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Frugal Ideas

There are people who enjoy finding a good deal, and then there are people who are just downright frugal about the way they spend money. Here, penny-pinching shoppers are sharing their favorite ways to save money on everything from watching TV & movies to doing laundry & cleaning. You'll find cheap travel ideas & tips for vacationing on a budget, everyday shopping tips for popular grocery, clothing & department stores, frugal ideas for birthday & holiday shopping, ways to save money on kids clothes & household items -- even tips for using coupons like a pro.

Are Extended Stay Motels A Good Option For Temporary Housing? (Hint: YES!)

Whether it be because of employment circumstances, moving, or another personal situation, living in extended stay motels could be the affordable housing solution you’re looking for! Cheap extended stay hotels can be comfortable and practical — for yourself or your entire family — as temporary housing for a few months. Here’s what it’s like living in a motel, how much it costs, and how to find monthly hotel rentals that meet your needs best.

5 Reasons To Use A Safe Deposit Box + 5 Reasons To Think Twice About What You Keep There

Before storing valuables in a bank lockbox or safety deposit box, read this! Five pros + five cons about safe deposit boxes. Plus, a list of items you should AND shouldn’t keep there.

Obsolete Products: Here Are 75+ Things That Are Obsolete …Or Will Be Soon!

Thinking about purchasing an external hard drive? CD player? Wrist watch? Or cable TV? You might want to think twice! These are just a few of the items appearing on this massive list of things that are slated to become obsolete products soon.

Paperless Faxing With HelloFax: How To Send & Receive A Fax Online, And Sign & Edit Faxes Using Your Mobile Phone

Yes, today it’s possible to fax online — without a fax machine! It’s simple to send, receive, sign, and edit faxes online & on-the-go using the HelloFax app on your phone or the Hello Fax webpage at any computer.

The Truth About Buying Lottery Tickets: Lottery Facts vs. Lottery Myths

Winning the lottery can happen to anyone! True — but you might want to have a look at these lottery facts & lottery myths first BEFORE you buy lottery tickets. These lottery stories are eye-opening. Then, if you still want to play the lottery, I would encourage you to read these helpful articles about winning the lottery.

Just Say No To Store-Bought Food Platters – Save Money By Making Your Own Party Trays

Stay away from pre-made store-bought party trays! You can save tons of money by making your own food platters. Choose the veggies you like, make your own dip, and use items you probably already have in your kitchen to save money on party food & party supplies. Gone are the days where you need to buy meat & cheese platters from the store. There are so many tips and tricks here to help you make your own!

How To Travel On A Budget This Summer: 5 Outside-The-Box Ideas You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

If you’re anything like me you most likely travel on a budget. I’ve learned some cool tips and tricks along the way that allow you to pay lower airline fees, save on your smartphone bills, and find cheap travel accommodations. Plan ahead if you have a vacation coming up to save the most money while on your trip.

Money Saving DIY Window Treatments: How Making Curtains & Drapes Yourself Can Save You Money

You probably have everything to make diy window treatments lying around your house somewhere. Can you imagine how you’ll save money making curtains or diy blinds? I can tell you, you’ll save hundreds of dollars! Grab your old scarves, belts, jewelry, and the dimensions of your windows — put on your diy hat and get ready to save some money!

How To Save Money For A House: Here Are 9 Clever Ideas To Try If You’re Saving Money For A House

If you’re wondering how to save money for a house, I’ve got some simple and fun ideas for you! These ideas worked for me: turn your hobbies into money, use cash instead of credit cards, sell your old stuff, and 6 other great tips to try when saving money for a house. Think outside-the-box and start putting money aside for your down payment and closing costs on your first home.

Forever Stamp Dilemmas: Does It Make Sense To Buy Forever Stamps For First-Class Postage?

Question: What’s the deal with Forever stamps? How can they last forever when the price of stamps increases all the time? Answer: If you have Forever Postage Stamps, you’re safe. In fact, you’ll earn a few extra pennies on those stamps if you buy them before the next postage rate increase. The bottom line: if you haven’t purchased Forever Postage Stamps before, you might want to now!

How To Send AND Receive Faxes… For FREE From Your Computer!

Chances are, you’ll want to send — or receive — a fax or two this year. Right? But you probably don’t do enough faxing to justify buying a fax machine and hooking up a separate fax line. Here’s how you can SEND and RECEIVE faxes online for FREE. Yep, you can send a free fax now!

Homemade Gifts Make Gift Giving Easy & Saves You Money – 5 Gift Ideas To Get You Started

Decorating pottery is a great way to give a homemade gift.

