I don't get around the blog community as often as I'd like, so I didn't get to this one when it was written a few weeks ago: Second-hand suits me by Greg Karp, who writes the "Spending Smart" column for The Morning Call, a Chicago Tribune newspaper.
Yes, he writes a money column and no, he'd never bought clothes at a thrift store before. I don't know exactly what challenged him, but he bought a suit of clothes and wore them to tape segments for TV. He said he was surprised at the good deal he got.
Hmm... have we been talking to ourselves all this time? Greg, if you read this, listen up. I have a lot more good advice for you! :)
But I'm kidding. Greg has a good handle on things, money-wise. A guy who is humble enough to confess he's still learning (just like we all are) is OK. And he's worth reading, too.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Second hand treasures
It's hard to believe that it's this late in the year already. I suspect I've said that about as many times as I've heard it, but it's still true!
It's going to be the winter holiday season before we know it, with gift shopping or making, decorating and entertaining and trying to stay organized. It may be hard to really get enthused about Christmas or other cold weather events when the sun's beating down so hot, but if you're frugal and smart, right now's the best time to make up a gift list and start looking, if you haven't already.
There are sales year 'round, but I hardly pay attention to them unless I'm looking for something in particular. Where I look (now, don't turn up your nose) is at garage sales and thrift stores.
Why? Well, I'm not THAT cheap that I give everyone used stuff... but I'm not so stupid as to pay premium prices for collectibles, antiques and special interest things.
Need an example? A vinyl record album in great condition by Elvis Presley singing hymns. Thrift store price? $2.00 Of course it's used; but it's a collector's item. I have a friend who is one of those Elvis fans who thinks he never died. She'll appreciate the hymns and yes, she does have a turntable. How's that for perfect?
I'm not saying you'll find a treasure just like that, but I've seen decorative items still in the box, collector's mugs (fill them with candy, tea, etc.), odds and ends like silk thread on a wooden spool (thread comes on plastic spools now), very old embroidery scissors, silver teapots and chafing dishes, unopened craft kits...
When you start thinking "Christmas in July" (it's coming right up!), think unique and very special gifts at a very special price. It's fun, too!
It's going to be the winter holiday season before we know it, with gift shopping or making, decorating and entertaining and trying to stay organized. It may be hard to really get enthused about Christmas or other cold weather events when the sun's beating down so hot, but if you're frugal and smart, right now's the best time to make up a gift list and start looking, if you haven't already.
There are sales year 'round, but I hardly pay attention to them unless I'm looking for something in particular. Where I look (now, don't turn up your nose) is at garage sales and thrift stores.
Why? Well, I'm not THAT cheap that I give everyone used stuff... but I'm not so stupid as to pay premium prices for collectibles, antiques and special interest things.
Need an example? A vinyl record album in great condition by Elvis Presley singing hymns. Thrift store price? $2.00 Of course it's used; but it's a collector's item. I have a friend who is one of those Elvis fans who thinks he never died. She'll appreciate the hymns and yes, she does have a turntable. How's that for perfect?
I'm not saying you'll find a treasure just like that, but I've seen decorative items still in the box, collector's mugs (fill them with candy, tea, etc.), odds and ends like silk thread on a wooden spool (thread comes on plastic spools now), very old embroidery scissors, silver teapots and chafing dishes, unopened craft kits...
When you start thinking "Christmas in July" (it's coming right up!), think unique and very special gifts at a very special price. It's fun, too!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Milk it for all it's worth
I haven't been to a grocery store for quite awhile, but I keep a watch on prices and sales through mygrocerydeals.com and, of course, from what I read on the Dollar Stretcher Community as well as listening to friends and family complain!
So... grocery shopping is on my to-do list today and I'm dreading it because prices just keep going up and up and up some more.
One thing I have to buy is milk... yikes. You can bet I'm going to be using every cheap tactic I can find to keep that cost under control. To begin with, half of what I buy will be frozen right away because I don't plan on using a full half gallon before its expiration date. I could buy less, but that would cost more in the long run.
Which leads to some really cheap tricks to save milk:
When you need a cupful, use 3/4 of a cup and add 1/4 cup of water. I've yet to see it make any difference at all in a recipe, not even chowders and puddings.
When the container is empty, or almost, add a couple of tablespoons of water to it, and swish it around to get the very last out of it.
