The world I envisioned as a child for myself while watching “Little House on the Prairie” has finally come true.  My dream to go back in time to a simpler place has taken root now in my ability to cut back and live as simply as possible. No more worrying that my car isn’t as new as the others in the parking lot. No more concern that what I’m wearing might not be as cutting edge as the other girls in the office.

Living 14 miles from the nearest town on a quiet, dead end road, with 3 acres of woods, the Laura Ingalls in me is out and proud.  Learning over the last 6 years what is important to me; and what isn’t has become a new way of life that offers new challenges every day.   I find new ways to live as simply as I can, without enjoying life any less.

 Some things that I’ve learned and adopted as normal ways of life include:

Food Shopping

I stay away from prepared foods. Raw ingredients cooked my way not only are better for me, but much cheaper. I can now control what flavors, calories and many other factors to what I want. This doesn’t mean that treats such as chips and cookies are out of the question! Much money saved here.

Gardening and Composting

During the summer months a large vegetable garden enables me to grow fresh produce that I can freeze to enjoy during the long winter months. Composting all of our vegetable ends and peels, coffee grounds and some leftovers has become an ongoing learning experience for us. The end result has astonished me. Beautiful dark, rich soil to add to our newly turned over garden in the spring is beyond happiness.

Frugal Use

I have taught myself to save and use items which normally would have been tossed without a thought in my earlier years. Plastic bags I rinse now and re-use *unless they held chicken products.  Scraps of cloth now become rugs. Paper trash is burnt in the wood stove and ALL products that can be recycled are: cans, glass, plastic, paper, everything. Our garbage bag load for 2 weeks is usually only 2 or 3 tall kitchen bags.

The list goes on, but these 3 are my first basic ingredients for a simpler life. I think even those living in a small apartment or home in the suburbs could begin thinking of new ways like these to cut back and start living more and more with less and less.

Laura Ingalls, You’ve got nothing on me!

Laura Ingalls, You’ve Got Nothing On Me, from The Homemakers Magazine

Sometimes, when you don’t have a lot of money, it’s tempting to pinch pennies until they squeal. While this doesn’t hurt the pennies, it does do something to us, shrinking our souls so we can fit them into the tight budget we have set up.

I am reminded of a woman in our town who held yearly yard sales, her inventory consisting of items that she packed back into boxes every year because they never sold.

“If you bought this new, it would be $10,” she told me when I visited the week before, while she adjusted the prices from last year. “I’m charging $7.50, which is a real steal, because the customer doesn’t have to pay sales tax.”

Apparently the customers didn’t see things this way, because not only did they not pay sales tax, they didn’t pay anything, tactfully wandering off.

“Why don’t you just give it away?” I asked one year, as she was supervising the annual put-everything-back-in-the-basement extravaganza, her husband picking up boxes, grunting, and muttering under his breath. I swear that he shot me an appreciative glance.

“That’s not smart finances,” she admonished. “You’ll never get ahead when you just give things away.”

“But you don’t need it,” I replied. “You spend all this time unpacking it and pricing it and supervising it during the sale and packing most of it back up again. How are you financially benefiting from this?”

“I paid for it,” she said flatly. “I’m getting my money back.”

She never did, and worse, she never learned to stop buying so much, every year adding more, well, junk to her house that she never used, but couldn’t give away because she needed the money to buy more junk.

Buy less. Use what you have. And when you’re done, give it to someone who needs it.

You’ll get ahead. Trust me.

Pinching Pennies? Pitch It, from The Homemakers Magazine

Even though I’m a homemaker, I have a cell phone, the number of which – since my home is my office – is limited to my colleagues, the husband and kids, and a few close friends. One of the latter called the other day as I was diving through toddler clothes at the local second-hand store.

“Where are you?”

(Isn’t it interesting how that question has replaced “hello” these days?)

“I’ve hit this incredible half-price sale at the second-hand store,” I exclaimed as I stuffed a purple sweater next to a pink skirt.

Silence.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Even though I love my friend and we share many laughs together, she doesn’t approve of second-hand clothes.

“It’s so poor,” she sniffs.

