Register for the Kid’s Bowl Free program! Kids can get 2 free games of bowling every day at participating bowling alleys.
Head over here – > Kids Bowl Free to find out more about this great opportunity
Category: Frugal Living
Register for Kid’s Bowl FREE – 2 free games of bowling every day at participating centers!
April 19th, 2012 · 0 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin ItSchool Supply Cake
April 11th, 2012 · 121 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
It’s getting to the end of the school year and I saw this on Pinterest and said out loud…WOW! What a great gift idea for teachers! Write-Stuff has a post about it, I encourage you to check them out!
if you have Pinterest and remember to follow us!!
To see more Penny Saving Ideas on Pinterest, click here.
Getting More Bang for Your Buck with Thrift Store Shopping!
March 24th, 2012 · 2 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
Guest Post written by WeUseCoupons Moderator, Foggy.
With six children still at home, frugal shopping not only applies to groceries but everything else and thrift stores provide me a yet another way to save.
I can find household items, clothing, shoes, and more at a mere fraction that the items cost new. Sometimes I find items new in the box or with the sales tag still attached and yet again costing less than it would have originally from the store is was first bought from.
Some items I have bought from thrift stores:
- clothes for the children as well as myself and my husband
- school items for the children from workbooks, to science experiments, to books, and more
- gardening items such as small shovels and rakes as well as garden markers, pots, and even seeds
- canning jars.. I buy every one I see as I put up a lot of food during canning season
- shoes for the children as well as myself but it’s rather hard to find boots to fit my husband’s size 12 feet
- sheets as well as handmade quilts (I love quilts, especially handmade ones)
- household items from silverware, plates, bowls, toaster, towels, etc.
- and much more
How do I shop thrift stores?
Well I keep a list of sorts in my head as well as in my notebook I keep in my purse. I note such things as sizes for the children and my husband as well as things I may bee needing such as a replacement plate that was broke by a child, or some silverware because ours seems to do a good job with the disappearing act. I also sometimes just browse as I may run across canning jars that is always on my list, or find sheets that are thick in a solid color or a nice print that can be repurposed for a jumper, dress, or blouse for the girls, a skirt for me, slips for us, or other purpose.
When was the last time you shopped a thrift store?
This post is guest written by Laura Williams aka Foggy at WeUseCoupons.com
Visit her blog at Laura Williams Musings
Cow-Pooling: {Saving Money on Meat}
February 23rd, 2012 · 4 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
If you are like many people who start couponing, you will quickly realize that it is oftentimes difficult to save on meat,fresh fruits and vegetables.
So what is Cow-Pooling? It is the practice of getting neighbors, family and friends together to buy meat in bulk to reduce costs and make use of the entire animal. For example – you and family members get together and purchase 1/2 of a cow (which can be up to 200 pounds or better depending on the size of the cow) which is processed and butchered for you. Its a lot of meat. But does it really save you money when you buy in bulk? There are definitely things to consider like hanging weight vs. cut weight and storage challenges. (To clarify hanging weight is how much it weighs before being butchered, the cut weight is after it is processed – so after the bones are removed and the fat, that’s what your left with.)
Things to Consider:
- Where to buy a cow?
- Is it truly a good deal?
- Storage, how much do I really need?
- Does it really taste better?
- Is it really better for you, or is that a gimmick?
The first issue when deciding if Cow-Pooling is right for you is to find a cow! Many people never even get past this hurdle. Here are three great tips on where to start.
1. Google/contact local butchers, call and ask them. Oftentimes they will have farmers looking to sell and will pass the information on to you. This benefits them because it is likely that they will be the ones processing
the meat.
2. County fairs. Believe it or not, there are so many different farmers there, showing off their cattle. Connect with them and find out how much, when they are ready to sell, etc.
3. Ask friends! I didn’t even know that are good friends did this! I was shocked when my wife’s friend discussed ‘going to pick up their cow’. Many of the pictures in this article were taken when I helped them pick up the cow!
4. Local blogs and forums. This is one of the easiest and non-intrusive ways to find out local information. Many farmers have gone high-tech and have cows for sales on their family websites. Find local co-ops and connect that way with farmers!
Now that you’ve found a vendor, is the price worth it?
