Think Thrifty Thursday - frugal is the new black

I dance a jig when I save money with coupons, and I have even been known to call a friend or two when I save a ton by using triple coupons... but it's not because I'm bragging.

I have often felt like I should just keep it to myself for not seeming like a bragger... It's evident that society places importance on material things, so it makes it harder to impress upon others the benefits of being even just a little thrifty. With todays barely surviving economy, thrifty is a little more accepted then it used to be.

I've noticed that more people are taking advantage of super double coupon days, or triple coupon days at local grocery stores. I notice spring sales at the local malls draw bigger crowds then in the days of the booming economy. There's also auto dealerships now offering "walk away with no strings" deals if you get laid off with your job during the first 12 months of your purchase of a brand new car. What major changes have you noticed since the economy has hit rock bottom? Have you or your neighbor or close friend/family been affected directly by job loss?

For us, it's been small adjustments here and there since we decided for me to stay home after the birth of our youngest. I work from home and make a modest income, but we have taken a 50k a year income hit due to job changes, and my staying home. While that sounds like a lot, we quickly learned to live within our new income without a terrible strain. Very similar to Julie over at coolmomguide, we made some changes quickly.

I ran across this article recently: Why isn't frugality more conspicuous? Thrift seems to go hand in hand with other virtues, such as modesty. In some instances, when a frugal lifestyle is forced on someone due to financial crisis, there is some embarrassment about the thrifty measures required to make ends meet. We even call these situations "financial embarrassment." Why do those who conspicuously consume make their consumption so visible? Presumably, they know that others want what they have. If you want to give frugality a positive spin, focus on the good that others want in their lives. Mention frugality and people don't immediately think of the good that results. They picture a frugal or "tight" person with tight, pursed lips, squinty eyes, wearing poor-fitting clothes. **

I think you'll be hearing alot more about being frugal. Frugal is the new black. Visit Julie at CoolMomGuide for more Thrifty Thursday.

**Thanks to stretcher.com for this article excerpt

Think Thrifty Thursday - get a box of borax

Borax is the most versatile and CHEAP way to clean... it's also sanitizes!! Not too long ago I was on the hunt for ways to cut back on household cleaners, and I ran across this handy list of ways to use borax. Some that I'd never even considered! So, I thought I'd share a few.

You can stretch one box of borax to do ALOT of cleaning, not too shabby for a box that costs about 4.00 on average!

Visit CoolMomGuide for more Think Thrifty Thursday!

Also, you can visit another of my favorite blogs each week for Frugal Friday over at LifeAsMom!

1. Sanitize your garbage disposal
   I love my garbage disposal, but its also a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. To sanitize, every couple of weeks pour 3 tablespoons borax down the drain and let it sit for 1 hour. Then turn on the disposal and flush it with hot water from the tap.


2. Clean your toilet
   Who likes the unpleasant fumes from bleach and other chemicals? Borax disinfects AND sanitizes!! Use a stiff brush to scrub it using a solution of 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) water.


3. Keep away weeds and ants
   Borax kills weeds!!! Also, sprinkle some around the base of your house (outside) and it keeps ants, and other creepy crawlers out! Be very careful when applying borax -- it is toxic to plants.


4. Get out rug stains
   Remove stubborn stains from rugs and carpets. Dampen the area, then rub in some borax. Let area dry, then vacuum or blot it with a solution of equal parts vinegar and soapy water and let dry. Repeat as needed. Don't forget to first test the procedure on an inconspicuous corner of the rug or on a carpet scrap before applying it to the stain.


5. Clean windows and mirrors
   Borax can get your windows and mirrors streak free and spotless!! Wash them with a clean sponge dipped in 2 tablespoons borax dissolved in 3 cups water.


6. Unclog your sink without worrying with the fuming chemicals, Borax is much gentler : Use a funnel to insert 1/2 cup borax into the drain, then slowly pour in 2 cups boiling water. Let the mixture set for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Repeat for stubborn clogs.


