A NOTE FROM RANDAL

Hello Everyone!

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

Hope your new year has started off well and you are continuing to live frugally. In this issue, we have included some Frugal Quotes. We hope these quotes inspire you to live financially wise throughout 2008.

Please continue to spread the news about our website and newsletter to others that you know. Without your personal help we wouldn't be where we are.

Frugally yours,
Randal

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.

Recycle/Reuse

1. Blind Slats - Uses For Them?

I've just hung 3 sets of vinyl blinds in my home. After shortening them to the desired length, I'm left with several extra slats that I hate to just toss. Does anybody have any ideas for these? I know I can save a few for replacing slats that get damaged, but not this many! I'm wondering what all of your creative minds can come up with. Thanks!

2. Drying Plastic Bags

Does anyone know where I can get a device for drying more than one plastic bag at a time. I saw one with four dowels that had little soft figurines on top so bags would stay open. Does anyone have any other ideas? What do you do? I'm always in a hurry but hate to toss these out. thanks so much!

OUR HOME BUSINESSES - JOIN US!

Nature's Sunshine Herbs and Supplements

Essential Oils Home Spa Parties

Flint River Ranch Oven Baked Pet Foods

Healthy Pet Net Foods and Supplements

FRUGAL FINANCES

Spend Intentionally - From Character First Electronic Newsletter

Many individuals cringe at the idea, but a budget can help you develop the financial discipline to succeed.

Track Your Spending Is your money consumed by impulse purchases, credit card bills, or banking fees? Use your credit card statements, receipts, and bills to keep track of every dollar you spend for two months. Calculate your monthly fixed and variable spending. Then calculate your monthly income, and compare numbers.

If your spending exceeds your income, look for places to cut spending. Identify non-essentials such as eating out, hobbies, name- brand coffee, and smoke breaks. Find less expensive alternatives, wait for sales, use coupons, or buy in bulk.

Make A Plan
Allocate money for each expense category. Save at least 10 percent of your income each month. Set aside additional money in order to prepare for unexpected circumstances. Put money aside for college tuition or other large expenses, and avoid heavy debt.

Pay your bills, then determine what you have left for other things. Pay extra on your credit cards until you pay them off; then pay the balance every month. Do not buy something unless you have the money to pay for it.

Cutting expenses does not mean cutting enjoyment. Go to the movies once instead of twice a week. Take advantage of free concerts, kids- eat-free deals, and free day at the zoo. Ride in one car instead of two when possible, and choose the one with better gas mileage.

Stick With It
Adjust your budget categories as necessary, but do not give up on cutting expenses or saving money. A little discipline now will eventually give you the freedom to go on that trip or buy that flat screen television.

Whatever stage of life you are in, using a spending plan now will give you the freedom to seize tomorrow's opportunities unhindered by financial worries.

Subscribe to this email newsletter and check out other free downloads at CharacterFirst.com

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 DECORATING

Inexpensive Floor Make Over

In remodeling our master bed room we decided to paint the plywood floor we couldn't afford to carpet. We filled in the unevenness with bondo. Let cure well. Sealed it with a good primer. Painted it the color of choice & then stenciled roses all around the edges with a 1/4 circle facing the corners & a Hollow heart in each corner of the room. It turns out we liked it better than carpet! And it was a whole lot cheaper!! - wildone777

FRUGAL TIPS

Save Trees and Birds

Take away temptation and save trees and birds since catalogs are being produced by cutting down the boreal forest where our North American birds breed. This website makes canceling catalogs very easy! It was on the Today Show this past week. It is free and secure.

www.catalogchoice.org

FRUGAL QUOTES

In 1732, Benjamin Franklin founded and published Poor Richard's Almanac, an annual collection of practical information, humorous stories, and wise sayings. Many of these sayings encouraged readers to build habits of diligence and thriftiness.

"He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly need not be rich."

"Drink water, put the money in your pocket."

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

"The way to wealth is as plain as the way to the market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality; that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both."

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.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below --- or send them the link to this site.

QUICK LINKS TO OUR SPONSOR: TheHerbsPlace.com

Current Specials
Online Catalog
Products A-Z
Home Business
Women
Men
Children
Pet Health Topics
Essential Oils
Natria Beauty Products
Non-toxic Laundry and Cleaning

MORE COMPLIMENTARY NEWSLETTERS

The Herbs Place offers several newsletters with topics such as natural health, pets, emotions, and the natural world. More about newsletters.

COPYRIGHT, LEGAL DISCLAIMER & REPRINT INFO
© 2003-2008 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.