Tips on Frugality
 

I need some help with tips on frugality if you all don't mind? :)

Not got a lot of spare cash at the mo - trying to make things go further. Today, I cut up stale bread that would normally have headed for the trash or birds, and froze it, for use at later date as basis for stuffing or bake topping. Also, went through the fridge last week for left over veg to make soup (burnt soup - but tried... ).

Not just food though - happily accepted donation of kids trousers from friend at the weekend (then blew it by buying him a winter jacket at Gap on Sunday - was in a sale though!).

Just would like any tips you have in any aspect of life to save a few bob here and there and make the most out of the money we do spend.... :blink:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

- Find your local Thrift Store such a Value Village
- Get a membership at Costco
- Avoid eating at fast food joints
- Buy at places that give you reward points such as Esso for Aeroplan, A & P for Air Miles etc.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Heres my suggestions but they may not be anything you havent thought of before.

Eat loads of veggies, rice and pasta. Buy the cheaper but stronger cheese for pasta so you need to use less for the same flavour. Save the better cheese for sandwiches and salads. Eggs are cheap and good. Omelettes etc. Tofu is good protein for less money than meat. If you get the firm variety and dry fry it goes crispy and has a better texture, then add to sauces.
Packed lunches of course. Dont buy ready made salad dressings and sauces, its cheaper to make your own. Ready made anything really is bad so make everything from scratch if you have the time.

Set a budget and then only buy things with cash. When that weeks money has gone then you have to wait till next week. Dont go in the more expensive shops! For frozen food we have a shop called "Almost Perfect" that has seconds and misshapes of frozen foods, some baked goods and chips. I think it may just be a local chain but am not sure. Maybe you have something like that near you?

Dont use clingfilm and foil, use bowls and lids. Save all the plastic bags from the shops and reuse, including the ones the veggies come in. Newpaper is good for absorbing the grease from cooked bacon.

Turn the heat down and wear another layer of clothes. Dont heat the house when you are asleep, hang your washing on a clothes horse rather than use the drier, share the bath water with a clean friend ;) or make them use it after you.........

Join the library, not just books but dvd loan is free at ours

Yard sales are good for all sorts of things too but they will be almost finished now until the spring.

Just some things we have done, maybe theres something new in there?

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

And subscribe to www.moneysavingexpert.com

The site is UK based but the Old Style forum has fantastic tips on absolutely everything, it is fab :)

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Thanks everyone :thumbsup: I will peruse and absorb and then start trying some of these out :)

Karma to all - see I've started doing it now :rofl:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Limit your consumption of lobster to no more than twice a week.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

That won't be hard - can't stand the stuff - now marmite, that's another story ;)

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Do you think if you diluted marmite and then sprayed it on some plain crisps that would have the same taste as walkers marmite crisps?? I may try it.

When I was young, very young, my favourite way to spend my 6d pocket money was on a 4d packet of oxo crisps and a 2d packet of peanuts, then I mixed the two together and it was just wonderful. Why cant you get oxo crisps anymore?? :mad:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

I was going to suggest that too, particularly as there is a big section on really being frugal.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

OXO crisps, I loved those, and bovril crisps that were along the same lines.
Pay things by direct debit if you can then bills won't mount up, and often utilities give discount for this (in UK anyway)
I freeze my milk in little plastic bottles so it doesn't go to waste if we don't use a lot.
Make your own flavoured yogurt by adding fruit to plain cheaper variety, tastes nice.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Cheers to additional contributors :thumbsup: I think with all these tips I can make it into a game for my 8 yr old - don't know whether that would work on hubby though. He's already given up smoking (yay :D) and is taking packed lunches to work, now I just have to prise the credit card out of his paws:sneaky:.

I loved Bovril on toast - can't get it in the little marmite-like bottles here but can get it in squeezey bottles for making gravy and drinks. When I was pregnant, I used to layer marmite then peanut butter on toast - anyone else do this? :ohmy:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

PC bank account..no fees eating your funds

PC mastercard...1% cashback on all transactions...more usefull than airmiles

No name products...cheap and OK, bought using PC card and redeeming PC points at loblaws stores like No Frills

Buy kids stuff second hand where possible until they actually care about new/ brands.

Dont drink or smoke.

Shop around for all products and services where possible

Dont be shy about haggling for deal. If you dont ask, it certainly wont happen.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Or if you do drink, make your own wine/beer. We are now making home-made wine which we estimate will cost less than $1 per bottle instead of around $9 per bottle for the cheapest wine at the local liquor store.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

My OH wants to know what a PC bank account and PC credit card are?

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Thanks :thumbup: I'm a good haggler - my dad taught me how when I was about 8 and I watched him negotiating a £1 off 2 books he was buying in Alders department store in Portsmouth! Nothing wrong with the books - he just thought he deserved a discount as he was buying 2 together. The store assistant was dumbstruck - but gave it to him. I've been haggling ever since and have walked away from plenty of shops cos they wouldn't deal. ;)

NSPaul - hubby is about to embark on home wine-making - a friend has just given him all the gubbins we just have to wait until next month's paycheck buy the concentratey-stuff and we'll be giving it a go. Cheers. :thumbsup:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

President's Choice - a part of the Superstore chain... we're already onto this one - forms are in progress...

