Giveaway: Thrifty: Living the Frugal Life with Style
Thrifty is such a funny word, though maybe I think so because I use it in a somewhat liberal fashion. After all, I call myself a “thrifty girl,” but appreciate expensive clogs and pricey slab bacon. What a thrifty life lived in “the good life” fashion comes down to, duh, is choices — scrimping on the things that don’t matter to you, like toilet paper or black tea, and spending your money to support what you feel pretty adamant about: soft sheets, fresh flowers, good coffee.
Thrifty: Living the Frugal Life with Style culls every area of life and offers up frugal ideas on everything from wardrobe to the home in a friendly, witty tone. Anansi Press is giving away one copy of this book to a lucky Pink of Perfection reader chosen at random. To enter, leave a comment about the way you live with thrift. That could mean your favorite ways to save money or what you think is worth the splurge. Enter by midnight EST, Friday, May 7. Open to US and Canada mailing addresses. Bon chance!
Update 5/10:
And the winner is Rez! Thanks to everyone for entering — I loved reading everyone’s thrifty ideas!
Sara C.: I rarely eat meat, which cuts way down on grocery bills. It’s such a treat then when I allow myself to splurge.1 year ago
Jessica: One of my favorite thrifty tips is cleaning and chopping fresh veggies, instead of buying prepared salad fixings. I don’t always follow through with it if I’m stressed or lazy, but I’m fully aware that I can get a week’s worth of lunch and dinner salads out of two heads of lettuce, one bunch of spinach, a pound of carrots, head of broccoli, and a bell pepper. We make sure we’re getting plenty of veggies in our diet at a third of the cost and get even more than we would buying the prepared stuff.
Also, the old standby, white vinegar. I use it to clean my toilets, mirrors, windows, shower doors, taps, and drains. Seems like there’s nothing it can’t do!1 year ago
Angela: I loved your tip about chock full of nuts coffee so now I buy it in bulk!1 year ago
Andrea: I brown bag it Monday through Friday, so that helps a lot.1 year ago
Jane: I take movies out from the library instead of going to movie theaters or using Netflix.1 year ago
Karen: Oh this is so much fun! One thrifty thing I do is use cloth napkins — saves on buying paper towels and it somehow feels so elegant and special. A win-win!1 year ago
Meredith: Instead of joining a gym I run on trails near my house.1 year ago
RH: When it comes to food: waste not, want not. I turn all my veggie scraps into savory stocks or compost for my vegetable garden.
Outside of the kitchen I turn old light fixtures into beautiful terrariums, sew my own curtains (thanks to a friend who doesn’t mind when I borrow her sewing machine), and knit all my cat’s toys.1 year ago
fran: Love this thread!
Brown bagging
Thrifty cooking–braising, big batches that can be frozen, using bones for stock
And I’m growing veggies so I might also try composting.1 year ago
Sarah G: I refuse to buy a new book – there are just too many gems to find at a a used book store or the library!1 year ago
E.: In an attempt to be thrifty (and afford a tv made this century) I’m about to cancel cable for the summer. I haven’t been without cable tv since… I think I was 12? It’s something I’ve come to see as a necessity without really thinking about it, and it’s time to move it into the splurge column.1 year ago
Erin: I second the comment on movies from the library rather than netflix or theaters… and they have a great selection. (Actually, I pretty much 2nd all these comments: brown bagging, running outside, vinegar and baking soda for cleaning…)
But, in addition, I have a pretty neat “barter” system currently going on with one of my co-workers…when I moved to the outer city limits (far from work) she offered to car pool with me so I didn’t have to rely on a long bus ride… and as we talked, I realized I could offer to babysit her 2 kids a couple times a month for free in exchange. This system has expanded to sharing magazines, plant starts, plant seeds, homemade jams and yogurts, and farm fresh eggs! It is so awesome!1 year ago
Nikki: I make dinner almost every night. That saves a lot in the long run.1 year ago
EB: I’ve come to realize things I considered “needs” really were just wants! I’ve canceled not just cable, but TV all together. Now I have to choose which shows I want to see and watch them on the computer… instead of mindlessly watching.
I brown bag every day and my lunches are infinitely better than anything the cafeteria could offer.
And I learned that if I run low on wine… throw a dinner party… voila! Several bottles (of the good stuff) shows up!
EB1 year ago
Meg: I am all about eating eggs instead of meat, using every bit and bob I can find in the fridge, and hosting cocktail parties at home. Just ask your guests to bring the ingredients for their favorite cocktails, and provide the mixers. Instant fun.