“It’s so practical,” I reply.

“They’ve been worn before.”

“So have new clothes, the second time you put them on.”

“Surely one of the box stores has affordable clothes?”

“Why do cheap when I can get name brand for less?”

On this matter, we’ll never agree, but it’s all a matter of perspective. Yes, people who don’t have much money shop second hand for clothes, but the last I checked, not being rich is not a moral failing. Getting the most you can for a little is a wise use of limited resources, and if I can pick up two pairs of lightly used, high quality jeans for my daughter for the same price as one cheap one – and she likes them – then where is the problem here?

Come to think of it, now that going green is the cool thing to do these days, I’m actually hip, smart, perceptive, sophisticated, and gentle on the planet – reducing my expenditures by reusing clothes that someone has tossed, recycling them into new life.

Second-Hand or Green?, from The Homemakers Magazine

One way to describe frugal living is to live below your means, another eloquent term is this: Voluntary Simplicity. This may sound like a monumental task, especially in our present economical climate where many people are hardly covering their basic expenses. Finding ways to save takes a bit of creative thinking and a willingness to try new things. Once you learn how to be frugal, you will end up spending less money on things you don’t really need.

Simple money saving methods involve being aware of your spending in the first place and then planning ahead so that you spend less in the future. Some people who are married with children don’t ever talk about meal planning, saving for emergencies, etc. A lot of people sadly live paycheck to paycheck and don’t even know what an emergency fund is.

It is easy to practice frugal cooking once you acquire the knack of menu planning. Sit down and write a list of menus for the coming week. Don’t forget to include snacks and drinks. Compile a full list of the ingredients you will need and check this list against items you already have in your fridge and cupboards. If you create menus that use similar ingredients, you will spend less on specialty items that you may never use again. Take your final list to the supermarket and buy only those ingredients on the list. It might be ok to substitute a lower priced or special sale as long as it does not mean you have to purchase more items.  But, generally speaking, it is best to avoid temptation by sticking tight to your list. Bargains are only bargains if they are something you really need and will use immediately.

Frugal living methods are similar to green living practices. Re-using things, striving for a lack of waste and reducing reliance on cars are all things that result in benefits for the earth as well as for your monthly budget. A new energy saving appliance or household tune-up can save cash on bills over time, even amounting to hundreds of dollars each year. For example: if every home in America replaced only one 50-cent bulb with a $3 energy star-certified one, the difference would be a staggering $600 million over a year, or around $40 per home. The average home probably has more than 2 dozen light bulbs and while it might be a bit of a stretch to replace them all at once, if you multiply that $40 savings by 24, you could save around $960 the first year.  Little things add up to big savings.

It is easy to see where people could go overboard with the idea of living on less (Dumpster diving? Ever heard of “freeganism”?). But, there’s a vast difference between just committing to a lifestyle and actually going off the deep end. Many people enjoy the idea of frugal living and do it for the freedom, not simply to impose boundaries and create a nightmare of headaches. The idea is to find a balance that makes you happy while still providing for your family. For example, skimping on cleaning supplies may save cash, but does it keep your children safe?

Be willing to ask for discounts. You can often save money – even hundreds of dollars – by making a simple phone call to your Internet provider, cable company or credit card account. Ask the provider to give you the low introductory rate your new neighbor has, or you saw advertised. They want to keep your business and most of the time they will give you a lower rate. I recently got a discount from my Internet provider by calling to cancel my service because the price had doubled when the introductory rate ended. When they asked why I was canceling, I quoted a better price from a competitor and my desire to switch in order to get that price. That call saved me $150 over six months. When my cable was down for three days after a storm, I had another $15 taken off my month’s bill, but only by calling and asking for the reduction. Ask your credit card company for a lower interest rate or for a refund of late charges or fees, especially if you normally pay on time. Companies will not offer these discounts, but employees are authorized to give them when asked. So….ASK!!!

Voluntary Simplicity, from The Homemakers Magazine

Those who are into frugal living practice certain habits that help them benefit from the money-saving opportunities in life. Below I have listed six of the top habits for living frugally.  Learning and incorporating these habits can help you enjoy living frugally.

