Frugal Life and Travel

Frugal Life and Travel Blog with site updates, money saving tips, thrifty news.

Save on Your Emergency Road Service

Assorted Frugal Tips

Still more frugal tips to help you save money on everyday life and on special travels. Use these thrifty hints to live better while spending less.

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Cheap Copies

How do I make cheap copies on my copier? The ink cartridges are so expensive to buy. The ones I need never go on sale. Do the refilled ones work ok? Do

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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.

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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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The Frugal Life and Travel Times: Subscribe to Your Free Newsletter

The Frugal Life and Travel Times is the official newsletter of frugal-life-and-travel.com. It's an e-zine - we send it to you by email. It's free. Subscribe now so you don't miss out.

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Frugal Life and Travel Questions

A place to ask questions about frugal life and travel. Being thrifty doesn't come natural to everyone. Ask what you need to know and we may be able to help.

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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 and adults like them!

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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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Hang Those Wet Clothes to Dry

Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the electric or gas clothes dryer. If you live where rules and weather permit, hang them outside to dry. If your homeowner's association or the campground where you are staying doesn't allow outdoor clotheslines, you can still hang them to dry inside. A shower curtain rod installed inside the bath or shower makes a good drying spot, as you don't have to worry about dripping water. If you live in a low humidity area, this gives you the added benefit of adding moisture to your air. If you live in a high humidity area, running a fan some will help remove excess moisture from the air and be much cheaper than running your dryer.

Don't Pack It

When you travel by plane, instead of taking everything that you'll need during your trip with you, wait and buy it after you arrive at your destination. Especially the inexpensive, heavy, or bulky stuff.It can save you the fees from checking bags. It can save you the hassle of lugging a large suitcase around. It can lighten the load of your carry-ons.

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.

All Natural Frugal Baked Bread Room Freshener

Bake home-made bread to give your entire home a wonderful aroma. It's much better than room sprays, candles with artificial fragrances, or the chemical based plug-in deodorizers.

The freshly baked bread to eat is a bonus!

Don't Pack It

When you travel by plane, instead of taking everything that you'll need during your trip with you, wait and buy it after you arrive at your destination. Especially the inexpensive, heavy, or bulky stuff.

It can save you the fees from checking bags. It can save you the hassle of lugging a large suitcase around. It can lighten the load of your carry-ons.

Free College Offerings

Colleges offer many free events and activities to the public. Some of the free events you may find are poetry readings, plays, concerts and art exhibits. Colleges also have wonderful, often air conditioned libraries. You may find the pool, weight rooms, and other physical fitness areas open to the public at specified times. You may also be able to audit classes at no cost.

Money Saving Tip of the Day:

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.

Bake Sales

Patronize the bake sales put on for charitable causes. You donate to the cause. You usually get delicious home baked goodies in return. If you are traveling, it is an excellent way to sample regional specialties.

We bought a small loaf of date nut bread at a recent bake sale. Bob and I shared it as our breakfast. So, for $1.75 we had a tasty, homemade breakfast. Frugal indeed!

Frugal Life and Travel Tip of the Day: Fresh As Spring Suitcases

Put a bar of soap in your suitcases to keep them smelling fresh and clean. Just unwrap the soap and put it in your suitcase before you store it. It keeps away that musty odor. There's no expense and no waste -- when the soap starts to lose its fragrance, use it for its intended purpose and put a fresh one in the suitcase.

Frugal Life and Travel Quote of the Day

Economy is the art of making the most of life. ~ George Bernard Shaw

The Out of State Store Bag Makes a Unique Gift Bag

When you buy gifts while traveling out of state, the bag the store puts your purchase in may add to the uniqueness of the gift. This won't work if you buy the gift at a chain store that has an outlet near where you live. But, if you are shopping at stores that are limited to the state where you are visiting, or that have a local motif on them, they can be used as the gift wrapping.

Use Shower Curtains for Window Curtains or Drapes

Pretty shower curtains make inexpensive curtains or drapes for large windows. If you haven't been to the bath accessories section of your store lately, and you think of shower curtains as cheap looking plastic things, you're in for a pleasant surprise. You'll find many fabric shower curtains designed to go over the top plastic or vinyl liner. It's these outer ones that come in lace, hunting lodge motifs, floral prints, stripes, and many other patterns. The fabric range from delicate to substantial. They are already hemmed and have grommet holes curtain hooks or a curtain rod.

Shampoo Gets Rid of Ring Around the Collar

Ring around the collar? It's caused by the same body oils that make your hair greasy. So, clean them the same way. Shampoo is also good for spot treating other greasy stains on your clothing, whether it's spilled gravy on the front of shirt or mechanics grease on the sleeves. Buy the cheap brand of shampoo for this, or use up some that you bought to wash your hair with and didn't like, or use those little bottles that you brought home from the motel.

Use Community Coupon Books

Last night we went out to dinner with another couple to a local Mexican restaurant. While all four of us had similarly priced meals, one couple paid twice as much as the other. The reason/ One couple used a buy-one-get-one-free coupon.

We have a thick book full of these coupons. Many are for restaurants, but some are for tourist attractions and others are for local services. We only need to use two or three coupons out of the book to pay for it. Beyond that, we are saving.

Use Coffee Filters Instead of Paper Plates

Serve sandwiches, tacos, chips, cookies, cake and other non-wet foods on coffee filters. Coffee filters are cheaper than paper plates.

If the food is something that you hold the entire thing while eating it, use the coffee filter as a combination napkin and paper plate. The filter will help keep it together and help to keep your hands clean. To visualize this, think of the paper wrapper that comes on some fast food burgers.

