Here are 11 Ways to Save Money Printing Coupons…

1. Set your printer to use the ‘Ink or Toner Saver Mode’.

2. Print coupons using black ink {rather than color}.

3. Print coupons using recycled paper from school papers, school menus, etc. {thanks Stephanie, Joni & Erin!}

4. Purchase reams of paper on sale. {Check for Back-to-School Deals! Office supply stores frequently advertise reams of paper for $1 or less after instant or mail-in-rebates!}

5. Print Coupons in increments of 3 on Coupons.com, CouponNetwork, RedPlum, SmartSource & Target. {When you select 1 coupon to print, just 1 coupon will print on the page. When you select 3 coupons to print, 3 coupons will print per page!}

6. Use eCoupons ~ no printing required! Check out Cellfire eCoupons, SavingStar eCoupons, and Target Mobile Coupons!

7. Refill your printer cartridges! {try using Staples, Office Max, Costco, Walgreens, or Cartridge World for thrifty printer cartridge refills!} thanks Svitlana!

8. Recycle your used cartridges, and save $$ on your next purchase! {check with your local office supply store: Office Depot will give you a $2.00 Rewards Credit for recycling each used cartridge}.

9. Purchase new cartidges or refill kits online to save even more! Check out Amazon, Cartridge World, eBay, Newegg, Tiger Direct & 123inkjets.com. {thanks Chris & Jen!}  I buy all of my cartridges on Amazon, and use Swagbucks to help cut the cost!

10. Purchase an inexpensive laser printer, rather than an inkjet printer. {with laser printers, you can often get 2000-6000 prints per cartridge, which will save $$ in the long run} Check Amazon & Tiger Direct for laser printer deals.

11. Before purchasing any printer, take the time to research in stores and online how much the associated ink or toner refills will cost.

How do you save $$ when printing coupons?

Where do you find your best deals on ink & toner refills?

See Also:
The Frugal Girls Couponology!
Tips for Printing Coupons when they Won’t Print
This Week’s *Hottest* Printable Coupons
Use The Frugal Girls Coupon Database to find coupons to match with your stores sales!

Frugal friend Samantha recently emailed me, asking for some garage sale planning tips!  She was planning a sale, and needed some advice from you frugal friends!

I shared this question on The Frugal Girls Facebook Page, and here are just a few of the great ideas that were shared…

Elizabeth said: “Have nice, large, sturdy, readable signs with directional arrows. I know if I can’t see what the sign says from my car, with a nice bold arrow, I just don’t try to find it. I’ll go to someone’s sale who made finding it easy. Also, advertise on Garage Sale Finder. It’s free and awesome!  Ask a friend if they would like to buddy with you.  With two adults, you can keep a better eye on your belongings, plus you always have someone out there for potty breaks and company!  Also, keep your money on you…not on a box on the porch.”

Dee said: “Place like items together, like: Baby stuff, Kitchen items, Decor, etc.  You will see a lot more items sell when people can see them all in one spot.”

Alena said: “I use an apron… I have some that are black with 5 pockets along the front. I put small change, $1 bills, $5 bills, and a few coins in one pocket, a pen in one pocket, price stickers in a pocket {some will fall off from the handling by customers}, etc.  By wearing an apron it also lets customers know who is ‘working’ the sale.”

Jessica said: “Zip zippers, button buttons…appearance of the items helps sell them!”

Amy said: “I separate children’s clothes by size {in rubbermaid containers} and sell them by the bag. Usually we do $5 for a grocery sized bag. I have made the most money at yard sales this way and you get rid of SO MANY clothes.”

Jett said: “Make certain your items are clean!”

Amanda said: “Organized, clean and waist level of items always make things better for me selling and buying. I price to sell, but over price a little, so they can bargain and feel like they got a deal.”

Jen said: “Hang as many clothing items as possible! Not many people (myself included) will take the time to dig through clothes. Plus, it looks nicer!”

Holly said: “Don’t forget to have lots of change on hand. Many people hit the ATM machine and are only carrying $20 bills. Take larger bills inside as you get them to avoid showing everyone how much money you have on you.  Be very specific in your advertising on craigslist.  Use neon pink signs that say “Yard Sale” with BIG black arrows.  Make all signs alike so easy to spot and follow.”

Heather said: “If you have large items that don’t get offers for what you want..post them on craigslist (if you have one near you).  I had a table that I posted at my sale for $25, and it didn’t get a bite.  I ended up listing it on craigslist for $40 OBO, and I got $40 the next day!”

Kim said: “I took neon poster board and cut it in half and then in thirds. I used electrical tape and spelled out yard sale with an arrow also in the tape. I had so many people I couldn’t keep up. And almost all commented on my signs. Easy to see and easy to follow. Can be used over and over. Most of the signs were just arrows.”

Jennifer said: “I have a cooler of soda, and water along with Little Debbie Type treats from Sam’s Club or Costco and sell them for .75 to $1.00…..this has always made me extra money. I do live in AZ though, and cold water and soda will go fast. A lot of people will buy there kids the treat to keep them from complaining until they are done with their garage sale shopping for the day.”

Lisa said: “Don’t hound people.  There’s nothing worse then going to a lawn sale, picking something up, and having the person saying ‘I paid a lot of money for that.. or that’s name brand.’  I also don’t like having all eyes on me when I’m browsing. LOL  That’s my 2 cents.”

Sheila said: “Never put down the money bag, box or whatever. It needs to be on someone’s waist or in someone’s hand. Have one person be the money taker. Take larger bills to a designated place in the house.”

Jodi said: “Fridays are the best day. If you only have time for one day, do it on Friday. If you have time for two days, do Friday and Saturday. Don’t bother with Sunday.  Fridays are the big $$ makers.   Put it in the newspaper and on craigslist.  Make sure you can easily read the signage from a car driving.  Happy sales!”

Do YOU have any tips or tricks when planning or running a garage sale??

Leave a comment & share!

On the hunt for more Homemade Cleaners??

