Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

The season of family, faith, food and…shopping… collective sigh… The spending part of Christmas can get crazy, so I’ve come up with a list of last minute ideas to find some extra cash for your Christmas spending. 10 Ideas to Find Cash for Christmas. Make Money from your Skills or Hobbies. Are you Crafty?

Christmas 235

Christmas Finds Part Time Thrift Stores 235

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 15, 2015

The challenge on the blog this year is to Choose Thrift First , where we’re rethinking our purchases to find more cost effective solutions. I checked some local furniture stores to check the prices of new dressers. Next stop was my favorite thrift store where everything is 50% off on Wednesdays.

Thrifty 100

Thrifty Craigslist Thrifting Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

Follow these three action steps and the list of ideas below to find the cash for your fund. Now it’s time to FIND THE MONEY! 25 Ways to Find Money for your Emergency Fund. To kick start your emergency fund savings, take the next 31 days and challenge yourself to find $1000. 6 – Eat dinner at home.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 29, 2011

As I am trying to choose thrift first when it comes to purchases for my family and our home, I realized once again recently that my local, friendly thrift store rarely lets me down. Armed with a mental list of things that I needed to keep my eye open for, I headed to the store on Wednesday for the 50% off sale.

Thrifting 149

Thrifting Home and Garden Friends And Family Sale Thrift Stores 149

Cheap Chica's Guide To Style

OCTOBER 25, 2017

Thrift shopping, did Macklemore really make it popular? While “I’m gonna pop some tags” is catchy and irresistible to say, we’ve noticed that not just pop songs but the fashion world is embracing a thrifted look as well. Initially, the task of thrifting may seem daunting but don’t worry! They may even help you find a rare piece!

Thrifting 49

Thrifting Shopping Clothing and Accessories Newspaper 49

The Frugal Girl

OCTOBER 2, 2023

I was a teenager in the 90s, and while this may be true of other eras as well, I remember there being a LOT of matching sets, particularly when it came to home decor. If you find one you like that’s good quality, you buy it and add it to the collection, and over time, you have an eclectic collection of silverware that you love.

Saving Money 209

Saving Money Money Painting Lamps 209

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 15, 2015

If you keep your head and are persistent, you can find many things you want or need, all in near perfect condition, for a fraction of the cost with NO TAXES due. Garage sales take time, you have to hit quite a few before you find the item you want or need. If you are in more of a hurry, find a thrift store instead.

Garage Sale 100

Garage Sale Garage Finds Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 17, 2013

I stopped by my two favorite thrift stores last week: Salvation Army & Community Aid, a local store. I only go on Wednesdays, because both stores offer an additional 50% off on almost everything. Finally, spring has arrived in central PA, so I carved out some time last Wednesday to hit the thrift stores.

Thrifty 100

Thrifty Finds Thrift Stores Thrifting 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 30, 2014

When we first moved into our new home, it was pretty empty. We’ve been in the house for about a year, and now have a well furnished home. The funniest thing happens when you decide to move into a new home, especially if it’s your first home: people want to give you furniture. Ask Around. Go Frugal'

Furnishings 189

Furnishings Home Craigslist Furniture 189

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

If you have lived in your home for several years, you know how fast things can accumulate and how easy it is to lose track of where they are. You also know that picking a location to store something isn’t always logical and that things can get out of place over time, even after you have spent time and effort to optimally organize them!

Organic 177

Organic Organization Home Painting 177

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Follow these three action steps and the list of ideas below to find the cash for your fund. Now it’s time to FIND THE MONEY! 30 Ways to Find Money for your Emergency Fund. Look for money within your budget and find creative ways to earn extra money. Are you paying too much for home/auto insurance, cable, internet?

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Couponing 101

DECEMBER 11, 2019

There’s no doubt about it: stay-at-home parents work hard. Luckily, with remote work and work-from-home jobs growing so rapidly these days, there are plenty of great side hustles for stay-at-home parents. So, without much further ado, here are some of our favorite side gigs for stay-at-home parents. eBay Vendor.

