Posts: 7,019
3/3/13 7:55 A

I consider myself a savvy frugalist.
I no longer go shopping because I'm bored.
If I do that means budget trouble.
I will do something else that doesn't cost money.
I will take a walk in the park with a friend, go to a free Yoga class, get a DVD and/or books from the library, volunteer work and the list goes on.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
3/2/13 4:49 A

Re-using leftovers into a brand new meal.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 7,019
1/30/13 8:36 A

Oops! Running out of produce and am craving eggplant!
Yes, off to the store who has them on sale.
I will make vegetarian stuffed eggplant.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 418
1/30/13 12:36 A

Packing Lunch & Making dinner!

Posts: 7,019
1/26/13 3:27 P

Today I saved money by preparing meals with food I had on hand.
No grocery store this week.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (451)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 1
1/26/13 2:21 P

I decided that January was going to be "No going out to eat January." So far this month I have spent a grand total of $9 eating out!

Posts: 724
1/26/13 12:32 P

This week I decided to plan out a "Weekly Budget". Only so much spending money goes into an envelope/wallet for the week. Whatever is left over at the end of the week goes into savings.
Then I start over again the following week. When you know that the money that is left over at the end of the week is yours to use towards something...you do think twice about spending it and it does provide a fun challenge.
This is also a great way to save for something special.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

Posts: 7,019
1/9/13 5:12 P

Just for today I made a conscious choice to only buy things at the grocery store that were on the list. Stayed out of tempting stores.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 724
1/9/13 3:12 P

Great idea! I'm working on doing something similar. I'm going to be getting a number of things together and post them on line for extra $$$. Remember...One mans junk is another mans treasure!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

Posts: 2
1/3/13 7:32 P

going through items we don't need around here and getting them cleaned up and ready to post online for sale. Instead of spending money, I'm trying to spend this week creating cash flow for our household.

Posts: 7,019
1/2/13 9:59 P

Not having money to spend

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 981
1/2/13 7:23 P

Taking my own breakfast and drink to work. :)

Posts: 7,019
12/2/12 4:20 P

Staying out of the crowded stores.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
12/2/12 11:07 A

I had leftover roast in the fridge and tomatoes and peppers left over from last weekend's chili so I made a nice pot of what turned into stuffed pepper soup; I always have rice and pasta available. I just threw in the veggies I had and used up most of the leftovers into a new meal.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 7,019
11/4/12 7:55 A

Today I plan to spend time outside enjoying the day.
Looks like another great on in South Florida.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 7,019
11/2/12 8:54 A

Called into work yesterday and stayed away from retail therapy.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 1,615
11/1/12 7:37 A

Icame straight home from work rather than stopping in at the resale store!

Posts: 7,019
10/29/12 7:37 P

Went to the Asian market and purchased Thai basil and fresh ginger.
Nothing else which is new for me. I can always find goodies there.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 176
10/29/12 12:40 A

I only bought items at the thrift store that were on sale...$1.50 or $2.50 each. Spent a total of $35 and got 4 pair of pants, 3 tops, 4 videos, a book, a wine glass, a pair of shoes, a jacket, sweats and 2 T-shirts!!

Posts: 7,019
10/28/12 9:30 A

Another day of not opening my wallet.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 1,615
10/27/12 9:50 P

I also used the red lazer app to do price comparison shopping on a coffee maker and other items around.

Posts: 1,615
10/27/12 9:48 P

today I went to my favorite thrift stores and found such wonderful bargains. I am empowered by this! What a savings. I can buy so much more this way!

Posts: 7,019
10/27/12 10:17 A

Compared prices on needed household items.
Saved about 20%.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 1,615
10/26/12 7:37 A

brought my lunch to work, rather than grab lunch out which I had intended.

Posts: 7,019
10/25/12 10:42 A

Saved money by not opening the wallet.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
10/25/12 1:21 A

I did not take my daughter with me to the grocery store this week, somehow it's always cheaper when I'm alone!

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 7,019
10/24/12 9:00 P

Food prices are going up and up. Don't like to waste foods.
Made a carrot and winter squash casserole today.
Decided not to peel the squashes. Just cut into bite size pieces.
It came out soooo good. The peels were soft and added lots of nutrients to the dish.
This is a real keeper.
Think I'll have it for a sweet snack tomorrow.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (9,626)
Fitness Minutes: (1,473)
Posts: 637
10/24/12 6:47 P

Creatively re-purposing leftovers so no food was wasted!

current weight: 191.8

202 186.5 171 155.5

140

Posts: 7,019
10/21/12 10:15 A

Savvy shopping has paid off for me always.
Years ago I put away all the money saved on groceries every week.
I took a few years of saving but eventually was able to buy myself a much needed car.
Saving has its rewards.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
10/21/12 4:14 A