Here’s a great tip from frugal friend Tammy…

“I bought a Dawn Direct Foam pump for my dish washing soap a long time ago.  Now I just purchase regular dish soap with my coupons and sales (usually free), and then refill it!   Just fill the direct foam bottle 1/3 of the way with soap then the other 2/3 with water.  Then, stir it very gently so you don’t make bubbles in the bottle.  It seriously stretches the life of my dish soap!!”

Now… I put this to the test, and absolutely love it!  I added about 6 tbsp. of dish soap to my bottle, then filled it to the top with water!  {similar to making Homemade Foaming Hand Soap}!

Give it a try ~ it’s a simple way to save $$ on dish soap!

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaning Recipes!

Got a thrifty tip or trick for stretching your dollars?? Email it over to me at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ I love sharing your great ideas!!

I’m new to gardening.  What tips do you have for “beginner gardeners” who want to start a garden… on a budget?  I’m hoping to grow organic veggies for my family …but am limited to a small space.  Any tips??

So… what works for you??

Do you have any tips for a beginning gardener?

Or thoughts on ways to garden… on a budget??

Leave a comment & share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ or ask away on Facebook!}

Several of you have been asking where The Frugal Girls Facebook posts have gone.  You may have even wondered why most of your friends are all of a sudden kinda quiet on Facebook?

Facebook recently changed your News Feed to only show you “Friends and pages you interact with most.”

If you are like me, you would like to choose for yourself what you want to see!  Plus, I have really missed hearing from many of you this past week!

Here is what you can do to get your “Old” News Feed back:

• Log in to Facebook and scroll down to the bottom of your homepage
• Select “Edit Options” at the bottom right corner of your news feed
• Change “Friends and pages you interact with most” to “All of your friends and pages.”

It’s that easy!

Thanks to the dailypress.com!

Office Depot Rewards will give you $2.00 in Rewards for every Ink or Toner Cartridge you recycle at Office Depot!

We all end up with old Ink or Toner Cartridges.  Now there is a great way to make some money and recycle them at the same time!

Even better, Office Depot will let you recycle as many as 20 Cartridges per month!

Thanks to frugal friend Heather for sharing!

See Also:
9 Ways to Save Money when Printing Coupons!

So… I sent the hubby to the store the other day on a mission ~ I needed roses.

Seriously I did ~ the boys had a project for science, and needed to ‘dissect’ a rose!

Hubs came back with the most gorgeous bouquet, and guess what… he only paid $3.00!! {yep ~ he’s a keeper!}

In the floral department at the grocery store, he kept finding pricey flower arrangements, so he asked at the counter if there were any better deals {good boy!} ~ and the gal shared a tip I never knew… ‘Day Old Flowers‘!

Just like ‘day old’ bakery items, she said if the flowers aren’t sold right away, they go into a special case behind the counter, and can be sold at a BIG discount!

Now, you may already know this… but it was news to me, so I had to share!

I’m not sure if all stores do this, and it might be hit-or-miss with what you’ll find… but if you’re looking for a thrifty bouquet to brighten up your table for a special dinner or event ~ it never hurts to ask!

What are some of your favorite $$-Saving Tips & Tricks??

Leave a comment & share!

I get the Free Pottery Barn Catalogs in the mail, and love looking at their online kids catalogs and online home catalogs, too!

They are a great way to get inspiration for stylish home decor… and then figure out how to create these super cute styles for less!

Frugal friend Kimberly over at Homemaking Expert created a fun and trendy Pottery Barn Style Dr. Seuss room for under $40.00!

And her little cutie approves ~ he loves his hip new bedroom!

Head on over here to read how she created this fun Pottery Barn style for less!!

What do you use for inspiration when decorating on a budget?

Got a thrifty decorating tip or trick??

Leave a comment & share!

*****************************************************

Do you have a fun or thrifty craft or project you’d like featured on TheFrugalGirls.com? I’m in the process of accepting submissions for review, so send on over your pictures or links to: frugalgirls@gmail.com  I can’t wait to see your fun ideas!!

“Hubby and I are celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary in February.  Hubby was deployed last anniversary, so I want to do something special and more memorable than dinner and a movie.  We are on a super-tight budget, so I’d love some inexpensive date ideas.  Any suggestions??”

So… what works for you??

Do you have any fun, thrifty date ideas??

Leave a comment & share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ or ask away on Facebook!}

“I am moving on March 1st, and would love some frugal ideas and tips for moving on a budget.  Any suggestions??”

So… what works for you??

Do you have any tips for moving on a budget??  Or other tricks to ensure a smooth move?

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ or ask away on Facebook!}

On the hunt for some Budget Wedding Ideas??

I received the following question from frugal friend Loretta…

“I am getting married on April 17th, and am looking for ways to save on the wedding, and ways to save on reception decorations {i.e. tissue paper flowers, ribbon, etc.}.  I am looking to save as much money as I can.  Any suggestions??”

So… what works for you??

Do you have any fun Wedding budget tips, ways to cut costs at the reception, or thrifty decorating tips??

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email at: frugalgirls@gmail.com ~ or ask away on Facebook!}

When it comes to browning meat… I’d rather do almost anything else!

But… I know how much quicker meals can come together once the meat is browned and ready to go!

I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen, so here are some of my favorite Meat Browning Tips…

1.  Brown your meat before freezing! {thanks to my friend Kristee for this tip}  I’ve found this to be a BIG time-saver! Rather than dealing with frozen raw meat, now I can just grab a bag of frozen {already browned} meat out of the freezer!  Sometimes I’ll even add taco seasoning in when browning it… so that’s checked off the list, too!  Half the battle is already over, and dinner comes together so much quicker!  Hmm… what’s for dinner?  How about Taco Mac & Cheese!

2.  Reuse the freezer bags you store your browned meat in. {another great tip from my friend Kristee!}  Reusing freezer bags is a simple way to save a little extra $$… and since you’ve already browned your meat, the bags won’t be the ooey-gooey throw away kind anymore!  Just rinse, clean, and reuse!

