One of the most frightening things about Halloween is how much it can cost. Do you know, I saw a recent retail report that showed that American’s spend more money at Halloween than at any other time, with the exception of Christmas? This just strikes me as incredible. At the end of the celebration, what happens to all of those goods that are purchased? Do most people have anything to show for all of that spending? I get it. I mean Halloween can be a fun holiday. There is candy. Candy is probably a good enough reason (although there is … Continue reading →

Have you gone shopping for the Fourth of July celebrations, yet? If you look carefully, you’ll be able to spot some great ways to save on all of the supplies that you’ll need. Of course, you can always just read this post to get a heads up. Tiki Torches and Other Decorations Check out your local dollar stores for inexpensive titki torches, flags, festive tablecloths, and more. If you happen to have a Christmas Tree Shop in your area, definitely stop there. Jo-Ann’s Fabrics is another great place for discounted decorations. If you waited until now to shop, you’ll be … Continue reading →

Did you know that it will cost you almost 14 percent more to fly this year? Air travel, car travel and many other vacation expenses will cost you a lot more today versus last year. I’ll explain why there have been such large increases and how you can still save despite the inflation. Bankrate recently took a look at the consumer price index and also pulled out a few numbers of their own to compare the actual costs of common summer favorites, such as travel. They report that airfare is 13.8 percent due to airlines grounding planes instead of trying … Continue reading →

Here comes Peter Cotton Tale…Hopping down the money trail. Just kidding, but Easter is a great time to save. You can indulge and celebrate this great glorious holiday and still stay within budget. Here is how. Remember the meaning Sure Easter egg hunts are fun, baskets filled with all sorts of goodies are exciting, and a large meal with family is often required. But, don’t forget the real meaning of the holiday, that our Savior shred his blood for us and rose again. Fill the day with some real reflection on why you are celebrating, and having an excess of … Continue reading →

Fortunately (or unfortunately)for me, I no longer live in blizzard central where I grew up and spent the first decade of my adult life. Still, the news of blizzards in the northeast has me feeling a bit nostalgic. It also has me thinking of all of the frugal things that my parents did during snow storms and blizzards to keep us kids warm, happy, and fed. Hang blankets for extra warmth: Growing up, our homes were fueled with oil. During snowstorms, the temperatures would drop causing us to run out of oil quicker. To slow down the consumption of heating … Continue reading →

Your local dollar store is one stop shopping for various Valentine treats. From decorations to gifts, you’ll really clean up if you head there to shop. Here are some of my ideas for a variety of Valentines situations. Let’s focus for this post just on the school class party. Whether you are the head honcho in charge of organizing the class Valentine party or just a mom whose child wants to bring in a treat for the class, head to the dollar store. You can find the following items, cheaply and easily. Pink cupcakes Dollar stores often have odd-flavor cake … Continue reading →

Sure having New Year resolutions is great. They are a way to really make a commitment and turn intention into habit. But, the reality is that many New Year’s Resolutions don’t make it all of the way into a regular part of someone’s lifestyle. Usually, the commitment lasts only a few months, or sometimes only weeks or days. Here are some ways that you can make sure that your frugal resolutions become frugal habits. Be Specific and Vague Having specific goals can certainly help you jump start and keep frugal resolutions. For example, saying I will bring my lunch from … Continue reading →

Travel in general is not frugal, but you’ve got to live from time to time. Still we manage to find ways to cut the costs. Read: A Few Tightwad Tips for Road Trips Money Saving Travel Tips for Cash Strapped Flyers Saving Money on Your Next Vacation—Book Early Regardless of how you plan and save over the winter holidays however, it is difficult to control your wallet. One of the biggest reasons that winter travel is so expensive is unpredictability. For example, right now, four days before Christmas, there is a major snowstorm across the country. People are stranded in … Continue reading →

Whether you are having a snow day or just want to avoid spending money at the malls, being prepared for a Christmas movie marathon is a good idea. You can enjoy some fun family entertainment for free. Just pop the popcorn, grab an extra blanket and snuggle up on the couch with your family. ABC 25 Days of Christmas The television station, ABC, offers Christmas shows every evening during December. You usually get at least three shows back to back in any given night. They don’t seem to duplicate the shows, or at least not during the same time slots. … Continue reading →