Saturday, October 11, 2008

Share Your Frugal Tips

{Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (written by Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 nkjv)}


{The Message Bible brings it closer to home: I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.}

This is another one of my favorite scriptures because it encourages me that no matter what I'm personally going through, or what's going on around me, I can be content and rest in Christ who gives me strength--I especially like the last statement in The Message translation: I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

I love that. I thank God we have Him to lean on in these precarious times and with the condition of the economy.

I've realized that being frugal is one way the Lord provides for us. He gives us the wisdom, and ideas that will help cut costs here and there. Of course, it'd be much easier if money would just fall from heaven, problems solved, right?! But would it?

In light of where we are with the economy, what are some tips you can share that have helped especially during this time? Big or small, every little bit helps.

I'll start with a few of my tips:

1. I have begun a housecleaning service. My husband is a realtor...enough said. This has worked well for us and Sunny jumps in and helps when I need it. To be honest, cleaning toilets isn't the most glamourous job, but it has definitely helped put food on the table. (I can't believe I just used 'toilet' and 'food' in the same sentence!) What about childcare, baking, using your skills to bring in extra income?
How about bartering? I haven't tried this personally other than with childcare, but I have a friend who has bartered with her orthodontist. He is fixing her son's teeth, she cleans his office. (Consequently, I have benefited from her bartering as well. She offered me the job of cleaning his house.)

2. We have switched out a lot of our lights with flourescent bulbs. I wasn't big on the whiter light and I'm still not, but now they're making them more ambient.

3. One of the biggest ways we've saved money and I know I've mentioned this before, is that we've stopped eating out after church on Sunday's. Not only have we saved financially but we're eating healthier as well.

4. This might be a regional tip, but here in Flagstaff and in the Phoenix valley the Dol*lar Tree store sells Sa*ra Lee 100% whole wheat and 9-grain bread as well as hamburger/hotdog bun, bagels and raisen bread for $1.00. It's not day-old's either. The expirations date is 5-7 days out. The bread freezes well. In the grocery store the ww bread sells for $3.99 retail.

Ok, what about you. Any tips we could all use?

Be encouraged this Beautiful Monday!

It's All FRUGAL TIPS Good!



16 comments:

  1. Love it Brenda. We just need to keep on sharing these great tips. I am going to share 5 or so a week too. Just think of all the things that we can gather when we put all our ideas into one realm. Blogging is so great.

    Loved the tips you shared. And I also believe it is a Christian way of being.

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  2. I'm cooking less meat and more beans, rice and veggies. It's not only cheaper, it's also healthier.

    I buy my bread and buns at a bread thrift shop and freeze it. I also just invested in a new dehydrator so I can take advantage of more free veggies and fruits that are given to us, and I can make deer sausage and jerky from the deer meat we're given.

    Hope you have a great new week, Brenda! :o)

    Love and hugs,

    Diane

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  3. I NEED to be more frugal. It is getting tight around here.

    We have quit eating out as much. I have started using refillable drinks in the kids lunch boxes instead of single serving throw away drinks.

    I have almost completely quit buying sodas for our house.

    We have QUIT renting movies because of the late fees that I tend to get.

    Great post!!

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  4. 2. We have switched out a lot of our lights with flourescent bulbs.... yes we have done that and we try and eat out less too..I agree it is much more healthy..

    Oh yes my white pumpkin is a little scarey.. but it is better then it was, it came with a red light bulb in it~!!!(:O)
    So I changed it to a pinkish one..LOL ..hope you have a great day ..hugs, Patty

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  5. Buy in bulk when it's on sale!!!

    Have a wonderful week, I really enjoyed this one too. These have been wonderful!

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  6. I use more ground turkey than gd. beef or use half and half. Turkey is half the price but mixed with beef you cant tell the difference in taste. We also reuse anything that can possibably be reused and recycle what we wont/cant use again. And we havent had any junk food in the house in months. It's an eye opener when money is really tight and your standing in the store with only a few dollars and you realize that the bag of chips you used to get all the time could have been a gallon of milk for the family.
    Oh and we tried Costco for the first time!! Wow, some things are a great deal!
    Good luck
    Love ya

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  7. You had some wonderful tips. The dollar store can be such a find.

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  8. we used to go for milkshakes and use them with left over roast beef from sundays meal...we don't do that anymore

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  9. We eat out much less often and are amazed at how much that saves. (Or conversely, how expensive it is to eat out!) We also are being more vigilant about not letting any food go bad.

    Then, just the usual stuff--turning off lights and computers, keep appliances unplugged when not in use, etc. Little things that end up saving a few bucks every month.

    Good for you for doing housecleaning! That's a great way to make some extra cash!

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  10. Great tips Brenda and as always, presented in a user friendly and Godly way.
    I am trying to get on the ball and start recycling more and I'm trying not to overspend on my budget (fat chance) buat the only way I can do that is to stay out of the stores, so that is my next resolution!
    love, your lilbig sis

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  11. I love Frugal Tips and I believe the Lord really blesses us, above & beyond, when He see's us using the gifts and things He gives us wisely. I did not know that about T*he D*oll*ar store and the bread. We have D*oll*ar Gen*er*al I'll have to take a look and see if it is true of them. They have the first one in Tulsa but traveling 25-30 miles to get there would not be frugal!!!! We had been cleaning our oldest daughter and youngest son's home for them. It helps them a lot , and it makes extra money for us. Won't be doing that for awhile, but we will get back to it.
    Susan

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  12. Susan at Penless Writer told me to come check you out so here I am! How great that you were able to meet each other!

    I have a garden and can some of my produce...helps in the winter. Also we are switching to the flourescent bulbs too. Love the dollar store and thrift stores in town.

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  13. There is so much we all could be doing to save for our selves as well as during this economic crisis. Frugality is a good thing and builds character in us and our children. Thanks for sharing your tips.

    It's nice to meet you. I came over from Penless Writer, Susan.

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  14. Good tips. I never thought about buying bread at the dollar store. We shop there occasionally. We eat out more than we should. It does get to be a habit. Thanks for all the good tips.
    Charlotte

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  15. Hi Breanda(:)
    I hope David is doing well..
    Great tips....
    I too ''love it all'' and want it all ..hummm
    well it
    ''ain't gonna be that way'' darn it.. I guess I really don't need anything else, my house is packed now... LOL ~~But it is sure fun to look and dream~~
    hugs Patty

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  16. Great post Brenda! I'm pretty frugal. Here are some things we do to save $...

    --rarely eat out and when we do, we use a coupon or go on nights that kids eat free.

    --cook from scratch

    --buy in bulk...especially when things are on sale

    --lots of meatless meals, and soups. I find that soups stretch our meat a lot further.

    --drink water or tea. I rarely buy juice or soda.

    --use the library for books/movies

    --cut my dryer sheets in half making them last twice as long

    --clip coupons

    --combine errands

    --before I buy things, ask myself if there's something I have at home that I could use instead. You'd be surprised how much I can "make-do" with what I already have.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit with me. I enjoy your comments very much. :)