Thrifty Tip Tuesday

 

My new blogger friend, Jamie, over at I am a Money Magnet has started a great link up every Tuesday called Thrifty Tip Tuesday.  Go write your thrifty tip advice and link up to her site!  It’s great to have ideas, but even better to share them!

Random Frugal Tips:

• Always grocery shop with a list.
• Take advantage of sales on items that you would normally buy.
• Keep a price book and track prices by unit cost.
• Stockpile staples when prices are low.
• Buy generic items.
• Plan meals according to what is on sale that week.
• Take advantage of rainchecks if the store doesn’t have a sale item that you need.
• Take advantage of stores that double coupons. (Dillons!)
  
• Watch out for deals on things that your friends need, and have them do the same for you.
• Eat leftovers.
• Cook large amounts and freeze extra for busy nights.
• Scrape out food jars to use the last little bit.
• Eat out rarely.
  
• Eat from your stocked pantry.
• Bring lunch from home.
• Get creative with leftovers. Concoct new recipes, so nothing is wasted.
• Drink water!
• Make your own jello cups (or applesauce cups, or pudding cups) for lunches and snacks.
• Join a freezer club. Get together with like-minded people to exchange meals for your freezers. It’s cheaper to prepare a lot of one meal and split it up, than to prepare a bunch of different meals.
• Make your own baby food.
• Always take a snack and bottle of water wherever you go. You won’t be tempted to stop for expensive fast food or drinks.
• Grow your own produce. No room? Use pots on the patio.
• Stay home more.
• Fill up your gas tank early in the morning when the air is cool, and the gas is dense. You’ll get more gas and less air.
• Shop around for insurance. The rates can vary a lot!
• Keep the lights off during the day.
• Let dishes air dry after running them through the dishwasher.
• Consider a family plan for cell phones.
• Get rid of your land line and use your cell phone.
• Take short showers.
• Insulate your water pipes.
• Turn off your PC if you won’t be using it for an hour or more.
• Keep the freezer full. If you have to, put milk jugs filled with water in the freezer. It’s less expensive to keep a full freezer cold than an empty one.
• Ask your doctor to prescribe generic medication.
• Shop garage sales.
• Use rechargeable batteries for electronics and toys.
• Store batteries in the refrigerator. They last longer.
• Accept hand-me-downs. You can donate them if you can’t use them.
• Wash and re-use Ziplock bags.
• Use a kitchen washcloth instead of paper towels.
• Use the library for books, magazines, and movies.
• Celebrate “no spend” weekends, where you don’t spend anything.
• Split an entree with someone else when you go out for dinner.
• Do free things for entertainment: Hiking, free city concerts, board games.
• Go to the park and have a picnic.
• Take advantage of “get in free” days at the museum, etc.
• To find special festivals, get a free state tourism guide.
• Entertain at home. Have friends over for dinner, or have a game night and just serve snacks.
• Trade babysitting with friends who also need a sitter.
• Only get haircuts every 8-10 weeks, instead of every 6 weeks.
• Shop for Christmas gifts year round to catch the good sales.
• If you get a raise, don’t increase your lifestyle. Save the extra or pay off any debt or to put into savings.
• If you’re a two income family, make sure the second income is more than the expenses associated with working.
• Pay off debt as quickly as possible. Saves on interest.
• Use a budget. (I recommend Mvelopes.)
• Shop with a list. My exception is when I find something on clearance, have a coupon for it, and would have to buy the item anyway in the near future.
  
• Be willing to shop at more than one store.
• Fill out rebates.
• Get your coupons organized so you can use them to their maximum potential!
• Save on your utility bill. Run the dishwasher when it's completely full. Only wash a full load of laundry.
• Buy clippers (like $30) and cut your husband's hair. It's really a lot easier than I thought!
• Read frugal blogs, books, and articles to stay encouraged, motivated, and informed.