Frugal Friday: Sewing on a Budget

Faced with dwindling options for pre-made clothes that are both modest and affordable, many women are getting back to sewing their own clothing. If you've bought any sewing supplies lately, though, you may have been surprised to find that they make a bigger dent in your budget than you'd like.

Tips for Sewing on a (Real) Budget

• Stock up on basic supplies while they are on sale. Things like interfacing, elastic, buttons, zippers, and thread are often available for 50% off. It's a good idea to buy enough of these items to last for at least several months when you find a good price.
• Watch for coupons. Fabric stores such as Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores often have high-value coupons in their mailers. Sign up to receive the mailer so you won't miss a great deal!
• Buy notions in bulk. Elastic and other notions are usually far less expensive when purchased in bulk. For example, you can buy a three-yard package of elastic for less than the cost of two one-yard packages. And if you don't mind really stocking up, you can save even more--you'll likely be able to get five yards of elastic for less the price of two one-yard packages at Walmart. (Check out HomeSew for deals on bulk purchases).
• The least-expensive fabrics aren't always the best buy. Always check the quality of fabric before you buy! Some of the lower-priced materials shrink and fade after only a few washes; others require ironing after every wash. If you choose fabric that must be dry cleaned, the cost will be significantly more over the life of the garment.
• Never pay full price for sewing patterns. Patterns are outrageously expensive. Make a list of patterns that you'd like to have, and stash the list in your wallet or purse. When you find a great sale, you'll be able to purchase the patterns for a fraction of the regular cost.
• Check thrift stores for less expensive alternatives. If you need to replace a zipper in a coat or jacket, for example, you may be able to find a second-hand coat with the same color zipper. Take a few minutes to remove the zipper from the original garment, and you'll save yourself quite a bit.
• Recycle worn-out clothing. Before getting rid of old clothing, check for things you might be able to salvage. Clip off pretty buttons, remove a like-new applique, or save the best part of the fabric to make baby or doll clothes. Don't forget that some fabrics will make great cleaning rags, too.

How do you save money on sewing supplies?

How We: Save Money on Family Vacations

Vacation! Just the word conjures up feelings of excitement, images of frothy waves rushing ashore, mouth-watering cravings for crunchy-sweet funnel cakes, sounds of laughter and children's squeals, and the scent of 

sunscreen, salty ocean air, or fresh mountain breezes.  

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Or maybe the word "vacation" brings feelings of stress, images of evaporating money, cravings for a fat wallet, sounds of the cash register's cha-ching!, and the scent of gasoline. Taking a family on a vacation can be pricey and nerve-wracking, to say the least. Today's economy certainly doesn't help. Does that mean we have to forego having a fun time away with our kiddos? Nope! But, it will take some planning, research, and string-pulling to make it happen. Here are a few tips that I've either used myself or about which I've heard positive reports. 

Gotta Get There First

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I don't know about you, but the first concerns that come to mind at our house when we talk about going anywhere are...you guessed it...gas and hotel/cabin prices. I've looked up a few sites that might help with finding cheap gas:

• GasBuddy.com (They have an app, too. You'll find it on their website or at Amazon: GasBuddy app)
• Automotive.com
• mapquest.com (This one looked especially helpful.)

Also, don't forget about the gas perks offered by grocery chains. It's a great way to save money on gas! 

A Place to Land

In my opinion, the place you stay can make or break your vacation. But maybe that's just me. We've saved money on a motel before without doing it as cautiously as we should have...and we were miserable. The room was filthy. So, when trying to save a few bucks on a motel room or cabin, do it carefully and consider what's important to you! 

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It takes hours of research to find a good deal on a great room. (Well, it does for me. Please don't laugh, and, if you have pointers on how to do it in just a few minutes, please don't tell me...yet.) I hope these tips will make that time frame a little shorter for you. 

You've heard of sites like Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, and Hotwire.com. I've used some of theses sites, but usually only to help me find motels and to read reviews. You can find good rates in this way, but I always recommend calling the hotel directly, just to be sure you have the best rate. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that, no matter what the site says, you do not have to separate your family into two rooms, unless, of course, you have so many children that they really won't fit into one room. We have four children and they can still sleep like puppies; piled any old place. We've been told by some hotels (when calling the main reservation number) that we would need to get two rooms, but we've never done it. We either called the hotel directly and found out that that wasn't, in fact, a requirement, or we've used a different hotel. 