2012 Day Planner - Start the New Year Right!

Start the new year off organized -- and keep it that way -- with a daily calendar. I've got a 2012 At-a-Glance 24 Hour Professional Appointments calendar day planner for sale. Ordered from At-a-Glance, these cost about $50. We have the one in the store marked at only $9.99.

Save with the Good Sam Travel Benefits

Happy New Year Frugal Friends

Happy New Year! Here's wishing you a wonderful 2012 filled with peace, joy, happiness, and good health -- along with bargains, good thrifting, great finds, and much savings.

Merry Christmas!

May the joy and peace of Christmas be in your heart and home this weekend and throughout the coming new year. Merry Christmas from Coleen and Bob at frugal-life-and-travel.com.

Frugal Gifts -- Superior Quality and Value

The most frugal gifts you can give are those that people will use and enjoy. I suggest Watkins products because they are things everyone uses, they are top quality, they are an excellent value, and they offer a bit of luxury. Natural skin care, including natural baby care products. Natural flavorings such as pure peppermint extract and purest ground cinnamon. Natural pain relief liniments and old time first aid salves that people like and use because they work (100% guaranteed) and because they bring back memories of how Grandma or Grandma used them. You can order online and have them shipped to you or to the person you are giving the gift to. Gift certificates are available, too.

Click for more info

Hot Shopping Trend: Dollar Stores

Remember when shopping at the dollar store was something uppity people snubbed their noses at doing? Well, seems that dollar store shopping is now the "in" think. Frugal friends, you were ahead of the times!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope that you have many blessings to count and much to be grateful for today.

Frugal Travel Tip - Skip the New Shoes

A traveler's worst enemy can be a new pair of shoes. Save your money and wear a pair that you've already broken in and that you know are comfortable. You'll also save yourself from pain and the expense of buying things to soothe those aching tootsies. And, if you are wearing comfortable shoes, you may decide to walk instead of taking a taxi, saving even more.

Frugal Life and Travel Tip - Log Your Travels

Keep a small notebook or calendar in your car to log your daily travels. Keep track of beginning and ending mileage, where you went, and why. It can come in handy when you need to know when you ran an errand, when you had service work done, what mileage was business related, etc.

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.

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Sweet Snack Savings

Got the craving for something sweet? Stop at the grocery store and pick up donuts, pastries, or sweet rolls. They're much cheaper than a stop at a restaurant. And, in most cases, they're much cheaper than getting them from a bakery.

Look for Pre-season Winter Glove Sales

Winter gloves can go on sale any time of the year. We recently found them on a pre-season clearance sale. They were already marked down. Then, there was a three day sale where they were an additional 60 percent off the lowest sale price. We ended up paying about 10 percent of the regular price. They aren't high fashion gloves. Just the basic kind that they have every year.

Make Motel Reservations In the Parking Lot

I went to the website and checked out the price of the motel. When I went in to register, the price was much higher. I mentioned the website price to the counter clerk and asked for that rate. She told me it was an online only special and that she couldn't match it. So, I went out to the parking lot, fired up my laptop computer, and made reservations. Armed with my reservation number, I went back inside and she gladly honored that rate.

Frugal Tip: Disposable Pet Pooper Scoopers

Disposable pet poop scoops are great for at home and while traveling. Make them with a 1/2 gallon plastic milk or juice jug. Cut the bottom and part of one side out, leaving the handle and a smooth edge for scooping. You can line it with a plastic bag and then tie the bag and toss. Or, if depending on your supply of jugs, toss the scoop and all

Frugal Tip of the Day -- Consolidate Trips

Have a designated errand day. Keep a list of errands you need to run, things you need to buy and pickup, and places you need to go. Do as many of them in one trip as you can.

Frugal Travel Tip: Bring a Jacket and Gloves

Bring a jacket and gloves with you or plan to buy them before you go home. Beautiful, sunny days turn chilly as soon as the sun goes down. If you'll be out on the water, you'll be extra glad to have them.

Frugal Travel Tip of the Day: Useful Souvenirs

Instead of buying souvenirs that just take up space and collect dust, buy something useful that will still remind you of the good time in that area. Some ideas are storage baskets, regional foods, cook books, and clothing that you will actually wear.

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 the seller.

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Frugal Gift Wrapping Part 3: Inexpensive and Personalized Gift Wraps

Frugal gift wrapping can be fun wrapping. Tightwads make a game of trading tins. Trim the packages with toys or lace. Add a bit of yourself to the wrapping on each of your gifts.

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More 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.

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Frugal Gift Wrap Part 2: Inexpensive Trimmings Dress Your Gifts In Style

Frugal gift wrap personalizes packages. Regular gift-wrapping paper can be cheapest. Here are frugal alternatives. Try these if you are out of regular giftwrap and trim or if you want to be creative.

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Assorted Frugal Tips

Another page 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.

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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 care for them.

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Frugal Life and Travel Tip of the Day

Shop second hand stores! Brought to you with a bias, because I own AK Secondhand, a second hand store in Soldotna, AK. However, as the store owner, I'm fully aware of the vast assortment of things that we sell at bargain prices. And, this may be news to you, but many items sold in secondhand stores are new or never used.

Frugal Life and Travel Tip of the Day

Take rainy day fun activities with you when you travel. Rain often means a change of plans. Travel with card games, books, portable hobby projects, or other activities to occupy your time if your planned activity is cancelled. This isn't just for the kids, but for the adults, too.