Unusual and Wacky Ways to Save Money
Some people are creatively frugal, saving money in ways most of us only hope to mimic. Others, however, take frugality to the extreme. And most of us probably fall somewhere in the middle. Here are some unusual ways to save money that many of us would even consider wacky. They are gleaned from a variety of sources to offer a glimpse into the wilder side of the frugal lifestyle. Maybe you wouldn’t be comfortable practicing some of the most extreme measures of frugality, but they’ll certainly make you think about other possibilities!
• Marry a handyman (or woman). The ability to make household and automotive repairs will literally save you thousands of dollars every year.
• Wash and reuse foil and plastic zipper bags. (To be safe, though, never reuse them if they contained raw meat.)
• Find a frugal spouse and stay married. Divorce is expensive!
• Save money on your wedding flowers by picking up a couple of floral arrangements from the ground at your local cemetery the night before the wedding. (Never steal them from a grave, though!)
• Stop buying kitty litter by potty training your cat. Most cats can be trained with little effort, though for best results, start when they’re young. The savings may make it worth the time.
• Stop smoking! Forget the health benefits which are too numerable to count. The savings can add up to nearly $2,000 a year!
• Wash your car when you fill up the gas tank using the squeegee and soapy water that most stations provide.
• No car wax? Try furniture wax. It’s said to work just as well and typically costs less.
• Don’t want to drink plain water when you dine out? Add a couple slices of lemon (which most restaurants provide free), and a packet or two of sugar or Splenda to make your own lemonade.
• Hot tea drinkers can take their own tea bags and ask for a cup of hot water. Make it decaffeinated and you won’t seem as cheap since few restaurants offer decaffeinated tea bags.
• Join a local group at Freecycle.org and find all kinds of things you need that someone else was going to throw away.
• Stop buying paper products. Instead of Kleenex, use a handkerchief, instead of paper napkins, use cloth, instead of paper towels, use a dish cloth. If you’re really frugal (or broke!), you can even use newspaper instead of toilet paper.
• Save the plastic containers you get from restaurants when you carry food home and use those for leftovers so you don’t have to buy plastic wrap or freezer bags.
• Remember grandma’s old adage, “Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck” – and you’ll be a little bit wealthier, too!
• Save all the ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, napkins, straws, etc. that you pick up at restaurants and don’t use right away. Never throw away what can save you money.
• Buy generic or store brand cereal and eat more of it. You can still find cereal for less than $2 for a large box. Add milk and you’ve got several meals for pennies each.
• Set up shop at your local print shop rather than supplying an office in your home. You can plug in your lap top and use their electricity, plus use a stapler, paper clips, rubberbands, etc. that most print shops provide for their customers. You can even use their phone in most cases.
• Need to send a fax? Ask a friend who works in an office to do it for you.
• Instead of renting a house or an apartment, live in a camper. Find a cheap used camper if you don’t own one, or borrow one from a friend. Ask for the monthly rate at your local campground and you can live for around $300 a month – with electricity, water, and Internet included. Don’t have a shower? Not to worry… use the bath house. Just take your own towels.
• Hungry? Dry dog food is safe, nutritious and costs only pennies a day. And people who know say it tastes better than canned.
• Shop the after-Christmas sales for all the gifts you’ll need the following year. Wrap, tag and hide them until next December.
• Use only rechargeable batteries.
• Buy only battery operated clocks and other items that could run all the time and cost money.
• Before you go to bed, unplug TVs, radios, your stove and other appliances that continue to use electricity.
• Check local restaurants, the library and other places that have a lost and found department for items that were left and never claimed.
• Look for new items at yard sales and thrift stores. Use them for gifts or sell them on eBay.
• Get free books by offering to write free book reviews for your local newspaper.
• Recycle an old toilet or bathtub as a planter in your yard. Makes a great conversational piece, too!
• When dining out, choose the largest meal you can. Eat what you want and take the rest home for another meal or two during the week.
These are just some of the many unusually frugal ways to save money and get what you want and need for less. Be bold and take initiative. You can learn to save in ways you never imagined and have fun in the process!
Save Money by Hosting a Swap
If you love to shop, but your budget says you shouldn’t, why not try something different and organize a Swap? You’ll still feel as if you’re shopping because you’ll be browsing “new” merchandise to select things you want to “purchase.” The difference is that you don’t pay cash, you “pay” in similar items.