Parenting 104

Parenting At Home Home Work From Home 104

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 24, 2012

Home renovations are a necessary process when you own your home. Not only will renovations provide pleasure and function to you, but they could increase the sale value of your home a bit. Thrift shops. I found wood frames for my national park posters and a wildlife themed shower curtain at the local thrift stores.

Renovation 189

Renovation Home Real Estate Re-use 189

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

You can defray some of your clothing costs by shopping for deals at used clothing stores or thrift stores. Even if you do not have any growing children, buying clothing at thrift stores is a great way to cut costs. Even small thrift stores can be overwhelming, and it is best to have a plan before you go.

Clothes 188

Clothes Clothing Thrift Stores Thrifting 188

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 21, 2012

For example, you can try shopping at thrift stores. Thrift Stores Some people think thrift stores are inherently dirty, but this is often not the case. Clothes are brought to the store by people who no longer want or need them, and they are inspected (often laundered) and displayed in the store.

Saving Money 187

Saving Money Thrift Stores Money Thrifting 187

Saving With Shellie

AUGUST 8, 2012

About five years ago, I started thrifting. Would the store be yucky? Would it take an hour to find one thing? Only one way to find out… I walked in the door. The store was not yucky. It took me about a minute to find something that I loved! My husband now teases me that I am the Indiana Jones of thrifting.

Thrifting 76

Thrifting Thrift Stores Clothes Clothing 76

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 22, 2013

Teach your young children more about money by taking them to the local Walmart or other grocery and variety store. Here are a few suggestions on ‘lesson plans’ on your money trip to the store. Bring a short shopping list of things the kids want or need, then have them find several different kinds and compare the prices.

Money 229

Money Kids Storing Kids and Family 229

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 9, 2024

My cute kids when they were little I used to be a Spanish teacher until I stopped working to stay home with my kids. Although we had to invest in machines like a plucker and scalder for butchering chickens, as well as the animals and their shelters, eventually our home-raised meat will be basically free.

Oregon 190

Oregon Home and Garden Kids and Family Money 190

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 1, 2017

I’m constantly trying to optimize our spending to find ways to save money, but still live quite comfortably and well. In April, we saved quite a bit of money by comparison shopping, and choosing thrift first. We Shopped for New Home Owners/Auto Insurance. April’s Thrift Store Finds. Savings: $20.

April 100

April 2017 Washer and Dryer Daughter 100

Couponing 101

MAY 10, 2012

One of the simplest ways to save money (especially if you love bread as much as I do) is to home-make your bread rather than buying it at the store. A loaf of bread from the bakery at the grocery store costs at least $2. You can often find them at thrift stores and garage sales, though!

Bread 68

Bread At Home Frugal Bread Machines 68

Saving Cents With Sense

JUNE 13, 2013

It is no secret that most people today are trying to find ways to save money. If you are thinking about redecorating your home but are scared of the cost, there is good news for you. There are plenty of ways to save money on home décor. Even at discount stores, new furniture can easily set you back thousands of dollars.

Saving Money 89

Saving Money Money Home Furniture 89

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 30, 2012

With the added expenses involved with raising a child, I was forced to find ways to make my paycheck go as far as possible every month. I think I have become pretty darn good at it, and I will even haggle successfully at big chain stores like Macy’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy. Quantity Discount.

Haggle 211

Haggle Haggling Bargain Home Depot 211

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 25, 2014

Likewise, thrift stores are always full of people. Our home is filled with items we bought used. Rather than spending money buying clothes in a new size every few months, I bought at garage sales and thrift stores. I’m in good company with my love of all things used. The Items We Typically Buy Used.

Buying Second-Hand 177

Buying Second-Hand Saving Money Money Garage Sale 177

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 4, 2020

While I like to shop at thrift stores, I have a hard time finding TALL length jeans for my 5’10 frame and I was in need of new jeans. At first, I thought my eyes were deceiving me, so I marched right into the DSW to see what shoes I could find around $49. I went back to the register and left the store paying $20.14

November 130

November 2020 Frugal Old Navy 130

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 16, 2015

And my absolute #1 way to save money at the grocery store is to PLAN OUR MEALS. When you walk into a grocery store with a plan, you eliminate impulse & duplicate purchases. We are now more committed to save money and we eat mostly at home, BUT we do enjoy at a few meals out each month. Gym Membership.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Thrifting Thrift Stores 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

What it does mean is that you take some of the things you have and sell them, pay off some of the debt you owe, and find ways to live within your means that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve stepped off the cruise ship right onto a dingy. Buy Store Brands. Most of the time, the store brand is a $.20 Used Doesn’t Mean Abused.