Review the Reviews

As I mentioned before, the sites listed above are great for reviews. Don't trust photos of hotels or even the name of a well-known chain to ensure a nice, clean room or good service. Do trust the reviews of actual customers, if the majority agrees and if the review has been posted recently. It's a let down to arrive at your destination and discover that your room is dirty and the service is poor. 

Boarding Your Pet

Our Shorkie, Snickers :)

We have a tiny, four-pound Shorkie. We love that little dog, but it's a little difficult to figure out what we should do with him when we go on a trip. Do we take him, or board him near home? If we take him, do we board him near the hotel, or haul him around with us? The best choice, usually, seems to be to take him with us and board him, at least during the day, near where we're vacationing. That way we don't stress about him, but we don't have to deal with dragging the poor little thing around all day. Here are a few sites where you can find listings of Pet-Sitters/Boarders. 

• All Dog Boarding (Not sure why the name, but I don't think it's only for dogs.)
• ASPCA 

DruryHotels.com

A Personal Plug, If I May

I'd like to put a plug in here for a hotel where we stayed once; Drury Inn. The room was one of the nicest we've seen, the service was amazing, the amenities were better than most, and the price was very reasonable. One of the biggest pluses for us was the fact that they were pet-friendly and didn't charge extra for our dog. We'd love to stay at these hotels wherever we go, but, I guess we just haven't gone to the right places. :)

Admission Fees

So, you're there, you've got a place to stay, now what? Admission prices can deplete a family budget in no time flat. There are ways to bring down the cost, however. 

Of course, being a member of a club like AAA makes it easy to get discounts at many places, but you can get some discounts without being a member of a club. 

• Student discounts
• Homeschool discounts
• Group Discounts
• Minister's Discounts
• Military Discounts

If you are a college student, or have school-age children, you may be eligible for discounts at quite a few museums, parks, etc. Many are even free! The same goes for homeschoolers. It never hurts to ask! You just might be surprised who offers these discounts, and how deep those discounts are! 

Ripleys.com

Case in point: We stopped by Gatlinburg on our way home from a campmeeting once. I knew that Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies offered a sizable discount to homeschoolers, but I knew they required paperwork before they'd give that discount. Since we hadn't planned on this little mini-vacation I didn't have the paperwork with me, but I thought I'd take my chances and ask. Couldn't hurt. I explained the situation to the man at the ticket counter and, after just a few moments of consideration, he said (rather apologetically, I thought) "How does half-off sound?" How does it SOUND? It sounded fantastic! Our family of five (I think we only had three children at the time) got in for around $35! Now beat that! I was very, very grateful. That was several years ago, but you can be sure that the next time we plan to visit Ripley's Aquarium, I'll have the necessary documents/cards in hand and I'll ask about getting that discount again!  

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If you have several children and are traveling with other family members or friends, you may qualify for a group discount. I've never done this, but I don't know why it wouldn't work. It's worth checking into. 

If there is a member of the family who is in the ministry, you may get a discount at certain hotels and cabin rental agencies. These discounts aren't as plentiful as the others, but they're around. You just have to ask. 

If you're a member of the military, you should be aware of the many, well-deserved Military Discounts available to you. 

Tips on eating out frugally will be addressed on the blog at a later date, so I'll just add this: 

• Decide if you want to cook while you're on vacation, eat out, or a combination of the two. Plan and buy accordingly.
• If you're eating out, you may want to make sure that the prices don't skyrocket at dinnertime. Once, when we went to one of our favorite restaurants in Pigeon Forge, we arrived just a few minutes after the price change and the difference was ridiculous! We knew better the next time, I can assure you.
• Don't forget the coupons! Retail Me Not is a great, safe site where you'll find coupons to meet your needs. 

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Go Local

If you simply can't swing an "away" vacation, it might still be possible to have a staycation, or to spend one night at a local hotel. Take some snacks, movies, and games, and enjoy the togetherness of family.Plan visits to local museums, zoos, and historical landmarks. You might be surprised at the fun stuff located in your own backyard! 

Go Off-Season

One of our favorite traditions is to head to the beach in December or January. We load up with games, snacks, and movies, rent an ocean-front suite, and have a blast. The cost of a deluxe suite, in the off-season, can be as low as the cost of a regular hotel room. 

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If at all possible, unless you particularly enjoy crowds and price-hikes, it's always best to visit tourist areas in the off-season. You'll be amazed at the difference in cost, and you'll find your vacation far quieter and more relaxing. Do be aware, however, that all of the attractions may not be open. 

Ready, Set, Go!

Well, this post got rather long-ish! But I do hope it's helpful to you as you plan your next vacation.