Swapping or bartering items you have on hand for items you want can save you a bundle. And swaps can be a lot of fun in the process! They’re easy to organize, you can swap for any number of items, and you can acquire things you really need at no actual cost – other than something you were going to get rid of anyway.
Swaps do require some planning, though, to be successful. Here are some tips to help you as you begin organizing your first swap.
Decide on the Type of Swap You’ll Host
You can swap anything you have a surplus of. Common swaps include children’s clothing, women’s clothing, books, toys, baby items, CDs or movies. But you don’t have to stop there! Swap direct sales products such as Avon or Tupperware, homemade dinner casseroles, cookies, even services like babysitting or running errands.
Choose a Date and Invite Your Friends
Once you know what you’ll swap, you need to find others to swap with. So pick a tentative date for your first swap and talk to friends and family to see who’d be interested in taking part. When you have a group of moms who are interested, firm up the date and tell them what to bring.
Set Some Rules for the Swap
Swaps can be run a variety of ways. You can have everyone bring a set number of items such as 10 books each, or 15 pieces of clothing. Or you can have everyone bring a dollar amount of merchandise such as $20 retail value in their company’s products. The former typically works best for used items, the latter for new ones. Whatever you decide, let your guests know what they’re expected to bring.
If you’ll be swapping services, create a simple form that allows the provider to list what they have to offer and the dollar amount. If you’ll be swapping used items, ask that all items be in very good condition, clean and ready to use by the one who will take the item home.
Decide if You Plan to Offer Refreshments
If you want more of a party atmosphere, you can provide cookies or finger food, and soft drinks. If you want to keep it more professional, put on a pot of coffee and leave it at that. Whatever you prefer is fine. Just keep in the mind the tone you want to set and go from there.
Choose How to Handle “Leftovers”
Invariably, you’ll have some items leftover that no one wants or can use. You will need to decide what to do with the surplus. You can have everyone take back their own leftovers, or you can agree that any unused items be given to a local charity. If you choose to donate them, you can take them yourself, or ask for a volunteer to handle that task. Just know in advance how you’ll handle the excess so you don’t end up with more things in the house you don’t want or need.
Organizing a swap is a relatively simple task, and requires only some planning and preparation. Everyone involved, however, can reap big rewards and it’s certainly something to consider if you have an abundance of items you no longer want.
Extreme Solutions for the Financially Strapped
Desperate times require desperate measures. And sometimes life events bring a sense of desperation where finances are concerned. Maybe you or your spouse had to miss work for an extended period of time, or your car required major repair, or you were a victim of identity theft, or… any number of other scenarios can take families who live payday to payday to the brink of financial ruin. During those times we must find ways to quickly earn more money and eliminate expenses in an effort to simply survive.
Here are some financial tactics that may help you during these times of financial stress. Not all are viable for everyone or every situation, but maybe one of more will help you if you find yourself in dire financial straits and need immediate relief.
• Go into survival mode. Immediately stop all unnecessary spending. That means no movies, no eating out, no new clothes, books or toys. Save your money for what you have to have to live on.
• Simplify your eating habits. Buy cheaper foods and items on sale. Eat more beans, rice, ramen noodles, pasta, homemade biscuits, and meatless meals. Eliminate desserts. Snack on homemade (not microwave) popcorn. Shop at the day-old bread store. Eliminate convenience foods. Drink water instead of soda. Use what’s in the pantry and freezer before you buy more. There are many ways to cut your food bill dramatically. Use every money saving strategy you can find to keep your family fed.
• Visit your local food pantry. Most cities have at least one food pantry that will provide a few groceries once a week or more, free of charge. Typically, the items given include cereal, dry beans or peas, canned goods or bread. You won’t get enough to feed your family, but you will receive some supplemental help. And if there is more than one pantry in your area, visit every one of them. They are designed for just such an emergency so take advantage of them when you need to.
• Apply for food stamps and public assistance. You may or may not qualify, but it’s worth taking the time to interview and fill out an application. Many hardworking taxpayers feel they could never “take charity,” but if your children are hungry or you’re on the verge of homelessness, remember that’s exactly why you do pay your taxes… so the government can provide help for families just like yours who are in need.
