Greetings, Money Savings Lords and Ladies! Since it’s the holiday season and we’re all busy, I thought I’d take you back through time to some posts that I wrote long ago and far away. Because, let’s face it, we might have not known each other then and even if we did, you might have forgotten some of my lovely tips and ideas to live simply and save money. Ok, ok, ok, I admit it already. I’m JUST LAZY. So the following has been published on Queen of Free before, but I’ve dusted it off, updated it and given you a little glimpse into the past. 🙂
I often get asked by folks who are wanting to make their lives a bit more frugal where to even begin. I think we can get so overwhelmed with the many ways available to save that we quickly begin to try to do EVERYTHING we can to save money: We clip coupons, plant a garden, make our own household cleaners, pack the lunches, repurpose items, regift items, freezer cook for 60 days, sew clothes, make our own greeting cards, build our own furniture, work out at home, and and and and ok, I think you get the idea. We burn brightly for a short period of time and then . . . then we burn out, return to old habits of eating out, overspending, and being mindless with our finances.
You have to begin with something, though. So if you’re interested in saving money, do only ONE of these three things {if you haven’t already} this week.
2) Get a subscription to All You Magazine (or pick up a copy in store to check it out). You can only purchase this magazine to my knowledge at Walmart or occasionally Dollar General. It’s not only filled with great tips on saving money, living healthfully and beautifully, but it also is chockfull of coupons. Basically it’s a magazine that more than pays for itself. Plus, it’s fun. In store, it retails for $2.49 but right now online you can get it at $1.67/issue. (Click here to Subscribe to All You Magazine
) It’s great light reading has quick and easy tips to save money over the long haul. I think what I love about this magazine the most is the “real”-ness of it. The models look like people I know, the ideas are EASY (you don’t have to be a master chef, a master crafter, a master gardner to take on the recipes, projects, or ideas), it doesn’t usually make me want stuff like other magazines do, and it’s still entertaining and helpful. Estimated time reading/clipping coupons from All You = 1 hour (probably broken up over 15 minute periods).
3) Watch Better TV. I love the great TV Show put out by Better Homes and Garden called Better.tv. Look for a local listing or just snuggle up with your computer and watch clips online via Swagbucks TV and you might even end up scoring a few Swagbucks in your account at the same time {go here if you’re already signed up for Swagbucks}! Estimated time to learn a few new tips = 30 minutes for the entire show or each segment runs around 2 minutes and you can pick and choose only what applies to you.
I challenge you to choose one of these three options this week and check them out. There are basic ways to save money you can apply without a huge upheaval or overhaul of your life or finances.
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