Have a fun, safe, and happy summer!

Stretching Your Homeschooling Dollars

Most families today are trying to make every dollar stretch as far as possible. Groceries, gas, utilities, taxes, insurance . . . every month seems to bring rising expenses. After paying all the bills, it may seem next to impossible to afford quality homeschool materials.

I have found that, with a little time and creativity, even a larger family CAN afford to homeschool. Here are a few ways to stretch your homeschooling dollars:

Buy used curriculum.

Never purchase brand-new materials until you have invested some time in searching for used items first. A few places to check:

• HomeschoolClassifieds.com
• HomeschoolReviews.com (Swap Board)
• eBay

Choose materials that can be passed down.

By selecting homeschooling materials that are easily adaptable, you can reuse curriculum with younger children, even those with varying learning styles. Keep an eye open for books that may be reproduced within your family, as well. 

Resell items your family is no longer using.

Hold onto the teacher's manuals and other books that you are certain you will be using with other children. Then list the other items for resale. Tuck away the money you earn by selling used curriculum; it will come in handy for purchasing new-to-you materials!

Trade with other homeschool families.

See if a fellow homeschooler might be able to lend you a particular book or manual for a year. In return, check for materials that you could lend during the coming year.

Utilize free resources.

You can find many books and other resources available for free at your local library. Dozens of classics and other public domain books are available for Kindle; if you don't own a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle app for your computer.

How do you stretch your homeschooling dollars?

Guest Post: Dressing Your Children on a Dime

How to Build A Wardrobe for Your Children

by Krista Hart

1. Make Do.

As moms, we often receive clothing from generous friends during a baby shower, hand-me-downs from relatives or friends, gifts from grandparents, etc.  However, as nice as the thought may be, sometimes the item is just not what one would prefer.  When I had my first child, I would quickly weed out any clothing gifts that did not fit my idea of what I preferred for my child to wear.  However, I’ve learned that to stretch our family’s clothing budget I need to make the most of what is given to us, so I try my hardest to make it work.  Often by combining another piece of clothing or a matching accessory, I have been able to tailor the outfit to my liking.  If the clothing item doesn’t meet our family’s modesty standards, layering has been our friend.  A pair of leggings under a shorter skirt or a t-shirt under a strappy shirt has turned an entire outfit around.

2.  Repurpose.

It’s easy to get spring cleaning fever and weed out everything from the previous season, however don’t be too hasty to relinquish these items to the yard sale pile.  No need to throw the short sleeves out with the summer. Instead, save them and use them to layer.  Not only is this in fashion right now, but it adds an extra layer of warmth.  If you are handy with a sewing machine, the same can be done with winter items by turning pants into shorts, long skirts into shorter skirts, long leggings into capri-length--the possibilities are endless.

  

3. Buy Used.

Once you have compiled your stack of hand-me-downs and gifts and exhausted your repurposing efforts, it’s time to pack up and head out to a local thrift store, consignment shop, or consignment sale.  I always begin by shopping at thrift stores, because here you will find things for the lowest cost.  For example, at our local Goodwill, all children’s items are $1.99.  Next, I shop consignment sales.  You can still find incredible deals, but it will be a bit more expensive because consignors are looking to make a profit (A list of consignment sales in your area can be found here).  Consignment stores are great, but tend to be my last stop because both the consignor and consignment shop are attempting to make a profit, and therefore, there can be a decent mark-up.  Two of the chains I frequent are Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child, but you can find other thrift/consignment stores in your area here.

4. Buy New On Sale. 

Always make the department store your last stop!  Those aisles of minature sized clothing have a way of calling out, beckoning me to part with my money, but the reality is that I would be parting with far more money than it is worth for the short amount of time my children will wear the clothing. Before heading out to a department store, I inventory what I’ve collected from gifts, repurposing, and buying used, then make a list of what I am lacking.  Usually, it boils down to just a few plain-colored shirts, a few pairs of leggings, underwear, and socks.  I am usually able to find all the patterned shirts, sweaters, jackets, pants, skirts, and shorts I need, but plain colored basics are harder to find used.  With my list in hand, I search out the items I need on clearance racks.  If I absolutely cannot find what I need on clearance, I will look for sales, and, if necessary, buy one or two items at full-price.

Things to Consider When Dressing Your Children on a Dime 


1. Think outside the matching box.

As I have made my best effort to stretch our clothing budget, I’ve re-thought my approach to matching clothing.  Whereas, at one time, things had to match perfectly, I now settle for things not being the exact same shade, but close enough. I also try different color combinations for fun.  Sometimes, by switching a couple of pieces, my children have a whole new outfit. 