3.  Brown your meat using your Slow Cooker! {this tip comes from my friend Myra over at MyBlessedLife.net!}  I absolutely 110% can’t wait to give this kitchen trick a try!  I adore my crockpot, and am always looking for ways to simplify meal prep!  Go here to check out Myra’s Slow Cooker Meat Browning Tip!

How do YOU save time in the kitchen?

Got a tip??  Leave a comment & share!

Have you blogged about a frugal tip, craft, thrifty project or kitchen time-saver? Go here to see how you can have your idea featured on TheFrugalGirls.com!

I received a question from frugal friend Becca ~ she is on the hunt for some thrifty tips and ways to save money on baby needs!  {food, clothing, diapers, etc}

So… what works for you??

How have you saved $$ on Baby?

Any ideas or thrifty tips on ways to save on food, diapers, clothing, etc.?

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!}

I received the following question from frugal friend Anna…

“Hi!  I just joined The Frugal Girls, and love it already!  Do you have any tips for how to save $$ when buying natural or organic products?  I’d love to be more frugal in that area.  Thanks!”

Great question, Anna!  First… I’d definitely suggest using organic & natural product coupons to help you save.  If you live in an area that has Bountiful Baskets, you can also take advantage of the local organic produce at a great price!

Now, I know you’ve all got some more tips up your sleeve, so let’s help Anna out, and share some ideas on how to save more $$ on natural & organic products!

So… what works for you??

• What are some ways you save on natural & organic products?
  
• Are there certain things you buy organic over others?
• Do you grow anything at home or buy from local Farmer’s Markets?
  

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!}

I received the following question from frugal friend Kimberly.

Let’s help her out, and share some tips & ideas to save $$ when throwing a birthday party!

“Any ideas on a frugal birthday party for my 12 year old girl?  I am desperate!  My daughter’s birthday is in 2 weeks.  Please help!”

So… what works for you??

How do you save $$ when throwing a birthday party for Tween Girls?

What are your favorite frugal party snacks, treats, party favors, games, or decoration ideas??

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!}

I received the following question from frugal friend Brandy.

Let’s help her out, and share some ideas on how to save $$ when feeding a big crowd during the holidays!

“For Thanksgiving, my husband’s family of 5 are visiting for a week.  We have 3 in our family already, so that makes 8 of us at the house for a week.  Since we are on a budget, I was wondering if anyone had any thrifty meals that would feed a lot of people for those days before and after Thanksgiving.  Thanks!”

So… what works for you??

What are some Thanksgiving weekend meal suggestions?

Or… do you have any tried & true thrifty meals to fill up a crowd?

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!}

I received the following question from frugal friend Molly…

“I would like to give some pre-made recipe mixes as gifts this year.  Can someone please help?  We’re doing a ‘sweets’ exchange for Christmas this year.  Thank you!”

In addition to the BIG List of Gifts in a Jar Recipes… let’s help Molly out, and share even more ideas on how to make pre-made mixes and ‘Gifts in a Jar‘!

So… what works for you??

Have you ever given or received ‘Gifts in a Jar‘?

Do you have any recipes or tips for making pre-made mixes??

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!}

Recently, frugal friends Priscilla {who owns her own cleaning company}, Gaye, and Amanda shared their Homemade Glass Cleaner recipes with me.

Homemade Glass Cleaner is simple and quick to make, and is so thrifty!!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup Water
• 1/4 cup White Vinegar
• 2 to 3 drops Dawn Dish Soap
• Empty Spray Bottle

Combine water, white vinegar, and dawn dish soap in an empty spray bottle, and… that’s it!  You’ve just made Homemade Glass Cleaner!

I have to admit, I am now completely hooked on homemade glass cleaner!  It leaves the windows streak-free, and cleans those smudgy fingerprints from my little guys {who are magnetically attracted to dirt, sand, etc}

It works so well ~ I love it!!  {I also really love the price!}

Got a thrifty tip??

Leave a comment & share!!

See Also:
More Homemade Cleaners
Fun Crafts & DIY Projects

So… about a year ago, I started making Homemade Oatmeal Packets!

They’re quick and easy to make, and can really help cut the cost of a quick breakfast!

What You’ll Need:

• Oatmeal {I use quick oats}
• Ziploc baggies {or other containers}
• Add-ins of your choice ~ some fun fillers include:  Brown Sugar, Raisins, Dried Fruits, Blueberry Craisins {thanks, Vanessa}, Powdered Milk {optional} ~ we add fresh milk when making ours, so I leave the powdered milk out.

What You’ll Do:

• Measure out about 1/2 cup of oatmeal for each bag, then add in some fun flavors! {see list above for ideas}

• Now, my boys are *always* hungry, and used to gobble up 2 packets of oatmeal, so I make larger bags with 1 full cup of oatmeal…

• We cook the oatmeal by adding milk {to the consistency desired}, and microwaving for 45 – 60 seconds.

• When you’re ready to cook the oatmeal, another add-in that goes great with Brown Sugar is Homemade Maple Syrup!

• There you go… you’re all done!

See Also:

• More Tasty Recipes From My Kitchen
• Thrifty & Quick Dinner Recipes
• How to Affordably Feed Hungry Teenage Boys

I received the following question from frugal friend Talia.

Let’s help her out, and share some ideas on how to save $$ on Electricity & Heating Costs!

“We recently moved to a new home, and central heating is new for me… what is the most efficient way to heat my house??  Turn the heat off during the day and back on at night?  Or leave on all the time at a certain temperature?  Should I shut the vents and doors in the rooms we’re not using downstairs?  Or leave them all open?  I have no idea… Help!!”

So… what works for you??

How do you affordably heat your home when it gets chilly outside?

Or have you found other tips & tricks to cut costs on your electricity bill?

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

{Got a question you’d like to ask your Frugal Friends? Send me an email or ask away on Facebook!}

What are some of your favorite $$-saving tips for eating out without breaking the bank??