Powdered milk is usually cheaper than fresh and more so right now, but watch out because the price will probably catch up. Be sure to do the math! Just because it's powdered doesn't guarantee that it's cheaper. The one saving factor of powdered milk is that it keeps for a long time so you won't usually waste money by having it go bad.
I don't like the taste of powdered milk so I add just a little to the container to stretch fresh milk. I sometimes rinse out the measuring cup after using it to measure milk or mix powdered milk for a recipe. Just a couple of teaspoon or so of water does it, then I pour this into the fresh milk container.
I've used water instead of milk to make scrambled eggs for a long time. Not only does it work just as well (cheaper), you get fewer calories.
Well, there are my frugal confessions for the day. Wish me luck at the grocery store!
So... grocery shopping is on my to-do list today and I'm dreading it because prices just keep going up and up and up some more.
One thing I have to buy is milk... yikes. You can bet I'm going to be using every cheap tactic I can find to keep that cost under control. To begin with, half of what I buy will be frozen right away because I don't plan on using a full half gallon before its expiration date. I could buy less, but that would cost more in the long run.
Which leads to some really cheap tricks to save milk:
When you need a cupful, use 3/4 of a cup and add 1/4 cup of water. I've yet to see it make any difference at all in a recipe, not even chowders and puddings.
When the container is empty, or almost, add a couple of tablespoons of water to it, and swish it around to get the very last out of it.
Powdered milk is usually cheaper than fresh and more so right now, but watch out because the price will probably catch up. Be sure to do the math! Just because it's powdered doesn't guarantee that it's cheaper. The one saving factor of powdered milk is that it keeps for a long time so you won't usually waste money by having it go bad.
I don't like the taste of powdered milk so I add just a little to the container to stretch fresh milk. I sometimes rinse out the measuring cup after using it to measure milk or mix powdered milk for a recipe. Just a couple of teaspoon or so of water does it, then I pour this into the fresh milk container.
I've used water instead of milk to make scrambled eggs for a long time. Not only does it work just as well (cheaper), you get fewer calories.
Well, there are my frugal confessions for the day. Wish me luck at the grocery store!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Season's blessings
It's Monday morning, the sun is shining, the tomatoes are growing, the first strawberry is almost ripe and the wild salsify is about three feet tall.
The laundry's done, dinner is planned and I'm ready for my second cup of tea.
That's what happens when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.
Frugally speaking, I wound up going to the opening day of the farmer's market Saturday. It always starts kind of small, but there was a good variety of vendors. A couple brought in food from somewhere else (the bananas were a dead giveaway), so I didn't buy from them, preferring to support local producers. There was already some very good leaf lettuce, some baby turnips and radishes, of course. Bread at $5 a loaf isn't frugal, but it sure is good.
I went with $13 in my pocket so I wouldn't overspend... did you know that a lot of vendors will take a check?
So much for that resolution.
But it was a fun way to spend an hour and I did save over grocery store prices on most things.
The laundry's done, dinner is planned and I'm ready for my second cup of tea.
That's what happens when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.
Frugally speaking, I wound up going to the opening day of the farmer's market Saturday. It always starts kind of small, but there was a good variety of vendors. A couple brought in food from somewhere else (the bananas were a dead giveaway), so I didn't buy from them, preferring to support local producers. There was already some very good leaf lettuce, some baby turnips and radishes, of course. Bread at $5 a loaf isn't frugal, but it sure is good.
I went with $13 in my pocket so I wouldn't overspend... did you know that a lot of vendors will take a check?
So much for that resolution.
But it was a fun way to spend an hour and I did save over grocery store prices on most things.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
"Frugal" Tips and Frugal Tips
I get tips from here and there almost constantly, on things meant to save money. Most of them are tips I've heard and used before, but now and then I come across a new and good idea. More often, there are "frugal" tips that aren't so frugal.
Some of the differences may have to do with shopping habits and some with other habits we develop, but some of what is frugal in one area of the country, isn't so much in another.
For instance, maybe you can save money by coating your dry feet with mashed banana and lemon juice, but a good coating of generic petroleum jelly is much cheaper for me. (And they're both just as messy!)
Another tip I received recently was to buy generic shampoo to clean floors and bathroom fixtures. That's all well and good (soap is soap is soap), but a spritz of vinegar mixed half and half with water will clean floors (unless they're really gunky), clean sinks AND make plumbing fixtures sparkle - and that's cheaper than the cheapest shampoo.
