Frugal Life and Travel
Frugal Life and Travel Blog with site updates, money saving tips, thrifty news. Frugal life and travel is my nature. I’m putting this website together to share with you some of our frugal ways. Maybe I can help you cut your expenses and stretch your household income. I’d like to help you live well without busting your budget.
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Thifty Cleaning Tip
Use bicarbonate of soda (ordinary baking soda, usually comes in an orange box) as a gentle scouring agent to remove black scuffmarks from vinyl floors and shoes. It also removes crayon marks from walls and vinyl furniture.
Workers On Wheels Newsletter #1158
When go to events, we visit with the vendors. Ray had a table set up selling old-time hand crank telephones, horse tack, leather goods, and other miscellany. He was telling us about his friends who travel and what they do for work. His friend is a rodeo announcer. His friend's wife is a chiropractor. She works the rodeos, too. Cowboys getting thrown from bulls…certainly seems logical they'd be in pain and could use a chiropractic adjustment. But, the twist is that she works on the horses. We keep looking for more kinds of work RVers can do, and being an equine chiropractor is one we hadn't had on the list.
Money saving Tip - Satisfying Alternatives
Why do you like doing something? Is there something else that fits the bill, but is less expensive?
Example: You go out for breakfast every day. Is it because of the food? Or, is it because you want to get out of the house and socialize? If it's the latter, you can save a bundle without giving up the part of the activity you enjoy. Instead of going out to eat, just go out for coffee. You'll save the cost of the meal without giving up the socializing part of the outing.
Kitty Litter: Frugal Uses for Clay Litter that Go Beyond the Cat Box
Kitty litter is handy for all sorts of things that have nothing to do with cats. Clumping litter and the cheap, non-clumping clay litter absorb both odors and liquids. Here are some uses for it.
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Frugal Giftwrap Part 1: A Thrifty Alternative to Costly Wrapping Paper
Frugal giftwrap costs less than buying expensive squares of wrapping paper. With each frugal giftwrap in the list, you’ll find suggestions for embellishing and
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Frugal Clothing: Shop Smart and Take Care of Your Clothes
Frugal clothing shoppers find high quality classic pieces that last for years. Cheap, trendy, bargain fashions can also be frugal. As important as what clothes you buy is how you
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Macaroni and Cheese Meals Are Quick, Frugal, and Nutritious Convenience Foods
Macaroni and cheese meals are frugal wonders. Start with cheap mac and cheese, then add meat or vegetables. The results are nutritious, tasty, and homemade hot dishes. Both kids
Continue reading "Macaroni and Cheese Meals Are Quick, Frugal, and Nutritious Convenience Foods"
Frugal Donations: Giving Doesn't Have to Cost You Money
Frugal donations don't cost you a dime -- or a great deal of time. Donate your excess, your clutter, and even your garbage. Here are some of the things non-profits can use.
Continue reading "Frugal Donations: Giving Doesn't Have to Cost You Money"
Assorted Frugal Tips
A mix of frugal tips to help you save money on everyday life and on special travels. Use these thrifty hints to live better while spending less.
Frugal RV Travel: 10 Tips To Cut Your RV Travel Expenses
Frugal RV travel is among the least expensive vacation options. These 10 tips take advantage of being able to shop in different areas. They also show you how to make RVing less costly.
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Frugal Uses for Baking Soda: Replace Personal and Household Products with Soda
Frugal uses for baking soda from cars to carpets, feet to flowers. Soda substitutes for baking powder, expensive scrubs, deodorizers, cleaning supplies, and grooming products.
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Garage Sales: They’re Clearing Clutter So Expect Bargains At Yard Sales
Garage sales help people get rid of their clutter. For the frugal shopper, that means paying 70% or less of the new retail price. When you buy something at a yard sale you are helping
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Get Rid of Moles
Dump used cat litter down mole holes. They don't like the smell, either, and will leave.
Linen Closet Sachet
Fill a sachet bag with plain or scented litter and hang in your linen closet. While you are at it, tuck one into your sleeping bag. If you don't have sachet bags, an old sock will work just fine -- but it won't look as pretty.
Better Gardening
If your soil is too sandy and won't hold water, clay litter can help. Just mix some in before planting. Some sources say to do a 50/50 mix with good garden soil regular clay litter to keep moisture at the plants roots.
