The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

I believe these bulbs are the original pair from when I got my van, so I figure that if one is burnt out, the other one is on its last leg as well. It’s not like I use one light bulb more than the other. ? That reminds me: Twinings is a type of tea bag you could use for making the tea bag Christmas wreaths A.

Frugal 207

Frugal Office Twinings Thrift Stores 207

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 9, 2024

Tell us a little about yourself! My cute kids when they were little I used to be a Spanish teacher until I stopped working to stay home with my kids. As well as other “from scratch” things like my current main hobby of teaching myself how to spin yarn from our sheeps’ wool. Here’s Gretchen: 1.

Oregon 187

Oregon Home and Garden Kids and Family Money 187

Saving With Shellie

AUGUST 8, 2012

I also love dressing my kids well. 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. My husband now teases me that I am the Indiana Jones of thrifting. Successful thrifting takes a little effort.

Thrifting 76

Thrifting Thrift Stores Clothes Clothing 76

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Consumer goods juggernaut, Wal-Mart, offers its consumers the chance to bring in ads and essentially use them as coupons at the register. If you look at the label on off brand products, you’ll discover that they are usually made from the same materials, using the same processes–they just come in a less pretty box.

Groceries 252

Groceries Grocery Bills Used 252

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 17, 2013

I stopped by my two favorite thrift stores last week: Salvation Army & Community Aid, a local store. Finally, spring has arrived in central PA, so I carved out some time last Wednesday to hit the thrift stores. Do used shoes gross you out? So mom made out well! Do you shop at thrift stores? Thrifting'

Thrifty 100

Thrifty Finds Thrift Stores Thrifting 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 30, 2014

We’ve been in the house for about a year, and now have a well furnished home. We furnished our house almost for free by using a few methods: Repurpose Old Pieces . Since there were four chairs and only three fit at the island, we repurposed the fourth chair by painting it and using it as a decoration in our spare bedroom.

Furnishings 189

Furnishings Home Craigslist Furniture 189

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 30, 2012

Hopefully this advice can help you save some money as well and turn the art of haggling into a habit. I always use the example of big ticket items like furniture and electronics. 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

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 6, 2013

Anything you now longer want that is still wearable and in reasonable condition can be donated to thrift stores. Garments that are in good condition, especially well-known or high-end labels, could be donated or sold to secondhand clothing stores or through eBay or other online sites. Go Frugal Go Green'

Saving Money 249

Saving Money Green Money Clothing and Accessories 249

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 4, 2021

I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. I calculate the per-hour rate from my plasma donations to make sure it’s a good use of my time. Oh well, I thought–I can sleep in that weekend. Finding extra money is a game for me. This money equates to about $36.67

Money 130

Money May Donation 2020 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 17, 2012

Plastic grocery bags can be irritating and useful all at the same time. They are useful carry bags in general. Pet Bags If you have pets, then these bags can be very useful. For example, you can use plastic grocery bags to clean out your cat’s litter box. Some recycling centers will recycle these bags as well.

Reuse 272

Reuse Groceries Grocery Recycle 272

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 4, 2020

I tend to focus on certain brands that I really like and that fit me well. 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. I used coupons and shopped through the Rakuten portal and got a lot of deals at their favorite stores.

November 130

November 2020 Frugal Old Navy 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

“How to Live Large and Have Fun”, “How to Spend Millions on Credit and Never Pay a Dime”, “Live Large and On Charge…Cards”, “Living High on the Hog: The Art of Budget Busting”…these are all titles of fictitious books, but they might as well be bestsellers. Used Doesn’t Mean Abused. That is $100 a week you can be using to BUY GROCERIES!

Saving Money 221

Saving Money Money Budgeting Budget 221

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 15, 2015

If you are in more of a hurry, find a thrift store instead. Expect to pay a bit more in a thrift store, but if it is run by a charitable organization, you can feel good about paying a few bucks more because you are helping out the cause. If you are still reluctant to buy used, consider the below bargains. My best finds.