I asked our frugal friends on The Frugal Girls Facebook page for some of their favorite tips, and they were loaded with great ideas!

Check out these simple ways to save BIG when eating out…

• Share a Meal with your sweetie or kids
• Print Restaurant Coupons from The Frugal Girls!
• Skip the expensive drinks ~ order water with lemon!
• Take advantage of Kids Eat Free deals
• Take advantage of Early Bird Specials!
• Eat for FREE on your Birthday {or during your birthday week/month}
• Purchase discounted restaurant certificates from Restaurant.com
• Purchase discounted restaurant certificates from Groupon
• Use coupons from your local Entertainment Book!

What are some of YOUR favorite ways to save $$ when eating out?

Leave a comment & share!

What You’ll Need:

• 6 cups HOT water
• 3 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups Suave Refreshing Waterfall Conditioner {or other favorite scent}

What You’ll Do:

• Mix conditioner & hot water well, until conditioner is dissolved completely.
• Add the vinegar, and mix well.
• Store in a large container {empty fabric softener container, empty large vinegar bottle, etc}
• Pour into a downy ball… or use approx. 2 tbsp. in the fabric softener spot in your laundry machine… then wash!

Thanks to frugal friend Holly for sharing this great recipe on The Frugal Girls Facebook page!

I’ve been using it for awhile now, and absolutely love it!!

Got a Thrifty Tip??

Leave a comment & share!

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaners & DIY ‘Recipes’

Have you ever tried making Homemade Playdough?

I’ve been making it for years ~ it’s so simple, fun, and thrifty!

This Homemade Playdough Recipe comes from my friend Kristee…

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup Flour
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tsp. Cream of Tartar
• 1/2 cup Salt
• 1 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
• Food Coloring
• Optional: Vanilla or Peppermint Extract, or Pumpkin Pie Spice
• This makes a good-sized batch, so you could also cut the recipe in half… or make the full recipe using two different sauce pans {to make 2 different colors}

What You’ll Do:

• Mix Together all ingredients {except food coloring} in saucepan
• Optional: Add in a splash of Vanilla extract to make it smell yummy. Or… for more fun scents: add in some Peppermint extract to the ‘Green’ playdough you’re making, or Pumpkin Pie Spice to the ‘Orange’ playdough you’re making! {thanks to Heather & Susan for sharing these tips on Facebook!}

• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.

• As soon as the mixture begins to thicken, add in food coloring.  Continue to stir.
• Mixture will begin forming into a solid, and gathering on spoon.
• Remove from heat to cool, then remove from saucepan to cool on wax paper, plate, etc.
• Store in freezer ziploc bag.  Then, you can even place the bag in a dark container, or in the fridge… to make it last even longer!

If it starts to get dry after several weeks, try adding a few drops of water into play dough to extend it’s shelf life.

Give it a try, and see what you think!

As far as playdough toys go… my boys always loved using mini rolling pins, plastic cookie cutters, and even the garlic press!

Have you ever tried making Homemade Playdough?

What are some of your favorite Playdough toys??

Leave a comment & share!

See Also:
More Crafts & Fun Project Ideas!
BIG List of Frugal Summer Fun Ideas for Kids!
Chic & Crafty: New Crafts, Fun DIY Projects & Sweet Treat Recipes!

This frugal tip comes from frugal friend Casey, shared on The Frugal Girls Facebook page!

If you {or your daughter} have tangly hair, here’s a simple way to make Homemade Hair Detangler!

What You’ll Do:

• Fill a small spray bottle with 1 cup hot water {or distilled water}
• Add 1/8 cup conditioner
• Then play around with the ratio that works best for you!
• Spray it on… leave it in ~ and that’s it!

Skip the expensive hair detanglers ~ now you’ve got a thrifty solution… which works great on super tangly hair! 

Got a frugal tip??

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaners + DIY ‘Recipes’
How to Make Fun Hair Clips!

This money-saving tip comes from frugal friend Julie, who shared on The Frugal Girls Facebook page!

If you’ve been wanting a way to kill those pesky weeds without paying big bucks for harsh chemicals… here’s a great frugal alternative:  White Vinegar!

That’s it!  Simply fill a spray bottle with white vinegar, and spray generously on all parts of the weed ~ leaves and root area.

The combination of the vinegar and sunshine will make those stinky weeds shrivel up!

Be careful to spray only on the weeds you want to kill, and keep away from your plants that you want to live!

I put this to the test, and it really works!!

Here is a weed near my driveway…

Here is the weed near my driveway 1 minute after spraying with vinegar… {buh-bye, weed}

Here is the weed near my driveway 1 day after spraying with vinegar…

Wow ~ what a simple and thrifty weed killer!

And, the best part is… even my boys can spray weeds now {which, at least for now, they’re excited about this new duty!} 

Got a thrifty tip??

Leave a comment & share!!

See Also:

• More Simple Ways to Stretch Your Budget!
• How to Save $$ on Dishwasher Rinse Aid
• How to Make Homemade 409
• How to Make Homemade Foaming Soap
• How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
• Ask Your Frugal Friends Q & A’s

Looking for ways to save $$ and cut costs when printing coupons?

Here are 10 Ways to Save Money Printing Coupons…

1.  Set your printer to use the ‘Ink or Toner Saver Mode’.

2.  Print coupons using black ink {rather than color}.

3.  Purchase reams of paper on sale. {Office supply stores frequently advertise reams of paper for $1 or less after instant or mail-in-rebates!}

4.  Print Coupons in increments of 3 on Coupons.com, Redplum and Smartsource.  {When you select 1 coupon to print, just 1 coupon will print on the page.  When you select 3 coupons to print, 3 coupons will print per page!}

5.  Load E-Coupons to your shopper’s cards ~ no printing required!  Check out Cellfire E-coupons here.

6.  Refill your printer cartridges! {try using Staples, Office Max, Walgreens, or Cartridge World for thrifty printer cartridge refills!}

7.  Recycle your used cartridges, and save $$ on your next purchase! {check with your local office supply store: Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, etc. to see if they offer discounts for recycling}.

