Bits of Frugal

I've learned to be a frugal kind of gal. We have lived basically on one income for the past 9 1/2 years and what started out as being frugal by necessity has become a way of life.

One thing I have found that helps though is to not sneer at the little ways to be frugal. All those pennies can add up to dollars after awhile. Does me washing out one baggie really save that much? Not if it's just one or two, but after years of doing it - Absolutely!

Here are some little bits of frugal this past week:

• Picked 2 cupfuls of black cap berries from our yard. It wasn't enough for a pie, but they were good on cereal for two breakfasts and the rest went into a fruit salad.

• Took two pieces of leftover bacon and wrapped them up and put them in the freezer for a meal that requires crumbled bacon.

• I have a large coffee can on my counter where I put all the vegetable and fruit peelings, as well as egg shells and coffee grinds. When it's full I take it outside and dump in on the compost pile. Instead of paying for fertilizer, I make my own!

• Some place was giving away free plant samples (only one per customer). I took a little perennial plant for my flower garden.

• I tear my dryer sheets in half and use half per load when I use the dryer. The rest of the time I hang out the clothes.

• I threw the heels of bread into a bag in the freezer to make bread crumbs at a later date.

• I ordered movies from the library which costs me nothing.

• I took leftover steak, which I got on sale to begin with, and made philly cheese steak sandwiches with the leftovers.

There a multitude of other ways that I save money, but these are just a few from the past week. When you start using things up and making them stretch it will save money. I find that it's become fun to see how much I can save.