Frugal Wizard's Blog : Frugal Living For All of Us

Tips for Smart Banking

2009-07-30T18:16:00.002-04:00

Tips To Avoid High Bank Fees

Everyone's experienced it: the multiple overdraft charges or late fees. It's heart-sinking and budget-busting at the same time. However, many people don't realize that these are just a symptom of a larger problem of excessive fees being charged by the banks. You are charged a fee when you are late for a bill, and sometimes you can avoid that by finding a payday lender to cover the gap. However, you are also charged other fees by your bank that are more difficult to avoid like withdrawal fees, transaction fees, and monthly service charges. Shopping around for a bank or system that keeps these fees at a minimum can literally save hundreds a year.

Smaller Banks Are Better

Larger banks tend to charge more fees than smaller banks. Credit unions also either don't have as many fees or their fees are less. Shopping around for a bank that will have reduce fees and give better service is a great way to get a handle on your budget and avoid nasty, surprise, fees on your account. If you do have fees show up, negotiate with your bank to have them removed if you are a new customer. Often, you can get this done as a courtesy for a short while.

Going Cash Only

Another way to work with a budget can be to sidestep the bank and it's overdraft protection program all together. Instead, you can get a secured debit or credit card and put your money there. If the money runs out, the overdraft doesn't kick it because there isn't one. You don't need a checking account anymore to pay most bills, it's all done electronically. You have no overdraft fees, but no overdraft protection either. It's sort of the electronic way of going cash only, in such a manner that you can still use the debit card to make payments electronically to your service providers. Just watch for any withdrawal fees that might be incurred by the secured debit or credit card provider too.

Seeking Debt Help

2008-11-19T11:38:00.003-05:00

As I stated in my previous post, I am attempting to get totally out of debt. I prefer the snowball method of paying from the lowest to highest until they are all paid of. This works for me because I have enough income to make the payments.

There are some people who have got over their heads in debt and the ends do not meet between income and expenses. These people may need to seek debt help to manage and pay off their debt. The key to seeking any kind of help is to do the most research you can to avoid problems with companies who are out to scam you.

Typically, one of the most common form of debt management is to get a debt consolidation loan. This is not always easy to do but some lenders are willing to deal with you if you have a solid plan to repay all debt. Do not attempt a consumer debt consolidation if you do not have the funds to pay the monthly payments. Basically, you are just shifting the debt with no hope of repaying. This will only cause future problems. The idea is to be debt free; not to avoid paying.

One key point is that you borrowed the money and it is important that you pay it back. If a consolidation is out of the question, there are other ways such as credit counseling. These organizations will work with you and your creditors to reduce your interest and payments to achieve a payable plan over a span of up to five years. Be careful to make sure the organization is legit before signing any papers.

There are other ways to seek debt help but these are the only two methods I recommend short of filing bankruptcy. Bankruptcy should be a last resort and only in the extreme case if you really have no possible way at all to pay your debt.

No matter how you decide to pay your debt, it is an important issue for all people and you should address it sooner then later. Even if you are able to make the payments on time, you need to consider some plan to be debt free and start paying all that money to yourself.

Debt Be Gone

2008-11-18T08:32:00.004-05:00

There are many people willing to give advice on how to get out of debt. There are also many so called professionals who will offer expensive services to manage your money. Here is a news flash for you; you are in charge of your own money and debt.

I have been working on the best plan to remove all debt from my families life. I have listened to the likes of Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey to get some good ideas. I have to say, of all the plans out there, Dave Ramsey offers the best most common sense plan.

His plan is basically you save up $1000 for any emergency needs. You then attack the debt with all the money you can throw at it until it is gone. This is done by starting with the smallest debt and paying that off and moving on. Dave calls it the Debt Snowball.

He is the first to admit that this is nothing new and he stole all his ideas from the past generation who did not believe in debt living.

Here is a copy of Dave Ramsey's Seven Baby Steps:

$1,000 to start an Emergency Fund
Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
Three to six months of expenses in savings
Invest 15 percent of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
College funding for children
Pay off home early
Build wealth and give! Invest in mutual funds and real estate

This is plain to the point. He has loads of other advice on his website but this is the core of all his beliefs. I do not follow everything to a tee but one thing I learned by reading and listening to Dave is that you need a solid budget accounting for every dollar you bring it and what you are going to do with it.

This is my plan for getting debt free and I hope you will consider getting your debt under control too.

HSBC charges a fortune for Rate Matcher

2008-07-16T10:56:00.000-04:00

For many months there have been grave concerns for the many homeowners that took out cheap fixed rate mortgages two or three years ago, and were due to come off the special deals. This is because a combination of interest rate hikes over the past two years, coupled with the effects of the global credit crunch and tighter lending conditions, meant that many would end up with a far higher interest rates and far higher repayments, and many would have found this impossible to afford. This could then lead to an increase in the level of repossessions.

However, in April the HSBC launched what looked to be a tempting offer aimed at these homeowners, where the bank offered to match the rate that they were currently on enabling them to continue with their affordable repayments. There were eligibility conditions that had to be met, and borrowers were asked to pay an arrangement fee of up to £5000 depending on how much they were borrowing and the rate of interest being charged on the loan.

However, it has now emerged that HSBC has hiked up these fees further. The Rate Matcher mortgage loan was only supposed to be offered on a short term basis, but the popularity and demand resulted in the bank extending the offer. However, the fees have now rocketed, and those taking out a £250,000 mortgage at 4.79% will now pay nearly £8000 by way of an arrangement fee rather than the previous £5000. Some other customers could even end up paying up to £10,000.

An official from the bank said: 'We were left with a choice of pulling the offer or increasing fees.' In the meantime Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, has been warning banks to stop ripping customers off with hefty arrangement fees, and is in talks with the Financial Services Authority with regards to coming to a figure that can be classed as a fair fee.

Getting Rid of Debt

2008-07-09T18:47:00.007-04:00

This is a follow-up to my article on Debt Relief. Debt is a problem that is caused when you spend more than you have and use credit to pay for the things you need. It is easy to say "charge"; however, it is much harder to fix the problem later. The smartest way to avoid debt is to consider all your purchases prior to buying anything. However, this article is for helping those who are already past that point.

The first thing you want to do when in debt is to get rid of the debt. To do this, start a list of all the creditors you have including loans, credit cards, mortgages, and store accounts. Once you have the list with the amount owed, interest rates, and monthly payments, see how it compares to your income. If you can afford the debt and pay more than you are paying now, formulate a plan by paying extra on the largest interest rate and working your way down the line.

Set a fixed amount to pay each month for all debt and pay that amount each month until all debt is gone. This means when you pay off the highest interest account, apply all that payment amount to the next highest interest account and continue to the next and the next until all debt is paid off.

If your income is not equal to what your payments are every month, it may be time to contact a Debt Company. There are many companies out there that specialize in helping people get out of debt. Most of these work only with your unsecured debt. These companies operate in two forms, as a for profit company or a non profit. Be sure to research what each offer and read and understand what you are getting into before signing anything.

If you use one of these companies, they can offer you a plan that does what I recommended above except they will negotiate a lower interest and lower payment consolidated into one monthly payment that you pay until the debt is paid off.

Some debt companies offer to negotiate with your companies to pay off you debt for a lower set amount. They see the best debt settlement possible. This is normally possible when you have gotten way behind on a loan and the creditor is just trying to get something out of you. It is a solution but I caution that you do your research and make sure that it is both legal and the company is reliable. Above all, get everything in writing!

You caused your own debt! Take ownership of it and work as hard as you can to get out of debt. I have included some links to some good resources that will further help you achieve this goal. Good luck and be sure to come back and leave a comment when you take control of your debt.

Finding Good Insurance

2008-07-09T18:25:00.004-04:00

There are many reasons to have insurance. One is it may be required by law. Another reason is that it is just plain smart. Recently I found out how smart it really is when during a huge storm, huge trees fell on my house. I would not have been able to afford the repairs without good house insurance.

Having insurance does not mean you have to pay through the nose. Part of being frugal is finding ways to get the best for less. For example, to find the best auto insurance quotes, one should search the Internet and seek the best rates you can find for your needs.

