Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

We shopped at garage sales, turned down the heat, combined errands to use less gas, didn’t buy a lot of prepared food, cooked at home and the like. If it couldn’t be done for free, we didn’t do it or did it very, very seldom. Eating out or going to a movie were once a year events. Peggy: Oh yes!

Thrifty 213

Thrifty Garage Spendthrift Fair-Trade 213

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 14, 2013

Maybe you don’t want to cook at all during your vacation or maybe eating out for every meal is beyond what your budget can handle. For lunch, we usually pack a cooler with food each day that we are at the beach and eat out somewhere for lunch on the one day when we need a sun-break. Create A Budget. Thanks for reading.

Vacation 153

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 153

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 20, 2014

There was the gas, the hotel, and the restaurants to pay for. We thought eating in restaurants was a main attraction of travel because you get to try local foods. Even when eating out on the cheap, we were still spending hundreds of dollars on food. Visit free attractions. Ask for a better hotel rate or room.

Travel 196

Travel Family Hotel Making 196

Saving Cents With Sense

MAY 25, 2012

Summer is officially here and that means that kids are home, people are time off work, and gas prices are up (yikes!). You may not leave home (or travel far), but you’ll want to have some money set aside for tickets, eating out, gas, and possibly a night or two at a hotel. enjoy eating out at new restaurants.

Vacation 102

Vacation Hotel Backyard Kids and Family 102

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 9, 2015

The idea of becoming debt free makes me downright giddy. What did they specifically do to become debt free? So back in August of 2014, I scoured the internet to look for sources for a new series, Debt Free Stories. 10 Smart Ways to Become Debt Free. Her advice, “live junk and debt free!”

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Budgeting Budget 100

Couponing 101

JULY 28, 2011

They are a family of four and have a grocery budget of $60 per week, they cook 2-3 dinners from scratch each week and eat out once or twice a week. In an effort to save more, they might begin couponing and buying a bunch of things they don’t need that are free or cheap. Have they truly saved money?

Budget 96

Budget Budgeting Saving Eating Out 96

For the Mommas

JULY 24, 2016

It allows you to focus on what’s important and spend your free time the way you want. Eat out less. One of the biggest expenses you probably incur is eating out. The average person spends over $2,000 a year on eating out. Instead of eating out, pack your lunch. Brown bag it to work.

Frugal Lives 49

Frugal Lives Frugal Living Frugal Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions 49

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 22, 2024

We have a lot of free parks and nature reserves for hiking, and a wonderful library system that does free Inter Library Loans as well as lots of e-books. Also, we’re by a military base, so it’s a little easier to find houses to rent if you know when people will be PCSing out and needing to rent out their homes.

Rent 177

Rent Son Frugal Home and Garden 177

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 2, 2011

A free book that you have to wait for is better than one you have to pay for. Instead of using your car and spending money on gas, why not invest in a good bicycle or walking shoes. Instead of eating out, why not experiment with some recipes at home. Eventually you will be able to quit. Cook at home.

Library 176

Library Television Televisions Money 176

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 29, 2012

Total: $5-$10 (snacks in our case, gas) Wine and Comedy When you come home on Friday night from a long week, it’s so nice to just laugh a little. Total: $5-$20 (wine) Play Board Games This may seem obvious, but boardgames – if you already have them – are free, and they can be super fun. I would love to hear your ideas. Still, it is.

Frugal 188

Frugal Wine Saving Money Money 188

Saving Cents With Sense

AUGUST 30, 2013

Money spent on gas, insurance, parking permits and maintenance will find its way back into your wallet. And if you go out to eat for a meal, you’re essentially paying for two meals at once. Eat out as a special occasion occasionally, but don’t let it become a money-sucking habit. Broadband vs. DSL.

College 102

College Student Public Transit DSL 102

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 1, 2014

It is an eye-opening experience and will allow you to figure out what you can cut back on, as well as what is a necessary expense. What about eating out? Enjoy FREE family friendly events. Home Depot , Lowe’s , Michael’s , the LEGO store , and more stores offer FREE kids events each month. How about clothes?

2014 88

2014 Saving Bills Emergency Fund 88

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 1, 2011

Maybe you don’t want to cook at all during your vacation or maybe eating out for every meal is beyond what your budget can handle. How much gas do you think you will need to get to your destination? Also plan for gas, tolls and parking. Everyone’s vacation destination and expectations will be different.

Vacation 178

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 178

Saving Cents With Sense

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

I’ve mentioned how much I like Upromise before because it helps you save for college by doing things you are already doing : Shopping, Eating Out, Buying Tickets, or Fill Your Gas Tank. After you visit the Upromise wall (and enter to win), feel free to come back here and share – I’d love to hear your dreams!

