The Frugal Files: Teach Me How to Save, 8 Ways

Hey there frugalicious folks!!

People always ask me how to save and want me to teach them how to save. For me, it’s a loaded question, and unless they are looking to save in one particular way, it’s almost impossible to answer the question. For me saving money and being frugalicious is a way of life. It’s every moment of every day and it’s the thinking that I can live fabulously and pay less than fabulous prices.

One tip I can give anyone who ever asks me about saving is that I play games and attempt to trick myself. My basic saving rule of thumb is, “never pay full price”. Then I set out to experiment with that theory on everything I ever need or want. Here are eight ways that I “trick” myself into living a frugal life and saving in every direction I go.

Comparison shopping. This is a game many people pay, and many salesmen pounce on you. Anyone that is trying to sell you something will always create a sense of urgency, that really isn’t a factor. They try to make you think it’s a factor, so they can get the sale. The fact is, you have plenty of time to shop, you can wait it out and the “hot item” is not going that fast. You want to know why? Because, if you want to buy it, they will have one for you to purchase. They always want the sale, but want you to think it’s urgent, so don’t fall for it. Take your time and do not give into the instant gratification. Chances are you can find a better sale or some discount.

Freecycle. This is kind of a comparison shopping trick for me too. Things I really don’t want to buy because maybe it’s a small thing or maybe just not in the budget this month. So many great things pop up on freecycle and sometimes you don’t even have to ask. I have found some great home décor items there. They were a little dusty, but were in great shape. Recently, I was at Savers looking for a pair of black shoes for work. Nothing fancy, just something comfortable in a basic black. I found a pair, but was not sold on them, so I didn’t purchase them. Then, that evening, a freecycler posted a “like new” pair of black, leather mules…in my size. I knew they were just for me, so I emailed them and I was able to pick them up the next day. They are perfect, just what I needed. Free!!

Bank Games. On the financial side, I keep my checkbook in check by fudging the numbers, but in a good way. First, I watch my bank account online daily, so at any given time, I know what I have. However, when I’m not online and I glance at my checkbook, it’s balanced off by $50. I use that amount as a buffer in my account, so that I’ll never get it down to $0. It helps keep it balanced knowing I always have a $50 cushion in there in case there’s a bank or purchase mishap like a double charge. It keeps stress levels down.

DIY. Many ask me all the time, what is "DIY"? It simply means "Do It Yourself" and when you live a frugal life, this is a staple in it. While I'm not opposed to paying for someone else's expertise when I just don't know what I'm, most times, I find I can get a better deal if I do it myself. "Myself" occasionally includes family and friends that will assist me in my goal.

There are so many DIY articles, videos, blogs including my own. I even did a DIY series a while back. Check out these links to read them: DIY Beauty, DIY Faces & Body, DIY Decor, DIY Cleaning I and DIY Cleaning II. There are plenty of ways to save by doing things yourself, if you just try.

Entertainment Tricks. I think with the stress of jobs, family and overall living, everyone is looking for an outlet and that's typically in the form of entertainment. Ways to save there is to rent movies from Redbox or even the library, play games you already have at home. Attend free events your local library, museum or university is sponsoring. What to see concerts or plays for free? Sign up or get hired as an usher. You get to meet great people, while ensuring you and them alike are thoroughly entertained.

Creative cooking. This is can be you cooking up some fancy vittles for a dinner party, but in this case, creative cooking means cupboard cooking; cooking what you have. My daughter would always whine that we didn't have anything to eat. It's because she'd already eaten up the easy snacks and things, but it is not my custom to go out and buy more of the easy stuff, when there's plenty of food on the shelves and in the freezer. Take an inventory of what you have and make a weekly or monthly menu. Mix and match meats, veggies and starches. Skip the meat occasionally and experiment with snacks. You might find that down deep, you're some kind of sous chef!!

Couponing and Sales. You all know this is my favorite savings tip. Make this your personal shopping mantra. If you want to buy something, find a coupon or coupon code to use on your transaction. Ask for a discount right at the counter. Buy something irregular or in the case of furniture or cars, purchase the display model. They can't charge you full price for it and it's often in really great shape. When grocery shopping, shop the stores with the best deals that will match with your coupons. Check out some additional Couponing Tricks of the Trade.

What ways can you teach yourself how to save? Where can you spend less? Set out to challenge yourself this week. Always ask yourself how you can get a better deal. Good luck to you and happy saving!!

Frugalicious Diva
Follow me on Twitter at @FrugaliciousDva

The Frugal Files: Relax...It's Holiday Vacation Time!!

Hello!! It’s almost Christmas time!! Welcome to your holiday vacation Frugal folks!!

Christmas is right around the corner and the kids are out of school. You may or may not have as much time off as they do, but I know you have some holiday vacation time you’re using right about now. All of the shopping is done, you have a few more gifts to pull out of hiding you have to wrap and you’ve finally completed your holiday menu.

Before all that hard work starts, you should take a vacation. Many people think that taking a vacation means you have to go somewhere. Sometimes it does mean just that, but you know the Frugalicious Diva is going to confront that sort of thinking. I’m talking about a mental vacation. Take a load off your mind, forget about work and get ready for playtime!!

