Frugal living

If the crispy hexagons are crushed into a million pieces when you go to eat them - sorry. As I unloaded my store brand groceries - you gotta love that name: crispy hexagons: the crawling baby bulldozed the box.

So as promised, here is a list of ways to be frugal - probably all ways that you already know and/or use. But if there's something missing on the list, please let me know. I'm always in the market for a lower price.

1. www.thegrocerygame.com visit this site and read the instructions. it's simple: it gives you lists of grocery stores, in town, that are having sales (it gives you this knowledge earlier than the newspapers do and tells you about items on sale that aren't listed as on sale - aah, you didn't know that stores did that, huh? right. they do.). it also gives an extra list of coupons to help couple with your coupons - you can actually wind up purchasing things for free. it's a good way, if you have a big family (or growing family), to stockpile on items that you use regularly: canned food, toiletries, meat for freezing, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.

2.Shop at Sam's or Costco - again, work on stockpiling. Or, purchase items in bulk that you use more readily and need at a lower price. Such as diapers or milk or juice, etc. Be sure to know your grocery store prices - items at these stores aren't always less expensive.

3.www.freecycle.org Visit this site and learn how to get rid of your old stuff or get someone else's stuff - for free! it's a way for us all to recycle our old things: from light bulbs, plant pots, to washing machines and grills.

4.make your own baby food. (see previous posts and visit www.cuisinart.com or www.wholesomebabyfood.com for more info). it's easy, healthy, and saves the pocket book.

5.share. if you aren't having a baby for another couple of years, share your maternity clothes. chances are, by the time you have another baby, you wont' like the clothes that you wore in your previous pregnancy. so share your clothes with a friend. it saves them money - and more than likely, someone will be willing to share with you when/if you get pregnant again. share baby clothes - if you're done having babies, give your clothes away. i know it's emotionally difficult - but it's so appreciated. most of loralai's clothes that she's worn up until this point were given to us. we'll do the same with her clothes when we're done having babes.

6.Pre-plan meals. Try to think of meals that you want to cook for the week ahead or two weeks ahead - this will make grocery shopping more efficient. Keep a notebook listing meals that you and your family enjoy- then you can reference it when you're planning meals for the week. And after you cook a meal, use your leftovers. If your family doesn't like the same meal twice - use the leftovers creatively. Use salad leftovers in a taco salad or left over chicken in quesadillas, etc.

7.Rain water catch system - if you garden or have lots of plants that need watering, try purchasing a rain water catch system and let your run-off rainwater become the water you use to water your plants.

8.Store brand: shop the grocery store brand items They usually go on sale first and are normally less expensive than namebrand items and generally just as good.

9.Brown bag your lunch to work.

10.Don't play with your thermostat. Changing the temperature ups your utility bill. Keep it steady and save a little.

11.Furniture: if you aren't in the market for new, try shopping craigslist or if you can wait, try eBay.

12.Haircuts: if you just need a trim, you can go to the local beauty/hair cutting school: my sister-n-law did this and paid $9 for a haircut (tip included)

13.Massage, facials, pedicures, manicures: if you want to treat yourself, you don't have to pay full price if you go to the local school (Miller Motte in Wilmington) that teaches these skills: an hour massage runs around $30.

14.Movies: if you're a movie watcher, try Red Box movies for $1.00 each or NetFlix or Blockbuster online.

15.Yardsale it: if you don't use it, get rid of it. And if you need extra money, have a yardsale. And if you don't have enough stuff for your own, ask a friend to go in on one with you. And, shop other yardsales if you're in the need of something that you can re-purpose: like a mirror, or coffee table, etc.