8.  Purchase new cartidges or refill kits online to save even more!  Check out Amazon.com, Cartridge World, Newegg.com or Tiger Direct. {I buy all of my cartridges on Amazon, and use Swagbucks to help cut the cost!}

9.  Purchase an inexpensive laser printer, rather than an inkjet printer.  {with laser printers, you can often get 2000-6000 prints per cartridge, which will save $$ in the long run}  Check Tiger Direct for laser printer deals.

10.  Before purchasing any printer, take the time to research in stores and online how much the associated ink or toner refills will cost.

How do you save $$ when printing coupons?

Where do you find your best deals on ink & toner refills?

See Also:
Tips for Printing Coupons when they Won’t Print
This Week’s *Hottest* Printable Coupons
The Frugal Girls Coupon Database: Print, Clip, $ave!

If you’ve been wanting a way to cut costs on dishwasher rinse aid… here’s a great frugal alternative:  White Vinegar!

That’s it!  Rather than using expensive rinse agents, simply fill your rinse aid dispenser with white vinegar. Vinegar does a great job at removing spots and disinfecting, too!

I’ve been putting this tip to the test for the past few months, and am amazed… it really does work!

Got a frugal tip??

Leave a comment and share!

See Also:
More Homemade Cleaners
Fun Crafts & DIY Projects

Several of you have asked me how to make Homemade Laundry Detergent, and I’ve got the recipe for you right here!

I’ve been planning on making this for almost a year {yes… it’s taken me awhile to get to it}!

When I was up in Washington visiting my friend Joli this summer, I put her detergent to the test, and she sold me on the idea of Homemade Laundry Detergent!

It’s thrifty, simple to make, works great, and smells yummy!  Yup ~ I’m sold!

What You’ll Need: {check your local store’s laundry aisle}

• 1/2 Cup: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda {not Baking Soda}
• 1/2 Cup: Borax {print a coupon here}
• 1/3 Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap {you could also use Ivory soap, but if using Ivory… use the whole bar}
• Bucket {2 gallon size or larger}
• Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.

What You’ll Do:

• Grate 1/3 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap over large pot or saucepan…

• Add 6 cups of Water.
• Heat over medium-high until soap dissolves and melts.
• Add Washing Soda & Borax, and stir until dissolved.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Pour 4 cups Hot Water into bucket, then add Soap Mixture.
• Stir, then add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups of additional water.  Stir.

• Transfer to a bucket with a lid, or pour into empty laundry detergent containers.
• Set aside, and let it sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up.
• Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery… kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!
• Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.
• Good job… you did it!
• Don’t forget… to save more money, you can cut your dryer sheets in half and make Homemade Fabric Softener!

How Much Will it Cost?

• Borax, 76 oz. box ~ $2.98 at Wal-Mart
• Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 55 oz. box ~ $2.99 at Kroger/Fry’s.
• Fels-Naptha Bar of Soap ~ $1.79  at Kroger/Fry’s.
• Total Cost to make around 2 gallons: About $1.00!!
• This amount filled up my large empty Tide container from Costco and a smaller Purex container!

This recipe makes a low-sudsing detergent, and I know several people who use it in their HE machines, too!

There are many recipes for homemade detergent, and this is one that works for me.  Give it a try, and see what you think!!

*********************************************

Have you ever tried making your own detergent at home??

Leave a comment and let us know your favorite ways to save $$ in the laundry room!

*********************************************

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaner Recipes
How to Save $$ on Dryer Sheets
How to Make Homemade Fabric Softener

I’ve mentioned Groupon before, but have you had a chance to check it out yet??

Each day there is a new highly-discounted ‘Daily Deal‘ ~ usually 50 – 75% off!

Grab a deal for yourself, or give one as a fun, thrifty gift!!

View deals for your local city, or click on ‘Visit More Cities’ at the top.

Many deals are online deals, so you can still snatch up deals even if they aren’t listed under your specific city!

I’ve used Groupon to snatch up some fantastic deals, including:

• 64% off Movie Tickets
• 60% off meals at Fatburger {yummy burgers!}
• 55% off meals at Baja Fresh
• 55% off mini-boat rentals on vacation near Newport Beach!
• 50% off Swim Lessons for my little guy
• 50% off plants at a local nursery

More Groupon Deals & Discounts might include:

• Restaurants {great for date night!}
• Mani/Pedi, Salon, or Spa Treatments
• Magazine Subscriptions
• Local Attractions {fun for family outings!}
• Lodging: Hotels & Travel
• Portrait & Photography
• Health & Fitness
• Dry Cleaning
• Arts or Crafts Classes
• and so much more!

I’ve been using Groupon for awhile now, and there are some seriously good deals you can snag!

Go here to sign up!

Have you been using Groupon??

Leave a comment and let us know what Groupon deals you’ve snatched up!!

A new Viva Paper Towels Coupon was just released for $1.00 off 2 rolls!!

{coupon can be printed twice!}

Or… if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to paper towels, try using rags… or Skoy Cloths!

I’ve been using Skoy Cloths for about a year now, and love them! {it’s a fun product created by 2 stay-at-home moms}

They’re machine washable, and each one replaces 15 rolls of paper towels!

You can check them out here… and if you’ve cashed in Swagbucks for an Amazon gift card, you could sweeten the deal even more!

Save $$ with TheFrugalGirls.com!  Follow on Facebook, get Free Email Updates, and get Free RSS Updates!

I. Love. Fluffy Soap! It’s true ~ I love the foaming suds… but not the price.

Homemade Cleaners are a simple way to save BIG, so one day I decided to make Homemade Foaming Soap!   I’ve been doing this trick for years now… and you can too!

What You’ll Need:

• Liquid Hand Soap {Softsoap, Dial, antibacterial or other}  *Don’t use the thick & creamy soaps.  The clear-based soaps foam best!*
• 1 Empty Foaming Hand Soap Bottle {Bath & Body Works, Dial, etc.}

What You’ll Do:

• Fill the Empty Foaming Soap Bottle with approx. 1 inch of your liquid hand soap
• Slowly fill the rest of the bottle with tap water.
• Put lid back on, and gently tip upside down & side to side to mix.
• Don’t shake {it will get too sudsy ~ just trust me}

Now isn’t that easy??