Third example: Removing oil from your face with an egg yolk and a tablespoon of mayonnaise. You're supposed to leave it on for a half hour. Witch hazel wins this one hands down, especially with the price of eggs going up along with other groceries. A little on a cotton ball or corner of a wash cloth will clean oily skin quickly and thoroughly.
So be careful about which "frugal" tips you try... you could be costing yourself money.
Some of the differences may have to do with shopping habits and some with other habits we develop, but some of what is frugal in one area of the country, isn't so much in another.
For instance, maybe you can save money by coating your dry feet with mashed banana and lemon juice, but a good coating of generic petroleum jelly is much cheaper for me. (And they're both just as messy!)
Another tip I received recently was to buy generic shampoo to clean floors and bathroom fixtures. That's all well and good (soap is soap is soap), but a spritz of vinegar mixed half and half with water will clean floors (unless they're really gunky), clean sinks AND make plumbing fixtures sparkle - and that's cheaper than the cheapest shampoo.
Third example: Removing oil from your face with an egg yolk and a tablespoon of mayonnaise. You're supposed to leave it on for a half hour. Witch hazel wins this one hands down, especially with the price of eggs going up along with other groceries. A little on a cotton ball or corner of a wash cloth will clean oily skin quickly and thoroughly.
So be careful about which "frugal" tips you try... you could be costing yourself money.
Friday, June 1, 2007
A little hail...
All I had to do was talk about hot weather and it turns cold! I'm not complaining, but the hail we had a couple of days ago caused some damage to this catalpa tree that insists on spreading through the back side of the "patio."
It was only marble size hail and not frozen too hard, so there wasn't any serious damage, but it did shred a few leaves from my baby tomato and pepper plants. It's still springtime in Colorado!
This time of year (at least this year) we wobble back and forth between turning on the heater and turning on the air conditioner, often in the same day. Temperatures can fluctuate as much as 50 degrees or more in a 24 hour period.
When it does, it's time for layered clothing that can be adjusted quickly, to avoid using either heater or air conditioner until it's really necessary. I'm quite adept at slipping in and out of sweatshirts without messing up my hair. :)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Reason #1,735,380 for not using a debt consolidation loan
People who get a debt consolidation loan wind up farther in debt: Routine Order
Besides ruining your credit and being a land mine of unethical practices, loan consolidations can get you even further in debt.
The reason? It does nothing to address the problem that got you there in the first place.
Sad fact: Most people are in debt because they choose to be.
Besides ruining your credit and being a land mine of unethical practices, loan consolidations can get you even further in debt.
The reason? It does nothing to address the problem that got you there in the first place.
Sad fact: Most people are in debt because they choose to be.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Summertime Treats
It doesn't take much warm weather before we're looking for cold treats around here.
I don't really use a recipe for popsicles, but instead, I freeze every little bit of left over juice or fruit drink in layers. Here's where an investment in popsicle freezer containers is well worth the money. That last half inch of orange juice, or the little bit of flat soft drink can be frozen in these containers, a layer at a time, until they're full. Each popsicle is then unique! (If you tend to throw out those little bits otherwise, then they're also free.)
Another summer time treat similar to a 'slushy' is made by using your blender, food processor, or ice crusher to crush ice, then make up Koolaid or a similar powdered drink mix at half strength, and pour over the ice. You can use frozen juice at half strength, too.
Those are a couple of good things about the heat. Otherwise, give me a snowstorm. :)
I don't really use a recipe for popsicles, but instead, I freeze every little bit of left over juice or fruit drink in layers. Here's where an investment in popsicle freezer containers is well worth the money. That last half inch of orange juice, or the little bit of flat soft drink can be frozen in these containers, a layer at a time, until they're full. Each popsicle is then unique! (If you tend to throw out those little bits otherwise, then they're also free.)
Another summer time treat similar to a 'slushy' is made by using your blender, food processor, or ice crusher to crush ice, then make up Koolaid or a similar powdered drink mix at half strength, and pour over the ice. You can use frozen juice at half strength, too.
Those are a couple of good things about the heat. Otherwise, give me a snowstorm. :)
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Crunch Your Gas Prices
* Bike, walk, jog... the exercise is good for you and your budget.
* Carpool when possible, even when buying groceries.
* Use public transportation whenever you can. Subways and busses go there already, so just hop on board.
* Stay home when you don't need to go anywhere.
