frugal living education

I am trying to live frugally too! Actually, this has been a 5 or 6 year endeavor for me. I have been really trying to be frugal (and green) while still having a full life and not maing myself feel deprived. My favorite money saving website is Refund Cents. It is a subscription site --I think I paid around $12 for an annual subscription. It has been well worth that money --as it has led me to savings of many times that. It has the best sales listed and coupons and refunds that are current. I really like that the site has the latests sales/deals and also lists if there is a coupon out for the deal --making it cost even less! Second, I like the frugal living page at about.com. It has many good ideas for frugal living. I also try to read as many magazine articles as possible --that are geared toward savings. Just about every month, many of the women's magazines have articles on saving. I also like the Dollar Stretch website. Hope these help!

Amy Daczycn (not sure that is spelled right) wrote a book called The Tightwad Gazette which I would recommend checking out from your library. She gives hundreds of tips from herself and others who wrote into her column (this was originally a newspaper column). Another book I just read, and it is from a biblical/Catholic perspective but has very sound advice is 7 Steps to Financial Freedom. Also, look at more cost effective products for you and your home: don't buy cleaners from the Dollar Store because they could seriously affect your health and that would make your budget medical costs sky rocket. I would try baking soda, vinegar for basic cleaning but you may want something more cost-effective, non-toxic, but also disinfecting: www.CleanAndGreenMom.com You may also try working at a home business which could bring in a little extra money. Something that you can truly do from home and doesn't cost a lot in start up fees.

One thing that makes it easier to be frugal is to be a part of a frugal community. The one at Dollar Stretcher (http://community.stretcher.com) is encouraging as well as informative. They're a friendly bunch of people and will welcome you and help you learn a lot!