7. Remove mildew from fabric
   To remove mildew from upholstery and other fabrics, soak a sponge in a solution of 1/2 cup borax dissolved in 2 cups hot water, and rub it into the affected areas. Let it soak in for several hours until the stain disappears, then rinse well. To remove mildew from clothing, soak it in a solution of 2 cups borax in 2 quarts (2 liters) water.


8. Get out bad sink stains.
   Even rust -- in your stain-less steel or porcelain sink. Make a paste of 1 cup borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Put some of the paste on a cloth or sponge and rub it into the stain, then rinse with running warm water. The stain should wash away with the paste.

Think Thrifty Thursday: Spring it up edition

Today's thrifty thoughts are about spring ideas...

Need to re-mulch?? I do!! This year I plan to call my local sanitation department, and if that doesn't pan out, I will try a few tree cutting companies. Did you know that in most areas, you can get free bark mulch from your sanitation department which typically recycles yard cuttings and organic debris?? Also, companies that clear limbs around power lines usually make wood chips and give them away rather than paying for disposal. Check your local utility bill or call your local tree trimmer!!

Enjoying some outdoor fun w/ the kids?? Grab a bird identification book from the library and go out to see which ones you can spot!! The kids (toddler and up) will likely enjoy playing along!

While you're at it outdoors, grab a cheap kite at your local Walmart/Target and have alot of fun for a little bit of money! You can usually grab a kite for about 5.00 or less, and the kids love it. A kite, some bubbles, and a big blanket with a basket of snacks or sandwich's and you can have a makeshift picnic day in your own back yard!! Top it all off with some homemade icecream as a outdoor treat.

Now's a good time to get some packets of seeds and start a few flower gardens in containers or even veggies!! Last year me and the boyz grew alot in our container gardens. We had a big supply of yellow squash, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, and even some strawberries!!! All in 10 gallon containers, with the right amount of drainage holes and a few rocks on the bottom for proper rooting, container gardens are a inexpensive way to enjoy a mini garden of fruit/veggies or simply flowers. My kidz really enjoyed watching them all grow into fruits and veggies.

More with kids...with the weather ups and downs, we try to have rainy day goodies set aside. We like to take a few sheets and blankets and drape them over the dining room table to make a "tent"... you can also set aside some of the "old toys" into storage bins and when you're stuck indoors then pull them out and the kids will be excited to see some things they haven't played with in a while.

For more ideas - go to CoolMomGuide for Think Thrifty Thursday. Also, another one of my favorite blogs is hosting a frugal meme, so head over to LifeAsMom for some Frugal Friday ideas!

Think Thrifty Thursday: Around the House

Alot of times in the past when we would do crafts, or projects with the kids we would end up running out to buy alot of supplies. I started looking around at things and decided to start saving what would ordinarily get tossed in the garbage. There are alot of thrifty uses for what I like to call "stuff leftovers".

What I do with my "stuff leftovers":

• Plastic baby wipe cases (the ones that you buy pampers/generic/huggies wipes in) - can be used for all sorts of goodies. Crayon storage, snatch the top off of it and stick it in a kids drawer to organize rolled up socks or small toddler undies, manicure storage box (holds everything!), make up little "surprise" boxes for a day spent indoors or for fun in the car - I keep one ready and full of small toys, mini books, etc., and it's ready to go!


• Empty paper towel or tp rolls.... we use these for LOTS of stuff!! You can decorate them with child safe paints, then fill them with rice and beans, seal off the ends with some foil and top that with contact paper to seal and you have yourself a shaker!! OR you can use these to keep your boots standing upright in the closet... just tuck one or two down in each boot and there you have it! The tp rolls are good for clever organization of jumbled up cords behind furniture, no one will know that it's there but you and your cords are neatly out of the way!


• Empty milk or OJ cartons can quickly transform into a "build a house" craft project. Our oldest made one of these for Halloween a few years back. Endless possibilities with the design and theme!


• Old nylon pantyhose? Cut off the feet (about 6-8inches) and fill with potpourri, then tie off with a ribbon or string, and stuff that in the back of your drawers or on a shelf in your closet to freshen up the space.


