Thrifty411's Thrifty Living Blog

Fix Computer Problems!

2012-01-07T00:21:00.002-05:00

Save on Christmas gifts at Wal-Mart

2011-12-02T22:13:00.001-05:00

Save at drugstore.com!

2011-12-01T20:52:00.001-05:00

Vision Direct Contacts

2011-07-07T21:11:00.000-04:00

Protect Your Money, Credit & Identity

2011-07-07T20:57:00.001-04:00

Protect Your Money, Credit, and Identity

Job Hunting?

2011-04-25T21:54:00.000-04:00

Post Your Resume FREE to Job.com and get found by employers hiring in your industry and location.

Protect Yourself

2011-04-20T20:56:00.000-04:00

Protect Your Money, Credit, and Identity

Home-Based Business

2011-04-19T19:33:00.000-04:00

Start and Operate Your Own Home-Based Business

6 Steps To Get Rid Of Clutter | Lifescript.com

2011-03-06T22:57:00.000-05:00

6 Steps To Get Rid Of Clutter Lifescript.com

Buy After The Holiday

2010-11-05T00:04:00.003-04:00

I was finally able to get by my local Hobby Lobby today! Just as I thought - the Halloween decorations were 66% off. So, I got a couple new decorations for 1/3 the original price. Now bad!

My local store also has certain Christmas decorations for 50% off. I didn't buy anything, but it is a good value. (My budget sense tells me a sale is not a good buy unless it is something I need!).

Remember - Learning to be thrifty, to create a budget, and live by your budget is one of the most valuable money skills you can have!

Janet

www.Thrifty411.com

After Halloween Sales

2010-11-02T21:41:00.005-04:00

This is pretty simple, but just wanted to remind you... Shop the after Halloween sales! There are a lot of nice decorations available at drastically reduced prices.

We all know that holiday styles don't change much from year to year (what more can you really do for Halloween?), so go find your deals and put them away for next year.

I saw in my local WalMart that yesterday (one day after the holiday), most items were at least 25% discounted. I'm sure the discounts will continue to go up, especially on items they have a lot of leftover stock.

I have not made it to Hobby Lobby (hope to tomorrow!), but they always have excellent sales - up to 90% off the original price.

Do a little shopping (staying within your budget!) and enjoy some great discounts.

Remember - Learning to be thrifty, to create a budget, and live by your budget is one of the most valuable money skills you can have!

Janet

www.Thrifty411.com

2010-10-28T20:15:00.000-04:00

Can You Save Money With Hotwire?

2010-10-26T01:32:00.009-04:00

The answer is "YES"!

In my family we are Disney freaks and have the Disney Vacation Club, so we use our DVC points for accommodations on most of our vacationing. It is a great deal - but that is another post for another day!

Recently we had the honor of attending the wedding of my best friend's son. It was about 500 miles away, so of course we stayed the weekend. It also gave me the chance to visit with my friend and her family!

We live on a tight budget, so we had to carefully plan the trip. My friend had talked with hotels close to her home and found out the best rate. We needed 2 rooms because my son and his family were also going. Since my friend was not reserving over 10 rooms, she could not get the best "bulk" rate the hotels offered. Don't get me wrong, the price was better than the advertised rate, and better than I could get booking online. I just thought I could get a better price...

I spent one evening scouring the web trying to find a discount code or something that would help. Then my husband (smart man he is) recommended I check on Hotwire.com or Priceline.com.

So, we used Hotwire.com and put in our date and location. We knew the "star" rating of the hotel and the part of town. Hotwire.com lets you narrow your search by several things, including the rating and general location. You don't know the name of the hotel until after you book a room, but you do know the amenities, customer reviews, and which hotels are normally in the star rating category.

As it turns out, we found the same hotel and same type room as my friend was quoted. But - the rate was over 30% less than the best rate we could get otherwise! That sold me!

Hotwire.com has discount prices on hotels, rental cars, airfare, cruises and vacation packages. It might not always be your best bet, but it sure is worth checking out. Just remember - you won't know the exact hotel until you book, and booking requires a non-refundable payment.

Remember - Learning to be thrifty, to create a budget, and live by your budget is one of the most valuable money skills you can have!

Janet

Halloween Safety

2010-10-23T00:34:00.003-04:00

This is not my normal thrifty or frugal comment, but since I've been doing some Halloween posts, I decided to mention Halloween Safety!

When you go Trick-or-Treating with your children, be sure to set rules before heading out. Here's some to consider:

Children must have an adult or responsible teen with them at all times. This is especially important for children under age 10. If your older kids trick-or-treat, an adult needs to be with them.
Stick to your own neighborhood.
If the house is not well-lit, pass it up. If the homeowner is participating in trick-or-treating, they will have their porch light on.
Do Not go inside the home of someone that is not a friend or family member.
Walk on the sidewalk if there is one. Don't cut through lawns.
Walk on the left side (road or sidewalk) facing oncoming traffic.
Try to trick-or-treat before dark.
There is safety in numbers. Go with a neighbor or friend and be sure you can handle the number of children you are responsible for.
Children should not eat candy until you get home and have a chance to check it

On another note...

Until this year, we lived in a very rural area where we had to drive the kids to trick-or-treat. Many of the people in our little town are relatives or friends. So, we used this time to also socialize! We spent time visiting with each household we stopped at. Although the kids may have not received a huge amount of candy (which is fine with me!), we actually set a tradition. As they have gotten older and having children of their own, they still want to trick-or-treat with the people from their youth! I am so glad that most of the households we visit are still living there and look forward to seeing my children and grandchildren. I lost my Dad 3 1/2 years ago and still miss him terribly! We used to end our trick-or-treat route at his house and have homemade soup or chili. These are memories my children and I will always cherish!

So - create your own tradition. Just be safe and enjoy the beautiful fall season!

Janet

Halloween Goodies

2010-10-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

Trick-or-treating is a fun for kids, but can put a dent in your budget!

There are several options for saving money. One is to shop at Sams Club or other warehouse shopping clubs. Buying a larger quantity saves you money, and if your neighborhood is like mine, you will have a lot of trick-or-treaters!

Check your local grocery store and drug store weekly ads for sales. Also check the mail ads for K-Mart, Wal-Mart, and Target sales.

Buy candy at the Dollar Tree (everything is $1) or other dollar stores. You may not get the same brand as you find at Wal-Mart but it will be a comparable product. You can also get goodie bags there if you plan to bag up your items.

The discount stores also have non-candy items to add to your bags, like Halloween pencils, pencil tops, erasers, plastic spiders, and spinning tops.