• Cut out extraneous services such as cable TV, DSL (use the library), added calling features on your phone. Drop all voluntary memberships such as Stamps.com, exercise centers, music and book clubs.
• Cancel your cell phone if you can do so without a cancellation fee. If not, use it as little as possible so that you never go over on your minutes. Stop downloading music and ringtones you have to pay for.
• Eliminate paper. Use cloth napkins instead of paper, regular plates instead of paper plates, cleaning rags instead of paper towels, cloth handkerchiefs instead of tissues.
• Have a yard sale. Find anything and everything you don’t need and sell it. Look at every single thing in your home, and unless it has true sentimental value, or you know you could never get a price to warrant the sale, consider selling it. Now isn’t the time to show an attachment for “things.”
• If at all possible, pay your bills on time and keep your checking account balanced. Adding financing charges, late fees and insufficient fund or overdraft payments to an already over-extended budget can cause tremendous amounts of emotional and financial stress.
• Have an extra vehicle? Sell it. Make do with one car, ride a bicycle, use public transportation, or hitch a ride with a co-worker.
• Collect aluminum cans and sell them for cash. The price varies, and you certainly won’t get rich, but you could make enough to pay a small bill or buy a few groceries.
• Stop smoking. Cigarettes are a luxury you can’t afford, not to mention a health hazard. The ability to quit depends a lot on your mindset. Visit your local health department or library for free information to help you kick the habit.
• As long as you don’t have to pay added child care, which could eliminate any potential income you might earn, get a second job. While jobs are hard to come by, fast food restaurants are still hiring, as are pizza places and convenience stores. It may not be what you want to do, but there are times you do what you have to.
• If you can’t find a regular job, offer your services for pay. Consider babysitting, lawn care, baking, pet walking, writing, decorating, home repair, tutoring, giving music lessons, etc. Anything you can do capably is a potential moneymaker, so don’t overlook possible talents.
• Sell some things on eBay, etsy, Craigslist, or another online website. Your market reach is much wider than trying to sell locally, and many of these services are completely free.
• You may also be able to sell certain items locally such as books to a used book store, clothing to a consignment shop, or furniture to a used furniture store. You typically won’t earn as much selling locally as you would online, and you may not get your money immediately as in the case of consignment shops, but the potential is there.
• While it’s not recommended by financial experts, you can always get a title loan, or a cash advance from a local check cashing business. This isn’t something you want to do on a regular basis, but often the first such loan is free, or very cheap, and it might be enough to get you by until your next pay check.
• Pawn your jewelry, or sell some gold. The gold market is hot right now and there are any number of jewelry stores and pawn shops paying decent prices for gold items and jewelry. Deal locally, if possible, and be sure of what you’re selling. Also shop around to find a dealer you feel you can trust before you give them your items.
• Sell your antiques and collectibles. Look around your home for vintage pieces such as glassware, coins, stamps, toys, or other collectibles and call an antique dealer to see if they’re worth anything.
• Rent out a room in your house. This is especially viable if you have a basement bedroom or a room with a separate entrance. But you can easily rent any room if you live in a college town or other populated area. Use caution, of course, and ask for references before allowing someone you don’t know to move into your home.
While these ideas are not all-inclusive, and they may not bring you money today, they are pretty strong measues to help you earn and save money when you find yourself in a financial bind and need results fast.
Beauty Tips and Tricks for Frugal Women
Looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune, though it can if you’re not careful. You can still look good and care for your skin, nails and hair well, with these beauty tips and tricks.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water every day. It will moisturize your skin, give you a healthy color and keep you healthier all the way around.
• Inexpensive baby oil makes a great moisturizer. You can get a bottle at the dollar store for $1 or less. This is great to slather on right after a shower.
• Baby lotion works well as a moisturizer, too. It’s thick and rich and has a wonderful scent (especially the lavender). Try it on your feet every night before bed. Before long your heels will be much softer and smoother.
• If you make homemade beauty treatments, be aware that they can spoil quickly. For best results, make them in small batches and store in the refrigerator or share a portion with a friend.
