Wishing You a Fabulously Frugal Holiday Season!

Thanks to all the Frugal Club members for another wonderful year of fabulously frugal idea sharing and camaraderie! We've welcomed new faces, been featured in presentations as an award-winning best-practice concept, shared some really great frugal finds and made a few new frugal friends along the way.

At the last meeting of this year, a cookie swap held on Monday, December 6, a small crowd gathered to share holiday-inspired frugal ideas, eggnog, and, best of all, COOKIES! Thanks to all who attended! Next year, perhaps we'll revisit our "re-gifting" party and perhaps have a frugal potluck, too!

Until then, here are a few frugal tips, tricks, and ideas to carry you through the new year!

• For those getting ready to purchase text books for the spring semester, be sure to check out these two sites (and get info from your pals regarding their successful purchases as there are many new options available including “renting” textbooks!): http://www.half.ebay.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/New-Used-Textbooks-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=465600

• Tracy shared some info regarding a really great newsletter, Debt Proof Living, forwarded to her each month by a relative. Tracy kindly forwarded me a copy of the PDF which I've emailed to the club. If you don't receive a copy, send me a request and I'll be happy to email it again and THANKS, TRACY!

• Regarding the stress often resulting from an over-indulgent holiday season: Something I didn’t share at the meeting but keep hearing about regarding-- Be mindful of your frugal spending this holiday season. Sometimes, our best intentions lead us astray…in the search for the best of the bargains, we may find ourselves purchasing items we really don’t need, but feel we must purchase because of the incredible savings. Do yourself a favor and keep your holiday shopping in-check by having a shopping buddy. When you can’t quite decide if your frugal purchase is an impulse buy, check-in with your pal and get a second opinion. Doing this may very well quell that post-holiday shopping guilt…
  

• Another tip I recently heard on a morning news program (Fox 51, Orlando): Be weary of stocking stuffing bleeding the stuffing dry from your wallet! Consider that you are filling 4 holiday stockings and have amassed a small (and, of course, frugal) mountain of items to “stuff” them with over the last several weeks. We rarely sit down and calculate those items we’ve gathered because they are usually very small-ticket purchases and bought over a considerable time-span. However, you may be shocked when you start adding up that nickel and diming and discover that you’ve racked up anywhere from $30-50 worth of goodies for each, totaling well over $100, just for stockings-and that’s if you are only stuffing 4! A frugal alternative is to stock up on stocking stuffers year-round by saving all those freebie items you get from bargain purchases at pharmacy stores like free battery-operated toothbrushes and free razors and other higher-end cosmetics and personal items and save them as stocking stuffers that have a real use. Many of those stores offer rebates that make items free after initial purchase and value dollars for future purchases. So, when you find yourself at the cash register, try using those savings on the purchases and stuff your holiday stocking with frugal goodies instead!

• Be sure to join (sign-up via email or “like/friend/fan” on Facebook) all those coupon clubs for your favorite retailers for the best coupons and pre-public release deals. Local frugal foodie favorites include Mimi’s (I received some really great buy one get one free coupons and free muffins with purchase coupons this month!) and Chili’s! In addition, retailers like Beall’s, DSW, and many others send extra shopping incentives out during the holidays which could help make that perfect holiday purchase fabulously frugal!

• Be on the look out for one-day deals this holiday season! Many stores (both online and brick and mortar) are offering really competitive "one-day" bargains so search out the web and find the site that offers your preferred links. Here's a local one I found courtesy of Fox 51, Orlando (www.myfoxorlando.com): http://www.myfoxorlando.com/subindex/mornings/deal_of_day

Thanks again to all of our frugal friends and followers and to one and all, I send best wishes for bargain savvy shopping, a fabulously frugal holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

Be well and spend wisely!

C.F.

PS - A Frugal Club meeting schedule for 2011 will be provided as soon as possible after the New Year!

How Frugal Are You?

Check out this story about a frugal adventurer eating on only a dollar-a-day!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/08/21/nr.eating.on.dollar.a.day.cnn?hpt=C2

Frugal Meeting Reminder!

Frugal Pals- don’t forget!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 24, the Frugal Club will meet in Building 5- 203 from noon-1:00 p.m. Thanks to Frugal Pal, Amber’s great suggestion, tomorrow we’ll have a health & beauty swap. Be sure to bring in your gently loved, slightly tested, extra, and unwanted lotions, potions, and other good stuff to share. So, grab your lunch and your goodies to swap and join us!

We look forward to seeing you there!

!!Note: a frugal club member is looking for a crib for her sister’s soon to be here newborn! If you have one (or know of one) for sale, barter, or for free -and it’s not on a recall list, let me know and I’ll connect you!