Save Wet Electronics
No guarantee that this will work, but it's a suggested way to save your wet cell phone, mp3 player, iPad, notebook, or other electronic device. You've probably heard that you can dry your electronics out by submerging them in dry rice. Clumping cat litter can work even better. Dry the device off as much as you can. Slip it into a sock or pillow case and tie (or rubber band) the top shut. You want to use something fabric that will breath, but that will keep the cat litter from actually touching the device. Put the fabric protected device into the middle of a bag of clean litter. Or, pour a two or three inch layer of the clean litter into a container, place the cloth protected device on top, and cover with another couple inches of litter. Either way, leave it for a couple of days and then check it. If you see any moisture on the screen, do not turn the device on. Instead, return it to the litter and let it dry for another day or so.
Keep Closed Spaces Fresh
Suitcases, file drawers, dresser drawers, storage trunks and other small spaces won't get that musty smell if you keep them dry. Here again, kitty litter's absorbency does the trick.
Prevent Mold and Mildew
Put out containers of cat litter to take the moister out of the air in closets, store rooms, and camping trailers.
Provide Traction on Ice
A sprinkle of regular clay litter on icy sidewalks provides a bit of traction. It's also a good idea to keep a bag in your vehicle. If you get stuck, it may provide enough traction to help you get out.
Preserve Cut Flowers
Place your cut flowers on a thick layer of cat litter. Gently fill in around them with clay litter, covering the flowers. Leave it sit for a few days to dry, then gently remove the preserved blossoms.
Clean-up Spilled Oil
Generously sprinkle spilled oil with regular clay cat litter. Let it sit for a bit and then sweep it up. You may need to repeat a few times.
Prevent Grilling Grease Fires
Spread a layer of regular clay litter inside your BBQ grill. It absorbs grease that drips out as you cook.
Freshen Stinky Shoes
Take a couple of old socks. Put about a half cup of fresh kitty litter into each one. Tie the tops shut or put rubber bands around the top to keep them shut. Stick one of the socks into each shoe. Let them sit overnight. The litter should absorb the moisture and odor. Pop the socks into the shoes whenever you aren't wearing them and they should continue to smell fresh.
Macaroni and Cheese Meals Are Quick, Frugal, and Nutritious Convenience Foods
Macaroni and cheese meals are frugal wonders. Start with cheap mac and cheese, then add meat or vegetables. The results are nutritious, tasty, and homemade hot dishes. Both kids and adults like them!
Continue reading "Macaroni and Cheese Meals Are Quick, Frugal, and Nutritious Convenience Foods"
Tip - Frugal Donations for Schools
Schools and other non-profits can use office, art, and school supplies. They can also use holiday decorations. Craft supplies, especially those found in nature, such as seedpods and seashells are useful frugal donations.
Thrifty Living Tip - Charitable Donations
For one-stop-takes-all donations, look to thrift shops run by non-profit organizations. Churches, animal shelters, recovery programs, and other not-for-profit organizations run second hand stores. The money they raise from sales supports their programs. Some accept only wearable clothing and baby items. But, many accept most anything that is in good repair and saleable. Some even accept stained and badly worn clothing to sell for rags and rug making. If you can’t take your frugal donations to the store or drop-off points, the charity may be able to pick it up for you.
Thrifty Life Tip - Frugal Donations
Schools collect labels from Campbell’s soup and other Campbell’s products for the "Labels for Education" program. Campbell’s makes a variety of brands so check the labels. The schools can redeem the labels for supplies and equipment.
Frugal Life Tip - Frugal Donations
Libraries welcome books and videos. They add new titles to their collections. Older ones are used items in their fund raising sales.
Frugal Life Tip - Cutting Produce Costs
Grow sprouts. Mung bean sprouts are easy to start with. A couple tablespoons of bean seeds makes a good size jar full of bean sprouts to use in stir fries, soups, chop sueys, and other mixed vegetable dishes.
Frugal Life Tip - Cut Flower Preservation
Keep cut flower fresh longer. Add about a teaspoon of baking soda for each quart of water in the vase.