1. The best frugal shopper always studies other people. There is always someone you know who lives a great life on half the money you make. When you take the time to learn how they do things, you will find yourself with a lot more options for living frugally.

2. They understand the values associated with frugality. You must educate yourself on what a good deal actually is if you ever hope to get one. Take the time to learn as much as you can about local prices. When something is going to cost a lot, it is a good idea to know both the upper and lower price ranges.

3. Frugal shoppers always pay in cash. Cash always costs less than credit. Want a new television? Divide the price by the number of weeks you can wait to buy it and the result is the amount you need to save each week. You will save on finance charges and interest and sometimes, you can get a further discount for paying cash, you just have to ask. It is acceptable to make a lower offer, even in box stores.

4. Living frugally means being open to  alternative options. A discounted trip to Hawaii will be just as much fun as the full price cruise to the Bahamas. Food does not have to be expensive to taste good, a pizza can be as good as a gourmet meal when you count the cost.

5. Frugal shoppers talk to those around them about their needs. You never know when the person you are talking to has just the thing you need and is flat out itching to give it away.

6. Frugal shoppers understand the math. Thre is no $400 savings on a new car if it costs you $500 extra in gas every year. Another thing that seems crazy is that stores are betting you will thing bigger is cheaper. Sometimes four quarts of pickles is actually cheaper than a gallon. Paying attention to the numbers can help you practice living frugally.

Six Tips for Living Frugally, from The Homemakers Magazine

There are a lot of things you can do to save money, some of them are so simple that they are often overlooked. 

Cook at Home

This is the most overlooked and easiest way to save money, but it does take extra time. Make your own coffee as well, skipping Starbucks can add plenty to your pocket over the long run and since you can buy their coffee from retail stores, why pay the extra for them to make it?

Pay Bills On Time To Avoid Late Fees

Banks and credit card companies are having a field day with fees and penalties for late payments.  Many banks will clear your largest purchases first and cause a chain reaction which racks up fees as high as $35 per transaction for amounts even under a dollar.  This is reprehensible but legal and it happens all the time.  Credit card companies have a different way of hitting your pocketbook.  If you make a payment late by even one day, they revoke your low promotional rates and up your interest in many cases to above 20%.  And a late payment to one credit card company can spark a chain reaction where all your interest rates go up.  In addition, they will lower your available balance in hopes that you will go over your limit and allow them to tack on even more fees.  Many other companies charge late fees as well.  Be aware of their practices and keep on top of due dates.  Some companies will waive fees if you ask but generally only the first time.

 Maintain Your Vehicle

Your present vehicle may have plenty of life left in it and there is a balance between paying for repairs and the payment on a new vehicle.  Doing regular maintenance on your vehicle goes a long way to keeping it running better and for longer.  Something as simple as checking the tire pressure frequently can save you hundreds in tires as well as fuel costs.  Yes, low tire pressure does translate in more money at the pump due to added friction which creates a drag on the engine and makes it burn more fuel.  Keeping your oil changed and getting your car lubed regularly all add up to a longer vehicle life and better fuel mileage.  If it becomes necessary to purchase a new vehicle, consider a used one instead.  A new car depreciates significantly upon purchase.  Buying the right used vehicle can keep more money in your pocket each month.  Don’t give in to impulse on car purchases.  Use www.carfax.com to check out any used car you are thinking of buying.  There are programs out there that pay you to advertise on your car and in some cases even provide you with a new vehicle.    Another option for purchasing a vehicle is the auto auction.  There are many public auctions and prices are generally better than used car prices, but you lose the chance to try out the vehicle and there are usually no guarantees or warrantees.

Use Libraries and Online Video Rentals or Redbox

The public library can save you money each year if you are a reader.  Most libraries, even in the smaller towns, are now linked to larger libraries and can find you whatever book you want to read.  Online video rental memberships such as Netflix or Blockbuster allow you to rent a specified number of movies at a time with a flat monthly fee.  With Netflix you may have as many as 8 movies out at a time and they also have an unlimited plan where there is an internet connected Netflix ready device connected to your TV and you can watch as many movies as you want.  Redbox is a movie rental vending machine which can  be found in many grocery stores and pharmacies nationwide.  You pay $1 plus tax for each day you keep the movie and if you join Inside Redbox you can receive free rental codes each Monday.  If you like to go to the cinema, check for discount ticket times, usually before 6pm.  Many cinemas are offering incentive program cards.  You can earn free popcorn, drinks and even tickets.