• Never pay full price for toothpaste. You can almost always find a printable coupon to save $1 or more on a large tube. And who says you have to fill your toothbrush with a long line of toothpaste? A short (1/4″ or less) line will work just as well and cost much less over time.
• There’s no need to spend $5 or more on a can of quick nail dry spray. Use a vegetable cooking oil spray and get the same results for much less.
• Make your own facial scrub with a tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of very finely ground almonds and a 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Wet your face, and wash with the mixture then rinse well.
• Save money on shampoo and conditioner by washing your hair less. Typically, every other day will work for most people. And an added benefit is that your haircolor will usually last longer as well.
• Another tip to make your haircolor last longer is to make a batch of strong tea. Then wet hair thoroughly with the solution and let set for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well.
• If your skin is oily and needs an astringent, try witch hazel. You can use it full strength then rinse with apple cider vinegar to balance the ph in your skin.
• You can extend the life of your lipstick and get the last usage from a tube by scraping out the remainder and putting it into a small container to use with a lip brush. (Half-size spice containers that have been washed and rinsed well work great for this.)
• You don’t have to use cotton balls to remove eye makeup. Use a wash cloth instead. Not only does it work just as well, or better, but you won’t get fibers from the cotton balls in your eyes either.
• The same is true for nail polish. Keep an old wash cloth just for the purpose of removing polish. When it becomes too stained to use, toss it and get another.
• Save money at the hairstylist’s by learning to cut your own bangs. Simply wet your bangs and gather them together in the center of your forehead. Wrap with a small hair elastic and pull them down to measure the length. Using very sharp scissors snip the ends being careful not to cut them too short. You can always cut a little more, if needed. This creates a nice, rounded, slightly uneven edge for your bangs which is much more natural than a straight-across cut.
• Letting your hair grow will also save at the salon. Long hair doesn’t need to be cut as often as short hair does.
• Want shinier hair? Try rinsing your hair with vinegar after washing. It’s said to give hair a great, healthy shine.
• Minimize your beauty regimen for the most frugal results. Not only will you look more natural and save money, but it will take less time to get ready to go somewhere as well.
Enjoy a Frugal Fun-filled Fourth of July
Looking for fun ideas to help you celebrate the Fourth of July? You don’t need to spend a fortune on fireworks and expensive decorations. Use your imagination and let these ideas jumpstart your own.
• Take in your city’s fireworks display. Most every city, and even the smallest town, typically offers a fireworks display on the Fourth. Rather than spend money on fireworks for home use, visit a local event and enjoy the show. If you don’t want to fight the crowds or get stuck in traffic when it’s over, park down the street at a church lot or store and watch from there.
• Have a cookout or barbecue. There’s a reason this old standby is still so popular – it’s a lot of fun! Play outdoor games like volleyball, Frisbee or even softball. Cook hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Eat watermelon and have a blast! If you don’t have the yard space to host the event, go to a park. They’ll be packed so you’ll want to reserve space early or hope for the best, but it’s a great way to enjoy the day with family and friends.
• Fly your flag high! This is a great time to teach your kids about the American flag – what it means, how it came to be, and the guidelines about flying one (never let it touch the ground, burn it and buy a new one if it becomes tattered, never fly another flag above the US flag, etc.).
• Visit a local homeless shelter and take Fourth of July decorations, food and treats for the residents. You can do the same a nursing home or children’s home if there is one nearby.
• Spend the day on the lake, or if you don’t have water nearby, get out the hose and run through the sprinkler with the kids!
• Make a festive dessert and invite your neighbors over to share. Bake a simple white cake in a 13″ x 9″ pan. Frost with cool whip. Make “stripes” from sliced strawberries and use blueberries for the “stars” to make your own flag.
• Get out the ice cream freezer and make a batch of homemade ice cream. Grab a lawn chair and sit outside in the backyard until you eat every bite!
• Visit a local attraction that you’ve never seen (if it’s open), or drop by to see a friend you haven’t seen in awhile.
• Hold a “Christian in July” party. Have everyone bring a new gift suitable for a child that you can donate to a local program like Toys for Tots’ Christmas program.
• Ask permission from your town council to host a block party. Rope off the street. Invite all the neighbors. Have lots of food and games and get to know your neighbors!
