We have noticed, and applaud, the fact that the frugal movement, also tends to be a green movement as well. We tend to place a large emphasis on recycling, making do, and finding sources of clean, cheap, and renewable power. That is why, we think, our articles on making electricity at home always generate a lot of interest and feedback.

Solar and Wind DIY (Do It Yourself)

In the past, we mentioned Do It YourSelf Power, which concentrates on wind and solar power that can supplement (or replace) your on-grid energy supplies from the power company.  The systems were fairly easy and cheap to build, and some of our readers had a great time experimenting with it.

MagiWork Electromagnetic Energy

Magnetic Electricity Systems

Now we are seeing a new idea pop up, and that is for home electromagnetic energy systems. The systems are designed to be built by people who are not professional engineers, or even overly technical. They generate absolutely free energy, and they can work on their own or as a supplement to other power sources.

We invite you to take a moment to learn more about Magiwork Magnetic Electricity Systems here. The page is not selling the systems, but explaining a course to learn to build one yourself. The intro pages assure us that the system can be built for less than $100, that they work, and that ordinary people can complete this project.

Have You Ever Built An Energy System Yourself?

We invite reader feedback. New members will have comments moderated to keep up the quality of our website, but we love to post your comments.

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Thrift Stores Are In

I have frequented thrift stores for years. I have bought all sorts of stuff, and even clothes for myself and my kids. I also loved the treasure hunt of sorting through somebody else’s discards.

But I never really liked to talk about it too much. If anybody ever complemented my kid’s rain coat or my new blouse, I certainly changed the subject before the conversation got around to where I had purchased the item! In my circles, it was awesome to donate to second hand stores, like The Salvation Army, but not so hot to talk about buying things there.

Boy, has that changed in the last few years. Plato’s Closet, the name brand used clothing store for teens and young adults, has made it cool to wear used! My own brand conscious teen daughter has no problem picking up a gently used name brand top or pair of jeans for $16 instead of buying it new in the mall for $60. I would like to credit this to my good example, but I’m pretty sure it has more to do with the fact that her friends think it is ok.

Even Time Magazine reported on this trend, and noted that some “upscale” thrift stores are very picky about what they will buy these days.

How Do Upscale Thrift Stores Work?

They retail the clothes for about a third of what they sold for new. So you may find a gently used pair of fashion jeans for less than $20 instead of $60. And hey, those jeans are more comfortable for having been broken in anyway. They purchase the clothes for 30 – 50% of what they plan to sell for. So a seller can bring in the used jeans, and maybe hope to get $8 to $10 for them.

The sellers get some cash, and the buyers can refresh their wardrobes for a fraction of the price they could if they bought new. Beyond that, the movement is actuall a green one. Clothes get recycled instead of being tossed out.

They certainly make it easier for people with modest budgets to fake it until they make it too!

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The recession may have bred a new brand of American consumer, or rather anti-consumer. Apparently consumption is out and anti-consumerism is in.  We did lose millions of jobs in the past several months, but many people who are adopting a frugal lifestyle still have a steady job which they do not fear losing. But they did lose wealth. Either investments dropped, housing values sank, savings rates plunged, or they certainly knew people who had that experience. Even if the value of assets are starting to climb back up, many Americans got the wake up call, and they are really working on spending less and saving more!

This is not all just my opinion, though I am aware of this trend. I see it around me though I live in a middle class to upper middle class suburban area. Yahoo Finance published an AP servey of top US economists which supports this conclusion. Two thirds of American economists, who study consumer behavior agreed that cheap is in!

Baby boomers may have been a particularly hard hit group. For most of their working lives, assets climbed at a steady pace. But over the last several years, they lost assets. Wealth dropped, either because of income loss, investments turning south, or simply because the value of their homes dropped.

The Wealthy May Still Be Spending

In contrast to the behavior of middle or upper middle class people, the wealthy may still be spending freely. Cruise lines are beginning to report profits, and luxury auto sales seem to be keeping pace. However, the behavior of the wealthy may not be trickling down  the economic ladder. And most of us are not in the class of people who buy $200,000 cars or cruise frequently.

Most of us may be more likely to repair our old car a few more times before we consider trading it in. Our vacations may be taken in the family auto the way our parents did. We have come to the conclusion those things give us good value for our money.

