>U Mom Knows Best: How To Be Frugal

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

How To Be Frugal

Most of my friends know me as a person who is frugal and can find great shopping deals. I decided to share some of my frugal tips.
           1. Groceries
                        This is the easiest place to save money for me. I buy most everything when it's on sale. To know which items are on sale look at the grocery ads that come in the mail,most of the sale items are on the first page. My kids and husband know they get to eat for that week the fruit that is the best buy. Last week Sprouts had oranges on sale for .10 a pound. They may want grapes but they wont get those until they are 1.50 a pound or less. When I am buying lunch meat for my husband I choose the brand that is cheapest per pound.  I dont buy soda or other drinks as water is better for you.
     2. Clothes and shoes
        I have wonderful friends who give my kids hand me down clothes. My boys enjoy looking through a bag of hand me downs and to them they are just like brand new. I only buy one pair of shoes per season for my younger boys as their feet grow so quickly. For the older boys,they get their shoes from Big 5 as they are just last year models at a better price. Of course always search online for a Big 5 coupon to save more money. My husband and I buy our clothes from Goodwill if we are able to. I will buy my husbands work pants at Target or Walmart.
   3. Cleaners
    Most cleaners are full of chemicals so I make my own from vinegar and baking soda. Search online for homemade cleaners. My favorite one is unclogging a drain with baking soda and vinegar.
         

Ingredients Needed to Unclog a Drain

1. Box of baking soda
2. Vinegar
3. A facecloth or a rag, big enough to put into the opening of the drain hole to clog it up.
4. A kettle full of boiling hot water
That’s all you need. Told you it was simple to unclog a drain without the bad stuff! Now comes the fun part.

Steps to Unclog a Drain

Step 1 – Pour about 1/2 of the box of baking soda down the drain. This is done dry, so do not wet or combine the baking soda with anything. Just dump it right down the drain.
Step 2 – Gather up your facecloth or rags, and have them ready at your side.
Step 3 – Following the baking soda, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Immediately after you pour it in, be sure to plug the drain with the cloth or rag, filling the hole completely so nothing can escape. This is because the interaction of the two ingredients, vinegar and baking soda, will cause a “mini volcano” that will want to come up and out of the drain – but you want to keep it down there.
Step 4 – Leave this concoction in the drain for about 30 minutes. While you are waiting, boil a tea kettle full of water.
Step 5 – After 30 minutes, remove the cloth or rag and slowly pour the boiling water down the drain.
All done! Your drain should flow smoothly now. If not, just do it again. 
4.  Phone service and Cable
    My husband and I just have basic cell phone service as all the rest is costly and we have no need for it. We only have basic cable as the internet is cheaper with that. We find enough programs to watch on regular tv. 
5. Gym memberships
    I see no need for that and just go for a walk or run outside everyday. 
6.  Coffee
Starbucks does not get my money. I can make coffee at home cheaper and it saves me time. I don't understand people who wait in those long lines in the morning for a expensive cup of coffee.  When I mystery shopped Starbucks long ago,I used to wait over 5-10 minutes for coffee. I timed making coffee at home at it took 3 minutes.
7. Craigslist
i love selling items on Craigslist and I made 100.00 selling old furniture we no longer needed. It is also a great place to buy things
I have many more ways of being frugal and if saving money appeals to use just google on the internet for more ways.


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