• Host a Fourth of July scrapbooking crop. Invite all your scrapbooking friends over. Get out your photos, tools and embellishments and scrap ’til your hearts are content.
• Go fly a kite… literally! Kite-flying is a dying pastime, but it’s so much fun. You can make your own kite or pick up a kit at the store. Grab the kids and head to the park and enjoy.
• Spend the entire day watch patriotic movies. The Patriot, Independence Day, Pearl Harbor, Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1776, The Stars and Stripes Forever and many others.
Whatever you decide to do on the Fourth, enjoy it! You can spend a lot of money if you choose, but there’s really no need when you can have as much fun – if not more! – without it.
Natural, Non-Toxic Cleaners for Frugal Moms
Commercial cleaners are not only expensive, but many of them contain chemicals that – at the least – irritate sensitive skin and at worst can poison children and pets. Here are some solutions for making your own frugal, non-toxic cleaning products.
Be sure to label your homemade products clearly. While most of these products are completely safe, it’s still a good idea to keep them out of the reach of children and away from pets.
NOTE: These cleaners can be covered tightly and stored unless otherwise noted.
All-Purpose Cleaner
1/2 c. vinegar
1/4 c. baking soda
water
Combine vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle. Fill bottle with water. Shake to mix well.
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All Natural Air Freshener
1 T. cinnamon
2 c. water
Combine cinnamon and water in small saucepan. Simmer on stovetop to remove odors and add a lovely fragrance to your home. Can add other spices as desired.
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Carpet Freshener
3/4 c. baking soda
2 T. corn starch
1/4 c. baby powder
Combine ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle on dry carpet. Let stand 10 minutes. Vacuum.
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Carpet Stain Remover
1 c. vinegar
1 c. water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to mix well. Spray directly on stain and Let stand for several minutes. Clean with a soft brush and warm, soapy water.
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Drain Cleaner
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 c. vinegar
hot water
Pour baking soda in drain followed by the vinegar. Let stand 15 minutes. Flush with very hot water. Repeat if needed.
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Furniture Polish
1/2 t. olive oil
1/4 c. vinegar
Combine ingredients in a small container. Mix well. Use on a soft cloth to clean and polish wood surfaces.
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Mold Remover
1 c. hydrogen peroxide
2 c. water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to mix well. Spray mold completely and Let stand for at least one hour.
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Non-abrasive Scrubbing Cleanser
1/2 c. baking soda
1 – 2 c. liquid laundry detergent
Combine ingredients in a small container. Mix well to the consistency of thin cake frosting.
NOTE: Make only as much as you can use at one time as this will harden.
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Oven Cleaner
3/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. salt
1/4 c. water
Moisten oven with damp sponge or spray bottle filled with water. Combine baking soda, salt and water in a small container. Mix well to form a thick paste. Spread over oven interior. Let stand overnight. Remove residue and clean with damp cloth. Use fine steel wool on hard-to-clean spots.
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Pet Urine Deodorizer
dishwashing liquid
1/2 c. vinegar
2 1/2 c. warm water, separated
Combine dishwashing liquid and 1/2 c. water until sudsy. Clean spot with mixture and a soft brush or cleaning rag. Combine vinegar and remaining water and rinse spot well. Cover with towel and let stand about 5 hours. Blot dry and remove towel. Allow to dry completely.
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Rust Remover
1 T. salt
1 T. lime juice
Sprinkle salt on the rust. Cover with lime juice. Let stand for at least two hours. Scrub clean.
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Sticky Residue Remover
Apply full strength vinegar directly to any glue residue left from price tags or other stickers. May have to set a few minutes, but can then be removed easily.
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Window Cleaner
1/2 t. liquid laundry detergent
3 T. vinegar
water
Combine liquid laundry detergent and vinegar in a spray bottle. Fill bottle with water. Shake to mix well.
Declutter to Reduce Moving Expenses
In our mobile society, it’s not uncommon for individuals to move several times during their lifetime. In fact, according to a US Census estimate, nearly 40 million people (13.2 percent of all Americans) moved in 2007 alone. And that number continues to rise!
If you’ve ever moved, you know it can be very expensive – whether you move across town or across the country. Even the most diligently organized among us tend to accumulate “stuff.” And stuff makes moving take longer and cost more, especially if you pay someone to move you. Here are some clutter-busting tips to help frugal moms lighten up for a move, simplify their lives and save money on moving expenses in the process.