Give it a try ~ making Homemade Foaming Soap is a cinch! Your hands… and wallet will thank you!

While you’re at it… you can make some DIY Foaming Dish Soap, DIY Foaming Tear-Free Shampoo, and Foaming Baby Wash too… because, why not?!?

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaners

A great way to keep the kids occupied in the summer is by reading… and what better way than with the incentive for a Free Book!

Borders Bookstores has a Summer Reading Program for kids!

Here’s how it works:

• Kids age 12 and under read any 10 books
• Print this form & log the names of the books they’ve read
• Bring the completed form into any Borders Bookstore, Borders Express, or Waldenbooks, and they can select from 1 of 10 Free Books!

Thanks to Heather for sharing this on The Frugal Girls Facebook page!

Have you joined us on Facebook yet??

More Frugal Summer Fun Ideas for Kids:

• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program = Free Book!
• Half Price Books Summer Reading Program = Free $3 Gift Card every week!
• Free and Thrifty Summer Movies across the country!
• More Frugal Summer Fun Ideas!

Save $$ with TheFrugalGirls.com!  Follow on Facebook, get Free Email Updates, and get Free RSS Updates!

Each week, if your kids {age 14 and under} read for 15 minutes per day, they’ll earn a Free $3.00 gift card!

So… a lot of reading could add up to a whole lot of Free gift cards!!  Go here for more information.  {thanks, Patty!}

More Frugal Summer Fun Ideas for Kids:

• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program = Free Book!
• Free and Almost-Free Summer Movies
• Free Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshops
• Free Home Depot Building Workshops
• More Frugal Summer Fun Ideas!

Save $$ with TheFrugalGirls.com!  Follow on Facebook, get Free Email Updates, and get Free RSS Updates!

As I’ve said before… pampering yourself doesn’t need to be expensive.

So… skip the spa and treat yourself to some good ol’ pampering at home!

At-Home Facial Mask Recipe:

This mask recipe is great for both toning and tightening!

Combine:

• 1/4 cup of oatmeal {ground in a blender or food processor}
• 1 Tbsp. Milk
• 1/2 Tbsp. Honey

Proportions can be altered ~ just mix together until you get a good consistency.

Pull back your hair, and apply mask to a clean face.  Wash off after 15 – 20 minutes.

At-Home Eye Treatment:

Then… head to your refrigerator and go slice a cold cucumber.

Place one slice on each of your closed eyes ~ lay back, and relax!

Not only do cold cucumber slices help reduce redness, dark circles, and puffiness around your eyes… they’re also very soothing, too!

Give these thrifty little tricks a try… your face {and wallet} will thank you!

Now don’t forget about your feet ~ head on over here for more at-home spa-style treatments ~ It’s The Ultimate Treat for your Feet!

A special thanks to my friend Joli {the owner of a salon in the Seattle area}, and the wonderful Frugal Girls Fans on Facebook for sharing and inspiring these fun & frugal tips!

What are some of your favorite ways to save $$ on beauty treatments?  Leave a comment, and let us know!

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaners!

I love anything that has to do with water… the beach, the lake, the swimming pool ~ yes, I love it all!

If you do too… then here are some tips to save money on Swim Diapers for your little ones…

Buy Reusable Swim Diapers:

• If you play in the water often, these will quickly pay for themselves!

• Go here to view Amazon’s selection of Reusable Swim Diapers

• If you’ve cashed in any Swagbucks for Amazon gift cards, you could use one to sweeten the deal even more!

Save $$ on Disposable Swim Diapers:

• Prefer disposable swim diapers… like Huggies Little Swimmers?  Watch for sales and match with coupons!

• My favorite tried and true trick?  After using the disposable swim diapers {like Huggies Little Swimmers}, wash them in the laundry!  When they weren’t “messy and beyond help”, I would wash them in the laundry, and was often able to use one package all summer long!  Just don’t put them in the dryer or they’ll become crunchy… instead, just let them air dry, and they’ll be as good as new!

See Also:
More Deals for Baby!
How to Make Homemade Foaming Baby Wash

Are you on the hunt for some Thrifty Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for your Mom or Mom-in-Law??

Well, I’ve got just the thing!  Here are some of my favorites…

Photo / Card:

• Make her a Free Mother’s Day Photo Card from Kodak!

• Make her a Free Shutterfly Photo Strip {+ Free Shipping} ~ she can use it as a bookmark!

• Maker her a Free Photo Canvas {$55 value} ~ just pay s/h!

• Frame some pictures of you together… or pictures of the grandkids!  New members get 50 Free Pictures from Kodak!

Coffee & Tea:

• Get her 3 Boxes of Coffee + a Stainless Steel Scoop for $3.00 shipped!

• Take her out for coffee or tea using a Starbucks gift card you’ve earned through Swagbucks!

Beauty:

• Have an at-home Spa Day together, and use these Thrifty Foot Scrub & Foot Soak Recipes!
• Also include Thrifty Facials with these Mask Recipes!

Flowers:

• Cut some flowers from your garden, place in a simple vase {check the Dollar Store}, and tie a pretty ribbon around the vase!

Magazines:

• Get her a discounted magazine subscription!

• Good Housekeeping: 2-yrs for $7.97!
• Bazaar Magazine: 1-yr for $8.00
• House Beautiful: 1-yr for $10.00
• National Geographic Traveler: 1-yr for $10.00

• Use Amazon gift cards earned through Swagbucks to save even more on one of these magazine subscriptions!

Letter:

• Write her a letter, telling her all the reasons why you love and appreciate her!

Do you have any other fun & thrifty Mother’s Day Gift Ideas??  Leave a comment… I’d love to hear!