2.  Don’t sweat the small stains.

Buying used or making use of hand-me-downs means that sometimes you get an item home and find that there is a small stain or even a very small imperfection like a hole or a missing button.  This used to frustrate me badly, and I would discard the whole item.  However, the reality is that your little one will probably make their own “impact” on a piece of clothing!  So, my rule of thumb has been not to “sweat the small” stains, holes, or imperfections.  Often, the piece of clothing is still in good condition and usable.  Sometimes a little Oxiclean in the wash will take care of a stain, and buttons can always be sewn on to make these items work.

  

3. Know  your brands and prices.

Buying used means that you need to know if you are getting a good deal or if you are paying the same price as you would for a new item.  It is particularly useful to know what things cost before going to a consignment store or sale.  An easy way to do this is by looking online and jotting down prices for items you might be looking for at a consignment store.  You might also take notice of sales when you are in a department store.  For instance, I know a basic, Cherokee brand t-shirt from Target will usually be marked down to $5 several times throughout a season, so if I see a used one for $4, it’s probably not the best deal!

Using these strategies, with two children, two-and-a-half and five, I have never spent more than $100 per child to clothe them for a season (I only shop for two seasons: fall-winter and spring-summer).  I hope that these tips will help you in dressing your children on a dime.  Happy saving!

For more reading on how to dress your children on a dime, see:

Becoming a Master Used-Clothing Shopper

Living Debt Free

Buy Used and Save the Difference--Even on Splurges

Coupons, Clothes, and Sales

Recently my oldest child took off on a growth spurt. It is my custom to buy ahead when I find things on sale, at garage sales, or thrift stores. However, my “grow into” box was pretty much null and void. Now what should I do?   Thank the Lord for coupons! I use them in every possible way…grocery shopping, clothes shopping, gift shopping, eating out—To change the old saying a little, “If there ain’t no coupons, then momma ain’t happy!” My children know that it isn’t bought unless it is on sale and a coupon available.

 Most of the time they are thrilled with the bargains that can be found, but other times I have heard disgruntled words of: “Oh Mom, do we really need a coupon?” or “Why do we have to wait for it to go on sale?  Then begins my explanation of how that God has entrusted us with money and we must be frugal about how we use it. God doesn’t want me to purchase the first pretty item I see hanging on a rack or pictured on a website. I must be wise in my choices. Can this be used with another outfit? How long can it be worn? Or even how many times? When children are growing, it is unwise to pay full price for something.

I love to color co-ordinate my family. It is fun to dress my girls and boys in matching outfits. It has amazed me the many times that I will pull out boxes of “hand-me-down” clothes to find that it fits right in with other outfits that are in our closets.  Right now I am currently in the transition of packing away winter, outgrown clothes and attempting to put in spring/summer. UGH! My most detested task of motherhood! Therefore this has been an ongoing project for about a month. I intend to fully complete it this week. Now, I have said it for others to read…this should make me accountable to get it done. (Someone please check up on me by Friday. SMILE!)

Back to my beginning thoughts, I have been able to find several modest skirts, dresses, and tops and not pay full price. To me, this is a reward from God because I have a routine for buying things at a fraction of the original price.  Does this take a little more time? Yes! Do I enjoy it? Yes! But there are some who do not enjoy shopping or digging through sale racks or thrift store junk to find that one treasure. In that situation, employ a personal shopper! I am ready to be hired! Just kidding! Instead, take it to the Lord! He knows what we have need of even before we ask. The Lord is familiar with how thrifty or wise we attempt to be and will reward us for doing our best. You say even in dressing our children? Definitely! He cares about all areas of our lives! So be prudent, for that money you can save may help clothe a missionary’s child or those who are not as fortunate as you.

 -Tonya

The Most Frugal Practice in My Kitchen

Everyone seems to be trying to save money these days. For moms with many kids and/or one income families, it is essential to cut unnecessary costs. One of the variables in a budget is food. No two household grocery budgets look alike, however almost all of us could cut costs here first in an emergency.

I will make a confession. I am not into couponing. If you get carts of groceries for pennies, then my hat is off to you. (Actually, I'm too cheap discerning to buy a hat. But you know what I mean.) That why this is the most frugal practice in my kitchen. I'd love to hear about some of yours!

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No, mine isn't couponing or even making my own bread most of the time (although that would save a lot of money....and chemicals). It's bones. Yep! I get a lot out of bones. Now before you get a mental image of my children fighting the dog for his chew toy (No dog either...again, too cheap frugal), let me explain.

