Living Frugally

Here are my ten tips for enjoying a more frugal life without feeling deprived:

1. Change the oil in your car yourself or trade a friend for the task. You probably can do something they do not know how to do and you could learn something new about them and yourself.

2. Buy only what you need. At the grocery store, make a list and stick to it. Follow the golden rule, do not shop for food when you are hungry.

3. Barter. Yes, it's a very old tradition that is getting a lot of attention these days.

4. Go vegetarian at least 4 to 5 times a week. You will save so much money.

5. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. This is an unbelievable money saver. Even if you only grew lettuce and some basil, you would save quite a bit of $$ each month.

6. Make a rule not to buy anything 3 to 5 times a week. Think it can't be done? Start with one day and work up to what's comfortable for you.

7. Buy a whole chicken at the grocery store and have it cut up into pieces, freeze the parts and use the legs and thighs in stews the breast for stir-fries, the back and neck to make your very own chicken broth. The taste is amazing compared to canned.

8. Hand wash your intimates, not only will they last longer, but you will save your pennies.

9. Put all your loose change in a jar and don't touch it for a month of more, you will end up with cash to spend as you wish or stash.

10. Wash dishes by hand, you burn an extra 75 calories a half hour by doing this and if you fill a pot with water and dish soap and heat it on the stove, you will save on heating and water bills.

Repeat after me: Saving money is fun!!!