Save $$ with TheFrugalGirls.com!  Follow on Facebook, get Free Email Updates, and get Free RSS Updates!

Pampering yourself doesn’t need to be expensive ~ so skip the spa and treat yourself to an at-home Ultimate Treat for your Feet!

Take some time to pamper yourself, have some fun bonding time with your mom or daughter, or make it an at-home spa party with friends ~ a Girls Night In!

Your feet {and wallet} will thank you!

Step 1: Scrub your Feet!

To make a thrifty and effective foot scrub at home, combine equal parts of Olive Oil and Organic Sugar Crystals.

Stir together… and if you’d like, you can also add in 6 drops of scented essential oil!

This makes a wonderful thrifty scrub for your feet {and your hands, too}!

{sea salt can also be substituted for the organic sugar crystals}.

Step 2: Soak your Feet!

Grab a basin and fill it with really cozy warm water.  I found the one pictured above at the Dollar Store!

Add in 1/2 cup of Epsom Salts {which I also found at the dollar store}!

Some optional fun things for your at-home foot soak include…

• Marbles on the bottom of the basin {to roll your feet along as a little massage}
• Several drops of your favorite scented essential oil
• Pretty flower petals from your garden.

Who wouldn’t want to soak their feet in this?!?

This foot soak is a great stress reliever, and will soften those feet up even more!

Step 3: Moisturize and Trap the Softness with Socks!

After you dry your feet off… liberally apply moisturizer to your feet, then put on your favorite pair of fluffy socks.  {and yes… I found these at the dollar store, too!}

This is great to do before you head to bed!  When you take your socks off in the morning… you’ll have brand new smooooooth feet!

As one reader of The Frugal Girls said… “you’ll have feet that no longer need to stay on your side of the bed!”

A special thanks to my friend Joli {the owner of a salon in the Seattle area}, and the wonderful Frugal Girls Friends on Facebook for sharing and inspiring these fun & frugal tips!

What are some of your favorite ways to treat your feet at home?? 

Leave a comment ~ I’d love to hear!

See Also:
Thrifty At-Home Facials & Mask Recipes

How to Avoid Ice Cream Freezer Burn!

If your ice cream isn’t being gobbled up quickly, we all know about that icky fuzzy little freezer burn it can develop.

Well… here’s a simple way to avoid that ~ all you’ll need is a small piece of saran wrap!

After you dish out your ice cream… just place a small piece of saran wrap right on top of the ice cream.

Push down to flatten it against the ice cream… then put the lid back on before you pop it back into the freezer.

When you’re ready to dish out some more ice cream, just peel back the saran wrap… dish it up, then cover it back up with the saran wrap and lid.

The air is what causes the freezer burn, so this simple little trick will keep those icky frozen fuzzies away!

{This ‘Works for Me!‘ This post is linked to We Are That Family}

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaning Solutions
Chic & Crafty: Crafts, DIY Projects + Tasty Recipes!

If you have any extra books, kids books, or text books laying around your house, now you can easily turn those into cash!

I have been using Cash4Books for the past year, and love it! It takes a lot less time than selling on e-bay, and the process is so simple!

1. Go here, then enter the book’s ISBN # on their site

2. See how much they will pay you for the book

3. Print shipping label, so you can mail the book for free

4. Mail book & wait to receive payment either by check or receive a 3% bonus if using PayPal!

De-clutter, and earn a little extra money while you’re at it!  Go here to sign up for a Free Cash4Books account!

I just sent a box of books off today, and am looking forward to my PayPal deposit!

Want more ways to earn extra $$ and gift cards?  More of my favorites are:

• MyPoints
• Swagbucks
• Inbox Dollars

$ave Money ~ follow TheFrugalGirls.com on Facebook & Twitter, and get Free Email Updates or Free RSS Updates!

Well… I’ve got a confession to make… I’ve got had gunk.

Gunk on my curling iron ~ lots and lots of hairspray gunk.

Eeks ~ just look at this scary picture…

Well, it was high time to clean it, so I wanted to share this simple technique with you, too!

Turn the curling iron on for a few seconds to warm it up a bit.  {it will be easier to clean when warm}

Then… unplug the curling iron.

Dip a cloth or sturdy paper towel {folded several times} in rubbing alcohol, then start cleaning the curling iron plates.

I cleaned mine outside {less fumes}.

{for the really stubborn build-up, I used my fingernails to scrape it off through the cloth}

Repeat as necessary ~ warming the curling iron up and scrubbing it with the alcohol ~ until the gunky grime is gone.

After cleaning, dry off with a clean cloth or towel, to avoid rust stains.

It took a bit of scrubbing, but look how nice my curling iron looks now…

Give it a try… your curling iron can only get cleaner!

{This ‘Works for Me!‘ This post is linked to We Are That Family}

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaning Solutions
Chic & Crafty: Crafts, DIY Projects + Tasty Recipes!

As you know… Valentine’s Day is almost here.  So yes, that means loooove is in the air!

It’s a great time to be leaving your sweetie love notes, but you can also have fun with these any time of year!

In addition to the hidden note in the laptop case, lunch, car, etc. ~ have fun leaving some love notes around the house, too!

Scrabble pieces make fun love notes.  Leave them at the breakfast table, by his computer, on his night stand ~ be creative… here are a few I came up with…

Don’t forget the mirror ~ this is a love note he’s sure not to miss!

Use the edge of a dry bar of soap to write him a special note.  I even made a fun note for my kids on their mirror, too!  {I later noticed they grabbed some soap, and wrote back to me!}

What are some of your favorite ways to write love notes… or places to leave them?

Leave a comment & share!

You may remember how our grapefruit tree gave us 125 huge ruby red grapefruit last year, well… it’s done it again!

No… it didn’t produce 125 this year ~ but my guys counted our crop and we had just under 50!

We pulled them off the tree this week, and now have lots of grapefruit and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice days ahead of us. We love eating from our back yard!

If you’ve got the space, try planting something that grows well in your climate. If you’re limited on space, you may want to try a strawberry pot or even a windowsill herb garden.

