Ready to be Extremely Frugal?

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Everyone has clothes in their closet that they don't wear anymore. They are just taking up room in the closet. Each season I look at what is in my closet and anything that I haven't worn in the past year or so, or anything that no longer fits me, I take to a local consignment shop. Some shops also accept shoes, handbags and accessories. Then the money that I receive from the clothes I have taken to consignment, I can buy myself something new; or wait until the end of the current season and get some things on sale. I always buy on sale and/or with coupons. You can save a lot of money buy this way.

Linda of WA 11:27AM August 04, 2010

Buy summer clothes in August and winter clothes in February at ANY store for pennies. Styles hardly change at all in a few months.

Rode Hard of MO 12:41AM July 22, 2010

One way of saving and not getting in over your head in debt, not to buy anything that you really "Don't Need". Wanting something is one thing but needing it is another. How many pair of shoes or handbags do you really need. The lamp or cute chair, the blouse or dress that is a "fad" that will be out of style next year. Look at all the things you have in your home/apartment right now that you no longer use or the clothes in your closet that you no longer wear, things you bought because you wanted but really did not "need". So think about it, wise up, smart up.
Next and last, can you really afford the house that you are in without getting into debt. We all may want a home and just because you work do not mean that you can afford it. If you can not put aside enough money to cover all your bills incase something happens to you for 6 to 9 to nine months with ever touching that money you don't need a home/that house. Don't worry about your friends (keeping up with the "Jones")what they have because they are probable in over their head as well but will not tell you. If they have to borrow from you or you have to borrow from someone, you can't afford it and you "really don't need it".

Althea of PA 1:00PM June 30, 2010

If you find a really good sale on "forever" items, buy as many as you can. Forever meaning toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish detergent, etc...things that will never spoil and you will always need. I recently bought 40 packages of my wife's ONLY toilet paper for about 66% off. Have a nice stack in my utility room-480 rolls should last for a while! Also got the 5.99 laundry detergent for 1.99- 40 bottles, the store's limit. If you a great deal on things that will not spoil and you will always need, Clean 'em out!

Rink of VA 10:56PM June 29, 2010

I have been eating cold food - rice, fish, vegetables, soups, meats, pasta, bread, milk - even food straight from the refrigerator for several years. Aside from saving money on heating food and water, it's also good for the environment. The first time I did this, I didn't even get used to it. It's not so bad. I get the same nutrition and I also save time and effort. I eat for nutrition and energy, not for pleasure.
I don't drink coffee. If oyu drink coffee, why don't you try cold (room temperature) coffee.

Jojo 9:29PM June 29, 2010

Some things, like dogfood, you almost have to buy at a store... but for most everything else I shop at the thrift store. I am constantly amazed at how I pick up *brand new* skirts, some from Ann Taylor and other labels, that still have the tags on them for $50 - $100, and I just paid less than $5. (Am wearing that particular find as I type). Books are consistently less than $2 or even $0.50 for paperbacks. I recently picked up some really nice Calphalon pots - big and small and thick, in great shape, for less than $50 (for 5 or six, all but one came with lids and that one was a skillet).
I also grow my own cooking herbs, and recently have been browsing "Freecycle". So much amazing stuff available, slightly used, in my own neighborhood! And it is a great way to meet the neighbors. Another suggestion: Craigslist.

PH of MD 8:04PM June 29, 2010

You can still buy new if you shop the sales. Take Kohls for example. I have yet to pay full price for anything at Kohls. Just wait a while and it will be on sale. If you have a Kohls charge card, pay it off every month, you will get percent off coupons that are good on everythng. When they come along when a sale is on you save big time, plus Kohls has Kohls bucks which can lower your cost even more. Also if you are a senior shop on senior days. You get the sale price plus a senior discount however you can't combine the senior discount and percent off coupons. Watch all the stores for sales of 75% off and even more. Fifty percent is not uncommon. Why buy used when you can get new for the same price? Kohls isn't the only store to make such deals at. Sears has always been a "wait 'til it goes on sale store. Target is the same. The secret though is don't buy it just because it's on sale or on impulse. Buy it because you need it or it will make a great gift. Before you ask, no I'm not associated with Kohls in any way. They just happen to be one of my favorite stores. Plus they have several try on rooms and clean restrooms located at the easy to find customer service center.

Fred of MN 5:35PM June 29, 2010

Although going extra-frugal is always a good idea, most of these ideas won't really work. Giving up the refrigerator is actually a bad idea -- especially in hot climates like the Southwest. Unless you want to shop every single day for perishables, which of course takes way more time and energy, refrigerated foods keep longer, you can buy in bulk, rewrap for meal-size portions and freeze, and are just plain healthier in that you don't have to worry about your food spoiling and making you sick. Just purchase an Energy Star-rated one and keep it full so as to reduce electric use.
If you don't live where public transportation is reliable or even available, giving up your car won't work either -- although sharing may be workable.
You're a lot better off planning your meals, buying in bulk during sales, storing them safely, purchasing mostly used clothing and other items, reducing spot purchases, paying off all your bills [mortgage included!] and other ways of being frugal.

Deb of AZ 11:19AM June 29, 2010

While these are extreme cases, they do tend to get the minds salivary gland kicked in. These ideas should invoke thoughts about where we spend money, and the money we lose by taking conveniences for granted.

David S. of SC 6:25AM June 22, 2010

While these are extreme cases, they do tend to get the minds salivary gland kicked in. These ideas should invoke thoughts about where we spend money, and th

of 6:25AM June 22, 2010