* If someone is going 'to town' anyway, ask them to pick up whatever you need to save a trip, and do the same for them.
* Do all your errands at one time whether you drive or use public transportation.
* Keep your vehicle in top running condition.
* Don't buy higher octane (read: more expensive) gas than your car needs.
* Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
* Don't overfill the gas tank. When the pump shuts off, it's full.
* Drive gently. No roaring speed ups, no screeching halts.
* Watch your speed on the highway. 55 is still the most efficient speed for most vehicles.
* Don't let your engine sit and idle. If you're going to be in line or not moving for more than a couple of minutes, turn the engine off.
* Don't start your car ahead of time to let it warm up unless it's extremely cold.
Related posts:
Gas Prices, Again... Or, Can You Really Save Money On Gas?
Four dollars a gallon...
* Carpool when possible, even when buying groceries.
* Use public transportation whenever you can. Subways and busses go there already, so just hop on board.
* Stay home when you don't need to go anywhere.
* If someone is going 'to town' anyway, ask them to pick up whatever you need to save a trip, and do the same for them.
* Do all your errands at one time whether you drive or use public transportation.
* Keep your vehicle in top running condition.
* Don't buy higher octane (read: more expensive) gas than your car needs.
* Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
* Don't overfill the gas tank. When the pump shuts off, it's full.
* Drive gently. No roaring speed ups, no screeching halts.
* Watch your speed on the highway. 55 is still the most efficient speed for most vehicles.
* Don't let your engine sit and idle. If you're going to be in line or not moving for more than a couple of minutes, turn the engine off.
* Don't start your car ahead of time to let it warm up unless it's extremely cold.
Related posts:
Gas Prices, Again... Or, Can You Really Save Money On Gas?
Four dollars a gallon...
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Garage Sales: Expensive Hobby
'Tis the season... for garage sales! What frugalite in her right mind would pass up a good garage sale? Well... I know a few. Me, anyway. Ok, so the "right mind" is debatable, but let's not get technical.
To put your mind at ease, I do shop at garage sales, when I need something that could be found there, and when I have time to go without watching the clock.
Garage sale prices need to be pretty good to be worthwhile. It's easy to blow $20 or $30 or more and come home with no more than what we could have bought at the Dollar Store for $5.
Add up the cost of gas, the items bought that didn't fit, weren't the right color, didn't work. Add in the soft drink you treated yourself to because the day was hot.
Multiply that by how many helpers you had. Possibly you can add in the cost of a fast food meal, a newspaper, something you bought that you didn't know you needed until you saw it.
It can get expensive, can't it? Here are a few thoughts that could lower those costs:
Many newspapers are online now, with classified sections and all, so check yours. You can save the cost of a newspaper if you'd have to buy it otherwise.
To help keep the cost of gas under control, make a map of garage sales that seem likely to have what you're looking for and try to stick to the route.
Be prepared before you go by planning lunch or dinner ahead of time. Make it simple and quick.
Take ice water or tea from home. If you don't have an insulated mug, make a nest from newspaper and set it in there.
Making a list of exactly what you need to keep yourself from buying the wrong color or size or style in the excitement of the find.
Garage sales are for saving money, remember?
To put your mind at ease, I do shop at garage sales, when I need something that could be found there, and when I have time to go without watching the clock.
Garage sale prices need to be pretty good to be worthwhile. It's easy to blow $20 or $30 or more and come home with no more than what we could have bought at the Dollar Store for $5.
Add up the cost of gas, the items bought that didn't fit, weren't the right color, didn't work. Add in the soft drink you treated yourself to because the day was hot.
Multiply that by how many helpers you had. Possibly you can add in the cost of a fast food meal, a newspaper, something you bought that you didn't know you needed until you saw it.
It can get expensive, can't it? Here are a few thoughts that could lower those costs:
Many newspapers are online now, with classified sections and all, so check yours. You can save the cost of a newspaper if you'd have to buy it otherwise.
To help keep the cost of gas under control, make a map of garage sales that seem likely to have what you're looking for and try to stick to the route.
Be prepared before you go by planning lunch or dinner ahead of time. Make it simple and quick.
Take ice water or tea from home. If you don't have an insulated mug, make a nest from newspaper and set it in there.
Making a list of exactly what you need to keep yourself from buying the wrong color or size or style in the excitement of the find.
Garage sales are for saving money, remember?
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