I sometimes get asked the question, where do you come up with your frugal ideas?!? I love this question, because it really humbles me. I am by no means someone who comes to frugality with a natural talent for it. Instead, I try to work hard to come up with new ways to save money and resources and help us all be the best stewards of our stuff. Some of the ideas come from research, some from readers and friends, most of the ideas come from a practical need or experience and some just pop into my head at inopportune times, such as in the shower or church, and I can’t get to a computer.
For the ideas I featured this week, check out the articles in this week in review for May 12th through May 18th.
May 12th
Have you had to adjust to rising food prices? Of course we all have. One thing that has to be adjusted is those price books. Trends in higher prices can make your price book obsolete, since grocery food prices are rising across the board. So how can you adjust?
Adjusting Your Price Book with Escalating Grocery Costs
In the previous article, Our Changing Grocery Prices, I talked about how we’ve been having to adjust what we are willing to pay for some grocery items, in the wake of rising food prices. I shared some concrete examples of items from my mental price books and how I have had to adjust them, such as cereal, apples and eggs.
Frugal Living Week in Review: May 5th Through May 11th
May 13th
Sometimes scarcity, whether forced or self imposed can often breed creativity. This can be extremely valuable when it comes to frugal living. So many time we get stuck in a rut and do things the way we have always done them because it is familiar or easy. It is hard to think of a better way of doing something when the method you have right now works perfectly well. It is only when we have to work around a problem that the creative juices get flowing and we find some new ideas.
Since eating at home is less expensive than is eating out at a restaurant, it is amazing to me how all of we frugal people eat out and how frequently we do it. My family is no exception to this. In fact, I cringe every time we go to our favorite family restaurant. My kids usually offer a kids meal of Macaroni and cheese. It comes with a few slices of apple (about half of a small one), and there is no drink included, although it does include a small soft serve cone. These meals cost $4.99 each and contain about a third of a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. The drinks are another $1.29 each. Let’s times this by three for a total cost of $15.94, not including tax, tip and transportation to get there.
May 14th
If you find yourself having to feed your family for less, if you have unexpected dinner guests or if you just want to tighten the belt to afford a luxury, knowing how to stretch a meal in an emergency is a great skill for any frugal person to possess. Making food go farther without anyone feeling deprived or noticing a difference can be an art form. Here are some tips to get you started.
We are talking about some techniques for stretching meals in an emergency, from hosting unexpected company to having to make due with the food resources that you have. If you missed part one, click here: Emergency Meal Stretching.
May 15th
Who says that you have to buy all of your toys? Creating your own toys can be find and very frugal. Here is one idea that you can try.
Free Fast Food Today (and Cheap Food, too)
Is it the fast food industry’s awareness of growing food prices or just a publicity stunt? Perhaps it is a little of both. Since the industry knows that most of us are struggling or at least appalled at food prices, why not offer something free or economical to keep them on our mind?
May 16th
Did you know that there are thieves lurking about and ready to steal your frugality happiness? These sneaks can come in to your home and rob away your frugal hard work. How? They can rob your contentment of your frugal lifestyle and tempt you into spending, spending and spending. Here are the most common frugal thieves and what they are all about. Keep them out of your home, if you can!
When we last left off, we were talking about how a comfortable neighbor can rob you of your frugal contentment. Now, let’s see what to do about it, as well as how to face two other potential thieves.
Don’t you just love it when a miracle cleaning product comes along? I remember being skeptical about the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser until I actually tried it. The thing seems to be a miracle worker when it comes to crayon marks, scuffs and layers of grime that have built up over time.
May 18th
Free samples can be wonderful. Trying out a product can save you from costly mistakes in buying it, if you find that you don’t like it. You can be adventurous and try out something new that you might not otherwise have experienced.