We have a child going into braces shortly. The bill for that will be $5,900. with our insurance only covering about $1,500.00. It is time to get tenacious about saving in even the little things. With foresight and forethought I am hoping to tack the oncoming holiday season with a very frugal mindset. I think each frugal feat I pull off I will document, similiar to a feather in my cap. I am hoping to encourage myself this way and spur myself on.
Would you like to join me? If so, leave your list of frugal feats for all to see in the comments, or if you wrote a blog post about it leave your link. There are quite a few blogs who do a link up, such as, The Shabby Nest. Brandy also does a weekly list too, find her at The Prudent Homemaker.
A WEEK OF FRUGAL FEATS:
- Used lettuce and tomatoes from the garden, homemade bread and made two lunch/dinners of BLT's. Very cheap meals.
- Sewed a zippered pouch from fabric in my stash for a gift and filled it with cotton balls, q-tips and some free samples from Crabtree & Evelyn.
- Made a necklace for my sister's birthday. Already had the supplies. Cost about $5.00.
- Saved some rain water to water the garden with.
- Bathed all three dogs myself. Saved almost $180.00
- Used the library for new books I wanted. Saved about $40.00. This offers me the option of perusing and deciding if the book is worth buying.
- Watched free movie on hulu.
- Bought yarn at 50% off so I can make two nordic ski hats for Christmas gifts for under $12.00.
- Was able to hang out all the wash so the dryer wasn't used at all!
- Turned off the computer a lot and used my iPhone for most internet stuff.
- Negotiated with my cable company who also provides my phone service for a lower rate on my landline. Saved 50% a month off that bill for one year!
- Used a coupon for a free 8X10 photo at Walgreens and coordinated the pickup when I was already going that way to shop.
- Downloaded this free graphic of an old bird lithograph and will print one for myself and one for a gift for Christmas.
- Started some embroidery for my grandaughter's Christmas gift. The fabric, print and embroidery floss all a gift from a friend!
Garden lettuce is just so awesome!
Yarn for two hats that will be Christmas gifts this year.
Have a wonderful weekend, see you back here on Monday friends!
Great idea. We try to live frugally as well. I'm hoping to have a vegetable garden when we move next year and learn how to can. Looking forward to seeing your ideas and see what others have to say. Happy Friday. Heather
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne. I agree, it is time to start frugality and save ahead for a rainy day, also!
ReplyDeleteAnything I've splurged on lately has been purposely done with the idea of a more frugal future.
Two of my kids have had braces, with the more recent second (6 years ago) being that same price. Although my insurance paid 2/3rds of it. And we used our payments from a medical spending account for tax reasons, which may not be part of the law anymore. The price is one thing, the constant orthodontist visits can drive you crazy!!!
My best suggestion (that helps me) for frugality, is this: When I want something, I write it down and put it on my refrigerator. (or you can bookmark it on the computer...sometimes looking at it online alot bores me..ha.) Then I wait. The more expensive the item, the longer the wait. That gives me time to see if I really want it. Many times my fervor grows tepid for the want. And this also helps me realize which are "wants" and which are "needs". Also, when I think about it and wait, many times it goes on sale by then and if I still really want it, it is cheaper.
But what really happens, most of the time, is that my husband sees what I am planning, and says no! Case closed then. love,andrea
Thanks for the suggestion Andrea, I am opening that fridge so many times a day I couldn't miss it...LOL
DeleteGreat idea Suzanne, I like what you've been doing already, it's fun to tot up all the little things that you've done, as they add up to a lot! I'll have a go at this soon. Love, Carly x
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you do Carly, love to see your list:-)
ReplyDeleteI think making a list and posting it on my blog might motivate me even more. It might also give others ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me this idea Suzanne.
Have you seen my 5 Days of Frugal Eating posts?
http://harvestlanecottage.blogspot.com/search/label/5%20Days%20of%20Frugal%20Eating
I have been away Laura,a but will pop by soon to read it:-)
DeleteA wonderful savings...I save anyway I can. I have to,but I still would even if I didn't have to :) Blessings
ReplyDeleteI re-use vases and scarves from thrift shops for flower arrangement gifts. The flowers are from my garden.
ReplyDeleteWe also have Roku to stream Netflix and a digital converter for regular TV channels. No more $100 per month DirecTv.
Popped by from Shabby's linkup.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
This is such an encouraging post.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to forget all the things we do to be frugal and such a good idea to write them down to remind firstly ourselves of what we have accomplished and secondly to encourage and give ideas to those who are walking on the same road.
Thank you, you have inspired me greatly, encouraged me to up my efforts, and not be so hard on myself, because I am sure I am doing many things everyday that I forget about.
Blessings to you.
Nell
Thanks Nell, that's why I am doing it, give myself a bit of encouragement:-)
DeleteHi Suzanne, one small, simple savings that we do is to plug our electronics into a power-strip (with a breaker) and at night flip the switch on the power-switch to show down the t.v., dvd, cable box, & radio - all in one fell swoop, I do the same with my laptop, printer and internet router, all on one power-strip and all off at night by pressing one button. It actually adds up to a few hundred dollars a year.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!
Mary
Wow Mary, never thought of that. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Tami and I will look into Roku--never heard of it.
ReplyDelete