There are three thrift stores near my house that I visit frequently (one of which I also donate items to) and I usually find some good deals. Here’s a few things from one of the last times my youngest daughter and I went.
These four sundae glasses we’re $1 each. Aren’t they great? My family loves them!

This Rubbermaid chip and dip tray and cover was only two bucks and is in excellent condition. We use containers like this all the time and when we can’t used it for food anymore, we’ll find another use for it, probably for storing craft supplies.

These banana split dishes were a $1 each and at first I only bought three because I didn’t see the other one. When I went back another day to donate some items, I spotted it. Needless to say, between the sundae glasses and these, we’ve been having a lot of ice cream lately. lol
This post is part of Frugal Friday and Second Time Around.
Tags:
dent and bent,
frugal shopping,
reduce reuse recycle,
save money,
saving money,
thrift store,
thrift stores,
tips on how to save money,
ways to save money
Related posts
Some of you may remember the snowman dishes I posted about. I bought the whole set for five bucks at a flea market. We used them for the first time over Christmas week and I wanted to share some pictures.





This post is part of Thrifty Thursday and Tablescape Thursday.
Tags:
flea markets,
frugal shopping,
holiday fun,
Money Saving Tips,
reduce reuse recycle,
save money,
saving money,
simplify the holiday
Related posts
If you find it difficult to put aside money to purchase gifts for different occasions, you probably pass up on special events just to avoid gift giving. Although you inhibit yourself from spending by doing this, you also miss unforgettable moments with your loved ones and friends. This article will give you some tips on how to save money buying gifts and some gift ideas that will surely get you going in every special gathering or occasion.
Whether it’s your dad’s birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, or your daughter’s graduation, you should never worry about going into debt when you purchase gifts. Remember the following pointers, which are an idea beyond the traditional thinking, “it’s the thought that counts.”
Packaging –
Prevent yourself from purchasing gift bags and wrapping papers. As an alternative, save up all the gift bags and wrapping papers that you’ve received from other people and use them again. You can also try to go eco-friendly by wrapping your gifts up with old newspapers or you can be more creative by making a collage of old photos and use it as gift wrapper. Through these steps, you are not only saving money, but you are also supporting a good cause to save the planet.
Dollar Stores –
There is no point in visiting expensive shops and boutiques for a birthday gift if your budget is limited. You can learn how to save money buying gifts by making your present more personal and sentimental. You can buy an album or a picture frame from a dollar store. Place your favorite photos in it and include a personal letter that recounts what happened in each picture. Your relative, best friend, or special someone will surely be appreciative for the gift’s personal touch.
Dinner Date –
If you want to surprise your special someone, you can cook his or her favorite meal in your home. Set the tables and then light the candles. This absolutely beats splurging lots of money at a fancy restaurant and compensating the server a tip.
Music –
If you are searching for a gift for someone who loves music, you should get in touch with his or her inner deejay by making a personalized CD. Make sure that the album cover features him or her.
Poetry – How about making a poem for your friend, loved ones, or special someone? Even if you are not into poetry, when you begin to think about his or her special qualities and attributes, you’ll definitely come up with a great poem. You can place it in a frame and decorate the frame with his or her photos.
Books – Books are gift ideas that will help you recognize how to save money buying gifts. Bookstores always have sections where they sell books at a bargain cost. For only a few dollars, you’ll be delighted to see the books you can purchase such as dictionaries, former bestsellers, and even how-to and DIY manuals.
In the end, you don’t have to spend a fortune to show your receiver how much you love and appreciate him or her. Check out flyers for discounts and deals, create your own gifts at home, and always remember to reuse gift bags and wrapping papers.
Tags:
budget,
frugal shopping,
save money,
saving money,
tips,
tips on how to save money
Related posts
Although window coverings are expensive we are generally willing to spend money on them as they fulfill so may purposes in a room, adding warmth and privacy as well as decoration. Rooms simply look unfinished without them. If money is tight you will be wondering how to add effective window treatments without breaking the bank but you can definitely achieve a lot without a huge budget. Here are some ways to save money:-
1. Make Your Own Curtains
You can save a lot of money if you can sew simple straight lines with a sewing machine. If you are inexperienced start with short sill length curtains such as those for kitchen windows and progress to full length curtains for your living room. Choose a light washable cotton fabric for your kitchen curtains and add a heading tape of your choice. If you work neatly and measure accurately you will have no problems at all. Later you can progress to using lining and making fancier items such as window valances and tie backs.