• Look at every piece of clothing you own. If you haven’t worn it the last two seasons, you’re not going to wear next year either. Regardless of how much you like it, how much it costs, or who gave it to you, if you don’t wear it, get rid of it. Do the same for every member of the family. While you’re at it, get rid of your “skinny” jeans. When you lose weight you’ll want new clothes, anyway.
• Examine your shoes, too. If you’re moving to a warmer climate, there’s no need to keep those fur-lined boots. That applies also to styles that have changed, shoes with scuffed heels you’ve never got around to repairing, or those you just don’t wear any more.
• Are you an avid reader? Now’s the time to reduce your personal library. If you’re like most book lovers, you have boxes of books you’ve never read, and others you have read but will never read again. Get rid of them. Sell them, swap them or simply donate them, but eliminate some books for a quick reduction in your moving expense.
• Go through your magazines, too. If you find an article you like, and it contains information you can’t easily find later online, then you may want to hang on to it. But there’s no need to keep the entire magazine. Simply clip the article and file it, or put it in a pocket folder or three-ring binder then toss the magazine.
• Reduce kitchen clutter by keeping only what you use regularly. Most of us acquire more bowls, glasses, cups, utensils, even pots and pans than we’ll ever use. Cooks are creatures of habit. We keep going back to our old favorites while all those fancy dishes and unused gadgets simply take up space. Clear out anything in the kitchen that you don’t use – at the very least – when you entertain or prepare special dishes.
• Look over the pantry as well. Check expiration dates and throw away anything that has expired. Use up or give away food that you’ve had for awhile and that is due to expire soon. Get rid of anything that’s stale, even if the date is still valid. And give away food that you bought for a specific recipe that you never prepared, and that you’re not likely to prepare anytime soon.
• Check under the counter while you’re in the kitchen and get rid of dangerous chemicals you’re afraid to use, spray bottles or aerosol cans that don’t work properly, and anything you’ve had for ages and that is just taking up space. NOTE: Be sure to dispose of hazardous materials correctly. Read the label for proper instructions.
• Go through your bathroom cabinet. Throw away nearly-empty bottles and jars, samples you’ve had for months, and products you bought but decided you didn’t like.
• Don’t forget the medicine chest. Toss expired medicines, over the counter drugs that don’t work well, or prescriptions you no longer take.
• Get rid of any decorative items you no longer use or like. Think about the colors in your new home. If something you have won’t work there, now is the time to eliminate it.
• Toss dying houseplants, or give them to a friend with a greener thumb than yours. You can always get cuttings or new starts later on.
• Reduce your music and movie collections. Have your tastes in music changed? Get rid of the old and make room for the new – after you move. The same applies to movies. Get rid of all those VHS tapes, cartoons and documentaries you’ll never watch again.
• Work with the kids to sort through the toy box and donate unused toys, stuffed animals, games, puzzles, etc. to a child who will play with them.
• If you’re paying someone to move you, weight means money so get rid of as much weight and as many heavy objects as possible. This includes duplicate tools, exercise equipment you don’t use, bicycles you never ride, furniture you don’t like, etc.
In essence, get rid of everything you don’t need, don’t want, or no longer use. Have a massive pre-move cleaning and ruthlessly eliminate anything you have that is simply taking up space.
Hold a yard sale and make a few bucks to help with the move, give it to a friend, or simply donate it to a local charity. Not only will it save you money to move it, or the labor of having to haul it yourself, but it will make your new home less cluttered and more organized from the outset. And that’s always a good thing.
40 Free and Low-Cost Ideas for Family Fun
Sometimes saving money can be a real chore. You may begin to feel deprived that you can’t go out to eat or go to expensive movies. Especially on the weekends when the budget doesn’t allow money for entertainment.
But that doesn’t mean you have to sit around and watch television all day! There are many wonderful ways to have fun and entertain the kids without spending a lot. In fact, many of these activities are free! So, get off the couch and find something to do. You’ll feel better for it and you’ll be creating lasting memories with your family.
