stocking on it, and use it as "free heat" on laundry days. We have electric everything--don't do this with gas.

9) We buy generic pasta, cereal, etc., whenever possible. It's all the same stuff.

10) We never let the faucet run. We turn off the water while brushing our teeth, soaping up dishes, etc. We also never leave the frig door open longer than it needs to be.

Probably I could to on and on.

frugal - anon

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My grandmother used a concoction of vinegar to polish her wood furniture. Not sure of the mixture but I'm sure you could look it up. Her antique furniture shone like new for YEARS!! She never bought new furniture, hers was gorgeous!! She had no dishwasher and would throw pans in bleach and detergent as she went. She would laugh - it would take less time to handwash them than to use a dishwasher anyway and the bleach disinfected. She used it up and worn it out. It was nothing to dust with an old sock or an old ripped pair of worn out undies. Born in the depression and really new how to conserve!!

using containers - anon

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We never use tupperware. A butter container or other container work great and they come complete with lids!!

vinegar as fabric softener - nm

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nm

vinegar - Effie

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seriously? just straight vinegar?

frugal living - MT53

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You can make your own laundry detergent with soap, borax and washing soda. It doesn't suds up like commercial but it cleans as well as. Also fabric softener is back soda, hair conditioner and white vineger. There are tons of recipes on the internet about making your own stuff.

You don't need fabric softener in the first place. - sm

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Vinegar removes soap and detergent residue, but it isn't exactly free, especially in the amounts you would need.

Making your own laundry products out of soap, borax, and hair conditioner can easily end up costing more than commercial products. It also does a terrible job.

I use a minimal amount of liquid Seventh Generation, or even Dreft or Woolite, depending on what I am washing. No softener is required, even though I have very hard water. My clothes and linens last forever and stay looking new.

Agree - What is so great about fabric softener?

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The only time I have used fabric softener is in very cold, dry weather to keep things from getting too staticky (or however you spell that).

I hate fabric softener--especially for towels and other things you need to be absorbent. It totally ruins anything from absorbing anything.

Organization/inventory - anon

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The best frugal habit of mine is inventory and organization. If I know what I have, I know what I need. During gardening season, if I make several things to be used in the winter and freeze it, I write it down in a notebook for that purpose. Then, in January I know that I have 3 bags of eggplant lasagna filling to use and I can use it.

Other frugal habit: Knowing myself. When I go to town once a month for groceries, I know I am way too tired by the end of the day to even care about dinner. I know I have to have the crockpot set up before leaving or chances are I will be buying pizza at Wal-Mart.

Frugal habit: Stacking things. One of our grocery stores gives fuel rewards, one point for every $1 spent and 100 points will save you ten cents a gallon. They give double points on gift cards so if I have to make a purchase at Amazon, Land's End or if it is time to top up my cell phone (Virgmin Mobile) I go there for gift cards. When I know I need to make a purchase at Lowe's or Home Depot, I get gift cards too. When I am really organized, I will buy the gift card with my credit card that has rewards too. I try to save the fuel points for when I fill up my truck once a month since it has a 25 gallon tank.

Other frugal habit is learning new skills. This year I will be trying to reulphoster a settee. It will not be as good as a professional but it would not get done if I had to pay a professional. Dh has repaired many of our appliances with help from youtube, a new motor for the washing machine, new pump for the dishwasher and has installed flooring, etc. I do not care for sewing and am not that good at it but managed to make curtains for the living room and aprons for the nephews Christmas presents.

A major frugal habit is reading. Of course there is the entertainment value of some things, but it also keeps me home. I am able to read things that give me new ideas or perspective too.

One of the biggest money savers is just staying home. Going out for us uses gasoline. We are in a more rural location and if we take the whole family, have to take the truck, so it is a lot of gasoline. While out there is a greater chance of spending money on things like food, etc. The kids can entertain themselves outside or on the computer, with books and toys. I can read, garden, or worst case scenario, clean.

Another frugal habit is learning when things are not an absolute emergency (and this varies per family). In the past, if something broke we often paid for it to be fixed with credit right away. Sunday our boiler broke, is not getting hot. We determined that the day highs of 50 and the lows of 20 would be bearable (our house is well insulated). A space heater will help keep us warm for showers and we will just make the most of it. When the AC broke in the truck (again), we decided it was not worth fixing. In the summer we just plan our trips out very carefully (New Mexico can be quite warm). We go out early in the morning or late in the evening.

I just can't do that - sm

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I work an at-home MT job as well as a fulltime out-of-the-house job and work my BEHIND OFF so that I can have what my family and I want/need. I go clothes shopping EVERY SINGLE WEEK and buy at least one outfit, because I LOVE clothes. I donate clothes I am not wearing anymore to Goodwill. We eat out when we choose and we have a savings account. I once did live more frugal, but decided to work harder and enjoy the money while we are still able to make it.