Check your newspaper or mail ads for coupons. You can also find many online that you can print out and use at most grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores.

Here's a few online coupon sites to check out:
Coupons.com
SmartSource.com
CouponMom.com
WOW-Coupons.com
Remember to have a safe and fun holiday - but stay within your budget!
Janet

Thrifty Halloween Costumes

2010-10-19T20:31:00.006-04:00

Halloween is a fun holiday for kids and adults. We like to dress up and eat fall candies and goodies. Purchased Halloween costumes are so expensive, and many are cheaply made. So we usually put together our costumes. It can also be fun to come up with ideas.

If you sew or someone you know sews, buy some inexpensive fabric at Wal-Mart or a fabric store and make a costume.

You can also put together costumes from things around your house, like a vampire from black and red clothing or material. A white sheet makes a good ghost. Lots of us have a tie dyed shirt to create a hippie costume or a sheet or piece of material to make a toga and go as a Roman God / Goddess. Be a pirate or cowboy / cowgirl from things you probably already have. Use that old bridesmaid dress as a princess costume.

Check out your local thrift or Goodwill store for costume essentials if you don't already have what you need.

You can get cheap accessories at the Dollar Tree or other dollar stores. Get makeup, jewelry, tiaras, fake nails, hair color, bunny ears, or hats to make your costume complete. Be creative!

The real key to a great costume is not spending a lot of money, but having fun putting it together! One year, I had a blast dressing up as the Greek goddess, Medusa. I bought a large piece of cheap black material and make a toga like dress. Then I took a cheap costume wig and attached plastic snakes all over it. Another year, I was the Statue of Liberty using a simply made straight dress, shawl, and crown.

Have some thrifty fun and do your own costume!

Janet

PS - check for after Halloween sales if you just can't do without a store bought costume. Put it away for next year! That's also a good time to buy decorations.

2010-07-07T19:40:00.002-04:00

Lexington is the largest and most trusted credit report repair firm in America. They offer exceptional service at a very affordable price.

In over 15 years of practice, Lexington Law has helped more than 300,000 clients clean up their credit reports.

They are offering a Free e-book of tips for dealing with creditors. Get yours now!

Switch to VoIP (voice over ip) phone service

2010-06-28T11:59:00.001-04:00

VoIP is a term used for communication (phone, fax, messages) over an IP address (your internet connection). We switched to an "internet phone" a couple years ago and are very happy with it. The service has been very reliable and good quality. We have all the features we need including voice messages that can be delivered by email.

And, it's a lot less expensive than our prior traditional land line. The service we use is Phone Power. There are others on the market, so check them out and switch over to save money!

Keep up your thrifty living!

Thrifty411.com

Amazon.com Outlet

2010-06-27T00:45:00.001-04:00

Save on Books

2010-06-26T23:04:00.003-04:00

At our home we have an avid reader. My 15 year old daughter. She likes many kinds of books and prefers to read them the old fashioned way - not with a Kindle or other electronic reader.

As thrifty living people, we come up with ideas to keep her reading current books. First of all, we use the public library. She also swaps books with friends. Some of the books, she wants to keep, so we invest wisely by buying the hard cover copy.

For books that she is going to read once and not planning to keep, we shop a local book resale store. She takes good care of the books she reads and we resale them after she is through with them. Works out good for us and the store!

Keep up your thrifty living!

Thrifty411.com

Monitor your FICO score

2010-06-22T19:16:00.000-04:00

Great Gift Idea!

2009-12-01T20:37:00.005-05:00

I recently decided on what I think is the perfect gift for my in-laws. Like most older folks, they are so hard to buy for!

I found this site and decided on a personalized calendar. It is beautiful! I was able to put up to 3 pictures on the top page of each month and as many pictures on the monthly days, as I wanted. I decided to mostly put pictures on weekend dates. That way, they still have spaces to write appointments, etc. For family members birthdays and other special occasions, I put a picture of the honored person.

I highly recommend it!

2009-09-12T16:41:00.000-04:00

Thrifty Beauty Tips

2009-07-17T22:30:00.002-04:00

Learning to live thrifty and frugal has been my goal for years. I look for ways to save on everyday items. Being thrifty takes planning and budgeting. I've collected thrifty tips that I love to share. Here's my collection on thrifty beauty tips. Enjoy!

Check out my article on Thrifty Beauty Ideas.

Janet

Thrifty Uses For Coffee Filters

2009-07-10T23:26:00.003-04:00

As a thrifty family, we are always looking for ways to save money. Sometimes you have to look around the house and find new uses for everyday items, such as coffee filters. You can buy 200 filters at your local discount store for around one or two dollars.

Check out my article on Uses for Coffee Filters.

Janet

Make Your Own Wedding Invitations

2009-07-08T21:22:00.001-04:00

Planning a wedding? Save money and make your own invitations. Affordable wedding idea!

Janet

Microwaves - Tips for Using, Cooking, and Cleaning

2009-07-07T20:35:00.002-04:00

Check out my new article on Tips for using, cooking, and cleaning your microwave.

Janet

Top Ways To Save On Wedding Expenses

2009-07-02T21:35:00.006-04:00

Planning a wedding? Make it the most special, but not the most expensive!
Save On Weddings!

Janet

Lemons - Are They A Medical Miracle?

2009-07-01T13:12:00.003-04:00

Check out my new article on Lemons - Are They a Medical Miracle?

Find out the useful and thrifty uses for this versatile fruit!

Janet

Discount Dental Plans - Are they better than insurance

2009-06-26T16:03:00.002-04:00

Check out my new article on Discount Dental Plans.

Great site! BeatThat!

2009-04-16T20:22:00.002-04:00

I just found this cool new site, BeatThat! Here's the info from their "about" page. Check them out for the best deals on the internet.
Janet

"BeatThat! is committed to providing an open, transparent view into the world of online shopping - so that shoppers online can feel comfortable that they've found the very best deals from stores they know a lot about - and the site guarantees that it has the lowest prices for its products, or you'll be paid for alerting the site to a better deal!"

Have a great day!

Janet

Yes, Times ARE Tough! But Be Happy?

2009-04-09T10:17:00.005-04:00

Things are tough all over. Seems every day you hear of someone else that lost their job, lost their home, is having family problems over money, and the list goes on.

I personally don't want to depend on our government for bail outs or help. They are proving that it is not what they are best at!

All of these happenings can surely cause us to be depressed. Depression is a real problem and coupled with stress, can cause us many physical problems.