1. Go for a long walk, or a hike in the woods.
2. Take a family bike ride.
3. Borrow a movie or two from the library, make some popcorn, and have a movie night at home.
4. Pack some peanut butter sandwiches and cookies, and go on a picnic in the park.
5. Forget the picnic and go play at the park! Swing, go down the slide, climb the monkey bars and get dizzy on the merry-go-round.
6. Visit a local museum, historic home or other attraction.
7. Go window shopping (no buying allowed!).
8. Get out the coloring books and crayons and create refrigerator art.
9. Make an inexpensive craft project from recycled materials (there are thousands online!).
10. Create a photo collage on a piece of cardstock or poster board and hang on a bedroom wall.
11. Invite some friends over and have them each bring a dish for a potluck dinner and fellowship.
12. Play board games, Rummy or Yahtzee.
13. Work a crossword puzzle or word search.
14. Create your own word search puzzles. (You might even be able to sell them later!)
15. Make your own play dough with two parts flour to one part water, and a few drops of food coloring. Use it to create ornaments, trinket dishes, animals, and more.
16. Bake some cookies or a pan of brownies. Share a few with a neighbor.
17. Volunteer at a local food bank, women’s shelter, after school care program or hospital.
18. Take a free online class.
19. Work a jigsaw puzzle.
20. Read a book aloud to your kids.
21. Start a garden.
22. Tour a local plant or factory.
23. Go to a free church or outdoor concert.
24. Watch your local paper for free classes, activities and events you can attend.
25. Go swimming at a nearby lake.
26. Hold a Saturday kid’s day in your backyard with homemade games, crafts, and simple refreshments.
27. Go camping.
28. Go fishing.
29. Visit your local animal shelter and pet the puppies.
30. Visit a shut-in or elderly neighbor.
31. Join a club and get involved.
32. Watch a Little League game – even if you don’t have a child playing.
33. Write a long letter to a distant friend or relative.
34. Make handcrafted greeting cards and send one to several people you’ve not contacted in awhile.
35. Make your own string and jug band and entertain your friends.
36. Start a monthly game club with friends and family. Alternate whose house hosts each month and have everyone bring a snack to share. You can play the same game each month or a different one chosen by the host.
37. Play White Elephant Bingo with friends and family. Pick up an inexpensive Bingo game or make your own, and have everyone bring yard sale items for prizes.
38. Browse an antique shop and have fun talking about all those gadgets no one remembers any more.
39. Throw a Frisbee around, hit a softball, or toss a football with the kids.
40. Get involved in church activities. Large churches, especially, have something going on all the time. Join the softball team, attend a women’s seminar, meet new people and have a lot of fun!
8 Ways to Save Money on Postage
Maybe we shouldn’t complain about the 44¢ it costs to send a first-class letter today. After all, the Pony Express charged $15 per ounce when they began the first mail service in 1860! But postage and shipping costs can still add up. And frugal moms look for ways to save in every area of life, so here are some tips to help you reduce your postage and mailing costs considerably.
1. Use the Forever stamp. Even when the price of postage goes up, you will only have paid the current rate. Consider Forever stamps an investment and buy as many as you can realistically afford.
2. Use email whenever possible. There are certain types of correspondence that should always be done through “snail mail,” but many others work just as well electronically.
Use the Post Office when a document must be signed, when the recipient needs the original, when there are attachments that can’t be included via email, or when the situation is more formal and etiquette requires a physical mailing. For most other types of communication, email is fine.
3. Pay bills in person if you’re nearby. Spending extra money on gas to drive a long distance to pay a bill can defeat your frugal purposes. But if, for instance, you pass the utility company every day anyway, drop in and pay your bill at the office instead of mailing it.
4. Pay bills online when you can. Many companies offer this service now at no additional cost. Paying bills online is quick and easy, and saves the cost and hassle of writing a check. Most sites will require you to register the first time you use their service, but after that it’s just a matter of logging in. And many sites will even securely store your banking information which really speeds up the bill-paying process in consecutive months.
5. Pay bills over the phone. If the company doesn’t offer online bill paying services, ask them if you can pay over the phone with a debit card. Again, it’s quick and easy and saves a stamp every month. Always ask if there is a fee for this service before you commit to the payment.