Also, make your own lunch. I’ve saved thousands in the last couple of years by doing this every day.1 year ago
Heather Baumbach: I have incorporated the “need it now” or “didn’t need it at all” strategy. If I am shopping and fall in love with something, I walk away. If I am still thinking about it a couple days later, then I know it was meant to be. Most of the time, though I’ve learned that my “need it now” moments were really impulsive buys that I avoided.1 year ago
Heather Baumbach: Oh and the one thing that I do splurge on is a good haircut.1 year ago
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday: I keep many appliances unplugged when I’m not using them to prevent them drawing power. It saves money and energy
1 year ago
Katy: I’ve started clipping coupons and following a bunch of couponing blogs – it’s amazing what you can get for practically nothing!!1 year ago
Erin: This may seem like a big duh, but shopping for things at a thrift store is an obvious solution to paying full retail. Sewing goes hand-in-hand with that as you can alter clothes to suit your size/taste, as well as re-purposing the fabric for something else.1 year ago
krista (urbanite jewelry): we’re thrifty by…well, thrifting! we buy things from thrift stores (especially home stuff) whenever possible and also donate gently used items whenever we can. in fact, just last night we picked up two ikea storage containers, a picture frame and a french coffee press at the salvation army for only $7.27! all in impeccable shape!1 year ago
Katie L: I’ve become more and more creative about using up every bit of food I buy, through soups, enchiladas, and bizarre meals that often turn out great! The better cook I’ve become, the better I’ve gotten at saving money in the kitchen.1 year ago
Christy: I pack my lunch and buy clothes from thrift stores so I can splurge on travel, food, wine, and most of all, time.1 year ago
Kelly: This past year I’ve cut down on my meat consumption. I first started avoiding meat because it’s hard to find any of high quality around these parts, but then I realized that I don’t miss it. And, of course, I’m saving money. When I make fajitas, for example, I don’t feel guilty buying a pricey avocado, because I’m using black beans instead of chicken. It’s amazing how rarely I crave meat now. It’s expensive, so I only buy it when I really want it instead of when I simply need protein.1 year ago
Serita: So many fun ways to be thrifty AND benefit ourselves! A few things we do at home… Homemade butter from fresh heavy cream, cheaper and much tastier! Embroidering cloth napkins is another way to save and feel pampered at the same time, along with making sweet little toys for friends’s kids in lieu of cheap plastic toys! We make many of our own cleaning products (it’s amazing what vinegar and baking soda can do!) and did you know?… Cucumber is fantastic for de-fogging a bathroom mirror and for silencing that pesky squeaky door/hinge!
1 year ago
Kate: I try to cook once and make food for multiple meals – like this week I’m making extra baked potatoes and turning them into hash browns.1 year ago
Christine S.: I use nature and my home to provide exercise for me – I forgo the gym. In addition, I thrift shop for clothing and house decorations – preferring the secondhand usage of items to not only provide a sense of sustainability but vintage feel to my surroundings. I like the feeling that the things that are sharing a life with us now have shared lives with others in the past.
I splurge on books once in awhile, nice fragrances and soap, and wine.:)1 year ago
Amy C: Hmm…for me, “thrifty” is the same as “simple”. I try to live a simple life, uncluttered by a million gadgets and tchochkis. Ultimately, that’s less things that will break, less stuff I have to dust, less I have to move, less I have to spend my time on. Those things that I do have, I make sure I can use a million ways. I don’t have any “single-use” items (like an avocado peeler) in my kitchen. If I buy a decoration, I like to be able to put it many places and have it work in all of them.1 year ago
Eva: I buy things in bulk when they’re on sale (only things I know I use consistently) — e.g. there was a 3 for the price of 1 sale on my favorite toothpaste sometime last year — and I bought 12 tubes of it. I still haven’t run out! Same thing for dish soap, laundry detergent, tomato paste, cans of beans … anything where I know I’m actually saving myself future money by buying in bulk now.
And then I totally splurge on fresh produce… but that’s for another comment
1 year ago
Margaret: Great instigator of a post, Sarah! I do many of the things above, but a novel one I can add, old-school as it may seem, is reusing kitchen materials such as plastic bags, aluminum foil, and cling wrap. Bags for leftovers to take to work, foil scrunched into a scrubber for glass and dishes, and cling wrap… for clinging! Lots of leftovers when you make a batch of something thrifty!
1 year ago
Robin: I try to eat out as little as possible. When I’m away from the house for longer than expected, it’s sometimes hard to avoid. I try to never leave the house simply to get take out. What I can make in my own kitchen is much tastier, and much cheaper.1 year ago
Carlin: My favorite thrifty tactics are making my morning tea or coffee at home, and bringing in a reusable mug for my morning drive and making my work day lunches at home. Lunch is usually leftover dinner from the previous night, if my planning works as it should. Not only does it save me some dosh, I know what I’m putting in my body.1 year ago
Melissa: I take my lunch to work everyday. It has really helped my budget. I use white vinegar to clean with and it really works. (I didn’t think it would). I reuse my plastic sandwich bags (if I have to use them). And I just started shopping at Good Will. My son (19) hates it, but when he sees the deals I get I know he really wants to go with me.1 year ago
Mary: I’ve found that planning my meals in advance really helps me save at the grocery store – and cut down on wasted food at home! I try to plan a few meals that make easy leftovers for lunches, too, so that I can brown bag it.1 year ago
allie: I try really hard to reuse everything I can. I’m currently living alone in a tiny kitchen so my shopping has become very frugal and attempting to use every last scrap in as many ways as possible. I try to plan meals and shopping in advance as well. I generally shop second-hand and can’t get enough of craigslist. I also knit and crochet and try to make as much as I can by hand when possible. learning to sew, but can’t afford a machine yet, so it’s slow going.1 year ago
KBGin DC: I do whatever I can to save money: clothes from off-price shops, store brand canned goods, Super cuts hairdos. All in the interests of my one big splurge: travel! Everytime I find myself covering a new pair of stilletos, I think about making my goal of visiting all 7 continents before I turn 40, and suddenly I think I might need a plane ticket more.1 year ago
Christine: Whenever I go out to eat, I only eat half of my main dish and take the rest home in a doggie bag for lunch the next day. Not only does this help cut down on my food costs (I do the same with meals I cook at home – I always make enough for dinner and lunch the next day), but it also helps keep my eating in check so I don’t over indulge!1 year ago
Dana: I try to cut back on eating out so much. During the week at eat at work in the kitchen. I try only to eat out on the weekend only twice. I shop at consignment shops for nice 2nd hand clothes, shoes and bags. I make a list when i go to the grocery store. Those are a few of my tricks.1 year ago
Tricia Anderson: “Frugal” for our family means eating and cooking at home most of the time. We garage sale and shop at Goodwill for fantastic deals and finds! : ) Being frugal where we can enables us to treat ourselves in other areas of our lives. It is a way of life and I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything. I feel like we have MORE because we live frugal.1 year ago
Karen: We eat at home more often. I plan my meals and make a list before going to the grocery store (this has definitely saved money!).