Oh how I love making homemade gifts! Some gifts can be expensive to buy but cheap to make. You can drain your bank account when it comes to Christmas shopping or other gift-giving times. Are you tired of shopping online and want to save money? Gifts don’t have to be costly, especially when you make […]

Doing Christmas On A Budget This Year? 4 Clever Ideas For Saving Money At Christmas

Hit the thrift stores, ditch excessive gift wrapping, make your own holiday cards, and host a potluck party – all great you can enjoy Christmas on a budget this year!

Vacation On A Budget: 6 Staycation Ideas To Help You Plan Cheap Vacations Near Home

I love saving money – especially when treating myself! Recently I planned a staycation close to home. I highly recommend these money-saving staycation ideas

Want Cheap Airline Tickets? Here’s How To Find Secret Low-Price Flight Glitches

Airline pricing glitches occur several times a year. Here’s how you can be one of the lucky ones and find a really great deal on cheap airline tickets!

How To Save Money On Groceries: 4 Simple Things You Can Make Instead Of Buy At The Grocery Store

You can save money on groceries by taking a second look at the items you buy. Here are 4 things you can make yourself instead of buying at the grocery store.

Cheap Movies: Money-Saving Tips For Buying Movie Tickets And Movie Rentals

save-money-on-movies

Watching movies just got a whole lot more affordable with these tips for saving money on movie tickets and movie rentals.

Get Clothes For FREE: Attend Clothing Swap Parties Or Host A Clothes Swap Party Yourself!

Hosting a clothes swap party! photo by sfllaw on Flickr

Here are some great tips for planning your own FREE clothes swap party, plus fun ideas to make your clothing swap party lots of fun… and unique!

Online Bartering Tips ~ Things You Should Know Before You Barter Online

Online bartering is VERY popular right now! Here’s what you need to know when it comes to exchanging goods or services with others who want to trade things online.

5 Fun Ways To Donate Free Stuff & Feel Good About Giving It Away

Here are some of the ways that you can give a little AND make a difference with stuff you already own.

Frugal Living 101: To Live Frugally, You Just Need To Think Frugally

Perhaps you’ve dabbled in frugal living in the past, but you never could completely adapt to living frugally year round. Well, here are 5 ways to develop a frugal living mindset and stick to it. The good part: you’ll be saving a whole lot of money soon!

5 Unique Ways To Organize Coupons – Which One’s Your Favorite?

Here are the best ways to organize coupons that I’ve found. My favorite is the 3-ring binder method mentioned here.

How To Buy From And Sell To A Consignment Business

Have you been trying to figure out the best way to sell your things or buy from a local consignment business? If it seems like too much trouble, read these tips first. I bet you’ll change your mind!

3 Ways To Save Money On Postage Every Day

How to save money on postage. Buying Forever Stamps might be one option… or not.

How To Save $50 A Month… Even If You’re Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck

How to save $50 a month simply by changing the way you look at things. It’s not always about putting cash aside. It’s about changing the way you think and how you look at things, that’s all!

Are You A Frugalist? A Penny Pincher? A Spender? Or A Materialist?

spending-money-by-Jake-Wasdin

A recent study shows 4 types of consumers emerging from the recession. Pragmatic Spenders, Apathetic Materialists, Involuntary Penny-Pinchers, Steadfast Frugalists. Which are you?

How Decluttering & Organizing Your Home Will Help You Save Money

Organize your home, save big money. See how organizing and decluttering your house actually saves you money in the long run.

Simple Ways To Save Money On Household Items

If you’re wondering how to save money on groceries — you’re going to love this list of suggestions and tips for saving money on groceries. Consider bulk-buying, pay attention to off-brand items, and make sure you finish all items before you buy new ones. These are seriously easy tips you probably have overlooked.

How To Save Money On Laundry When Using Dryer Sheets

Learn one way that you can cut the cost of doing laundry in half, simply by taking one extra step with your dryer sheets.

Bartering For Great Deals – The Best Online Barter Exchange Websites & Trading Websites

How much do you know about barter websites? I’ve got the best information for bartering “newbies” including 2 popular personal trading websites explained and business trade websites reviewed. What you need to know about barter and trade sites and how the barter system works online.

My Experience Mystery Shopping: Can You Really Make Money As A Mystery Shopper?

Over the years, I have tried mystery shopping a few times. Here’s how mystery shopping went for me, plus some tips for making money as a mystery shopper…

Before You Send An Electronic Fax, Here Are 4 Money-Saving Fax Tips

Utilizing any of these new and wonderful ways to send and recieve faxes will not only help you to go green, but will save you a ton of money, as well as help you get the most out of your faxing.

