A Guide To Frugal Living

20 Easy Money-Saving Tips

1.Go over your shopping list. Try buying more supermarket own brand goods. Most supermarket brand products are made by the same companies that produce the branded goods.

2.Buy clothes and shoes for you and the kids from the clearance racks. Or from car boots or ebay, there is so much decent stuff going at unbelievable prices.

3.Sell your old unwanted stuff off at car boot sales, it is amazing what one person’s rubbish is another person’s find.

4.During the good times put all your small change from 10p or 20p in a ‘Piggy Bank’, you will be amazed at how much it adds up to over a short period of time. I had over £40 in just a few months.

5.If you have all the movie channels, cut them down a bit.. Most of the movies rotate through them all anyway.Or swap Sky for Freeview, costs less in the long run.

6.Use the washing machine at night after midnight, as economy 7 is much cheaper.

7.Give your clothes an extra spin as it costs less to run a washer than the dryer.

8.Capitalise on the 0% interest rates offered by credit cards, every 6 months swap to another card and pay no interest, that’s if you don’t min the hassle of swapping.

9.Buy your holiday decorations AFTER the holiday. You can save up to 75% or more.

10. Turn down your heat a couple degrees more at night and throw on an extra blanket.

11. Clean behind your refrigerator at least once a year to get out all the dust and dirt that can cost you more money.

12. Save empty bread bags and grocery bags.

13. Keep your car tuned, your tyres properly inflated and get rid of that heavy junk out of the boot to save money on petrol.

14. Turn unused stuff into money. If you have a gift you haven't used or that shirt you bought and never wore, take them back to the store. You might not get full price, but some is better than none.

15. Make windowsill or container gardens and grow herbs and fresh vegetables.

16. Instead of a night on the town, send the kids to Grandma's and have a romantic night at home.

17. Make and STICK TO a budget!

18. If you can’t grow your own fruit and veg, buy loose items at the supermarket as you will get more for your money than pre-packed food.

19. Ask around for recommendations regarding odd jobs and offers, don’t assume the plumber in the Yellow Pages really is qualified.

20. Turn items off, don’t leave them on stand by. As they use more electric than when they are on.

21. Visit my other website, that has company adverts where you can save up 20% by purchasing online. www.advertisingsquares.co.uk

Many More Frugal Tips (Some may seem a little bizarre!)

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips!

Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off!

Organize your magazines into groups according to Seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter). This way, you have several handy reference guides for the appropriate Season/Holiday!

Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle - perfect shaped pancakes every time!

To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes!

To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling!

Use a pastry blender to cut ground beef into small pieces after browning!

Sweeten whipped cream with confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar - it will stay fluffy and hold it's shape better!

For easy "meatloaf mixing", combine the ingredients with a potato masher!

If you don't have enough batter to fill all cupcake tins, pour 1 tablespoon of water into the unfilled spots...this helps

preserve the life of your pans!

To easily remove honey from a measuring spoon, first coat the spoon with nonstick cooking spray!

Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan - the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers!

Mash and freeze ripe bananas, in one-cup portions, for use in later baking - no wasted bananas (or you can freeze them whole, peeled, in plastic baggies)

To quickly use that frozen juice concentrate, simply mash it with a potato masher - no need to wait for it to thaw!

To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing!

Save your store-bought-bread bags and ties - they make perfect storage bags for homemade bread!

When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead - no white mess on the outside of the cake!

When making bread, substitute non-dairy creamer for the dry milk - it works just as well!

Slicing meat when partially frozen makes it easier to get thin slices.

Instead of throwing away bread heels or leftover cornbread, use them to make bread crumbs. For use later, store them in the freezer.

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator~it will keep for weeks!

Substitute half applesauce for the vegetable oil in your baking recipes~you'll greatly reduce the fat content! (Example: 1/2 cup vegetable oil=1/4 cup applesauce + 1/4 cup oil)

To ripen avocados and bananas, enclose them in a brown paper bag with an apple for 2-3 days!

Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful, glossy finish!

When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corns natural sweetness!

When starting your garden seedlings indoors, plant the seeds in egg shell halves. Simply crack the shells around the roots of your plants and transplant them outdoors - the shell is a natural fertilizer!

To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh~if it rises to the surface, throw it away.

Keep the linings from cereal boxes~they make great substitutes for waxed paper!

WD-40 will take off almost any residue from stickers on glass & other surfaces!

Bags secure - Always keep a bunch of clothes pins in your cupboard, they're very handy for turning down bags, cereal, snacks, etc

Rusty Bolts - To loosen rusty things, apply a cloth soaked in any carbonated drink.

Sandpaper - If you dampen the back a little it will not dry out as bad, and last longer.

Rule!- When trying to loosen, or tighten anything it’s Lefty loosey - Righty tighty **About 98% of bolts and screws have a right hand thread, but if it is a left hand thread, it will usually be marked by small notches midway down the nut. For an example of this, check your LP gas or propane BBQ tank. Also, there is the "Right Hand Rule." This is a good for nuts and bolts that may be in odd positions, facing away, upside down, etc. To do this simply give a "Thumbs Up" sign, point your thumb in the direction you want the nut/bolt to go and turn in the direction that your curled fingers are pointing.