• Uses for Aluminum foil that I've ran across in the past few years... to sharpen dull scissors: layer about 7 pieces of foil and cut through with the dull scissors, it sharpens them! Another use for foil, wrap your doorknobs and/or hardware in foil before painting a room and you don't have to worry about drips of paint getting on them. My most recent tip for using aluminum foil is when baking a pie, about 1/2 way through baking wrap foil strips around the edge crust and secure with a metal paper clip to prevent your crust from getting too dark.


• Re-use your holiday cards in a "make a placemat" craft. Cut out the picture part of the cards, place them between two clear sheets of contact paper and the kids have a special holiday placemat or a mat to color on and do crafts.

Frugalness: Think Thrifty Thursday

As part of my quest to be frugal and thrifty, I generally try to take advantage of multiple use items. I ran across a great idea last year, recycling crayons. I'm sure that most all parents at some point have tossed out their fair share of crayon bits and pieces. I know I have, and I'm thrilled to have found a fun new way to re-use them!

Recently our youngest went through a couple weeks of the yuck, having had a stomach virus one week, and a cold the very next. We had to get resourceful and fill in the time that would otherwise be outdoors or a playdate or even a trip to the library. We decided to give recycling our crayon bits a whirl!

Our little guy (3 years old) had a blast helping me peel, break, and sort them for the baking. I followed these instructions for the most part, I changed my oven temp half way through the project to 275 degrees because after 35 min the crayons were not even 1/2 melted. The montage below is a quick view of the process step by step.

I read somewhere else that you can use the silicone baking pans for more fun shapes. Just remember if you try this, the pan you use will forever be dedicated to crafts afterwards!

Related Links: Last weeks Think Thrifty Thursday

Frugalness: Think Thrifty Thursday

Julie is hosting a meme - Think Thrifty Thursday. She and I often compare notes on how and where to grab the best deal when it comes to toys, groceries, and in general "stuff". We often call ourselves Frugal Rulers and have tossed the idea around about making matching tee shirts to wear and shopping together on triple coupon days at Harris Teeter to warn them that we're coming!!

Right now, with the economy floundering, more then ever I’m on the hunt for great finds. I’ve written a few posts about my frugalness here and here if you want to check out some of the ways we pinch a penny around our house.

This Thursday’s Thrifty thought is directed to an obsession of mine, craigslist. I’m all about finding a great deal on there!! While toys aren’t necessities, I thought I’d write my post for this week about the activity toys we’ve really saved on with our mindful shopping. Here’s just 4 of the things I scored over the summer and fall for our toddler to have fun with!!

This desk by Little Tikes – in NEW condition (not one flaw!); I paid $15.00. I drove 10 minutes from my house to pick it up. They even put new batteries in the desklight to show me that it worked. Had I bought it in a store, I would have paid $69.99+tax. {SAVED $55.00}

This kitchen/laundry combo by Little Tikes – in NEW condition (seriously, looked never played with); I paid $25.00. I did not have to drive any at all out of my way, the seller met me near my oldest son’s school during my morning commute. She even gave me the info to call Little Tikes and order one of the missing pieces, and because I had registered w/ Little Tikes before online, they sent it to me at NO CHARGE!! The kitchen has interactive food, laundry with sounds, and the voice can be programmed to Spanish/English/French. This kitchen combo would have cost us $199.99!! {SAVED $175.00}

This slide by Little Tikes in excellent condition – no fading, no scratches and was used INDOORS ONLY!! I paid $10.00 and the seller lived one neighborhood away!! This slide sells new for $89.99!! {SAVED $80.00}

This train table, in good condition (some wood wear but minimal); I paid $50.00. This train table came with the ‘play board’ for the top, and we had our own trains. The bins came with it, and they were in new condition. I drove about 20 minutes from home to pick this up and the seller even loaded it in my car for me!! This table w/ storage bins would have cost us $200.00 in a store. {SAVED $150.00}

TOY SAVINGS ON JUST THESE FOUR ITEMS = $460.00!!

Granted, these are not necessities - but it was nice to provide them for our little guy at a very low out of pocket cost!!