Finding Cheap Home Insurance is also possible. There are many companies available who are just as good as the big name companies but spend a lot less money advertising. Who do you think pays for all those fancy commercials? That's right; it is you the customer, you pay with higher rates.

Be sure when looking for new insurance or to replace your old policy, you fulfill your family's needs without overdoing it. One example is in the deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower the premium will be. However, if you have a claim make sure you will be able to afford the deductible.

There are many factors to consider when buying insurance. I could write a book on insurance but the key is that there are cheaper more frugal companies and doing your research will provide the best coverage at the best possible rates.

Debt Relief Solutions

2008-07-09T18:20:00.002-04:00

The number one thing that many people struggle with is debt. This is a struggle for even the best of us. It is easy to get into debt but hard to get out.

Basically, the best way to get out of debt is to pay off your bills as quick as possible and in the shortest time. However, this is sometimes easier to say than to do. What if you payments are more than what you make? This is the time to seek help to get relieve your debt.

Debt Relief comes in many forms.The first possibility is to see if it is feasible to get a lower interest. Consolidation Loans help you reduce your monthly payment and get lower interest if your other debts have high interest rates. This is OK if you have excellent credit and have not got behind on your credit.

The next possibility is to see a debt counselor who can help you negotiate lower interest rates and lower payment. This could reduce your interest and save large amounts of money. This may also consolidate into one set monthly payment until all your debt is paid off. These types of services are only available for unsecured debt.

The final step, if the other possibilities fail, is bankruptcy. This is never a choice I would recommend; however, there are times when you have no other choice. Do your research and make sure you have exhausted all other avenues before doing this.

Getting out of debt is never easy. However, following my recommendations will get you on the right path to being debt free.

Borrowing Money

2008-07-09T17:36:00.003-04:00

There are times when we all have a need to borrow money. This could be to buy a new car, buy a new house, or just to pay for a major expense. When borrowing money, one must be smart and do the research.

There are many kinds of Loans and it is important to do your research to find the best deal on the loan you need. Years ago the best way to get a loan was to visit your local bank. With the advances of the Internet, now we all have the convenience to search for the best deal right in the comfort of our own home.

When getting a loan there are many things to consider. First, are there any fees beyond the interest? Most loans do not have added fees, however, when getting a house loan. Mortgages can have points or origination fees which could increase the cost of the loan. Some of these could be required upfront. Some are added when repaying the loan. For instance, if a loan says the points are one percent, you will pay an additional $400 on a $40,000 loan.

The other thing to consider is how much the interest is. When borrowing money, the cheaper the interest, the better off you are. Also get the loan for the shortest period of time or term you can afford. This will result in lower amounts of interest that you repay.

Finally, read the fine print. Know what you are signing and check for clauses such as prepayment penalties. Some loans have a penalty if you pay off the loan too soon. Check for late fee penalties and grace periods. It is not wise to be late on a payment but there are times when it does happen. You want to know up front what you will pay for this or how many days after your payment due date you have to pay without a late fee.

Borrowing money does not have to be a nightmare if you are smart and do your research to find the cheapest loan you can find.

Love and Romance Flowers

2008-07-04T21:55:00.001-04:00

If you are living in Louisville and need to buy fresh flowers, or you want to send flowers to Louisville. You can check various online florists’ websites or you can go to local florists in Louisville, KY and buy your fresh flowers. Louisville local florists include Uniquely Yours Floral & Gifts, Pathelen Flower & Gift Shop Inc, Hobby Lobby Creative Centers, Wildflowers Florist, Ben Franklin Crafts, Hedman's Suburban Florist, Baskets by Rebecca LLC, Interiors by Herbal Accents, His Creations Florist & Gifts, Becker's Florist & Gifts, Colonial Designs, Simply Flowers, Dreisbach Wholesale Florist, Doozie's Floral Creations, Greenery, Passafiume's Florist, Harpring Florist, Belmar Flower Shop Inc, Susan's Florist, Hill Floral Products CO, Schmitt's Florist, Dragonfly Floral Events Inc, Mills & Young Florists, Mathis Florist LLC, Sharon's Wedding Alterations, Gaslight Florist Inc, Sears Roebuck and CO, Sandy's Florist & Bridal, Lloyd's Florist, Dixie Florist, Freda's Fancy Florists & Antiques, D & N Surprise Florist Gifts and Services, Panache-Flowers & Gifts, Smith's Florals & Gifts, Bouquet Flowers by BEV, Parkway Florist Inc, Carolyn's Florist & Gifts, Wilson's Florist, NANZ & Kraft Florists, D & W Silks Inc, Huber Decor Inc, Don Pinotti's Broadway Florist Inc, Fairdale Florist & Gift Shop, Jeffersontown Tam's Florist, Shively Florist & Catering, Central Florist, Roy Houff, Madelines Flowers & Things, Uncle Franks Plants, Barbara's Florist, Iroquois Florist & Gifts, Garden Gate Florist & Gifts, Walther Emil, Engel Wholesale, Garden Ridge, Cindy's Florist, Blossom Shop Florist, Hettinger's Florist, Home Interiors & Gifts, Flowers for all Occasions, Link J F & Son Wholesale Florist, Schulz Florist, Gerbi.Biz, H S Florist Distributors, A Rose Petal Florist, Berry's Flowers Inc, Country Squire Florists Inc, Flowers by Juliet, Julianne's Florist, Old Louisville Florist.

If you are living in Los Angeles and need to buy fresh flowers, or you want to send flowers to Los Angeles. You can check various online florists’ websites or you can go to local florists in Los Angeles, CA and buy your fresh flowers. Los Angeles local florists include Cathay Florist, Chinese-American Trading CO, Jean's Flowers, Myopp.Com/30330, Flower DEC, American Best Craft Supply Inc, Olgas Flowers, Olympic Flowers, B & B World Corporation, Flower Village, Stems Florist, Medina's Flowers & Gifts, Popurri Flowers, Micaela's Flowers & Gift Shop, G M Floral CO, Edmunds Wholesale Flowers, Adamian Oil CO Inc, Universal City Flowers, Secret Garden LLC, Bloomies Flowers, Paul's Unique Creations, Carrillo's Discount & Party Supplies, Judy Anne Flowers, A RUIZ Wholesale Florist, Hays Silk Flowers, JJ Blooms Floral Wholeseller & Flower Shop, Amtacs Imports & Exports, East West Florist, Betty Jane Florist, Carnation Florist & Gifts, Baizabal Maria, Fantasy Flowers, Luna Gardens, Lopez Flowers, Oxford Flowers, Anna's Flowers, Four Seasons Flowers & Gifts, Vermont Bridal & Tuxedos, Les Sculptures Vivantes, Elegant Kid 2000 Inc, Valle Whsle Flowers, Floral Fashion Design Center, Flowers 4 Less Inc, Stars Flowers & Gifts, Excel Silk Flowers Inc., George's Flowers, Flower Network, Vons, Carmen's Flowers, Fairy Tale Flowers, Hidden Garden, Flower Mansion, Rosa Salvaje Flowers and Gift Shop, Al's Florist by Odessa, Hollywood Flowers Wholesale CO, Floreria Michelle, Magic Touch Flowers & Balloons, Ezekiel Flower Shop, Jasmine's Garden, Best Flowers, Flowers by Dolores, Stamis Dan, Flourish & Garlande, Austin Brad Ornamental Horticulture, West Flower Growers, Graceful Flower, All Occasion Flower & Gifts, Jacki's Flower Shop, The Secret Garden, Fancifull Gift Baskets, Robinson's Flower Shop, Laurels Custom Florist, Hollywood Miki's Florist, Exquisite Flowers, Beverly Fraiche Inc.

