The Frugal Five #1
August 20th, 2005 | by mbhunter |
All right, I’m a little short on frugal tip submissions (actually, I haven’t gotten any via e-mail yet!) so I’ll start off by digging some out of the forum and poking around the web for some others:
- Get Exercise On Your Dates Rather Than Drive — Instead of a typical date, try getting some exercise together. You can leave the car and head out on bikes, rollerblades or by foot for fun and save the cost of driving. [InexpensiveDating.com]
- Keep a Driving Record When Donating To Charities — Keep track of the miles you drive when volunteering time or donating goods to charity. If you file an itemized deduction on your federal tax return, you can deduct the miles you drive for the charity as well. [CharityClickDonation.com]
- Travel During Non Rush Hour Periods — Try to avoid driving during rush hour periods when you know traffic will be heavy. It’s better to get up an hour early to miss the traffic and save money on gas. If you do find yourself in stop and go traffic, try to maintain a crawl. [JustOneSpin.com]
- Tip for reducing food costs — Looking to reduce your grocery bills? Here is one good piece of advice: don’t shop for groceries on an empty stomach. Being hungry in a grocery store can lead to impulsive purchases. So make sure to eat before you go food shopping! [Posted August 12th on SoundMoneyTips.com]
- Sit and read at Borders or Barnes & Noble — Get there early and get one of those cushy chairs. Spend some time reading — try a new novel, or learn something new. Just don’t get tempted by the cafe! Most of these bookstores won’t mind if you bring in a thermos of coffee — I’ve done it without any trouble. You don’t have to buy a thing. [Posted here August 17th at HelloDollar.com]
Well there you go! Send your frugal tips to frugalfive AT mightybargainhunter DOT com and I’ll include them with a link to your site!
4 Responses to “The Frugal Five #1”
By The Cheap Bastard on Aug 22, 2005 | Reply
Thanks for those tips. Tips 1, 2 and 3 are ones that I have never considered.
By mbhunter on Aug 22, 2005 | Reply
Hey CB –
Glad you enjoyed the tips! There are more in the forum (Main Page –> Forum in the @ MBH.com section) or just go to the “Tips” section.
By Greg on Aug 22, 2005 | Reply
Tip for saving money on groceries: Make a weekly menu and purchase only what is needed to prepare those meals. This takes an investment of time, but will significantly reduce the amount of food that spoils before it is eaten. This approach is great for families that sit down for a meal together. This can also save on lunch expenses as prepared evening meals regularly provide left-overs for lunches. When was the last time you saw a work place without a microwave? Be sure to include some creature comforts when you make your list, but look for ways to save on any item.
By mbhunter on Aug 23, 2005 | Reply
Thanks for the tips Greg! If you want me to post a link to your website in the next FF then email your website address to frugalfive AT mightybargainhunter DOT com.