It’s the best time of the year to really enjoy your families and friends. Even if you decide to tackle a few overdue projects, having the kids home, gives you the insurance of free labor. *smile* This holiday time, let’s just see what we can get into…

It’s cookie time!! If you are like me, you have duplicates of some food items in your home. For us, we have an abundance of peanut butter!! I don’t know why we have so many, because we don’t use it that often. Nonetheless, we are making using it before the year ends. I’ve found a few yummy looking recipes and you’re welcome to them:

Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Cookies

Apple Cranberry Peanut Butter Crisp

These recipes will keep you happy to be in the kitchen, not at all minding the flour on your face and in your hair. Turn up the music, set up your assembly line and mix, mix, mix. Enjoy the laughs with your loved ones while you make a delicious holiday treat together!!

*Frugalicious Idea* If you’re still looking for little gifts for maybe your co-workers or club members, make them a batch or two of your tasty desserts!!

In addition to cooking, it’s time to catch up on your leisure time. Do you still have items on your hobby “to do” list? Pull it out and make your plans. Have you yet to see that exhibit at the museum or art gallery downtown? What about visiting an elderly neighbor or friend you’ve been meaning to check on? Now is the time to do your local traveling.

As for me, my family hasn’t seen the Lights Before Christmas at the zoo yet and while we’re on our vacation, we plan to check it out. It’s really beautiful from what I hear and an awesome highlight of the season in my area. The best thing, it’s very affordable.

Lastly, this is a time to get things in tiptop shape for the New Year!! My parents used to tell me, “You have to clean your room before the new year, or it will be messy all year long.” Now whether that was just a ploy to get me to clean my room or not, the principle behind that statement stands true. You want to go into a new place, a new era with a clean slate and clear head. How you leave one situation is how you enter the next.

So, follow my parents’ (and I’m sure your parents’) advice and clean it up. Give the house and each room a thorough dusting and cleaning. Clean out the junk in the basement and donate to goodwill or a community organization that can utilize your goods. You still have a few days left to get tax-deductible slips for your donations.

Before you head back to grind or the rat race, I hope you get the chance to take your own personal vacation, just for you and your family. Take the time to cater to yourself and each other and take pleasure in your time off from “the real world”. It’s a great way to replenish your spirit and renew your mind. Happy Holidays to you!!

Frugalicious Diva 

The Frugal Files: Creative Cooking

Hey everybody!! It's The Frugalicious Diva and today in The Frugal Files, we're going to talk about Creative Cooking!!

When I was younger I despised even the idea of cooking, but my parents LOVE to cook!! In fact, I come from families that take great pride in their culinary skills. I can confidently say my Mom and aunts, maternal and paternal, are cooking and baking Divas!! Let’s not sleep on my Dad and the family men either, because they are the greatest fryers and bar-b-q-ers this side of the Mississippi.

Every family function is filled with delectable treats and concoctions from someone’s kitchen. Every potluck brings on unforgettable aromas that water your taste buds upon entrance. There is always a table covered in Aunt Tina’s famous 7 layer salad, macaroni and cheese and homemade ice cream, Aunt Gloria’s tasty fried chicken or Mom’s delicious dirty rice, 7UP cake or sweet potato pie.

I had to describe some of the vittles in order for you to get the idea, because with all that home cooking training, it is blasphemous for me to not want to follow in this rich tradition. But, it was true. I would have rather cleaned the toilet bowl than do anything with that oven.

Even though I disliked cooking, it didn’t mean I didn’t know how to do it. Since I’ve always been a people watcher, I know now that habit started right at home. For years, I observed my Mom make side dishes, cakes and pies, all from scratch. I marveled at how she was such an expert that she no longer had to measure the ingredients, how she knew the degrees each dish needed and how long it would take to cook. Side note ladies: don’t let men tell you they don’t cook. My parents shared the cooking, but my Dad has always (and still does) cooked breakfast.

So, although I did not enjoy it, cooking was buried in my soul. They were resurrected when I purchased my first home and got a kitchen of my own. I had to cook then, because my daughter and I had to eat. So, I asked for cookbooks for my housewarming and along with ordering Angel Food Ministries monthly, I learned that cooking is actually exciting. It is a joy for me to witness my daughter eat something new that I’ve created. With the variety of food in the AFM Signature Box, it was easy to create new recipes weekly for my family.

Now, my challenge for you other frugalicious divas and dons, is to create meals using what you already have at home. Many times we’ll purchase food from the store when we’ve depleted just a few. If you are not careful, you will find duplicates or items you did not know you had because you just kept buying more food. Take a 30-day grocery free challenge. Look through your cookbooks and online to aid you in finding recipes for what you have in your refrigerators and pantries.

Here are a few suggestions from my own personal challenges:

     

      Use the condiments in your refrigerator

-          When I may stir fry or fried rice, I use my soy sauce packets

-          In spaghetti or pastas, I add spice with hot sauce packets

-          Need ketchup? Use leftover fast food ketchup packets instead

      Pull out foods you hardly use and create a new dish

-          Instead of the same ol’ pasta, half it and make two dishes: a casserole and pasta salad

-          Have browning apples? Cut them up, add cinnamon and nutmeg and fry them in butter. You’ll have a great dessert.

-          Tired of cornbread, add bacon bits, jalapenos and cheese to the batter. Spicy bread for chili.

      When you don’t have it, improvise

-          Don’t have lemon, use another fruit instead. Create a new flavor.

-          No onions, use garlic or a crunchy veggies like celery or carrots

-          Add as many veggies to any dish you like. I now sprinkle my frozen vegetables in every dish I make. Great way to get in the veggies and use what’s in the house.

The next time you get bored with your kitchen, use a few of these tips and get some creative cooking going on at home!! You will rejuvenate your interest in cooking and your family will rave about your skills. Here’s to happy, creative cooking and finger licking good recipes!!

Frugalicious Diva