June/July Frugal Update

Hey, Frugal Pals!

Here's a few cool tips, tricks, and websites to help you make it through the sweltering heat this summer! As always, your feedback is welcomed and encouraged. Hope to see you all at the next Frugal Club meeting/health and beauty swap on August 24, noon-1 p.m. in 5-203.

• Want free samples, great advice, shopping tips, and news about "enjoying life for less?" Visit http://www.allyou.com/for details. Don't miss the "Coupons and Deals" link on the top menu bar and be sure to click on the "Free Samples and Giveaways" button (top right) for some great freebies and chances to win big! To date, I've ordered (and received) free samples of everything from deodorants to dog treats and toilet paper to candy bars! Note that on the freebie calendar, you can select any date, current or past, and opt to order that freebie-as long as the item is still available. So, no worries, if you can't check daily! You can also sign up for a free trial of their print magazine, bursting at the seams with frugal tips and coupons. Last but not least, be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and visit some of their great partner sites!
• For Frugal Club members looking to order magazines for themselves or as gifts for others this holiday season, check out the deep discounts available at http://subscribe.hearstmags.com/circulation/shared/index.htmlMagazines make a great gift-item for that hard-to-buy-for friend or relative and with these discounts, it's even more affordable! I took advantage and saved over $200 off the cover price. And, once I've read them, I share with friends, family, and of course, trade them my Frugal Pals!!
• Have fork, will travel! For the Frugal Foodie: Check out http://www.restaurant.com for discount gift certificates for local and big city eateries. This is a great tool if you are planning on traveling to a bigger city (as local deals are a bit limited) and want to save a few bucks on dining out. Note that most discounted gift cards require you to spend a certain amount while dining and may also only be valid during specified times-this could be a frugal option when splitting the check with friends and family! Read the fine print, then grab a fork and chow down (with a discount card- that is)!
• Here's a great blog to check out- the author does a great job scouring the web for deals and frugal tips! http://couponcravings.com/
• Planning a last minute trip in the Sunshine Sate? Before you head north, take a look around http://www.visitflorida.com for great savings under the Florida sun! The site is full of tips and ideas for Florida tourism and includes great discounts and special offers!
• Traveling to Georgia soon? Check out http://www.exploregeorgia.org/SpecialOffers for great discounts on prime destinations: from big cities, to mountain cabins, great beaches, and everything in between. Sweepstakes are also available for everything from designing your dream vacation to entering your best travel photo! Explore Georgia, today!

Meeting Updates: May 18th

Small crowd today; however, the savvy saving tips shared were plentiful!

The following is an overview of the websites and info shared today. Be sure to click on the links for additional info and provide feedback via the "comments" section to share your successes or issues with the savings tips and info offered.

Please note: No compensation was provided in exchange for the reviews or recommendations offered in this article or any posting by this author on this blog.

Personal Finance (thanks to our very own frugal personal finance goddess, Cara!):

www.daveramsey.com Learn how to get your personal finances on track-for life! Check out Dave Ramsey, finance guru and TV personality for classes (2 local sessions available for fee) and other information on getting your wealth in order-for good. Cara and scores of others swear by Dave's sage financial advice. He offers tips on everything from mortgages to retirement and everything in between and has helpful books and workbooks to teach you his tricks and manage your money with savvy success!

www.bargaineering.com Want to learn more about your own personal finance including tips on how your credit score works, how to plan and save for college, how a mortgage works, what's the best insurance for you and much, much more? Check out this great site overflowing with great articles on finance in precise and easy to read language.

http://cashmoneylife.com/ Need to sell a large ticket item, like a car, on Craigslist? Is a flexible spending account the best health plan option for you? Is an IRA, and which kind, a good investment plan for you? Which is better, Netflix or Blockbuster? Get answers and recommendations on these questions and much more on this great site with your personal finances in mind. Also available is a great breakdown of the services offered by finance guru Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University program.