Instead of going to my favorite coffee shop regularly (I still go once in awhile!) I have been making my own coffee and steeping some really nice loose leaf teas.1 year ago
Anne: I use the library as much as possible for new books, especially fiction that I might not come back to after reading them once.1 year ago
Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams: I save by eating lunch at home, using the library and growing my own herbs. But I do splurge on occasional lunch or coffee dates with friends – and buy pretty clothes on Etsy instead of just grabbing the latest cheap trend.1 year ago
Maureen: I’m trying to think of how my family is thrifty, and I came up with a few thoughts. We own a duplex and rent the top apartment, so we have help with the mortgage. We rarely eat out, we can go months without going to a restaurant or having fast food. We never replace anything we own unless it is totally used up, or broken beyond repair. A few examples, we have the same microwave that we bought 17 years ago. I just replaced the blow dryer that I have had for 20 years, after it finally stopped working for good. Kind of sad it see it go, it had been around for so long!1 year ago
Lynette Cornell: I carry my coffee in a travel mug from home instead of buying pricey coffee when I’m on the go.
I use my library card like a fiend, requesting books I want that they don’t have and checking out ones I’d only read once anyway.
I use restaurant.com coupons for saving money when I go out to eat for special occasions.1 year ago
Monica Caroline: lets see, I try not to spend more than $5 on any cosmetic, but usually I can keep it under $3. If I really get the gimmies for something, I ask my extended family if anyone has one or can look out at garage sales for me. Right now its a set of hot rollers, next I want a juicer.
I shop on ebay like its my job. I buy all my sewing patterns there, I just bought a pair of vintage pinking shears.
If I really really want something new I make it.
I strive to give gifts that are handmade by me or vintage finds.
definitely a coupon clipper and promo-code collector.
and I always do my own mani-pedi and bang trim.1 year ago
Nadia: I brown bag my lunches and borrow media (books, music, movies) from the library at school or the public library. I take the bus, and bike around town when I need to go someplace. I’ve also begun making some of my own clothing, which has become a super-fun hobby!1 year ago
Aidan: I try to help others be thrifty by passing on books I’ve enjoyed but won’t read again, and share magazines with friends. I’ve kept a part time job in retail for the clothing discount, and cook in batches, which helps portion control (by freezing individual portions) and also cuts down on energy use (even though as an apartment dweller, I don’t really pay for utilities except in envirnmental consequences!) I do splurge on cucumbers year round, because of my serious love for them as snacks, even when they are $3.50 apiece!1 year ago
Stacy Marie: Good shoes are worth the money. They last soooo much longer than the cheap ones so I think they might be a thrifty choice in the long run! I also think that good, healthy food is totally worth it. The library is my favorite way to save…they have music, DVDs, and all of the new releases that cost $24.99 at Barnes and Noble!1 year ago
anne: What a fun giveaway! Great suggestions in the comments too.
Thrifty:
- Borrow books from the library instead of buying
- Use cloth napkins and rags instead of paper napkins/towels
- Swap clothes with my sister instead of buying new
- Only buy in season produce
Splurge:
- Good quality shoes and Travel1 year ago
rachael: I just left my job (after many threats of layoffs) to persue my independent art business. IM BROKE!
My best best money saving tips? be resourceful and learn how to do it yourself! I make homemade hummus, peanut butter, almond butter, bread, I also recycle many items in our home to be repurposed, and my artwork is made from reclaimed materials!…its much healthier, better for the environment and saves mad dough!1 year ago
Adrienne: I LOVE the idea of this book and I also love all the comments! Much like others, I brown bag it (leftovers to the rescue!) to work as often as possible, and we cook at home almost every night. I bake all our bread (flour is cheaper and doesn’t go stale as fast!) and a loaf lasts us the week for toast and the occasional sandwich. I do splurge on vegetables though; our CSA is amazing but not as cheap as grocery store produce.1 year ago
Sarah F: I love canning my own jam. I love the luxury of having my own great-tasting jam and the frugality of spending less than the bland stuff from the store. It’s really a luxury item!