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Oh yes. And I've never been pregnant.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Also subscribe to Red Flag Deals.com

But do be careful you can get caught up in "spending money to save money that you don't got".;)

Sorry about that I gave the link to the Hot Deals Forum here is the one to the home page.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Wow - first person ever who's confessed :thumbsup: - now I'm worried though that it wasn't a hormone craving thing :blink: maybe I'll just pop some toast on .... :)

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Thanks Steve - that's a good site I didn't know about, I'll keep an eye on it - I'd better not let hubby see it though ;)

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Best tip, but perhaps not convenient for all, is to marry a woman of dutch extraction....they make yorkshire folk seem positively wasteful!

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Go off cable tv,try a few brand of antennas and see which one gives
the best reception. The stores allow you to try out and refund if
not satisfactory.I tried about 6-7 antennas until I found the right
one from London Drugs.
DVDs and videos are available at the libraries.
I got 3 stations that are crystal clear and the other
3 need some adjusting and the images are just ok.
I received a lot of frugal tips from many books and my favourite
is the Tightwad Complete Gazette by Amy Dacyczn.

Learn to do minor home repairs, I used to go to Home Depot
and attend their free home repairs shows.Get to know like
minded people who like DIY and help each other.

Hope that helps,
Yoong

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

You have just made me laugh - thanks.

Me and my sister used to eat OXO cubes when we were little, then they made them easy crumble and it's just not the same.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

I always wondered why they wear wooden clogs :rofl:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Usually its to kick the arse of people who come up with inaccurate stereotypes...go figure:D

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Hope she hadn't sharpened up the pointed toes :blink:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

THeres a Dutch shop in peterborough sells wooden clogs if you need any;)

and chocolate sprinkles.....................

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

They're no good for me I like sneaking up on people :rofl:


mmmmmmm :thumbup:yummy

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Hagelslag (chocolate hail)...its for sandwiches if my OH is to be trusted. And you thought marmite and peanut butter was a bit odd:)

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Not really, I don't eat either, and I only eat dark chocolate. I thought the sprinkles were to put on cappaccino.

Re: yuck
 

ehhhhh, marmite and oxo yuck. my mum used to make us drink it

any way hello, we live near westmount shopping centre in edmonton, been here since feb, cant wait for snow again.

we dont need to be very frugal but still find ourselves doing it automatically, it must be ingrained.

we all need treats tho and ive found using the packets for making your own bread, rolls, muffins very cheap. a great dutch one as well makes loaves and cinnamon cakes.
we all know a doughnut or muffin from tim hortons is hard to resist, so these are a nice change and ur son will love to help.
well done to hubby for giving up smoking, what a man.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

President's Choice, as mentioned: all the Superstores around here have PC bank offices just inside the front door.

No fees, high interest rate on savings (>$1000), and you build up grocery points when you buy stuff on the credit card that save you money in the Superstore. Best deal I could find for banks over here.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Thanks Mark and to the others who had also explained.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

use non bio laundry powder instead of dishwasher tablets - its the same stuff & you'll save a fortune!

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Thanks all - great ideas - Dutch woman aside ;):blink: :eek:

If we could just save an extra $200 a month it would make all the difference - and I think we can get there with some of these. Cheers :thumbsup:

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

President's Choice

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Credit unions can also be good financial services as well. In BC, there is one called Coast Capital Savings and it is one of the best places I've dealt with - friendly staff, quick and helpful service and they actually treat you as a person! It has a no fee account and a credit card that can be had for as little as 11.4%. I noticed that PC's credit card rate is usually 19.9% . I imagine all over Canada there are various credit unions that are as competitive as banks and as easily accessible through an ATM using the Exchange symbol.

If you do join Costco, shop with a friend and see if they are willing to split half the goods with you, at least on some items because that can also save money.

Some very good tips on here! :)

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

Good God, if you are trying to be frugal the FIRST thing you do is dont run a balance on a credit card, then the interest rates are irrelevent. If you must spend more than you make some months, get a line of credit to pay off the balance.

When you say "no fee", is it really no fee, or do you have to keep a minimum balance? When I checked out credit unions the monthly fees were comparable to the main banks, and the minimum ballances to have them waived were a little higher if anything, which makes a difference if you have $1000 sitting in a no interest account that could be working for you elsewhere.

Re: Tips on Frugality
 

I agree, really the best way to be frugal that I have found is to buy things with cash. You set a budget for the week, in our case its $200, and then you hand over the money. When you run out you wait until your week starts again. If you have any left over then you put that in a pot until it makes an amount large enough to spend on a treat.

The $200 is for food, gas and all out of pocket expenses. Bills are paid with cheques.

Handing those notes over and seeing the amount in your purse dwindle really focuses the mind on spending.