If you are living in Madison and need to buy fresh flowers, or you want to send flowers to Madison. You can check various online florists’ websites or you can go to local florists in Madison, WI and buy your fresh flowers. Madison local florists include Madison Wholesale Florist, Unique Arts, Floral Designs by Paul, Copps Food Centers - Madison, Copps Food Centers - Shorewood Hills, Studio Bloom, Felly's Garden Center, Sentry Food Stores, Gatherings, Lori's Flower Shoppe, Bill Doran CO, Basketree Gifts Inc, East Side Floral Shop, Plantscapes, Flowerama of America, Shizen Floral, Felly's Flowers, Abundance Acres Wedding Flowers, Klein's Floral & Greenhouses Inc, George's Flowers Inc, Flower Gallery, Copps Food Centers - Fitchburg, LA Palomita Mercado, Capitol Chordsman Chorus, Johannsen's Greenhouses & Gifts, Kinney J Florist, Rose Petals, Creative Expressions, Sentry Floral Shops, A New Leaf of Wi LLC, Buffo Floral & Gifts, Floral Studio at 301, Copps Food Centers, Choles Flowers, Rose Cottage.

If you are living in Charleston and need to buy fresh flowers, or you want to send flowers to Charleston. You can check various online florists’ websites or you can go to local florists in Charleston, WV and buy your fresh flowers. Charleston local florists include Cook Floral Center of Marmet, Food Among the Flowers, Dreisbach Wholesale Florist Inc, Sissonville Flower & Gift Shop, Secret Gardens Floral, Cross Lanes Floral, Dynamic Displays Inc, Winter Floral Of Kanawha City, Cleveland Plant & Flower CO - Wholesale, Morris Floral, The Body Shop, Flowers & More, Walkers' Fine Flowers, Country Blossoms, Maccorkle Avenue Florist, Details Floral.

If you are living in New Orleans and need to buy fresh flowers, or you want to send flowers to New Orleans. You can check various online florists’ websites or you can go to local florists in New Orleans, LA and buy your fresh flowers. New Orleans local florists include Key Florals, Pike's Peak of New Orleans, Madder Rose, Evergreen Etc On Prytania, Ball Clint Florals, David John Flowers, Jackson's Flower Shoppe, Barbara's Florist, A Florist In The Usa, Uptown Flowers, House of Flowers, Candy Bouquet and Crafters Corner, Enchanted Floral Designs & Gifts, Carmen's Special Touch Florist, Mailan Flowers Inc, Eastside Westside Flowers Inc, Garden Trellis the Plnts, St James Floral, Dollar Castle, Monas Accents, Urban Earth A Floral Design Studio, Flowers by John Kent, Mitch's Flowers, Flight Academy of New Orleans, Perfect Petals, Dunn & Sonnier Flowers, Allegro City Flowers, Federico's Family Florist, Carrollton Flower Market & Antiques, Harkins the Florist Inc, Pelitire's Flowers LLC, Greenleaf Wholesale Florists Inc, Thoughts N Flowers by Laura, Lejardiniere, Beauty Rose Florist, Adrian's Christian Flowers and Balloons, Aurora Creations, Lakeview Florist, Dewey's First Florist, Big Easy Flowers, Thibodeauxs Flowers & Gifts, Floral Designs, Tommy's Flower Shop, Flora Savage, Audubon Flower Shop, Pelitire's Flowers, C & J'S Gifts & Balloons, Perfect Presentations, Adrian's Christian Flowers, Estate Assurance CO, Gerard's Downtown, French Quarter Florist.

You can check online florist, it has loads of florists’ business listings that you can visit to order your online flowers. Or you check one of the online yellow pages websites.

Finding Free Advertising

2008-06-20T09:33:00.001-04:00

You all know I am all about free and frugal. When I recently decided to sell some stuff I had lying around the house, I went looking for great ways to advertise them.

One way was to run Classified Ads on the Internet. This is a great way to get exposure from much more people than running an ad just in the newspaper. The great thing is, unlike the newspaper, Post a Free Classified Ad. This saves tons of money and allows you to sell your product for a lower price because you are not paying to sell it.

These types of ads are also great ways to find deals and bargains on certain things you are looking for. My neighbor was looking for a certain kind of cat. She asked around all over and no one knew where to find one. I told her about the free classified ad site called Stumble Here that I used. She went on and searched through the Kittens and found the one she wanted. She was so excited that she baked me a cake. Not only did I save my money by running a free ad. I got desert for free for dinner. Now that to me is being truly frugal!

I threw up some links to the ad site I used, if you find it useful, please send me a cake! Just kidding, but please leave a comment and let me know it was useful.

Credit Card Debt – How To Reduce it

2008-06-17T20:54:00.000-04:00

Many people who go into debt at some point in their life often have difficulty in recovering from their problems. One of the most common problems an individual person faces is the problem of debt. More and more people are getting into debt because of factors beyond their control or some are in debt because of an addiction to something, I.e. gambling or alcohol. This article explores the different ways you can control your debt and how you can prevent it from having an affect on your life in the near future.

One of the main problems people face in their daily life is spending money. Some people spend far too much money on “useless items” and therefore, this can lead to problems. For example, if someone wants to gamble on the Internet or have some form of addiction to gambling then this can lead to long-term stress and problems as gambling can make people lose all of their money and the effects are severe. Furthermore, other problems such as alcohol can also lead to long-term affects and can lead to people using all of their finances on things that they can usually spend on something else.

One of the best ways to reduce and control debt is to always save your money in the bank or a money safe. This can prevent you from spending too much money. Another way to reduce your debt is to spend less on everyday items and cut down on spending too much on luxurious products. This can help you not only in the long-term but can help you reduce other problems in your life, I.e. a breakdown in your marriage etc.

Finally, the best way to reduce your debt is to save everyday without spending!

Buying Sinks

2008-05-12T10:47:00.002-04:00

When doing a remodeling project, saving money is important. It is also important to plan for all elements of the project right down to the smallest detail. When we remodel things like the kitchen, we often times look at the bigger stuff like cabinets and appliances and forget many key elements such as kitchen sinks.

The sink is one of the most important parts of a kitchen but often times get the least attention. When doing my own kitchen project, I looked at other peoples kitchens to get ideas. I found many beautiful kitchens with very ugly sinks. They bought the generic sinks found at local super hardware stores. This was not the way I wanted to go.

Being frugal, I decided that special orders from local stores were too expensive. I decided to see if I could find what I wanted on the Internet. I have a large counter space and we are planning to do a lot of home canning so I decided to look for the best deal on triple bowl sinks. I thought this would be much more efficient when Karen and I work together. I found a great deal online with the exact model I wanted and it even included free shipping. Karen wanted a prep bar for making salads and stuff so we also found a great deal when looking for bar sinks.

It is ok to expect and want quality; however, even then, you should use your frugal instincts to find the best deal you can. We are very pleased to have found what we wanted. We found premium quality sinks for a huge savings off what we would have paid at other stores. If you are in the process of remodeling, I have included some links to where we found the great deals on sinks. Hope this helps and good luck on your project!

Grocery Store Economics

2008-05-02T10:53:00.002-04:00

With the price of gas rising faster than a speeding bullet, this has now more than every become an important factor when you do your shopping. To save money, you need to start shopping all in one place and all at one time. To do this, you need to compare overall prices of the different stores not just what is on sale.

In the past, it may have been cost effective to drive to all the stores that had great sales but now it is a little too costly to do so. If you find a good sales ad and it included everything you are looking for, shop that store. Otherwise, you need to find the overall cheapest store.

For us, it seems to be the super Walmart. There are times that an item or two is cheaper else where but overall, we save more at Walmart.

Many stores try to suck you in with what is called a lost leader. Let's say they offer 12 packs of soda for $1.50. That is a killer price compares to Walmart's $3.99. However, since I only need one 12 pack of soda my savings would be $2.49. However, it will cost me a gallon of gas to get there at $3.77. Did I save anything? When gas was $1.00 a gallon, yes I would make the special trip but not now.

Consider all factors when running store to store. Always ask yourself what you are really saving when all factors are considered. Many people fail to think of the external cost when looking for a bargain.

Frugal living is about being smart not just finding the best sale.

Baby Chicks Video

2008-03-26T13:55:00.004-04:00

I just posted my video of the new baby chicks that were hatched on Monday. They are so cute. This video was taken the day they were born. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. We have another batch started that will be ready in about three weeks.

Cousin Darlene's Frugal Living

2008-03-26T13:25:00.003-04:00

Karen and I have a cousin who is all about frugal living. She does gardening, canning, raising chickens, bakes, and does homemade crafts. She was a stay at home wife and did what it took to help support her and her husband while he was at work. Now her husband is retired so they do the gardens and the chickens together.

