Frugal Living (part 1): Live Better on Less and Save $1000's Now!

Frugal Living (part 1): Live Better on Less and Save 00's Now!

Mention 'frugal living' to someone and they may well automatically think of misery and deprivation. How wrong they are! Frugal living is a choice many people make for a number of unique reasons but ultimately leads to a way of 'living better for less'. This article will guide you through those first steps to start spending less!

We are bombarded daily with media images of how we should be buying this, wearing that and driving the other to fit into a category that most people think is 'normal'. There is an awful lot of pressure, especially for parents with children, to conform to this 'norm' and buy those expensive trainers or feed our children with the latest brightly packaged 'c-rap'. Before long you'll be getting by with 'a little help from your friends' (the little plastic friend that fits conveniently in your pocket and lets you borrow as much as you want as long as you pay it back with interest!) on a regular basis just to fund your 'normal' life. But this is just one of the reasons why we may decide to live more frugally.

Below you will find some of the main reasons that people will try and live more 'better for less'...

Financial crisis...you maybe finding it hard to make ends meet or your income has suddenly been reduced.

Saving for something special...perhaps you would like to visit your brother in Australia or want to take the family on holiday without having to pay for it with credit cards.

You are annoyed with force fed media rubbish telling us to spend...without realising it, we are constantly bombarded with media hype to buy the latest clothes, gadgets, cars and processed foods for our kids and ourselves. You are fed up with it!

You are trying to get rid of credit card/ loan debt and start to put money by...you want to improve your financial situation as you hate being being held accountable to finance companies.

Health & Diet...you start introducing good, healthy nutritious food into the families diet and dispense with expensive, unhealthy, processed foods. You'll begin to feel better, loose weight and find more money in your pocket!

Work...you may work long hours and want to spend more time with your family. Perhaps you are in the situation where both parents have to work long hours, have to rely on a lot of childcare and desperately wish you weren't working everyday to be with them more. This can be achieved !

Start off by making small changes

So you want to make some fundamental changes but where do you start? You will find that as you journey along the 'Frugal Super Highway' that it will be the lots of little and seemingly insignificant changes you make that will add up and save you £ 's and $'s. There are so many ways of saving money that may, to others, be 'no great shakes' but by the end of the year you will be astounded what you have saved. Some of these suggestions may seem silly or even ludicrous but just give them a go and you won't think them so daft at the end of the year when you've saved a whole lot of dosh!

Here is an example...

Get rid of quick meals and processed foods and cook from scratch.....save £100 + every month!...Where do I start! Take an average family of two adults and two children. The kids start the day with brand name breakfast cereals, have school lunches, have sweets after school, have a burger when they get home and then some biscuits at bed time. The adults eat the cereals too, mum takes a ready meal to work that you can pop in the micro-wave and Dad buys his sandwiches and drinks from the machine.

Make these simple changes and you'll save £'s and be healthier!

Get rid of brand name breakfast cereals. Buy larger packs of shops own and try and go for healthier options such as porridge, wheatabix or branflakes.....£10 saved per month!
Send the children to school with packed lunches instead of having school meals. A healthy lunch box can be put together for less than 50p per child. A wholemeal bread sandwich, drink of squash and a piece of fruit will do fine......£40 saved per month!
Same for the adults. Whats wrong with bringing sandwiches to work or a homemade pasta salad? Mr X's lunch and drinks cost him £3 daily and Mrs X's micro-wave meal is £2. Homemade sandwiches will only cost about 50p and a pasta salad or some leftovers to heat up even less!!.......£80 saved per month!
Why not cut down on sweets, crisps and biscuits for the children. Better still why not cut them out all together during the week and just allow some at weekends? May sound harsh but its not really.....you are doing them a favour! Kids are always starving when they come in from school so why not have a plateful of healthy snacks they can nibble on to stop them moaning!!!! That will keep them quiet while you prepare a frugal meal from scratch or you pull a frugal meal out of the freezer that you made in bulk last week......£40 saved per month

This example is just the 'tip of the iceberg'. There are so many things that can be changed and literally £1000,s of pounds which can be saved every year.

Good Luck!

More ways to save in part 2!

Frugal Living - Frugal Living (part 1): Live Better on Less and Save 00's Now!

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The Joy of Being Frugal

The Joy of Being Frugal

These are the items that the frugal consumer embraces in a big way. The reason is that joy, laughter, humor, and nature are the forefront of the wonderful side of the human experience. Price tag items are not where joy comes from. You can get as much or more joy from bargain hunting than from lavishly spending. Buying everything is sight does not supply you with any more appreciation of the items than the bargain hunter gets from the achievement of buying on their terms. The bargain hunter takes pride in their ability to fulfill their needs in a more economical way.

This may be one of the reason celebrities, politicians, and many public figures are caught doing this. It is after all the hunt that human beings enjoy as much as the acquiring of the possession. Remember, this is just a game that test skills as much as any other adaptive ability. To walk in and pay full retail is not a challenge; however earning the money to do so is the challenge.

The value of any item is never in the price tag. When people buy big priced items it is because it has intrinsic value. It can show people how valuable or how smart they are. Sometimes, it is their way of showing achievement. There are times the possession makes for a better life. That would be true of a nice home in a safe neighborhood. Anytime it is just for status than life's direction is lost.

Priceless items are ones that you can not replace for any amount. There is no price on appreciation, love, and laughter. When you know who you are, and what talents you already possess than you know what your really own. When you bargain hunt, it is the hunt and not always the item, which brings a feeling of accomplishment. It is skilled based and teachable, as we see by advice articles on how to save in this economy.

When people think of the term frugal it is sometimes mistakenly though in a negative light. Cheapness does not mean frugal. Frugal means savings and caution on how you use your resources. It means that things have value and that sometimes it is found in conserving rather than squandering the supply. Frugal people understand the intrinsic value of generosity, and being frugal is a way to conserve so everyone has something left. Cheapness does not understand the value and just wants to save no matter the cost. It often resembles greed because the underlying drive is not to eliminate wastefulness, but to acquire more at any cost.

Frugality can help save the planet while cheapness can cost the planet. When you are frugal you recycle and get joy at your inventiveness. You really are not trying to gather more but use less. Cheap wants to acquire as much as it can for little or nothing. The difference is more than subtle. In frugal, items are priceless in their value, so conservation is one of the goals.

Frugal Living - The Joy of Being Frugal

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Adapting Frugal Living to Fit Your Lifestyle

Adapting Frugal Living to Fit Your Lifestyle

There is a lot of advice out there on how to live a frugal life. You can go from anything as simple as turning off the lights when you leave a room to grinding your own flour. There are forums out there where people discuss the way they use the rainwater they collect to do everything from watering plants to flushing their lavatories.

How frugal you are depends on your lifestyle. In my opinion, all it takes to be considered frugal is to think before you purchase something. You can simply turn down the heat at night and save a little on your utilities to be frugal. You can shop sales. You take the time to ask yourself if you really need something.