While every region of the country is different here is a general pricing model:
- Cow Weight Market price ($2.50-3.50 per pound)
- Slaughter Cost (typically $75-$100)
- Butchering Cost (typically $.50 per pound)
This will vary from butcher and farm, so make sure to shop around. Remember that the average cow (when alive) weighs around 1,200 pounds. This will net after the butchering process only about, this will produce about 530lbs of usable processed meat. If you only want a 1/4 of a cow, then you are looking at around 125-135 pounds of meat.
Let’s break down the numbers:
125lbs x market price of $3 = $375
Slaughter Cost = $100
Butchering Cost $.50 per pound x 300lbs (entire cow) = $150
Total Cost = $625 or $5 a pound (just a rough estimate could be more, could be less)
With the average price of $2 for pound of ground chuck, at first glance this might seem high. But remember, when you buy a 1/4 of a cow you get many MANY different cuts of meat, not just ground beef. T-bones, roasts, the list goes on.
What about SPACE?! I can’t imagine a 1/4 of a cow in my freezer!!
You will actually be surprised at how little space you really need! The average 5.0 cubic feet chest freezer will be enough to hold the cow. According to friends, you need about 3 cubic feet per 100 lbs of beef. I found this to be true when unloading their cow. I was surprised at how it was packaged (very efficiently) and what little space it took up.
Does it really taste better?
Although I haven’t ever done an official taste test, I would say from personal experience that it does taste better. But don’t take my word for it, WeUseCoupons forum members had this to say about it:
The meat is more tender and tastier compared to store bought beef. Guaranteed. - gooberhoney (1-05-12)
We purchased half of a cow. Someone else was raising it and feeding it. Then a local butcher did the work. We gave him a list of cuts we wanted from it. The BEST corned beef we have ever had. The best steaks and hamburger meat. Plus all of the other cuts we got from it. In our area we do grass fed beef. Lower in calories too. – spacegirl60 (1-05-12)
Once you have beef directly from the farm you will never taste anything better - liwcollector (1-24-12)
I think that Cow-Pooling is a great way to possibly control your meat expenses. It’s at least worth looking into! Lindsey11 a WeUseCoupons member describes her personal experience:
We bought our first side of beef last year & for a family of 8 it was definitely worth it. We ended up paying $2.99 a pound. It lasted us for about 7-8 months. The meat was great…and I am someone who prefers not to eat beef. We have been waiting to gets ours for this year, hopefully within the next week or 2 & this time we are getting a side of beef and a pig. Hope to make that last all year. - Lindsey11 (1-24-12)
Remember to check out our What’s Cooking Forum for excellent beef recipes!!
Daily Worth Financial Site for Women!!
February 15th, 2012 · 0 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
DailyWorth is a free daily personal finance email for women. They are giving away to 3 lucky readers $704 which happens to be the avg american spent this past holiday for 2011. It delivers practical tips, empowering ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants. DailyWorth tips cover self worth, net worth, saving, spending, earning, investing, taxes, entrepreneurship, financial feminism, and much more. More than ever, money matters to women. Women need to recognize their own self-worth and build their own wealth. Now women can take control of their finances by signing up for DailyWorth.
I just joined and my favorite part was the budgeting. It does ask you to sign up for mint.com but you can skip that part. Also its a give and take site were you can post concerns and also help out other women!!
Definitely worth signing up for!!! Go here to do so!!!
Save Money on Gas: How to Make the Most Out of a Tank of Gas
February 9th, 2012 · 1 Comment Facebook Twitter Pin ItMany people are looking for ways to save money in a down economy. Those that drive as their primary means of transportation know that a tank of gas isn’t cheap. But how can you really make the most out of each tank of gas? Read further to find out how to save money on gas.
Drive less. Driving less is the surest way to save money on gas. Why not ride your bike to school? Carpool with colleagues to work. Or, take a walk to the store instead of hopping in the car to drive around the corner.- Slow down. Even those that drive only five to ten miles over the speed limit find that their gas gauge quickly falls from full to empty faster than more diligent law-abiding drivers. While it’s not safe to drive under the speed limit just to save money, if you do drive the actual speed limit you’re sure to extend the life of a full tank.