When we buy our beef, I request the bones from the butcher. When I roast a chicken or turkey, I save the bones. When my mom roasts one and offers the bones to me, however, I say "No, thank you!" The bones and broth have spilled in my car on the way home too many times.


So how do bones save me money? Well, first of all, I get great nutrition and often one or two more meals out of something I would have thrown away. Secondly, I never have to buy canned broth for recipes. Or bouillon. I cannot even remember the last time I bought cream of chicken soup which used to be a staple in my pantry. Third, having the broth on hand motivates me to make healthier, more frugal meals like homemade soups and casseroles.


The process. I know a lot of you already do this and probably have a method more perfect than mine. However, enough people look at me strangely when I mention saving the bones from meat that I know you don't all do this.

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In this example, I'll tell you how to stretch a roast chicken. After feeding it to your family with some mashed potatoes and noodles (or  gravy if you don't have Pennsylvania Dutch heritage like I do), put the bones back in your roaster or crockpot. I do not have pictures of this because I really didn't think anyone wanted to look at bones. I said this was frugal not photogenic. 

 Pour any leftover broth or gravy over the bones, then cover completely with water. Turn it on low heat and leave it alone. You can add some onions and garlic and celery. It adds a delicious flavor, but it is not necessary.  If you do it in the crockpot, you can leave it overnight or longer.

What you have after this process is delicious broth. You can strain it and put it into the refrigerator. All the fat will rise to the top after being chilled. You can skim it off and, if you cooked a good chicken, you should have a gelatin-like broth.

Put it into freezer bags (or glass jars if plastic creeps you out---just make sure you leave space at the top for expansion). A sandwich bag holds about 2 cups. A quart bag holds about four cups.

After you put all the broth away in the freezer, you can pick the bones. This is admittedly not very fun. It is also something you will most assuredly do alone. This is not a kitchen chore for which I get volunteers. I can usually get a cup or two of chicken off the bones. I also freeze this for other meals like Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Casserole or sandwiches.

The best part is, you can boil the same bones again for several more times and get even more broth! I have done this until the bones started to disintegrate, although the flavor is most rich with the first time or two of  boiling.


Why do I say this is the most frugal practice in my kitchen? If I pay $6 for a roast chicken and feed our family of 6, I have paid $1 per person for our meal. Not bad. If I boil the bones and get broth and chicken for one more meal, I have paid 50 cents a person per meal. A lot better. If I boil the bones again, while I may not have enough meat for another meal (though often I can get 3 or 4 meals out of one chicken), I have at least cut the cost to somewhere below 50 cents per person per meal.

If I got a free box of Hamburger Helper with coupons, I'd still have to buy the hamburger and it would only last my family one meal (probably one snack, the way my family eats!). So this is my brand of frugality.


Do you keep your bones? What is your most frugal kitchen tip?

Warm, Fuzzy Feelings

Valentine’s Day is this week! To some this brings thoughts of romance. Others think it is only a chance for the retail world to make a few bucks. To me, I love to save a few bucks and I do enjoy romance. So the best of both worlds! Although romance ranks high on my list of likes I want to focus more on the warm, fuzzy feelings I get from saving a penny.

Our family is large by most people’s thoughts. My husband and I are blessed with 4 children ranging in age from 16 months to 9 years. To keep them clothed and fed, does take a little creativity especially with my husband being a pastor. It is not a mega church that provides a large compensation plan with all the benefits, but that is fine! Our benefits are “out of this world”….God’s compensation plan is better. I received great training for saving money by being raised by a “penny pincher” Mom that never paid full price for anything. Now, I am following in those footsteps and even adding my own twist.

There are many ways to stretch your dollar. It gives me the shivers when I can find an expensive item that is needed for a fraction of the cost. To demonstrate this, just this week I visited a thrift store. I love to visit these to find bargains of all kinds. I keep my eyes open for needs now or for things for the future. This particular day certain color tags were 50 cents. Wow! As I began scanning the racks, my eyes glimpsed what appeared to be a nice coat in the next aisle. I quickly grasped the hanger and pulled it through to take a look. Would you believe it was a name brand winter coat in the next size up for my oldest? It looked barely worn and it was the right color tag! Cha ching! Paying 50 cents for a coat that would have cost new $80 to $100…talk about a warm,
fuzzy feeling.

