Frugal living Archives - Page 2 of 2

Saving Money On Christmas Presents

There are only three days left until Christmas, which means it’s time for the procrastinators of the world to start shopping. If you’re a procrastinator, and you like to save money, like me, then this post is for you! Christmas doesn’t have to bankrupt you every year, and you can still be frugal if you are looking last minute. Check out these tips by Deanna Michaels at From This Kitchen Table for getting Christmas presents on a budget:

-Make a list of everyone you need to buy for, so there are no last minute surprises

-Have a set gift budget for each person, and take the money out in cash so you don’t overspend

-Use homemade gifts: sew, crochet, bake, cook, and craft your way through the holidays

-Buy used- don’t get junky items, but you can find some great books, toys, clothes, and board games at thrift stores

Photo Credit: Janet Ramsden

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Stretch That Paycheck!

by Kathy T.

If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you probably already have a million tips and tricks up your sleeve to make your money last as long as possible. Obviously, you pay your rent and other bills first- then get groceries with whatever you have left over. Then it’s basically gone. But, if you need to make it stretch just a bit further, check out this post by Andrea at Savings Lifestyle for some great tips on making it last longer:

-Make a DAILY budget: pay the bills, buy groceries, save a little, then determine how much of the money left over you can spend per day.

-Skip Starbucks and other fast food places- you save WAY more by cooking your own!

-Learn to DIY- Youtube can show you how to fix or make anything!

Photo Credit: photosteve101

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It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year…

by Kathy T.

It’s almost Fall, which according to some department stores, means that it’s time to start getting ready for Christmas. While I personally think it’s still too early to decorate for Christmas (wait your turn! It’s time for Halloween!), it’s not too early to start saving for gifts! I have a big extended family, with 30+ cousins, and we get each of the little ones a present each year. That can really add up! My mom has started buying one or two gifts per paycheck- we’ve gotten about 5 so far. That’s one good way to start buying gifts, rather than spending hundreds of dollars on Christmas Eve. For more tips on saving for the holidays now, check out this post by Lori at Grocery Shop for Free:

-Have a yard sale, and sell all your summer junk. Put the proceeds towards buying gifts!

-Stop eating out- One dinner a week for a family of 4 is about $40-$50. That’s $200 a month in savings!

-Change your insurance policies- if you haven’t looked at what you’re paying for in a few years, take some time to shop around and make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Photo Credit: Mighty June

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Things You SHOULD Splurge On

by Kathy T.

Living frugally doesn’t mean dooming yourself to a life of blandness and boredom- it just means budgeting your money wisely and knowing where everything goes. In fact, by living frugally, you are able to afford more extravagant splurges later on, rather than wondering why all your money disappears from fast food and unplanned Walmart/Target visits. I try to budget myself carefully, but I also make sure that “fun money” is a part of my budget! I set aside $50 a month to blow on random stuff- book store visits, date nights, and whatever else. Also, I decide on a splurge item that I really want each month, and build that into my budget as well. In fact, I have a board on Pinterest called “Treat Yo’Self,” full of things I don’t really need, but that I plan on buying. This month, I went on a mini shopping spree at Bath and Body Works and got myself all kinds of fancy lotions to pamper myself with. Last month, I got myself a new board game. And that’s ok! Because it was planned, and because I knew I could afford it.

For things that you actually should splurge on, check out this post by Honey Smith at the Get Rich Slowly blog. She recommends building “fun” money into your budget too, as well as loosening the purse strings when it comes to celebrating milestones, like graduation or weddings. Here’s her list of fun things you can get for under $50 that won’t break the bank next time you feel your money burning a hole in your pocket:

-Dinner and a movie

-A mani/pedi- around $30, and not just for ladies!

-A nice perfume or cologne- A splurge with some staying power. Buy some fancy perfume, break it out on special occasions.

-A scented candle

-A good book. Go ahead and get the hardcover, especially if it’s one you’ll want forever.

-A video game- can keep you entertained for DAYs, and only for about $50.

-Save for a day trip/weekend vacation.

Photo Credit: Fing’rs

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Where To Exchange Your Coins For Cash

by Kathy T.

I have a little wooden box in my house that accumulates all my loose change. If I have any quarters in my pocket, they get thrown in the box. Any change in the bottom of my purse, or that I find cleaning- it goes in the box. Now, it’s been ages (probably years) since I’ve gone through it (usually it sits there, forgotten about, since I rarely use cash for anything)- but last night, I decided to count all the silver coins and was pleasantly surprised. I had over $35! Just sitting uselessly in my house. That’s a pretty decent dinner out for two, but of course you can’t just show up at the restaurant with a bucket of change (and if you have done that, shame on you!). I need to find some way to turn it all into cash. There’s Coinstar, but it takes about 11% of the transaction. So, I found this article by Dr. Don Taylor at the Bankrate blog. Here’s what he says to do with large amounts of change:

Talking to your bank is a good place to start, in any case. It might provide coin counting as a free service to customers even if they don’t have a machine in the lobby.

Coinstar, which operates machines at many grocery store locations, offers an alternative to paying its 10.9 percent fee. The coin counting is free when you opt to get a gift card representing the dollar value of the change.

Photo Credit: Holger

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Couponing 101

by Kathy T.

Last week, I went with a friend to a couponing class at our local library. I’m fascinated by those crazy couponing shows- being able to get $500 worth of stuff for $20 (LEGALLY) just seems like witchcraft to me. Now, the real world is not TV. You will most likely not be getting hundreds of dollars in free groceries every month. However, knowing what to do can save you BIG. I went on my first adventure and got $13 worth of items for $6. The couponing teacher said to start small, but I think more than 50% off is a pretty good start! If you are interested in starting to coupon to save money, check out this post Ruth at Living Well, Spending Less for tips:

-Establish your coupon sources- you will need weekly newspaper inserts and printable coupons

-Set up a newspaper subscription

-Pick a couponing website to help you with your journey (I’ve been using IheartPublix and IheartKroger, but there are plenty of good ones out there)

-Find this week’s post for your stores, match up sales with coupons.

Remember, extreme Couponing is a cumulative process, not an instant magic formula.

Photo Credit: Chris Potter

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What NOT To Buy At A Yard Sale

by Kathy T.

It’s summertime, and that means it’s officially yard sale season. I probably pass two or three a day on my way to work, and it’s extremely tempting to stop and shop. While yard sales are a great way to get deals on household items, they can also lead to impulsive buys and uncontrolled spending. Sure, finding a bunch of Friends episodes on VHS is cool, but do you really NEED it? Not to mention that there are some items you should straight up avoid at yard sales. For what to always buy new, read this post by Coupon Closet:

-Bedding- sheets, blankets, and mattresses could be infested with bed bugs.

-Stuffed animals- same as bedding

-Car seats- you never know if its safety features are up to date, or if it has been recalled

-Computers- may have all kinds of nasty viruses

Photo Credit: Mike Mozart

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