From time to time, I take inventory of my frugal habits. This review helps fine-tune my money-saving strategies. Here is my latest list of 25 Frugal Things I do, plus a few spendthrift habits. It's a tradition I've picked up from my friend Dawn at Frugal for Life.
1. Use mascara, coffee and tea to color my hair.
2. Use organic apple cider vinegar as a natural conditioner; I clean my kitchen with white vinegar.
3. Avoid ordering drinks or beverages in restaurants.
4. Bring my own snacks, water and food to theme parks.
5. Have installed a filter on the kitchen sink. Filtered water costs pennies per gallon in my home.
6. Use the free gym at work and cancelled the gym membership at a chic gym in South Beach.
7. Walk to stores, the post office and other nearby errand stops.
8. Purchased a discounted monthly transit pass for the bus and train.
9. Read receipts to find store errors or free coupons on the receipt.
10. Use olive oil, oranges and tomatoes to condition my skin and hair instead of traditional personal care products.
11. Style, braid and cut my own hair.
12. Often stay with friends and relatives while on vacation.
13. My shopping lists are based on weekly sale promotions and coupons.
14. Have re-joined an organic food co-op to get super cheap prices for organic, in-season produce.
15. Make clothing and shoe repairs and other wardrobe fixes with magic markers, staples and tape.
16. Stock up on generic or private label products, especially when those items are on sale.
17. Recycle cards, gift bags and wrapping paper.
18. Use diluted dish soap to wash off fruit.
19. Watch Internet-television and have cut the cable TV cord.
20. Have cutback on makeup and skincare products (fewer chemicals, lower expenses).
21. Purchase 99 percent of my shoes, clothing and accessories at end-of-season sales.
22. Borrow books, magazines and movies from friends.
23. Save the bits of soap and small conditioner containers we use in hotel rooms.
24. Drink the free coffee at work.
25. Try to avoid shops and malls as much as possible.
4 Secret Spendthrift Confessions
1. I love to eat out.
2. Disorganization costs: Late fees — for videos & bills — occasionally eat into my budget.
3. A local company offers discounted massage therapy services, and I take advantage of this perk as much as possible.
4. I don’t know how many pairs of shoes are in my closet.
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