Another deal was at Goodwill this week….all books were 3 for $1. I found several books that would have cost anywhere from $10 and up. Also, that is one of my favorite spots after Christmas. This particular store places their Christmas items 75%. I have found some awesome bargains there. Like new boxed Mikasa vases or items that have original price tags of $30 and I paid less than $1.

These are just a few of my thrift store finds that bring warm, fuzzy feelings. I could list many others. If you haven’t visited a thrift store recently…check it out! You might be surprised what you will find. I am hoping these savings might bring funds for a moment of romance (that is if I can find a babysitter).


Tonya Hamilton

Five Steps to Making Real Food Cheaper

Unfortunately, real food can be more expensive. That is, if you shop in traditional ways. However, if you follow these steps, you might find that real food can actually be cheaper than what you're doing now!

Step One:  Swap a Processed Product for a Real Product
This is the simplest way to save money on real food. Look in your cart and find one processed thing that you already buy. For example, find that box of cereal in your cart for at least $2.50. Coupons can make it cheaper, but coupons are usually for the "breakfast candy" types of cereal. If it's a truly healthy version, it's probably closer to $4 or $5. Buy a box of oatmeal for the same amount or less than the cheap box of cereal, and serve more meals with greater variety.


Step Two:  Make Your Own
It is true that not every product can be that simply replaced at the grocery store. Bakery items like breads, tortillas, and muffins can almost always be made cheaper at home. Many breakfast items like granola, pancakes and waffles can as well. I love to make my own soups and sauces as much as possible. They are pretty easy, taste much better and cost much less!

Step Three: Grow Your Own
Fresh produce is the staple of the healthy diet. It is so satisfying to be able to pick tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce from your own backyard or from a pot on your porch. This cuts down on cost considerably, especially if you grow enough to freeze or can.

Step Four:  Purchase Directly from the Source
If you aren't able to grow your own, it is often cheaper to buy from a farm or a farm market. Many farmers grow produce organically even though they are not officially certified. Since they don't have to pay for the certification process, they can pass on organic produce to you at a much lower price. Pick-your-own farms are also great for this. We have a tradition of picking strawberries every year and freezing them to enjoy during those months they are $4 a pound!
Step Five: Buy in Bulk
Two discoveries have helped us to provide our family with healthier foods on a budget. One is the bulk bins in the health food store. I can try new things in whatever amounts I choose, and the cost is really minimal since I don't have to get the big bag or fancy packaging.
I like to buy raw nuts this way, since really I only need a small amount for snacks. Though they are expensive per pound, I can buy just what I need for no more than a bag of chips that would be void of nutrition and last half as long. I've taken this a step further and purchase things I know we enjoy like brown rice and rolled oats in 25# bags, driving the cost down further.

The best thing to buy in bulk is meat. This can be a large initial investment, so we don't always get to do it. However, when we can set aside some money through the year, we buy half a cow.  Grass-fed beef not treated with antibiotics is $4.99 per pound or more in the health food store, and that is just for hamburger! I can purchase all my beef from hamburger to sirloin tip roast to porterhouse steak for less per pound than I would pay for hamburger in the health food store. Actually, when I buy in bulk, the cost is very comparable to what I would pay in a regular grocery store for the hamburger.

Although I can no longer be a "coupon queen" while buying real food, my grocery budget (which includes all paper products and toiletries but not diapers) has only doubled in the 12 years since I married and we lived on Hamburger Helper, canned soup, ramen noodles and coupon-purchased cereal. This isn't too bad since our family size has tripled since then and I don't buy many boxes, bags or cans anymore.

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Isn't Real Food Expensive?

The first thing people ask when the subject of healthy eating comes up is, "But isn't it expensive?" Although, I'd love to say without reserve, "Oh, no! It's much cheaper," there are a lot of variables. What's expensive for one person might be pocket change for another. Even real food diets vary quite a bit, so it is difficult to put a dollar amount on it.

Here are a few of my thoughts on budgets and real food:

 

You can choose whether to pay for health now or later.
When we aren't eating well, we tend to get sick. With the money that doctors and co-pays cost and time missed from work in my husband's case, we could buy a lot of fresh, whole food.  Even if bad eating doesn't make us sick in the present, it most definitely will at some point down the road. The big killers in America are almost all symptoms of lifestyle, according to many research studies. We are also spending more on health care than most, if not all, other countries. It will cost us sooner or later.

Prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Throughout life, wealth can get us a lot of things, but it can never buy back our health. It can only pay for health care (or as I would prefer to call it, "disease care".)  Even if you can spend enough to cure your condition, you will never be as healthy as you would have been had you prevented the condition altogether.

