Archived Message of “The Frugal Life
News”
Published by The Frugal Life.com
The Frugal Life News
April 10, 2006 Edition
https://www.thefrugallife.com
The Frugal Life
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A Note From Randal
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Hello Everyone,
Welcome new subscribers and thanks to all of you who have been sharing The Frugal Life News with others! We have lots of questions and activity going on in the forum. Remember to make a point to stop by the forum to see if you can answer anyone’s questions.
The forum can be reached by this link:
Click Here
For those of you that are new subscribers feel free to post questions in our forum, you may just find those answer(s) you have been searching for.
As always, we appreciate you sharing this newsletter and the website.
Frugally yours,
Randal
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Frugal Finances
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Make Your Money Last Longer
by Donna L. Watkins
There are so many ways to save money, and the least effective one is finding things on sale. We have to learn how to find and use what we already have. It’s a talent lost in our present culture of wanting more. Find a few ideas below to stimulate your own creativity to do what fits for your own family and household.
We have been recycling paper for many years, as many others have, but we’ve found that most folks don’t think about using the paper before recycling it. Do you realize how much junk mail passes through the home or office that has printing only on one side? We keep it and use it in our printers. Most of what we print is for ourselves and for our files, so we save having to buy reams of paper. We also do this when we print something for somebody else that we know, so it will be a topic for conversation, which gives us the chance to teach that recycling and concern for the environment is important….and that frugality can be fun and not embarrassing. We set the example and that opens the doorway to teach that it’s okay to choose voluntary simplicity instead of ‘keeping up with the neighbors.’
While we’re discussing paper for printers, you must check out the refill options for those ink cartridges…it’s much too expensive to keep buying new ones.
We also save all those envelopes included in junk mail. It costs more for a label than it does for an envelope, so it’s not frugal to use them in place of envelopes for mailing and the post office doesn’t like it either. However, we’ve used envelopes for sorting things, dropping off a night deposit at the bank, passing a note or a check payment to somebody. We cross off the address with a squiggly, creative flair and write the name of the person we are going to give it to. You can file canceled checks in them or coupons by different categories. I’m sure you’ll think of more uses for them. This also sends a message of “waste not, want not” to our nation of in-debt families.
If you like spiral notebooks because of the hard surface, find a pocket portfolio and put junk mail in it to use. It’s actually nicer than the spiral since you can arrange the papers/notes in any order you want and still have them orderly in the portfolio.
We never buy note paper. We have little boxes sitting by the telephones and put any scraps of paper that we find with a clean side up to write on. Some paper isn’t the right size for a printer. There are all kinds of different scraps of paper to provide for your note paper box: extra deposit slips, the backs of receipts, small junk mail envelopes, the backing on check pads, etc. Just begin the process and you’ll find many opportunities for free paper and you’ll feel good about saving money and trees. You can lay sheets by the phone and while you’re on one of those long conversations, you can tear them into note size making good use of your time while listening to a friend. Feel good using some of the junk mail instead of just recycling it!
Do you know that many people have eliminated trash pickup by recycling garbage in a compost pile and recycling almost everything else they use. You can keep a large trash can outside with a plastic bag inside that will take a month to fill….and then you can haul it off to the community dumpster which is free, thereby eliminating trash pickup fees which have really become high in most towns.
Since we decided Voluntary Simplicity is the way for us, we have also been concerned about being frugal with the environment. That has required some choices where we had to choose between frugalities for conservation reasons or the pocketbook. It’s been an interesting journey which began when I read the following:
“If every household in the US replaced just one roll of 500 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissues with 100% recycled ones we could save: 297,000 trees, 1.2 million cubic feet of landfill space (equal to 1400 full garbage trucks), and 122 million gallons of water (a year’s supply for 3500 families of 4)”
It doesn’t take much to make a difference!
We began using recycled toilet paper, tissues, napkins and paper towels. They cost a little more, but somehow they give us a really deep feeling of satisfaction for helping the world God made for us to enjoy. Most recycled papers are not bleached with chlorine which is beneficial to the environment and our health also. I like the absence of dyes and fragrances, yet another elimination of chemicals in our homes. The toxicity of our environment does not go unnoticed by our physical bodies since research has shown that as chemicals increase so does cancer.
We’ve replaced a shelf full of cleaners by buying one simple laundry/cleaning product,
Sunshine Concentrate.
We use it for laundry, hand soap, window and car cleaner, and for disinfectant qualities we make it up in a spray bottle with antibacterial essential oils.
Since we use herbs and vitamins we make sure we recycle those bottles, but first we like to use them for something. We enjoy making snacks from dried fruits and nuts, so we use the bottles for them instead of plastic baggies. You can use them for many things if you get a little creative. Our herb bottles have a 2″ wide opening, so they’re great to put in drawers to organize paper clips, tacks, rubber bands, buttons, etc. and can be used for pencil holders and flower pots for beginning seeds.
Let’s allow our minds to become creative again as they were in older days when ‘things’ weren’t so available and our nation didn’t have a disposable mentality. Frugality begins in finding use of the things we already have in our possession, not just saving money on obtaining more things. You not only feel good about doing more with what you have, but you’ll be surprised at how much more time and money you have when you don’t have to spend gas and time shopping. You’ll also find that you can reduce your car insurance if you put less miles on your car each year.
I firmly believe one of the main reasons our ancestors lives were so much more peaceful is because they didn’t shop every day or week. Get rid of the “have it now” mentality and make lists of what you need and schedule a time weekly at first and eventually less often to shop. It will happen automatically as you stir your creativity to find things you can substitute that are already in your home.