I'm reusing the box my toaster came in to send stuff to my son. So I didn't have to buy a box at the store yesterday. I wish I had thought to save the packing papers from my move last month, I could have reused it to wrap the box, but I put everything out in the recycle bin. So I had to buy brown paper for the wrapping but at least the box and packing materials were free (shredded papers)

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 100
10/20/12 10:45 P

Wow, Jenae! $22 savings is great! I thought I had hit the jackpot when my shopper's card saved me $10 last week. You have me beat.

current weight: 124.8

134 130.75 127.5 124.25

121

Posts: 7,019
10/18/12 3:12 P

Grocery shopping excursion today was great!
I checked the specials in stores, made a list and stuck to it.
Took advantage of 'buy one get one free' items like cottage cheese, buttermilk, cheese sticks and coffee..
Used coupons for lots of items that were on sale.
How much did I save? $22.00!
Not bad if I say so myself!

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 100
10/18/12 12:54 P

Downsizing our cell phone plans to cover just what we need.

current weight: 124.8

134 130.75 127.5 124.25

121

Posts: 724
10/18/12 12:19 P

Living out here in the country, my husband and I started doing some major cleaning and in the process, got a metal junk pile started. Then..about once a month, we take our junk metal to the metal dealer and earn a little extra cash. Not only is our place starting to look better, but we are also rewarded with the extra $$. If you have a local metal dealer your way, it may benefit you to get a list of what items they accept. You may be surprised at what items you have that you are actually ready to throw away, but can get cast for.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

Posts: 7,019
10/1/12 3:58 P

Staying out of stores that tempt me to open my wallet and reach for the credit card. It worked.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 176
10/1/12 2:13 P

Eating leftovers for lunch (too much tho.)

Posts: 7,019
9/30/12 3:47 P

Enjoying the day reading the Sunday paper and catching up on phone calls.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 176
9/25/12 10:31 P

Staying home and not going anywhere!

SparkPoints: (4,819)
Fitness Minutes: (1,560)
Posts: 262
9/19/12 9:46 P

packing my lunch

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 3.25 6.5 9.75

13

Posts: 176
9/9/12 12:37 A

I took DD off the auto insurance since she is in college now....saved about $250. Also went to an estate sale and bought a DVD player for $18...saved about $22.

Posts: 724
9/8/12 10:55 A

That's super!!!
A couple days ago, my husband and I went for an evening walk. We live in the country and we came across a wild plum tree growing along the road, filled with beautiful plums. Needless to say, we picked a bunch and brought them home to enjoy as a snack.
Free...Free...Free!!! Good...Good...Good Too!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (2,170)
Fitness Minutes: (737)
Posts: 32
8/25/12 1:45 A

Today I saved money by picking wild black berries and apples from a tree on the street to make a VERY yummy - and practically free cobbler! My friend and I split it - she brought the flour and sugar, I had the fruit and actually did the cooking. FREEEEE!!

Posts: 724
8/10/12 1:45 P

Thanks for sharing! I will look into it a little further.
I'm also happy to say that we saved money today by using a 5.00 coupon towards a 10.00 item. Whoo Hoo! Nothing like saving 50 percent on something!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
8/3/12 7:13 P

I'm not sure if it's a senior discount or just a veteran's but I think it is 10%.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 724
8/3/12 2:48 P

Wow...I didn't even know that they have a Senior/Veterans discount. How much of a discount is it? I will have to look into that.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
8/3/12 9:07 A

Asked my Dad to go with me to Lowes to buy my doors to use his senior/veteran's discount.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

SparkPoints: (7,215)
Fitness Minutes: (1,020)
Posts: 58
8/1/12 10:33 P

taking a competitor's ad, where the selection was very limited, to my local Walmart. I got the 25 lb. box of Tidy Cats Extreme Odor Control Litter (regular $11.99) for the comp price of only $7.99. Very excited about my accomplishment!

330 Days since:  drinking soda

0 87 175 262

350

Posts: 724
7/24/12 12:56 P

Today I saved money by planting veggies/flowers in our garden. There is nothing like fresh home grown veggies and not having to pay for them at the store. There is also nothing like picking your flowers and not having to put out money for a flower boquet at the store.
Ummmm...fresh veggies and pretty flowers. I can hardly wait!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

Posts: 724
6/19/12 1:57 P

Today we actually made money by getting rid of some old junky scrap metal that was laying around. The scrap man came by and paid us for our scrap metal, saving us a 1 hour trip into town plus the inconvenience of it all. We got rid of some really old bicycles, old metal desk that was just taking up space, an old freezer and some other miscellaneous items.
Not only did we get rid of junk...we cleaned things up a bit...freed up some space...and got paid 50 dollars for all our junk!
If you have scrap metal junk...it's a nice way to earn a few extra dollars. Check out your local area and check on the scrap dealers. You may be surprised at what it's worth!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

Posts: 122
6/5/12 4:08 P

Today I saved money by doing the following:
1. Brought a sack lunch to work
2. clipped coupons for a pre-planned grocery shopping trip, buying just needed items on list
3. no longer purchasing items to stock pile and having $$$ tied up in stockpile, instead only
purchasing what my family will use in a month's time when the items go on sale again.

