Frugal Friday: Three questions
I'm "cheating" with Frugal Friday this week. I was going to take the next few weeks off, but when I saw Carrie's excellent post, I was motivated to at least do something for it, since I know some of you have become self-proclaimed "Frugal Friday addicts" and I wouldn't want you to miss out on what Carrie wrote.
So, for "cheating week," I'm going to pose three questions. You can answer any or all in the comments section or on your own blog (and don't forget to post the link!). Or, you can elect not to answer any at all and post something entirely different on frugality. Or, you can do nothing - we'll still love you. :)
Here are the questions:
1. What is the best resource for frugality you've found (book, magazine, website, etc.)?
2. What is the best deal you've gotten recently?
3. What is your best idea for a creative and inexpensive gift?
My answers:
1. Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy. Hands-down the best book I've read and the first book I read on frugality when I was a newly married bride. Started me on a "mission" I've never lost sight of.
2. Since I've not been out and about coupon shopping, I don't have any splendid deals to tell you about, but I did get about $350 worth of gifts from CBD for under $40.Check out their bargain section. I found quite a few great books for under $3. However, I'm kicking myself that I didn't use Kim's suggestion and make 10% back as an affiliate. Plus, I missed her post on free shipping. Oh well. I'm happy for any deal at this point in my life.
3. I can't tell you about a lot of the cool and inexpensive gifts I've purchased/made for Christmas because the recipients read my blog (!), but a few of things I've done for the non-blog-readers are:
handknit dishcloths (These cost me less than $2 each and can be done in a day.)
homemade mixes - I'm sticking to really simple stuff - black bean soup mix, a cookie mix, bread-in-a-bag mix, and a few muffin mixes.
homemade soy candles
homemade candies (peppermint bark and the Christmas candy I posted earlier)
I really want to make these criss-cross coasters, too, but haven't come up with a recipient or the time and energy to do them.
Oh and I just have to mention, if you are looking for a unique gift for a special woman or young woman, The Proverbs 31 bracelets from Cherabella Faith are beautiful. Plus, they are on sale for only $6.95 right now. The owner sent me a bracelet this week as a gift and though I know she wasn't expecting me to post about it on my blog, I couldn't help but mention it.
Now, your answers?
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To join in Frugal Friday, just post a frugal tip or post on any subject of frugality on your blog, link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Frugal Friday post below. Any link or post which does not adhere to these rules will be deleted at my discretion. If you do not have a blog, but have a tip to share, please post your tip in the comments section. And, remember the rules: Must be family-friendly. Thanks! I can't wait to read your tips!
posted by Crystal Paine at 6:20 PM
16 Comments:
Crystal, I have left my answer's to the questions on my blog feel free to read if you like and have time. Thank you for all your post and also thank you for Frugal Friday's.
Mrs.Garcia
My Frugal Friday tip was about our new diaper co-op. I am really praying that this co-op will really benefit mama's who are trying hard to stick to a budget and live a frugal lifestyle.
As for your 3 questions.
1. Biblical Womanhood blog. It is true! I had no idea where to even start before I came here. We also have a book called "Back To Basics" that I really love.
2.The best deal I have gotten recently? New dining room chairs for $20 a piece. This might seem like a lot but we looked for over a year for dining room chairs that wouldn't break our budget while we sat in folding chairs that closed up on the little ones all the time. We had to stain these chairs but we got 8 of them for $160 and now my whole family (almost 8 of us) can sit at the dining room table without injury, lol. Plus, since I sanded and stained my dining room table myself (after it was gifted to us via Freecycle last year) we were able to match the stain we used on the chairs exactly. Everything matches and looks very nice!
3.I have done a number of blogs on this lately explaining step by step what we are doing for gifts this year. We have managed to come up with 20 gifts baskets (one per family) for under $100 by creative cooking and goodie making. It has been fun and the whole family has gotten involved, except Ben (23mos)who has done more taste testing than anything. So, I guess he has been helping in his own little way, lol.
I have posted a Five Dollar Friday on my blog. It's just a simple, frugal recipe for Spaghetti Lasagna.
I thought I'd share a link to my post on a great deal that I recently found for winter jackets. http://www.crandalls.net/2006/11/winter-clothing-bargains.html#links
Hi Crystal,
I'm not sure why it keeps saying "delete link" after my name. I've tried twice. Am I missing something?
Kimm: You are the only one who can see that. :) That way, if you want to delete the link for any reason, you can. It's rather confusing the first time around and you are most certainly not the first person to ask about it. :)
Crystal, thank you so much for having Frugal Friday on your blog. It is so nice seeing how others find ways to save $$ in order to try to save a little yourself. Thanks again!
1. The Complete Tightwad Gazette, the only thing this lacks is that it was written before the Internet became a part of daily life.
2. This week I got a free Birthday Cake when my baby turned 1. I also found refill packs of Pampers wipes the double pack kind on clearance for $2.24, after coupon they were $1.24 bought 9 of them.