No kidding.... - guess I'm spolied

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Most of these things sound crazy to me. You only come around once and life is just way too short to be schlepping bathwater to the toilet to save a nickel. We don't eat about except about once a month because I am a good cook and my food is always better. However, I do spend a few hundred a week on groceries so I can get the highest quality ingredients. I'm not much of a shopper as far as clothes go, but that is because I just am not that into it. I wear Birkenstocks exclusively as one poster mentioned, but she is right. They are expensive, but they last forever and good for your feet. I don't have to have a new car, but I like one. Just got one last year and it will last me probably 5 years before I get another one. We're not rich and we're not poor, but we live comfortably. One thing I can say is that we are not in debt and don't spend what we don't have. One thing I agreed with was just using cash. It is amazing how much more "real" it is than credit cards. I don't even carry a credit card anymore.

Credit cards - I use mine for everything,

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but it is actually part of my savings plan to use the credit card. It's a Lexus card, so the points I get when I use it pay for all my tuneups. If it weren't for that, I would be dead set on the cash method.

I splurge on groceries too, but I don't have many clothes or shoes (obviously, I am not the person you responded to, who likes clothes shopping). I have one purse. I buy drugstore makeup. I get my hair cut every 3 months at Supercuts. I don't get manicures or facials or masages. My husband and I live in a 1-bedroom apartment. We don't have kids--that's probably saved us just a wee bit. ;)

So we spend very little on some things and splurge on others. We splurged on our cars, our groceries, and we go out to eat once a week. But as far as rent, utilities, clothes, etc, we save so much there we can afford to go a little crazy in the other areas.

I know... - that last post

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sounded a little too "little house on the prairie" circa 1814, not 2014. I'm good with thrift shopping, not really needing or wanting but an occasional indulgence and living a modest lifestyle. I don't have a huge family or home to deal with because I knew I couldn't afford it. My home is small and close to where I do my living. I half expect someone to post next that they make their clothes out of old flour sacs and use and rinse rags for toilet paper! LOL.

That is fine - Just be careful

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...you don't want to teach your children that clothes are more important than they are. By the mere fact that you are working your behind off to keep up with your clothes shopping tells them just that. Personally, I'd rather spend time with my family than have material goods.

I still have plenty of time for my kids. - sm

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I believe in teaching kids to work hard for things. I think my work ethic will help them in the future. I work early morning to early evening, with the afternoons being worked at home as an MT, and am still off of work completely around the same time as other working parents are.

That's just not the world we live in. - AnotherMT

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I don't particularly enjoy being an MT, but I still make a good living and enjoy that aspect of it. I think it is MOST important to teach kids to work hard and be proud of what they can attain from their hard work. I would never, ever teach my children to be satisfied with thrift store clothing and not to do a job, because it isn't what they like. The world becomes more and more competitive and we need to raise children that can jump in there and compete and strive to be better tomorrow than they were today!

Actually, it is more about what you hope to get out of the world you live in--sm - anon

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Different people have different definitions of success. What your paycheck allows you to buy is only one of those measures and if that is the measure you choose, great! While I teach my children if you want something, you will have to work for it and to always do a good job, if thrift store clothing is the difference between working for a bad boss or not, then I will teach them that the clothing one wears is not the measure of them.

To me it comes down to the old parable/story of this guy who comes out of the throne room and sees the old philosopher eating dinner of lentils. The guy says if you would just learn to gratify the king (or something along those lines)you would not have to eat lentils for dinner.

The philosopher replies, if you would learn to live on lentils, you would not have to gratify the king.

Fortunately, we live in a society where options are not limited to just what the king doles out but I would still rather live on lentils, have fewer clothes, etc, then slave away for the taskmaster.

Well said! - sm

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I wanted to respond to this post, but you gave much more eloquent response. Its about choices and priorities, not the clothes you wear or the size of your bank account.

BUT, is there anything wrong with...... - sm

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making your choices/priorities to be successful in life, to make good money, be able to afford to buy the things you want for yourself as well as your family? I agree, if it is a person's choice to live a frugal life, work less, get paid less, therefore having more time at home, that is great, but to bash a person who chooses to be more career driven when that person also is just making a choice, doesn't seem right to me.

Of course not--sm - anon

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Which is why I said in my post that if that is what is right for you and your family, wonderful. I saw bashing going both ways and people ridiculing some of the more extreme decisions of those choosing a frugal lifestyle not to mention the implication that the work ethic of those choosing frugality seemed to be in question (which of course is ridiculous, because the work ethic is just applied in a different manner).

Would I work a part time job at home and a full time job out of the house to attain a certain lifestyle? No, at least not for long, but if that is what it took to keep a roof over our head, food inour bellies and medicine to keep us well, absolutely.