Green Feeds Frugality

The new green trend may be adding to the frugal lifestyle. We are looking for ways to recycle and repair rather than discard the things we use. While the 10 year old Dodge may not be the greenest car around, we are trying to balance the things we use. If you haven’t run out to buy the latest hybrid vehicle yet, you may have asked your local mechanic what you can do to save gas with your old car. And you may certainly be turning up your thermostat a degree or two next summer, getting those ceiling fans installed, and only running the dishwasher when it is full.

Are You Starting A More Frugal Lifestyle?

Let us know what you are doing to be more frugal? You can register for free to comment!

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It must be obvious that you should only buy things in bulk if you are sure you will use them up and if you have a place to store them. This may be a good time to clean and organize your garage so you have a place to store your bulk purchases. Of course, things that will not spoil quickly are always better candidates for bulk buying. Bulk milk would not do much good for most of us, but bulk toilet paper would probay work out well.

You do not have to shop at the big bulk stores to buy in bulk either. These days, regular grocery stores offer larger sizes at a saving. This is convenient if you only want to make a few bulk purchases.

Cooperative Bulk Buying

Here are some good bulk purchases ideas. Keep in mind, these may not work out for you. If you do not have storage space, a 48 pack of toilet paper may be tough to stash away.

One clever idea that some of my neighbors started is to buy some items in bulk in a cooperative fashion.  Everybody can take their 8 rolls of toilet paper from that big pack. Either the neighbors can take turns picking up the bulk items, or everybody can just chip in their fair share for the cost. Good candidates for cooperative bulk buying may be things that would spoil if they are not used.

I often see big packs of steak on sale, for instance. If you can get each member of your coop to take a couple steaks, you can all have a great dinner on the cheap!

• Gift Giving – I have seen some big bulk retailers with gift card offers. For example, you may be able to purchase $100 worth of gift cards for 20% off. You could either use the card yourself for an automatic savings, or you could save money on presents you have to buy.
• Most Paper Goods – You can save money on paper goods from paper towels to greeting cards by buying in bulk. How many times have you had to run out for a $5 greeting card. But you can usually find packs of greeting cards for a big savings.
• Pet Food – Again, consider how you can store this safely. But I have noticed that the small bag of dry dog food is almost the same price as the much larger bag.  I can also find a large bag of parrot food for about the same price as a small plastic jar. I worry about the food getting stale if it is open too long, but a tight storage container may be a good investment over the long run.
• Light Bulbs, Batteries, etc. – Now batteries may have an expiration date, but if you run through AA’s like we do, a 12 pack will be cheaper per battery than a 2 pack! I always like to have extra batteries on hand too. By the way, it is true that your batteries can last longer if stored in the freezer. You do need to warm them up before use, and you should store them in a water tight container.

Do you have any ideas for saving money by buying in bulk. We’d love to have you register and comment.

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It is not too late to come up with some frugal Christmas gifts. Sure, you’ve only got $75 left in your checking account until payday, and you still haven’t bought anything for Aunt Midge or that office coworker who surprised you with a gift last night. But it isn’t too late!

Regifting is the New Cool!

Regifting is totally fine, but you just have to be careful about it. If Aunt Midge knitted you a sweater last year, it had better not show up as a gift anywhere she is likely to be. You certainly do not want to break the spirit of the season by hurting somebody’s feelings.

But it is absolutely ok for you to look through your closet or pantry for stored picture frames, bottles of wine, coffee mugs, etc., and to pass them on. Use judgement, make sure they are not open and unused, and wrap them nicely. But beyond that, you are actually passing on something you do not use to somebody who might.

Make Your Own Gift Baskets

It is really very easy to make some very nice gift baskets that will make attractive and appreciated gifts. You simply need a container, like a basket or nice platter (check your Dollar Store). Then come up with a theme, load it, and finish it off with plastic wrap and a bow. You can even find colored plastic wrap in the grocery store which makes a nice touch.

Some Themes for Gift Baskets you can Make!

