A NOTE FROM RANDAL

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to our new readers and thank you to all who share this newsletter with others.

Hope your holidays were enjoyable and frugal too. If not, it is never too late to begin again. While the Christmas cards are on your mind please look again at this article on reusing Christmas cards.

Reusing an item is more important than recycling it. So wherever you are, look for opportunities to reuse. Reusing doesn't impact our waste system nor does it usually take new resources to be reused again.

Frugally yours,
Randal

HEALTHY PET NEWSLETTER

Each issue of this free email newsletter contains:

* Helpful Pet Information
* Interesting Stories
* Nutritional Advice
* Insight From Veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks.

The monthly newsletter also includes a current schedule of “Ask Dr. Jane” phone calls. View a sample of the newsletter and subscribe.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FORUM

Add your advice for these questions at The Frugal Life Forum. Ask your own questions or leave your favorite frugal tips while you are there.

Family

1. Condo Living - Our Neighbors Are Elephants!

We've just moved into a condo and it's our first time in a multi-family dwelling. It's a new construction (high-end materials and top-notch builder) so it's been built with all of the latest materials/methods to help with noise containment.

Unfortunately, just after moving in, we realized that our neighbors in the unit above us have VERY heavy footsteps. Early in the morning to late at night - pounding all over the ceiling. They have a small child that runs around all day and the adult footsteps cause the light fixtures in the ceiling to vibrate. If their unit is similar to ours they will have hardwood floors throughout - which probably isn't helping matters.

We plan to chat with them about it. We've already mentioned it to our head of the HOA. We don't want to alienate our neighbors or hurt their feelings - but we also don't like the thought of living in what sounds like a popcorn popper!

Any suggestions or recommended approaches to this somewhat delicate issue?

Miscellaneous

1. McCalls Pattern - Help Please

Hoping someone out there can help. I have McCalls Pattern 6868, but I am missing the instruction sheet. This pattern has been out of print for some years now, and I cannot find anything regarding Pattern archives.

Anybody out there sew? My appreciations up front!

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FRUGAL FINANCES

25 Ways I Save Money

Not only does this site list 25 ways, but the invitation was sent out for others to submit their 25 ways so there's a lot of ideas on saving money.

Get a few new ways to save for the new year at this website

Tips and Articles on Finances

FRUGAL COMMUNICATIONS

• 3.9 Cent Long Distance With No Access Numbers to Dial
• Save on Cellular Phone Plans
• Prepaid Phone Cards
• Internet Service

No hidden fees or charges at Blessed Hope Communications

FRUGAL HOW-TO

Slash Your Food Bill
By Melissa Gotthardt, AARP Magazine - January & February 2008

Stop paying full price at the checkout line. Everyone's feeling the shock of higher grocery prices these days: you run in to buy a few basics, and $60 later you leave the store wondering where your money went. In fact, grocery bills have risen about 5.7 percent in the past two years.

Get some tips from this article on AARP's website.

FRUGAL DECORATING

I've moved five times in the past 10 years, due to life and job changes. My way of saving money is called "use what you have decorating." I've had the same bedroom drapes and comforter for four of the five places I've lived.Sometimes I use my old things in a new way.

For instance, I had inherited some painted china plates that my Mom had stuck in the back of her china cabinet. You couldn't even see 'em there! I hung them up in the bathroom, of all places! But they made pretty wall decorations and the steam and humidity doesn't affect china plates.

A cedar chest became a behind-the-sofa table. Old kitchen items -- utensils, dishes, pot lids and knick knacks -- were placed on top of the kitchen cabinets in one home, where the cabinets didn't go all the way to the ceiling. They made a cute display.

My nightstand began life as a microwave oven stand back in the 1980s, when microwaves were HUGE; its big table surface provides lots of room for my lamp, alarm clock, glasses and books.

An antique dresser from a third bedroom has been in two large bathrooms, used for storing towels and cosmetics. The curtains in one house has been made into valances for windows elsewhere.

I'm not above dumpster diving, either: I have scrounged stereo speakers, plant stands, shelves, lamps, a Martha Stewart shower curtain, large baskets and chairs from apartment dumpsters. (Everything was in perfect condition. Can't believe my neighbors threw all this good stuff away!)

If you "think outside the box" you can come up with new uses for the things you already own or items you find -- and you can't beat the price; it's all free!

FRUGAL TIPS

Think Percentage Of Savings

When you shop and price comparison doesn't seem worth it, think in terms of percentages.

If a gallon of milk costs $3.75 at one store and $3.25 at another, you save 50 cents by buying the cheaper milk. This might not sound like much, but it's a 13% savings! What if you could do that with your entire food budget? It would stretch a lot further.

When thinking this way don't forget to consider the gas used. You don't want to run to 7 different stores to get your groceries. Your time is worth something also. You'll also have to consider quality.

There's great value in saving pennies. They do add up over time and you establish good frugal habits that will make a difference in other areas of your life also.

Search The Frugal Life Forum for answers to your questions or to share tips with other frugal folks.

FRUGAL PETS

Healthy Pet Foods

Pet food ingredients can create a lot of health problems for our pets, and that can cost a lot of money with recurring health issues feeding that drain our budgets for the veterinarian. Be an informed pet owner when it comes to what's in pet foods. You already know that you feel better if you eat right. Help them to feel better too. View this video or site to be an informed pet owner.

Natural Remedies and Herbal Heartworm Programs

Yes, there are natural ways to deal with heartworms and there are herbal prevention programs also. Get more info on heartworms.

Pet Topics Information Site

Healthy Pet Corner provides informational links for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, and reptiles. Visit Healthy Pet Corner.

FRUGAL LEARNING

Singing Success At-Home Study Course

100% guaranteed. The Singing Success Vocal Training Program, by celebrity vocal coach Brett Manning, is the only vocal training program that guarantees a full octave increase in your vocal range. And you can do it at home. You'll learn to sing as easily as you speak, completely eliminating vocal strain, and you will learn to master the techniques of vocal style, including runs, licks and trills. Get a full refund if it doesn't do all it promises. Read more about the Singing Success Program.

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COPYRIGHT, LEGAL DISCLAIMER & REPRINT INFO
© 2003-2007 Randal J. Watkins

Information in The Frugal Life News (TFL) has been derived from sources believed accurate and reliable. In no event shall *The Frugal Life,* Randal Watkins, or the corporate sponsor, Sunshine Life Center, Inc. staff be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of information herein.

There is no remuneration for suggestions, tips, or ideas submitted by readers. All suggestions, tips, and ideas, submitted for publication in The Frugal Life, become the property of The Frugal Life, notwithstanding similar rights of the reader submitting such suggestions, tips, or ideas. TFL publishes readers' names with their suggestions, tips, and ideas unless a reader requests otherwise at the time of the submission.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety and/or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit with an active link:

Editor, Randal J. Watkins, of TheFrugalLife.com, provides this free newsletter to subscribers. Visit The Frugal Life website to subscribe or find frugal information to live well on what you already have.