- Check your tire pressure. Tire pressure is one of the leading causes of high gas consumption while driving. The less inflated your tires are, the more gas must be used to keep your
speed consistent. Experts advise you check your tire pressure approximately once a month because driving on under-inflated tires could cost you up to 15 percent of the life of your tires. - Change your oil. Not only should you get a regular oil change every 3,000 miles or so, but also ensure that you are using the correct grade of oil for your car. This can improve your car’s gas mileage by up to two percent, which means fewer trips to the gas station. Simply check your car manual for the recommended oil grade for your car make and model.
- Turn off the air. In the warmer months, running the air conditioning in your car is a sure way to drain your gas tank more quickly. Also, in winter, many people turn on the defroster and air conditioner as a way to remove frost from the windshield. In both cases it’s more gas-efficient to turn off the air and open the windows instead. And while you may not want to crank your window open completely in winter, simply turn up the heat and crack the window for the same defrosting effect. Also, try parking in your garage at home, school or work to keep your car cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.
- Lighten up. Another way to increase the performance of your car and to save money on gas is to clear out any extra cargo that could be weighing it down. You’d be surprised at how quickly sporting equipment, baby gear and other heavy items can slow down your car, decreasing your miles per gallon.
- Shop around. Lastly, maybe you’ve found that no matter what you do, your car is a gas-guzzler. In that case, maybe it’s worth it to downsize, upgrade or trade in your current car, truck or SUV for either a car with better miles per gallon or an electric or hybrid model. If you do, be sure to also shop around for the auto loan refinance that works for your situation. Great car loan rates are out there, so make sure to do your research before making your final car buying decision.
Poor gas mileage shouldn’t be the primary factor keeping you from enjoying the freedom a car affords. Try these simple steps to make the most of your next tank of gas and enjoy cruising around knowing your hard-earned money is working harder for you.
This is a sponsored post.
Painting the Snow – Great Frugal Fun Tip
January 30th, 2012 · 1 Comment Facebook Twitter Pin It
What an excellent idea!! I now can’t wait for snow!! A little food coloring and Hannah is going to have a blast! Click over to Really Quite Lucky for more information!
if you have Pinterest and remember to follow us!!
To see more Penny Saving Ideas on Pinterest, click here.
Homemade Laundry Soap
January 8th, 2012 · 130 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
On WeUseCoupons, we have excellent forums for DIY Laundry detergent. It’s not to complicated. I saw this picture on Pinterest and thought, I really should try this. This picture was pinned from Being Creative, and is has an excellent recipe for how to do this!! Here are the ingredients you will need:
- one 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent isle
- one 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg) found in the cooking isle
- one box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent isle
- three bars of Fels-naptha soap, found in the detergent isle
- two small containers of oxyclean or store brand oxyclean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent isle.
(this is optional, I added it into mine because I have pretty messy kids and the cleaner the better)
For step-by-step instructions head over to her post here. Remember to check out our House and Home and Tightwad Tips forums for even more money saving ideas!!
if you have Pinterest and remember to follow us!!
To see more Penny Saving Ideas on Pinterest, click here.
Frugal Idea – Using Household Supplies to Winter Proof Your Car
December 23rd, 2011 · 1 Comment Facebook Twitter Pin It
Using Household Supplies to Winter Proof Your Car was shared by WUC user lovesadealinohio in the Tightwad Tips Forum
Keep your headlights clear with car wax!
Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights, rub it in and wipe off the excess. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights – lasts 6 weeks.
Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol!
Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity. 
Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Send Frost on its way!
Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & sprits it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they’ll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water—preventing water from freezing!
Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray!
Spray cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.
Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream!
Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.
De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer!
Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!
Reusing Eggshells!!!
December 19th, 2011 · 0 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
Have you ever stopped to think about what you could do with all your eggshells? I didn’t until last year. We had just planted a garden and I was desperately looking for a way of getting rid of slugs and other insects that were eating away at our little seedlings. We were losing plants to the bugs left and right. I had a new rhubarb root and the second a new leaf sprouted, something would start gnawing on it. So I started looking for ways to be rid of bugs without damaging our soil or being concerned about the kids getting into poison. Guess what I discovered? Crushed eggshells work wonders! Now, they don’t work for bugs that fly but if you have a slug invasion like we did, the shells will really help. Slugs often won’t cross eggshells because the sharp edges of the shells will tear the soft body of a slug. So what are the other uses for eggshells? Here is what I’ve discovered so far:
- Composting: eggshells will add calcium and other minerals to your compost pile
- Pest Control in the Garden: this worked so well for us in our garden – the slugs left our plants alone, giving the seedlings a chance to grow
- Seedling Starters: Just add a little dirt to a mostly intact shell and plant a seed in it and just think, you can reuse your egg cartons to hold the starters – all biodegradable!
