Frugal living tips

[pax 0]

I unplug everything if I go away for longer than a day.

[Razor 0]

[Nicola&Matthew 0]

Ok admittedly I don't have anything better to do .... I plan the meals for the week and then write the shopping list to match the meals... I then feed hubby up before we go shopping (he has eyes bigger than his belly! ) and then we do the list and don't deviate from it at all...Using coupons also helps! That way we don't over spend and buy rubbish that we don't really need!

[ceriserose 1]

Conserve as much electricity and water as possible.

Shower together.

[Cassie 8]

Conserve as much electricity and water as possible.

Shower together.

that's the best tip yet!

[ceriserose 1]

Conserve as much electricity and water as possible.

Shower together.

that's the best tip yet!

Positive reinforcement and motivation are always the key.

[CanGal 1]

hehe, shower together. Thats a good one really. Or have a bath together. Also make weekly meal plans and just follow the meal plan for groceries. Try and do all errands in one trip so your not always going back and forth using up much needed gas. And like they always say pay yourself first. Phone any credit card companies and see if they will lower down you percentage rates for interest. Also if you have alot of credit card debt pay off the ones with the most interest on them first even though you may owe more on one with lower interest rate. And by generic store brands, they tend to be a whole lot cheaper. Best of luck to you.

[*Robert* 2]

Conserve as much electricity and water as possible.

Shower together.

Now that's what I'm talking about!!!

Another big energy saver:

Dry your clothes on the line or on drying racks instead of using an electric dryer.

In addition:

Turn the controls on your refrigerator and freezer to a higher setting.

[clloyd 0]

Ok admittedly I don't have anything better to do .... I plan the meals for the week and then write the shopping list to match the meals... I then feed hubby up before we go shopping (he has eyes bigger than his belly! ) and then we do the list and don't deviate from it at all...Using coupons also helps! That way we don't over spend and buy rubbish that we don't really need!

It's also good to plan those meals by what is on special in the store circular that week, and with the coupons you have in mind.

[nayalamb 0]

1) opt not to drive as much. walk or bike if you can.

2) use energy saving lightbulbs

3) turn off lights when you leave a room

4) shop generic. if there is an ALDI supermarket in your area, try it.

5) go to the library instead of the bookstore. aside from lending books/dvds/audio books, they often sell books for less than a dollar or give them away. no muffins or lattes but oh well...

6) craigslist.com - they have an entire sections for free stuff, barters, and garage sales

7) check for deals going on with your cable providers. sometimes you can horn in on the new customer deals if they think you are going to leave them and go with another provider.

8) have a yard sale and clear out alot of stuff.

9) maintain your car! things like improper tire inflation, unnecessary weight in the trunk, and dirty filters all make your car work harder and waste gasoline.

10) pay bills online. save yourself the envelope and postage. might also be able to do it by phone.

11) hang clothes out to dry when the weather is nice.

12) talk to a credit counselor. sometimes they can consolidate your debt which may lower your monthly payments. sometimes your creditors will take a settlement deal too. (my freshman year i ran up a calling card and i settled for 20cents on the dollar )

13) if you don't have medical insurance, GET IT. the monthly payments may seem like alot but nothing destroys a budget faster than an unexpected illness or surgery.

14) collect up all your coins. get a jug or something and keep emptying your change into it when you come in from shopping. every few months go to a coin machine at your bank or at the supermarket to get it counted up and changed into bills.

just be consistent and have a positive attitude about it. i wish you tons of luck!

[Cassie 8]

Ok admittedly I don't have anything better to do .... I plan the meals for the week and then write the shopping list to match the meals... I then feed hubby up before we go shopping (he has eyes bigger than his belly! ) and then we do the list and don't deviate from it at all...Using coupons also helps! That way we don't over spend and buy rubbish that we don't really need!

It's also good to plan those meals by what is on special in the store circular that week, and with the coupons you have in mind.

yeah, the coupon list I suscribe to does that for me, they track store sales and pair them with the best coupons to use. Last week, I paid $20 for $50 worth of groceries. Not bad, hey?

[KarenCee 3]

Cassie....here are some sites I've subscribed to...some ideas are pretty good...some ideas don't appeal to me. Hope you find something of interest.

http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm

http://aribella.com/foodshopping.htm

http://www.thefrugallife.com/

[Cassie 8]

Cassie....here are some sites I've subscribed to...some ideas are pretty good...some ideas don't appeal to me. Hope you find something of interest.

http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm

http://aribella.com/foodshopping.htm

http://www.thefrugallife.com/

fantastic! Thanks so much!

[clloyd 0]

Ok admittedly I don't have anything better to do .... I plan the meals for the week and then write the shopping list to match the meals... I then feed hubby up before we go shopping (he has eyes bigger than his belly! ) and then we do the list and don't deviate from it at all...Using coupons also helps! That way we don't over spend and buy rubbish that we don't really need!

It's also good to plan those meals by what is on special in the store circular that week, and with the coupons you have in mind.

yeah, the coupon list I suscribe to does that for me, they track store sales and pair them with the best coupons to use. Last week, I paid $20 for $50 worth of groceries. Not bad, hey?

Also don't fall into the trap of buying things you don't want/need because you had a great coupon.

[*Robert* 2]

My mother was a slave to coupons, and I don't think they are always the best deal.

You must look at the prices and compare. Sometimes products with coupons will still be more expensive then products on sale or generic products.

I try to go generic as much as possible, or local brands, but there are just some items you can't skimp on.