Sticky drawers - Rub with a bar of soap, or candle, or bar of paraffin wax.

Nail holes - In areas where nail holes are not allowed in walls, use sewing needles - they hold up to 30 lbs.

Showerhead - For a clogged showerhead, soak in vinegar & water.

Shower curtain - To clean your shower curtain, throw into wash with bath towels, and add a cup of vinegar to the normal wash.

Glass shower doors - Clean soap scum with a cloth & warm vinegar.

Steamed mirror - If you have a cabinet with 2 mirror doors, slide 1 open before you shower. When you’re done you’ll have 1 clear mirror.

Steam - If you run an inch of cold water before you run your hot bath, there will be no steam in the room!

Leak - Fix a vase, bottle, etc... by coating it with paraffin wax.

Studs - Find them with a compass - usually when the needle moves.

Spots - For laundry 2 parts water, and 1 part rubbing alcohol are the basic ingredients of commercial spot removers.

White socks - Get really white socks by boiling them in water with a lemon slice.

Creases - To prevent creases in garments hung on hangers, take a paper towel roll (empty) make a cut lengthwise. Slip it over the bottom of the hanger. The round edge prevents a crease.

Collars - For soiled collars, brush a bit of shampoo into stain. Shampoos are made to dissolve body oils.

Ironing - Have you seen the infomercial about the reflecting ironing board? Well it cuts your time in half, because you iron both sides at 1 time. Save yourself $40.00! Line your board with heavy duty aluminum foil, then put your cover on. The heat will reflect off of the foil to iron the backside of your garments !

Embroidery - Iron embroidery upside down on a pile towel - this gets to all the little in-between parts.

Windows - Use newspaper instead of toweling - no lint.

Table - One day I used toothpaste to get out a stain in my enamel-top table. After I saw the beautiful clean spot,I had to do the whole thing! What a beautiful job!

Shades - Use clear nail-polish on small rips. *This works on lots of things including window screens.

Holes - On small holes in the wall, use a dab of toothpaste, then (if a different color) touch-up.

Paint - When you paint inside, always put a small amount in a nail polish jar, baby food jar, or small container, and label the area of the house. Whenever you need to do a quick touch-up, you’ll have it handy in a work drawer.

Glass - If you have a small scratch, rub in a little toothpaste. This usually takes it out.

Wood - For dents in wood, place a wet rag on the spot, then use an iron on it. The heat & moisture raises the grain.

Patterns - Keep from ripping, and getting wrinkled by spraying them with spray starch.

Oil spills - Garage floors, driveways, basements, etc.. often get oil spills on them. Lay several layers of newspaper

on it, saturate with water, press flat, when dry lift, and spots are gone.

Carpet - Use a fork to fluff up nap carpets.

Wood - When paper is stuck to wood, don’t scratch with a knife, apply oil, wait a sec & wipe clean.

Screws - They go in easier if you first screw them into a bar of soap.

Rugs - Freshen up throw rugs by tossing them into a dryer on low heat. The dirt will come out, and you will never have to beat another rug!

Carpet - To clean ink marks, saturate the spot with hairspray, allow to dry, then brush lightly with a solution of water and vinegar.

Rugs - When braided rugs come apart, use clear fabric glue instead of sewing for quick - and easy repair!

Carpet - To repair a spot on your carpet, take a fiber from a spot that can’t be seen (under couch, under floor molding etc..), then use hot glue to put in place.

Dusting - Stretch a used stocking over your dust mop. When your done remove, and you have a clean mop.

Floors - Protect your floors by cutting small circles of felt (scraps) and gluing them to the bottom of your furniture & chairs.

Scratch - Got a scratch in your furniture? Make a paste of instant coffee & water. This works well!

Onions - Once used and cut in half, rub the leftover side with butter. This way it will keep fresh longer.

Cheese - Keep in vinegar dampened cloth to keep from drying out.

Cooking - Keep cooking ingredients (oats,sugar,spices) out in view, this way you’ll want to cook more ;) Use decorative containers, and it adds to the decor of the kitchen.

Tidy - Keep a pretty dishcloth handy. When company pops in, throw it over your sink full of dishes. It actually adds to the appearance of the room. (use this same idea for in view laundry)

Lemons - Store whole lemons in a jar of water in the fridge. They will yield a lot more juice this way.

Candles - Chill for 24 hours before using, they burn longer & don’t drip.

Garden - Stamp a few mothballs into the ground to keep dogs away.

Mess saver - To make crumbs - bread, graham, place in a ziplock bag, then roll with rolling pin. * Of course rinse and reuse it ;)

Clean-up - Rub grater with oil before using it, then it will wipe clean.

Odors - To take foul odors out of plastic containers, fill with black & white newspaper, cover overnight.

Sinks - To clean out stains, line bottom with paper towels, them pour on bleach. Let stand for 1/2 an hour, then wipe clean.

Sinks - To remove water spots from stainless steel, wipe with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar.

Soap - If you buy bars of soap that are rectangular instead of curved, cut them in half crossways because then

they won't break in half before they're worn down.