I think so too! And it teaches the kids how to watch their money. I remember the look on my daughter's face when one day she had $60 to spend (she'd earned it the old fashioned way - by working for it). Then she decided she wanted some hair bobbles or something. The cashier rang up $40.

Another time she was shopping at her favorite store in the mall - and I had her brother take her over their while I hung out in Barnes and Noble. He called me to tell me she'd gone $12 over what she had. I just had to laugh... I told him to tell her she just needed to put something back. She was really expecting me to come bail her out with an extra $12.

hehehe, from the magic money fountain.

It's good that she is seeing firsthand how quickly expenses rack up.

Also, bookstore, huh? Those are evil places for my wallet...

Jilly....I don't have a choice but to be frugal and to only buy absolute necessities due to being unemployed and looking for work. My unemployment compensation has long run out, so every penny counts these days.

I love your money saving tips on this forum!

Debbie, I've talked to a lot of people about frugality, and I do try to tell them that being frugal is actually kind of fun. It's like a game for me, to decrease my expenses to the lowest possible point, and still have plenty to live on. It's a mindset.

I know your situation isn't exactly fun for you, but it's great experience for when you are working and want to SAVE money in case another bad situation arises.

I hope you find a job soon! Looking and interviewing and waiting is no fun at all.

I'm glad you like my tips! I do think some people might see some of my advice as extreme, but anyone can certainly read what I offer and then dial it back a bit.

I do have an example to set, after all.

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Yesterday i got a free dinner at my Getting Ahead workshop (and I actually get paid $10 to go to each class!) and also exchanged some of my books for 'new' books at the used bookstore. I love new used books!

I did have to drive to Cottonwood, but i carpooled with a friend who gave me three dollars for gas.

I have to admit i did buy an expensive craft draft beer at a local bar after class. One pint came to $6.45! Yikes!

I should stick to my $1.50 beers in my hometown pub.

Today: no expenses. YAY!

Okay, no expenses today. How are you doing this weekend?

Zero expenses today. Weekends are too easy.

This week i will be spending money on gas for the car, and my mortgage and utility bills.

I will also need to pick up cat food again this week - they go through it so fast! Not to mention the ferals that come through the cat door and eat it too. I try to look the other way. I am a sucker like that. Don't they know how limited my means are?

Picked up milk and found out that frozen bagged veggies were on sale so I got some of those too.

Went to the dollar store after that and picked up a picture frame and a pack of three toothbrushes. Also got a greeting card there for 50 cents. Spent only $2.50 plus tax in that store.

debbie, that's a great inexpensive day. i LOVE the dollar store. It almost feels like not shopping at all, or like you aren't using real money. It's a giddy feeling! But for reals, if I keep tossing everything I like into a basket, it does add up, doesn't it? I have to keep reminding myself to put things back!

I went to a dollar store today, and to a thrift store that was having a 50% off sale.

At thrift store
.25 staple opener + misc folder clips
.50 ace bandage, lg, for first aid kit
1.00 vintage black enamel skillet
5.00 my big splurge - a table fan that uses only 15 watts! WOW. That is almost negligible in watts! I feel so silly being all excited over fans, but I really am going to go start a thread on fans right now. Me = watt geek.

At dollar store
$6 six gallon size bins to hold my rice and noodles
$1 grabby thingie for when I go picking up recyclables from in the bushes (out here bushes have spines!)
$1 set of four square food container things that will fit in my dorm fridge (to encourage me to cook my eggs/veggies and set them aside as meals for later in the week)
$1 - car USB port
$1 - kindle foldable LED light

And some food that I used food stamps with, plus i got two boxes of food from the food bank tonite.

So expense-wise, $16.75 today. A big day for me. The fan was an unplanned expense, but with the low watt use I expect to get that money back. Also, it was half price...

Jilly - You my dear are the frugal queen! I love your tips!

You're right, the dollar store can definitely add up! I also find the need to be careful because sometimes you can actually find the same item cheaper at another store like Walmart, like dish soap.

I also find it very difficult to not spend during the week. I'm always forgetting my lunch at home. The kids need something...etc... Weekends are usually easier if I keep my bottom parts at home...LOL...

Dianne, I do try to be the frugal queen! Thank you. And it's frustrating to buy something there and then see it less than a dollar at a big box store or a drugstore sale. There's an art to the dollar store shopping...

Now you gave me an idea to write an article on how to shop frugally at the dollar stores. hm...

Oh, and here is the link to my new thread about fans, in excruciating detail - A fan of fans