Frugal tips you tried and are still using today - Page 2

wraith · 12-31-2007, 06:30 PM

Sleep on it.

Half the time I won't want the same thing the next day. The other half of the time I'll find something better to lust for the next day.

lisathefog · 01-02-2008, 05:33 AM

I have heard that in order to receive things you need, you should also be willing to give to others. With that thought in mind, I joined my local freecycle.org community and gave away things that weren't important for me to have anymore (books, kitchen equipment etc). Within a week I had received a free sewing machine-something that I had wanted for a while. Now I have something that can save me money in clothes repairs, enhance my creativity in making my own things and have the satisfaction of knowing that the things I no longer need are made welcome in other people's lives. Everyone's a winner!

Joanne · 01-02-2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Frugal tips you tried and are still using today

A few off the top of my head:

~ Shop for sale items

~ Turn off all of the lights when not in use.

~ Keep your vehicle maintained.

~ Making lunches at home

~ Shop at home first - if you need to buy something, see if you have it or a substitute at home.

~ Shop throughout the year for birthday and holiday gifts.

amandajane · 01-02-2008, 10:14 PM

A quick thought - energy efficient lightbulbs can save a substantial amount of money on the electricity bill over a year. One of our local power companies delivered a voucher for four for $10 to every home in the area recently, and you didn't have to be their customer to use them. That's a thumbs up for the company for sure!

Jess · 01-03-2008, 07:45 AM

Buying generic is often helpful. And as amandajane just mentioned, I've introduced CFLs into my life which is good money-wise and environmentally. I also utilize coupons and sales to get the best deal, although I don't spend all of my time price-checking. I also remind myself that quality is much more important than quantity, so sometimes frugality doesn't always work. Or perhaps it does - I think it's better to have a higher-quality (occasionally more expensive) item that will last me a long time than a low-quality one that needs to be replaced often.

rolltimer · 01-12-2008, 09:38 AM

Not necessarily a tip, but definitely a frugal activity to adopt is making homemade yogurt. About 25 years ago I received as a gift, one of the original Salton Yogurt Makers which consisted of:

a set of 5 glass containers with plastic lids,

a plastic spoon/thermometer

and the machine which plugs into a regular electrical outlet.

Cost was about $13.

I still use that machine today. You can probably find one for a buck or two at a yard sale. Making yogurt is so easy. Buy a small container of plain yogurt. I use the Great Value Wal-Mart brand (approximately 40 cents) and a box of Great Value instant milk (about $7.50 for 10 envelopes pre-measured to make 1 quart of milk each).

Measure about 3 to 3 1/2 cups water and pour into sauce pan.

Stir in 1 envelope of instant milk and heat on medium to medium-high heat, stirring continuously with the spoon/thermometer until it comes to a boil.

Take it off the heat and set it aside for about 30 minutes to cool.

Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of already prepared yogurt into one of the clean glass containers, pour in about 1/4 cup of the cooled milk and stir well.

Then add the mixture into the sauce pan of cooled milk and stir well.

Pour into the 5 glass containers, snap on the plastic lids and place into the yogurt machine. Make sure you plug the machine in.

Check back in 6 to 8 hours.

The yogurt starts out as liquid and firms up into a consistency similar to pudding but not as thick. Store the yogurt in the refrigerator and eat after it has chilled overnight or for several hours.

I flavor mine with instant pudding, instant hot cocoa mix or instant coffee and sweetener. It's best to combine the flavorings just before eating. Make sure to save 1 or 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt to use in your next batch. Buy a fresh container of plain yogurt once every month or two when the culture weakens. If it becomes too weak, the yogurt will still be liquid after the 6 to 8 hour culturing is up.

quitejaded · 01-12-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily

I buy used textbooks and sell them after the class is done. I'm allowed to print 600 pages per semester in the lab at school, so anything and everything I print gets done there (and I have yet to come remotely CLOSE to that 600 pages).

I use open-source software at every opportunity.

Me, too!

But, where do you sell your textbooks? I do not have an ebay account. I'd rather sell to people who live around me, but I can't find a good website.

Jess · 01-12-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quitejaded

Me, too!

But, where do you sell your textbooks? I do not have an ebay account. I'd rather sell to people who live around me, but I can't find a good website.

I sell to friends and Amazon.com (I have a seller account - it's very easy to set up). The nice thing about Amazon is the pricing. Granted, the company takes a commission, but usually I end up with the full amount that I sold the item for anyway. I actually listed two books online last night, and they sold this morning. So definitely look into Amazon.com Marketplace

My school unfortunately doesn't have free printing (jealous of those of you who do get it!), but I can print for free at my workplace - it all balances out in the end.

Ronni · 01-12-2008, 02:55 PM

I like to take chips in my lunch. Instead of buying the variety packs and whatnot, I go to Marc's, get the huge bags that are in a BOGO special, and make little baggies of chips in sandwich bags. Not only can I control how many chips I am eating (I rarely would finish those little variety pack bags), but the big bags really last, especially if I can keep from snacking at home.

