Tag: Frugal Living Tips

Things You Should Never Buy at Goodwill Stores

I came across this crazy article about the Things You Should Never Buy at Goodwill stores! I am not sure who wrote this article as I have to disagree with the majority. I never buy undergarments as that is something I prefer to buy new in package. I guess bras aren’t in packages, I just feel better buying them new on clearance or sale.

I am curious as to what you guys think? I love buying at my thrift store. I help support the community, keep stuff out of landfills, and get great bargains!

Do you agree with this article? I would love to read your comments on this subject.

Great Tips for Saving Money at the Grocery Store!

I just came across this great article on Tips for Saving Money at the Grocery so I wanted to share. Many of these ideas are great and none about using coupons. I realize many people do not use coupons (I know shocking), but there are still great tips to save money.

I like the last one about avoiding all those temptations at the check out register. Those are the worst. You can read the article here!

What do you think of the money tips? Agree or not. Would you add your own?

TMR Frugal Living Tip #99- Stockpile Donations

Today’s thrifty living tip is to make donations from your stockpile. I end up with a lot of personal care items that I can’t use from sales and coupons and lots of free samples. I like to give away items from my stockpile. There are so many great organizations that are hurting for donations. This is an inexpensive way to help others without breaking your wallet. Many organizations would prefer the items instead of cash. The local women’s shelter in my area specifically asks for donations of personal care items, clothes, games and toys, and cleaning supplies.

You can send items overseas to the soldiers who would be very appreciative of care packages. Many female soldiers need tampons, panty liners, and maxi-pads as well as lotions and shower gels. Cheap flip flop’s they can use in the showers. There are several great websites to find the specific details with shipping information. Make sure to mark these boxes FEMININE if you send female razors and other feminine items they need.

Anysoldier.com great organization for sending care packages to our soldiers.

Here are a few other ideas to give non-perishable food and toiletries as well as cleaning supplies.

  • Women’s Shelters
  • Local Churches
  • Local Food Banks
  • Schools
  • Shelters
  • Neighbors or Friends or even Family members

Do you donate from your stockpile to help others? Please comment as I would love to read your stories.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #98- Raise Insurance Deductibles

Today’s thrifty living tip is to raise your insurance deductibles. This one can save you as much as $200 a year depending on your rates. I know I saved us about $220 yearly by raising our auto insurance from $500 to $1000 each. Our auto insurance rates are pretty high living in Louisiana compared to many other states and ditto on house insurance. We can thank the hurricanes for that one. I also raised our home deductibles which also saved us another $300 a year. That is an extra $50 a month.

I do get a small discount for paying the house insurance premium annually instead of monthly. I also switched our automobile insurance to Allstate and saved us over $70/month! That is a huge savings! I am now sticking that money into savings to help boost our emergency fund. We already have our deductibles covered in savings.

Your savings will vary and it might not be worth it for you. It never hurts to investigate just to see are you getting the best rates you can. Wouldn’t an extra $25 or more a month be nice in your wallet instead of theirs? I know I am glad I switched our insurance and much rather have that extra $70 in my pocket monthly.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #97 – Rain Checks

Get Rain Checks

Today’s thrifty living tip is to get rain checks on sale items. The best part is most rainchecks will NEVER expire! So you can hold onto them until another hot coupon comes out.

Another tip is to clip out the sale price from the sales flyer and keep it with your rain check. This way you have more proof of the sale price and shows a picture of the item which makes it easier when redeeming a raincheck.

*Note: Some sales will put a disclaimer saying NO RAINCHECKS so you have to respect it. I pretty much am always able to get one just by asking even at grocery stores. I have never tried it at Walmart so not sure. If you have gotten one at Walmart, then please share.

Do you ask for rain checks?

TMR Frugal Living Tip #96

Print Both Sides of PaperToday’s frugal living tip is to use both sides of the paper when printing. I cannot follow this tip for school reports, but I use this often when printing coupons, and other items where it doesn’t matter. It is cost effective and cuts down on the amount of paper used.

My son comes home with an obscene amount of paper from school, and mostly it will just get thrown away. I let him draw and color on the backs of those pages so he isn’t wasting my good print paper. That paper is not cheap. I do recycle all the paper in our house.

Do you print on both sides of the pages or do you also let your kids draw on the backs before discarding?

TMR Frugal Living Tip #95

Today’s thrifty living tip is to always buy generic prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. It will save you a lot of money depending on your insurance copays. For me it is a $40 difference for one prescription! That is a savings of $480 per year if I have to take it monthly. The generic medication is made with the same formula as the name brand. It’s extremely rare for the generic to not be made as well. The only reason you are paying so much for the brand is the name. Usually a brand means quality but not in the world of medications. The only time I buy a brand OTC medication is if I am getting it cheaper than the generic or for free after sales and coupons.

Do you buy generic prescriptions and medications?