Being depressed, sad, angry, and afraid are all normal emotions. What we need to do for our emotional well being is to know that bad times are temporary and will change!

In the mean time, let's think about some things to help us get through and hopefully come out better in the long run...

So, for the next several posts, I am going to give some of my ideas for making it emotionally through these tough times....

Be thankful for what you do have. You may have lost a lot, but if you really think about it, you probably have many things to be thankful for.
Remember that we can get by with less. For the ones of us that have had to learn how to live frugally, you know what I mean. Check out some of my thrifty living ideas and live on a budget.
De-Clutter. You can't think clear or concentrate with a mess around. Also, tackling some cleaning or organization give you a great feeling of accomplishment.
When taking on a task (budget items, cleaning, de-cluttering, job hunting, etc), make a list. You gain a lot by writing it down. Plus beeing able to mark it off the list is very fulfilling. It also gives you a visual of your daily goals.

I still have a lot of ideas to share, so send me your ideas and comments and we'll get through this together!

Janet

Save on Your Electric Bill With Solar Garden Lights

2009-03-20T21:51:00.004-04:00

Today is the first day of spring and makes me want to be outside more. Our home is very secluded and "off-road". One outdoor spring project we plan is to install solar powered path lights on our walkways.
Solar lighting has gone through a lot of changes in the past few years. They are more advanced and attractive. The quality is also higher. So - it's time to consider using solar garden and path lighting!
In today's economy, we need to save money wherever we can. Solar lighting will cause a reduction in your electric bill. They are also safer than electrical lighting and easy to install.

So, go play in the yard! Beautify your yard while saving on electricity, with low maintenance affordable solar powered garden lights.

Have a great weekend!
Janet

Spring Time's a Coming!

2009-03-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

It's getting to be spring! Especially in the beautiful Tennessee Valley where I live. Of course,, along with the beauty of spring, comes allergies!

Check out this information from adagio.com on the allergy fighting benefits of tea (helps in lots of other areas too!)

Tea is Good for You!
Hardly a week goes by without news of yet another research study confirming the health benefits of tea.

"Green tea shows promise as an allergy fighter."
"The wonder cup just got even more wonderful. Green tea, rich in antioxidant treasures that protect against heart disease and cancer, now shows promise as an allergy fighter. In laboratory tests, Japanese researchers have found that the antioxidants in green tea, block the biochemical process involved in producing an allergic response. Green tea may be useful against a wide range of sneeze-starting allergens, including pollen, pet dander, and dust."
Prevention, April 2003

Thrifty Deal of the Day

2009-03-18T13:05:00.002-04:00

There is a Red-Tag sale going on at Geeks.com.

Check it out:

Have a great day!
Janet

Thrifty Deal of the Day

2009-03-17T16:24:00.003-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Here's a great deal from Kohls, good tomorrow only!

$0.99 cent Shipping On Every Item 3/18 only!

Have a great day!

Thrifty Deal of The Day

2009-02-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sears SALE DATES: Thursday 3/5 - Sunday 3/8

All your spring essentials will be on sale plus get Free Shipping on Tools and Lawn & Garden items during Sears' 4-Day Get It Done Sale running Thursday 3/5 thru Sunday 3/8!

Highlights of the sale:

- 15% off all Appliances + Free Delivery of 12 months NINP
- Thousands of Tools on sale + Free Shipping over $125
- All Craftsman Power Lawn & Garden and Outdoor Storage on sale + Free Shipping over $125
- All Tires on sale

Good Deals!
Janet

Thrifty Personal Uses For Vinegar

2009-02-22T09:39:00.000-05:00

Vinegar is a thrifty addition to all areas of your household! Here are some personal uses:

Used as a hair rinse, vinegar neutralizes the alkali left by shampoos.
Make a remedy for age spots. Mix equal parts of onion juice and vinegar and use it daily on age spots. This will take a few weeks to work, just like its expensive relative from the store.
Put a mixture of half vinegar half water in a spray bottle and spray on sunburn to relieve pain for quite while.
To relieve a sort throat, use 1 tablespoon vinegar to an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gargle every hour.
Soothe a bee sting by dotting the irritation with vinegar and relieve itching.
Clean eyeglass lenses.

Janet

Thrifty Deal of The Day - Credit Reports

2009-02-21T22:21:00.005-05:00

If you aren't careful about your credit, you could end up paying dearly for a low credit score. Not only can a low score stand in the way of getting a loan for your dream home or dream car, but even if you do get the loan, a less-than-stellar score will make it expensive.

A fact about free credit reports that you need to know...

From http://www.ftc.gov/freereports
"An amendment to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. But there’s only one online source authorized to do so. That’s annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar."

Use the link above and check your credit score today!

Janet

Thrifty Deal of The Day - Income Tax

2009-02-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Prepare, Print, and e-File your taxes if:
You live in AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS,KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY,OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, UT, VA, or WV and your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less.

(Only $9.95 if you don't qualify for free service)

Let's get through this tax season together!
Janet

Thrifty Deal of The Day - Gardening

2009-02-20T09:56:00.001-05:00

It's time to go play in the yard!

Use this link to save money now. Save 10%!

Have a great Friday!

Janet

Thrifty Deal of The Day

2009-02-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Get Thrifty Living deals from Overstock.com.

Have a great day!

Janet

Thrifty Deal of The Day - Taxes

2009-02-18T10:00:00.001-05:00

If you have a simple tax return, TurboTax Free Edition is the easy way to do your taxes and get your maximum tax refund.

We all hate "tax time"! At least if you have a simple return, you can file free with TurboTax Free Edition.

Have a great day!
Janet

Thrifty Deal of The Day

2009-02-17T10:36:00.005-05:00

Get Thrifty Living deals from DrugStore.com.

Let me know what you think about this site. I have been very pleased with them.

Janet

Free Valentine Music!

2009-02-13T09:26:00.002-05:00

Amazon.com is offering all of us a free gift - a Valentine song download!
Check it out and have a great Valentines Day!

Janet

Last Minute Valentine Gifts

2009-02-12T09:50:00.003-05:00

Buy Amazon.com Gift Cards and get your special someone the ideal gift (one they pick!).

It's easy and quick. You can e-mail a personalized gift card for immediate delivery or print a personalized gift card on your own printer.

Get Amazon.com gift cards here.

Janet

Valentine Savings!

2009-02-06T20:04:00.003-05:00

Janet

Still struggling with that debt?

2009-02-05T22:19:00.002-05:00

A few days ago, I told you about the Pay Debt Quickly Kit that includes the tools and teaches you the strategies you need to become debt free faster than you may have imagined.

