I did much better on my May budget than I was expecting!
I went over on my text messages, again! It’s a shame no one uses email anymore because it really would help!
Total May Fixed Expenses: $1,532.70 Continue reading »
Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.
The Way We Get By
Genre: Documentary
Mood: Serious/Emotional
84 mins; 2009
Leslie Rating: 4/5 Continue reading »
Back in March, I pre-ordered a video game and received $20 video game credit on Amazon.com. I went to use it just last week and noticed that the credits were not showing up.
So I went to Get Human to find their number. I waited maybe 4 minutes for a CR to answer.I explained the dilemma and was informed that the credits expired April 30th! I had no idea! I said that. Continue reading »
On Twitter, I try to share Frugal Tips about budgets, expenses and food! Here is the whole list of them so far.
When baking, save the butter wrapper and use it to grease your pans! This is a tip I actually learned in Home Ec in high school. You can take this one step further and freeze the butter wrappers to use later.
DIY Microwave Popcorn! Put 1/4C popcorn kernels in paper lunch bag, microwave 2 min. Pour melted butter & salt, shake, serve!
Don’t throw out your rock solid brown sugar. Put a piece of bread in the bag and in a day the sugar will be all softened up!
Honey never goes bad! Ever. Heat crystallized honey in the microwave for 10-30 seconds to get you smooth honey back. Continue reading »
When you are looking to purchase something new or when you are decluttering your home, it is important to think about re-purposing items that you no longer use into something far more useful! Here are some examples of how I re-purposed household items into new ones without paying a dime!
After losing umpteen pairs of earrings and having all my necklaces tangled into one big knot, I looked into purchasing a jewelry box. Unfortunately, I could not find one that met my needs and was not keen on paying $30 for something that can only hold 5 necklaces.
Instead, I took an eyelet belt that I hardly wear and hung it up on a hook behind the bathroom door. All of my earrings fit perfectly on the belt. They are not too crowded, I always can pair them up, and they will not fall out of a box. I have been using the belt as an earring holder for over a year now and have yet to find a better system. As you can see, I use the other hooks to hang earrings from.
I do realize that the belt is no longer a belt, but I really do not miss it as an accessory. Continue reading »
Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.
A group of friends and I went out to dinner to treat a friend for his birthday. The six of us split the bill for $17/each; that way everyone was paying a bit of the birthday boy’s meal as well. It was far more than I normally spend on eating out, but was a special occasion.
After dinner, we went back to my house and just hung out for the rest of the night. I did not go out and buy any special food; I was already prepared to make cookies!
Friday Total Cost:$17
Continue reading »
These oatmeal cookies are simply amazing! They do not have raisins (yay!) and do not have chocolate (sadness) but are still tasty and sweet.
The key ingredient here are Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips. They may be hard to find. The only grocery store in my central New Jersey area that carries them is Wegman’s. I usually stock up on them when I go.
Here’s the recipe!
2 sticks of butter, softened
1C brown sugar
1/3C white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2t vanilla
1 1/2C flour
1t baking soda
2 1/2C quick oats
1pkg Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips Continue reading »
I was in H&M over the weekend and overheard a shopper tell a friend, “I’m not crazy about this shirt but it’s only $10.” It is easy to be fooled by a small price tag because not only is there less of an investment, but there is also less guilt.
But is that cheap price worth being uncomfortable because the fabric is slightly irritating? Or self-conscious because it doesn’t fit you perfectly? Or wasteful because it rips after a few washings?
If you do not love something, why spend any money on it all?
How many of … Continue reading »
I mentioned in my Guide to Working Out that I run because it is cheap. Like anything, there are expenses.
After I was running for a bit, I decided to run some 5k’s. Unfortunately, it was discouraging. At $30 to run for 30 minutes, it seemed silly. For me, I was going to run 3 miles anyway, that was a normal run for me. I am not competitive and not beating my PR became depressing. I grew tired of runners’ attitudes and found the whole thing … Continue reading »
When it comes to commuting to work or school, there is much more to be concerned about than just the price of gas and oil changes. Your mental well-being takes a toll when driving in congested traffic, bad weather, or in a hurry. Some folks like to have a good 20 minute drive from work to home to give them some “downtime” to transition into home-mode. On the other hand, some just cannot bear commuter traffic. We all have our driving preferences and limits. What are yours?
A few years ago, I took a job that involved an hour commute. Gas alone cost over $300/month plus constant oil changes. I did that for a year, then caved and moved closer. It was not because of the cost (my rent was super cheap), it was the traffic that drove me crazy. Continue reading »
Free samples are a great example of how frugality is more about being resourceful than it is about being cheap.
Cheap people will use free samples solely because they are free. They have no intention of ever buying the product and simply think of the item as a free meal, free lipstick, free soap, etc.
Frugal consumers, on the other hand, will focus more on the fact that it is a sample. Samples allow you to try a product with no investment. If you like the sample, then spending money on it will be a smart purchase. If you do not, then no harm done. You did not waste your money. Continue reading »
Airlines have always been fee-happy when it comes to checked luggage. Weight restriction and contents were the biggest charge-causing items. Then airlines started charging for more than one checked luggage. Now it’s for all checked luggage period. And Southwest is even charging for carry-on’s. This means the more efficiently you pack, the more money you save!
I took a 10 day trip in the summer, with 10+ days worth of clothes, including running clothes and shoes all in one carry on and one large purse. Everything fit because I rolled all my clothing. I stuffed socks inside my shoes. I used every nook and cranny in that piece of luggage to comfortably pack my clothes into. However, I did not overstuff anything.
Rolling your clothes makes a better use of the space within your luggage. It takes up less room and leaves less wrinkles in your clothing. You can even roll up outfits together to make unpacking easier.
This is my first video and I know it’s a bit rough, so please bear with me. Here is how I roll-up my clothes to pack. I have no idea if this is the “right” way or not, but it works for me!
Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.
I started the night with some yummy home-made mac n cheese. Then some friends called so I met them at Chipotle (but didn’t eat anything) and ended up going out to a bar after. One beer was bought for me and I did not drink anything else. It was a nice low key night with friends.
Friday Total Cost:$0
Continue reading »
Every weekend, I will detail my activities and expenses to provide an example of how to implement a frugal mindset while still having a fun and active life.
I had Friday off and I splurged! I treated myself to $40 worth of cake supplies at Candyland Crafts with the thought to attempt making a cake for an Easter dinner on Sunday. After my shopping spree, I went for an evening run (which was wonderful) then spent the rest of the night playing Heavy Rain on the PS3 that my friend is letting me borrow over the weekend. I had a get together planned for Saturday so I did not mind having Friday just being a loungy evening.
Friday Total Cost:$42 (excluding the groceries) Continue reading »
I did much better on my March budget than most people did with their tournament brackets! It was an odd month because I only received two paychecks due to starting the new job. I am looking forward to April being a normal month so I can adjust to my new commuting expenses and weekly paycheck.
I was under or even with all of my monthly bills (yes, even my cell phone). I was very happy to see my gas/electric bill come to only $63.95/each this month. I had $90 budgeted because … Continue reading »