Coupon Sites and Retail Bargains Galore:

http://www.couponcabin.com/ Check out this site for free coupons, online coupon codes and promotional codes from your favorite retailers. Works very similar to http://www.retailmenot.com/ except this site takes you directly to the retailer website and plugs in your discount, thus saving you the "cut & paste" step. Check it out and start saving today!

http://ritzpix.com/ Cara shared this great site which had a great free promotion valid for today only. Upload your photos and receive a FREE 4x4 hardcover photo book, pay only $1.99 in shipping or for one-hour processing for in-store pickup. Watch this site for future bargains and snap, click, and save!

http://www.smartbargains.com/ For all the savvy Internet shoppers, check out this site for great bargains on everything under your roof... Deep discount items include everything from couture to cutlery and everything in between. Sign-up for their e-updates and join the Smartshopper club and get even more bargains emailed right to you. My bargain for today was a special "private room" sale event lasting until midnight tonight!

http://www.overstock.com/ On a recent Internet shopping exploration for a sofa, I was elated to find the perfect fit for my space right here! I read the specs, reviews, placed in my cart and ordered in a matter of minutes. The sofa arrived via freight liner in two large boxes only 2 days later- with a shipping fee of only....wait for it.... $3.95. Yep, four bucks! Amazing bargains are had here and I'm a long-time shopper. Check it out and start saving today!

http://www.llbean.com/ This quality brand clothier is offering free shipping on orders over $75 through May 25. Check out their monogrammed boat tote bags for the best-ever carry-all!

http://www.target.com/ For the price conscience beauty connoisseur: this week, our local Target store has select L'Oreal hair color on promotion, while supplies last. Buy 2 at the regular price and receive a $5 Target gift card! And don't forget to check out the bulls eye online for great items not stocked in stores.

Are you a drugstore frugalista? According to Kelly, awesome bargains are ripe for the pickin' at your local CVS Pharmacy. Check out their rewards programs and save up your savings dollars. On a recent shopping trip, she combined her special rewards bucks, retail coupons, and in-store sales and saved over $30 on products she uses everyday like laundry detergent and personal care items! Try it out and tell us about your frugal savings adventures!


Savvy Dining Tips:

Check out your favorite restaurant online and sign-up for their e-newsletters and fan clubs in exchange for really great members-only coupon offers. Here are just a few examples:

http://www.rubytuesday.com/
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
http://www.chilis.com/
http://www.olivegarden.com/
http://www.papajohns.com/
http://www.quiznos.com/


Local dining promotions:

Craving a frugal feast for lunch? Visit your neighborhood Chili's now thru May 23 for a great deal. For only $5.99 get unlimited refills on chips, salsa and your choice of soup and salad!

Turn up the heat on your frugal dining out: Check out http://www.getspicychicken.com/ on Monday, May 24th to reserve your FREE premiere tasting of Chick-fil-A's new spicy chicken sandwich. Mark your calendars and be the first to feel the burn!


That's it for this meeting... thanks to all in attendance today for the great ideas and info shared!!

See you next month!

Meeting Reminder: Tuesday, May 18th!!

Don't forget: The Frugal Club meets on Tuesday, May 18th in Bldg. 5 on campus at noon. Join us and share your frugal ideas, tips, and tricks and maybe learn a few new savvy saving secrets along the way! Hope to see you there!

Meeting Updates:

Tuesday, April 20th Meeting:

Frugal pal Kelly shared her experience at the “Extreme Couponing” workshop, sponsored by “Southern Savers." More info available at http://www.southernsavers.com/. Highlights of the workshop included coupon ethics, local coupon policies, understanding bar codes, shelf life/refrigerator life, & freezer life of specific products, and the anatomy of coupons – all of which she says we can read about on the WEB site. Let us know what you think and if you attend a workshop, be sure to share your savvy spending experience with the club!

Kelly also shared that the “All You” magazine, sold only at Walmart stores, includes on the inside front cover a directory of coupon locations in the issue and a “monthly value” that reflects the total of all the coupons contained in that issue. Aprils total was $81.55! More info is available on the magazine at http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid7886.aspx Check it out and share your success stories!


April Frugal Club tips:

Want some free music?
In honor of the Kokua Hawaiian Festival and in Celebration of Earth Day 2010, get a free tune from Stonyfield Farm: http://www.facebook.com/stonyfieldfarm?v=app_11007063052#!/stonyfieldfarm?v=app_4949752878 ** Free MP3 still available as of 5/17/2010!! Get your free-tune today!


Dining out on a budget?
For my savvy spending pals, here’s a great website that includes a comprehensive linked list to most major restaurant chains, provide details on current specials and promotions at national chains, and allows for feedback regarding the successful use of the different campaign offerings. A side note, for many of the national chains, you can sign-up for their e-newsletter and receive valuable coupons in exchange and still retain the right to “opt-out” of endless and annoying emails. http://www.eatdrinkdeals.com/

Check out this website for drastically reduced restaurant gift cards…they even include local establishments like the Uptown Grille and Lakis and would be very useful when traveling to a larger metropolitan area… http://www.restaurant.com/

Looking to start an edible garden this year? Then you might like this free gardening guide from seed-maker Burpee. (You’ll have to fill out a form to have the guide sent to you but, hey, it’s free!) **

**Thanks to the “Suddenly Frugal Blog” (http://www.suddenlyfrugal.com/ ) for these great tips and savings deals! It's a great site- check it out, too!