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
6/5/12 3:22 P

I had carpet put in my living room recently and there was a remnant left. I've trimmed the long sides so they are even and put binding tape all around the edges and now I have a carpet runner for in front of the front door.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 724
6/5/12 1:06 P

Today I will be fixing a nice big pot of soup. It stretches the meal that much further, is filling and also very healthy!
Keep the good ideas coming. Between all of us, we can all help one another.

Oh...and here is an idea for someone with kids. Instead of planning on taking the kids somewhere, why not plan a day devoted to just them at home? Why not fix some healthy snacks..pop corn, etc...and pull out a puzzle to work on together...or a board game. It might surprise you how much fun something "Non-electronic" can be. They might be amazed too!

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

Posts: 122
5/30/12 3:32 P

1. Today I brought lunch to work insteasd of eating out.
2. I treated my high school children on their last day of final exams by giving them coupons
for a free lunch at Culver's with their friends. The coupons are for BOGO cheeseburger
meals. They are going with a group of friends and someone else in the group will order the
same thing so their meals will be free with the coupons.
3. I am drinking free water from the office water cooler rather than pop from the $ pop
machine.
4. We wil be having leftovers for dinner tonight.

SparkPoints: (109,213)
Fitness Minutes: (88,083)
Posts: 7,757
5/16/12 9:40 A

It is amazing to me how you all are saving and cutting back . My hats off to you all . Good job. It adds up but trying to talk people into doing things this way can be hard . We all tend to think our way is the best and we know this is not true . the waste in a family can be found anywhere in the budget and cut to the bone . It just takes telling yourself you can do this . keep talking it helps . part of yourself wants to do the stuff to save and get out of debt . then there is the little devil inside your soul that wants to have what it wants now as it stomps it foot on the ground in protest. thanks everyone ..

current weight: 221.0

265 236 207 178

149

SparkPoints: (2,002)
Fitness Minutes: (1,555)
Posts: 8
5/12/12 9:14 P

I planned tomorrow's shopping trip by matching sales with coupons. In the past few weeks, I've gotten Kotex, Playtex, Tampax, and Always products for only $1-2 per package. I pay only about $1-1.50 for Colgate whitening toothpastes, Dawn dish soap for about $.74 a bottle, and less than $2.00 a bottle for Pantene shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. I have a small apartment and live alone, so it doesn't make any sense for me to stockpile, but having a couple month's supply of these items means I never pay full retail because I have to run out and make a purchase at the last minute. Tomorrow's shopping list has Panteen for $1.25 a bottle and Crest mouth rinse for $1.14 after sales, coupons, and store rewards. If I can afford to, I take the difference between the retail amount and what I pay and put it right into my savings account.

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
5/12/12 7:24 P

I returned the cable box this week and was able to refinance the car. With the extra $100 I save on my payment I'll be able to pay off a 5th debt this year (the car is on the list but I am going in order, dumping all extra $$ on a single debt at a time). I also cancelled my and my daughter's gym memberships since we are moving in a few months; unfortunately I still have this month's payments so I won't save until June. Sometime in June I will also cancel the DVD part of my Netflix account.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 434
5/12/12 2:23 P

shopping at Aldi's ! I bought 8 oz package of mushrooms for .69 c, grape tomatoes for .49 c, baby carrots 1 lb for .39 c , eggs .69 c, cucumbers .25 c each, bagged lettuce .39 c each, peanut butter granola bars $1.49. If you have one close by I definately recommend it !

Pounds lost: 32.0

0 18.75 37.5 56.25

75

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
4/24/12 11:14 A

Today I saved money by resisting the hard sell and cancelling my enrollment to an ID protect credit monitoring service. I had originally signed up in 2011 in order to pump up my frequent flyer miles so I could get a free ticket for our vacation to London last December. I'll save $9.99 per month.