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of this great opportunity, I really encourage you to do so.

Right now, you may feel like there is no way out of the situation you’re in, but if you follow the steps and use the tools in the kit, you WILL see light at the end of the tunnel. The good news is, you can start seeing that light today and the tunnel is not nearly as long as you might have thought.

Click here to find out how you can eliminate your debt without making any large payments. Visit PayDebtQuickly.com and start today.

The kit even comes with a no questions asked, 30-day money-back guarantee…you really have nothing to lose.

Pay Debt Quickly

2009-02-02T13:28:00.005-05:00

The Secret to Finally Paying Debt Quickly

If you’ve struggled with debt for any amount of time, you
know how it can feel like you’re in a big black hole, you
just can’t seem to dig yourself out of. Balances never seem
to go down and you need to keep tapping into credit cards
just to make ends meet.

There is plenty of debt advice out there and you may have
tried things like debt consolidation, making large payments
to your debts to try to pay them faster and other methods
that just don’t seem to work. Things just keep getting more
and more difficult to manage.

But it really doesn’t have to be that way...

If you’ve been able to keep up with your minimum monthly
payments until now, there is a solution for you. And it’s
remarkably simple if you follow the appropriate steps laid
out for you.

I’m talking about the "Pay Debt Quickly Kit" that shows you
how to:

- Pay debt off faster without having to make any large
payments.

- Get what you want from your creditors to pay off your debt
faster and even improve your credit score.

- Make drastic changes in the way you think about and handle
money without feeling like you’re deprived in any way.

The kit includes everything you need to get to debt-free
faster. From software that helps you quickly and easily
calculate your precise debt-free dates to strategies to take
control of your finances and even work with your creditors
so that you benefit, instead of them - this kit has what you
need to eliminate your debt.

Click here to find out how you can eliminate your debt without making any large payments. Visit PayDebtQuickly.com and start today.

Janet

2009-02-01T18:57:00.002-05:00

This Valentine's Day, treat the one you love to spectacular fine jewelry from Ice.com!

From stylish fashion accessories to elegant evening designs, find a variety of fabulous gift ideas to fit your budget.

Save an EXTRA 20% and enjoy FREE SHIPPING by ordering today!

SHIPPING CUTOFF - Guaranteed Valentine's Day delivery on all orders placed before noon on February 11th. Don't forget, it's Free Shipping On All Orders

Make cash by reading online ads

2009-01-17T13:29:00.002-05:00

Here's another way to make some cash - get an email and review online ads.
Sign up now and get a $10 signup bonus!

Need To Make A few Extra Dollars?

2009-01-15T15:43:00.004-05:00

Do you need to make a few extra dollars? (OK - who doesn't!)
There are 3 sites I belong to that pay me to read email, do
surveys, etc. Here's one of them. I'll post the others soon. Cost
nothing to join - you won't make a lot of money, but, it sure is easy
money!
Janet

Here's the second one -

Create Personalized Valentines Cards AND Save!

2009-01-12T23:02:00.001-05:00

Create your own personal Valentines card AND save 20%!

K-Mart Bedding and Bath Sale

2009-01-11T22:47:00.003-05:00

Bedding and Bath Sale at K-Mart

All Essential Home, Cannon, Joe Boxer and Abbey Hill Bed Pillows On Sale 1/11-1/17

All Cannon Comforters On Sale 1/11-1/17

All Jaclyn Smith Comforters On Sale 1/11-1/17

January is a great month for white sales. These K-Mart links are a great deal! Watch for more sale information.

Janet

Another great holiday deal!

2008-11-19T21:31:00.000-05:00

Save at Lillian Vernon

2008-11-18T21:27:00.001-05:00

Tips for Saving at Christmas

2008-11-18T21:15:00.001-05:00

1. Use your holiday budget. If you have saved all year long, you should have money available for gifts without using credit.

2. Make a gift list with names and spending limits. If you come from a large family, suggest drawing names or buying one gift per family.

3. Shop in advance, taking advantage of sales that occur year round.

4. Shop online. It is smart to do price comparisons online before heading to the mall. Also considering your time, the crowds at the mall, and incentives such as free shipping, you can do a lot of your shopping from home. If you have gifts that will need to be sent out of town, most online stores provide direct shipping to the recipient.

5. Your budget should have monthly allotments for Christmas shopping. Then when you actually purchase the gifts, you have the money.

6. Give homemade gifts. People love homemade cookies, breads, and jellies! Be creative and package them in dollar store baskets. Involve your children and create crafts and other gifts.

Save On Halloween

2008-09-13T15:47:00.004-04:00

From now through Sept. 30, you can save money on costumes by shopping early at Amazon.

Customers spending $50 on costumes and accessories from a single merchant can get $10 off plus free shipping.

Check it out here before Sept 30, 2008!

Janet

Never Forget...

2008-09-11T00:05:00.002-04:00

Save an Extra 30%!

2008-09-10T20:15:00.000-04:00

For a limited time, customers can enjoy an additional 30% off select summer apparel and accessories.

And, as always, any order over $50 receives FREE SHIPPING! Enter coupon code CJSB at checkout.

Coupon valid from September 13th to September 21st.
Quantities are limited, so time is of the essence!

Save Money by Making Your Own Flavored Water

2008-09-09T20:48:00.002-04:00

It's good for you to drink lots of water each day. Most doctors recommend 8 glasses a day. This is sometimes hard to do, especially if you (like me) don't like plain water. Of course the drink industry figured this out also and has come up with a variety of flavored waters!

Most of these drinks taste good, but they can get expensive. So - try making your own!

Start with fresh filtered water or buy bottled water. Then add some flavoring. Here's a few ideas:

Add lemon, lime, cranberry or grape juice
Add a small amount of peppermint extract for a refreshing taste.
Add mint leaves and fresh cucumber slices (peel first)
Add a little jello powder, Kool Aid or Crystal Light.

If you have other ideas, please add a post!

Janet

2008-08-15T16:44:00.000-04:00

Take control of your credit!

2008-08-15T16:36:00.001-04:00

Take control of your credit!
Get the tools you need to take control of your credit and harness the power of your FICO® scores. For a limited time, take 20% off the Suze Orman FICO Kit and you'll be on your way to a better financial future. Suze Orman's FICO Kit includes 3 FICO scores and 3 credit reports and can help you:
• Get an at-a-glance explanation of your personalized FICO score health
• Get the lowest rates on credit cards
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• Save on mortgage and car loans

FICO credit score sale - 20% off Suze Orman Kit

Save Money On Cleaning

2008-06-17T22:16:00.007-04:00

Keeping your home clean is a lot of work and you need proper cleaning supplies to make it easier. Buying the supplies can put a dent in your budget.