- Abrasive Cleaner: Crush the shell and add to some soapy water to use on things like stainless steel sinks, pots, etc
- Drain Clearer: Finely crushed shells will help keep your drain clear
- Smoother Coffee: Adding crushed shells to your coffee grounds helps with the acidity in the coffee*
- Boiled Egg Water: After boiling eggs, use the water in your garden or around your plants to add calcium and help build up your soil
- Feed the Birds: Birds will love the shells
- Gardens: Just like shells are good for composting and pest control, they are also good just to add to the soil around your tomatoes and peppers so even if you don’t have the insect/bug pests or compost pile, they are still good to add to your plants!
- Crafts: You can try to keep the egg whole by blowing the white and yolk out (I remember watching my mom do this when I was little) or you can crush the shell to use for mosaic pieces
*Remember: if using shells in something you will consume, only use boiled shells, otherwise you run the risk of a salmonella infection.
There are all kinds of ways to reuse eggshells! I wish I had discovered this years ago but now that I know, we’ve been saving our shells for months now and have quite the collection. The box is almost full and it’s taller than it looks (stored the half-gallon canning jars). Have you discovered other ways to use eggshells?
Thanks to our Kelly over at PraticalSavings for this awesome article!!!
Reindeer Camera with Santa Feedings!!!
December 18th, 2011 · 0 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
Thanks to our forum leader momwalker1966 for the heads up in our Christmas forum!!! Reindeer Cam has a 24 hour camera on santa’s reindeer and even Santa himself feeds the reindeer at 10 am and 5pm eastern!! Will be sure to put you in the Christmas mood and have a blast with the kiddos!!! What a fun FREE way to build memories with the kids!!
DIY Ceramic Coasters
December 9th, 2011 · 0 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
My sister Tiffany, is a big DIYer. I think frugality must run in our blood! Tiffany is going to start regularly sharing her creations and money saving ideas here on WeUseCoupons! If you love DIYing, Crafting and making things for your home, we have a Crafter Forum and our House and Home Forum that you would probably enjoy!
When my hubby and I moved into our first home, we had just gotten a set of free cardboard coasters. You can’t beat free, but now, two and a half years later, that cardboard retains water rather 
than repelling it. They don’t work at all! See the big square ring that this one made on my hubby’s glass desk!? Terrible!
I decided to toss out these coasters, so I needed a replacement. Originally I found the idea on You Really Made That, so I pinned it to my Pinterest account. (Don’t forget to follow WeUseCoupons on Pinterest!)
Here’s what I did.
The MOST IMPORTANT part of the project is finding the perfect piece of scrapbook paper for your coasters. I chose black and white with numbers. The design is fun, and, though it’s a little bit of a stretch, the design relates a little to hockey – counting the goals when we score, all player stats, or maybe how many shut-outs your goalie has… like I said, a little bit of a stretch. I also got a funny mustache paper, but we decided it would be odd to pick your cup off of mustaches when you drink. You can use ANY paper though. Giving as a gift for Christmas, use Christmas paper.
1. Gather Supplies. Go to your local home improvement store and buy four 4×4 ceramic tiles with unfinished edges. Home Depot has the tiles for $0.16 each! I had all the other supplies at home, but if you have to purchase these things, you could go to any craft store. You can usually find a 40% off coupon in the Sunday paper every week. The good thing if you have you buy them is that these are supplies that you will reuse again and again. You will need:
- Perfect piece of scrapbook paper
- Four 4×4 plain ceramic tiles
- Mod Podge (I used glossy but matte is fine too – your preference)
- Felt pads (I used 3/8” 10mm medium duty)
- Clear finishing or sealing spray (I used Design Master Clear Finish Matte 169)
- Brush (I used a paint brush but a foam brush is probably better and cheaper)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Wax paper *not in picture
I got my tiles from Home Depot for only $0.16!!!