But seriously, canning anything that I’ve grown myself is a huge thrift for me, with the added bonus that it tastes better than the stuff from the store and I know it hadn’t been raised with pesticides or chemicals.1 year ago
Alicia Kachmar: Lots of cooking/baking at home, bike places, save seeds from fruits/plants from year before to plant the following spring, cut my own hair.1 year ago
Rebecca: A second/third a lot of these comments, but one thing I’ve really made an effort at this year is making big batches of freezable food (like soups and quiches) and then taking them for lunch. On a related note, I also reuse yogurt containers for freezing the soup in (and have been known to buy & eat yogurt for the sole purpose of getting more containers, ha!).1 year ago
Lisa: I walk as much as possible and try to get really creative with the left over things in my pantry before I go grocery shopping.1 year ago
brookstar: As part of a fitness program, I started seriously planning meals. I would start the week with a meal list comprising of breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner for each day. That helped me visualize my week and allowed me to create themes around vegetables. I don’t usually use a whole head of broccoli, or a whole cucumber, and by doing the planning this way I would ensure that another meal followed that used those ingredients. Each week I left a blank lunch and a blank dinner so we could eat out or visit friends or just have a lazy day. Not only did we get a lot more healthy, we ended up saving loads of money. We didn’t start to save money, but are continuing for the health and economic benefits. The money saved on our grocery bill allows us to splurge on other things now, including having really nice meals out when we do go, rather than spending money on eating out and convenience foods when we’re unorganized.
Oh yah, and lots of whole grains. Lots and lots of beans and lentils and bulgur wheat and barley quinoa and brown rice. Very cheap. Also very healthy.1 year ago
Stella: Since I live alone I could spend a lot of money wasting food. My friends and I are all single so we do meal swaps and give each other meals in return for meals later in the week. It’s also a great way to experience new foods.1 year ago
Birdie: For a lift when I’m feeling deprived, I go “faux shopping.” I will head out to the mall or TJ Maxx or somewhere with only my drivers license and a small slip of paper and pen. I walk around and write down all the things I like/want and their prices. After I’m finished “shopping,” I add up the total and drop my list into the nearest rubbish bin. I’ve just “saved” myself all the money in the total.
I do something similar online. I fill up an electronic shopping cart with all sorts of goodies, and then delete the whole thing. I find these solutions give me the rush of shopping without hurting my bank account or filling my life with unnecessary stuff.1 year ago
Diane @ InMyOwnStyle: I love libraries and there is a bookmobile from the county library that comes to my town everyother week. I can request books online and they leave me an e-mail on what week it will be on the Bookmoblie. I love books and only buy the ones that I can’t live without – all the others I borrow from the Library – saves LOTS of $$$$$$1 year ago
Jennifer: I make my coffee at home, take my lunch to work, and try my hardest to entertain myself at home!1 year ago
Diane Carol: Oh my….on the garden front, my scraps go into my compost pile or into a container in the freezer for making stock. I have a small veggie and herb garden that keeps us in vegtables throughout the summer. I purchase 2 bushels of corn every year and freeze it so we have summer all year long! I’ve been making my own laundry soap now for 2 years…and it has saved a ton of money! I too use vinegar for cleaning – its amazing! One of my favorite things is the canning….bloody mary mix, applesauce, salsa and for the first time last year, blackberry jelly….that we picked on our families property. It was beautiful AND delicious and made wonderful gifts! I’ll also admit to getting totally excited by Sarah’s homemade cloth napkins…I love making them, and they are cherished by friends as gifts! I don’t feel anything other than happy to do these things and more! It makes me feel good!1 year ago
Ruth@GraceLaced: Perhaps my favorite way to be thrifty is to spend less time looking at what other people have and more time on what I’ve already got. Amazing how much money I save when I curb the coveting with contentment!1 year ago
Jenna: I am a frugal college student, so I recently became a vegetarian. It cuts the grocery bill down significantly. I also pack my own breakfast and lunch with me in my bag, so I rarely have to buy food on the go. I also only buy DVD’s when they are on sale for $5 at Target, and save them for when I feel like renting a movie. By now, I have quite a big collection and didn’t spend much at all.1 year ago
Starlene: I try to give as many homemade gifts as possible. I’m always doing some sort of craft so I started putting all completed tote bags, aprons, hair accessories in a big rubbermaid bin and when birthdays come up, I pull something out and wrap it!1 year ago
Leah: I re-heel my shoes. So satisfying to get your old shoes back all shiny and new.
I’ve honed my cocktail making skills to the point where I just can’t justify buying an expensive cocktail that I know I could make better at home.
