Comments on: When Times are Tight: 168 Frugal Tips to Make Your Dollar Stretch

By: Neil Bartlett

Neil Bartlett — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:30:31 +0000

Really wonderful post Lynnae – such useful information!
Buy condiments and oils in bulk as well. A tiny jar of olive oil is pricey but a big jug – while maybe not quite as special – is much cheaper. You can keep the tiny jar for entertaining and appetizers.
Thank you.

By: C J

C J — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:41:06 +0000

Awesome list. I am a sahm, homeschooler, student and wife. With one income the budget can get tight at times. These are some great tips.
One thing our family does, is turn something old into something new. We take old t- shirts and make reuseable grocery bags. With old jeans- we make purses (and sell),reusable grocery bags and jean skirts.
Personaly- I am enjoying the recession. As a buddhist living in american society I am glad to see many more going to more simple ways of living. Life should be about great conversation, friends, family, memories.Not so much about materialist things.

By: Antares

Antares — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:24:34 +0000

You should probably remove “turn car off at lights”: starting a car requires far more energy than the minute or so of idling at a light. Otherwise, what an awesome list!

By: Anoma

Anoma — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:33:20 +0000

Lynnae, I think your website is great, it offers awesome tips on saving which work well when you have a family to feed and buy clothes for. I am single, working with no children and I find that gives no reason to go out and squander money. I noticed a comment from Ellen Moans who obviously doesn't have children to look out for. Ellen dear, its not always about sacrificing or doing without, its about being able to do the same things you are doing now for less. Its about shopping smart and finding bargains for everything you buy. Anoma’s last blog post..Are Banks Our Friends?

By: Ellen Moans

Ellen Moans — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:26:01 +0000

Why don’t people just bury yourselves in the ground now and be done with it. Tips such as ‘don’t go’ out are great money savers, great for the planet, not so great for having fun. Don’t forget to have a life! :)

By: Ima

Ima — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:01:00 +0000

After doing all of these tips for years and still having trouble making the ends meet, buy a black market counterfeiting machine and make your own money. Much simpler, and your social life will improve.

By: Konini

Konini — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:54:13 +0000

Here you go http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/CooKit

Google solar cooking Zimbabwe. It is widespread there. Basically you are slow cooking. Start everything off then put in a pot that has sun light focused on it. Depending on the sun, it may boil very hard and fast so it is good for beans.

You might also want a “hay box”. Just start off your casserole and put it in a box surrounded by non inflammable insulation (search maybe and as a rule of thumb use nothing “modern”). Leave it and come back in the evening. Done. You can also do porridge overnight.

Or just invest in a slow cooker and a simple rice cooker. You have power and you should remember all the hassle of cleaning up might cost you more. Solar power is good in countries like Zimbabwe where the the power supply has become erratic.

Equally, as you have fridges and freezers, just cook one big casserole and freeze portions. I only cook once a week in the Uk and I know many people without children who do the same. I know some people who have grown children who still host a family dinner weekly then send their adult children off with sufficient cooked food to last the week.

Don’t make your lives hard! You should be enjoying your infrastructure and using it wisely!

By: Juanita

Juanita — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:33:43 +0000

Dear Lynnae and Readers, Use a Solar Cooker to prepare your food. The library and websites have information on how to make one or where to buy Solar Cookers. There are even recipes and baking in a solar oven is possible, I've read. I hope to learn how to bake in one this year. Juanita Juanita’s last blog post..How to Get Out of Debt

By: mommy247365

mommy247365 — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:15:51 +0000

I think this is a great list.
I think that a lot of people really appreciate this information including me and the rude posts are from peope who shouldn’t be reading the tips anyway.
My husband has a good job and I am a stay at home mom.
Our income is in the top 20% in our area but like many Young married folks we have a lot of debt, mostly from fertility procedures which did not work. I feel like any money I can save by being frugal is money gained for our family. I also would rather save on what we need to buy or pay for what we want. Such as deals on cleaning supplies= extra money for clothes,vacation, etc.
Also,
Be frugal by adopting. Fertiity, cost $$$,$$$.$$ results nothingbut debt.
Local Children Service Adoption, cost lawyer fees..results The most wonderful boys in the world.(at least in our case).
The money we could have saved had we adopted without the fertility treatments would pay for their college educations.
And don’t tel me to get a job, My job is raising my family like the Bible says and The only things that matter to me are My Faith, My Family, And my Friends. Oh, and it kills me that my baby is starting school this year I will miss him sooooooo much.

By: Lily

Lily — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:48:03 +0000

HELLOOOO, MIKE. People maybe need to save because they do NOT find a job – or they are underpaid.