Experiment with generic brands and items from the dollar store. Try to find all-purpose products instead of one item to clean the kitchen sink, another for the counter, etc.

Only use the recommended amount of the product. Many products are concentrated and only a small amount is needed.

It is also very economical to clean with simple formulas from ingredients at home. Here’s some homemade cleaning supply recipes:

Glass cleaner:

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Citrus Floor Cleaner:

1 gallon hot water
2 tablespoons liquid soap
15 drops orange essential oil
¼ cup lemon juice

Furniture Polish:

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

Check out http://Thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Janet

Debt Elimination

2008-06-10T13:24:00.005-04:00

Would you like to be debt-free? Kinda a silly question I guess!
I found a FREE ebook written by debt expert Charles J. Phelan. It's 32 pages (and did I say FREE?) and here's some of the things you will learn:

The inside story on how debt elimination programs REALLY work, instead of the usual sales hype?
How to avoid the SHOCKING 75% failure rate of most debt relief programs?
Why debt negotiation and settlement is a FLEXIBLE and PRACTICAL option for debt resolution?
Why the NEW BANKRUPTCY LAW has no effect on the debt negotiation strategy?
Why DO-IT-YOURSELF debt negotiation is safer and better than hiring a settlement company?
Why debt negotiation & settlement is the ONLY approach that lets you vary your monthly payment level based on your financial circumstances?

The book is called "How to Eliminate Your Debts Quickly and Safely Without Filing Bankruptcy" . Go here now and get your free ebook.

Janet

A Time Saving and Money Saving Appliance

2008-06-09T22:59:00.002-04:00

This is a great product that I can personally recommend.
Check it out!

Thrifty Father's Day

2008-05-27T16:01:00.015-04:00

Father's Day is soon upon us (June 15). I approach this holiday with sadness. This will be the second Father's Day since I lost my Dad in the spring of 2007. Then almost a year to the day, my Mom passed away this spring. I miss them both and grieve a little each day when something suddenly reminds me they are gone.

I was a Daddy's girl, even as an adult. I believe he could do anything! Daddy passed along a lot of things to me, including my thrifty spirit.

Although I can't spend this holiday with him, I will definitely have a little "talk" with him!

I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren, so Father's Day is still a special day in my home! I want to emphasise that probably the most special gift you can give any dad is your TIME! My Dad loved to just sit and visit. So - spend the day with your loved one! You will be glad you did.

Along with some face time, here's a few frugal ideas that I'm sure your dad would like:

Go through your photo albums and put together a photo collage of your Dad's family and friends
If you have a tech savvy Dad or can swing a digital picture frame, create your collage from digital images and write them to a CD
Dad like to read? Mine sure did! Give them a gift card or pick out a special book and sign and date it with a personal note
Mow the lawn and let him sip lemonade!
Wash his vehicle(s)
Does he have a favorite meal? Prepare it and invite him to dinner
Bake a cake and decorate it. Doesn't matter if you have cake decorating skills!

Most of all - enjoy the day and each other!

Here are some discounted sites if you want to shop on-line:
Get FREE SHIPPING this Father's Day on orders more than $25 at the Kodak Gallery!

Find 1000's of Unique Gifts for Father's Day at CafePress

Browse the best in Christian products at FamilyChristian.com.

Thrifty Entertainment

2008-05-27T15:36:00.007-04:00

Having fun does not always have to be expensive.

If you have children, spend time planning activities with them.

Check your local newspaper for cultural and social events. Many local events are free or low cost. You can also find information about things going on in your area at CitySearch.com.

Some other ideas:

Go to a movie during the matinee hours.
Have a family game night and play board games, puzzles, or cards.
Learn a craft that you can share with your children such as clay, crochet, cross stitch, or woodcrafts.
Your local library offers more than books! Check them for videos and games.

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Janet

Another Thrifty Living Deal!

2008-05-21T16:50:00.009-04:00

Check out these and other holiday weekend savings!

Hope you have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Janet

Frugal Father's Day

2008-05-20T22:44:00.006-04:00

Check out these sites for some "Thrifty-411" approved products!

Eat Healthy on a Budget - wikiHow

2008-05-16T15:34:00.013-04:00

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

A visit to a health food store can convince anyone that eating healthy is a luxury rather than choice. To the contrary, eating healthy does not require buying the hottest new diet food or piles of exotic fruit. Nor does eating cheaply limit you to a menu of pre-packaged pastas. The exact items that make up cheap, healthy diets vary greatly by location, but the methods to creating these diets vary little. Since most of what you pay for in food is convenience, you can save money and maintain your health by investing time and planning into your diet.

Steps

Determine what kind of diet is healthy for you. Generally, a diverse diet that is heavily biased towards unprocessed plant products is healthy. Fortunately, grains, fruits and vegetables can be bought for low prices, if you know where and when to look. Potatoes and carrots, for instance, are very beneficial for most people to eat and are often very cheap across the continental United States. Take a close look at your food receipts and cross out any items except meat, unprocessed vegetables and eggs. These are the main foods you should be buying. Meat and dairy products should be treated as side dishes (or eliminated altogether) and prepared foods should be avoided.
Get an idea of what kinds of foods are cheap in your area. This may require a walk through your local grocery store(s) and other food vendors such as farmers' markets, bakeries, and specialty stores. For best results, take this walk with an educated mind and adventurous palate. Generally, foods that grow well and sell well in your area will be the cheapest, whether it's corn, green chiles, or apples. When in season, squash, onions, cucumbers, celery, and tomatoes can also be very cheap, especially in the midwestern United States. The more willing you are to try new foods in place of (rather than in addition to) your normal shopping list items, the more likely you are to lower the total cost of your shopping list while still eating healthy.
Eat seasonally. Harvests come in waves, showering consumers with abundance that results in cheap prices. You'll not only save money by eating what's in season, but you'll also get your hands on food that's fresh. Find local farmers' markets and strike bargains with the farmers. Many times, they'll be thrilled to sell at a discount if you buy regularly and in bulk.
Invest in food storage facilities. If you're purchasing foods that are in season and you're buying them in bulk to realize savings, then you'll need to take measures to store all that food. It's best to have a cool, dark cellar or pantry as well as a large freezer for meat and vegetables. For example, say you find a farmer with a bumper crop of corn; you can buy a year's worth of corn at a good price, freeze it, and have enough to last you for a year.
Buy the least expensive variation of any type of food. For example, kidney beans come in pre-seasoned frozen packages, in cans, and dried in bags. Usually, the cheapest form of kidney beans is dried. Establish which forms of foods are available in each store and at what prices.
Stop eating out. On those rare occasions that you do go out to eat, choose the simplest item on the menu, which is often the cheapest, too. Eat only half or one third of what is served (most restaurant portions are enormous) and take the rest home to eat later, combined with healthy side dishes.
Learn to cook from scratch. Cooking from scratch is the cheapest (and best) way to eat. Get in the habit of rolling yesterday's leftovers into today's meal. Manage your refrigerator: never let anything go bad. Eat it or use it as an ingredient in a sauce, casserole, or soup. For example, old lettuce can be chopped and put into a soup, old salsa can be added to a curry, and old milk can be turned into a quiche. (Of course, don't use anything that has actually gone sour or rancid!) Make your own pasta.
Use greater quantities of cheap food than of expensive food in cooking. Use a base of enriched or whole-grain rice, whole-wheat pasta or bread, or cooked oats to provide cheap, healthy bulk to more expensive, flavorful foods. For example, you can use less beef in some chili recipes by halving the amount of ground beef called for and adding water and instant plain oats instead. Whether or not that example sounds good to you, be original and try your own variations. Just because no one you know has thought of it before does not mean it is not a good idea.

