Three Simple Ways to Be Thrifty
Have you heard about Bring Back Thrift Week? It’s Templeton Press’s effort to bring back National Thrift Week, which ran from 1916 till the 1960s. Sounds like a good idea to me!
I’m a thrifty kind of gal, but I’d love to learn even more ways to develop, as Merriam-Webster defines it, “careful management especially of money.” So this week, dive in and share three simple ways to be thrifty. Whether you save a little or a lot, let’s hear it!
Here are three ways I spend wisely while staying simple:
1. Mend and alter when I can. Small tears, fresh hems, and minor alterations can make clothes last years longer. Even better, your options widen dramatically when you shop. Great piece, great price, minor flaw? Time for a mend!
2. Choose a credit card that makes sense for my needs. Since I put a priority on paying down the balance every month, I use a card that offers only average rates, but pretty good rewards. Do what works for you, which might mean eschewing credit cards entirely.
3. Plan two weeks of meals at a time. Since I hit just one store twice a month, I don’t always get rock-bottom deals on food items. Still, having two weeks’ of meals planned out and purchased for cuts down on the times when I can say, “There’s nothing to eat. Let’s go hit up the taco truck!” After all, thrift isn’t just about money, but making good decisions for your lifestyle.
Alright, what are your thrifty secrets? Remember, it’s not just about pinching pennies but being wise with your money.
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This post has 27 comments
January 21st, 2009
Hi Sara,
I practise thrift by having a weekly cash budget. Every Sunday I withdraw the week’s budget, and the rest of the week I spend only what’s left in the wallet. When I’m out of cash, I stay home!
Daphnes last blog post..How Does Your Life Script Read?
January 21st, 2009
My biggest thrifty secret is I buy presents all year long. Not only does this save me money since I usually find them on the clearance shelves, but it also saves my sanity come Christmas time.
Kims last blog post..Historical Day
January 21st, 2009
I find that if I track my attempts to be thrifty (eg buying a different brand), then I can come up with a spreadsheet of how much, then extrapolate that over a year.
This then lets me assign value to the effort independent of the money saved.
Patrick
veryevolved.com The hidden biology behind everything you do
Very Evolveds last blog post..Follow the Herd. How behavior and stories spread through online crowds
January 21st, 2009
my latest thrify thing is making as many gifts as i can. since this fall i’ve taught myself how to use a sewing machine and learned a lot more knitting then just the cast on, knit and purl i’ve always done. at christmas, almost – almost – everything was handmade in one way or another. i also love to haunt the local children’s consignment shop for clothing, boots, sneakers and toys. surprisingly toys. i got a great pirate ship set (minus a few accessories my son hasn’t even missed) for less than $10. he has a ship, a cannon, pirates and a few other things…he’s thrilled. and like most of his toy “sets” like that – he plays with it only intermittently. but this time i didn’t spend a fortune on it to spend a good deal of time in the closet!
January 21st, 2009
On an episode of Clean House I saw recently, they pointed out that locking your windows forces them to seal better, and reduces heating and cooling costs. Can’t get any simpler than that.
January 21st, 2009
I wonder how you only go to the store twice a month – we go twice a week!
Produce (especially green veggies) tend to start to wilt after a few days…
What is your secret?
Carlas last blog post..Green + Chic Product Review: Golden Earth
January 21st, 2009
Three Thrifty Tips (mostly from Mom and my wife)
1. Shop for Christmas presents and decorations starting on Boxing Day (December 26)
2. Learn to Sew
3. A Freezer is your best meal planning friend
January 21st, 2009
Every year I promise myself I’m going to do my Christmas shopping throughout the entire year. I never do. Thanks for reminding me guys. Maybe this year will be the one…
Adam Steer – Better Is Betters last blog post..4×7 Training Update
January 21st, 2009
Here are 25 Frugal Things I Do http://justplainjoy.blogspot.com/2008/11/25-frugal-things-i-do.html.
Joy (from Just Plain Joy)s last blog post..Ten Places I Love to Visit
January 21st, 2009
Looks like lots of folks work on gifts year-round! Meanwhile, I’m still trying to put together gifts for this last holiday… Oops.
As for the groceries, I have to admit that B and I don’t eat a ton of fresh fruits and veggies. There’s definitely room for improvement there!
January 21st, 2009
I do almost all my household cleaning (except dishes) with distilled white vinegar or baking soda… this saves a ton of $$$ and limits exposure to all those nasty “cleaning” chemicals that are noxious and pricey. I also make my own laundry detergent (borax, grated castille soap, and washing soda and use the white vinegar as a fabric softener) my sheets, towels, and whites have never been so soft and bright!
January 21st, 2009
I’ve been trying to concentrate on the big things that can save money:
Drive my car as long as possible
Shop insurance rates
Refinance the house
January 21st, 2009
Join the original institutions of thrift – CREDIT UNIONS!
http://www.findacreditunion.com/
They aren’t like those greedy banks…they are non-profit financial institutions.
Oh and budget like crazy!