Being frugal isn't about washing out Ziplock baggies and reusing them. It isn't about grinding your own wheat or collecting rainwater. It isn't even about that sweater you didn't buy. It is about thinking before you spend. It is about conserving what you have. It is about saving money and managing your finances.

And every household has different finances. We all have different goals. It may not look frugal to you for my family to have a ,000 pick-up truck. But when we need it to haul cattle to and from market, it becomes a necessity. We make up for it in other ways. We buy our cattle feed in bulk in order to save money. We take care of what we have so that it lasts longer.

The point is that every household has to look at their own situation and then decide where they can - or need to - become more frugal. Frugal living doesn't mean doing without. It doesn't mean that you don't have what you need. In fact, it means the opposite.

Frugal shoppers are careful. They take care of their money and make the most of it. Many frugal shoppers actually have everything they want and the satisfaction that it doesn't hurt them financially. They spend time to make wise decisions. They learn how to make their dollars really work for them, instead of against them. They have more for less money.

Frugal living is about reducing what you spend, living within your means, using what you have and taking care of your belongings, including your money. It is about making goals and working to reach them. Which would you rather be: the person who decides when and where to spend his money or the person whose money is spent before he makes it?

Take the time to look at how you spend. Your spending is more important than your income. You can make 0,000, but if you spend 0,000, you are in trouble. It will eventually catch up with you. You have to spend less than you make, and that is what being frugal is about. Living with what you have. It is easier to spend less than it is to make more. It is easier to be frugal than to juggle credit cards and lenders. Find the frugal methods that work for your family and start saving today.

Frugal Living - Adapting Frugal Living to Fit Your Lifestyle

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Frugal Living Tips - A Beginner's Guide to a Simple Lifestyle

Frugal Living Tips - A Beginner's Guide to a Simple Lifestyle

More and more people are looking for a beginner's guide to frugal living as they face tough economic conditions, or from their desire to have a more positive personal impact on our planet. For those just starting out, learning to live a simple lifestyle may prove challenging. It may be rough going at first, but eventually you will get the hang of it.

Frugal doesn't necessarily mean cheap - at least not the way it was thought of years ago. It simply means living within one's means and not going overboard.  It is about setting a personal gauge as to when enough is enough and using this as a benchmark or foundation from which to make decisions.

Living a frugal life allows you to save money for important things such as a child's college education, or health care, or getting through hard times. 

Being frugal offers a valuable lesson to children by showing them that one can live a modest lifestyle and still come out ahead. It teaches children the value of a dollar and, by witnessing how mom and dad conduct the financial area of their lives, sets an example that the children will utilize in their adult years.

Sometimes it's the lessons of the past that come back to remind us of just how lucky we are. Our parents made purchases with cash only, rarely had debt, and certainly never used credit cards. If you think back to your childhood, you can probably remember instances where your parents didn't buy anything unless they could afford it.

It seems we have come full circle. As adults and parents, we too are finding alternative ways to save money. You can label it any word you desire, but the bottom line is that family is important. We will do whatever we can to make our loved ones comfortable. We will feed them, clothe them, and keep them healthy and happy. That's all that matters.

When frugal living tips are applied to your life as part of an overall plan, tremendous growth and change is possible. Frugality combined with sound personal finance basics and personal growth principles can propel your life forward and help you achieve financial independence. More and more people are choosing to adopt a frugal lifestyle more in harmony with their personal values and as part of living a more balanced life.

Frugal Living - Frugal Living Tips - A Beginner's Guide to a Simple Lifestyle

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Park Model Mobile Homes - Don't Overlook This Fun, Frugal Way to Retire

Park Model Mobile Homes - Don't Overlook This Fun, Frugal Way to Retire

Park Model Mobile Homes provide an option for retirement many have not considered. For some they evoke visions of trailer parks and a low class style of living.

Nothing could be further from the truth. It is 2009; the economy is in the tank, causing many to rethink retirement.

Take a look at park model mobile homes. It is a great way of retirement enjoyed by many. In no way is it a substandard way of living.

I live in the Phoenix area; last November 2 good friends from Oregon purchased a used park model in Mesa, Arizona to escape their cold winters.

They researched parks thoroughly. They visited over 30 parks ranging from 200 units to over 2,000. There is that much to choose from.

Are you thinking shuffleboard as the primary means for entertainment? Think again...the park they chose has over 50 clubs and interest groups to choose from. Full wood shop, stained glass room, library, 2 pools, 2 jacuzzis, pickle ball, etc.

It is secure, gated, with a guard shack staffed at night. It is a very comfortable place to live.

My friends have a beautiful custom home set on 5 acres in central Oregon. The park model they chose was used and cost ,000. With a new flooring system, fresh paint, they have a perfectly comfortable "snow bird home in the desert".

You can find used units starting at ,000. New units can cost ,000 and up. It's location, location, location.

My friends certainly don't feel like they cut any corners to enjoy the great Arizona winter weather. You too can enjoy this frugal lifestyle that park model mobile homes make possible.

They pay a monthly homeowner's fee of 0 that is due year round. This covers the security, park up keep, staff and lease (includes taxes) for the pad the unit sits upon.

Some of their neighbors have a park model "back home" that they live at in the summer. That is the cheapest way I can think of to retire and have 2 homes, one for each season.

So if you are looking at your brokerage statement with despair, there is hope. Take a good look at park model mobile homes as a way to still go ahead and enjoy your retirement. It sure beats working.

Frugal Living - Park Model Mobile Homes - Don't Overlook This Fun, Frugal Way to Retire

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Frugal Family Fun - 10 Ideas for a Family Fun Night

Frugal Family Fun - 10 Ideas for a Family Fun Night

The average cost for a family of four to go to the movies and enjoy popcorn is .

If you want to take your family to a sporting event, plan on shelling out at least 0.

A concert...forget it!

Give your wallet a break this weekend, and enjoy frugal family fun!

10 Ideas for a Family Fun Night


Pizza Taste Test and a Movie - Buy an assortment of frozen pizzas and have a taste test for dinner while you enjoy a movie. The added bonus is that after a few weeks of taste testing pizzas, you'll know which frozen pizza is your favorite! Think of all the possibilities beyond pizza taste tests!

Sundaes on Saturday - Start a tradition of serving ice cream sundaes on Saturday, complete with all the fun and festive toppings!

Minute to Win It - Host your own Minute to Win It event. The silly challenges use everyday household items, and the possibilities are endless!

High School Football Games or High School Musicals - If you're not taking advantage of the cheap entertainment at your local high school, this is a great week to start! You'll be pleasantly surprised by the reasonable ticket prices for both sporting events and theatrical productions. We've seen amazing high school productions of Godspell, Grease and High School Musical.

Family Videos - Pull out the old family videos for some FREE entertainment! My teenagers always get a laugh out of watching themselves as crazy toddlers!

