Frugality

Frugality has definitely become cool. You can't turn around without bumping into articles and blogs and video news stories and what have you about how to be more frugal. In the last few days, two friends have let me know they've started blogs based on frugality - one on the food side, and the other on the fashion side. 

I've been a frugality bug for more years than I care to count. My husband calls me "the shopping commando," as I get such a kick out of finding bargains and stretching our consumer dollar. Over the years, I've acquired several books on frugality, including Amy Daczycyn's two volumes of Tightwad Gazettes, Living Lean off the Fat of the Land, and the like. 

With this economy hitting hard, I've been focusing more strongly on stretching dollars for food and miscellany. Here's some of my favorite tips. 

1. If you like to cook, buy spices in bulk. You'll use them, and generally they last longer than the folks who want you to toss them after six months would have you believe. I've been grabbing bay leaves from the same huge bottle for 15 years, and they're still fine & dandy.

2. When you roast a whole chicken, put an apple and/or an onion in the cavity. The drippings and produce flavor one another, and what's in the pan is quite tasty.

3. If you're not a gravy person (I'm not), save the pan drippings in a jar in the fridge when you roast a whole chicken or bake chicken parts. Use them when sauteing vegetable mixes. It adds a lot of flavor, and saves money on buying oil.

4. If you like broccoli, but don't really like the stems, buy broccoli crowns. Stems, however, are a great green veggie. Peel off the tough outer skin with a veggie peeler, cut off the woody bottom, and julienne or dice. Julienned broccoli stems are great steamed with julienned carrots, and the diced stems are wonderful in sautes or stir-fries.

5. Experiment with spices and herbs! They can really spark up the flavor of anything you make.

6. When milk goes sour, don't throw it out. Bake a loaf of bread! Sour milk's tangy flavor can perk up a loaf, and the sourness never shows.

7. Plastic grocery bags make great packing material when you're shipping something. 

8. If you can't join a buying club, do get those savings cards from grocery stores. Sometimes the buys are phenomenal. At one store, I saved a full 25% just by using their card. 

9. Land's End runs some great sales on their overstocks. Know what you need, know your sizes, and keep track of their sales and free shipping specials. 

10. Finally, time is money. Use a timer for chores you hate, instead of procrastinating. I like Flylady.net's idea that you can do anything in 15 minutes. and so keep timers in each bathroom and in the kitchen. I can wash a sinkful of dishes in 10 to 15 minutes. 

11. Use a timer to cook, as well. I do. Makes for better food, and less waste. 

12. The library! Take out books, movies and CD's. Most libraries will even let you reserve the materials online. Also, go to your local branch and read your favorite magazines. Saves on subscriptions.

13. If you live in an apartment building with a book exchange, use it. Get rid of paperbacks cluttering up your house, and bless your neighbors. If you see a book you like, read it and then put it back in the exchange place. 

14. Give reference books to charity. All that stuff's available on line, anyway, and you'll get a nice tax deduction. The only reference book I keep around is a thesaurus, because I like the process of actually looking up the words. It sparks a certain type of creativity that wouldn't emerge if I were using an online thesaurus.

15. Finally, know what you spend, use it to create a budget, and keep an eye on that budget! If you've never done a budget, don't worry - I'll hold your hand and tell you how to do it ... in my next post.