Love all of these tips….!1 year ago
Cheryl: We use our French press to make fabulous coffee at home rather than spending $ at Starbucks.1 year ago
Shelby: I would consider myself a newbie at being thrifty. For last year or so I have begun buying clothing and knickknacks that were previously loved. My number one rule is to not buy anything at a thrift store (antique is sometimes okay) over $5. Another good idea is to ask your local thrift store about what days they have sales. Most thrift stores once a month have a 40% to 50% on the entire store.1 year ago
Stephanie Baldwin: Silly as it may seem, my biggest thrifty trick is asking myself “Do I really need this?” before i buy something. This applies anywhere i shop, from the grocery store to window shopping. More often than not the answer is no, but if I can honestly answer yes, then i let myself buy it with no guilt attached. It has worked wonders for my self-control and bank account!
1 year ago
Matriarchy: Seldom buy things new. With patience, most of what you need shows up at yard sales, on Freecycle, or on Craigslist.1 year ago
Emmalinda: I make my own cleaning supplies with vinegar and baking soda.
Lentils are my favorite food and they are quite thrifty and delicious.1 year ago
AnnieA: It will probably sound a little Depression-era, but I always make sure I’ve used something completely up, by adding a little water to the bottom of a bottle, or getting out the lipstick brush for the last bit in the tube…1 year ago
kathy: Leftovers for lunch, canceled the cable, thrift stores and yard sales and craigslist! And having yard sales is a great way to get rid of the old and pay for anything new that is needed!!1 year ago
kjr: re-reading old books i haven’t read for ages and baking my own bread! the time it takes is well worth it.1 year ago
Ashley: I love to trade my handmade jewelry for other handmade goods when I need gifts, or soap, or clothes. Or really anything.1 year ago
Kasi: As college students, most of my friends spend a LOT of time and money eating out or ordering takeout. For me, spending my money on simple quality ingredients and taking the time to cook for myself keeps me thrifty, AND allows me to eat a lot better.1 year ago
Aimee: I save by not eating out too much and shopping at discount stored, and only making cash transactions unless it is paying a bill on line.1 year ago
tami: clothing swaps are a thirifty girl’s best friend! new-to-you clothes and pretty much for free.
i went to 2 in april – stitch swap and swap-asana. i brought 3 bags and left with 6. all the same exciting feelings as shopping for a new wardrobe but it only “costs” 1 article of clothing and a $5 donation to charity to participate .1 year ago
Crafty Mermaid: I make enough dinner so I can have left-overs for lunch. It makes me happy to bring in my lunch. Sometimes I just can’t stand the idea of sandwiches1 year ago
Sarah: I save by eating in. Dinner tastes so much better if you’ve worked hard for it, not to mention that you can use up all the left over odds and ends in the back of the fridge/pantry.1 year ago
Luisa: I know this sound obvious… but I started avoiding shopping malls and other large discount stores and I was amazed at how much I didn’t spend. Now I only shop with a list and if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t come home with me.1 year ago
Amanda Jean: To save on food, I really enjoy clipping coupons and eating in whenever I can. As for clothes, I almost always enhance my wardrobe at thrift or consignment shops.1 year ago
Jackie: I don’t really think about my being thrifty, it just comes kinda happens. I bring my own lunch to work, make my own iced coffee, pay my bills online so I don’t have to buy stamps as often, and get my exercise by taking runs outside. Without knowing it, I am definitely saving tons of moo-lah each month.1 year ago
jj: I am so glad our local farmer’s market just opened — time to save on plentiful fresh veggies! The experience of walking through the market, with a sunny breeze ruffling a frollicky summer dress, holding a coffee in one hand and the hand my lovey dove in the other … it’s thrifty on the wallet but a splurge in simple pleasures. =)1 year ago
BB: We grow our own herbs and veggies! For less than the cost of one fancy bag of grocery store arugula, I can pick it fresh from my garden for months.1 year ago
Lily: Ever since the Beijing Olympics I have only been purchasing products made in the USA. Not only is it quite a thrilling hunt, but I have saved oodles of dollars by simply buying less objects. Sometimes it is a splurge but most of the time it is pretty thrifty.1 year ago
Jessica: At stores, I’ll carry around an item I think I want. After “having” it for five minutes, I usually realize I don’t need it or really want it and can put it back. Only item I love or need are bought…most of the time. I save up and buy quality.