Cooking School - Stop watching Food Network and start cooking! Your kids will love learning to cook and eating their creations. Add to the fun by letting them choose the recipes.

Take a Hike - Pack a picnic and take a hike on a nearby nature trail. When our children were little, they loved going to Skidaway Island State Park and walking on the trail with bridges, marsh, fiddler crabs and even a tall tower where we enjoyed our picnic! Go exploring and save money.

Backyard Campout - Pitch a tent, tell ghost stories, play flashlight tag, catch fireflies and cook s'mores on your grill.

Game Night - Put a twist on family game night by making it a regular event. The winner gets to choose next week's game and dinner menu.

Bike Ride - Doesn't a family bike ride sound like fun? You could even stop for ice cream along the way!

There you have it, 10 ideas for frugal family fun! What will your family be doing this weekend?

Frugal Living - Frugal Family Fun - 10 Ideas for a Family Fun Night

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3 Steps to Thrifty Gift Giving - 3 Ideas For Frugal Christmas Gifts

3 Steps to Thrifty Gift Giving - 3 Ideas For Frugal Christmas Gifts

There's no doubt we spend a lot of money at Christmas time. Times may be tough and your budget may be stretched to the limit, but, there are ways to come up with frugal Christmas gift ideas without looking like a scrooge. Here are three ideas to get you on your way to thrifty gift giver.

1. Incline Toward The Spontaneous or Bizarre.

You can become tired of giving the same old expected gifts and getting the same old predictable response. It may be time to get resourceful and begin thinking outside the gift box.

Buying land on Venus, Mars or the moon goes into the bizarre but it's being done. You get a deed to your land with a map and location. Stars are also being named for both adults and children. A certificate is provided with the star coordinates. Several extraterrestrial real estate companies can be found on line and in big city newspapers.

2. Make A Homemade Gift Basket

Sure you can buy gift baskets from a professional but wouldn't a basket fashioned personally by you send a more meaningful message? Not to mention it's a lot cheaper and more fun. Homemade foods from your kitchen for example are the perfect gifts for your basket.

Choose a theme based on their interests, hobbies or an upcoming event in their life.

Wicker baskets are probably the first choice to use because they're easy to work with and can be found inexpensively at dollar stores and even yard sales. Other containers work as well such as plastic pails (best for kids), coffee mugs, flower pots, and if the person you're giving to happens to enjoy cooking, use a baking pan or bowl or even a colander.

Place your main theme gift in the center or high enough that the eye is drawn to it. Additional gift items go around the sides and then add filler material such as colored paper or straw available at hobby stores. If you have a paper shredder and colored paper make the filler yourself and save. Remember, an overflowing basket looks better than one that's sparsely filled.

Set your basket inside a cellophane bag and tie a bow with colored streamers flowing down. Attach a card and you're good to go. If you need to secure items inside the basket to keep them from flopping around, clear tape works well - or use a glue gun. Be neat with your work, not sloppy.

3. Personalized homemade gifts are some of the best.

These depend somewhat on your particular talent but others can be made with just a little creativity and imagination. Ideas could range from something you've sewn or knitted such as scarves or sweaters. Handcrafted jewelry or wood art would be a special gift of your talent.

Frame a picture of your family or the recipient. Frames aren't that hard to make or buy an inexpensive frame and personalize it with your own handiwork by adding shells, brass corners or names. A personalized gift with someone's name is always appreciated. Calendars can also be made from photos taken throughout the year.

Food dishes you've cooked yourself are wonderful gifts. Prepare whatever is your specialty such as jellies, breads, candies or cookies. Make it personal with a label that says "From the Kitchen of..." Decorate it with a colorful bow or ribbon and include the recipe.

Plants you grow yourself can be an inexpensive yet thoughtful gift and a magazine subscription keeps giving every month. Coming up with frugal Christmas gift ideas isn't hard with a little imagination and impulse.

Frugal Living - 3 Steps to Thrifty Gift Giving - 3 Ideas For Frugal Christmas Gifts

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The Psychology of Frugal Living: Am I Ready?

The Psychology of Frugal Living: Am I Ready?

Economic reports for the future predict more tough times. Tightening your belt and learning to live frugally are more important than ever, but are you psychologically ready for a truly frugal retirement?

One of the first things that you will need to do to live frugally is prepare yourself psychologically. Ask yourself if you are really ready to change your lifestyle. Are you willing to commit to a whole new way of living? A change in lifestyle doesn't always come easily, but working through some of the psychological issues will definitely go a long way to ensuring your success. Let's take a long look at what you want to accomplish.

Your first priority is to get rational - define your goals. Is your goal to trim your budget by some set amount or are you completely revamping your lifestyle? Do you have a set amount in mind to save? It's important to think rationally rather than emotionally when you need to plan this type of change. Factors like, sudden unemployment or a catastrophic drop in your retirement fund just before you retire will require much greater changes than just trying to shave a couple of hundred dollars off your monthly expenses because you are saving up for large purchase. Firming up your goals will help you gain a sense of mastery and control over your plans and increase the likelihood of your success.

Another factor to consider when defining your goals is the time frame for your lifestyle change. Are you gearing up for a drop in income because you know you are retiring in two years so you have the time to slowly shape your behavior towards a frugal retirement? If you just got a notice of a forced early retirement next month, then you're looking at a need to make sudden radical changes. Long slow changes can be much easier to accept psychologically, than sudden radical changes. Knowing this should help spur you to make the changes now, rather than wait until catastrophe strikes because small changes are easier to make into new habits.

Second - overcome your pre-conceived notions. Are you picturing yourself darning socks by candlelight under a mountain of blankets because you've decided to be so frugal that you don't pay for heat or light anymore? Many people get stalled because they actually fear what it means to be frugal. There are ways though to be frugal without feeling like you have become miserly. You do not have to become miserly and cheap in order to be frugal. Think of frugal as being more economical - less wasteful and you will feel less put upon while adopting your new frugal lifestyle.

A frugal retirement isn't as difficult as you may imagine. Careful planning and discarding of pre-conceived ideas will help get you on the road to living frugally.

Frugal Living - The Psychology of Frugal Living: Am I Ready?

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Frugal Lifestyle Tips For Cheaper Living

Frugal Lifestyle Tips For Cheaper Living

A few years ago you may have been hard pressed to think of some ideas to share with other people your ideas on how to save money and live a shall we say more frugal lifestyle, I know I would have. After a few years of a down economy and watching friends loose their jobs and homes loose their value it has become a life mission of a lot of people to find cheaper ways of living. So in the interest of sharing some money saving ideas perhaps you can get some information out of this article and find a way to pass it on to the next person because I think we can all benefit from living a more frugal lifestyle.

