Low or No-Cost Gift Ideas

My last post of being frugal for a while, as it is time to move on to a different focus. It doesn't have to cost anything in the way of money to give a loving gift.  Try one of these frugal gifts and see how thrilled your recipient is.

• Print them off a handmade coupon for a back massage.
• Cook a special dinner for a friend or loved one.
• Give someone a special a day of pampering.
• Write a poem or a quote in honor of someone's birthday.
• Create a drawing or painting that has special meaning.
• Make them a piece of jewelry out of seashells or pinecones.
• Print off information on a topic of interest to someone.
• Pass along a family heirloom or something that has sentimental value.
• Surprise someone with a picnic using food that you already have on hand.
• Make cookies or fudge and wrap them in tissue paper.
• Send an e-mail that lists out the reasons why they are special or why you love them.
• Give them an old photograph that has been tucked away for some time.
• Create a hobby scrapbook with images, articles, and tidbits about their favorite activity.
• Give them a seedling to grow using one of your own plants.
• Find a funky shaped rock and write a story about what it reminds you of.
• Sew together pieces of old clothing for a truly unique table runner.
• Create a gift voucher for one hour of doing whatever they want.
• Weed their garden for them or rake their lawn.
• Decorate a household utensil with craft items you have on hand.
• Give them a hug.
• Give them a kiss.

Don't be embarrassed if you are a little short on cash or if you want to try one of these free gift ideas. The best gifts really do come from the heart.

Frugality Can Equal Happiness

Frugality and happiness aren't something society usually put together. Frugality often brings up images of great sacrifice. We think of the miser who lived in poverty only for others to find millions saved after the miser passes away. What was the use?

Frugal living isn't necessarily what you may possibly consider it to be. Frugal people live very happy lives. They find happiness in meeting goals, reducing their financial burdens and living stress-free.

How happy can you when you are struggling to make ends meet or be when you are drowning in debt? You aren't living frugally, but you aren't happy either.

The frugal person often sees each step towards being debt-free or early retirement as a great success. They don't focus on that outfit they didn't buy or that new car they aren't driving. They focus on having spending money left over at the end of the month. They focus on the things that really matter.

Frugality is also a huge challenge. You get to be very creative with your money and the way you live. Many people love moving from one thing to another, looking at the way to cut costs for each category. For example, you've cut your utilities, now what about your groceries or gasoline consumption?

The goal is what keeps the frugal person going. The daily victories and challenges keep them interested. The penny saved keeps them adding it all up. And the debt-free life keeps them stress-free.

Imagine a life where you have no debts to pay. All you have are your living expenses. Think about having two thousand extra dollars a month. Dollars that aren't already spent before you make them. Think about retiring early to do something you enjoy instead of something you have to do. Think about following your dreams. Think about having money left over each month.

Frugality will get you there. Now wouldn't that make you happy?

Being Paid to Shop

Always use items that are reusable rather than throw away. You'll find that doing these little things like using real cups and plates instead of paper or plastic throw away, and recycling containers for storage or even to use in craft projects, you can save a lot of money. Each by itself may seem minor, but when put together they can amount to tremendous savings over time.

Don't buy it if you won't use it. Things like small kitchen appliances, repair tools, and gardening tools are good examples. We know they'd make our life easier if we just had the opportunity to use them. Simplify your life and narrow it down to a couple you just can't live without like a can opener and coffee maker.

 The above are examples of things you can do to save money on your quest to live to live the frugal lifestyle.  I want to tell you about another frugal activity that can result in hundreds of dollars a year-rebates and coupons.  I list both together, because using both, along with your weekly sales ad, is the best way to save money.

If you think this will take up time, you are correct, it will, but the time spent on this organization will be well worth it to you. An hour or two spent organizing your coupons and rebates and then using them at a store where there is a sale on, may save you hundreds of dollars a month on your food bill. You save money without sacrificing the quality of the food you purchase. The first few times getting organized will take some time, but stick with it and over time, you will find that your ability to get organized will become faster and easier. Think of applying your savings to yourself as an hourly wage, and you may find that you are paying yourself up to $30.00 an hour. Well worth it, I think.

Gather all your coupons-you have been clipping them, haven't you? Now check your weekly sales ads and see what items are on sale that you have coupons for.  This done, check and see if the store offers double coupons.  These are the stores you want to check first.  Now go online and put in a search for rebates plus your product.  Many will be printable.

This done, do your shopping and mail out your rebate forms, then sit back and relax.  Oftentimes. You will find you actually come out ahead in this deal, as the rebate will be the price of the item before the use of the coupon

Find the Savings--More tips on being Frugal

There are lots of ways to save money, no matter how much of it you have - or don't have. All you need to know is where to look to find the savings.

The first thing you need to do is eliminate ALL of your unnecessary expenses such as eating out on the weekends, buying lunch at work every day subscribing to magazines and newspapers and cable television.

It's OK to reward yourself once in a while, but if you are really looking to live frugally, you owe it to yourself to save every single penny you can!

To find other ways to reduce your expenses, take a close look at your chequebook and credit card statements. You should also call your credit card companies to see if they will lower your interest rates.

You'll be amazed at how many ways you can save money, especially once you start looking carefully at how you spend your money every month.

For those expenses you can't eliminate, it's time to start shopping around for the best prices. Things like car insurance, groceries, clothing and gifts can be found at very reasonable prices if you take the time to seek out the bargains.

The same is true of many of your monthly expenses - like long distance telephone service, internet service, all types of insurance, mortgages, and in some places even your utility bills.

So, if you'd like to save yourself lots of money every month - and who doesn't - start shopping around and looking for ways to lower your monthly bills right away.  Add this to cutting out unnecessary expenses and you could find yourself being able to save thousands of dollars each year. The initial investment of time to seek out the best values will be well worth it in the long run.