Try it – you get the rush from the idea of something new AND keep your money.1 year ago
evontameca: I filter my own water at home instead of constantly paying for bottled water. Also, I take my lunch into work, which usually consists of a sandwich (pb&j or lunchmeat). I also cut back my hair appts. drastically, which saves me over $100 a month alone. Working out? Forget about the gym! I own great exercise dvds and a treadmill so trying to get fit and staying healthy doesn’t have to cost me a bundle. I wish I could be more like Kathy and cancel the cable, but that’s the only form of entertainment that I have since I don’t go out too much. Beans are going to play a big role in my diet since I’ve been finding great recipes for them. XOXO.1 year ago
emily: +eating a local restaurants
+shopping at antique stores
+buying less of what i think i need
+stocking up on veggies at the farmer’s market
+composting1 year ago
Ellen: I make presents for people instead of buying them. It forces me to think about being thoughtful & I really consider the cost of the bought items that go into them. Usually they’re better / more memorable gifts as well.1 year ago
Kelsey: Beans, lentils, and rice instead of beef, chicken, or fish. Those last three are, as Cookie Monster says (albeit while referring to cookies), only a sometimes treat.1 year ago
CS: Thrifty means to me: no new clothes (well, except white t-shirts), because they all come from the thrift store. Less meat, more beans; making whatever I can from scratch–bread, yogurt, any baked goods we eat. Eating out extremely infrequently. Driving as little as possible. The encouraging part about any thriftiness is that it’s less wasteful, as well.1 year ago
kelly o: I love to go to yard sales with my roommates. We get some really great stuff sometimes.1 year ago
Brie: i’ve started sewing my own clothes…when i can make a dress for $30 that would otherwise cost $100 – and it looks just as good and fits perfectly – i consider that thriftiness! I also take advantage of ‘thrift’ shops and second hand stores – AMAZING finds!!!! oh and cooking at home more than i eat out! and bringing leftovers to work!1 year ago
Debra: Annie sez….great clothes, good sales..1 year ago
kat: I’m a huge supported of libraries- although here in Boston they are talking about cutbacks.1 year ago
Wendy: I must complement you all! What great ideas!
Try using white vinegar in the wash, for setting colors use 1 cup. For mopping use hot water only with a couple of drops of essential oil for scent,I like lemongrass.
For washing clothes use cold water only and low heat for drying, if no line posible. Use ground turkey in many ways the same as ground beef. I stay home sono brown bagging for me, but leftovers everyday for all of us. As for shopping tricks, I take my girls-they are more frugal than I am. ^_^
My splurges…good shoes and the perfect bra. No compromise there! and of course great chocolate. Dove dark cost more than M&M’s but I eat way less, lasts longer!1 year ago
Annie: My husband and I rarely go out to eat. It’s too expensive and most time you don’t know what you are getting. We get a great bottle of wine, spend quality time together cooking and enjoy a great meal for a fraction of the cost. Can’t beat that.1 year ago
Sarah Sheldon: I make everything I can from scratch.
1 year ago
dru: Bake at home, fill water bottles and put them in our frig rather than constantly putting bottles in the landfill, save the veggie scraps for soup.1 year ago
Katelynn: I scrimp and save on pretty much everything except for running shoes and a great haircut/haircolor/haircare. I have very dry curly hair, and with my hairstylist that money is money well spent!1 year ago
Melissa: I have been thrifting for years, and my son and husband love it too-it’s a family trait to want to find a bargain1 year ago
Erica: Luckily for my thrift, I live in Washington, DC, which in my opinion must be the nation’s capital of free things to do! Unfortunately, it’s also home to the Expensive And Almost Socially Mandatory Weekend Brunch. To save a ton, and to really enjoy all the foods I crave, my friends and I have started making a huge brunch each Sunday. Added benefits: we know what’s in our food and can buy it responsibly, it’s SO much cheaper, we can eat whatever we want, no lines, and we can watch our neighborhood go by from a lovely wraparound porch instead of an overcrowded restaurant patio!1 year ago
Lynne Jenrow: I started my own business so I am immersed in thrifty style living as my money is being funneled into all things business. I love thrifty style living. I have learned how to make my own hummus and protein bars. I reconnected with the library, renting my movies and books. I do rent from Netflix but only 2 movies a month. Really, how many movies can you watch when you are launching a business. I am also making my own purses now. I now have money left over for the comfy sleepwear, undergarments, fine coffee and linens as well as flowers and a special dinner out that all make me feel truly abundant. Oh I started my own vegetable garden. Love my homegrown tomatoes.1 year ago
Carly: worth the splurge to me: good coffee (ok, from Trader Joes), organic cleaning products that smell delicious, nice hand soap to make doing dishes all the more pleasant.
Save: I may be the queen of the brown bag. I hate wasting things, so my freezer is full of vegetables and quarts of soup I’ve frozen. I love cooking dried beans. Hell, I love beans. Many a date night is us staying in with a 10 dollar bottle of wine and making something fancy feeling for dinner that we’ve never made before. I have so much fun trying my hand at homemade pasta or big pots of chili rather than going out to dinner.1 year ago
Amber: I grow my own vegetables and eat a lot of beans. A LOT of beans.
1 year ago
Carly: these days any purchase we make we certainly take a moment to consider if we actually need it. i find more often than not that we can do without. we make do with what we have so that we can treat ourselves to quality items (or quality delicious dinners) every now and then. its such a more calm way to live—buying, buying, buying gets to be loud and distracting and you don’t realize until you stop!1 year ago
Gwen: Buying produce from our local farmstand instead of the grocery store — we save money, get better and fresher food, and support local family farms all at once.1 year ago
Jessica I.: We used to go out with friends all the time, but now prefer to host impromptu dinner parties or cocktail hours at our home. It saves money, the drinks are usually better, and you can share each others company for much longer!1 year ago
SaraJane: I buy as much as possible in bulk. I store things like flour, sugar, grains, nuts, spices etc in mason jars in the cabinet instead of using pricey containers or even paying for the container it would normally come in.