2. Choose Cheaper Fabric
Fabrics vary enormously in price but you can make very effective curtains with simple cream calico or cotton. You can create more effective window treatments by being generous with cheap fabric than you can by creating curtains from expensive fabric where you can not afford enough to create a full effect. You will find that plain fabrics are often cheaper than patterned ones. If you think they are too plain you can always add interest with trimming.
3. Buy Ready-Made Curtains
If you have standard windows you will usually find ready-made curtains work out cheaper than having curtains custom made. Your choice will be more limited but you will usually find something to suit if you check out curtain sites online.
4. Go Simple
It can be enough in a contemporary home to put up simple cream or gray window blinds which you can buy very cheaply. You do not have to get carried away creating elaborate window treatments when “less is more” is often more effective.
5. Add Layers
If you would like elaborate window treatments (and they suit your home) but you can not afford them purchase items over time. For example you could start with a simple blind and then later add dress curtains and then later still a window valance or wooden cornice.
Tags:
budget,
make your own,
save money,
saving money,
ways to save money
Related posts
This book isn’t for the gourmet chef who enjoys cooking with expensive and unique ingredients – it’s for the rest of us. *LOL*
Save money with once a month cooking and frugal recipes
Have you ever spent money on fast food because it was quick and easy?
Do you have your local pizza delivery place on speed dial?
If so, then you will be thrilled by how much money you save when you start cooking once a month. Your freezer full of meals saves you money by eliminating the need for fast and easy solutions. You won’t be tempted to buy the expensive pre-packaged food at the grocery store. Instead, you’ll be preparing nutritious meals at a fraction of the cost.
Perhaps you’ve heard of once a month cooking and would like to try it, but you don’t know how to begin. Frugal Mom’s Guide to Once a Month Cooking, written by Candace Anderson, will show you how.
Enjoy once a month cooking with easy step-by-step instructions
Candace has put together an easy 5-step plan to once a month cooking that will set you off on the right foot, and hold your hand through the entire process. The 5-step plan uses forms that she created to help you plan, and keep you on track. The forms that she included in this book will be your road map for your cooking session. It will organize your cooking day, your grocery shopping, and give you a plan for cooking.
Here are some customer comments about her book:
“The Beef Fajita marinade was very simple to prepare and took about 5 minutes” – Judy
“We will definitely do the Mexican Beef Casserole again – it was easy to prepare as well as put together for dinner. We all enjoyed it – there wasn’t enough leftover to have for lunch the next day. I would say that tells how much we all liked it!” -Cindy
“The Stuffed Burger Pockets were very easy to put together. They were tasty and easy. -Julie
“The Crock Pot Beef was great! Very easy recipe to follow and the whole house smelled great. My kids ate every bite.” -Keri
“We had this Sweet & Sour Chicken and it was yummy – everyone love it! I do have to say that I had never made sweet & sour sauce from scratch before and this is delicious, quick, and easy!” -Lisa
Once a month cooking support
Not only will you have a large variety of delicious meals to prepare for your family, you’ll also have an online community where you can turn to for help. Candace, and others just like you, will be walking right beside you, every step of the way.
~ Complete step-by-step instructions for giving you a freezer full of meals.
~ Over 70 family-friendly recipes tested by Frugal Moms.
~ The ability to save money with once a month cooking.
~ A simplified life that gives you more time to enjoy the things you love.
~ Once a month cooking forms that will organize your cooking sessions.
~ An online community to support you on your new journey.
~ Instant delivery! Since this is an ebook, you won’t have to wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Click The Book To Order Today! Only $12.95
BONUS: With your purchase of Frugal Mom’s Guide to Once a Month Cooking, you’ll also receive Bulk Cooking for the Freezer: Ground Beef. Save time and money with this detailed guide to bulk cooking 20+ meals with ground beef. This eBook has illustrated plans that include step-by-step instructions to guide you through the entire preparation process. The ground beef plan includes 14 different ground beef recipes for your freezer along with recipes to make your own seasonings. Bulk Cooking plans include both printed grocery list and Shopping List software (windows) grocery list file.
Tags:
cooking once a month,
easy recipe,
food budget,
freezing food,
Frugal,
frugal books,
frugal meals,
frugal recipes,
frugal shopping,
grocery bill,
grocery budget,
grocery shopping,
make it yourself,
make your own,
menu planning,
Money Saving Tips,
once a month cooking,
save money,
saving money,
simple cooking,
spending money,
tips for saving money,
ways of saving money,
ways to save money
Related posts