The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

My mother was loving and worked so hard to provide for us, but it was frequently a struggle to get food, keep heat on, and other necessities. It’s been less so since I left private practice and work remotely, but things like going out to lunch every day and out to dinner several times a week, bigger houses than you need (or maybe afford?),

Virginia 185

Virginia Kids and Family Library Frugal 185

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 25, 2014

Likewise, thrift stores are always full of people. This little baby worked great, especially on summer days when I didn’t want to heat up the whole kitchen by running the regular oven. The spinning wheel doesn’t work really; I have to rotate the bowl with my hand, but I can’t complain considering the price.

Buying Second-Hand 177

Buying Second-Hand Saving Money Money Garage Sale 177

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 4, 2020

Since November is always a big month for sales and coupons and the beginning of the cold season, I do most of my winter clothing shopping during this month. 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. Yes, please!

November 130

November 2020 Frugal Old Navy 130

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 18, 2016

Before you start shopping, check your wardrobe for a few pieces you might be missing. Thrift Shopping. With your wardrobe in mind, start with thrift stores. Thrift stores are not the dusty, smelly places of the past. Smart Shopping with Coupons. You can also shop online with coupons.

Thrifty 40

Thrifty Budget Budgeting Mom 40

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 1, 2017

In April, we saved quite a bit of money by comparison shopping, and choosing thrift first. We Shopped for New Home Owners/Auto Insurance. I had not shopped around for home owners and auto insurance quotes in YEARS. The machine worked for a week before a new problem arose. April’s Thrift Store Finds.

April 100

April 2017 Washer and Dryer Daughter 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 24, 2013

We bought a lot of our son’s onesies and other items (including a crib) at a consignment shop. A lot of sports and exercise equipment can be bought used, and work just fine. Our stationary bicycle is a used item that still works great even though we have had it for several years. Sports Equipment. What do you think?

Saving Money 213

Saving Money Money Used Buy 213

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 30, 2012

.” In my experience this type of haggling will work 70% off the time. You can’t be timid to make this work; you have to stand strong, speak up, and tell the manager exactly what you want. This works really well in clothing stores, as well as home improvement warehouses like The Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Haggle 211

Haggle Haggling Bargain Home Depot 211

Motherhood Moments

MARCH 4, 2023

For example, you need not go for expensive brands and the latest trends whenever you shop. Instead, you may want to check out thrift stores or buy classic, high-quality items that will last longer. Now, staying frugal doesn't mean living a life of deprivation. Rather, it's about making choices that align with your values.

Debt 130

Debt Money Building Credit Cards 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 17, 2012

The only drawback to using grocery bags is that they are not insulated, so if you need to keep something cold, they are not going to work. Clothing Bags If you donate clothing to your local thrift stores , then these bags can help you out. Trash Bags Plastic grocery bags are the perfect size for your small trashcans.

Reuse 272

Reuse Grocery Groceries Recycle 272

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

If you are self-employed, work for a company or in an industry that is unstable, or maybe you or someone in your family has medical issues, you might want to save 6-12 months of expenses. Now that we’ve paid off six figures of non-mortgage debt , we are working on saving 6 months’ expenses and maybe even more.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Penny Pinchin' Mom

MARCH 11, 2024

“It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.” If you do a weekly meal plan, you will know exactly what ingredients need to be bought during your next grocery shopping trip, including the ones you have and those you don’t.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Mom Used 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 30, 2014

I mentioned that our pub style table and chairs didn’t work well in our dining room, but the bar stool chairs were the perfect height, so they worked great for the kitchen island, and we were able to sell the table on Craigslist. We furnished our house almost for free by using a few methods: Repurpose Old Pieces . Go Frugal'

Furnishings 189

Furnishings Home Craigslist Furniture 189

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. I was just working on it yesterday as I was making some notes of gift ideas for my kids.