Saving Money 221

Saving Money Money Budgeting Budget 221

Teresa's Deals

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Collecting recipes that you will be cooking for that week, creating a shopping list and finding coupons that you will need for any of those items can really pay off. I love to cook at home and it saves us a so much money. Shop Thrift Stores. I love shopping at Thrift Shops and Discount Stores. Eat Out Less.

Frugal 100

Frugal Saving Money Thrifting Money 100

Teresa's Deals

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Collecting recipes that you will be cooking for that week, creating a shopping list and finding coupons that you will need for any of those items can really pay off. I love to cook at home and it saves us a so much money. Shop Thrift Stores. I love shopping at Thrift Shops and Discount Stores. Eat Out Less.

Frugal 100

Frugal Saving Money Thrifting Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 19, 2014

My husband and I got hooked on store bought iced tea years ago, but it was loaded with sugar and at the rate we were drinking it, the tea cut into our food budget. You might have to experiment to find the right taste for your preference. Do you buy it or make it at home? I love iced tea in the summer time. Do you drink iced tea?

Food and Drink 180

Food and Drink Thrift Stores Thrifty Thrifting 180

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 6, 2013

Sometimes we need to find extra funds when big bills are due but often it is needed just to make ends meet. You probably will find clothes that you had forgotten you even had; I certainly did! You’ll need to be able to sort clothing into piles according to what you find. De- cluttering your wardrobe has several benefits.

Saving Money 249

Saving Money Green Money Clothing and Accessories 249

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 25, 2019

I’m challenging myself to find the cash outside of our budget. It was a pretty easy month to find the cash. We didn’t sell much, mainly because I didn’t think we were going to be home for the neighborhood yard sale this year and I took a van full of stuff to the thrift store about a month before the yard sale.

2019 100

2019 Club Christmas May 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Comparison shopping can be easy if you know where to look, but most people assume that to compare prices between stores you have to write out a lengthy shopping list and take that list from store to store seeing which store offers those products cheapest. You’d be amazed to find the amount of things you can make!

Groceries 252

Groceries Grocery Bills Used 252

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 17, 2012

These days most grocery stores no longer offer paper sacks, and if you have forgotten your reusable bags, you are probably going to go home with anywhere from one to two dozen little plastic sacks. You can often find these bags at your local grocery store for 99 cents or a dollar or two.

Reuse 272

Reuse Grocery Groceries Recycle 272

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 4, 2013

If you find yourself throwing out a lot of food, you can remedy the problem by shopping with a list. In many localities, it’s possible to find stores that allow you to bring your own packaging. You won’t need to make as many trips to the store if you make it a point to maintain what you already have.

Re-use 278

Re-use Home and Garden Bulk Electronics 278

Saving Cents With Sense

OCTOBER 1, 2013

It is like stores know how much we love getting our homes festive and so they put out décor at high prices, hoping that consumers won’t know any better and will just snatch it up. Make a dollar store fallscape. Buy a colorful red, orange, or gold runner at your local dollar store as well as a few faux pumpkins or gourds.

Halloween 93

Halloween DIY Frugal Dollar Store 93

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 16, 2013

She also scarfed up any other gift wrap that looked usable, and she stored it carefully away for use the next year. For small packages, find interesting magazine pages to use in wrapping. Some retail stores do still give out gift boxes for free, always check if you are buying in a brick and mortar store. Make gift tags.

Thrifty 174

Thrifty Christmas Gifts Thrift Stores 174

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 23, 2014

The average home size in America was around 1100 square feet. Most of us did not have air conditioned homes. Our home was heated with a coal stove. There were no day care centers – women stayed home and raised the kids. Working from home usually meant selling stuff door to door. People cooked and ate at home.

Growing 180

Growing Home and Garden Radios Kids and Family 180