Tips

If it's in a box or in a metallic bag, don't buy it.
Consider giving up dairy products. Not only are they expensive, but they are also suspected to be associated with chronic conditions and diseases. If you can get your calcium elsewhere, it'll likely benefit both your health and your wallet.
Replace soda with tap water. If you prefer, you can also purchase an inexpensive water filter that will provide you with gallons of the same quality water that is found in bottles.
Make your own snacks and bring them with you whenever you go out, along with a bottle of water.

Warnings

In order to eat healthy on a budget, you must sacrifice convenience, which means you'll have to spend a lot more time shopping around and cooking than others do. You can't have it all!

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Eat Healthy on a Budget. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Tips to Save Money on Gas Prices

2008-05-01T22:19:00.004-04:00

Gas prices continue to be at all time highs meaning that car travel is taking a a larger portion out of each of your paychecks.

Drive more efficiently and maintain your vehicle and get more mileage for your gas dollar.

Here's some ideas for lowering your fuel expenses.

Slow down and drive at the speed limit. Cars use about 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.
Empty your trunk. Every 100 pounds of unnecessary weight reduces fuel efficiency by 1%.
Check your air filter at every oil change. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel.
Use a synthetic oil instead of mineral oil. This will cause your engine to run better and give you better mileage.
Get directions. If you don't get lost, you don't waste gas driving around.
Avoid using air conditioning whenever possible. Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Use the air ventilation system instead.
Don't top off. Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Save on Auto Insurance!

2008-03-09T11:42:00.003-04:00

If you own a car and drive it, having insurance is not really an option. In most states, you are required by law to have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. There are things you can do, however, to cut your auto insurance costs. Some of these ideas may work for you and some not, depending on your circumstances.

Shop Around. This is the #1 way to save money. A good time to comparison shop is when your current policy is about to be up for renewal, especially if you find that your premium has gone up. You could save several hundred dollars a year for the exact same coverage on the same car.
Good-Student Discount. Students with GPAs of 3.0 or higher can be eligible for discounts of as much as 25%.
Group Discounts. See if your employeer, military groups, or other professional associations offer discounts.
Drop Some Coverage. If your car is worth less than 10 times the amount you'd pay for coverage — you may want to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage altogether. They can account for 40% or more of the cost of your premium, and covers only the car's replacement value. If any claim payment you'd receive wouldn't substantially exceed your premiums minus the deductible, then it's probably not worth it to get the insurance.
Combination Discounts. You can often knock off 10% to 20% from your premiums if you insure both your home and your car with the same company, or by insuring more than one car with the same company.
Keep an eye on your credit report. Your credit history is an important factor for most auto insurance companies. Many studies have shown a relationship between your credit history and the risk to an insurance company. Paying your bills on time and maintaining a good credit history will allow you to enjoy lower auto insurance rates.
Install a car alarm. You might get a discount if your car has anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, airbags, or anti-theft devices such as car alarms. They reduce the chances of your car being stolen or vandalized.

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Thrifty & Frugal Gardening

2008-02-29T15:36:00.003-05:00

Gardening and landscaping can add value to your home, curb appeal, and work as a great stress reliever. It can also be expensive - unless you follow some thrfty guidelines!

Like all budgeting tasks, it takes organization and planning. You can have a perfectly landscaped yard and a garden full of vegetables that you can place on your table at a low cost.

Learn the basics. Use your local library, internet, and the local nursery.
Keep it fun. Don't go overboard and create a flower or vegetable garden that will take all your free time. Start with a small spot in your yard and make it a pleasure - not a chore.
Save - Don't Spend. For vegetable gardens, you should harvest more in savings than your spend in making the garden. Again, this requires proper planning.
In your yard, use plants that serve more than one purpose such as shrubs that are green all year and flower sometime during the year or trees that show off early spring blossoms and provide shade during the summer.
Grow flowers that seed themselves such as poppies, violas, sweet peas, sweet alyssum, and larkspur.

Top Ways to Save on Wedding Expenses

2008-02-20T22:43:00.007-05:00

Weddings, like so many other things today can cost a bundle... But with planning and doing some work yourself, it can be affordable and beautiful!

Here are some wedding money savings tips from Thrifty411:

Start with a budget!

Limit the number of attendants.

Have a more intimate wedding with close friends and family.

Buy clear Christmas lights at after-Christmas sales and use them for decorations.

Make what you can. Craft stores have great selections and ideas for decorations, gifts, the wedding veil, and other necessities.

Use a couple long stemmed flowers with ribbons instead of bouquets for bridesmaids. Sometimes simple is more elegant!

Comparison shop for invitations. There are many online providers or you can purchase invitation paper and do them yourself!

If you plan to serve food at the reception, make it a buffet instead of a sit down dinner.

Decorate the reception area with pictures of the bride and groom.

Use some balloons at the reception instead of all flowers.

Plan your wedding during "off-season" or on a day other than Saturday. Most weddings happen between May and October. The off season times may provide you discounts from vendors and locations.

Opt for a non-alcoholic reception.

One last note - comparison shop for a professional photographer. This is one area where friends and family may not be your best bet.