Christmas 235

Christmas Finds Part Time Thrift Stores 235

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

If you are self-employed, work for a company or in an industry that is unstable, or maybe you or someone in your family has medical issues, you might want to save 6-12 months of expenses. Collect your bills and start shopping around for new vendors. With work, school, and extra-curricular activities, we feel it at our house too.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Yes, that means that you cannot stop at the drive through on your way home from work. How to Shop for Furniture at Thrift Stores Thrift stores are for more than just clothing, and they are great places to find used furniture for cheap. No, you cannot have dinner and drinks with the girls twice a week.

Saving Money 221

Saving Money Money Budgeting Budget 221

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 17, 2013

How about when a lamp stops working? I give away perfectly good electronics because they are ‘out of date’ – they don’t work with new software. I remember when there was a shoe repair shop on almost every corner. Remember when high school kids were required to take shop and/or home economics?

Repairs 214

Repairs San Francisco Radios Garage 214

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 23, 2013

It seems to work well, and it works for killing fleas, too. The next time you see your cat or dog scratching furiously because of fleas, consider trying a nontoxic alternative to those chemical bombs normally sold in pet stores. It is an amazing substance made from the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. Regular bathing.

Bath and Body Works 207

Bath and Body Works Pets Vacuums Thrift Stores 207

Teresa's Deals

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Meal Planning is something that I am working on right now. 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. Shop Thrift Stores. I love shopping at Thrift Shops and Discount Stores.

Frugal 100

Frugal Saving Money Thrifting Money 100

Teresa's Deals

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Meal Planning is something that I am working on right now. 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. Shop Thrift Stores. I love shopping at Thrift Shops and Discount Stores.

Frugal 100

Frugal Saving Money Thrifting Money 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 16, 2015

And during the warmer months, they encourage you to increase your thermostat while you’re at work and/or away from home. Shopping the sale racks at your favorite store is always an option, but there are two ways to find even better deals on clothing. I only shop on Wednesdays, when the store has a 50% off everything sale.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Thrifting Thrift Stores 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 4, 2013

Shop with a List. If you find yourself throwing out a lot of food, you can remedy the problem by shopping with a list. Create a meal plan for the week, and base your grocery shopping list on what you will actually eat during the week. Here are 7 ways you can reduce household waste (and maybe even save a little money): 1.

Re-use 278

Re-use Home and Garden Bulk Electronics 278

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 30, 2014

Larger furniture for larger spaces (as long as there is not too much of it) works best, and use smaller for smaller spaces. What home decorating basics have you found work well? This makes the space look smaller and doesn’t do much for visual appeal. Having tiny furniture in a large room is also not appealing. Get Organized'

Home 182

Home Making Furniture Thrift Stores 182

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 25, 2013

Once we get a bit more organized and back into reality, I will work on trying to get some pics up for you all to see of some of our adventures. How to Shop for Furniture at Thrift Stores. I swear I was born in the wrong part of the world. Maybe one day I will get the opportunity to live there for a while. PET Archives.

Grandfather 165

Grandfather Fridays Debt Thrift Stores 165

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 21, 2015

It would be hard to have the laid back life we envisioned with both of us working frantically just to pay bills (mostly made of debt.) Funny how that works. Were there arguments during the time you were working on your debt? Who handles the day-to-day finances in your home or do you work on it equally? I am the nerd.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Las Vegas Finance 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

So we got to work! We methodically worked through our plan and in September 2019 we were treated with the ultimate reward for our hard work– freedom from our non-mortgage debts! We also started shopping around for a new-to-us vehicle. How could we turn this around? I think I cried for 2 solid days.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 17, 2013

Helping out at a charity, particularly if the work you do is specialized, means one less person for that charity to pay. Don’t limit yourself to the thrift stores, either. And you don’t have to give cash in order to make it work. Instead, the money the charity does have can go toward helping more people.