• Coffee Break - A tin of tea or small bag of coffee, a mug, and a tin of fancy cookies. If your gift recipient does not like coffee or tea, you can find packages of hot cocoa and hot apple cider mix.
• Movie Night – A couple of packs of microwave popcorn, a liter of soda, a couple of aandy bars, and a small (like $5) gift card to a movie rental place. This could be packaged in a plastic bowl (for the popcorn).
• Spa – A bath oil set, pumice stone, and a nice washcloth can be purchased at the grocery or a discount store for less than $10. If its for a guy, give them an inexpensive manicure set and some “not-feminine”  hand lotion.
• Wine – A bottle of wine, 2 wine glasses, and some fancy crackers would to the trick.
• Young Children – Coloring books, crayons, and a bottle of bubbles should keep them happy.
• Teens – teens are tough, but the bath set idea should work for girls. I have had teen boys appreciate some masculine grooming items that do not cost a lot.  The coffee break idea, but with hot chocolate or hot apple cider mix will also work for a teen or older child. It is fun for them to have their own mug and treats.
• For Men – Put together a battery box. Find some packs of different size batteries. This gift will probably be welcome this time of year, but is always useful.

Anyway, I’m sure you can think of a lot more ideas if you put your mind to it. You’d be surprised what you can come up with at the supermarket or dollar store when the pressure’s on.

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This will be a tough year for many families. As I am writing this, I am thinking about the stack of property tax bills on my counter, and also the holiday gifts that my kids want. This may seem like a bad time to think about being frugal, but it is probably one of the best times. So how can I cut some expenses, like holiday gift giving, while sticking to a budget.

A Holday Gift Budget is Important!

Before you buy anything, write down a realistic budget. If you can set aside $300 or $1,000, I would suggest taking that amount of money out in cash. It is a lot easier to stick to your budget if you have to spend real money instead of just swiping plastic at the register. If you cannot use cash, try to keep a register of your expenses. The act of keeping a tally and writing it down will help.

So Where Can We Find Cheap Gifts that are Still Nice?

I have written about this before, but thrift stores can be gold mines of inexpensive gifts. You will also be doing triple duty with your dollars by recycling items and helping a charity like the Salvation Army. Now doesn’t that make you feel good?

There are a couple of large thrift stores near me. They have everything from housewares to furniture. Your 3 year old won’t mind that the kitchen set was gently used by another toddler. Your Uncle Bob won’t know that the tie hung in another closet.  And sometimes you can find some really nice things, like china and candlesticks that deserve another chance at usefulness and beauty.

Gift Exchanges

At our big family holiday gift exchange, we each bring one wrapped gift. Everybody takes a number, picks a gift, and gets to exchange it with anybody who is willing. It is actually a lot of fun and works out ok. Sometimes we bring some special kid friendly gifts for children, so they go home happy. But the adults are usually very happy with whatever they end up, and they are also relieved to only bring one gift instead of dozens.

Homemade Gifts

Now I know you are groaning, but you really can make some things that will be better appreciated than some store bought gifts. Holiday cookies, arranged on a holiday plate, and covered with colored plastic wrap are always appropriate. With a mix, some toppings,  a trip to the dollar store, and a little creativity, you can make up dozens of these for the price of one gift in a department store. You won’t have to apoligize for it either!

Stopping Materialism at Home

This does not work so well with younger children, but I find that adolescents tend to want a lot of expensive things, without really realizing how much they cost. I try to find some average amount of the valud of the things they want and give them cash instead of a gift. What I find is that they tend to purchase a lot less than they wanted me to buy them, and they save some of the money for something they might want later.

So if one of my kids wants a $200 mp3 gadget or a $150 digital camera, I give them the money. It is interesting to see if they still want the item enough to part with their riches. Sometimes they still buy it, but sometimes they delay the purchase.

This is not a bad exercise for people of any age.

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Look at her great article to get an example : How To Buy A Cheap Refrigerator

Here is a summary of the steps she took to save money, and these steps could apply to any applicance buy!

• Figure out what you want vs. what you can afford. For example, a fridge that makes fancy ice cubes may be cool, but is it really worth hundreds of dollars? If you need a reliable fridge, maybe you could buy the standard model and just spend a couple of bucks on fancy ice cube trays.
• Do not be afraid to go into a store and ask questions or do research, even when you do not intend to make a purchase that day. Of course, the salesperson is trying to sell you something, but that does not mean you have to make a purchase if it is not in your best interest.
• Many appliance stores can negotiate on prices or services. My friend managed to get free delivery and an extended warranty thrown in for less than another store wanted for just the fridge! She did that by stopping in at a couple of stores. If you are buying a $29 toaster this may not be worth your time, but if you are spending hundreds of dollars it is!

Anyway, her tips on fridge buying could be applied to many major purchases – TV sets, Cars, etc. So check out the article, and get a lot more free women’s articles at WemonAde.com!