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Thrifty411 Tips for Your Credit

2008-02-18T22:08:00.006-05:00

Beware of scams. There are a lot of scams that deal with credit. Debt suspension offers, paying fees in advance, buying credit protection, and rebuilding credit usually sound too good to be true. There's a reason for this: they are.

Don't use your credit card for cash advances. It will harm your credit score and the interest rates are outrageous.

Consolidate your loans. Especially those student loans. With a student consolidation loan, you can lock in several loans at a fixed interest rate and have just one lender to pay each month.

Avoid payday loans. Bottom line: they're scammy and they charge high interest rates. If you do need an emergency cash loan, just be aware of the risk of high interest rates.

Be cautious with home equity loans. If you can't make a payment toward a home equity loan, you could lose your house.

Pay off your credit card debt. Credit card debt is usually the debt with the most interest. So pay it off first. Better yet, don't accumulate it in the first place.

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, Merry Christmas and

a Happy New Year!

Save Money at Christmas

2007-12-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

Check out my article on saving money at Christmas.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Frugal Friday Tips

2007-11-30T12:42:00.000-05:00

Here's some Friday tips for living thrifty and being frugal. So happy "Frugal Friday"!

Pay yourself first. Try to put away at least 10% of your pre-tax income into a savings account.

Have an emergency fund. Have at least three months income in a high-yield savings account that can be easily accessed.

Negotiate fees. For example, ask a bank to waive late fees. Often enough, they will.

Have enough. Have enough life insurance to replace at least five years of your salary, ten years if you have kids or significant debts.

Think about insurance before you buy a car. Typically, the more expensive your car, the higher your insurance cost will be. Take this into account before buying.

Refinance your mortgage if you can cut at least one point. The costs of refinancing are considerable, so it should only be done if you can trim your interest rate by at least 1%.

Have a great weekend!

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com for more on being thrifty and frugal.

Recycle Christmas cards

2007-11-21T19:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a few simple thrifty ideas for the beautiful Christmas cards we all receive.

Works just as well for year-round greeting cards. (Nice for the environment too!)

BookMarks. Laminate to make it more sturdy if necessary.

ScrapBooking projects. No need to buy the "store made" supplies.

Donate to your local school. The cards can be used for many projects.

Inexpensive but beautiful gift tags.

Placemats and coasters. Create great, attention getting placemats. May need to laminate.

For more Thrifty Living ideas, visit www.Thrifty411.com.

Also check out my Thrifty Living ebook .

Thrifty Entertainment

2007-11-16T15:53:00.000-05:00

Want to spend more time with the family, but just cannot afford the cost of a movie night out? Even old-fashioned fun, like bowling, has become too expensive to do on a regular basis.

Having fun does not always have to be expensive. Check your local newspaper for cultural and social events. Many local events are free or low cost. You can also find information about things going on in your area at http://www.citysearch.com/.

Here are a few other ideas:

Your local library offers more than books! Check them for videos and games.

Borrow books on making crafts or cooking and plan an inside activity.

If the weather permits, visit a local park. Have a picnic and play lawn games.

Have a family game night and play board games, puzzles, or cards.

For more thrifty entertainment ideas, check out my Thrifty Living ebook .

Random Monday Tips!

2007-11-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

Here's some random money saving tips to start our week!

Be patient. Don't buy the latest and greatest as soon as it's available. Wait for the price to drop some.
Buy airline tickets as far in advance as possible then keep up with the current price. The airline may adjust your ticket if the price drops.
Be careful about home equity loans. If you cannot make the payments your home is at risk.
Pay off credit card debt.
Know your credit score.
Check your cell phone plan. If you have had the same plan a while, chances are you can get a better deal. Work with your carrier - they want to keep your business.

Have a great thrifty week!

Medical cost

2007-10-26T09:29:00.000-04:00

Medical cost has grown more than inflation for the past 20 years - and it's not getting better!

We have to do all we can to save on medical cost - even if it appears to be a small savings.

Here's a few ideas:

Ask your doctor for generic prescriptions.
Give up a bad habit such as smoking or alcohol. A pack-a-day smoker will save over $1000 in a year!
Have regular checkups.
Use clinics or the local health department when possible.
Ask your doctor for sample prescriptions. Most doctors have samples, especially for new products.

Remember - frugal living is not cheap living - it is smart living!

Budget Guidelines

2007-10-23T15:57:00.000-04:00

How much of your income should be budgeted for your housing expenses?

How about for paying on debts?

Here's a list of "recommended budget guidelines" for percentages of your gross monthly income:

Housing 35%. This includes mortgage or rent, taxes, repairs, improvements, insurance and utilities.

Automobile or public transportation 20%. Vehicle loan payment, gas, oil, repairs, insurance and parking.

Debt 15%. Credit card payments and personal loans.

All other expenses 20%. This includes food, insurance, medical, clothing, personal items and childcare.

Savings 10%. Stocks, retirement accounts, real estate and savings accounts.

Save On Holiday’s and Other Occasions

2007-10-10T14:17:00.000-04:00

Living a frugal life does not mean we cannot have fun and celebrate in style!

Just use your imagination, shop wisely, plan, and use what you probably already have around the house.

Buy holiday decorations after the holiday at clearance sales.
The dollar stores have great deals on wrapping paper and gift bags.
Make gifts instead of buying them.
Use your imagination when wrapping gifts. There are lots of things around your home than can be used for gift-wrap. Some ideas are color comics, decorated brown paper bags, and fabric remnants.

Have a blessed day!

2007-09-11T20:41:00.000-04:00

FREE e-book of Housekeeping Tips!

Join my Thrifty411 newsletter and get a
Free Housekeeping Tips eBook.

2007-09-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

10 Ways to Reduce Stress

2007-09-10T22:16:00.000-04:00

Go to bed on time.
Say "No" to projects that won’t fit into your schedule (and don’t feel guilty about it!)
Live within your budget and don’t overuse your credit cards.
Pray.
Laugh!!
Be kind to un-kind people. They probably need it the most.
Every day, find time to be alone.
Do something for the "Kid" in you and have fun!
Get organized so that everything has it’s place.
Keep your mouth shut. This single tip can prevent a lot of stress and trouble...

Save on Groceries

2007-08-24T22:27:00.000-04:00

We all need to get the most value for every dollar we spend. Food is one item that we buy frequently and even though each item does not cost much, it does add up to a lot of money in a year. Along with value for our dollar, we want to purchase healthy, nutritious food that is easy and quick to prepare.