College 56

College Giveaway Goals Win 56

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 3, 2017

It is an eye-opening experience and will allow you to figure out what you can cut back on, as well as what is a necessary expense. What about eating out? Enjoy FREE family friendly events. Home Depot , Lowe’s , Michael’s , the LEGO store , and more stores offer FREE kids events each month. How about clothes?

New Year's 40

New Year's Saving Bills Emergency Fund 40

Couponing 101

JANUARY 15, 2015

Feel free to start halfway through, or even have a February no-spend challenge! What we are still paying for: • Regular Bills • Home Business Expenses • Gas • That’s it! We won’t be eating out AT ALL but I do have a couple of free drink rewards from Starbucks that I plan to use strategically. Challenge accepted!

Leftovers 40

Leftovers Freezers Gift Cards January 40

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 18, 2013

Saving money at the grocery store , gas station , car insurance, or even college tuition are all examples of things that should be something you strive for and are eager to achieve. Less stress and anxiety allows you to live a free life where you can do whatever you want to and not be tied down by financial burdens.

Health 81

Health College Tuition Insurance Saving Money 81

Saving With Shellie

MAY 23, 2013

We found Traci some great deals at Target this week like free flip flops and $.35 35 sunscreen. :: TIP #2 - Look for a budget hotel with free breakfast and a fridge available. Then you only need to eat out for dinner. For Traci’s family we found a local park that offers free summer concerts.

Vacation 49

Vacation Kids and Family Budgeting Budget 49

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 28, 2022

When I don’t plan, I make multiple trips to the store, eat out too often, and most certainly blow our budget. If we have a free evening, I’ll plan a more time-intensive meal, but if it’s a crazy evening with 2 kids at two locations, I’ll plan an Instant Pot or slow cooker dinner. Thaw as needed.

Saving Money 130

Saving Money Grocery Groceries Money 130

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 1, 2015

It is an eye-opening experience and will allow you to figure out what you can cut back on, as well as what is a necessary expense. What about eating out? Enjoy FREE family friendly events. Home Depot , Lowe’s , Michael’s , the LEGO store , and more stores offer FREE kids events each month. How about clothes?

New Year's 40

New Year's Saving Bills Emergency Fund 40

Saving Cents With Sense

APRIL 24, 2013

Whether it’s trading in the luxury gas guzzling sports utility vehicle (aka “SUV”) for a less expensive, less ostentatious hybrid, or choosing to cook more instead of eating out, everyone is doing what they can to spend less of their hard earned dollars. Going to the park is free, so is going for a walk around the block.

Frugal 95

Frugal Furniture Money Saving Money 95

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 23, 2014

There wasn’t a restaurant on every corner and people didn’t eat out much. Out of season produce, if available at all, was super expensive. Stores like Sears and JC Penney sent out free merchandise catalogs 3 inches thick and people ordered their stuff from those if they couldn’t find it in a store.

Growing 180

Growing Home and Garden Radios Kids and Family 180

Saving Everyday

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

Find free events. Make a date night out of it. Pack a picnic, go to a free event, and BYOB whenever possible. I have been a member for years and regularly earn between five and $600 a year- in FREE money on my purchases. How to Get Free Movie Tickets. You often see the original stickers on the products.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Saving Bills 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 14, 2012

Since there seems to be so much in the news lately about credit cards- the good ones, the bad ones, the ugly ones, the fee free ones, the reward ones, the secured ones, etc. With so many different options out there, a consumer really can get overwhelmed and into trouble if they don’t know their credit card basics.

Credit Cards 220

Credit Cards Credit Finance Personal Finance 220

Saving Everyday

AUGUST 1, 2022

I usually batch cook a few things on Monday that we can eat from all week. Some of our favorites are big batches of rice and cauliflower rice, breakfast sandwiches , sheet-pan omelets or frittatas , and gluten-free sausage balls. Dining out is something you can stop immediately. Save that cash for a nicer meal out once a month.

Grocery 52

Grocery Groceries Food and Drink Saving 52

Saving Everyday

AUGUST 1, 2022

I usually batch cook a few things on Monday that we can eat from all week. Some of our favorites are big batches of rice and cauliflower rice, breakfast sandwiches , sheet-pan omelets or frittatas , and gluten-free sausage balls. Dining out is something you can stop immediately. Save that cash for a nicer meal out once a month.

Grocery 52

Grocery Groceries Food and Drink Saving 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

While you are eating supper. Talk about costs of cooking vs eating out, see if they can guess how much the meal cost you to make and how much it would cost if you bought it at a restaurant. Point out all of the various people working there and help them figure out what they are doing. Other Free Sources of Help.

Money 187

Money Parenting Kids and Family Gasoline 187