The Most Wasteful Companies In Terms Of Packaging And Paperwork

The wasteful companies mentioned here are simply the few that happen to be on my mind right now after having dealt with them in person recently. Please share your own as well…

6 Frugal Money Saving Tips From Grandma That Really Do Work

Check with your grandma — she has tried and true ways to save money. Why? Because many of our grandparents were alive during the great depression. Therefore, they have a great deal of knowledge about how to cut corners and save money. Here are savings tips from Grandma…

Last-Minute Gift Ideas For Any Occasion

Whether you are on your way to a birthday party, or a Christmas dinner, you don’t want to show up empty-handed. Finding a last-minute gift may seem like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ideas you can use to purchase a last-minute gift on the fly…

How To Receive Faxes Online (…Plus Other Free Business Services)

Faxing, conference calls, business cards, and teleconferencing are a few things that large companies can do with ease, but small businesses need all the help they can get. Here are some FREE business resources that will come in handy…

Here are some free business resources that will come in handy…

Frugal Christmas Ideas – Be Merry Without Going Broke

There are lots of fun and simple ways to provide gifts for all of your loved ones without putting yourself in the poor house. Here are some ideas for ways to have a frugal but merry Christmas this year…

Should We Really Start Stockpiling Food?

Some experts claim that we should be stockpiling foods in anticipation of rising food prices — a sign of lean times ahead, based on our current economy. But how do you know what kinds of foods to stockpile? And exactly how much should you be storing away?

How To Dress Frugally: The Ever-Popular ‘Frugal Uniform’

I seem to have developed a standard uniform for everyday dress. I am sure other frugal people can attest to this. For me, the frugal uniform consists of dressing primarily in comfortable black slacks and black or white shirts. For others, it may mean wearing jeans and t-shirts. I know a few frugal men who stick to gray and navy slacks with white shirts.

Dumpster Diving In Your Own Home: Sometimes You Have To Pick Through The Trash

As I’ve become more and more frugal, I’ve also become more prone to collect clutter. My family members don’t get it. So, to combat my family’s nonchalant attitude about tossing out useful items, I have become a garbage snoop. Here are just a few of the things my family has forced me to do to save money…

Should You Insure Your Appliances? What About Extended Warranties?

I don’t purchased extended warranties and service plans from department stores that try to sell them to you whenever you buy appliances and electronics. I’m more apt to buy a Home Service Plan instead. Here’s why…

We Love Ring Central Fax & Toll-Free Phone Options For Small Business Owners

We used to use free programs like eFax for receiving faxes and FaxZero for sending faxes. For a couple of years now, we’ve been using RingCentral instead. It’s not free like eFax and FaxZero are. But, in our opinion, RingCentral is the best option for small business owners like us. We use it all the time. Here’s why…

Getting Rid Of Affluenza: Over-Consumption, Waste & Environmental Decay

A recent PBS program, Escape from Affluenza gave some intersting solutions to relieve stress, waste, over consumption, and environmental decay. Here are my favorite tips from the show and the accompanying website…

Some Impulse Purchases Are Good

An example of when it pays to be an impulse shopper… believe it or not.

Go Natural… It’s Cheaper!

A huge part of being thrifty for me is being natural. I find that when I focus on avoiding products that are toxic to either the environment or myself that I save a great deal of money. Here are some of the natural ways I use to save money…

Reasons To De-Clutter: Clutter Costs You Money!

I’m proof… too much clutter can cost you money. Here’s what happened to me, and what I did about it. Hint: no more clutter!

Can You Eat At Restaurants On A Budget With ‘Good Deals’ From Companies Like Restaurant.com?

We printed out some coupons from Restaurant.com. They offer specials when eating out at restaurants in your local area. Will I do it again?… Here’s how it went for us.

5 Bad Habits That Cost You Money

If you have a typical American family, like me, then there are some bad habits you may not even be aware of that are costing you serious money. Here are 5 bad habits that you should break to recoup some of your household budget…

Do Not Fall For The ’10-Day Trial’!

You’ve seen it… try before you buy, 10-day trial period, try it first. But there’s usually a catch! It happened to me. I am telling this story because I am noticing this tactic is being used more and more online. And while many people catch the trick and demand their money back, many do not ever notice.

Tips For Saving Money On Laundry Day

dirty-laundry-basket

Great tips for saving money on laundry day. It’s one routine chore that we can all streamline a bit in order to save a few dollars when washing and drying our clothes.

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About Us

LynnetteAlways on the lookout for a good bargain, I consider myself a frugal person -- but not cheap. And not afraid to spend money on the things that matter. I like to share good deals with others when I find them. One of my favorite ways to save money is to reuse items in ways other than their intended purpose -- so I write a lot about outside-the-box ideas that most people wouldn't think of! When I'm not saving money or looking for good deals, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

AndreaI have been a certified tightwad striving for financial freedom since I became pregnant with my first child -- and I decided to find a way to stay home with him full-time. I enjoy sharing my personal experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future -- which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.

Andrea: View My Blog Posts

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