They are in the midst of hatching out some spring chicks right now. If you want to see them, check out my other blog to see the Baby Chicks. They have hatched one batch and just started another batch.

Darlene has many talents in crafts and her house is an example of what you can do with a little imagination. She has bird feeders made of old coffee cans, Easter bunnies made from gloves, and many other cool crafty ideas. She also loves to share and is always dropping off something like a jar of pickles or a loaf of bread.

Here is a small video of what her basement storage area looks like. She spends a lot of time canning and I wanted to share it with my frugal friends.

Easter Savings

2008-03-15T22:44:00.002-04:00

As with all holidays, Easter can get expensive. It is important to remember that it doesn't have to be expensive to be fun for the family. After all, it is really just another reason to spend time with those you love and to be grateful for the things you have in your life.

In our family, we do almost every holiday as a shared event. This helps in so many ways. No matter who chooses to host the meal at their house, everyone brings something to share. It makes it less expensive for the host or hostess and also much less work. We also have been known to do some pretty non-traditional holiday meals. What's wrong with a cookout for Easter if the weather is good? People love to get outdoors and throwing hamburgers on the grill with some salads, chips, and a light dessert is certainly less expensive than a big, fancy dinner.

What about those Easter baskets for the kids? Well, kids are going to be excited if we are excited. There are many recipes online for homemade goodies including some non-edible things like clay or jewelry. These things cost less and are often appreciated more than material goods. How about a photo of the child with someone special in their life? Another thing that children tend to enjoy are coupon books that will allow them to have a friend over or stay up late on a special night. These are easy to create and a note from the Easter Bunny can assure them that he has checked it out with mom and dad and the coupons will be valid.

Whatever you decide to do this Easter, keep in mind that it isn't how much you spend, rather how much heart goes into the holiday. Be creative, have fun, and most importantly, set a good financial example for those around you. Happy Easter !!

Privacy Policy

2008-02-29T19:11:00.000-05:00

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Great Party Game For Adults

2008-02-26T13:09:00.001-05:00

Remember your college days? Well if you are in college or just looking for a fun time with your adult friends. One of the many games that can be played is beer pong. It is a fun game that can spice up any party and you can have loads of fun.

First thing you need is some beer. This can also be played with non-alcoholic drinks if you and your friends or families do not drink. The second thing you need is some cups to toss the ping pong ball in. The final thing you need is a Beer Pong Table. You need a good professional table because a regular table is not made to keep the cups from slipping and tipping over. You want a Beer Pong Table Design that will prevent these things from happening and you want it to look like a nice game table not a kitchen table. Of course you will need some friends.

This game is great for parties and can keep your friends interested and coming back. You can choice from a variety of Custom Beer Pong Tables to suit your needs and fit your personality. It is a game that all adults can enjoy and as stated earlier, you can include younger members if you use a non-alcoholic drink. This game is great for college students but it also can bring back the youth of older adults who not ready to give up the fun life.

The nice thing about beer pong is that once you purchase the table, the expense is quite low for all the fun you will have. Remember that you need to enjoy life and do what you can to laugh and have fun and beer pong is a game to do all that.

Discount and Coupons for the UK

2008-02-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

As you all know from reading this blog, I am all about saving money and finding the right deal. I love the Internet for the reason that we can always find the right deals if we just take the time to look. I recently had one of my many UK readers email me and ask why I do not include more stuff for my overseas friends. Well my next few posts will be for them.

I always look for Discount Codes when I go to buy anything on the Internet. There are always coupons and codes if you take the time to look. I spent a little while on the Internet yesterday and found so many that my eyes hurt. I was looking for codes for the more popular stores in the UK. I ran across Waterstones Promotional Codes which offers a great discount for the online bookstore. They look like the equivalent to Barnes and Noble here in the United States.

When shopping on the Internet, be sure to shop around, unlike driving around store to store, you do not need to waste fuel to find the best prices. I have also included a link to some of the best discount codes for UK shopping above and I would check out that link before searching because they have hundreds of links for many different products.

I also recommend that when shopping online, you make sure you are dealing with a reputable company and that you are using a secured connection before giving out your personal information. Part of being frugal is being smart and using the Internet for your shopping needs is not only smart it will save you the additional expense and time of driving around and wasting fuel.

Frugal living is my passion and in the times like now when we are all in a slumping economy, we need to find the best deal for the best price to keep our families plugging along.

Kitchen Remodeling

2008-02-20T11:00:00.001-05:00

This is my third post dedicated to my friends in the United Kingdom but it applies to anyone when remodeling a kitchen.

I mentioned before in previous posts that I was remodeling my kitchen. It is a tough job and can be very expensive. I have used the Internet to shop for many of the products I need. I am still working on getting the rest of the appliances I need.

When looking for White Goods, it is important to look for the one you want the first time. The right appliance could last years and you do not want to pick one out that you do not think will last you for years. If you pay a little more now and it last longer, you will save in the long run. Shopping the Internet, you can compare what they are selling for all over the country and settle for the product that is right for you and your budget.

I look around online to see what I would buy for stoves if I lived in the UK. I saw the Beko Gas Cooker which is quite nice and fits my need. It has all the features I need and has a fair price. There are many bargains online even in the UK. You do not have to live in the United States to find a bargain. A little searching in your country will find you similar deals to the ones I mention here on my blog.

When conquering any remodeling project, like I am doing with the kitchen, remember your frugal living rules.

Do your research to find the best deal.
Pay the best price possible but don’t risk quality just to be cheap.
Buy the best you can honestly afford the first time.
Buy only what you need.
Do as much of the work as you can yourself if you have the skills.

If you have any other tips, please leave a comment for others.

Mothers Day is Special

2008-02-20T10:35:00.003-05:00

The time is fast approaching for Mothers Day in the UK. It is a time for great celebration and to honor your mothers. We here in the United States do the same thing but we celebrate Mothers Day in May. For the UK the date is March 2nd. It is a time for families to honor the matriarch of the family.

I believe in being frugal but I do not believe that you do not do nice things for your family on the holidays. Mothers Day Flowers will put a smile on your mom’s face and honor her in a special way. I always try to buy my mom some yellow carnations or yellow roses because they are her favorite.

If your mother is not fond of flowers, there are many other present ideas to help you show your mother how much you care. Most mothers would love anything their child gives them but it is a time to honor her with a nice gift to show your appreciation for all that she has done for you. Remember mothers are special and you only have one. Some have lost their mother and if yours is still alive, do not forget to honor her on Mothers Day.

Frugal living is about saving money but not about being plain cheap. Remember to always honor your family with nice things. You do not have to spend a fortune but you should always buy a gift when approiate.

Give your mother a special hug and tell her it is from the Frugal Wizard!

Importance of Long Term Care Insurance

2008-02-19T07:34:00.002-05:00

One important consideration for many families is how to protect your family from future problems. We all know the basics like auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance and life insurance. These are all ways to protect our families if something bad happens.

The one thing that many people ignore when protecting their family is long term care insurance. If something major happens like a family member comes down with a major illness or injury, you will need this type of insurance. Nursing homes, homecare nursing, and many other costs that are long term are not covered under traditional health insurance. This is why it important to take care of this now before the need arises and you will no longer able to get the insurance.

Long Term Care Rate Increases over time that is why it is so important to get it why you are healthy and can afford it. We recently learned this lesson when one of our family members got sick and will need long tern care. Many things are not covered and to get any government help, the family will have to give up many of their assets first. This can totally wipe out a families hard earned savings and assets.

I strongly urge all of you to look into long term care insurance now to protect your family in the future. The cost may seem a waste right now but it could save you much more in the future. I hope you family will never need it, however, it is best to be prepared than to be caught unprepared like my family members did.

Web Design Advice for Your Company Website

2008-01-30T19:15:00.001-05:00

I have talked in the past about how to start a website cheaply. It takes a lot of work to put together a website and sometimes you are limited in what you have the skills to do. If you need a professional website, you may need to spend a little money to get the result you want.

Part of being frugal is saving wherever you can but knowing when doing cheap is not the smartest way. When you need a website to attract clients for you business or just need a website that is original, it is time to call in a professional to handle your needs.