Make good food a priority.
In a time of rising costs, food is one of the ways we can cut back, so we often take from the grocery budget to pay for other, more pressing things. In light of the health of our families, however, we would do well to consider, "Is this $3 box of cereal or that $3 bag of apples going to nourish my family better?"

Know the cheaper healthy foods.
I know what you're thinking: "That's all well and good, but I still only have so much money to spend on food." I know most of us, our family included, don't have an unlimited budget for food. Many fruits and vegetables are relatively inexpensive. So are oats, brown rice and the basic ingredients to make any meal. Find out what basic real foods in your store are cheapest.

Realize that real food may require different shopping approaches.
If you're an avid couponer switching to real foods, the truth is you won't be able to check out of a traditional grocery store paying $3 for $200 worth of groceries. In recent years, manufacturers are offering more coupons for healthy foods, but whole grains, produce and healthy meats are still not candidates for most coupon deals. We'll talk more about this in the future, but if you're a "coupon queen", real food might take some extra adjustments.

Switching to real foods is about better choices.
Just like I alluded to before, if you choose a real food over a processed one, that is one food you are cutting from your budget. You might find that the difference is negligible in many cases. Cutting out carbonated sodas, for example, will give you a lot of money towards adding in more nutritious foods. What gets expensive is buying both real and processed foods.

Links and Books Review: Frugal Edition

I think the all time best book on the subject of frugality is Amy Dacyzn's The Complete Tightwad Gazette. Some of the ideas are way out there for our family, but a lot of them are really helpful. Amy and her family achieved their goals on one income simply by making frugal changes in their lives.

This is a popular subject right now with the current economy. Here are some things I've found around the blogosphere in recent months on the subject of being frugal:

• Excellent post on attitude by Frugal Dad: Stop Feeling Sorry for Me, I'm Frugal Not Broke
• Simple Mom shares Twelve Green and Frugal Lessons From My Mom
• Homeschooling for Less-Guide to Free Resources at Homeschool 365
• Looking for family fun for less? Check out the Frugal Family Fun Blog!
• Top 50 Frugality Blogs posted by Frugal Dad
• Into coupons and freebies? Crystal at Money Saving Mom is a great resource!
• A "wealth" of information from Molly at Econobusters
• How to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses from Heather at Happy to Be At Home

That's just a few to get you started. Put "frugal" into your Swagbucks search engine (Get some free money for searching! How's that for frugal?) and you'll have frugal reading for weeks!

How Frugal Are You?

Here is a quiz to see how frugal you are:

1. You jump in the shower and realize you have no shaving cream. You:

a. Don't shave at all.
b. Use some bar soap.
c. Shave using your hair conditioner.
d. Send your husband to the store and ask him to buy you your favorite brand.

2. Your family is on a long car trip. You have four hours left to drive and your kids are hungry. You:

a. Tell them a little hunger will provide character.
b. Pull out some snacks you packed beforehand.
c. Pull into McDonald's and order off the dollar menu.
d. Stop for a five-course dinner at an expensive restaurant.

3. Your son tears a hole in his last pair of jeans. You:

a. Tell him that torn jeans are in style and to wear them anyway.
b. Patch them up with some material you have on hand.
c. Take him to the thrift store to buy some "new" jeans.
d. Ask him if he prefers Eddie Bauer or Ralph Lauren before you head to the mall.

4. Your best friend asks you to be in her wedding with the understanding you will pay for your dress. You:

a. Ask if denim from your closet will match the color scheme.
b. Look for the bride's choice of dress on Ebay.
c. Pay for the dress the bride chooses even though you know you will never wear it again (and consider that you may be able to sell it on Ebay).
d. Pay for the dress and find cute accessories to go with it, offering to buy the same ones for the whole bridal party so everyone will be coordinated.

5. Valentine's Day is coming up and you know your husband will be getting you something. You:

a. Tell him three months ahead of time that you have always thought it silly to celebrate Valentine's Day and that everyday expressions of love are enough to make you happy.
b. Say nothing about it and hope he forgets.
c. Agree ahead of time how much you will spend on Valentine's Day presents and stick to it.
d. Hint for the three months ahead of time that you have always wanted to go on a cruise the week of February 14.

6. It's nearing Christmas and your kids have been begging for the latest video game system. You:

a. Tell them absolutely not, if an orange was good enough for Grandma it is good enough for them.
b. Tell them they'll have to wait and see and buy them a new outfit.
c. Tell them they'll have to wait and see and buy them last year's system.
d. Tell them of course you will and buy all the newest games to go with it.

