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Living Well for Less in the San Francisco Bay Area



Frugal Living

                    
   
Considering the state of the economy and the soaring fuel and food costs, the time could not be better than now to start living a more frugal lifestyle.  For those of you who have decided to give the frugal life a chance and are wondering if you are doomed to a life of deprivation...the answer is, absolutely not!  Frugal living isn't about deprivation and sacrifice, it's about being smarter with what you have so you can afford to live the life you want to live, the life you dream of!  This article contains several valuable tips for frugal living and is divided into five sections listed below.  For more great frugal living advice be sure to check out the Frugal Living Store!

                      Part 1)  Frugal Tips for Dining Out at Restaurants
                     Part 2)  Frugal Grocery Shopping
                     Part 3)  Frugal Household Cleaning
                     Part 4)  Frugal Tips for Saving on Gasoline
                     Part 5)  Frugal Gift Giving Ideas

Part 1)  Frugal Tips for Dining Out at Restaurants:

  • Clip restaurant coupons.  Before stepping out the door, check the Sunday paper, mailers, and the restaurant's website for printable coupons to use towards the cost of the meal.  For even more substantial savings, consider purchasing an Entertainment Book.  Right now you can Get the 2008 edition for FREE when you pre-order the 2009 Entertainment Book! Each book contains incredible savings!
  • Pay with plastic.  Many credit cards offer dining rewards...take advantage of them!   Discover Card®  rewards you with a 5% cash back bonus at all your favorite restaurants!
  • Take advantage of discount nights.  "Kids Eat Free Night" and "Taco Tuesdays" can add up to substantial savings.
  • Some restaurants serve very large portions, consider sharing.  If not, take the rest home in a doggy bag and have it for lunch the next day.  Two meals for the price of one is always a good deal!
  • Forget the sodas and order a round of waters.  It's much healthier, and best of all, it's free!
  • Try ordering take-out.  It eliminates the tip which cuts 15% off your bottom line.

Part 2)  Frugal Grocery Shopping:

  • Just as a reminder, use coupons whenever you can!  Taking advantage of store specials in combination with those coupons will likely account for your most substantial grocery savings.  And don't be afraid to ask your checker questions!  Some stores accept expired coupons and allow you to combine coupons...be sure to find out what your store allows!
  • Get a coupon organizer so you stay organized and keep your coupons accessible.
  • Always go grocery shopping on a full stomach.  Impulse buying can really hurt your bottom line!
  • Stock up on lunch items and join the Brown Bagger's Club at work or school.  Your grocery bill might increase, but your overall bottom line always benefits when you avoid restaurants.  (I love going to restaurants, but I save that for a special occasions!)
  • If you find a great deal on an item and it's non-perishable, stock up! 
  • Avoid purchasing already prepared items and non-grocery items at the grocery store.  They are usually much more expensive.
  • Not everyone likes this tip, but here it goes anyways:  if you are really serious about saving money you will buy powdered instead of  regular milk.  If your family doesn't like powdered milk, try tricking them:  buy a gallon of regular milk and when it's about half way gone fill it back up with the powdered version and stir.  They'll never know the difference.  Another undetectable trick: use powdered milk in recipes that call for milk.

Part 3)  Frugal Household Cleaning:

  • Avoid expensive cleaning products.  Buy empty spray bottles from the 99 cent Store or Dollar and make your own. 
  • Take an empty spray bottle and fill it with part water and part ammonia.  This is a great glass cleaner you can use on windows, counter tops and floors.
  • Take an empty spray bottle and fill it with a mixture of water and bleach.  This one is great for removing mildew from showers and bathtubs.
  • Take an empty spray bottle and fill it with part water, part vinegar.  This one can be used as an all-purpose cleaner to clean the refrigerator, stove top, floors, sinks and remove soap scum.  It smells like Italian dressing, but the odor disappears when everything it dries.
  • Washing your clothes in cold water and keeping the clean ones out of the hamper will help them last longer.
  • Make your own rags from items not worthy of donating to charity (stained or torn) and use them for cleaning instead of paper towels.
  • Clean things up sooner rather than later.  Generally, spills and stains are much easier to attack when you get to them right away.
  • Clean from the top down.  If you try to fight gravity, you'll always loose! 

Part 4)  Frugal Tips for Saving on Gasoline:

  • Before leaving the house, check GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch.com to find the lowest priced gas in your area.
  • When you combine errands you maximize your time on the road.  That means if your dry cleaners, nail salon, and grocery store are all in the same vicinity, take care of all three in one trip instead of going back and forth on different days.
  • Get a gas rewards card.  Carrying the right credit card can earn you rebates on gas purchases.  For substantial savings Apply for the Discover® Open Road Card today!
  • Keep you car maintained.  Proper tire pressure is important for fuel economy.  Also, proper maintenance of air filters, spark plugs, and fluid levels is best for your car and, therefore, your wallet.
  • Carpool when you can.  Whether it's to the office, picking kids up from school or riding along with a friend to run errands, every bit counts!

Part 5)  Frugal Gift Giving Ideas:

  • Consider making purchases online.  Given that when you buy merchandise out of state there is no sales tax and with many sites offering free shipping, shopping online can equal big savings. 
  • A coffee mug with a special message is a sentimental, but inexpensive gift (if you want to give a bit more, you can always add a package of coffee beans). 
  • Parents, placing your child's artwork in a frame makes for a one-of-a-kind gift a family member will treasure.
  • Give a framed, sentimental photograph (many discounters like Tuesday Morning, Michaels, and Big Lots have lovely frames that won't break the bank).
  • A decorative basket (can be purchased at Big Lots) filled with inexpensive knick knacks from the 99 cent Store makes for an outstanding gift. 
  • A memory book designed by you is another one-of-a-kind treasure.
  • A decorative container holding the recipient's favorite candy or homemade cookies is also a thoughtful (and delicious!) gift.
  • If you are shopping for frugal friends consider buying them an Entertainment Book.  They'll love the savings and you'll love the low price (Get the 2008 book for only $9.99!)!

 

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