Healthy food does not have to be expensive. We should plan menus around several servings of whole grains, fruits and vegetables each day. These foods are usually some of the least expensive foods.

Within the meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, nuts and eggs group, are some of the least expensive foods and are very good choices from a health stand point. For example dry beans are a very good source of protein, low in fat and low cost.

5 Ways To Save On Groceries

Convenience foods often cost more. If your schedule allows, do some of the preparation yourself.
Use a food budget amount. Determine a realistic monthly amount and stick to it.
Use a shopping list. This will make your shopping trips easier and quicker.
Watch for store ads and coupons. Take advantage of coupons and sales, but be sure your family will use the item.
Take time to shop, comparing brands, frozen vs. fresh, and consider store brands.

Been gone too long!

2007-08-24T15:31:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the long delay between postings.

This has been a difficult year.

I lost my Dad in the spring.

I was a "Daddy's girl" and although a Mamaw myself, I miss Daddy so much... I wish we could sit outside and talk once again.

Then early summer, my best friend lost her son (who was my son's best friend) to an underage drunk driver. My son is 25. His friend was one month younger...

No one thinks you will ever have to bury your children (or their friends).

We are all still grieving. I guess our faith in God, and time, will heal these wounds.

I promise to get back to my thrifty and frugal posting today or tonight. Hope you benefit some from it.

Also, along with my Thrifty411.com site, I am working on a site about sleep disorders. Please visit IAmSoSleepy.com and give me your opinions!

Be back soon!

Thrifty Decorating (Part 2)

2007-03-23T13:51:00.001-04:00

Add personality!
Use personal family items such as photos, vacation souvenirs or theme park / movie tickets and brochures in a special frame.

Use what you have!
Sounds kinda simple, but sometimes just looking around your house for items that would offer a new look in another part of your home. Look through your attic, closet, basement and inventory all of your pictures, knickknacks, furniture, etc. Then paint, refinish, or buy some cheap fabric and throw it over the piece.

Disguise!
If you can't afford to replace, disguise! Cover a sofa, lay a rag rug over that stained carpet, or use fabric to screen an unpleasant view.

Be creative
Use fabric from sheets and quilts, use yard sales to locate furniture to be painted to match your décor, and visit your dollar shop on a regular basis for picture frames and candles. Express yourself. Do you love music? Look for old sheet music with great covers whenever you're at an antique or junk store, garage sale or thrift store, or at a going-out-of-business sale at a music store. Hang the music on the wall above your piano, framed or unframed. Do you sew? Keep an eye open for antique (or just old) sewing equipment and display it on the walls and shelves of your sewing room.

Thrifty artwork
For thrifty artwork, don’t buy at a high-end art gallery - instead window shop the galleries and magazines for ideas on what you would like.
Then take some time to check online.

There are dozens of discount artwork websites, many of which offer prints of popular paintings. Try an e-coupon site to get some additional discounts on artwork. You can find coupon codes for some of the top discount artwork sites, saving you a great deal. Many throw in free shipping for going through one of these discount coupon sites.

Buying prints is an easy way to save some money. Print manufacturers will take a copy of a famous piece of artwork and print it out on a sheet of paper. They come in a variety of different sizes, and work well for almost any décor. Prints are fairly cheap and you can do the framing and matting yourself. Go to your local craft store to purchase an inexpensive frame and mat. It takes only seconds to put together, and you will be very pleased with the overall look. No one will ever know how much money you saved by doing it yourself!

You can frame just about anything. Try framing posters, postcards, or even play programs for an interesting look.

More to come!

Janet

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

2007-03-21T09:06:00.000-04:00

Today - Thrifty Decorating (part 1)

Remember - with decorating; as with clothing, it's not so much what you have as what you do with it. The biggest secret of a fabulous (and thrifty) decorator is your imagination. You have to see the possibilities in what you find. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. You'll be surprised at what you can do yourself at no cost at all.

Look at objects to see what they could become: old milk-can could be transformed into a lamp, the base for a small table, an umbrella stand, or a planter. Be creative as you see each object's potential.

Look for inspiration. There is no shame is scouring books and magazines for the look you desire, then adapting their scheme to a budget decorator’s plan! Go to your local bookstore to get ideas for rooms, painting and refinishing furniture, etc. Their stock is much more up-to-date. Your library's current magazines are great, too.

Tackle the larger areas of the room first, such as walls, windows, and floors. That will make the fastest impact on the room.

Move things around
Rearrange until you find a new pleasing setup! Swap furniture from one room to another. Put items on a pretty shelf over a piece of furniture or some summer or fall branches stuffed into a vase. Mix and match furniture styles, fabrics, eras, etc.

Do some painting!
Paint is one of the most thrifty and fastest ways to get a new look. Use COLOR. Let your walls make as much of a statement as your furnishings (for a fraction of the price).

To create a sense of flow from room to room, select a dominant color for your main room, then pick up different shades of the same color and use them in subtle ways throughout the house.

It's no great surprise that desert colors -- oranges, reds, browns, and yellows -- are often used in decorating in the Southwest or that deep greens, earthy browns, and dark reds show up in mountain homes. Those are predominant colors in nature in those regions. The dominant natural colors of any part of the country can be used to subtly tie the interior of your home to the world outside.

You can fool the eye with the way you use paint, making a room appear either larger or smaller just by the choice of color. Cool colors and lighter tints tend to make walls look farther apart; rich, dark colors bring walls dramatically closer, creating an intimate look even in a large room.

Different colors tend to elicit different emotions:
Cool colors. Shades of blue, green, purple, and similar cool colors tend to have a calming influence -- excellent for bedrooms if you want to create a soothing haven.

Warm colors. Shades of red, orange, and yellow tend to have a strong, dramatic, inviting effect -- a look you might want for a living or dining room.

Light, bright colors. Lighter shades of yellow and the spectrum of whites can be cheerful and sunny -- great in a kitchen or family room.

More to come!

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com/ for more on being thrifty and frugal.

2007-03-14T15:53:00.000-04:00

Learning to be thrifty, to create a budget, and live by your budget is one of the most valuable money skills you can have. Many of us spend sleepless nights and suffer emotional stress from financial problems.

A budget can help us keep our lifestyle AND pay off debt while saving for the future. Sure sounds easy, but it does take some work.

First we need to know why we want to make spending and planning changes. If you have these goals, making changes won’t feel like you are doing without what you love. Remember, sometimes you don’t have to give up something, you just have to adjust it.

Peace of mind is what living frugally is all about!

Check out http://www.thrifty411.com for more on being thrifty and frugal.