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It happens almost every holiday season. Gift cards seem like such a great idea because they allow the person who got the card to go shopping. The only problem that pops up is when the card is only for a store that you never go to. A $50 Godiva chocolate gift card may sound perfect, but it will not work for somebody who just started their New Year’s diet. If you are in a situation like that, you would probably rather have a new pair of walking shoes or money for new Gclothes that are a size smaller!

Some great uses of unwanted gift cards:

• Sell Your Gift Card. You will need to sell it for less than the face value, but you can get some cash for it. Look at online auction websites, and you will see that they are full of gift card sales. Or, simpler yet, put up a notice at work in a approved place.
• Give Your Gift Card Away. If you got a $50 gift card to a store that is just not convenient, you can use it as a donation to your favorite charity.
• Buy Stuff For Other Gifts. You can use that unwanted card for a big box of chocolate and then promptly pass it on to a non-dieting friend for Valentine’s Day.
• Buy Sfuff to Donate. The chocolate example may not work here. But let’s say your teenage daughter gets a gift card to a discount store, and she only wants designer jeans. You could use this one to buy things to donate. Maybe, make a deal that you will pay her for half the value of the card, and then you can use the items as a charitable donation.

The donation idea can have some positive tax implications too. So make gift cards, even unwanted ones, the gift that just keeps on giving!

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It is so easy to get caught up in all of the technology available on cell phones today. When some people look for a phone, they are also looking for a handheld computer, camera, music player, text messaging device, handheld game systems and GPS! There are two big problems with all of this functionality though. First, it makes the phone complex to use. The other big problem for us frugal people is that all of that stuff comes with a price.

The Jitterbug phone is often promoted as a Cell Phone For Seniors, because of these features:

• Larger Numbers and Bright Screen
• Personalized Customer Service
• Inexpensive Monthly Fee
• No Contract
• Just a Phone, so it is simple to use

However, many younger people, especially us frugal types, are attracted to having an inexpensive and simple phone that was designed to do one thing. That one thing is to make and receive phone calls so it is available in case of an urgent need.  Other people who could benefit from a phone like this are children, disabled people, and anybody who just wants a phone, and not a portable computer!

If you want a simple phone, friendly service, and an affordable price, learn more about the Jitterbug cell phone for seniors (and cheapskates).

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I have to admit that I had a pretty negative view of second hand stores, of the sort run by various charities. I probably got the idea from a childhood memory of riding with my parents to dump off a lot of my old clothes and toys at the back door of a dusty old building. However, I got dragged into my local Salvation Army thrift shop recently, and let me tell you what I found!

Tons Of Cheap Gifts at The Thrift Store!

Bingo! I found a pair of silver (yes, silver) candlesticks for $3! Now, I’m a bit of a silverbug, and I know the shiny stuff is only about $10 an ounce now. Still, these tarnished darlings were marked, heavy, and the pair is worth at least $100. Once I took them home and polished them up they were beautiful, and made a very appropriate present for the biggest snob on my holiday list. Now that was a really lucky find, and I actually told the clerk about the silver content imprint, but she shrugged. I did stick a $5 in the donation jar, and bought a lot more stuff.

I was pleased and surprised to find some really nice clothes for all ages. Now clothes don’t usually make a great present, but wool scarves and mittens do! I was packing those babies away for $3 to $5! And I also found wool blankets for $15 – $20. I did decide that I deserved a present, and found a like-new leather jacket for $25 which I purchased without feeling a bit of guilt.

My son had been asking for a larger chest of drawers, and instead of buying him a crummy pressed wood piece of furniture at a discount store for $100, I paid half that for real wood. That did mean I’d have to arrange to pick it up later, so it was a bit of trouble, but in my mind, it was worth it. This wasn’t really a holiday gift, but something our family needed, and I just decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

I didn’t complete my holiday shopping, and did intend to get the kids a few new things like a video game to share. If my kids were younger they probably wouldn’t have noticed that the box a toy came in was a bit worn and dented, but they are a bit beyond that, while not old enough to appreciate getting something to wear for a present. But I covered the adults, and even endulged myself in the leather jacket, plus I bought a nice piece of actual furniture.

My bill was just a bit over $100! I felt good about buying practical gifts for the adults in my family, staying under budget, and also contributing to charity through the organization that runs the thrift store!

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