Let's start with the food you eat both at home and at restaurants. There are plenty of creative ways to save money when it comes to grocery shopping from coupons to buying the generic brand instead of the name brand. It is the same stuff you know, you do know that don't you? Anyway how about shopping with a lists? I wonder how many of us actually make a list to go grocery shopping or perhaps even a better question is how many of you out there stick to what is on the list? Another good money saver when it comes to your home food bill is spending a little money on an extra freezer. That way when meats, breads and vegetables go on sale you can put them in the deep freeze and stock up on those everyday items when they cost less. Sure it is a bit of money out of your wallet to purchase the freezer but in the long run it will save you lots of money on your groceries.

Families that eat out can spend a lot of money this is no news flash to all those families out there. However I do wonder how many of those families that are still eating out on a regular basis are taking advantage of those local restaurants that offer those "kids eat free nights" which by the way most popular food chain restaurants now offer. Those nights are usually on their slow nights and are their way to drum up some extra business so if you are a family why not take advantage of those kids eat free nights. Also for those couples out there that like to eat out but prefer to keep their budget in check why not go with a salad and some appetizers as your meal instead of a full course. Most appetizers today are usually full meal size now a days anyway plus it will help keep off some extra pounds.

Now how about saving some money on the good old gas for the car bill? This is a tip that I had heard about last year but I did not put much stock into it until I tested out the theory and noticed a difference. During those hot summer days it is best to fill up your tank either in the cool of morning or the evening hours instead of the peak of heat middle of the day. Reason being the heat expands the gas which then takes up more space in your gas tank which in turn means you are getting less gas for your money.

Frugal Living - Frugal Lifestyle Tips For Cheaper Living

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Frugal Living Tips - Ways To Live Cheaper

Frugal Living Tips - Ways To Live Cheaper

Learn to save some of your hard earned cash with these frugal living tips. You do not have to use them all but picking even one will save you some money!

Bills- Do we need everything we pay for?

Do we need every movie channel that our cable or satellite company provides? Do we pay for five movies at a time from Netflix when we only watch three? Are we getting the best deal on auto or home insurance that we can? Do we really need such a large home or three cars?

It is important to evaluate every bill you pay and make sure you really need it. Can you cut your cable bill in half? Call around and get estimates on auto and home insurance to see if you could save some cash. If only two of you drive in the household do you really need three cars? Can you get by on one?

Ask yourself these questions and more to figure out what you really need and not what just makes you feel better.

Buy used and sell used

Don't throw away that lamp you don't like. Try and sell it on ebay or craigslist, and if that doesn't work then donate it to a charitable organization like the Salvation Army or Goodwill or your local church.

Instead of running to the showroom floor when you need new furniture or home decor scour the flea markets and garage sales instead. Not only may you find an expensive sofa for half the price of new and only six months old but you are also saving an item from ending up in a landfill!

Pay it off!

Plan a budget and stick to it. You will feel better than you can ever imagine when you have no credit card debt. And when you pay off that credit card debt you can move on to bigger things. What if you have not auto debt or home debt anymore? How much stress would that reduce in your life?

Pay off the smallest bills first then use that money to pay off larger debt and so on (while making your minimum monthly payments) and see how fast you can pay off what you owe!

The best feeling in the world comes from buying a big ticket item for cash and knowing you will not have to pay anyone interest.

Go meatless!

Another of the easiest frugal living tips is to cut meat out of your diet for at least one meal a week. While this may sound like it is not that fun, especially for the meat and potato group, you may be surprised at the meatless meals you can come up with!

Some excellent meal ideas for eating meatless are beans and cornbread, baked potato dinner, cheese quesadillas, or vegetable soup. Think about the meals your family enjoys and you may be surprised to find more than one meatless meal in your recipe file already!

Remember, as Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned!"

Frugal Living - Frugal Living Tips - Ways To Live Cheaper

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Gardening--Fun and Frugal!

Gardening--Fun and Frugal!

Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb gardener or just like to have a pretty yard, these frugal tips may help you save a little money!

1. Stale coffee and coffee grounds make great organic fertilizer. They provide many trace minerals and low, gentle levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.

2. Remember that a good soaking of water less often is better than a light sprinkling every day -- for veggies and for your lawn.

3. If your neighbor has a plant you particularly like, ask for a cutting, instead of going to the nursery and buying one. Maybe you could trade a cutting from one of your own plants.

4. To easily water a tomato plant, bury a bottomless coffee can next to the plant and pour the water into the can. This allows the water to go straight to the roots.

5. Plant marigolds in your vegetable garden. They will attract insects that eat aphids and other pests.

6. My husband bought some used carpet at a garage sale, cut it into wide strips and laid it down between the rows in our garden. Now we can pick peas with getting our shoes muddy.

7. Use grass clippings as mulch around your vegetable plants to keep moisture in and weeds out. Just don't use the clippings right after you have fertilized your grass or treated for weed control.

8. If you have access to them, pine needles make excellent mulch.

9. A natural, frugal garden pest spray: mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil. Use 3 tablespoons of this mixture to 1 quart of water and spray on plants.

10. In the herb garden, to keep plants like mint from taking over too big an area, put it in a clay pot and simply plant the whole pot!

"He who plants a garden, plants happiness."

Frugal Living - Gardening--Fun and Frugal!

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Frugal Retirement - The Most Frugal Retirement is Overseas and it is Safe As Well

Frugal Retirement - The Most Frugal Retirement is Overseas and it is Safe As Well

Frugal retirement is easy to obtain for an American if he or she goes overseas. Why? It simply costs less to live in certain countries, Mexico especially. One million Americans have retired to Mexico, this makes Mexico having by far the largest concentration of US retirees.

The low cost of living is the main attractor. 00 to 00 a month will yield a standard of living in Mexico not attainable in the US. Ladies that figure also covers domestic help...retire to Mexico; you may have washed your last window.

Folks who have chosen to retire overseas have overcome some common objections to living overseas. One of the most common objections is that it is not safe, but statistics show otherwise. In fact, you are three times more likely to be a victim of violent crime in the US compared to Mexico.

There is on caveat...border towns. These are not retirement havens and they do have a fair bit of crime due to the efforts of smugglers importing drugs into the US. Once you get into the interior of Mexico it is like stepping back in time...or the US like it was 30 to 40 years ago.

The Mexican people are very family oriented and the pace of life is much slower here than in the US. Lingering over a meal, visiting with good friends is how the locals spend their quality time. You will too as a retiree.

You will find young women walking to the town square at sunset without fear in the towns most attractive to US retirees. You did not lock the door of your apartment...not to worry your neighbors doors are unlocked as well.

Mexico is not the only country south of the border that offers frugal retirement living. Ecuador, Panama and many others offer cheap living for retirees.

If your fear of personal safety is holding you back from exploring retiring overseas...think again. One million of your compatriots have discovered the benefits of spending less and being secure in their foreign and frugal retirement in Mexico. You can too.