Christophers last blog post..Kids’ Letters to President Obama
January 21st, 2009
Great ideas. I write down everything I spend money on, including a cup of tea or how much I spend on laundry. It helps a lot!
Sagans last blog post..Managing Time
January 21st, 2009
Think about if I really need or want something…most of the time its a want!
Ask myself if I could make something just as good for less…somethings can be done!
Katies last blog post..Revelation….
January 21st, 2009
Hi Sara – I was reading how everyone has started their Christmas shopping early – that’s something I used to do, too, but as of last year me and my adult friends agreed not to exchange gifts. We now make time to have lunch together (pot luck works good), or visit each other over the phone. We often get to talking about the good ‘o days, and the memories we revive are priceless.
To save money, I limit my driving and run errands in circle to avoid backtracking. Like Tracy, I also use vinegar for a lot of my cleaning (will try it as a fabric softener next), and buy in bulk. If the bulk packages are too much for just us, me and a friend will often split them to save money.
I’ve also found cooking in a crock pot is a great way to use a less expensive cut of meat, but still get the benefit of a tasty meal – plus it’s a time saver, as well.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Not So New Blogs – From Spain to Singapore
January 22nd, 2009
Buy things with less packaging — a big jug of juice instead of individual juice boxes (plus plastic reusable juice containers to send to school with the kids).
Bake your snacks — it only takes 30 min. of real time (you do have to have an hour to wait for the oven) to bake cookies or quick breads or muffins — instead of buying them. Cheaper and you know what is in them.
Have less variety at a time — two kinds of cereal bought in bulk, one kind of lunch meat, in season less expensive fruit (yep, that means apples and oranges most of the winter).
Eschew instant food — quick oats takes 5 min. longer than instant oatmeal and costs about a third of the price.
Buy good quality coffee and make it at home.
At resteraunts, buy young kids one adult meal to split. The choices are usually healthier and the kids can eat dessert at home.
Go for breakfast or dessert for dates — they’ve less expensive than a full lunch or supper.
Oops, you said three. Sorry.
jills last blog post..Still here
January 22nd, 2009
Having a cash allowance definitely helps keep my spending low.
Having a budget (something I’ve admittedly fallen off the wagon on, thanks for the reminder!).
Look up ways to make something rather than buy it. White vinegar as fabric softener works great, especially if you have sensitive skin!
Great post and let’s bring back Thrift week!! No longer a dirty word
January 22nd, 2009
Simple and practical. Stumbled.
Marc and Angel Hack Lifes last blog post..Why Lesbians, Priests, Athletes and Chubby Chefs All Agree on the Meaning of Life
January 22nd, 2009
Thank you so much for the nice comment you just left me!!! My way of being thrifty is to buy used items, it’s not only being thrifty but “green” too!
Cindy~My Romantic Homes last blog post..Dreaming of Summer
January 23rd, 2009
My number one way to be thrifty is to review my finances each week, including what my family has earned and what we have spent. I have found that since I started this habit I am much more mindful of what I spend and what I earn, making me think a bit harder about both sides of the equation, with good results thus far.
Taylor at Household Management 101s last blog post..Jan 23, Dealing With School Papers Without Losing Your Mind
January 23rd, 2009
1) Go thrift store or vintage for clothes when possible. The deals at Goodwill or similar bargain barn stores are out of this world.
2) Cut coupons. I have become addicted! Two rules here to make this count as a thrifty simple secret though: 1) cut only what you will really use 2) don’t be afraid to pass on using them when a similar, less expensive brand will suffice instead.
3) Keep your receipts. I know, I know, it seems like extra paper but remember that you always need the receipt when you want a refund so that’s a good enough incentive right there. But also seeing those receipts give you tangible evidence of what you are spending and how much. That may scare you toward thrifty!
Elizabeth M. Johnsons last blog post..Turn it around
January 24th, 2009
I bet your two week meal plan saves you both money and time.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..Avoid Mental Burnout
January 26th, 2009
I second the meal planning for 2 weeks at a time- except for produce and veggies (which I always buy on sale).
I am on course to reduce my grocery budget by 1/4.
Megs last blog post..Menu Planning
January 27th, 2009
HAHA- WHO’s last blog post??
graci_as last blog post..Historical Poetry Collage
January 27th, 2009
@Kim- Yes! This idea makes for one poised Christmas
I round up. Adding up the rounded-up price of grociers, clothing, ETC (where $4.32= $5 and $17.80= $20) while whizzing around shopping allows me to pay $51 while prepared with an apportioned $60.
graci_as last blog post..Historical Poetry Collage
July 20th, 2009
discuss your purchase with your life partner. But before you do that make sure there is an ongoing discussion about your ideas and expectations, and from that base share your thoughts on the purchase.
Agree on a limit like ($50) that you will get back to each other before purchase, otherwise your $100 on a guitar FX unit becomes the precedent for her $110 splurge on craft items. Each leads by example to the other.
be prepared to put it aside if the answer comes to “no – don’t spend”. Next ALWAYS SIT DOWN when discussing things of importance. NEVER stand up. never ever. find the same time and place, best after a meal.
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