I have a small barn that all of my animals live in - it is approx 12X12 in size, and I have a fenced in area next to the barn, with small doors cut in the walls that allows the chickens to go outside as they wish. I don’t allow them to roam the yard anymore, since the neighborhood dogs think that we are running a Kentucky Fried Chicken buffet just for them!
The Tightwad Gazette is a good place to start. The books are probably out of print by now, but the hints are timeless and Amy is very funny. I can’t spell her last name. Search ebay or half.com or your library.
The author was extremely successful when it came to saving money and with 6 kids (last I heard), she and her husband were doing really well.
There are also frugal living forums on about.com that you can check out.
Personally, the best advice I can offer is that the more you can do for yourself, the cheaper it is.****
Her name is: Amy Dacyczyn
Amazon.com has both the original version (used from $0.01 + shipping) and a newer one that is a little more expensive, even used. She has incredible ideas in it (I’ve only read the original).
I know it’s a pain, but coupons, coupons, coupons. You’d be surprised how quickly $0.50 off an item can add up over a month and year.
If you happen to splurge and go to a restaurant, go to one that has kid’s nights (either kids eat free, half price, whatever). Also, drink water in restaurants. A family can save HUNDREDS of dollars by not getting soda, wine, etc. at restaurants.
Generics/store brands. Most of these items you would not be able to distinguish from name brands; especially orange juice, cookies, cereal, sauces, peanut butter, butter, jelly, noodles, rice, garbage bags (although you can’t stuff them quite as full as name brands). The only things I won’t buy generic are tuna fish, toilet paper and facial tissue. If your family is skittish about generics, keep a name brand container and put the generic in once it’s gone. That’s what I do and they can’t tell the difference. My husband insists that Pantene shampoo is the only one he’ll use. That stuff is EXPENSIVE!! So I buy the store brand for $2.00 cheaper and pour it into a Pantene bottle. Been doing this for a year and he still doesn’t know. I do the same thing with coffee and cereal.
Good luck and God bless!!
Trish
I’ll second your ideas. Very few store brands are different from the name brand items. You can save tons of money by using store brand items.If you happen to splurge and go to a restaurant, go to one that has kid’s nights (either kids eat free, half price, whatever). Also, drink water in restaurants. A family can save HUNDREDS of dollars by not getting soda, wine, etc. at restaurants.
Generics/store brands. Most of these items you would not be able to distinguish from name brands; especially orange juice, cookies, cereal, sauces, peanut butter, butter, jelly, noodles, rice, garbage bags (although you can’t stuff them quite as full as name brands). The only things I won’t buy generic are tuna fish, toilet paper and facial tissue. If your family is skittish about generics, keep a name brand container and put the generic in once it’s gone. That’s what I do and they can’t tell the difference.
Good luck and God bless!!
Trish
The Dollar Tree has a GREAT clothing stain pre-treater called Awesome or something like that. They also have a good dishwasher detergent there.
For school supplies, if you go often, you can watch for the name brands, they do show up occasionally. When they do, grab them up. I have Gotten Crayola brand markers and crayons, mechanical pencils and the good wooden pencils - but you get fewer to a pack than the off brands. Stay away from the Rose Art Crayons too.
Yep - as a school teacher who sees kids go through crayons at an amazing rate - I totally agree! Most of the kids who have the Rose Art crayons are usually asking the kids who have crayolas to lend them crayons.
Or cheaper yet, try checking it out at your local library.
If the library doesn’t have these books, ask them to get them. Most libraries have forms you can fill out to request them to buy books. Libraries want to carry books that people want, and other people in your community who want to live frugally could benefit from it too! These books are great!
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