Jemblog » Cheapskate Tip

10 simple ways to live frugally

CP — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:44:13 +0000

By Peggy Mackenzie – 1. Don’t throw water down the drain: The water from our dehumidifier waters the garden and grass. We pitch leftover water from drinking glasses onto indoor plants.

2. Turn off the power for computers and televisions: We just started turning our power bars off at night and when away during the day starting in January. I’ve already seen a reduction on our hydro bill.

3. Use rags: Alf has a stash of rags that he uses for drying cars and household items. For years he refused to buy paper towels, and kept a supply of cloths on hand that he tossed in the laundry. Fellow librarian Astrid Lange uses cloth diapers for cleaning and never uses paper towels.

4. Reuse tinfoil: Tinfoil takes an enormous amount of energy to produce. It’s also a sturdy product. I wipe down tinfoil after using it to tent a roast beef, and use it again.

5. Hang laundry: Dryers emit an average of 1,763 pounds of carbon dioxide annually and use about 15 per cent of household appliance electricity consumption, according to Toronto Hydro. In the summer, we use a clothesline and our clothes smell wonderful and dry within hours. In the winter, I use clothes rods, a hanging rack, and an indoor clothesline. Besides cost savings, the advantage to hanging wet clothes is that it puts much-needed moisture into the air in my dry house and I don’t heat the driveway in winter.

6. Soap grafting: Admittedly, this won’t save a lot of money, but it’s the principle of not wasting that end piece! Grafting has become easier now that my family uses the basement shower. Moisture seems to be the culprit that makes grafting difficult. The soap bar in the photo is the seventh successful grafting in a row, not that I’m obsessive and counted.

7. Wash and dry milk bags: My family seldom buys baggies and never buys brown paper bags. Since the Toronto Star online archive began in 1986 there have been dozens of reader tips for reusing the litre bags, creating a tote bag was the oddest. I mainly use mine for packing lunches: sandwiches, fresh veggies, cookies, etc. or as freezer bags. In 25 years I have never had problems with food contamination. When used as a freezer bag, I throw it out after one use.

8. Bring lunch to work: Brown bagging (or milk bagging) your lunch saves a lot of money, and reduces waste, especially if there are four of you. I tell the kids that they can use their own money if they want to buy lunch. Not surprisingly, they choose to save their money and use our groceries.

9. Cleaning with vinegar: The cleaning staff at McMaster University in the late 1980s used a solution of vinegar and water for many tasks. I was one of them. At home, I mix 3:1 parts warm water to vinegar and clean mirrors, sinks, counters, and floors with it. So do Star librarians Astrid Lange and Tony Yeung.

10. Reusable containers: Why buy plastic wrap to cover food? Astrid uses Tupperware, Tony uses glass containers.

Cheapskate Tip – Gift Giving On A Budget

JemStar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:02:53 +0000

You don’t have to be cheap to give a cheap gift. There are hundreds of great gifts that can be purchased or made by hand for under $10. Try wrapping your gift with a pretty ribbon or put it in a nice basket or tin. For example, you can bake home made cookies and put them in a pretty tin with a hand written note of the recipe. There’s a thoughtful gift that is unique, tastes great (if you’re good at baking) and won’t break the bank. I know you’ve probably heard it before but it’s really true that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find that perfect gift for someone. Just be sure to put some time and thought into it and your gift will be well received.

Read the rest for more gift giving on a budget tips from our cheapskate tip experts…

Child’s artwork, framed
Journal with special inscription inside
Teacup with box of herbal tea
Deck of cards and book of card game rules
Collage of special photos
Home baked bread, include recipe
Craft supplies
Holiday serving bowl or platter
Decorative napkins and napkin rings
Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
Photo album, hand decorated is even better
Makeup tote
Prepaid photo developing envelopes
Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
Movie theater gift certificates
Board games
Note cards and book of stamps
Picture frames, buy them on sale!
Specialty cookbook
Collectible sports cards
Muffin mixes with muffin pan
Books, there are still a few for under $10
Nail polish kit
Pretty night shirt
Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
Video rental gift certificates
For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
Prepaid long distance phone cards
Small clock or radio
Pretty box for keepsakes
Colorful Post-It notepads
Christmas ornaments
Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief

JemBlog: Cheap Tip- Try Buying Used

JemStar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:02:00 +0000

With the economy in the state its in everyone should be cutting back as much as possible. Cutting back can actually be fun when you get creative with it.

Most of us are used to buying things brand new but how about looking for used first. Try sending an email to your friends and family before you hit the stores. Ask around and see if anyone is getting rid of the item you are looking to buy. You can also visit freecycle.org or craigslist.com.

Plus it’s summer -take advantage of the nice weather and look around at your local garage sales and thrift shops. A little extra work and you can find a great bargain.