Search Results for: blog guilt free shopping

How I Got My Home Gym For Free

The fact that I’m frugal spreads over into every part of my life, from my diet and clothing, to my health routines. Of course, I wouldn’t sacrifice my health just to save a buck, but I do look for free ways to work out. A lot of doctors recommend walking, but since I live in Tucson, Arizona, walking outdoors any time between the hours of 6am and 9pm isn’t going to happen, especially during the summer. I don’t like being uncomfortable, and trudging around in the heat kills any of my good intentions to exercise. Staying indoors where the temperature … Continue reading →

The Garage Sale Free and Cheapie Boxes

It isn’t too late to have your garage sale. The weather is still warm enough and people are still out there buying. You might be able to make enough for back to school supplies or even a new desk for your child. And it is great to have some extra cash for the upcoming holiday season. Today I wanted to talk a little bit about having a free and or a cheapie box at your yard sale. This is a box that contains items you are willing to give away for free or items that you are willing to let … Continue reading →

Guilt-Free Shopping

Is there such a thing? I suppose if you are a multi-millionaire shopping is almost something you have to do so you don’t die with money left over. (Oh, the horror!) But, for the rest of us non-Powerball winners we tend to pick and choose our “necessities” carefully. For example, diaper bags. If you have a baby you need a bag of some sort to tote around the ton of infant essentials associated with a newborn. The bag needs to be able to hold the equivalent of an entire nursery, but you still want it to be stylish (even if … Continue reading →

Making Christmas Simple

A simple Christmas can have wonderful meaning. Often, the less that we have, the more that we have to appreciate the wonder, the joy, and the glory of the season. This applies to both using up too much time and too much money. A couple of days ago, we picked up a few bags of bird seed from a discount store. That inexpensive purchase was one of the best ones we have had this season. It brought a number of colorful song birds right to our window. In the early morning hours, a hot cup of coffee and some time … Continue reading →

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas–Yikes!

Is it just me, or is there anyone else out there that is overwhelmed by the fact that tomorrow is Christmas Eve?!? I’m not ready. I could use another week or two… It isn’t that I am not ready in a practical way, although I confess that I feel guilty for not baking as many cookies or decorating as well as I would like this year. I haven’t attended enough parties or visited with friends and family or taken advantage of all of the local holiday events and celebrations. I did get my shopping done early–how could I not with … Continue reading →

Retailers Hope You Have Frugal Fatigue This Holiday

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that retailers are really hoping that you, the consumer, will be suffering from frugal fatigue this holiday season, and they will be doing everything they can in order to encourage you to let go of frugal habits and spend this season. The holidays are usually a time to spend and indulge, so it really a danger zone when it comes to falling off of the frugal wagon. If you aren’t careful, you may wind up spending more than you planned. If you have solid financial goals, such as to pay down debt, to save … Continue reading →

Practicing Conscious Spending

When you are always aware of what you are spending and how you are spending, you’ll save money every time. Whether you seem to always be heading out to the mall, or you can’t resist creating a wall of canned goods while extreme couponing, consider reviewing a checklist of questions that will reveal the real answers behind your shopping. The urge to shop can often be a coping mechanism. It gives us a lift in the day and may be an attempt to meet emotional needs. Sometimes we simply find ourselves shopping or adding extra things to our list without … Continue reading →

Getting Out of Debt: Extreme Couponing

My husband thinks I am obsessed with extreme couponing. I admit that I never actually saw the Extreme Couponing show. Nevertheless, I have been a crazy coupon lady, clipping grocery coupons and getting the best deals on groceries that I can find. I’ve always believed in coupons, but my dedication to using them had fallen off and become sporadic. I needed the focus of getting out of debt to really step up my game in order to reduce our grocery bill even more and to get out of debt. My goal is to actually come under the amount that we … Continue reading →

Turning Off the I Wants

Around this time of year, it is easy to get a burgeoning case of the I Wants. It begins with the back to school and Christmas advertising, both of which seem to happen at the same time these days. All right, Christmas ads might not start until September. I open the local paper and a stack of ads fall out. Then come the catalogues. Bought anything from a larger company lately? If you’re on their mailing list, be assured that they will send you a nice, juicy catalogue to tempt you right about now. Maybe you already have a good … Continue reading →

Finding Support During Pregnancy

Pregnancy has the potential to be a very emotional and stressful time. There are so many things to learn, to prepare, to accomplish and to arrange. You must deal with your changing body, your changing wardrobe, your changing job situation and your changing family. Your stomach is growing, your appetite is growing, your wash load is growing and your wallet is shrinking. There has never been a more important time to surround yourself with positive support. Where I found support when I was pregnant: My mom(s): My mom and my mother-in-law were both so supportive during my pregnancy. They took … Continue reading →