2. Trace. Place the tile upside down on the backside of the scrapbook paper. Hold the tile securely and trace around it.
3. Cut. Inevitably the outline you traced will be a little too big. I cut just inside the lines I traced.
4. Fit it. This is the second most important step of the project. Before securing the paper to the tile, you MUST make sure that it isn’t too big or it will hang off the sides of the tile. Place it on the tile checking that all sides appear straight. If one side is at an angle, cut it down a bit. This is not an exact science; just eyeball it.
5. Stick pads. These felt pads are essential so that the unfinished bottom of the tile will not scratch up the surface it is placed on. I stick the pads on before applying the mod podge because they lift the tile up off the surface and help speed up the drying process.
6. Mod Podge. I do a series of steps for the mod podge, but the second step is the most important and should be done with the most precision.
First, brush the mod podge on the top surface of the tile going all the way to the edges but not on the sides.
SECOND, place the paper on the top of the tile lining up all the corners before you secure it. Gently but firmly rub from the middle outward trying to remove any air bubbles. Make sure to press down on the edges as well tightly securing the paper to the tile. Disclaimer: your fingers WILL get sticky here, but this is an important step so the edges do not protrude or lift up when the mod podge dries.
Next, beginning on the sides of the tile, brush on the mod podge. You want these unfinished sides to be sealed and have the same luster as the top. It’s easier to do the sides first because you can hold the tile in the middle and twist it around as you cover the sides. Then, place the tile on the wax paper to do the next step.
Finally, brush mod podge of the top of the paper and tile. Cover it completely. It doesn’t have to be an extremely thick layer. The goal is to cover it completely. When you feel good about the amount of mod podge, gently make the brush marks all go in the same direction because they mod podge will dry with the lines of the brush in it.
7. Dry and Seal. Allow the mod podge to dry for a few hours or overnight, and spray a sealer or finisher on it. This step isn’t 100% necessary, but I suggest doing it so that the mod podge never regains its stickiness.
Once you’re finished, the last step is to USE THEM! These are definitely simple and easy and so much better than our old cardboard coasters.
I really like the way they turned out. What you do think?
Redoing Your Kitchen Frugally!
November 30th, 2011 · 142 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
Have you ever wanted to change your kitchen, got quotes for new cabinets, new hardware, and new floors, then decided there was no possible way you could do it? That is what happened to me. The total was several thousand dollars with all new custom cabinets, plus the silverplated hardware I wanted. Robert is a flooring man so my labor was cheap but I had to find a good deal on tile. I was determined to have a new kitchen and we did it frugally!
Here is our niece helping her Uncle Bobo (Robert) paint the kitchen. It was already yellow but we went with a more golden color. You can also see the white cabinets and the hardware is brass that is very tarnished.
The old kitchen floors. I hated the floor. I hated the color. I could never, ever keep it clean. You can see in the next picture that after we painted, the hardware was the next thing we replaced. Robert priced what I wanted- $2.00-$4.00 for EACH one PLUS all the hinges at Lowes. There was no way we could ever spend that much on hardware with all the cabinets in our kitchen. Guess what we did?
We spray painted it! Yep, spent about $5.00 and they look as good as the ones we had priced at the store. It has been two months now since we did the hardware and it has held up nicely! No flaking, no problems…Very frugal way to get new hardware!!
Did you notice the white cabinets above? Well, now they are Nut Hatch! I Absolutely LOVE this color. Again, Robert rolled on the paint and they look like brand new cabinets. Price was $30 for the can of paint- on sale at Sherwin Williams! We bought two cans, one they did not tint in case we did not need it, so we have one to take back! Tile for the floor was on sale for .57 each!
My new kitchen cabinets and floor! Look at the difference between this picture and the first two above!
Back cabinets!
The floor was the most expensive because our kitchen is pretty big! Total for everything was around $400.00. A WHOLE lot cheaper than the several thousands we were quoted for new cabinets and new floors! If you don’t need new floors, it won’t cost more than $50-$70 to have a whole new look in your kitchen!
Grab a can of paint and paint your cabinets! Be sure to check to see what type of paint you will need for your cabinets. You might be able to just stain your cabinets!
Grab some spray paint, take your hardware off, and spray your existing hardware. Just doing that one tip can give your kitchen a whole new look!