Garage Sale 100

Garage Sale Garage Finds Sale 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 23, 2013

Rinse the comb often as you use it, to send those fleas down the drain and off the animal! Using a broom is nice, but doing so can just move fleas and their eggs from one place to another. By using a vacuum, you can suck them all up and dispose of the bag when you are done. Vacuum your home often. Wash your pet’s bedding often.

Bath and Body Works 207

Bath and Body Works Pets Vacuums Thrift Stores 207

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 30, 2014

Many people overlook the power of using textures in a home to add points of interest as well as space and a homey feel. Don’t use a uniform texture for everything; using wood blinds with shag-type rugs and interesting focal points will help create a visually appealing space. Use Patterns Sparingly.

Home 182

Home Making Furniture Thrift Stores 182

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. Use paper drop cloth to wrap. I bought a roll in 2011 and have been using it for everything from Christmas wrap to kid crafts to posters to mailing packages every since. Use paper from other sources.

Thrifty 174

Thrifty Christmas Gifts Thrift Stores 174

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 16, 2015

We used to spend hundreds of dollars a month going out to eat at restaurants. Water – Unless you have a well, you probably pay for your water. I’ve been an avid gym member for over 20 years, so I will never tell anyone to give up their gym membership if they truly use it. It saves us $67 a month. Dining Out.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Thrifting Thrift Stores 100

Saving Cents With Sense

AUGUST 30, 2013

Thrift Store Style. Thrift stores, on the other hand, offer affordable, stylish clothing. Thrift stores, on the other hand, offer affordable, stylish clothing. You can find cool vintage threads as well to mix and match. Many shoppers are now turning to thrift stores to find fashionable items. Dining Hall.

College 102

College Student Public Transit DSL 102

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 4, 2013

From food waste to packaging to disposable items, there are a lot of resources being used by humans. A meal plan can be one of the best ways to avoid last-minute takeout runs, as well as ensure that you have a way to use the food you buy. Find Ways to Re-Use as Much As You Can. Nor is it healthy. You can do the same.

Re-use 278

Re-use Home and Garden Bulk Electronics 278

Saving Cents With Sense

OCTOBER 1, 2013

Well this Halloween season, you don’t need to fall for this trap! Buy a colorful red, orange, or gold runner at your local dollar store as well as a few faux pumpkins or gourds. Use candy corn creatively. Find inexpensive knick knacks at your local dollar store or thrift store that fall into the Halloween theme.

Halloween 93

Halloween DIY Frugal Dollar Store 93

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

We use an online account like, Capital One 360 (my referral link). Stop Spending, BUT still live well: 1 – Declare a “Needs Only” month. Plan your gift giving for the year using my FREE Gift Spending excel spreadsheet. If you need to work a second job, it might as well be interesting to you.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 22, 2013

Sometimes, as we shop we see things we would like to own and decide to treat ourselves with a gift or two as well. So, hey, I guess I can take the tax reduction next year as well as this! On their personal finance site, US News suggested that some kids get games they don’t want and can’t be returned. I know I do.

Buy 223

Buy Buying Consignment Shops TVs 223

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 19, 2011

Some people keep their recipes on the computer, but I prefer my binder with its well-used, splattered pages. But I have seen a variety of binders at yard sales and thrift stores for pocket change. Do you use binders to stay organized? Let us know in the comments. I am a bit obsessive about them being all white.

Office 159

Office Organic Organization Friends And Family Sale 159

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 21, 2014

Our sweet Ruby has assimilated into our family quite well. It was a low cost investment and it came with a training dvd for my husband and I to understand how to use the collar properly. For us, the results were incredible. The girls and I hit my favorite thrift store this week. She’s such an easy dog.

Thrifty 100

Thrifty Thrift Stores Daughter Adidas 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 23, 2017

Those affected by our recent Great Recession have had the benefits of saving reinforced as well. But, in college, I spent my summer earnings – on clothes, on a used car and on school activities. As a young mom, I saved like mad – going to garage sales, thrift stores and accepting hand me downs on toys and clothing.