If that is what you want, then that is great--sm - anon

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Me, I do not want to be an MT any longer. I do not want all of my good years taken up doing this work, so frugal practices are what I will use to help me get what I want. I want time to volunteer and do other things that fulfill me in a way that being an MT does not. Hopefully, we all get to make the choices that work best for us and our personal situations.

I will say too, being frugal helps me to pay for good coffee. It is coffee we make ourselves but still, it is good coffee and certainly not frugal.

instead of trash bags - sm

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i have pets. i keep the empty food sacks. as i'm cleaning up or emptying waste baskets around the house, i toss stuff into the sacks.

i'm working on clearing out one room right now, & a food sack is in there for the detritus.

Frugal - anon

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I think this post missed the point. I clip coupons like crazy and watch certain internet sites for weekly deals. Would you flush $1 down the toilet? Well you're doling just that by not using coupons, you're throwing away free money. Lots of things have interesting uses. Who would have thought of generic alka seltzer to clean your toilet, make your own fabric "febreeze". My grandmother made a paste of baking soda and water to soak "out" a stain on a counter - long before magic erasers. Soaking your plastics that have say tomato stain in them in the sun with some bleach cleans them right up. Use bleach and dish soap and wring out the towel to make disinfectant wipes. That's all it is anyway - bleach. I watch my shower curtain in a load with towels to make sure the crooks and crankies get clean too. This may seem odd but I cut off buttons from donated clothes, you never know when you'll need a certain size or shape of button. I think if this thread is taken right it is a lesson in living on less. I'm the first one to LOVE a good meal out. I belong to an AMC movie group - 6th movie free. Use your grocery points for gallon of gas discount. Check out Goodwill after Christmas for all the stuff they couldn't get rid of. My 22 yo son is applying for his master's now. I NEVER have to manage his money. If money needs to be set aside for a special project he handles it all by myself. He budgets every semester. The 13 yo girl is a tougher one. Her friends make fun of her because she gets her $100 jeans for $30 at a consignment store. I finally said "who has to tell them". It would give me hives to spend full price on something when I could get just as good elsewhere!!! Bragging is in the saving, not in wearing the price tag!! In case you haven't guessed I've been a single parent for almost 30 years. I'm teaching my kids money only goes so far - $100 jeans or $30 jeans, some new shoes and a trip to the movies! She can live as well if not better than her friends if she learns how to spread it out and that to me is an excellent lesson to learn!! We're about to go to antenna TVS (mine are old analog TVs I bought for the back bedrooms at an auction for $19 over 13 yrs ago). Then when we do antennas, we'll due Netflix and Hulu. Enough of the outrageous cable bills. I do donate too. I think it's important to learn that although we have to stretch sometimes there are people worse off. Take old magazines and books to nursing homes. Give clean older toys to a children's hospital. Go spend your Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen. Frugality is great but humbleness is golden. I think this thread could offer lots of penny pinching. How about old foil wadded up and wrapped in an onion bag. It rusts slower then a brillo pad. I use very cheap toothpaste (Pepsodent) and a toothbrush to scrub our old tennis shoes before they go in the wash. I dilute EVERYTHING; hand soap, dish soap, laundry soap, window cleaner. I hang the town yearly calendar in the kitchen - free and does the trick! There's a book called Tightwad Gazette, although I think she's stopped publishing it, that have some fantastic ideas!!!! Wrap electrical cords in old toilet paper rolls after use. Use olive oil in your tub for silky skin. Use chapstick to take the sting out of a hangnail (really does work). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE garage sales and haggling is part of the fun. I use leg lifts for my bed and love decorative boxes, and store, store, store!! Ask your local school what's needed. The families don't have to be embarrassed if the guidance counselor passes things on. Donate your old glasses. Donate old phones to battered women's shelter - they need them to arrange a safety plan to get away from their abusers. I could list soooooooooo many things that can be multipurposed. Before you throw anything away, think what else can this be used for!!Economically the world can use less waste and you might be able to save for a great trip once a year!!

I admit, I hate yard sales--sm - anon

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I am frugal but I hate yard sales. I do not mind used but I hate driving around looking at yard sales and not finding much, etc. For clothing I would prefer just to get things on sale at Land's End, etc, if I can get it cheap enough. It probably does not help that I am hard to size as is DH. On a Saturday I would much rather be in my garden working. Wonderful thing is that there are many, many options for usd to find a way to live the life we want either through hard work or ingenuity.

Bleach and dish detergent -- may be a - toxic combination

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Check the dish detergent label to be sure it does not say not to mix it with bleach. Most carry a warning about that because the chemicals react to create a potentially deadly gas.

You can mix regular detergent with bleach, but not dish detergent. I would not do it with dishwasher detergent, either.

no, no! Don't EVER mix bleach and dish soap - it's toxic

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