By PENNY K [16 Posts, 577 Comments] November 11, 2009 0 found this helpful These are wonderful ideas, and I've used many of them throughout my life. It's really a mindset mostly I think. One tip more, save small leftovers even if it doesn't seem like enough. We've gotten so used to large portions we often dismiss small amounts, but they can be perfect the next day for a nice little lunch. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By Christine [5 Comments] November 12, 2009 0 found this helpful Never would have thought to ask the butcher to sharpen my knives! I grew up calling this list "common sense". Actually growing up was a lot more frugal than just this list out of necessity. Imagine my surprise when I grew up and discovered almost no one strained their cooking oil for re-use, or studded their own winter tires! Unfortunately it's easy to fall out of these habits, but alas, necessity has called again and it's crazy easy to get back into real true frugal living. It's best to get into these habits before you need them. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By Betty [104 Posts, 748 Comments] November 15, 2009 0 found this helpful Use the waffle maker for panni! Mine has been packed away and I've been waiting on a panni maker to go on sale. Diana you just saved me so bucks! Thanks a million! Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By Mary [2 Posts, 52 Comments] November 15, 2009 0 found this helpful In the winter when you must use a dryer,remove the hose from the exit and cover the hole,place a knee high stocking over the end of the hose and place where the hot air will blow into the house. This will help keep the house warm and won't waste electricity. Make sure to empty the stocking regularly. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By suet624 [1 Comment] December 3, 2013 0 found this helpful I really like the idea of making mittens out of sweaters found at the Goodwill. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By cj wagz [1 Post, 89 Comments] December 4, 2013 0 found this helpful I enjoyed reading this post! Most of it was what I call "uncommon sense". I am fortunate I grew up this way. Recently my family has fallen on hard times but we haven't had to adjust too much since we already live frugally and sensibly. Here's my two cents: When we accumulate many small leftover portions of frozen food such as fries, fish sticks, etc., we bake them all up and have a smorgasbord night! This works with veggies, too. It's a nice way to clear our our chest freezer, which I think is our favorite appliance. I got for $150.00 from a grocery store, and it included $150.00 in coupons. I used all but $3.00 worth and filled my new "free" freezer that day! Best deal I have seen in a long time. Also, I always save bows, ribbon, and tissue paper to reuse. I have a big under-bed christmas wrap box that I got for 3 bucks after Christmas years ago. I can fit about 5 rolls at the bottom and set gift bags, tissue, and bows on top. Plus I have easy access to it for birthdays and such. For ornament storage, I made cardboard dividers and put them in shoe boxes, and use newspaper and old tissue paper to cushion the delicate ones. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By syntoniser [5 Posts, 63 Comments] January 12, 2014 0 found this helpful I, too, enjoyed reading this. You're a woman after my own heart. I have always been frugal and have used many of your suggestions for years. Now in our retirement with much less disposable income it isn't as hard as for some folks who haven't a clue how much waste has been in their lives. My grandmother had a saying: I've done so much with so little for so long that now I can do anything with nothing. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By Carolyn C. Cooke [19 Posts, 222 Comments] March 9, 2014 0 found this helpful Your listing, plus suggestions under "comments," is very valuable. I do question one thing: my bank charges no fee when using card for debit, as it comes directly from account. In this case, the card is just like cash. Don't know if all banks do this, but it would be worth asking. Cay from FL Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By zendog57 [2 Comments] June 16, 2014 0 found this helpful Hello... many of the ideas in this column were pretty good, but I have a problem with this one: Pay in cash. Using your credit card or debit card generally adds an additional 15% to your purchase price. That is simply not true. It is a violation of Visa/Mastercard regulations for any merchant to charge a fee to use either of those cards. I totally agree that one should always pay cash, but whether you pay cash or with a debit card, the net effect of the transation should be the same. I'd be interested to hear how the author reached the conclusion that credit/debit cards add 15% to the cost of an item. Reply Was this helpful? Yes Anonymous March 13, 2017 0 found this helpful I don't remember where I've read this but the inclination to spend more, not paying in full every month or at all, results in added costs. Credit cards (not all cards are the two you mentioned) are a trap and I don't like them or the way all of the world assumes you have them. Cash is an honest way to do business. Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By Hannah [9 Comments] August 5, 2014 0 found this helpful I thought Diana had some great ideas on living simply and frugally. Perhaps when she spoke of things bought on credit being 15% more expensive she meant interest charges. I know a lot of people who get their CC bills and are surprised by the interest rates if they don't pay their bill in full each month. Reply Was this helpful? Yes