Riverside Web Designers is a good example of a web design company that can give you a professional website no matter what you are looking for. When you look for a web design company, you want one that will provide all the services under one roof so you do not have to deal with several different people.

Depending on your ability, you can do some of the stuff yourself. However, if you are a small business, you may not have the time or the skills to keep up with the month to month management of your website. A good web design company will offer these services to you.

Putting together a blog or very basic website is easy and most people can figure out how. However, if you want a quality site to promote yourself or your company, the smart thing to do is spend a little now to save you time, money and headaches in the future. If you are selling a product or service, having a quality looking site will increase your sales and let your customers know that you are a professional.

Being frugal is not always being cheap, it also about doing what is right to help you be the best you can be. Do what is right now, and you will earn more and build a better company in the future. Cut corners on the small stuff but do not skimp on something as important as your company website.

Drivers Education For Your Teen

2008-01-29T03:57:00.000-05:00

As you all know by now, I am not only into being frugal, I am also into making life easier while saving money. I am always looking Online for a deal or a way to save money over doing something locally. When the need arises to save money for a teen driver, searching the Internet could help with that too.

When your teen first starts driving, it is a scary thought for most parents. Are they prepared, how am I going to keep them safe, how much money is insurance going to cost? These are all questions that run through the mind of most parents. One way to prepare your child for the new adventure in their life is to send them to a driver education course. This can be expensive and can often times be inconvenient due to trying to get your child back and forth.

While searching on the Internet, I did find a convenient and frugal way to prepare your child for his or her upcoming drivers permit and license. I found a DMV approved California drivers ed course that can be taken at home on the Internet. It is a course that you can work with your child and can be done at his or her own pace.

Since the course is approved by the state, you save money on your teen child’s insurance and they can receive their permit easily after taking the course. Once the course is completed, your child will receive a certificate to show to the insurance company to receive a discount.

It was nice when all schools offered a drivers education course for free. However, those days are gone and as a frugal parent, you need to find the best deal you can when it comes to educating your child. I suggest checking out the site I provided and start preparing your teen for life long safe driving.

Frugal but Smart when Replacing the Kitchen Sinks

2008-01-25T06:58:00.000-05:00

I am always talking about being frugal. To many people, frugal means that you need to find the cheapest product no matter what. Well it is always best to find savings where you can but being frugal is do the best with what you have and that includes spending your money in the best way to benefit you and your family.

One lesson of frugality came to me as I am on the middle of remodeling my house. I learned that sometimes it is much better to buy a quality product to begin with to save time and money in the future. I skimped on doing one of my bathrooms when I first bought the house and now I have to replace the sink because I purchased a inferior product at the local hardware store.

My next major project is redoing the kitchen. Saving money and getting a superior product is my main goal after the problems with the bathroom. I decided to look on the Internet for stainless steel kitchen sinks to replace my worn out ceramic coated sink I now have in the kitchen. I have read a lot about sinks and these are much easier to care for and last for years. Another thing I hate about my current sink is the fact that grim builds up around the edges. I have caulked many times but it still happens.

My solution to the problem and to save me hassle in the future, I have decided to look into undermount sinks. These, unlike drop in sinks are mounted from the bottom and have fewer problems with all the nasty stuff getting around the edges. I find the look to be very impressive also. Though they tend to run a little higher than the drop in sinks, it will save me money and time in the future. I also have found Sinks USA, a company that sells to the public at wholesale prices. I am getting the product I want and saving a couple of hundred off the local retail prices.

While redoing the kitchen, we have decided to replace our center island with a full working salad and juice bar and it to will have its own prep sink. This will be nice when we entertain and have dinner parties. As we said, we are frugal but we do enjoy living well. What we spend on a quality product now will save us tons of money because we can offer the eating out experience for our guest for a fraction of the cost of a fancy restaurant.

Frugal living does not mean you have to give up quality. It simply means you find the best deal on the product you need without giving up quality. Using the Internet as a source, you can find the best bang for your buck and this even includes the kitchen sink. Do not feel guilty about wanting quality products; just use your frugal skills to get the best deal on the product.

I hope the links I provided have helped you also if you are looking to redo your kitchen sinks. Until next time, be safe, be smart, and be frugal.

Tips for Managing Your Property in a Rough Economy

2008-01-22T13:17:00.000-05:00

The economy around the world is in dire condition. Trying to make money along with keeping cost down is a high priority for people. This has hit the housing market hardest of all. Many people have struggled just to stay above water. This is no exception for our friends in the United Kingdom. What is a person to do?

Well if you own your home and are struggling to keep it, there may be a way to get out from under the problems and cost of home ownership. This is to Sell Then Rent Back. That’s right, you should use this as a method to avoid repossession or other problems but still live in your home. There are companies willing to buy your home and rent it back for an investment. None of us want to lose our home, but the sad state of the economy is a reality. It is up to you to do what is right for you and be the one to make the decision.

The problems with cost and economic down turns are not exclusive to just the average homeowner. Landlords and home investors are also feeling the crush. The big objective for landlords is to find the good UK Letting Agents that are reasonable and can save you money on all the services involved in renting out property. As a landlord, you may need just someone to collect rent or you may all the services or something in between. I have included a link to a good letting management company that offers all the services tailored to your needs.

Being frugal is all about knowing how to manage money and make the right decisions for your life. As a landlord or homeowner, you need to do what it takes for you to survive in this depressing economy.

Selling Your Home For Cash

2008-01-14T14:33:00.000-05:00

As you know, I am all about frugal living and saving money where you can. However, I am also practical in the sense that sometimes life deals you those moments when you have to do things that benefit you and your family at the time.

One of those life events happen when you need to move now and sell your home in a hurry. A quick house sale is your only opportunity to get out from under one mortgage so you can purchase a home in the new area you are moving. To do this you can try to sell yourself or you can hire a professional real estate agent to do the selling for you. Either way, it is a long drawn out process.

The other opportunity, though you may not sell for as high as if you were to wait it out, is to find a cash property buyer. This is what I did when I moved because I was moving 16 hours away and did not want my house to sit empty while waiting around for a real estate agent to find a buyer.

This sell was very quick and did not cost me nearly as much as I expected to lose on selling quickly. I also had the money to pay off my remaining mortgage and to have the extra to put down on my new home. Everything was handles smoothly and I was done with in a week and ready to move.

Sometimes part of living a frugal life is making the tough decisions when it comes to finances. I never looked back and I had no regrets in my decision and for me, selling my house to a cash buyer saved me more headaches than the small amount I did not make on the sale.

Mortgage Bills Highest For Seven Years

2008-01-14T06:40:00.000-05:00

Mortgage bills are 20% higher than two years, and the cost of a typical home loan is at its highest for seven years, according to the latest data.

Compares with just over a year ago the average mortgage holder is having to find an extra £135 per month to make their mortgage repayments, from figures provided by the Bank of England.

It is an extra burden of debt that, when coupled with the amount that people have spent on credit cards over the festive period, is causing experts to think that the number of home repossessions will be on the rise in 2008.

The Bank of England is coming under further pressure to make a cut in interest rate for the second month in a row when the Monetary Policy Committee meets this week to decide. Another cut would help to ease the burden of borrowing for consumers.

Most experts are forecasting a series of interest rate cuts in 2008, which may eventually take the base rate down to 4.5%, but February was thought to be the nest likely cut. However, given these latest figures the Bank might move more quickly.

Even with the last cut and any future cuts the banks are reluctant to pass them on in full to their customers. They are still trying to recover from the financial turmoil of their own making from last year, and mortgage rates climbed, and have stayed high as the banks pocket the difference to improve their own cash resources and profits.

David Owen, of Dresdner Kleinwort, said: “It is particularly striking that the average remortgages rates available to households rose to this level without a similar increase in the Bank of England’s base rate.”

Bank Rate Decision Will Be Closely Watched

2008-01-14T06:34:00.000-05:00

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sits sown this week to decide where interest rates will be for the next month, and Governor Mervyn King is being carefully watched.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has the power to retain or replace King as Governor, and said earlier this week: “In relation to the appointment of the Governor of the Bank of England, that is something we will decide in the course of the next few weeks.”