Importance of Staying Frugal
November 22nd, 2011 · 72 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
With the continuous malaise over the stubborn unemployment figures, the crashing housing market, the incessant hangover of the Great Recession and the consumers drowning in a sea of unsecured credit card debt, one can’t help but ask the million-dollar query, “Is American stepping into the lost decade?” As the American people have gone berserk with the spurring debt problems, they gradually start comprehending the importance of leading a frugal life. This F-word is usually hated by most Americans as they feel that getting help from professional debt relief companies is better than managing their personal finances and leading a frugal life. Although this is a gross misconception, yet as most people are led to believe in this, there is a rapid growth in the consumer debt level within the nation.
If you want to lead a happy, successful and a fruitful life, you have to change your attitude towards life and money as no one else is responsible for what happens with you. You have to either complain about the things that are 
happening in your life or change them. As complaining won’t bring immediate results, don’t you think that changing them would be much better?
Frugal living doesn’t mean being a cheapskate or living on a dime, it just means the proper usage of your hard-earned dollars. Making the most out of your resources and not squandering money is what is meant by leading a frugal lifestyle.
Importance of a frugal lifestyle – Some habits that you can brag about
Implementing just a few habits within yourself can make you stay on top of your finances. As the interest rates on personal loans reach a sky-high level, most people are worried about ways in which they can repay their debts with their own funds. Have a look at some tips that can ensure a financially free life.
Scrimp as much as possible: If you don’t want more cash to whisk out of your wallet, you should scrimp as much as possible. Determine the essential difference between needs and wants so that you can only devote your dollars towards the necessities and can chuck off the wants currently. Americans usually regret 80% of their discretionary purchases and therefore you should not be one among them.
Make it tough to purchase things: Whenever you feel the urge to buy things, force yourself to wait for at least 24-48 hours before placing your hands on it. This often diminishes the urge with time and you may end up saving that amount of money. Though it’s lot easier to put something on a credit card, you should try and use cash to avoid falling into debt woes.
Be a frugal car owner: As the transportation costs in the US are also increasing with all the other costs, owning a car has nowadays become a necessity. Buying a car is one of the biggest experien
ces of a man but there are more than one ways of saving money during this transaction. You should shop around to get the best deal, purchase a car that’ll not cost you dearly while insuring it and you must also maintain your car.
Start budgeting with the end in mind: Those who effectively achieve their goals are always able to envisage the end result in spite of the obstacles. Follow a budget only after determining your monthly needs and your gross income. Follow the budget and also evaluate it at the end of the month to keep space for improvements.
Learn to say ‘No’: When a smart and crafty lender tries to sign you up for a loan that is beyond your means, learn to say ‘No’. When a friend asks for some money, learn to say ‘No’!
Frugality doesn’t mean giving up all the luxuries and the things that make you happy. Rather it is something that you need to maintain throughout the long term to become a financially successful person.
Guest Post By: John Martinez. John is a financial writer who is an expert dealing with financial issues. He contributes his articles to financial websites and blogs so that people may read them and gather knowledge. Some topics covered by him are importance of frugal living, repaying debts through debt relief companies and many more.
What is Frugal Living?
November 3rd, 2011 · 5 Comments Facebook Twitter Pin It
Guest Post written by Joannie from Pays2Save
When I started to think about frugal living. I thought that I would have to cut out a lot of the fun things that we did as a family, use less money, and start using coupons if I wanted to start frugal living.
Frugal living by definition is practiced by those who aim to cut expenses, have more money, and get the most they possibly can from their money. Everyone WILL have their own meaning of the words Frugal Living. In the end, it’s just living better for/with less.
Smarter spending…
Smarter spending just means taking the money that you already have and stretching it out as far as it can go. It might mean shopping at thrift stores, garage sales, clearance racks until you find what you can afford. It means waiting for something that you want to go on SALE. It means using coupons/rebates in combination with sales to get more for your money/groceries. That leads to stockpiling too when you find a product at an unbeatable price.
Smarter money management…
Put a budget in place. Then you will know where you stand on your debt (if you have any), saving goals, and investments. With a budget in place then you will know what you can afford and most importantly, what you cannot afford! You will begin to make better decisions on how/where to spend your money.
So I’ve talked about smarter spending and smarter money management, but most importantly frugal living is also knowing when NOT to shop. Holding off on a purchase til it fits your budget. It’s about waiting patiently for a sale to bring down the price on the item you want.
Down to the point…Frugal Living = Smart Living