Next up is to return the extra cable box I have not been using ($5/month) and see if I can refinance my car loan to get a lower payment.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 724
3/18/12 7:46 P

Today I saved money by using a blanket while watching TV..instead of turning on the heat.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (2,207)
Fitness Minutes: (3,810)
Posts: 34
3/9/12 9:58 A

I saved money today by turning off all my lights and using the natural light; the sun. Also saving money by not have to buy a present for my son't birthday; he just wants money. I wish I could open my windows(old house)

Posts: 724
3/8/12 10:38 P

Today I saved money by turning off the wall heaters and opening up the doors and windows!
We actually had nicer weather outside than we did inside to day...but....I hear there may be snow on the way in the next couple of days. Ummmm.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
3/1/12 3:41 P

I remembered this morning that I had a Costco coupon for my antivirus software that has expired so I saved $30 ordering it through Costco instead of simply hitting the "renew license" button.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

SparkPoints: (2,207)
Fitness Minutes: (3,810)
Posts: 34
3/1/12 3:01 P

today I saved money by not going anywhere

Posts: 724
2/26/12 11:04 P

Today we saved money by staying home. My husband and I have decided to do our best to only make one trip to town per week. That's about a 40 minute drive each way. $$$ saved on gas...especially since the price has been going up, up, up.
We combine all things we need to do in that one trip...doctors, shopping, pay bills, etc.
We are also limiting ourselves to eating out to only once a week...at most. That's our weekly treat...and that might not even be a meal. It might be a shared ice cream cone. ha ha.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (21,425)
Fitness Minutes: (7,806)
Posts: 753
2/23/12 11:55 A

Canned fruit - I like the peaches and pears in the light syrup. The texture of the peaches are not exactly the same as fresh, but it's good. You can also try frozen.

Try the link supplied below (a few posts down) for recipes using ingredients that you do have.

current weight: 152.5

163 153.5 144 134.5

125

SparkPoints: (2,207)
Fitness Minutes: (3,810)
Posts: 34
2/23/12 7:40 A

Money this week is tight for me,so some of the ingredients I've need for the menu I haven't had. Does anyone else find it hard to shop for some of the ingredients on a budget. Also is canned fruit just as good as real fruit? have a good day

SparkPoints: (21,425)
Fitness Minutes: (7,806)
Posts: 753
2/20/12 1:26 P

FANGFACEKITTY - Thanks for the web link. It looks like a good site to use. I used a similar one recipekey.com but this looks like an easier one to work with.

current weight: 152.5

163 153.5 144 134.5

125

SparkPoints: (50,215)
Fitness Minutes: (39,096)
Posts: 3,105
2/20/12 12:58 P

Today I saved money by...

Bringing my own home cooked meal for lunch
Using www.supercook.com to find recipes that use the ingredients I already have instead of going to the store to buy others
Re-used envelopes and packaging for mailing those few bills I have not been able to convert to electronic payments

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

SparkPoints: (21,425)
Fitness Minutes: (7,806)
Posts: 753
2/20/12 10:00 A

1.) Ran the dishwasher and the washing machine before 7:00 am
2.) Hung the clothes outside to dry.
3.) Using the wood burning stove to supplement the heat, while turning off the other zones in the house during the day to conserve oil.
4.) Looking for work closer to home, saving gas fuel for car. (I recently got laid off from a job 1 hr drive away. Although I count on this income, I see it as an opportunity (a blessing of sorts) to find something closer to home. How can God put me in another job if I'm not available to take it?)
5.) Two wks ago, I contacted my cable company and cell phone and they shaved off $14/mo on one bill and $10/mo off the other, respectively.
6.) Bought a DVD recorder to record movies/shows I'd like to see w/out having to subscribe to Tivo or something similar.

Next wk: I plan to take the Defensive Driving Course for my car insurance. My husband already has done it so we are getting a savings, but if I do it too, it will come down a bit more.

current weight: 152.5

163 153.5 144 134.5

125

Posts: 724
2/20/12 2:26 A

That's great! I just did the same thing two days ago and had our packaging changed with the satelite company and shaved off 21 dollars a month.
Today...My husband and I stayed home, saving a 30 minute trip to town and the gas it would have taken to go...plus 30 minutes back.

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45

SparkPoints: (22,138)
Fitness Minutes: (19,411)
Posts: 2,333
2/19/12 1:35 A

Today I did 2 things that saved me money. I skipped aisles at the grocery store. I also called my cable company and got had them take "premium movies" off my contract. $20 a month and I dont really use it, I rent movies at redbox.com

Posts: 3,465
2/18/12 9:31 P

Today...I Saved Money By....
1) Not using clothes dryer
2) keeping thermostat at 60
3) Taking home leftovers at the restaurant when I ate out

current weight: 237.4

237.4 233.05 228.7 224.35

220

Posts: 724
2/18/12 9:10 P

What did you do today to save money...
Just finish the sentence and let's see what everyone has accomplished.

Today...I Saved Money By....

Pounds lost: 25.0

0 11.25 22.5 33.75

45