Frugal Living - Frugal Retirement - The Most Frugal Retirement is Overseas and it is Safe As Well

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Frugal Living - Some Tips and Ideas on How and Where to Save

Frugal Living - Some Tips and Ideas on How and Where to Save

Frugal living shares tips and ideas that will hopefully help you run a more efficient household, and minimize on unnecessary waste. My mum always used to say, "Waste not, want not", and I think with the way the economy is going at the moment, this is as true today as it was in the past. Frugality is about changing your lifestyle, because if you do not change how you live, you will not save anything. We really need to tighten our belts and save where we can. It really is not that difficult, but you need to know the difference between living frugally and being a 'cheapskate', and a miser. That is not what I want to propose, because at the end of the day we need to enjoy life too. What we can do, however, is to be careful with resources and learn how not to waste. We are a consumer driven society and puppets of the advertising corporations telling us what we should be buying next. In order to be frugal one has to look at what one wants and what one needs, and to know the difference. In the end it becomes fun and challenging to see how clever you are at frugal living and creative in being able to save money. So here are some frugal tips for you:

FRUGAL TIPS FOR THE GARDEN:

Frugal Living and making your Own Compost

The most obvious saving for gardeners and homesteaders alike, is of course your household waste from your egg shells, vegetable scraps, newspaper and the like. Here is an ideal opportunity to be frugal make your own garden compost using what you have used in a recycling process that goes back to nourishing nature using nature. You can make compost in just 4 months with very little fuss at all. If you are interested in this area, I have written an article on this subject that is also with EzineArticles.

Frugal Living and Growing your Own

Another frugal tip is growing your own plants from seeds, which is a lot of fun, and very much cheaper than buying instant plants and vegetables for your garden. Growing these, especially herbs and cress in a decorative container can be a lovely cheap gift for friends and family. Growing sprouts is a great past time for children and as they have grown them, they will be more eager to eat them in their salads and sandwiches. And you do not always have to buy seed from seed suppliers. The next time you have a great tasting tomatoes take one and dry it out and save the seed. Save seeds from rock melons, papayas, green peppers etc. and plant them out when the season it right. As long as they are kept in an air-tight container after thoroughly being dried out, they will be fine.

Growing your own therefore also refers to growing your own vegetables. You can be totally self-sufficient on an acre of ground. And if you live in an apartment, grow vegetables and herbs on your windowsill, or create a container garden. If you have a rooftop, create a container garden there. If you live in the UK owning an allotment of about 150 - 200 sqm is a way of life for many, and allotments are cheap enough to secure from the council and the land will allow you to grow your vegetables, fruit and herbs on ground that you did not have before. By growing your own, suddenly frugal living also becomes a healthier alternative lifestyle. You will eat better and get more exercise!

Frugal Living and Using Vinegar as a Herbicide, Insecticide and Pesticide

What about a natural herbicide and pesticide, that costs next to nothing? Do you have a rabbit problem, or too many slugs and snails eating your lettuce? Or are you being invaded by ants? Or perhaps you have grass growing in between those pavers and your really don't want to use Roundup or something similar. Well have you thought about using vinegar? Using vinegar is a great frugal tip as you will be amazed just how many uses it has, and we all know how cheap it is, therefore a far cheaper method to use, and eco-friendly too. The full article is again with Ezine Articles on this subject.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR SHOPPING:

Frugal Living and Buying Bulk when you Can

Saving money starts in the kitchen and when you go shopping. Buy bulk where you can, and make sure that when you get home you divide this bulk buying into smaller packages and make sure that you have proper storage. Buying bulk meat for example is great if you have a big chest deep-freeze. Buying a whole lamb at your butchers and a hind-quarter may be expensive when you first buy it, but it will be a lot cheaper for you in the long run. If your butcher is any good, not only will he cut it and pack it according to the numbers of family members for portions, but he will also label it for you too, so that you do not end up with 'mystery meat'. However, too much red is not good for you, so your meat meals should be interchanged with fish, chicken and a meatless dish once a week. In that way, your meat will last longer and your health will be better for it.

Frugal Living and Cooking and Baking it Yourself

As a working mum myself, I know that it is a struggle to find things to feed the family. But do a reality check the next time you shop. Are you buying tv dinners and pre-cooked meals or do you make your own from scratch? Do you buy packets of biscuits or do you make your own? Do you buy shredded vegetables and pre-made up salads? Buying convenience food like this, all comes with a price. If you are serious about saving money, make your own meals, biscuits and buy a cheap food processor to slice and dice those onions etc. I am a lazy cook, and if you have a look at my recipes, you will find a lot of quick and easy recipes for all occasions that you will knock up in a jiffy.

And it not just the pre-prepared meals but what you are throwing in your trolley that you should be looking at. How many bags of crisps, fizzy drinks, chocolates, sweets and other rubbish is going into the trolley that will send any child who is borderline ADD& H totally off into swinging from the light bulbs and hanging from the fans. The diet that you have your children on affects them, and buy buying loads of fruit and vegetables and staying away from foods packed with preservatives, tartrazine and other horrible beasties will not only be cheaper on the pocket, but you will notice a considerable improvement in your children's behaviour if they do suffer from ADD & H. So avoid impulsive shopping, buy only what you need, creating a list is good for this if you find you are undisciplined, and check and compare brand prices. Normally shop fitters place the more expensive grocery brands at eye-level. The cheaper brands are on the lower shelved. Look there first.

Frugal Living by visiting Farmers' Markets & Farm Shops

Farmers' Markets and Farm Shops are great places to visit for your cheap fruit and vegetables. You know that you will be getting quality produce at a fraction of the cost and because its fresh it will last longer in your fridge if it is stored correctly. Farmers' Markets are also places to ferret around for those little arts and crafts, jams and preserves that make cheap but attractive gifts for later on.

Frugal Living regarding Eating Out & Take Outs

This brings me to another related issue, eating out. It's fun to eat out, and we all love doing it, but how much money are you throwing away? Going out to clubs, bars, restaurants and take-aways on a regular basis all costs money. Frugal living does not have space for excessive eating out. You should limit these outings to once a month. By doing this, not only will you save, but you will actually appreciate times you do go out more, rather than taking them for granted.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR THE HOUSE:

Frugal Living and Cleaning your Kitchen with Vinegar

So, I'm back to vinegar again, and before you think I have a total fixation, I do not, but really it is a great little substitute as a cheap cleaning product and a must-have if you want to be frugal because it has so many good uses. Half a cup of vinegar added to your soapy dishwater will cut through the greasy pots and dishes, saving you on the amount of soap you would have needed. 2 teaspoons of vinegar added to your dishwashing cycle, instead of Rinse Aid and the like, will do the job just as well. Looking to clean those mirrors and windows in your house? Mix one half teaspoon of liquid soap, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups of water. Keep in a spray container and start cleaning those windows! And by the way, you do not need expensive cleaning cloths for cleaning windows and mirrors. Scrunch up some newspaper and use that, it gives a far better result. Finally if you have a clogged drain, take a quarter of a cup of baking soda and pour it into your drain. Follow that up with a half cup of vinegar. Let it fizz and then follow through with boiling water. It should do the trick.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR GIFTS:

Frugal Living: Card and Gifts

We all know how expensive Xmas time is and those family birthdays can be a killer. Commercial cards are exorbitant and at the end of the day will probably end up in the bin. Have you thought about making your own? For a fraction of the price you can download free software that allows you to create your own card that can be personalized for the occasion. And will be far more meaningful. Secondly, if you are good with your hands, create a card using dried grasses and pressed flowers glued onto card. Thirdly, if you like creating cross-stitch pictures, make a small sampler, paste it into a card border and write your message in your card. I have had several of these given to me, and have ended up framed and on display, rather than in the bin, where the commercial card would have gone.

