Frugal Myth Busters

In the course of our frugal lifestyles, there are various bits of advice that may or may not be true. Some of these myths I have busted on my own or through research, while others are still out there bouncing around in my head. Are they true or not? Can you help me out? Following is a list of some common myths. I’ll share the ones that I have busted or proved. But, I could really use your experience, too! Are there any “open” myths on this list that you can tell me about? Are there any other myths out … Continue reading →

Thrift Store Bargain Worth $250,000!

Here is a definite case where being frugal and shopping at a thrift store can really pay off! Bargain hunter Michael Sparks picked up a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence in a Nashville, Tennessee thrift shop. The document turned out to be an official copy, originally commissioned by John Quincy Adams himself, back in 1820. Experts are putting a value of about $250,000 on the document. Sparks himself didn’t realize the value of what he had found until almost a year later, while he was doing some research online. This copy of the Declaration of Independence will be … Continue reading →

Frugal Man Leaves $700,000 Estate

Neighbors in one Chicago town were surprised to learn that a retired janitor, who was extremely frugal, left behind a $700,000 estate when he passed away in March of last year. According to the Chicago Tribune, which reported the story yesterday, a friend and neighbor had been appointed to take care of the estate. While cleaning out his small ranch home, she was shocked to find envelopes full of money. “Dozens of them were stashed in dresser drawers, on shelves in a linen closet, in a Fannie May candy box. Every one was stuffed with cash.” The cash in the … Continue reading →

Hall of Frugal Fame: The $1,000 Brownie

Okay, this has got to go under the “You’ve got to be kidding” files. If you had $1,000 to spare what would you spend it on…clothes, bills, braces or a brownie? That is just what one Atlantic City, NJ restaurant hopes you will do with its newest desert offer. Just imagine, $1,000! I can’t even wrap my head around that. With sales and coupons, we could probably buy enough brownie mix to supply 100 homeless shelters, easily. Let’s see, at 50 cents a box that is 2,000 boxes of brownie mix. Of course, this brownie could never be called a … Continue reading →

Thrift Store Find: Archbishop’s Stolen Cross for $6

Chalk this one up to the Hall of Frugal Fame of thrift store shopping! A savvy thrift store shopper in Mobile, Alabama went home with a real bargain. The shopper spotted a $6 find and took it home, not realizing that it was an archbishop’s stolen pectoral cross. The pectoral cross is a large cross that is worn on a cord, around the neck of the bishop or archbishop during mass. The cross, as well as other religious items, were stolen from Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb’s unlocked parked car. According to the Associate Press news service, “Lipscomb’s gold … Continue reading →

The Best Frugal Place To Be

Where is the best frugal place to be? The library of course! It’s free. Free? But isn’t a library card always free? I can hear you thinking that as soon as I typed those words. But guess what? First, not all library cards are free. I did some research and in some area’s there is a fee to obtain one. But that is really not the point. The point is using the library to remain frugal. And since anything and everything that is available at the library is free, and free is the frugal woman’s keyword, then the library is … Continue reading →

HOFF: Real Uses for Dryer Lint

Proving that something can always be made of nothing, this Hall of Frugal Fame (HOFF) is dedicated to those brave souls who, no matter how small, worn or seemingly useless an item is, find a way to reuse it in a new way. In this case, we are talking about dryer lint. C’mon, you know you thought about it. As you were cleaning the lint filter in the dryer, you held up the soft, feathery substance and thought to yourself, I’m sure I could use this for something. No? Well, then that is what i am here for, to put … Continue reading →

How Far Will You Go to Be Frugal? (2)

In a previous post, How Far Will You Go to Be Frugal? (1), I shared some of the more..um..let’s say extreme ideas that people practice to be frugal. Some of the ideas I have tried myself or modified for my family, while other ideas are too extreme for me. I judge not. I think that every frugal person has to find what works for her family, and some of these ideas may just inspire you. Collect the rain water off of your roof in a barrel and use it to wash your clothes. I wonder about this one. How clean … Continue reading →

How Far Will You Go to Be Frugal? (1)

Do you know someone who is extremely frugal? From using coupons on groceries to raising chickens in the city for free eggs, a frugal person has to find her own level of frugality. Here are some of the more extreme ways I have heard about, when it comes to being frugal. Some of these ideas may just leave you shaking your head and thinking, “There is no way I would do that!” Or, you may just be inspired by some of the things people do to be frugal. Either way, this is going to be fun. Rather than letting your … Continue reading →

The Hall of Frugal Fame

One of the great things about being frugal is the excitement I get when I come across a really great frugal find. I just can’t wait to share the news with family and friends. Do you know what I mean? Some finds are just so good, they should have their own “Hall of Frugal Fame.” I love reading about finds and great deals that others have gotten. It is fun to see what other people are doing, and it renews my spirit for living frugally. Here are some of the best frugal finds of which I know. Will you share … Continue reading →