7. Your friend surprises you by bringing lunch over--in an Arby's bag. You:

a. Tell her you couldn't think of eating fast food with all the starving people in the world.
b. Thank her profusely and carefully iron out all the sandwich wrappers to use later.
c. Tell her thank you and reciprocate a few weeks later.
d. Tell her that she has started an awesome daily tradition and that you will bring McDonald's over tomorrow.

8. Your mother calls and asks for gift recommendations for your daughter's upcoming birthday. You:

a. Suggest that she make a donation to a charity instead of giving a present to your daughter.
b. Suggest a thrift store gift card because she could really use some new clothes.
c. Give her a list of a few inexpensive but quality things your daughter would enjoy.
d. Give her the website of your daughter's birthday gift registry.

9. Your family decides to splurge and go out to dinner. You:

a. Vote for waters and splitting an order of fries at Burger King.
b. Vote for waters and splitting an appetizer at Denny's.
c. Use coupons to get buy-one-get-one-free dinners for the adults and go on Kids Eat Free night.
d. Order drinks, appetizers, salads, entrees and dessert for each person at a fancy restaurant and tip the waiter 25%.

10. You really love your morning cup of coffee. Your daily tradition is:

a. To brew a cup of coffee in your coffee pot using the same grounds for three days.
b. To brew a cup of coffee in your coffee pot and split it with your husband.
c. To make a pot of coffee each morning and save the leftover coffee for iced coffees later.
d. To stop by Starbucks on the way to work and on the way home for your grande latte with a double shot of syrup and whipped cream.

Your results:
a - You are hopelessly frugal.
b - You are frugal to a bit of an extreme.
c - You will raise some eyebrows but you're pretty balanced.
d - You could use a few budget cuts.

This is meant totally tongue-in-cheek therefore it need not offend you if any of the examples are actual scenarios in your life! :-)

Frugal or Frivolous?

I once read of a practice during the Great Depression when people were in desperate straits financially. A person would go into a restaurant and order a meal. While the waitress was putting the order in and the cook preparing it, they would fill their water glass with any condiments they found on the table: ketchup, salt, pepper, sugar, etc. and drink it as soup. When the waitress returned with their order, they had already left the restaurant. As I read this, my first philosophical thought was, "Ewww, gross!" My second was, "Maybe that's why the server never brings a glass of water in a restaurant anymore?" Then, I thought just a bit more deeply and came to the conclusion that this may be a frugal practice, but it is seriously lacking in ethics (not to mention, good sense!).

The other extreme happens as well. I've heard of dogs that have more toys and bigger bedrooms than my kids (or most people's kids for that matter). I remember the craze when Beanie Babies were new at McDonald's and people would buy the happy meals and throw them away to collect the toys. (Now, you can pick up these same Beanie Babies through Freecycle!).

Photo by scmtngirl

People that believe in frivolity poke fun at the "cheapskates". People that practice frugality shake their heads in disgust at the "spendthrifts". In today's economic times, "keeping up with the Jones' " could be interpreted differently if you have a lot of "green" neighbors. ("Oh, no! Did anyone see me buy that plastic wrap, use it once and throw it away?") Or not. (Uh oh. The kids at the playgroup are wearing this year's Gymboree outfits which means that they will be able to tell that my kids are wearing last year's that I bought from the thrift store!")

Photo by pixeljones

I will make my confessions. I have never used cloth diapers (although I think the diaper covers that are out now are so cute and almost wish I had!). I have made my own laundry soap, used it for a couple of months, and went back to store bought. I occasionally use convenience foods. I only recycle pop cans and only because my daughter collects them for extra spending money. (And, yes, they are from the pop that I buy!) When school is in session, I buy paper plates and napkins (and run out regularly).

I think the famed Proverbs 31 woman strikes a good balance between extreme frugality and frivolity. She works hard and is resourceful, yet her merchandise is good -- not cheap. She's careful how she spends her money, yet she isn't stingy--she willingly gives to the poor. She doesn't clothe her children in rags. In fact, though she makes all of their clothes, they are sewn with rich and beautiful materials. She even dresses herself in expensive clothing. Her husband has a good job (it would seem), yet she doesn't loaf around and attend multiple dinner parties. She works hard to stretch his income as far as it will go and adds to it herself.

As always, a discussion of this woman can drive us to despair that we will never be like her or it can inspire us to pick one aspect of her character and improve ourselves in that area. Let us strive to strike that elusive balance between the extremes of frugality and frivolity!