What fruits, veggies, or herbs do you like growing in your garden? Leave a comment and share ~ I’d love to hear!

{this post is linked to: Life as Mom & We are that family}

One simple way is to cut your dryer sheets in half….

Now I know several of you are already doing this little trick, but for those of you that aren’t… give it a try and see what you think!

It just takes a minute to cut them in half, and the box will last twice as long!

Once I’ve cut them, I just insert them back into the box, like this…

I’ve been doing this for many years, and love how long 1 box of dryer sheets can last.

I even sometimes use the half sheets twice!

Other thrifty options are to use reusable dryer sheets or dryer balls.

Don’t forget… you can save even more $$ by making Homemade Laundry Detergent and Homemade Fabric Softener!

What are some of your favorite ways for saving money on laundry??

Leave a comment & share!

See Also:
Homemade Cleaner Recipes
Fun & Thrifty Craft Projects!

Well… another great resource for worn clothes is the Sears KidVantage Club!

If your child wears out their clothing that was purchased at Sears before they outgrow it, they will replace the same item with the same size… for Free!

Also, every time you spend $100 on kids or infant clothing, you’ll receive a coupon for 15% off your next kids or infant clothing purchase.

Go here for more information.

Have you tried using the Sears KidVantage program?  What did you think??

{Thanks to Sherry in WA for sharing this great deal!}

$ave Money ~ follow The Frugal Girls on Facebook & Twitter…. and sign up for Free Email Updates or Free RSS Updates!

Holes are attracted to the knees of their jeans like magnets… we’ve had new jeans one day and “holey” jeans the next!  One day it dawned on me rather than fixing holes… why not prevent them! For the past few years, here’s what I’ve done…

Pick up bondex iron-on patches in the color similar to the pants…

I use denim patches for jeans, and get the 2-packs at Wal-Mart for around $1.15…

First… wash jeans or pants in hot water and dry completely.

Flip the pants inside out, and locate the knee area.

Thinking of where the knee would hit when the pants are on, position the patch to attach to the inside of the front knee area.

Iron on with hot heat {per patch instructions}…

Repeat on other leg as well… after you’ve finished, they will look like this…

Now reverse the pants so they’re no longer inside out, and… voila!

Shh… nobody will know our little secret of the reinforced knees.

Nope… these are no longer ‘regular pants’. These are reinforced-knee, mega-durability, ready for serious wear-and-tear pants! {exactly the right kind of pants for my boys!}

{This ‘Works for Me!‘   This post is linked to We Are That Family}

See Also:
BIG List of Homemade Cleaning Solutions
Chic & Crafty: Crafts, DIY Projects + Tasty Recipes!

Don’t throw them away ~ turn them into Homemade Bookmarks!

My sweet Aunt Patty shared this tip with me a few years back, and I must say… we’ve got some pretty cute bookmarks holding places in our books right now!

Then grab some scissors, a 3-hole punch and ribbons.

There you have it… quick, easy, and adorable bookmarks!

However… buying those decadent drinks can really add up!

The biggest way I save on coffee is to make my own gourmet coffee drinks at home.

But… I do enjoy Starbucks dates with my hubby, meeting friends for coffee, and stopping by Starbucks on vacation!

Here are some of my favorite tricks to save $$ at Starbucks…

• Instead of a Mocha, order a Misto with 2 pumps of chocolate. It is made with drip coffee instead of espresso shots, but tastes virtually the same. {saves about $1.00}

• If I’m with my hubby or a friend, instead of ordering 2 small Frappucinos, we order 1 venti Frappucino and have it split into 2 cups. {saves about $3.00}

• What about the kids? Starbucks offers kids-sized hot chocolates or cold chocolate milk drinks with the fancy whip for just $1.00 each.  Our kids are even happy with getting their own cup of free ice water. {One of my nephews loves looking forward to his Starbucks water!}

• My favorite way to stretch a buck at Starbucks is… cash in Swagbucks for Free Starbucks gift cards!

How do you save $$ at Starbucks?  Leave a comment ~ I’d love to hear!

Yes, they are wonderful for wiping those lil‘ baby buns, but there are so many more fun and non-traditional uses for baby wipes too!

Following are just some of my favorite ways to use baby wipes, now that my kids are no longer needing them for their original primary purpose.

• Cleaning stains out of the carpet
• Removing crayons and scuff marks from walls or flooring
• Blotting away deodorant marks on clothing
• Cleaning the computer keyboard ~ works great!
• Keeping a stash in the car for grimy hand clean-up
• Cleaning up on camp trips ~ they’re a lifesaver out in the woods!
• Using to ‘pre-treat’ stains on clothing
• Cleaning shoes
• Cleaning rubber stamps
• Empty wipe containers can even be used to organize craft supplies, etc!

The uses are limitless! What are some non-traditional ways you like to use baby wipes?

There are several fun & frugal ways I have found to keep the “I’m bored” out of summer days.

One of these ways is by offering my kids limited computer time several times per week.

Following are some fun, free {and educational} websites that my kids absolutely love!

Science:
Kids.NationalGeographic.com

Reading:
Starfall.com
Sesame Street E-Books

Math:
Funbrain.com
Multiplication.com

Games:
Lego.com
PBSKids.org

Save $$ with TheFrugalGirls.com!  Follow on Facebook, get Free Email Updates, and get Free RSS Updates!

One way we’ve found to really save money on groceries is to cut back on prepackaged snacks, and pack our own. Not only does this save money, but you can also determine the portion size and incorporate some healthy snacks too!

Some of my boys’ favorites include: pretzels, raisins, cashews or homemade trail mix, popcorn, and… cheez-its {yes, I know those aren’t healthy, but they do love ‘em}!

Now, I’m a girl that loves baskets, so I store the snacks in 2 matching baskets which fit nicely side by side on top of my refrigerator.

They’re great for school lunches, drives around town, or long road trips!

For a little amount of effort, you’ll be able to save BIG!

See Also:
Homemade Microwave Popcorn Recipe