Often, I forgo the little bags and just take the huge bag to work and leave it in my desk with a clip. That's even more efficient and keeps me from wasting sandwich bags.

Ronni · 01-12-2008, 02:57 PM

Also...

Using the library!!!

I love to read, but if I bought every book that interested me, I'd be in serious trouble. Fortunately, my library is good at getting the new stuff in fairly quickly. Using that reserve system is the best thing ever.

I use it for music, too. If I come across something I love, or if I find myself renewing something four times, then I think about purchasing it.

01-02-2008, 05:33 AM	#12
lisathefog Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2 Reputation: (10)	Active in the community I have heard that in order to receive things you need, you should also be willing to give to others. With that thought in mind, I joined my local freecycle.org community and gave away things that weren't important for me to have anymore (books, kitchen equipment etc). Within a week I had received a free sewing machine-something that I had wanted for a while. Now I have something that can save me money in clothes repairs, enhance my creativity in making my own things and have the satisfaction of knowing that the things I no longer need are made welcome in other people's lives. Everyone's a winner!

01-12-2008, 09:38 AM	#16
rolltimer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 132 Reputation: (24)	Homemade Yogurt Not necessarily a tip, but definitely a frugal activity to adopt is making homemade yogurt. About 25 years ago I received as a gift, one of the original Salton Yogurt Makers which consisted of: a set of 5 glass containers with plastic lids, a plastic spoon/thermometer and the machine which plugs into a regular electrical outlet. Cost was about $13. I still use that machine today. You can probably find one for a buck or two at a yard sale. Making yogurt is so easy. Buy a small container of plain yogurt. I use the Great Value Wal-Mart brand (approximately 40 cents) and a box of Great Value instant milk (about $7.50 for 10 envelopes pre-measured to make 1 quart of milk each). Measure about 3 to 3 1/2 cups water and pour into sauce pan. Stir in 1 envelope of instant milk and heat on medium to medium-high heat, stirring continuously with the spoon/thermometer until it comes to a boil. Take it off the heat and set it aside for about 30 minutes to cool. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of already prepared yogurt into one of the clean glass containers, pour in about 1/4 cup of the cooled milk and stir well. Then add the mixture into the sauce pan of cooled milk and stir well. Pour into the 5 glass containers, snap on the plastic lids and place into the yogurt machine. Make sure you plug the machine in. Check back in 6 to 8 hours. The yogurt starts out as liquid and firms up into a consistency similar to pudding but not as thick. Store the yogurt in the refrigerator and eat after it has chilled overnight or for several hours. I flavor mine with instant pudding, instant hot cocoa mix or instant coffee and sweetener. It's best to combine the flavorings just before eating. Make sure to save 1 or 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt to use in your next batch. Buy a fresh container of plain yogurt once every month or two when the culture weakens. If it becomes too weak, the yogurt will still be liquid after the 6 to 8 hour culturing is up.

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12-31-2007, 06:30 PM	#11
wraith Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Reputation: (10)	Sleep on it. Half the time I won't want the same thing the next day. The other half of the time I'll find something better to lust for the next day.

01-02-2008, 10:14 PM	#14
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	A quick thought - energy efficient lightbulbs can save a substantial amount of money on the electricity bill over a year. One of our local power companies delivered a voucher for four for $10 to every home in the area recently, and you didn't have to be their customer to use them. That's a thumbs up for the company for sure!

01-03-2008, 07:45 AM	#15
Jess Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 82 Reputation: (20)	Buying generic is often helpful. And as amandajane just mentioned, I've introduced CFLs into my life which is good money-wise and environmentally. I also utilize coupons and sales to get the best deal, although I don't spend all of my time price-checking. I also remind myself that quality is much more important than quantity, so sometimes frugality doesn't always work. Or perhaps it does - I think it's better to have a higher-quality (occasionally more expensive) item that will last me a long time than a low-quality one that needs to be replaced often.

01-12-2008, 02:55 PM	#19
Ronni Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 92 Reputation: (25)	I like to take chips in my lunch. Instead of buying the variety packs and whatnot, I go to Marc's, get the huge bags that are in a BOGO special, and make little baggies of chips in sandwich bags. Not only can I control how many chips I am eating (I rarely would finish those little variety pack bags), but the big bags really last, especially if I can keep from snacking at home. Often, I forgo the little bags and just take the huge bag to work and leave it in my desk with a clip. That's even more efficient and keeps me from wasting sandwich bags.

01-12-2008, 02:57 PM	#20
Ronni Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 92 Reputation: (25)	Also... Using the library!!! I love to read, but if I bought every book that interested me, I'd be in serious trouble. Fortunately, my library is good at getting the new stuff in fairly quickly. Using that reserve system is the best thing ever. I use it for music, too. If I come across something I love, or if I find myself renewing something four times, then I think about purchasing it.