I also make many things myself like vegetable broth, bread, muffins and things. I always freeze a ton of it so I always have some for later. Using old yogurt containers (that kind that have lids) is a great way to freeze broth or sauces in portions and it’s reusing something that you would normally get rid of.1 year ago
lq: Eating at home, Netflix instead of going out and shopping with a plan.1 year ago
Natalie: Dried beans, and I can/freeze my own produce. Both of these things started as a way to avoid chemicals in my foods, but have actually saved me money as well.1 year ago
OrangieBlue: I grow a lot of tomatoes every summer, but I hate canning. I keep a cookie sheet lined w/ freezer paper in the freezer and throw them in there as they are ripe. I wash them first, but they don’t need any other preparation. Once they are frozen, I repack them into tupperware or freezer bags.
When they thaw, the skins slips off easily and I can use them for anything that calls for canned tomatoes (soups, chili, etc.) or cook them down for tomato sauce. It is much cheaper than buying canned tomatoes, and I don’t have to worry about all the chemicals that commercial products have.1 year ago
Jen: I check out movies from the library instead of renting. I’m not sure how much I save for month, but I know I’m catching up on a lot more documentaries than I would otherwise!1 year ago
Lauren: I’m self employed and most of 2009 was pretty lean for my husband and I, and we had to get creative and really watch our dollars and cents for the first time since we got married. It was a serious adjustment, but it was definitely worthwhile, and now that things are better we are still hanging onto a lot of our thriftier habits.
We started shopping at the local discount grocery store last year, and have continued to do so even though we don’t need to as much, and it has been great to spend less on staples (bread, cheese, produce) so that we can sometimes spend more on luxuries (organic milk or the occasional steak from our local butcher).1 year ago
Emily: I check out books from the library — unless I win them
1 year ago
Suzy: I reuse tinfoil when I can, I work out at home on an elliptical instead of paying monthly gym fees, make lunch instead of buying (most of the time)…1 year ago
Kanesha: My family has one car – since 1998. So we have to be great about communicating and planning. My job offers me a free bus pass that helps with transportation as well. People wonder how 2 working parents manage this with 2 kids, but we’ve been doing it for a while and so far so GREAT!1 year ago
Kayduh: I make my own yogurt and granola for breakfast, bring my lunch most days, and use the library for most of my books.1 year ago
Brooke: This post has done its job because I will totally be buying this book if I don’t win it! My newest thrifty habit is shopping consignment shops before I head to my favorite department store. It’s amazing how quickly my price perspective changes: “$12 for a sundress… I don’t know, that’s kind of expensive…” This habit has done wonders for my wardrobe and my bank account and it gives me a shopping fix without the pain of a credit card bill.1 year ago
syd: Adopting some of these good ideas…..recycling, libraries, trading/donating/swapping….so many ways to use what we have and what we have access to!!1 year ago
Rebecca: I pack a lunch 95% of the time. And I buy a vast majority of my clothes second-hand (people get rid of beautiful stuff!). But I splurge on shoes, coffee, and jewelry. (Note: my “splurge” is someone’s else’s “thrift.”)1 year ago
bet-C: I reiterate the idea of living “simply”, and a huge part of that is shopping and consuming in a purposeful way. Being purposeful means making lists before going to the grocery store, buying quality things that will last longer than one season but for years, not buying items just because they are on sale, understanding your own personal style so you are not wasting on things that look good on a rack. Using these methods, I think, goes hand-in-hand with being frugal.1 year ago
Sheree: Well my husband became a stay-at-home dad so we had to cut lots of corners since our income was cut in half. Let’s see………my husband cuts and dyes my hair now, our daughter cuts his hair, we cook mostly fresh food and no longer use pre-packaged meals or snacks. I now use soy milk as creamer instead of buying coffee creamer, we use vinegar to clean, as opposed to buying windex and pinesol, we check out books from the library, instead of purchasing them, we hand wash our trucks instead of taking them thru a drive-thru car wash, and we do things like hike and picnic at the park instead of “paid-for” entertainment.
One thing that I will still splurge on is a pedicure (in the summers.)1 year ago
stephanie: We live thrifty by buying used clothes and anything else used we can find (like for the kitchen). I always ask myself do I really need this? My other solution for being thrifty is to not go out when my son is at school unless I really need something. If I am not at a store or thrift shop I won’t but something.1 year ago
JessWest: I give haircuts in exchange for bottles of wine. We also converted our car to run on waste veggie oil (from a local sushi restaurant) so we never pay for gas!1 year ago
casey: I pack lunch for work and my partner and I have only one car. We’re also living with housemates, which reduces our rent considerably.1 year ago
Christine Hoxmeier: Hmmm, shopping at thrift stores for clothes and other household items…buying what I can in the bulk section of the grocery store and making my own food–whether it be granola bars, beans, roasted chicken. I’m an avid reader but I get most of my books from the library. I know there is other stuff I’m forgetting, but that is all I can come up with for the moment.