Giving 235

Giving Money Donation Bills 235

Saving With Shellie

AUGUST 8, 2012

The days of summer are waning and to parents of school-age kids, that can mean only one thing — School Shopping! About five years ago, I started thrifting. As a grad student, I had hit a few “vintage” shops but had never really looked to outfit myself or children using resale clothing. And watch for a Thrifting Angel.

Thrifting 76

Thrifting Thrift Stores Clothes Clothing 76

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 13, 2013

Even if you don’t want to use the YMCA for entertainment, your local YMCA will likely have affiliate organizations that they work with that might have something that will pique your interest. 5 Ways To Save Money On Moving Expenses Budget and Kid Friendly Fun How to Shop at Thrift Stores for Clothes To Save Money.

Golf 200

Golf Thrift Stores Green And Frugal Budgeting 200

Work With What You've Got

JUNE 1, 2010

We also hit a few thrift stores, and again, I did not really find what I needed, but I got a couple things anyway. I ended up with baby pink and black Ralph Lauren oxfords and a sequined skirt from Buffalo Exchange, and a dress to match the oxfords and a pair of red cowboy boots from thrifting. I mean, shorts by themselves.

Thrifting 40

Thrifting Thrift Stores Shopping Ralphs 40

Couponing 101

AUGUST 6, 2019

Secondhand gear should work just fine and will give your child an opportunity to try the sport out before you invest a lot of money. You can find secondhand sports gear at thrift stores, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and sports resale shops, like Play It Again Sports.

Sports 40

Sports Kids Craigslist Kids and Family 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 13, 2012

Thrift stores are also a great place to shop. When I worked, we used to attend the city symphony’s Christmas family performance. We get to celebrate our religious beliefs, take time off from work, consume holiday treats, relax. They kind of look like the ones for sale at Curious Country Creations.

Holiday 202

Holiday Friends And Family Sale Kids and Family Christmas 202

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 24, 2012

Take time to shop around to figure out what exactly you want done. Take the time to learn any requisite skills, either by reading, learning online or perhaps attending some of the home improvement big box store presentations and skill shops. Thrift shops. Plan ahead. Want to redo your kitchen? Craigs list.

Renovation 189

Renovation Home Real Estate Re-use 189

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 3, 2013

In spite of that, history indicates that sweat shop seamstress positions had a ratio of 20 applicants per position. If you own a material store, you want someone on staff that understands the customers – someone who knows how to sew! I could work and make many times more than I could ever save by sewing. til 11 P.M

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Sewing Sewing Machines Machines Saving Money 201

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

And with fingers crossed, hard work, and much prayer, 2016 will be the year we taste freedom. I have no problem shopping at a thrift store and not having cable TV, but I still want to camp and watch my daughters swim meets. So I concocted an idea to pay them off early and wrote our Debt Freedom Plan. Stretch yourself.

Debt 100

Debt Goals 2016 Calculators 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 11, 2016

Garage sale and thrift store furniture bargains abound. I used a shop vac, but any powerful vacuum would work. I know that having someone redo an upholstered piece is expensive, but I now understand why – there is a lot of manual and time-consuming work involved. Ways to save on furniture.

Re-use 100

Re-use Used Furniture Furniture Recycle 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 1, 2015

I use old casual office clothes to work around the house. I have a closet full of work clothes I wore to the office for 20 years, mostly casual slacks and blouses. Shopping for new clothing is no fun when your body isn’t a youthful 25 anymore! Cheap or frugal? My wardrobe needs have changed. Cheap or frugal?

Frugal 100

Frugal Cheap Clothes Clothing 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 6, 2016

Invest in reusable containers with lids to store leftovers. Take them to work in your brown bag lunch, or choose one night a week as, “raid the fridge night” You’ll appreciate the night off from cooking. And rather than throw unused possessions away, donate to a thrift store or offer up on Freecycle.org.

Saving Money 100

Saving Money Gift Cards Money Giveaway 100