6. Send a gift card instead of a package. Shipping packages is especially expensive. For long distance relatives and friends to whom you mail gifts, opt for gift cards to national stores whenever possible. That way you can keep your postage cost to a first-class stamp on a card.
If you want to buy a specific item and you’re not sure it could be found locally, shop online and have it shipped directly to the recipient. Many online stores will even include a gift card free of charge with this service.
7. Avoid international shipping if at all possible. A friend of mine had some used books she wanted to donate to an orphanage in Kenya that had requested them. When she went to mail the package, she discovered it would cost over $40! That was more than four times the value of the literature she planned to send. Sadly, she was unable to send the books at that rate.
8. Buy stamps at the Post Office rather than printing them or buying them online. USPS.com charges $1 extra for every roll of stamps you purchase online. Obviously, it’s cheaper to buy them locally and save that fee.
The same goes for printing stamps with an online service. While the convenience of Stamps.com is great, it’s generally not worth the money for frugal moms. Even at their lowest rate (which they will only give you if you specifically ask), Stamps.com charges $7.99 a month for the privilege of using their postage-printing service. For most of us, that money can be better spent on something else.
While our families today don’t use as much postage as previous generations, thanks to many of the cost-saving strategies mentioned, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever be able to fully eliminate the expense of mailing letters and packages. That’s why saving every penny we can is essential and these tips will help us do just that.
Frugal Father’s Day Gifts
Since Father’s Day will be here before we know it (it’s June 21, this year), it’s time to consider some ways to make this an extra special day for Dad while keeping it frugal.
• Set a budget amount and stick to it.
Sometimes our best gift-giving intentions fly out the window when we actually get to the store. We may discover everything is higher priced than we expected, or we just can’t find anything we’d like to give. But surrendering to the temptation to spend more than we had planned is a quick way to sabotage our budget for the entire month. To get around this problem, discipline yourself to spend only what you allotted then fill in with free gifts if you feel what you can afford isn’t enough. Many of the ideas below are completely free, costing only time and effort. These will make wonderful additions to any small gift you can buy.
• Make Dad King for a Day.
Let him sleep as long as he likes. When he does wake up, place a foil-covered crown on his head and serve him his favorite breakfast in bed. Have the kids make cards and banners thanking “King Dad” for everything he does and for being who he is. Ask him what he’d like to do for the day then do your very best to make it happen. Let him control the remote, choose the activities, and plan the entire day. Give him a massage. Have the entire family wait on him hand and foot, and generally treat him like a king. He’ll love it, the kids will have fund doing it, and it will make for a day he’ll never forget.
• Give him a coupon for services he’d enjoy.
You and the kids can make simple coupons by hand or print them on the computer. Consider gifts such as a complete car wash (inside and out), mowing the lawn, cleaning the garage, taking out the trash for a week, a guilt-free night of sports on TV, his favorite dessert, or anything else you know he’d like.
• Create a one-of-a-kind gift basket.
Find a simple basket, bucket or other container and place some shred in the bottom. Now, fill it with small gifts he’d enjoy. Snacks, pens or pencils, a keychain, a wallet, disposable razors, after shave, nail clippers, fishing lures, golf balls or tees, tools, a crazy tie, etc. are always good ideas.
• Consider a gift certificate.
While it’s not the most original gift, a gift certificate to his favorite store ensures Dad will get exactly what he wants. Tuck it inside a nice card filled with encouraging or humorous notes from the family.
• Use your talents.
Write a poem, song or story, create a custom scrapbook, draw a picture, or crochet an afghan. Whatever you or the kids create will be sure to make a treasured frugal gift for Dad.
• Frame some family photos.
Create a photo collage of the kids, ask a friend to take some group family photos, or have a nice 8 x 10 photo framed of you alone.
• Send a candy or cookie bouquet.
Find online instructions for creating a simple candy or cookie bouquet and have one of the kids hand-deliver it to Dad on his special day. Use his favorite flavors and don’t let anyone else eat them unless Dad offers.
• Deliver a singing telegram.
Write a funny song, dress up in an appropriate costume and knock on the front door. Wait for Dad to answer and deliver your singing Father’s Day greeting with confidence.
There are a myriad of ways to honor Dad and show him your love on Father’s Day. Get creative and use these ideas as a starting point to create a memorable, lasting memory for the man in your life.