So if you have made the card, what about making a gift? You don't have to be artistic to do something clever. Put a basket together of goodies and ring the changes. You could create a basket of bubble soap, candles, lotions and potions, or a themed basket for an Italian or Mexican meal. If you are a good baker and cook people appreciate homemade biscuits, jams pickles, preserves and sweets because it tells people that you care. At Xmas time you can spend a little more putting a couple of luxury food items in a basket, but still end up spending a lot less than you would have done. Cover the basket with cellophane and top it off with either raffia string or a bow. Those sorts of things you can find very cheaply at those shops. A final gift idea is to buy some graphic paper and using your favourite family photos make a personalized calendar for family members who perhaps don't see you as often as they should. You can put all the birthdays down and other special events for your calendar.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR BOOKWORMS:

Frugal Living and Using your Library

I have to confess that I love my books and tend to spend more money than I should. However, I have an excuse in that where I live there is no public library. However, if you have access to a library and you love spending money on books, magazines and CDs join your local library and visit it once a week to read your book and magazines without having to pay for them. If you have a lot of novels and books at home that you have not read for a while, and probably are not likely too either, find a book-exchange shop and either sell your books to them or exchange your books for others.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR GAMBLERS:

Frugal Living and Weaning yourself off Gambling

More money is wasted in households on gambling then any other thing. Gambling only leaves the bookies rich and the Casino bosses gloating. These are the only true winners. Yes, occasionally you may get lucky, but how much have you spent to get there? It is only a million-to-one chance that you will strike it big. As a gambler you would know that the odds are really too high. Take that money and rather invest it in land and property which will always appreciate, especially between 5 - 10 years when you should see your investment either double or triple in value over that time period.

FRUGAL TIPS FOR FRUGAL LIVING:

Frugal Living and Learning to Budget

Learning to budget means that you have to live within your means, and that does not mean that when you have blown your budget for the month you bring out the credit card. If you have a credit card, cut it up. You don't need it. Start with what you earn and do the math. How much are you spending and where can your economize? You will always find ways of spending less if you are driven and committed to do so. Yes, there is always the unexpected expenses, and that is where so many people fall foul, because they don't anticipate these. They are so stretched financially every month, basically because they are living above their means, that when an unexpected expense occurs, the only way out is to bring out the credit card. This is a sure slide into financial hell. When you have your salary the ratio for spending it on housing should ideally be a quarter, and definitely no more than a third. If you are spending more than that, you are already way over your head. Start modest and live comfortably. Life is stressful enough without having to worry about finances as well. If you have read these frugal tips and take some on board, your finances should see a difference. Remember, if you are serious about frugal living, if you look after the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves.

Frugal Living - Frugal Living - Some Tips and Ideas on How and Where to Save

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Frugal Wife Sure Helps for Living Cheaply and Retiring Early

Frugal Wife Sure Helps for Living Cheaply and Retiring Early

A frugal wife... I've had one for 36 years, it is a big reason why we have been retired for the last 17 years... I retired early in 1994 at age 49, a lot of the credit goes to my frugal wife. Can you retire early without a frugal wife? Sure, it's just a lot harder.

Being frugal, some would call cheap, that does not offend us, is a way of life. She picked up her frugal spending habits from her dad... He had to be frugal, widowed when my wife was two, he worked three jobs to keep the family together... difficult in the 1950s.

Some of the ways that she saves include;

Using coupons religiously
Buying in bulk
Planning her shopping trips
Shopping at Goodwill and other thrift consignment shops

She makes saving money a game, and she is very good at it. Every Wednesday and Sunday she scours the paper for coupons and then plans her shopping around using those coupons. Some stores have double or triple coupon days, why not take advantage and shop when it's to your best advantage?

When she buys our staples in bulk...things like toothpaste, razor blades, toilet paper, deodorant, etc....she avoids a rushed trip to the store to replace something that we've run out of. If you run out of a staple, and have to make an unplanned shopping trip, the chances of finding that staple at the best price are nill... you got to have it you pay what they're asking. You are almost guaranteed to be wasting money.

Goodwill should not be something you only sing in a Christmas carol...the Goodwill store will offer you a lot bang for your clothing dollar and other necessities.

It is not too late to become a frugal wife, it's just a matter of knowing how to spend your money wisely... We can show you how.

Frugal Living - Frugal Wife Sure Helps for Living Cheaply and Retiring Early

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Frugal Lessons at Home - Raising Happy Children

Frugal Lessons at Home - Raising Happy Children

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." - Buddha

The kids are back in school. While there is an eerie peace about the house, I will truly enjoy the quiet days ahead. While the kids are off to learn their abc's and 123's at school, don't forget the lessons they learn at home are often the most important.

For many years I was a single parent. Finances were always a difficult challenge. I lost count of how many times my kids expressed the desire to have something that one of their friends had and in fact "everyone but them" had. I eventually realized that the best way to deal with these feelings was to give them the gift of perspective.

Since being happy is mostly a mindset determined by our perspective of what happiness is, the best thing I could do for my kids was to give them the proper perspective to always be happy with what they had, rather than unhappy about what they didn't have. Teaching them that so many others did not even have the very basics of life's necessities, as they did, would help them appreciate what many of us take for granted.

Even when I think of it now, I really sounded so corny; my insistence that we should be happy with what we have because so many others did not even have the basic necessities of food, shelter, and love. But, I truly believed it. I was thankful to have what I had and desired nothing more than what I needed to sustain myself and my children with the basic needs. I entered a life of frugality out of necessity, but grew to understand the many benefits of such a life, and more and more began to want nothing more.

Being frugal by choice gives a certain peace of mind, and happiness, that is hard to explain. I guess one of the reasons my lifestyle brings peace to me is because the feelings of inadequacy we sometimes have, because of our wanting more (or wanting what "everyone else" has )are non-existent. I actually feel my life is adequately fulfilled by the simple basic needs. I have eliminated the longing for more.

The feeling that my life is not as good as it should or could be, or as good as "everyone else's", is just not there. If I choose to indulge in a luxury item or something I merely want, it is because "I want it", not because "everyone else has it." It is amazing how true happiness can come with nothing more than a change in perspective.