 Be Aware Of Your Electrical Consumption

Many of the appliances in your home that are plugged in are using electricity even when you are not using the appliance.  Televisions, modems, cable boxes, DVD players, video games, even cell phone chargers and some toasters use electricity when turned off. This is called standby power and it constitutes up to 5% of the average American’s electric bill.  Unplug when possible and there are some devices on the market now that will automate that for you, but using a simple plug bar and switching it off will show up as savings in your electric bill.  Be aware that if you are a satellite television subscriber with a DVR you will not want to switch the box off or you will lose your ability to record to the DVR when you are not watching.

Plan Vacations Ahead Of Time

Last minute travel is expensive and a family vacation can drain a budget.  Booking ahead of time not only saves hundreds but keeps last minute surprises to a minimum.  Consider renting an RV as an alternative to hotel and airfare. If you can’t book ahead, there are several travel sites that will help you get discount tickets and hotels like Orbitz.com and Priceline.com

Simple Steps You Can Take to Save Money, from The Homemakers Magazine

Heating your house uses more energy than anything else you do.  So taking care of your heating system is a top priority for people who live in colder climates and wish to save money.  There are many different types of heating systems available.  In this article I will discuss some of the more popular ones.

Forced Hot Air

One of the easiest things you can do to keep your furnace working efficiently and save money on home heating costs is to check your furnace filter once a month during the heating season.  Some thermostats have an icon that says filter to remind you.  I you have pets the filter can get clogged and cut down air flow.  When money got tight for us I just brushed the filter off outside and reinstalled it.  This is not the best solution, but it can keep your heating costs down and still protect your furnace.  I DO NOT recommend removing the filter; this can damage the furnace if the blower gets clogged.  Lowering the temperature at night will also cut your heating costs.  Adding a programmable thermostat will ensure that you don’t forget to lower the temperature, and you can set it to warm up the house before you get up in the morning.

Hot Water Baseboard Heat /Electric Heat

If you are running Hot water baseboard or electric heat, pull the covers off the runs and vacuum them out so the heat radiates well.  If you have pets you might check them more often.  If you are heating with oil the furnace will require more maintenance than gas or propane type. Oil does not burn as cleanly as other types of fuel.

Oil Burner maintenance: Always shut off breaker when servicing the system

1. Tank filter
2. Burner filter, this filter is inside the inlet of the burner if you are not sure how to clean this call a professional!
3. Fuel nozzle, this is inside the furnace on the burner head, again if you’re not sure call a pro.
4. Tubes, These tubes are in the top of the furnace and need to be vacuumed out.
5. Chimney, An easy way to check this is to hold a mirror in the clean out at the bottom on a sunny day and look up.  If there are clumps on the sides or little or no light is coming through, get it cleaned.

This is a general maintenance guide your system may differ, check first. Use these tips to help you save money!

Save Money on Home Heating Costs, from The Homemakers Magazine

Frugal living is not just about pinching pennies and going without, it is a way of life that takes a good dollop of common sense, crossed with a healthy pinch of craftiness. Done well, it can be an art form.

Not only can you learn to save money on everyday living expenses, but you can also get the most for your entertainment and travel dollar.  Reusing and recycling become second nature to those who choose this lifestyle. In the long run, this helps us to enjoy more financial stability while being an ecologically sound method of survival.

 Is it necessary to go overboard with frugality? No. There are certain items, such as infant car seats, that may not be safe to reuse and you should always trust your judgement. Not every used item turns out to be a bargain.

It takes a bit of research and even a little trial and error but in the long run, frugal living can help keep you out of debt, and provide you with a great lifestyle.

What is Frugal Living?, from The Homemakers Magazine