Frugality 101: The Nuts and Bolts
As I am sure each and every one of you is fully aware; our economy is not in the best shape. It probably won’t shape up tomorrow and I am pretty sure it will not improve within the next few months. We have been hearing the same key words/phrases from our friends, family and neighbors; “They’re anticipating more layoffs” or ”That neighborhood has had so many foreclosures“ and “No one is hiring, no job availability!”
We are constantly being bombarded with negative messages about our economy ‘s current downshifting through mass media but where are the solutions?
That is why I decided to write a blog of my own personal experiences of how I’m surviving the economy with little to no money, stretching every single dollar while still being able to have a meaningful and happy lifestyle. Times are changing, we must understand that. But what we also must understand is going against the change will only create resistance. Change is the only consistent factor that we can count on in our lifetime. Embrace it!
Below I have created my own personal list on how to be frugal. What does the term “frugal” mean? It means being self-sufficient, being resourceful and not wasting what could be. I like to think of it as a more positive term for being “cheap”. Enjoy!
FOOD
- Coupons – - There are so many ways you can incorporate this into your life. I would suggest buying a mini-accordion folder to organize your coupons by category such as dairy, meats, bread, etc. You can find coupons from the Sunday newspaper, online, or even from specific food brands like Kroger, Mission tortillas, etc. Just check out their company websites and look for promotional items or better yet, email them! Coupons is like a ticket to getting free food
- Brown-bag Your Lunch – - I cannot stress this one enough. Bringing your lunch to work can save you tons of money! If you go out to lunch 5 days a week with an average cost being $7 a lunch…that is already $35 dollars a week! That does not even account for your breakfast, dinner and snack expenses. Try cooking up a casserole (which could last you about 3 days) and I can bet you the total cost for that will be less than $7 on its own!
- Strategic Grocery Shopping – - Honestly, I see the grocery store as my personal battlefield. I am usually equipped with a grocery list, my cell phone calculator and my thinking cap. I have noticed that processed foods are a LOT more expensive than getting foods you can make on your own. As tempting as the convenient TV meal may be, the freezer aisle is where your money will just go down the drain. If you are new to cooking to save money, try starting out on pasta and marinara sauce. One box of pasta is equivalent to 3-4 servings and it’s usually an average cost of two dollars. Here is a sample grocery list that I have been sticking to:
Cathy’s Grocery List
-Boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen)
-Pasta/Rice
-Pasta Sauce
-1 loaf of french wheat bread
-Strawberries
-Bananas
-Milk
-Shredded Cheddar Cheese
-Cream of Chicken/Mushroom
***Possible combinations: chicken & pasta w/ veggies, chicken & rice w/veggies, chicken rice casserole, pizza (with pasta sauce and cheese), toast w/ fresh fruits, fruit smoothies, soup, etc. As always, it is helpful to have a stocked pantry of basics like seasoning, butter, olive oil.
TRANSPORTATION
- By Car – Did you know that by driving 65 mph or less can save you some gas? Any faster than 65 mph will start eating up your gas. Take it easy, pop in your favorite cd and stay on the right hand lane on the freeway. The key is to go slow, be gentle to your gas pedal and braking gently at a stoplight instead of slamming your brakes. Still got those boxes of crap you’ve been meaning to clean out from your trunk? You should definitely remove heavy items from your car as that will make your car drive “harder” to get to places, thus using more energy and gas. I’m also a huge advocator for carpooling. Make some carpool buddies at work and develop a system on who drives what days and vice versa. You wouldn’t believe how much money you can save a month from carpooling – - even if it is just a few times a week. It counts!
- By Bus – Try taking the bus once in awhile. It could save you money and save you those calories by having you walk a few blocks to that bus stop!
- By Bike – Looking to change your lifestyle? This is a great way to get into shape while being frugal. You don’t need bike insurance or gas to fill it up! Just you and a helmet! Not sure where to find a cheap bike? Sites such as www.craigslist.com may have a used bike on sale in your very own neighborhood! Also, sign up for www.freecycle.com and type in your zip code. This is where people in your neighborhood can get rid of their junk but may be treasures to others!
- Research – Try to plan out when the next tine you want to fill up your gas tank and do a little research online to see where the cheapest gas is in your area! Websites such as www.gasbuddy.com have streamlined the cheapest gas stations for you!!! USE IT!
ENTERTAINMENT
- Instead of going out to the movies and going to that new restaurant, try having a nice night in by setting up a Netflix movie account and test out your culinary skills! That way, you save money on those over-priced bags of popcorn, eliminate the need to tip your waitress/waiter and avoid transportation costs!
- Don’t watch movies that often to set up a Netflix account? Go to the nearest public library instead! These days, they have a great variety of movies to select from and they are free!
- Feel like shopping and revamping your new wardrobe? Rather than going to your local mall, try setting up a Swap Our Clothes session with your group of friends! That way, you are doing that little bit to reduce waste in our environment but also being thrifty! Some other ideas include going to your local Goodwill, consignment clothing stores or those buy/exchange/trade shops!
- With our modern day and age, commericials are constantly ramming it into our heads that we need to be consumers ! Well, you know what? It is time to start being humans and spend our time with those we love and cherish! Now that is priceless.
I really hope this helps you out and remember, being frugal does not being cheap. It means being self-sufficient and stretching out every single dollar that you have. We all have to stick together during these tough economic times. Got any more ideas? Have some questions about how to further your frugality skills? Feel free to contact me at Catt_babe@yahoo.com !
Avian Flu is a Knock Knock Knockin’…
Is the Avian Flu knocking at your door?
End of Jan 2009- As you may already be aware, the old trusted Baxter flu vaccine was “accidentally” cross-contaminated with H5N1 – otherwise known as the avian flu, one of the most deadly biological weapons with a 60% kill rate!
March 2009 – “Deerfield, Illinois-based pharmaceutical company Baxter International Inc. has just been caught shipping live avian flu viruses mixed with vaccine material to medical distributors in 18 countries. The “mistake” (if you can call it that, see below…) was discovered by the National Microbiology Laboratory in Canada. The World Health Organization was alerted and panic spread throughout the vaccine community as health experts asked the obvious question: How could this have happened?”
Today- Where is it now? Word has it that there is a great chance this highly dangerous vaccine itself is being distributed to your hometown. Please protect yourselves, friends and family. I don’t know what is happening to this world.
As of April 8, 2009, there has been 257 deaths and 417 cases according to the World Health Organization.
Tomorrow – Seek Truth. Take Action.
Sources:
http://www.prisonplanet.com/accidental-contamination-of-vaccine-with-live-avian-flu-virus-virtually-impossible.html
Who is John Galt?
Doesn’t matter, right?
Well, I’m just a gal trying to do my part in society. Taking advantage of the 1st amendment to be a public service announcement. Cheers.