It hardly sounds like a resounding vote of confidence and there is some feeling that King’s position has become severely weakened by the way he and the Bank handled the Northern Rock loans crisis. Thus, January’s rate decision is crucial to his future.

There is a divergence of opinion as to whether the Bank will hold rates at 5.5% amidst growing pressure to drop them another quarter of a percent to 5.25%. The “no change” option looks favourite as the rest of the month will provide more meaningful economic data to give the MPC a better chance to judge the health of the economy for a more informed decision in February.

The rate decision will be influenced by house price data from the Halifax that suggested there was 1.3% rise in prices in December. This was a surprise and Halifax explained it away by saying that fluctuations of the sort were typically characteristic of a subdued housing market. Annual house prices ended the year 5.2% higher than at the beginning, meaning 2007 was only the second year in which house prices went up by less than 8% since records began in 2001.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders released date that supported a fall in activity. The number of new mortgages taken out by home movers fell to a seven-month low in November, and mortgage lending was down on 2006. Less mortgage lending means less buyers and a likely fall in house prices.

Cheap Car Hires

2008-01-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

When traveling it is easy to find a good deal on hotels or even airlines tickets but it is tough to find a deal on car hires or rental cars. We are looking for a future trip to Europe and we plan to fly and we are looking to have a car waiting for us when we get to our destinations. Cheap car hires are tough to find but we managed to figure out some good places depending on where we fly into.

Car Hire Heathrow offers a great drop down menu to find the best deal on a car and will have it all reserved and ready for you. You can even figure the total cost with your local currency. Since we are not sure which airport in London we will be arriving we also found Car Hire Gatwick that offers the same great service.

One of the other destinations we will be flying will be Paris and they also offer a Car Hire Paris for easy service at great prices. You can even book now and pay when you arrive at the airport.

As you all know, the Frugal Wizard looks for the best and cheapest ways when traveling and this is the best service I have found to get me what I need in a rental car for a great price. When looking for a deal, we also want someone who will have great service and be there when you need them. This is what we have found and wanted to share with our readers.

As always, live life to the fullest and be Frugal!

Making Money At Home

2008-01-03T12:53:00.000-05:00

There are numerous people choosing to stay at home to make money. Before deciding to make sure you know what is involved. Decide what opportunities are out there and follow what interest you.

One way to make money is to start your own website. This is easy to do and does not take an expert to get a site up and running. It does take some time but once you get things rolling, you can run a good site with only an hour or two a day.

Many people do this and once it is up and running, they turn around and sell the website for a profit. This can bring in a constant flow of money if you do a good job at promoting the site and than turn around and have a quick sale.

When starting a website, you may also want to buy an existing site. This could be great of you want all the work done for you. It may cost you more upfront; however, the site may already making money. You can add and delete anything you want to make the site successful.

If you decide that a website is a good choice for you, check carefully to find the right hosting for your needs. If you are planning on buying and selling sites, look for hosting that allows many domains. Otherwise, you may end up having to buy many hosting packages.

This is only a little bit of information but I have included some links to help you research the topic further.

Until the next post, watch your spending and make sure you are practicing good frugal living.

Frugal Website Advertising with Free Directories

2007-11-03T19:04:00.000-04:00

Building a website or blog can be fun to do but it is no fun if nobody visits the site. The best way to build traffic is to add fresh new content as much as possible. The other key to is advertise your site.

One of the ways to get free advertising is to submit your site to a free directory. There are several directories Online and if you follow their rules, they will list your site and description for free. This is time consuming but well worth the effort to get your site out there so readers and visitors can find you.

To help all the frugal webmasters out there, I am working on compiling a list of free directories. Some may require reciprocal links so be sure to find the directories on the list that most meet your needs. I will include Name of directory, URL, age, PR, and if they require a reciprocal link or not.

The list should be up with in a week so if you have a free directory you would like to list, just leave a comment for this post and it will be listed.

As always be safe and be FRUGAL!!

Christmas is Frugal Fun Time

2007-10-30T10:40:00.000-04:00

Christmas can be the most stressful time of the year. Trying to figure out how to afford all those gifts without sinking into a mountain of debt can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It is time to back up and take a frugal look at reducing the holiday stress.

First, take stock in your Christmas list. Do you really need to exchange with that many people? Cut out the ones who are not immediate family. How often do you rush out just to find a gift for someone like a neighbor just so you have something to give them when they give you the useless gift that you don't want? Let all the extras know that you just enjoy spending time together and you are on a tight budget so you would prefer no gift exchanges. You will be surprised how many of those people will be relieved because they never got up the courage to stop it themselves.

Second, how many gifts can you provide by making instead of buying? Would your sister prefer the expensive perfume she never really uses or a nice home cooked meal you prepared for her? How about coupons for free babysitting. For men, how about coupons for free labor on an oil change, or other services. You could build a craft item or for a bigger gift, a cabinet or entertainment center with scrap wood you have.Use your talent instead of your wallet and you could be a lot less stressed when the bills are added up at Christmas time.

OK, now you have cut down your list and eliminated all the gifts you can make, now is the time to figure out where to get the best price. Here is where the Internet can come in handy. You can a lot of money by shopping Online. Search places like Google for an item you are looking for and compare the prices before you buy. Also, buy the Sunday paper. Yes it cost $2-$3 but the savings in the coupons and the sales you will find in the ads will save you much more than that. Do not be afraid to wait for a sale. Almost everything goes on sale right before Christmas. DO NOT buy the latest greatest limited item that your kid just has to have. Often time these items drop as much as 50% or more after the holiday rush is over. I am not saying deprive your kids but do they really need an item that is so limited you have to camp out for hours just for the chance to buy it?

Look for the best deal, buy what you can afford and turn the stress into fun for the holidays.

The holiday season should be about family fun not who gets the biggest best present. Tone down your spending and become a frugal wizard during the season and you will see your stress go down and your fun and enjoyment go up.

Frugal Meal Stretcher

2007-06-14T11:01:00.000-04:00

There are times in life when the paycheck just doesn't stretch till the end of the month and we need to find ways to make the money and the food last till we get paid. One way is to cut down on the more expensive foods like meat. I am not saying to eliminate it, just find ways to use less and get more.

One of the ways I have found is to add beans to your ground beef when making sloppy joes. To expand a can of sloppy joe or Manwich mix, drain and rinse a can of black beans and add them to the ground beef and can of mix. You get almost double the portion size and it adds a unique flare to the taste that your family will love.

I started using this recipe when we were struggling with money but it tastes so good that this is our family's prefer method of making sloppy joes. We not only save money, it also supplies a good source of fiber to our diets and it adds a lot of protein without the extra fat. I have fed this to my family and to many friends and extended family and I have yet to find anyone who did not like the flavor and commented on the uniqueness of it.

Being frugal is not about depriving yourself or your family of good things, it is about making the best of what you have. With this recipe, your family will still have a great meal while using your frugal living skills to conserve your money.

Frugal Juice

2007-06-12T18:47:00.001-04:00

Have ever tried to buy 100% juice to keep your family healthy only to find that it is very expensive? Well it is worth the price but can be very strong so I try to use this method to reduce the cost and still get the health benefits.

Buy 100% Juice and mix 50% juice with 50% water. This saves a whole a lot of money and it also gives you the nutrition from real juice. The bonus is that you also save cut the calories in half.

This is just a simple thing but it can cut your juice bill in half and cut a few extra calories from your diet.

Drink up and enjoy your frugal living!

Sold My Main Site

2007-06-12T18:31:00.000-04:00

Ok I have been a bit busy so I sold my frugalwiz site so I could catch up on my blogs. I will miss the site but I will still spend time sharing some frugal thoughts on here.

Just wanted to let all of you know so if you expect me to still be there,I will be here plugging away.

More Gardening Frugal Ideas

2007-05-21T16:32:00.000-04:00

Gardening is fun and rewarding but also is a lot of work. It can be very expensive if you don’t use your frugal skills to figure out cheaper ways to do things. I just started my garden for the season. A little late for some but I live in the extreme north so here we start later than most. Here are a few ways I cut down my cost.

First, I had my neighbor till my garden for free with his nice big John Deere tractor. Often times you can find a neighbor with a tractor or tiller who will till your garden for a small fee or free if you do things for each other. A good tilling, especially with a new garden makes the difference of how successful your garden will be.