Making 124

Making Recession College 401K 124

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 18, 2016

Thrift Shopping. With your wardrobe in mind, start with thrift stores. Thrift stores are not the dusty, smelly places of the past. Never shop online without finding coupons online as well. You can create a monthly budget for yourself as well. This site uses affiliate links. Shop at the End of Seasons.

Thrifty 40

Thrifty Budgeting Budget Mom 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 17, 2013

Many of us throw the broken or outdated item out. I’m guilty as well. I used to darn my family’s socks, but now don’t. Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”. What happens when your favorite pair of leather boots starts to lose it’s soul? Few try to repair or get it repaired.

Repairs 214

Repairs San Francisco Radios Garage 214

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 29, 2011

Using epoxy, attach a saucer to a garden stake. If you have china that is past the point of usefulness, broken or severely cracked, break it some more to create mosaic tiles for other craft projects. Never toss china or tile into the garbage bin; these little well used and cracked porcelain treasures are up-cycling at its best.

Cycle 199

Cycle Budgeting Budget Christmas 199

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

We do put up decorations (ones I buy at garage sales or thrift stores and reuse each year). Bring in your slightly used, but in good shape costume and pick one from those others brought in – as a swap. Encourage your child to use their imaginations to come up with a costume out of materials on hand at home.

Halloween 138

Halloween Green Reuse Garage 138

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

Cut your s pending , BUT still live well: No one wants to read, “ cut your spending “, because what they hear is live like a miser. This first group of ideas is about cutting back–but still living well–AND putting that money not spent into your emergency savings. Add it up to get a total.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 3, 2014

Are you a ‘buy it new’ snob – one of those people who shudder at the thought of using someone else’s cast off stuff? I swore I’d never buy used junk again… but now I’ve changed my mind. Here is a short list of some of my favorite finds at garage, estate and thrift store sales.

Buy 178

Buy Buying Garage Sale Garage 178

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 13, 2012

Use nature – cut cedar or pine boughs from your yard or from a friendly farm nearby (ask first for heavens sake!). Just bare twigs in a large vase, with old ornaments tied to them can be pretty as well. We live on the edge of the prairie and prairie grasses grow well here. Thrift stores are also a great place to shop.

Holiday 202

Holiday Friends And Family Sale Kids and Family Christmas 202

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 24, 2012

Know what you want to do and plan it out well ahead of time. When I redid ours, I used that spray meant to re enamel tubs to re-finish the vanity tops. Thrift shops. I found wood frames for my national park posters and a wildlife themed shower curtain at the local thrift stores. Plan ahead. Want to redo your kitchen?

Renovation 189

Renovation Home Real Estate Re-use 189

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 19, 2014

All those items got plenty of use as all three of my kids used them. The article specifies that Garlick did not buy any birthday or Christmas presents for her children, but I’m sure that they got items from well-meaning relatives. However, who is to say that they did not also buy their own items used?

Friends And Family Sale 176

Friends And Family Sale Clothing and Accessories Kids and Family Clothes 176

Work With What You've Got

OCTOBER 8, 2010

I got this dress at a thrift store a while back and it was floor length. It was eventually suggested that maybe I costume shows using rented pieces, or thrifted. I wasn’t GOING to sew, see I was going to use Stitch Witch. Tags: Wendy Brandes Target second hand Amazon Thrifted. But you know I had to try.

Thrifting 40

Thrifting Sewing Thrift Stores Clothes 40

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 9, 2014

It is my personal mission as the household manager for my family to live well, but I want us to do so on less money. We used to spend hundreds of dollars a month going out to eat at restaurants. Unless you have a well, you probably pay for your water. It saves us $67 a month. Dining Out. Gym Membership.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Finance Organic 100

Saving Cents With Sense

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

We were able to find the cup and saucer at our local thrift store for just a quarter each. Mini ornaments and glitter can be found at most dollar stores and crafting stores rather inexpensively as well. Place this charming piece of homemade holiday décor anywhere you can use some sparkle. This site uses affiliate links.

DIY 105

DIY Gifts Thrift Stores Crafts 105