Archive for cheerful frugality
Thanksgiving For $20 or Less?
Have you seen Walmart’s clever Thanksgiving commercial? It advertises a Thanksgiving meal for 8 that costs only $20. I had to investigate. I clicked all over Walmart.com, but only a press release spells out the $20 feast. The complete dinner includes: One 12-pound Grade A turkey* (Jennie-O, while supplies last) Three 11 to 15.5-ounce cans Green Giant [...]
Frugality Is Not Black & White
Writing about frugality is trickier than it looks. There’s always someone who has more/less or spends more/less. Few consumer commentaries satisfy both. Does your family income (or expenses) fluctuate? Ours, too. What makes good financial sense one year may not be the right strategy for the next. When we were newly married and nearly broke, money choices [...]
What Are You Gathering This Season?
I think of November as my gathering season. The wind blows, sports slow, and I am kept busy planning for winter. Here are a few things we’ve been gathering at my house: Pine cones, magnolia leaves and seed pods for free, natural decoration Bulk red pepper, chile, and cumin for a shaker of make-your-own-chili-seasoning Snow boots, [...]
Goodwill Outlets: Clothing By The Pound Strategies
Goodwill Outlet stores are popping up in chains all over the country. Be warned: they are no-frills (and for thrift stores, that’s saying a lot). Here are some Goodwill Outlet strategies to help you come out ahead: 1. Consider the weight. At my Goodwill Outlet, bins and tables of merchandise are rolled out to the sales floor [...]
Cheerful Frugality & The Gift Of Less
As a parent, I work hard to give my kids the right experiences: music, swim proficiency, time with grandparents far away. I worry about finding the right church, the right friends, the right toys. We have deliberately chosen a life slowed down. When we exchanged my salary for family time, we knew we’d be able to provide [...]
Cheerful Frugality Plays Outdoors
Earlier this spring I decided to let my garden dreams go. Instead, we would work on creating a frugal space all about function and family. No garden designer would approve the plastic alligator pool (75% off clearance) or the honkin’ big A/C unit (newly installed by the sellers after a rigorous home inspection). Those money-saving details bring a smile to [...]
Cheerful Frugality In The Lean Times
This week I listened to a conversation between 2 friends. “Beans and rice are great, but we can’t eat bean tacos every night!” “If you’ve already cut cable, make everything from scratch, and use cloth diapers, what else is left to cut?” These are hard questions, not asked in jest. What can you do when you need [...]
Cheerful Frugality and Outdated Technology
If you need a cheap TV, boy, have I got a deal for you… Frequent thrift shoppers have probably noticed shelves full of analog televisions donated in the last few months. You can’t watch programming without a converter box, but that’s a functional, frugal solution to anyone who needs a TV for movies or cable. Likewise, we [...]
Cheerful Frugality Splashes
Several of our pool buddies have dropped their YMCA memberships. Thanks, economic downturn! We’d still love to meet our friends in a cool environment. Here are some of the free or cheap water play ideas I’ve been brainstorming: Backyard pools: We keep an inflatable kiddie pool for easy play. I’m amazed at how relatively cheap the DIY above-ground [...]
Cheerful Frugality Buys Used Cars
Ten years ago, my husband vowed that he’d never make a car payment again. True to his word, we’ve driven a series of used cars bought with cash–some better than others. Our 17-year-old Volvo wagon is getting creaky, so we’ve been on the hunt for its replacement. I am reminded again that finding the RIGHT [...]
Cheerful Frugality Sorts Shoes
I’m definitely a minimalist when it comes to shoes, but 5 people x the minimum 3 pairs adds up fast. Today I’m digging out those yard sale sandals to see which fits whom. Here’s my frugal formula for shoes: 1 pair for house/garden/water (Mary Jane crocs or Tevas) 1 pair for walking (canvas or athletic shoes) [...]
Cheerful Frugality Invests Long Term
Tell me if this is a tightwad problem for you, too: Even though I know a new practice will save me money long-term, I resist because the initial investment seems so high. I balked at the groceries for Once A Month Cooking (even though the final bill–and the results–were a success). I hesitate to write [...]
Cheerful Frugality Goes Once A Month
This Saturday a friend and I will tackle our first ever Once A Month cook-a-thon, with 6 month babies on our hips. Are we crazy? Just maybe. Since Jessie works full-time, I volunteered to grocery shop. And then I saw the list. 48 pork chops? What have I gotten myself into? I haven’t shopped like [...]
Cheerful Frugality Spray Paints
In our discussion about making old things feel new again, we received this question: Can you share a few tips here for choosing the right brand/type of spray paint? Is the really cheap stuff worth using, or will I wind up wishing I had spent the money for a better brand? In my grandmother’s day, [...]
Cheerful Frugality Budgets For Better, For Worse
My brother emailed to ask if I had an extra Dave Ramsey book lying around. Yes!!! (Incidentally, I didn’t–and I haven’t seen one at a thrift store in ages. Sign of the times?) I’m so happy that he and his wife will be working a budget together as they begin their marriage. Here are a [...]