Next, I added fertilizer for free because my father in law raises Alpacas and you can put it directly in the garden and it will not burn the plants. Often times you can find a neighbor or a farm nearby where you can get all the fertilizer you want if you are willing to load the manure. Horse, cow, and chicken manure should be allowed to compost a while because they can burn your crop. Goat, sheep, rabbit, and alpaca manure can be applied directly to your garden. I use my trusty ATV and little wagon to haul the manure.

Weeds can be a big problem and take a lot of time to control. A good mulch can help reduce pulling weeds and can also lower your water needs because it helps hold in moisture. I found another neighbor who was having his property logged and called him. He had piles of very nice wood chip mulch in piles from the tree cutting. I got enough mulch for my 75’x25’ garden, all my little flower beds and my pumpkin patch for just the cost of a little manual labor of loading it up and bringing it home. Look around your area for free mulch and you can save a lot of money.

These are just a couple of ways I like to save money when planting a garden. Using your frugal skills can get you a long way in saving money.

Estate Auctions

2007-05-14T04:02:00.000-04:00

One of my hobbies and a fun way to get great stuff for cheap is to go to an estate auction. I spent the whole weekend at an auction and I purchased some really good stuff. This is a good way to find things you need or want for a fraction of the cost.

I live on an old farm and I am always needing tools. At the auction, I purchased several toolboxes full of tools and lots of other box deals. I love to sell on eBay so I also always buy the cheap box deals, $1-3, to see what I can get to sell on eBay.

Just one warning, don't buy more than you can fit in your car or truck. I done that a few times and left my wife sitting while i went home to unload. Also be careful not to pay more for something that you can buy new for cheaper. I was at an auction once where someone was paying $18 for a used blender that can be purchased at Walmart for $9.99 new. It was the same brand and model. To be a frugal shopper, you have to do your research and be a smart consumer. Here are a few tips to live by when at an auction:

1. Get there early so you can park close. It is not fun to carry heavy stuff more than a few feet.

2. Set a price you are willing to pay for something at stop at that point. There is nothing more disappointing than spending more for something than it is worth to you.

3. Preview as much as you can to get an idea of the quality of the product you want. Most auctioneers are fairly honest but sometimes they are not or they just don't catch the chip, crack, or broken part. It is your job to make sure what you buy is worth buying.

4. Beware of buyer premiums. They can add as much as 20% (standard is 10%) to the price of your item.

5. Don't listen to everything you hear. People always think they are experts at auctions. If you hear about this great piece that is worth thousands of dollars, don't buy it because unless it was something you already wanted. Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay.

These are just a few tips to ponder when hitting the local estate sales.
Get out there and have fun and be frugal!

Frugal Family Fun for the Summer

2007-05-08T17:52:00.000-04:00

Summer is almost here and for some of us, money is in short supply. Even if you have the extra, one must use it wisely in order to live the frugal living way. There are many ways for frugal families, couples, or even single people to have fun on a tightwad budget.

Swimming is a great activity and can cost just a couple of dollars for a community pool visit or can be totally free at the local lake or creek. Many communities offer free summer concerts that include many great bands. You can pack a lunch and have a nice time. Picnics are always fun and can be a very inexpensive day. Combine it with a natural walk and a swim and you can keep the family entertained all day for almost no cost.

Looking for a bit more things to do? Check out to see if you area has a minor league baseball team. Most of the smaller teams are just a couple of dollars for tickets and have the feel of a big league baseball game. A lot of these teams also have giveaways like free baseballs, bats, programs, autographs and more.

Another big event for the summer that doesn’t cost a lot is the county fair. Many fairs have now started to offer free admission in hopes you will spend more once you get there. Just prepare a budget before you go and the whole family can have a fun filled day on a tightwad budget.

I could list all day the many things that a frugal family could do for the summer. Get out and have fun and don’t let low cash stop you from enjoying the summer. A tightwad budget is just a bump in the road for the true Frugal Wizzer.

Have fun and be frugal!

Seed Swapping

2007-05-07T11:59:00.000-04:00

Gardening season is here and it's time to get out and plant your favorite flowers, veggies, and herbs. A lot of us like to grow heirloom veggies and flowers but the seeds can be expensive. Why not try a seed swap? Many major magazines on gardening offers these swaps and you can also find some online. You send something that you have extra of and someone who has something you need will swap with you. This can save you money and get you some great variety that may not be available in your area.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors by gardening the frugal way!

Don't be scammed!

2007-05-04T11:21:00.000-04:00

More and more people are falling victim to a scam called phishing. For those who are not aware of this, it is when you get an email asking for you to verify your account information with one of your credit card or Online companies such as Paypal or EBay. This costs million a year and defrauds lots of innocent victims. I recently reported one of these emails and I got this back from Bank Of America and I decided to reprint their list because it is good advice on what to avoid when getting such emails.

Here is the Bank of America's List for avoiding being phished:

1. Does the email ask you to go to a website and verify personal information? We won't ask you to verify your personal information in response to an email.

2. What is the tone of the mail? Most phish emails convey a sense of urgency by threatening discontinued service or information loss if you don't take immediate action.

3. What is the quality of the email? Many phish emails have misspellings, bad grammar, or poor punctuation.

4. Are the links in the email valid? Deceptive links in phishing emails look like they are to a valid site, but deliver you to a fraudulent one. Many times you can see if the link is legitimate by just moving your mouse over the link.

5. Is the email personalized with your name and applicable account information? Many phish emails use generic salutations and generic information (e.g. "Dear Customer" or "Dear Account Holder") instead of your name.

6. What is the sender's email address? Many phish emails come from an email address not from the company represented in the email.

7. When in doubt, type it out. If you suspect an email to be phishing, don't click on any links in the email. Type the valid address directly into your web browser.

Here are some of my own to add:

1. Run your mouse cursor over the link and see where the URL leads. Most times it will say something like ebay.scamsite.com, Scam site will be whatever site they have but this shows that eBay is a sub domain of their site and not a real company site. Never click on these links.

2. Never ever fall for an email that makes you promises of riches like wiring you $40,000,000 and you keep part of it and wire the rest back. They just want your bank account information. There is no such thing as get rich for nothing.

3. Don't fall for any get rich quick scheme, they are the only ones getting rich by you paying them for useless information.

4. Be safe and be smart, that is what Frugal Living is all about. We know that hard work is the only to get what we want and there is no easy road to success.

Saving money when eating out.

2007-05-01T15:43:00.000-04:00

Being frugal and saving money is hard when you are busy and on the go a lot. Eating on the go can be very expensive. One of the many ways to save money is to look for cheaper places to eat. WE all know that fast food has gotten very expensive and not to mention that it isn't good for you. One way I save money is by checking the area mini markets. Many offer hot dogs, pizza, subs, and sandwiches that are just as good as any restaurant for a fraction of the cost.

One of my local markets offers a slice of breakfast pizza or regular and a drink for $2. Another market has two slices of pizza and a drink for $3.25 and on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, they offer a large one topping pizza for $5.99 or two for $9.99. They are made fresh and are about the same as a Pizza Hut pan pizza.

Many markets offer hot dogs for as low as $.50 and subs for $2-$3. So when you are on the go or just trying to save money on a night out, be sure to check out your local mini markets for a great deal on some good food. This is a great idea when travelling too.

Take care, be safe and be Frugal because the frugal living is good living!

Link exchange

2007-04-25T19:43:00.000-04:00

I am looking for other frugal type sites that would like to exchange links. If you have a frugal website, you can add http://www.frugalwizard.blogspot.com/ to your site's links and then leave a comment here and I will add you in my links list.

Stay safe and be frugal and lets build a Frugal Living community together!

Why are you Frugal?

2007-04-25T19:32:00.000-04:00

This question often comes up when talking to people. Why are you frugal? I can answer that quite easily myself. I grew up with very little because I came from a large family. My parents had eleven children and I was the youngest. There was not a lot to go around and I also had a father who drank up most of the money we did have. I remember going to school with holes in my shoes because we could not afford to buy new ones. I remember in 6th grade being called out class and taken to Kmart by a teacher to buy me a new pair of sneakers. I remember nights when there was not much to eat. These things were instilled in my brain and they carried on into adulthood.

