Frugal Living Tips & Tricks

Frugal Living

10 Frugal Heating Tips to Save Money This Winter

by Dana Zeliff on January 28, 20142014-01-28
in Frugal Living

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

{PIN IT}

Winter is in full swing and the cost of heating your home has been steadily increasing as temperatures plummet. We’re about to see a 2nd snow storm in a week which is practically unheard of in my area of VA!

If you’ve been watching your meter spin trying to keep up with the demand of frigid temperatures, follow these frugal heating tips and you can save big on your energy bill.

10 Frugal Heating Tips:

1. Turn your thermostat down a degree each day until you find your optimal temperature. You will likely be comfortable at a cooler temperature than you may think. You should save about 3 percent on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat. Can you tell a difference between 70 degrees and 67 degrees? I can’t!

2. If you’re not already on the budget plan for your utilities such as gas and electric, you should look into the option. The budget plan allows you to avoid seasonal fluctuations, so you don’t get a surprise bill one month and have your whole budget thrown off track. The monthly budget bill amount is based on an average of your usage.

3. Reverse your ceiling fans to run clockwise at a low speed to help push warm air down.

[Read more…]

2 comments

Thrifty Thursday: How to Set a Budget

by Dana Zeliff on January 27, 20142014-01-27
in Budget, Frugal Living

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Having a budget is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. As Dave Ramsey says, you need to make your money work for you. Once you know how much money you have coming in each month and how you’re spending that money, you can start to overhaul your finances.

So, how to do go about setting up a budget?

First, you need to know that the perfect budget doesn’t happen overnight. It takes, on average, three months to get a budget right for you and your lifestyle.

[Read more…]

4 comments

5 Easy Home Workout Routines Without Weights

by Dana Zeliff on January 6, 20142014-01-06
in Fitness, Frugal Living

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

{PIN IT}

There is no need to spend money on a gym membership as you have everything you need to get fit. One of the biggest fitness trends in 2014 is strength training without weights. Here are a few Home Workout Routines Without Weights that will help you drop the weight and get fit.

1. Planking. The plank works the entire front side of the body and helps to tone your muscles and works the core like no other exercise. Getting into the Plank position easy as you just lay down on the floor and then come up onto your forearms and toes. You can do this with or without shoes on. Create a straight line from your neck down to your feet and make sure your butt does not arch down and hold your stomach in engaging your core muscles. Keep this taunt plank position for 30 seconds, relax for 30 seconds and do it again 3 times. The goal is to be able to hold this for two minutes.

2. Burpees. This is one of the hardest exercises to do but will burn a ton of calories, plus it tones every muscle in your body. To begin, stand upright and then drop down to the ground into a push-up position. Do one push up and then bring your legs back to your body and then jump up with your arms reaching high into the sky, then come back down from the jump into a standing position. Can you believe that was just one rep? Start doing 3 sets of 5 burpees and when you are stronger do 3 sets of 10 burpees. Rest for a minute in between each set.

[Read more…]

1 Comment

January Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables

by Dana Zeliff on January 2, 20142014-01-02
in Frugal Living, Other Deals

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

November Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables

The best way to save money on Fruits & Vegetables is to buy what’s in season. Also, you’ll want to stock-up and freeze some for later use when you come across a good sale so that you can have a variety to choose from through-out the year.

Here’s what to look for on sale this month at your local Grocery Store and Farmers Markets:

FRUITS	VEGETABLES
Avocado Grapefruit Mandarins Navel oranges Tangerines Kiwi Pears Pomegranates	Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Chard Collards Kale Spinach

No Comments

Spotless Cleaning Planner

by Dana Zeliff on December 11, 20132013-12-11
in Frugal Living, Printables

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Need help getting your house ready for holiday guests? Take a look at this Spotless Cleaning Planner. There are 4 printables that you can download in pdf format HERE.

Your 4 Spotless Cleaning Planner Printables include:

Weekly Routine Planner
Weekly Chore List
Deep Clean Planner
Shop Items Planner

No Comments

Where to Trade-In/Sell Your Used iPad {& Other Electronics}

by Dana Zeliff on December 7, 20132013-12-07
in Frugal Living

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

(Pin It}

If you’re looking to upgrade your iPad or other tablet, a trade-in can help you save. Trade-in values will, of course, vary based on product and condition. You can answer questions on each site to help determine your trade-in value. Just keep in mind that all retailers specify that estimates can change once your product is accessed.

It looks like the best place to trade-in will be through Amazon.

I have provided a few price comparisons for your reference. However, these can change daily so only use the estimates listed as a guide!

Trade In or Sell Used iPad:

Apple: Accepts electronic equipment, including Apple iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC computers, and displays. You can get Apple Store Gift Card for your old equipment. Apple will also provide FREE shipping of your product.

Turn that iPhone, iPad, or computer — Mac or PC — you’re not using anymore into something brand new. Send it to us and we’ll determine if it qualifies for reuse. If it does, that means your device has monetary value that we’ll apply to an Apple Store Gift Card, which you can use for purchases at any Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. If your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC doesn’t qualify for reuse, we’ll recycle it responsibly at no cost to you.

iPad 1st Generation 16GB (good condition) estimate = $55 Gift Card
iPad 3rd Gen 16GB Wifi (good condition) estimate = $66 Gift Card

[Read more…]

No Comments

Alternative Wrapping Paper Ideas {4 Cheap Wrapping Paper Ideas}

by Dana Zeliff on November 18, 20132013-11-18
in Crafts, Frugal Living

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Purchasing wrapping paper at your local stores can be boring & expensive. It is the same wrapping paper that everyone else is buying and using. It allows little, if any, room for your own creativity and personality. Here are a few wrapping paper ideas that will allow you to step away from the norm and show your individuality.

Aluminum Foil – Use aluminum foil to wrap your gifts. This is a great way to wrap Christmas presents that will literally shine under the Christmas tree and in the stockings. When using foil to wrap presents, be sure that the shiny side is on the outside.

Newspaper – Wrap your gifts in newspaper. A fun way to wrap “over the hill” birthday presents is to use the obituaries. Baby shower gifts can be wrapped in the ads for baby items. Wrap presents for frugal friends with the coupon section of the local newspaper -just make sure the coupons are current.

Brown Paper Bags – Try wrapping presents in brown paper bags. Use your artistic abilities and draw pictures on the plain paper. If you don’t feel confident in your abilities as an artist, use stencils and stickers. If you have a flair for words, write a poem or a letter to the person you are giving the gift to. Perhaps add a note about a something the two of you shared in the past – perhaps a memorable birthday or other holiday you both shared.

Fabric – Use fabric to wrap presents. Create your own bows with ribbons that coordinate with the fabric. This is a wonderful way to wrap a baby gift. Housewarming gifts wrapped in gingham checks are a cute way to give a present. Wedding gifts wrapped in lace or satin will add a bit of flair to any present.

Stop buying boring wrapping paper and use these cheap wrapping paper ideas! There are so many better ways to wrap gifts other than following the crowd. Not only will your creativity and personality shine through, you can even save money!

What are you ideas for Cheap Wrapping Paper?

No Comments

10 Frugal Heating Tips to Save Money This Winter

{PIN IT}

10 Frugal Heating Tips:

Thrifty Thursday: How to Set a Budget

5 Easy Home Workout Routines Without Weights

{PIN IT}

January Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables

Spotless Cleaning Planner

Where to Trade-In/Sell Your Used iPad {& Other Electronics}

(Pin It}

Alternative Wrapping Paper Ideas {4 Cheap Wrapping Paper Ideas}

Categories

Join Me on Pinterest!

About The Coupon Challenge

Best of…