Being a Tightwad

I pulled out my copy of the Complete Tightwad Gazette last night and I'm glad I did. I haven't read it in a few years and it certainly provided some inspiration. I have always enjoyed the challenge to try and be frugal. I know some people would call it cheap, tight fisted, or a tightwad. In my case, it is because of necessity.

For years we lived on one income and managed fairly well. People would say, "Oh nobody can live on one income in this area." Yet, we were able to do it and on a small income at that.

However, when Dan's pay got cut in half and he lost his benefits, I went back to work so we could at least have medical insurance. I have to pay into the benefits so my check is tiny. Even with me working full-time, we are bringing in less income than when I stayed home. So I need to work even harder at being frugal to make ends meet.

Here are some things I have done this past week to stretch my dollar. I've mentioned some of them before.

► I needed pineapple chunks without the juice for a recipe. I poured the juice into a freezer container and froze it for a recipe in the future that requires pineapple juice.

► Tearing the dryer sheets in half to make them stretch.

► Used dried beans in a recipe which are far cheaper than canned. I just put them in the crockpot and covered them with water and cooked them on low all day.

► Ran the dishwasher with a full load.

► Only washed full loads of clothes.

► Made my mother's day gifts.

► Reused a gift bag for another gift. I save them when I receive them for this purpose.

► Packed my lunch every day.

► Used cloth napkins instead of paper.

► Washed out my freezer bags to reuse.

► Saved paper for the kids to doodle on or for notes.

► Borrowed a movie and t.v. series from the library for free.

► Made my own shake and bake seasoning instead of buying an extremely expensive package of it in the store.

► Baked my own bread for the week.

► Made my own granola.

► Made my own ice cream.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to re-reading the book and gleaning some more ideas from Amy Dacyczyn.