Enjoy!!

Meeting Reminder: We're back on schedule!

After a brief hiatus, the Frugal Club is back on schedule for meetings!

Please join us for the next Frugal Club Meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 12-1 p.m., Bldg.5, 2nd flr conference room.

Future monthly meetings are scheduled as follows (same location/time):

Tuesday, April 20th
Tuesday, May 18th
Tuesday, June 22nd

Along with your lunch, be sure to bring unwanted coupons (retail, local, grocery, etc.) to share, books, DVD's, and/or magazines you'd like to trade, your tips and tricks for frugal living, savvy saving, and stories of successes as well as ideas for upcoming meetings.

Is it that time again?
It's been a while since the Frugal Club hosted a "swap" meeting... With all the spring cleaning in the air, perhaps an upcoming meeting would be the perfect spot to help de-clutter your digs and offer a frugal pal some wonderful, previously adored stuff! Tell us what you think at the next meeting!

We hope to see all the savvy savers at upcoming meetings and, as always, if you have a fabulous tale of frugal success to share or just some really great penny-wise words of wisdom, send me an email and I'll be sure to post to the blog and share with all the Frugal Pals!

Meeting Reminder!

Please join us on January 26th, 12-1, Bldg. 5-2nd flr Conference Room, for the first Frugal Club meeting of 2010.

On the agenda: A meeting schedule- which would you prefer, meeting monthly or every other month?

Along with your lunch, be sure to bring unwanted coupons (grocery, retail, online, local, etc.) to share, magazines and/or books you'd like to trade, and your ideas for a frugal new year and future meetings!

Also, if you have a frugal success story, a bargain found, or just some fabulously frugal words of wisdom to share with the group, send me an email and I'll be sure to post your contribution on the blog!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, frugal pals!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and is ready to make 2010 fabulously frugal!

A meeting schedule will be posted very soon- so be sure to save the dates and come join us for frugal tips, bargain sharing, and much more. Also, be sure to email me any ideas you have for frugal meetings and we'll be sure to work them into the calendar. Past successes include clothing and accessory swaps, hobby swaps, cookie exchange, regifting exchange, and magazine sharing!

Here are a few frugal tips to help you get on your way to a wonderfully frugal new year:

1. As you're clearing out and packing up holiday decor, fumbling around the attic or in your storage locker, be sure to set aside things that you aren't so thrilled by any longer and donate them to the local charitable organizations like Goodwill...
2. Did you end up with 12 boxes of stuffing and 9 cans of green beans after the holidays. Don't throw them out! Instead, bag up this bounty and make a trip to your local food bank for a donation... your cabinets will be leaner and your heart happier by the good deed!
3. As you pull out the winter clothes and prepare for the chill in the air, set aside those warm clothing items that no longer fit your fancy. Your charitable donations of items such as winter jackets and sweaters (including that oh-so-sweet Christmas sweater knitted by crazy aunt Tilda that you absolutely NEVER wear) will warm the heart of someone in need... 01/06/2010: THE OCALA STAR BANNER JUST PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE DETAILING THE CURRENT CRITICAL NEED FOR WINTER CLOTHING FOR ALL AGES AND SIZES AND BLANKETS AT LOCAL SHELTERS DUE TO THE EXTREME CENTRAL FLORIDA TEMPERATURES! PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! http://www.ocala.com/article/20100106/ARTICLES/1061009/1402/NEWS?Title=Homeless-and-cold
4. Did you get duplicates of DVD's, books, or other items as holiday gifts and can't return them? Perhaps another frugal pal in the same predicament has something you'd like in exchange. Mention it at the next meeting and perhaps a deal can be made!
5. Think frugally, act globally and locally: We are all feeling the pinch as consumer costs continue to rise while everything else seems to keep falling, so do your part to help lower everone's bottom line. Make it a resolution to take a resuseable shopping bag with you EVERYTIME you shop. Some merchants, inlcuding Target and Mother Earth offer a small $ incentive for bringing your bags and we all know how just a few pennies can add up! So, save a tree, save a landfill, and save a few cents, by being a sensible shopper!
6. Lastly, as we all begin to manage the plethora of resolutions we've assigned ourselves for 2010, be sure to include keeping yourself, especially your health, a priority! Impulse shopping without lists and coupons, pricey fast food instead of mindful meals at home, and being disorganized are all sure-fire ways to start out the new year with a thud and increase unhealthy stress. So, think frugally and be good to you...get planning, get moving, get saving, and make 2010 your year!