Frugal Living Baking Tip
Use baking soda to make a baking powder substitute to use in baked goods for leavening. You can find all sorts of recipes for baking powder that include baking soda. Most of them include cream of tarter. A simple one is to use one part baking soda and two parts cream of tarter. For example, instead of using 1 teaspoon baking powder, use 1/3 teaspoon baking soda and 2/3 teaspoon cream of tarter. Baking soda needs something acidic to make it react and the cream of tarter is acidic.
Frugal Cleaning Tip - Baking Soda
Add a spoonful of baking sode to dishwater. It softens the water. The dishes come clean with less scrubbing. Be careful when handling the dishes; they become slippery.
Frugal Life Tip - Cheap Toothpaste, Recommeded by Dental Hygienist
My dental hygienist recommends using a baking soda and peroxide paste instead of regular toothpaste. I put a bit (maybe 1/2 a teaspoon) of soda in my palm, add a couple drops of peroxide, mix with my toothbrush, and brush immediately.
Frugal Tip - Personal Hygiene
Use baking soda or cornstarch as an underarm deodorant. Apply with a clean powder puff or shaving cream brush.
Frugal Life Pet Tip
Sprinkle a layer of regular baking soda in the bottom of the cat’s litter box. It absorbs smells.
Frugal Life Tip - Cheap Cleaning
Use cheap baking soda as a bathroom cleaner. Add a cup to the toilet, let sit for an hour or so, swish, and flush. I use it to scrub porcelain and plastic tubs, toilets, sinks, and showers. Mix a tablespoon or so into a spray bottle and use for cleaning counter tops, mirrors, and walls.
Thrity Living Tip - Soothing Baking Soda Bath
Add a cup of soda to bathwater to soften skin, relieve the itch from insect bites, and to relieve sunburn pain. It will also prevent a bathtub ring.
Frugal Life Tip - Antacid
Ordinary baking soda is an effective antacid. This is a traditional use long before the expensive pills and chalky liquids became popular. The directions are on the box.
Frugal Life Food Savings Tip - Thrifty Ground Beef
Get the family pack of ground beef. Fry up hamburgers patties one night for dinner. Fry the rest of the burger, breaking it up into pieces as you do. You can keep clean-up to a minimum by using the same pan for both. The scrambled beef is good to use casseroles, tacos, chili, etc.
Eat Fruit - Not Candy
Eat fresh produce. Fresh fruit has the reputation for being expensive. It really is not. Compared it to other snacks. It's a nutritional bargain, of course. But, even when comparing just the monetary cost, a piece of fruit is typically less than a candy bar.
Frugal Cleaning Tip
Use baking soda as a bathroom cleaner. Add a cup to the toilet, let sit for an hour or so, swish, and flush. I use it to scrub porcelain and plastic tubs, toilets, sinks, and showers. Mix a tablespoon or so into a spray bottle and use for cleaning counter tops, mirrors, and walls.
Thrifty Travel Tip - Lodging - Same Locale, Differing Costs
Don't assume motels have similar prices to one another just because they are in the same area. It can be over a $100 per night difference between one motel and the next, with very little difference in location or amenities. Two neighboring campgrounds can have vastly different prices from one another, also.
Frugal Donations: Giving Doesn't Have to Cost You Money
Frugal donations don't cost you a dime -- or a great deal of time. Donate your excess, your clutter, and even your garbage. Here are some of the things non-profits can use.
Continue reading "Frugal Donations: Giving Doesn't Have to Cost You Money"
Frugal Life - Thrifty Cooking Tip
I use baking soda with an acidic food instead of baking powder to leaven baked goods. For 1 teaspoon of baking power, I substitute 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and change the recipe so it includes at least 1/2 cup acidic food. An easy way to do this is to substitute buttermilk for regular milk. Or, to add a splash of lemon juice to whatever liquid the recipe calls for. Wonderful for pancakes!
Thrifty Cleaning Tip
Use baking soda or table salt to scour pots, pans, and casserole dishes. Both are mildly abrasive. They remove baked on foods and grease.
Thifty Furniture and Carpet Cleaner
Dry clean upholstered furniture and carpets with ordinary bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle the baking soda over the fabric and gently brush it in. For carpets, brush it in with a broom. Let it sit for an hour or overnight. Then vacuum. It removes odors, body oils, and general grime.