Make your money last longer — you can have more fun times with your family, and you can give more to organizations your heart cries for.
Donna L. Watkins is the editor of two free email newsletters: “A Healing Moment,” on health and healing, and “A Touch of Nature” for those who love the natural world around them and want to know more about it. Read more about these ezines here:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/atn.html
A Touch of Nature
Free Lesson #1 – Debt Freedom Course
Pay off all of your debt in 5-7 years using the money you already make. Find out why financial guru and best-selling author, Suze Orman, is advising her millions of followers to “Pay Everything Off as Fast As Possible!”
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Frugal Home Communications
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Frugal Gardening
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It’s that time of year again and Donna and I have been going to our favorite places to find plants for sale. We are in Zone 8 here in Palmyra, VA. Regardless of what zone you are in, it is important to pick hardy and healthy plants here is a great place to get that information.
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Frugal How-To
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Saving Water Saves Money!
To further aid the environment, and enhance your checkbook, swap your typical 5-gallon-per-minute (GPM) showerhead for a 2.5 GPM nozzle. Making the switch will save you approximately 27,375 gallons of water (and $40 to $140) a year, assuming that your shower is in use for at least 30 minutes a day. Installations are easy. The Home Depot offers a selection of models starting at $7.
Before hitting the stores, you should check out the American Water Works Association website which lists community incentive programs. Some give vouchers for water-conserving showerheads or toilets, and others offer them free of charge to encourage people to just go with the (low) flow.
Source: Budget Living, October/November 2004
Make Your Own Home, Bath and Beauty Products
Essential oil kits allow you to make your own safe non-chemical home and beauty products. Making your home less toxic for yourself, children and pets.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialkits.html
Make Your Own Home and Beauty Products
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Frugal Pets
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Herbal Heartworm Program and Prevention
Robin Sockness works with pet owners with an individualized program and has currently worked with over 700 dogs. Herbs are safer and less expensive so it’s a win-win situation for all. Prevention programs available.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/heartworm.html
Herbal Heartworm Program & Prevention
Pet Information, Links and Natural Foods
Healthy Pet Corner provides lots of information and links for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, and reptiles.
http://www.healthypetcorner.com
Healthy Pet Corner
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Frugal Tips From Our Subscribers
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Regarding the used pill bottles… I take a lot of meds and accumulate lots of pill bottles. I give to my mom’s church for one their outreach programs for seamen. They prepare boxes for seamen containing little things like toiletries and aspirin and stuff – which they buy in bulk and place in the pill bottles (after removing all the labels). Her church is St. John’s Presbyterian on W. Bellfort in Houston, TX. Perhaps other churches have a similar ministry sending care boxes to people in need. Just a thought!
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Frugal Learning
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Singing Success At-Home Study Course
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! 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. Money-back Guarantee:
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What’s Going On In The Forum
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Maybe you can help these folks out with a few suggestions? Or post some of
your own questions. Log-in to Post Here’s the link:
https://www.thefrugallife.com/bulletinboard.html
Forum
Questions Needing Answers At The Forum
Automobile Forum
Anyone here car free? I’m a bike commuter and was hoping to have a conversation about it…
Cleaning Forum
1. Last night I burned popcorn on the stove. (badly) Smoke filled the kitchen and has left a terrible smell. Any ideas on how to get it out?
Do It Yourself Forum
Does anyone know of a natural means (using no toxic chemicals) to unstop a shower drain? Thanks – Randal
Family Forum
1. My daughter was sent home a project to make during vacation to build a house. She can use stick (popsicle) bricks straws anything but not to where she cant carry it. She wants to build one out of stick I have no clue any chance you can lead me somewhere for help. Ty
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Home Based Business Ideas
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Nature’s Sunshine Products – Herbs and Supplements
Earn an income selling over 500 natural health products, beverages, essential oils, skin care systems, water filters, and more. Websites for $11.95/month.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/busop.html
Nature’s Sunshine Products
Home Spa Party Plan – Make Bath and Body Products
Have you noticed how popular bath and pampering products have become? The HomeSpa Party Plan taps into that craze. Guests at HomeSpa parties learn how to make bath salts, personalized perfumes, body spritzers and more using essential oils, while you make a nice income.
http://www.theherbsplace.com/essentialspa.html
Home Spa Party
Flint River Ranch – Oven Baked Pet Foods
Make additional income providing healthy pet foods and bones to friends, neighbors and family. Pets keep eating, so customers keep buying. If you love animals, this is a very rewarding home-based business. With only $100.00 volume a month you earn 19% on all sales.
http://www.healthypetcorner.com/FRR/busop.html
Flint River Ranch
Life’s Abundance Foods and Supplements
Formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks and Dr. Barry Sears who developed the Zone Diet for Overweight Dogs. Besides dog, cat and horse products, they have a non-toxic line of cleaning products – safe for pets and children. Websites available for $8.50/month.
http://www.healthypetcorner.com/HPN/busopform.html
Life’s Abundance
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Copyright, Legal Disclaimer and Reprint Information
© 2006 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 TFL staff be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of information herein.
TFL does not knowingly accept ads from advertisers deemed detrimental to TFL’s readers, however, publication of an ad in TFL does not constitute an endorsement for such product or service.
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 or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit:
Editor, Randal J. Watkins, of TheFrugalLife.com, provides this free
newsletter to subscribers. The Frugal Life is sponsored by TheHerbsPlace.com
which provides quality Nature’s Sunshine Products at wholesale prices. Visit
now to shop or view the list of free newsletters available.
http://www.theherbsplace.com
The Herbs Place