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Frugal Tip: 10 Ways To Save Money During The Holidays

Posted by on November 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

10 Frugal Ways to Save Money During The Holidays

Holiday shopping can wreak havoc on your wallet and leave you feeling less than jolly. Here are 5 tips to help you save money this holiday season while also saving your sanity.

  1. Do not wait until the last minute to plan your holiday shopping and avoid shopping at the last minute.
  2. Create a budget and stick to it.
  3. Never go shopping without a list. Avoid impulse buys by firmly sticking to your list.
  4. Pay in cash. By leaving your credit/debit cards at home and using only the cash you set aside, you will be forced to stick to your budget. You will also avoid credit card fees.
  5. Get creative with your cards, decorations and gift wrapping.  For instance, you can use copy paper, comic book pages, magazine pages, paper bags, maps, etc for gift wrap.
  6. Shop for gifts earlier in the year or shop after holiday sales.
  7. Shop online. Some of the best deals can be found online. Take advantage of promo codes and free shipping offers when available.
  8. Book your flight 21 to 30 days in advance and use sites such as Kayak.com to compare rates. Also take advantage of connecting flights rather than a nonstop flight.
  9. Save on airfare by flying during a weekday. Wednesday is generally the best day to fly. Be flexible with your times as you can often get a better deal by flying in the later or earlier hours.
  10. Take advantage of student, senior and military discounts when flying.

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Frugality: Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Posted by on August 4, 2011 Leave a Comment

Frugal Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Automatic Dishwasher products can be spendy even when using coupons. When money is tight or  you simply run out of your favorite product, here is a natural,  simple and effective alternative to store bought brands.

The ingredients listed are products that you should keep on hand as they are staples in many household cleaning jobs.

* Note: Please follow the manufactures instructions  for your dishwasher before using this or any product.

Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

  • Baking Soda
  • 20 Mule Team Borax
  • Distilled White Vinegar

Put one tablespoon of Baking Soda into the dishwasher dispenser then add one tablespoon of 20 Mule Team Borax to the dishwasher dispenser.

Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Rinse Aid:

Pour about 1/2 cup of white vinegar into your dishwashers rinse aid dispenser or in the  bottom of the dishwasher during the rinse cycle. Not only will your dishes sparkle, but the vinegar will also clean your dishwasher and remover odors.  Now how’s that for a triple threat!

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10 Frugal Uses For Table Salt

Posted by on June 21, 2011 Leave a Comment

Table salt is a common household staple, but did you know that salt can be used in places other than the dinner table? Here are a 10 money saving frugal tips that will give fantastic results and help you stretch your dollars.

  1. Calm a sore throat by gargling warm salted water. Also works for minor mouth irritation.
  2. Ditch those pricey teeth whiteners! Dip your toothbrush in a bit of salt to naturally whiten teeth.
  3. Prolong the life of fresh cut flowers by mixing a bit of salt in the water.
  4. Use 2 tablespoons of salt in the wash cycle to keep colors bright.
  5. Boost cleaning power by sprinkling salt in the oven before wiping clean.
  6. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to remove build up and mildew.
  7. Effectively kill weeds by sprinkling salt on the lawn and along driveways.
  8. Use salt in the fireplace to loosen built up chimney soot.
  9. Gently work salt into cotton fabric to remove fresh stains. Soak in cold water, then wash.
  10. Soak your cleaning sponges in warm salty water to freshen them up.

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15 Money Saving Tips For Grocery Shopping

Posted by on February 27, 2011 2 Comments

Saving money is always at the top of everyone’s list, especially when times are tough. With a bit of planning and discipline, you can save a lot of money each month. Here are some tips that will help you save money on your next shopping trip.

1. Take inventory before you shop. Knowing what you need before you shop will cut down on purchasing unnecessary items.

2. Make a budget and stick with it.

3. Buy generic items. The ingredients are generally the same and the cost is cheaper.

4. Bulk up on frequently used items and staples when they are on sale.

5. Use coupons and shop at stores that double coupons. In additional to you local paper, check out websites and online forums for coupons and swaps.

6. Sign up for customer loyalty or rewards programs and take advantage of the member’s only deals that your store offers.

7. Never go shopping without a list. Always stick to the list.

8. Eat before you shop to avoid hungry impulses.

9. Make a menu for the entire week (preferably month) and plan your meals according to what is on sale that week.

10. Don’t buy what you don’t need.

11. Don’t linger! The more time you spend in a store, the more you are apt to buy on impulse. Get in and get out!

12. Watch out for marketing ploys. Stores often campaign to draw our attention to a particular brand or product. Steer clear of end of aisle displays and island displays as these are typically the higher priced items.

13. Don’t be a brand snob! If another brand offers the same product for less, buy the cheaper brand.

14. Compare unit prices. Just because the package is bigger, it doesn’t mean that it’s cheaper. Two smaller packages can be cheaper than the big box.

15. Keep an eye on the register scanner and check your receipt. Make sure that your items were scanned properly and that your coupons were deducted.

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Frugal Tip: 10 Uses For Vinegar

Posted by on February 22, 2011 Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, cleaning products and personal care products can be expensive and at the end of the day do you really know what chemicals are in your favorite product? Let alone what it may do to the environment! Here are some money saving and eco friendly tips using vinegar.

1. Odor Eliminator

Who knew that vinegar could trap, eliminate, neutralize odors!  To freshen the air, soak a piece of white bread in vinegar and place them close to the source of the smell. Voila! The area should be odor free within 24 hours!

2. Garbage Disposal Cleaner

To clean your disposal and remove stubborn odors mix one cup vinegar with one pitcher of water water. Pour into ice-cube trays and freeze. When ready to use, run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

3. Clean the microwave

To loosen stuck-on foods and remove odors mix 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring to a boil inside the microwave. Wipe clean.

4. Natural Dandruff Cure

To relieve a dry scalp, rinse hair with a half cup of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar mixed with two cups of water. Rinse, dry, and style your hair as usual

5. Natural Hair Clarifier

The hair can become oily, or suffer from product buildup and residue causing it to be dull. To combat this and balance the hairs pH balance, in a container, mix 1/3 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 quart of water. After shampooing and rinsing the hair, pour the vinegar mixture onto the hair, working it through. Rinse, dry and style your hair as usual.

6. Overnight Facial

To combat blemishes and return the skin to a youthful appearance, dab the face with apple cider vinegar before going to bed.  The skin will return to a natural balance and you’ll have softer, smoother skin and a beautiful glow!

7. Oily Skin Facial Wash

To effectively remove dirt and oil from your pores mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of distilled water. Apply the wash to the face using a cotton ball, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

8. Natural Insect Repellent

Ants, gnats,  flies, and other pesky critters can be by using white distilled vinegar. If you find yourself at battle with these little buggers, try wiping surfaces and cabinets with some white vinegar, this breaks up the scent trail and repels insects, especially ants. For flying insects, pour some vinegar into a jar and put the open jar in the affected area. This works both indoors and outdoors.

9. Bring Back The Shine!

To clean and shine tarnished brass, copper, and pewter make a paste of equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and table salt. Gently rub the object with the mixture until the shine come through. Repeat the process until the entire surface of the object shines equally.

10. Naturally Clean The Shower/Tub

To remove stubborn grime and mildew from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door, wipe the surface with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.

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Meet The Maverick

Hi, I'm Monica! I'm a stay at home mom of a beautiful daughter, living in Clarksville, TN. I started couponing to help relieve strained finances and never looked back! My goal is to share my knowledge and to teach you how to save more money and spend less so that you can enjoy a higher quality of life.