When we understand that our purpose in life is to bring something of value to society, rather than owning everything considered valuable to society, happiness is a natural consequence. If I could teach my children the same I would not only do them a great justice but, the rest of the world as well. When you bring something of value to society, you see value in yourself. Seeing value in yourself brings happiness. I feel that raising happy children, who find happiness in bringing something of value to society, is one of the most valuable things a parent can offer the world.

Raising happy and content children in today's world is just one more difficult challenge for parents. Offering your children a different perspective could prove to be the answer to raising "happy" children. Our society is more and more status driven. Your children's perspective of their status could play an important role in determining if they can be happy with their lives. Status is measured a great deal by the material owning of things. A measure of one's status is many times a consequence of what one owns.

Teach your children that looks can be deceiving. Not everyone who acts like they have wealth, actually have wealth. I like to remind my children of our own situation. How we have to struggle to get back to living within our means because of trying to keep up appearances. Many people are spending money they just don't have in an attempt to keep up with the joneses and "appear" to be wealthy. I remind them that, like ourselves, one day they too will probably have to pay a price for their pretending. That is not to say that there are not families who have no financial worries and actually are blessed with abundance.

It is important, if not essential, to your child's success in life to teach them to look beyond appearances. Things are not always as they seem. Teaching them little lessons like this will engage them in analyzing all things they encounter in life and getting to the reality and truth of situations they are confronted with.

For example, when confronted with choices your children will be equipped to look to the essence of anything. They will do better in life to see the true advantages, or disadvantages, of all things, when not influenced by mere appearances. Giving them this perspective will give them a great advantage in pursuing their goals in life.

Let me reflect on a personal story that touched me so that I will never forget it. Remember, I constantly reminded my children from a very young age that we had more than many others, and should be thankful for having what we do have, not sorrowed by what we didn't have.

One energetic day I decided to rearrange the furniture. Now let me interject that we lived in very confined quarters, myself and four small children. Even the doorways were more narrow than that of the average home since our home's foundation was built around a narrow older mobile home. This rearranging was a very ambitious task to say the least. But, I was determined to incorporate some change into our lives on that day!

So, I began a long day of frustration. Since our home was so small, there were not a great many options for arranging the furniture. Well, the grandest moment of truth came to me on that day. I learned for a fact that my children were in fact listening. That my constant reminders were not in vain. I was trying to move a bed from one room to another. And, having an extremely difficult maneuver through a narrow doorway, I cried out in frustration; "I'm so sick and tired of these doorways. I just want normal size doorways like everyone else." Well, I didn't even have time to reflect on my own statement when, my son (who was only 8 years old at the time) said to me, "Remember Mommy, we have to be thankful for what we have, some people don't even have a place to live." I was speechless of course, and very near a flood of tears. While I stood astounded at the comment, coming from the mouths of babes, I pushed back the urge to cry at the revelation that my son did understand what I had been trying to teach him. The realization, and consolation, came to me then, that he would always be successful in life no matter what hardships may face him.

The lessons we teach at home could prove to be the most important lessons in life. Happiness is a natural consequence of contentment. Teach the lessons at home that will give your children the perspective to be content and happy!

Man falls from the pursuit of the ideal of plan living and high thinking the moment he wants to multiply his daily wants. Man's happiness really lies in contentment. - Mohandas Gandhi

Frugal Living - Frugal Lessons at Home - Raising Happy Children

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Living on a Sailboat - A Fun and Frugal Way to Retire

Living on a Sailboat - A Fun and Frugal Way to Retire

Living on a sailboat may be an option for you to look at. If you are contemplating retirement, and are looking for a fun frugal way to do so, consider living on a sailboat.

We did so for 8 years in the Caribbean. What did we know about sailing ...not much, so don't let lack of knowledge or experience stop you.

We were introduced to sailboat living in a 4 hour shore excursion from a cruise ship that stopped in St Thomas. A 36 footer with 6 guests and captain and mate.

It was love at first sight; we talked to the boat owners, a young couple having fun. They gave us the initial push and 5 years later we toasted the cruise ships as they left St Thomas harbor from our cockpit.

So you don't need to have salt water in your veins to enjoy living aboard a sailboat. You pick it up as you go. We had a ball for 8 years, never leaving the Caribbean... Venezuela to the Virgin Islands. You can do it too.

Myths about cruising:

·         Pirates, never saw any, never heard of any in our 8 years

 

·         You have to be a great sailor...wrong... 99% of the time you are stopped and enjoying life

 

·         You need to be mechanic to cruise...just some basic skills

 

·         You can't get spare parts...some islands can be a customs hassle, but you can get what you need

 

·         It's not safe...not only did we not hear of pirates, we never had an uncomfortable situation

 

·         It's expensive...wrong, wrong...we spent about ,000 a month and lived the life of Riley

 

·         Hurricanes...during the summer we pulled the boat out of the water and went back to the US

 

Living on a sailboat is none of the above. You find you have a lot of company and the cruising community is a tight knit bunch.

Are you running out of objections  to this great way to retire frugally? You can do this.

The lifestyle in the islands is just what you think it would be, very laid back...no one in a hurry. If you expect things to be done like they are at "home" you should stay "home". If you want to enjoy life surrounded by locals who are 24/7, come on down.

You may want to visit some docks and talk to the liveaboards . I bet you can find someone who has cruised in the Caribbean. Pick their brain. Most cruisers are friendly and helpful to newbie's.

Living on a sailboat... a great fun and frugal way to retire. Enjoy 

Frugal Living - Living on a Sailboat - A Fun and Frugal Way to Retire

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Living Frugal in an RV - Living Frugal Can Be Fun

Living Frugal in an RV - Living Frugal Can Be Fun

Living frugal in an RV does not mean doing without. This is a very fun and rewarding lifestyle that more and more folks are enjoying.

The current economic climate is forcing more and more folks to rethink their retirement plans. If your 401K is a now a 150K you have a lot of company.

Consider living frugal in an RV as a way to still retire to a fun lifestyle. I heard one RVer put it the best..."I don't care where I live as long as I have a steering wheel in the living room." I met him and his wife in Yellowstone where they worked in the summers. They had been full time RVing for 10 years at the time.

So if 2008 and 2009 have sent you lemons...living frugal in an RV is a great way to make lemonade.

Living in a RV is also a great vehicle (sorry) to locate your more permanent retirement location. We RVed for 6 years before we decided on retiring to Arizona. By the end of the six years we were pretty sure that we had seen enough of other places. An RV is a great way of preventing an expensive mistake. You can stay where you want to retire for as long as you want before making that final decision.

Living frugal in an RV is easy with no sacrificing. You can travel where you want without incurring hefty motel bills. You are bringing your motel with you...and you never have to unpack.

If you find certain places you really enjoy, you will spend more time at each of your favorite spots. This is very frugal since parks will give you a big discount for a stay of a month or more. 0 a month is usually doable as an idea. That is equal to 2 to 3 nights in a motel.