3. Homemade Fudge, the old fashioned kind that doesn't call for Marshmallow cream or Chocolate chips.(expensive ingredients) I had previously got a ton of evaporated milk for pennies with double coupons.
My frugal Friday tip is about a soup concoction I found in my magazine.
Now for answering the questions.
1. Actually my mom is great at frugality. Raising 2 children on her own she made the most out of nothing.
2. The best deal? Okay now I don't even know the details myself but my husband got free phones from our cellular company and then they reimubursed us $60 for each phone! We made money and got free phones. Something about the fact we have month to month service instead of a contract. He's good.
p.s. - On the Christianbook thing I think as an affiliate you can't buy through your link. That is in the contract. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm buying too much from them to ignore this tidbit but I thougt I found that a few times. I have purchased $100's in out of print Hosannah tapes for $1.00 each. But that was a few years ago.
3. We actually don't exchange gifts and instead have Lord's Birth birthday party but for gifts year round I make hair scrunchies, frozen cookie dough. Our extended family favorite is a certificate inviting the receiver over for a delicious dinner. Since most everyone in the famly does crafts there are a lot of handknit socks scarves, handmade soap, shampoo, conditioner, fruitcake, all birthday cakes are handmade. Whew! We make a lot of things.
I'm sorry I keep messing this up Crystal. I accidently left the wrong link last time.
Crystal, my first FF is up. Thx ~ have a great weekend.
CRYSTAL! THANK YOU FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ENCOURAGING PACKAGE I JUST RECEIVED IN MY MAIL TODAY! You have blessed me so much during a very difficult time! God bless you! www.homemakerang.blogspot.com
You are most welcome, Homemakerang. I had fun putting it together for you. :)
1. This site has been a great resource for me as far as learning to be frugal. I bought your e-book Secrets to Supermarket savings and it has been such a great challenge for me!
2. The best two deals I've gotten lately are a free Joy dish soap w/coupon from Rite-Aid, and also a free gillette power razor for dh from CVS w/ ECB card and coupon. This is my first time *EVER* getting anything free with coupons so it's very encouraging:) Oh, and you can get both deals until Sat 12/16 if anyone is interested. The razor would be a great gift.
3. I was in Hobby Lobby today and they have 50% off Christmas ornaments. There are these really beautiful picture holder ornaments shaped as a heart with rhinestones around it. I picked up three of them and I thought I would give them to a few married couples we know with their picture in it. Also, they have holiday bags at 5 for 50 cents that you could fill with cookies or something.
1. Jonni McCoy's "Miserly Moms". Thanks for alerting me to this one, Crystal!
2. I bought a really nice wool pea jacket at a local thrift store for $10.49.
3. Homemade treats: biscotti, almond bark, Christmas breads (panettone etc.), cookies...
My blog is not working correctly so I will answer here!
#1 I think the best resource for being frugal I have has been growing up with my mom. We were poor, but she always had wonderful ideas on how to have fun without spending much money. How to make wonderful dinners that were not soups and casseroles as my dad disliked those, and how to save money at the grocery store. As long I can remember I remember looking over sale ads and carrying the calculater through the store for her! So, for those of you that do not have her....you are missing out! Otherwise as far as a book, website etc. I think I have to say 2 cookbooks were the best, Not just beans (www.notjustbeans.com) and More with less cookbook. They taught me tons about cooking tasty food that did not cost alot also!
#2
The best deal I got lately would be when we went out for dinner. Our whole family's dinner was about $9-12 I think. There are a couple of restauraunts that give you a free meal on or after your birthday and since my husband and I have birthdays within 2 days of each other we get free dinners and just pay for the 4 boys. We went to Sizzler one night and to a family one theother night where I had a steak dinner for free!
#3
Someone gave me a homemade gift called the Scent of Christmas, but it would work year round. It had one orange, one lemon, one bay leaf, some cloves and 2 sticks of cinnamon in it. You simmer it for several days on low on the stove with water after cutting the frut in 8ths. I got it in a clear plastic bag with the instructions tied on with raffia. It was pretty and simple for a small gift for someone.
1. Best resource?? Dollar Stretcher (http://www.stretcher.com/)
2. best deal I have gotten recently? a cashmeir coat for $2!!! Some lady was getting rid of it because she had to move to a hotter climate and would never use the coat again. WOWZERS!
3. Best idea for inexpensive gift? For children - arts and crafts - all your left overs the kids LOVE to use! Put those fabric and ribbon scraps in a box with some needle and thread and watch the BEAUTIFUL creations you little girls come up with!
For husband - something you KNOW he wants. My husband really wants to start playing games together in the evening. After reading about the cheap date nights from here, I bought Phase Ten. I am going to put it in his stocking with a note that says how at least 3 nights a week, I will play this or any other game with him!
Paula (lvg4him)
http://www.homeschoolblog.com/lvg4him
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