I am not always as frugal as I should be but overall I try to be. Even though now I could afford to buy sneakers whenever I want them, I still find myself wearing my old ones until there is nothing left of them. I bought a new pair of sneakers two months ago for $10 at Sears (normally $39.99). I have yet to wear them, I keep putting on the old ones everyday, even though the soles are wore out.

I never throw clothes away unless I have to. I guess it is a reflex from childhood where you use what you have because you may not get new anytime soon. This is why I am frugal and this is why I try to save what I can, use what I have, and be as happy as I can with what I have.

Are you frugal? Why are you frugal? Leave your comments here.

Name Brand Products

2007-04-24T10:54:00.000-04:00

I am always looking for the best bargains when shopping. One way I save money is by always buying store brand instead of name brand. Normally you get a product made by the same company that makes the name brand. How does this work for clothing?

Well that is a good question and worth talking about. Some brand name clothing are worth the price and some are not. For example, I can buy Rustler Jeans for $10-13 a pair and they last just as long as Levis for $35-50 a pair. I am 40 and not worried about what name is one my jeans. However, if my wife buys a Walmart sweater or shirt, it seems to wear out very quickly. If she finds a name brand like CJ Banks on sale, she pays a little more but it can last up to three times as long.

Another example is computers, I have spent more for a top name HP and had much more trouble than buying a cheaper brand like Emachines. I have owned three Emachines and not one has quit working. I purchased one HP and have had family members who also have HPs and everyone of the computers have had major problems with in the first couple of years.

I can go on with other examples but if the point is to buy name brand if and only if the extra cost will be less than the extra time you get by going name brand. If you pay 20% more for name brand and it last twice as long than it is a good deal. If you pay twice as much and it last 20% longer than stay with the off brand.

Until next time, be smart, be safe and be Frugal!

Saving on Groceries

2007-04-23T13:46:00.000-04:00

It is getting more and more expensive to buy food these days. Every time I go shopping, I am surprised at the rate of price increase for the food I purchase. I do have some ways that save me money.
1. Always shop around. Try to find the store with the best overall deals and shop there.

2. Buy as much as possible when something is on sale. Items that you use everyday, buy in bulk when on sale. Items like toilet paper, shampoo, soap, and other non-perishables will last forever so grab the bargain while you can.

3. Use warehouse shopping stores like Sam's Club to save money. Be careful not to pay more for bulk than you can get cheaper in smaller quantities.

4. Buy the Sunday paper. The paper is full of coupons and ads to compare shopping. It is well worth the $2-$3 you pay.

5. Print Online coupons. There are many coupons now offered on the Internet. I have included one link to one of the best coupon sites I know.

6. Resist impulse buying. Take a list and follow it. A list will save you time and keep your spending in check.

7. Don't shop on an empty stomach. This causes an increase in impulse buying. The stores don't put all the yummy junk at eye level in the front of the store for no reason.

8. If there is a buy one get one free sale and you only need one, see if you can buy just one for half price. Many stores have their scanners set up to ring up each one at half price. If you find a store that doesn't see if you can split the items with a friend or neighbor that just needs one.

9. Try to shop with stores that offer double or triple coupon days. Just make sure the savings is not less than you would pay at a cheaper store.

10. Buy store brands as much as possible. Most are made by name brand companies and you will find little or no difference in quality.

These are just a few ideas to save money at the grocery store. If you have some others, please leave a comment and share your ideas with other frugal wizzers.

Be safe, be happy, and be frugal!

Yard Sale Season

2007-04-22T18:19:00.000-04:00

It is that time of the year when flowers bloom, weather is sunny and warm, and winter blues fade. For the frugal wizzers, it is our favorite time of the year, the start of yard sales. It gets our blood pumping and hearts racing to head out on the weekend mornings looking for the bargain. to help thing go smooth, I have decided to list a few hints for finding the right bargain.

1. The early bird gets the worm. Get up early and get out there when the sales start.

2. Be prepared with small bills and loose change. Most sellers will have change but some don't. Be prepared!

3. Know your limit. Sometime we head out looking and get caught up with buying and then we end up with more than we need. If you need it, really want it, or have a purpose for it, buy it. If you are just buying because you think it is too good a deal to pass up, skip it.

4. Always be polite. We frugal wizzers are looking for the best deal but not if it means be rude. You mama taught you manners, use them. A please, thank you, and common respect will get a better deal in the long run.

5. Don't be afraid to ask. If you see something you want to buy, don't be afraid to ask for a better deal. Most sellers want to get rid of the stuff and are willing to make a deal. Some have no idea how to price items but are very willing to lower the price if someone suggests a price. Be fair and most sellers will lower the price. If you know something is worth $100, be fair with your offer.

6. Look for deals to resale. EBay is a great place to make extra money. If you find a bargain, buy it to resell. Books are great if you use a service like half.com

These are just a small list of pointers. Look for more on our main website as the season gets under way.

So now get out there and prove yourself worthy of being called a Frugal Wizzer!

Changes a coming!

2007-04-18T08:15:00.000-04:00

If you have not been checking in on our blog, there has been some changes and more planned. Please be sure to keep checking the site and make sure you bookmark it.

I have plans of adding at least one article and/or one page a day for the next month. We are looking for some good writers who want the opportunity to display their article on our site. I will allow links back to your website or blog and contact information to be included with the published article.

We are also looking for lots and lots of suggestions! Have an idea to make the site better? Have a frugal idea or tip? Have a frugal recipe? Please leave us a comment because we love to hear from you.

Until next time, be safe and be frugal!

Breakfast for the Frugal

2007-04-16T19:31:00.000-04:00

Breakfast time becomes boring after a while. Same old cold cereal getting boring? Here is a quick and easy frugal breakfast.

My family loves to have breakfast pizza, it is simple to make and so yummy.

First take the store bought Pillsbury or (store brand if cheaper) of crescent rolls and place flatten down in a baking pan. Pour beaten eggs on top and add shredded cheese (cheaper if you shred it yourself) and any meat. We like ham but you can use sausage, bacon, left over ground beef, turkey, etc... Bake in the oven on 350 for about 30 minutes or until eggs are fully done. Longer if you want it really brown.

This is a great breakfast and if you use coupons for the crescent rolls and cheese, it comes out really cheap. You can store this up to a week in the refrigerator and it will be easy to pull out and reheat in the microwave when everyone is rushing to get to work or school. It also is much healthier and cheaper than eating McDonald's or other fast food. Now that's Frugal!

Enjoy the breakfast and as always be Frugal!

Great deals at the Dollar Store

2007-04-15T08:34:00.000-04:00

We just made a trip to our local dollar store and was amazed at the new stuff they just got in stock. We have a local store called Real Deals Dollar Store where everything is $1.00. We just purchased some flip flops by Okabashi. They are the MagnePlus Reflexology ones and I just checked their website and they sell for $15.99 each.

I love flip flops (not the between the toe kind) to wear around the house and all summer long. I normally purchase the cheap ones at Dollar General for $3.99 but last year they didn't have them so mine are looking rough. I was so excited to find these and was able to buy three pairs for the price of the cheap ones.

If you are looking for anything, it is always best to check the dollar store first. When I bought my last computer printer at Best Buy, I found out that the printers no longer come with cables. Best Buy wanted $30 for a cable; it was more than the printer. I went to Real Deals and found the cable for $1.00.

I love dollar stores and they are the Frugal Wizzers best resource for a good bargain.

Saving money

2007-04-12T20:52:00.000-04:00

Saving Money comes down to will power. You must resist the urge to over spend. Ask yourself, do you really need that? If the answer is yes, then buy it. However, you should be honest with yourself. It is always better to walk away and think about something before you just outright pruchase it. If you can wait overnight, you may see a different view on rather you need it or not.

The other important thing to thing about is whether it is a need or a want. Certainly, if it is a need, you may have to break down and make the purchase, but wants can sometimes wait. If you purchase a want when you really can't afford it, you may be causing yourself unneccessary stress later when the bills are difficult to pay or something if an emergency comes up and there is nothing extra. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that often time once decisions are made, they are rarely able to be changed.