1 year ago
Kim: So many amazing comments here! I went from a pretty consumer-oriented lifestyle in NYC to a few years of low budget living for various reasons, and I’m constantly amazed at how much I used to spend. My biggest “frugal with style” tips are definitely cooking at home, and as a vegetarian, I’ve found I actually make better food for my needs than most restaurants. I brew my own tea and bake all those goodies that are easy splurges like muffins, scones, cookies, etc. I reuse glass jars to store bulk food items. I use BookMooch to swap out paperbacks rather than always buying new books. I love the library, especially for magazines. But I think my best tip is not always being cheap, but considering cost per wear for clothing, or cost per use for other items. I shop with sales and coupons for clothing but have found it’s worth it to spend a little more for a nice item I’ll wear and love every time than to buy stuff I don’t love. In the long run, I have fewer clothes that get more use, so I do save money. Love all the suggestions here!1 year ago
kristin: I like to consider myself thrifty! I never buy furniture new really, I recycle anything I can and I buy a LOT of my clothes at Target….however I will spend a lot of money on a great babysitter, school for my kids, and a rare dinner out with my hubby. Life is all about making the choices that work for you and your family!1 year ago
Samantha: Naked lady parties help with that “I want something new!” urge, plus there’s the fun of socializing and seeing your own castoffs find a loving home with someone else.
Also, I tend to eke out every last bit I can of consumables, storing bottles top-down, adding water at the end, etc. I once tried to make rubber-bands by cutting up an old rubber dishwashing glove (a la Peg Bracken), but that was a bridge too far!
I splurge on perfume and haircuts.1 year ago
saveur: My favourite thrifty place is the library! Nothing like checking out cookbooks from the library and buying the tried and tasted ones.
1 year ago
Alexandra: I save by using nature to decorate my apartment (free pussywillow branches in the spring, pine needles arranged in tiny glass jars in the winter, wildflowers whenever I can find them!) I splurge on travel, and to me it’s worth every penny!1 year ago
Kristine: I love thrifting for the thrill of the hunt, same goes for yard sales. I do regular swap parties with my girlfriends for clothes, books and magazines(other people’s stuff is always so much more exciting than my own). I don’t eat meat which really cuts down on grocery bills, and when my veggies start to look tired I chop them up and freeze them for future soup stock.
I would love to give that fabulous book a good thrifty home!1 year ago
Jackie: I love my grocery inventory spreadsheet, which sounds (and probably is) completely dorky, but keeps me updated on what I have in my fridge, freezer, and cupboards. So while I’m at work I can plan my week’s meals based on what I have at home — saves money, time, and gives my inner list-maker a little thrill with each use!
1 year ago
Lizziefirst: I yard sale, thrift store shop and use the library for books, movies, music and magazines. We grow our own tomatoes and herbs and are getting ready to drop our cable TV in favor of Hulu and, again, the library. I cancelled my gym membership in favor of walking and gardening. We rarely go out to dinner any more and when we do we always use a coupon.
My splurges are on pedicures in the summer and sweet-smelling lotions and soaps. But I make sure to always use them up before buying new ones.1 year ago
Molly: Instead of buying presents for family members, I put $30 aside for every birthday and holiday until I have enough for a plane ticket home:-) This way, I spend my money on what counts.1 year ago
Stephanie @ Confessions of a Trophy Wife: Couponing! Also, eating at home, seasonal eating, utilizing the library, and trying not to waste any water or energy!1 year ago
Rez: potluck suppers with friends instead of going out to resturants.1 year ago
Emily: I love reading these tips!
Thrift: no car, generic everything, cooking from scratch, library books, cutting my own hair. I’ll spend money on microbrews and organic produce.1 year ago
Mulberry204: No more bottled water – just a stainless, refillable, washable thermos.
No more Netflix – just the library DVD’s.
No going to the movies – I wait for the DVD.
Combine errands to save gas money.
Wear pantyhose – almost never.
Use up leftovers, and
Repair clothing.1 year ago
Lola: I always use coupons. Whenever staple pantry items are on sale, I stock up. I never buy makeup or beauty supplies unless it’s on sale. And I use the library often.
1 year ago
Manders: We grow a small garden. In the beginning, it is a little pricey. But over a season, it’s well worth the time, money, and effort!1 year ago
Ash: by trying to win books with thrifty tips instead of having to buy them myself ; ) oh please let it be me!1 year ago
Anna Marie: Now that I have kids, I find that my biggest savings come from handing down their clothes. And from shopping at the Farmers’ Markey twice a week.1 year ago
Chelsea: I try to plan my meals around the food that is on sale that week. Like if carrots are on sale this week, I try to use them in my dinners. It helps cut the cost of dinners. I also pack my hubby’s lunch every day.1 year ago
Mulberry204: Hanging everything up to dry & washing in cold water saves a bundle. Buying quality detergent (for me, Tide), saves in the long run & does the best job.
Cooking a few night’s meals on the grill or in the oven saves time & money.
Saving the water in a pail that you waste while waiting for the shower to warm up will help in the washer or watering plants.1 year ago
Melissa: Very careful grocery shopping with lots of coupons. Re-using as much as I can, trying to buy old instead of new. Re-purposing things for organization instead of buying yet more plastic tubs or doodads!1 year ago
Halle G: We reuse and repurpose as much as we can. I plan meals around the weekly grocery specials, use coupons, shop at garage sales and thrift stores.1 year ago