Tips and Tricks to Frugal Living

[jusforsean]

With the cost of living going up up up I often look for ways to cut back and save. Besides it's kinda fun to make some of your own stuff especially if you have kids. Like I make all of my own all natural cleaning supplies now, also face oil and even laundry soap, air freshner it's amazing! There are alot of comical things people do to cut back I crack up when I read them. Anyone have any tips or tricks?? Or links>?

[Janice]

Well, if you eat your meals at home and not out, you will save a lot of money.

Go to the grocery store on a full stomach. You will buy more if you are hungry.

Wash clothes in cold water and save on the hot water. Clothes come just as clean in cold water.

Buy generic brand foods. If you are a good cook, you can make them taste as good as the name brand.

[jusforsean]

Heres a couple of sites I was browsing thru.

This is an interesting site for coupon cutters seems to be the same idea as "The grocery Game" But it doesnt cost anything!

Http://www.couponmom.com

http://www.stretcher.com (dollar strecher)

http://www.thebestcontrol.com/bugstop/control_list.htm (non toxic bug control)

http://www.motherspirit.net/articles/si ... undry.html (laundry soap)

http://www.motherspirit.net/articles/si ... rugal.html (frugal living)

http://www.budget101.com/myo02.htm

[wxmann_91]

Look for coupons/discounts when you go shopping

You can also save a lot of the electric, water, and phone bills...

Roll down the windows instead of A/C when you drive, saves money on the Gas, try to find other ways to save money in that department

[GalvestonDuck]

Roll down the windows instead of A/C when you drive, saves money on the Gas, try to find other ways to save money in that department

True in the city, but not so much on long highway trips.

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generali ... 62300a.htm

Cut down on the use of the air conditioning. A/C takes about 8
horsepower to run and those horses eat gas. Our forefathers crossed a
whole country without A/C, I think we can cross town without it. On a
long trip on the open highway, it is better to use the A/C than to
drive with the windows open. The extra drag of open windows on a
vehicle can eat up more fuel than the A/C will.

[southerngale]

Roll down the windows instead of A/C when you drive, saves money on the Gas, try to find other ways to save money in that department

True in the city, but not so much on long highway trips.

Not to mention, if you live in Southeast Texas, if you don't have the A/C on, it really makes no difference if you roll down the windows or not...you'll still suffocate and have a heat stroke.

[GalvestonDuck]

Roll down the windows instead of A/C when you drive, saves money on the Gas, try to find other ways to save money in that department

True in the city, but not so much on long highway trips.

Not to mention, if you live in Southeast Texas, if you don't have the A/C on, it really makes no difference if you roll down the windows or not...you'll still suffocate and have a heat stroke.

I apologize for 90's slang flashback, but there's just no other way to say this...

TRUE DAT!

[jusforsean]

I apologize for 90's slang flashback, but there's just no other way to say this...

TRUE DAT![/quote]

You forgot the YO part We used to say Tru Dat Yo

[alicia-w]

unless you're pretty disciplined, coupons can cost you more money than you would think. only use coupons for items you normally buy....

[jusforsean]

Yes I agree with the coupon issue of buying only what you need and use. If youve ever checked out the grocery game its pretty cool, you cut coupons and then every week log on to thier site to see in your store what items are on sale and they tell you what coupons to use and they are usually ones for buy one get one free items. So you buy one, get one free and get money off of the one you bought with the coupon pretty cool. I believe the moms coupon web site does it similar for free. Either way there premise is that you stock up.

Some funny things but curious to try :
* Putting a brick in the back of your toilet to rise the water??????
Ony flushing the toilet when someone does no 2 (Ewwwwww dont want to try!)

[O Town]

unless you're pretty disciplined, coupons can cost you more money than you would think. only use coupons for items you normally buy....

Yes I agree, you don't know how many things I decided to try because I "have a coupon" for it. But sometimes you just can't help it. Its another way they advertise thier product. And it works, I have found some good items this way.

[LSU2001]

Used Fabric Softener sheets work well for dusting and distilled white vinegar will clean just about anything. It sure beats most of the expensive cleaners and the pickle smell goes away in just a short time. By the way in smoking hotel rooms the maids of many hotels use white vinegar spray to help eliminate the smoke/ashtray smell. I have used it to remove pet odors and to clean coffee pots.
Tim

Ps. Liquid fabric softener works great to remove baked on foods on pots and pans. simply place a little in some water and soak for 10-15 minutes. Most of the baked on gunk will clean of easily.

[gtalum]

If you are financially disciplined, get a reward-earning credit card of some sort. Earn cash back or travel points for your purchases. But only do this if you are disciplined enough to still stay in your budget and to pay off the balance in full every month.

I pay for almost everything that I can with a creidt card to maximize my return.