Consider living frugal in an RV as a great way to retire and have fun. Enjoy.

Frugal Living - Living Frugal in an RV - Living Frugal Can Be Fun

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Frugal Living - Tips That Will Help You Live the Frugal Life Without Depriving Yourself

Frugal Living - Tips That Will Help You Live the Frugal Life Without Depriving Yourself

If you've decided to give frugal living a shot then give yourself a pat on the pack. Most people associate frugal living with deprivation and sacrifice. This assumption is far from being true. It is not about depriving yourself. It is about being wise about how you manage your funds so you can live a comfortable life.

If you're not sure where to start, here's an easy tip that will get you going on the right path:

Brown bag your lunch to work or school

Brown bagging your lunch can easily save you a couple hundred (possibly thousands depending on the individual) per year.

There are several reasons you should brown bag your lunch

1. Your lunch is homemade so it will be healthier then eating out. You know what you put in your food and are not eating processed foods that are fried and rich in saturated oils and bad fats. Not only that but, a homemade meal will always taste better.

2. You will save a lot of money. It is estimated that most people spend at least ten dollars everyday on their lunch break. That adds up to over three thousand dollars a year. Brown bagging your lunch should cost you no more than 1-3 dollars a day. That adds up to a savings of seven to nine dollars a day and more than 00 per year.

One of the easiest brown bag lunches are sandwiches. Sandwiches are cheap and you don't have to do a lot to make it delicious. Just go crazy and add your favorite meat, vegetables, and condiments. Packing two sandwiches will surely keep you full throughout the day. One can also use leftovers to brown bag there lunch. Leftover dinner meals from the night before can surely make a great lunch.

Here are some tips to making sure you stay consistent:

Prepare your meal the night before- Don't wait till morning time to prepare your lunch. Mornings are usually crazy and are not the time to try to do anything other than get ready for work or school. If you wait till morning there is a good chance you will run out of time and decide not to do it all together. Thus it is important to prepare you lunch the night before

Pack Snacks- Even with brown bagging your lunch, there is still a good chance that you may get hungry and decide to go out for more food or hit the vending machine. Packing healthy snacks will ensure that you do not get hungry. Munching on snacks such as nuts, fruits, and yogurt throughout the day will surely be all you need to keep you full until dinner time.

If you are consistent with it, brown bagging your lunch as opposed to eating out can save you thousands of dollars every year.

Frugal Living - Frugal Living - Tips That Will Help You Live the Frugal Life Without Depriving Yourself

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Frugal, Simple Living and Downsizing

Frugal, Simple Living and Downsizing

It's difficult to pinpoint when the simple living movement began. With the exception of royalty and the elite class, our ancestors were the poster children for simple living. The difference between these distant generations is that those in the past did not have a choice, whereas those choosing the simple life today do so voluntarily.

An overarching objective for modern-day practitioners of simple living is to reduce their environmental footprint. Hallmarks of simple living include using less energy and fewer resources, and producing less output. Those living simply may buy food in bulk or from the farmers market, avoid using items that have a lot of packaging, and recycle.

The personal benefits of simple living are numerous. Consuming consciously, mindful of one's true needs and the impact of choices made, provides a sense of control over the immediate environment. This sense of control leads to a less stressful lifestyle. Although counter to what consumerism preaches, living beneath one's means to allow for more discretionary time and income creates balance in the checkbook and in life. The "simplicity movement" has taken root within several age groups and socioeconomic groups across the country that want to slow down and make work more meaningful, make time with family and friends a higher priority, and make community service a commitment.

Personal growth is a natural development of simple living. Most often, this growth is attributable to a new conception of money. In pursuit of the American Dream, most Americans equate money with happiness. Yet, the Maryland-based Center for the New American Dream released a study that noted 83 percent of survey respondents wanted more time to spend with their family and 60 percent would take a salary cut to get it. This proof that you can't buy happiness is also intuitive to those seeking simple living. Those content with the simple lifestyle understand that voluntary simplicity is about satisfaction, not sacrifice.

Reducing wasteful living space is one important element of simple living. Home downsizing is one way to seek a simple and sustainable way of life. Compared to the ambition of keeping up with the Joneses, simple living seeks to achieve more with less: less house, less furniture, less-if any-garage space, less-if any-lawn. Lessening of one's environmental footprint takes a giant leap forward by home downsizing, as less energy is used per square foot and less property maintenance means less air pollutants from lawn service equipment. For those downsizing to a small home or condo in an urban area, the family car may also be targeted for dismissal. In the city, commuting to work and running errands can be in the form of taking the bus or subway, walking or riding a bike. Reduced fuel emissions are big items on the simple-living checklist.

Downsizing one's living space works hand in hand with simple living. Contrary to the endless and excessive cycle of buying more stuff to fill more space, then more space for more stuff, living simply looks to buy less stuff. And when there is less space for the stuff, the temptation or compulsion to buy is negated. Those who once thought they needed to buy stuff to fill up holes now stop buying in excess because there are no holes to fill.

Frugal Living - Frugal, Simple Living and Downsizing

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Learn How to Be Frugal and Save Money!

Learn How to Be Frugal and Save Money!

There are many excellent ways that one can be more frugal and save money for their household and family. Many people do not consider how many ways that they can possibly save money. Let's start by considering saving money on food. Have you considered doing all home cooking with fresh ingredients rather than buying already made food? Consider homemade bread for instance, it only costs.12 cents per loaf! That's a lot of savings when you compare it to a loaf of bread that you have to pay for!

Remember that it is always vital to save as much money as possible on anything you can think of. From simple bread to tires, you should think of every possible way that you can to be more frugal in your life. This is not about just being "cheap" or a "spend thrift", it is about living a high quality and frugal lifestyle. Many people have achieved financial success merely by spending less money. In fact, many millionaires are considered to be frugal in their spending habits. Many of these millionaires testify that a frugal lifestyle has helped them achieve the millions they have!

Have you considered saving money by using less electricity? Have you considered that if you follow some green power advice that you can actually cut your electric bill by half and even more? I'm not kidding. I live in TX and my neighbors pay 66% more on their electric bill. This is generally a savings of 0 for my family every single month!

There are other interesting ways that you can save a lot of money as well. Have you considered saving money on gas by "hypermiling" or getting better mpg? We all know how expensive gas is these days and I promise you that the savings can really add up!

In these economic times, we all have to consider many ways that we can save money. Never forget that a penny saved is a penny earned. If those pennies are also used frugally, you may find that by simply saving money, that you can achieve financial freedom and success.

When we compile any type of money savings or frugal lifestyle skills with paying off any type of debt that we may have, you can quickly see that the money saving benefits will begin to compound themselves greatly. If you pay off one credit card, then you can pay off another. Eventually when you have no credit card bills any more, can pay your home off early and possibly retire early. Paying off your home will help you save money by the cartloads over the years.

Frugal Living - Learn How to Be Frugal and Save Money!

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