Save Money Frugal Tips

The local news channel often has stories about families who are trying to pay down debt or create a more abundant lifestyle by becoming frugal. Invariably, I end up thinking, “What the heck?” at the end of the news story.

The frugal tips they tout as ways to change your financial outlook are hardly worth mentioning. To me, a lifelong penny pincher, they seem ludicrously simple.

Example: Instead of buying Starbucks-type coffee, drink coffee at home.

Well, no duh (to adopt a phrase from my youth). Do people really need a financial adviser or a news story to tell them that spending $5.00 a day on coffee is not financially responsible? $5.00 a cup coffee translates into $1,825.00 each year. That’s two mortgage payments. That’s a year’s wardrobe. That’s groceries for one person for the whole year. Think about it: ALL your food, or a cup of coffee every day.

Example: Turn your thermostat down a degree or two in the winter.

This one seems obvious to me as well. Use less fuel and electricity, pay for less fuel and electricity. You can buy a decent sweater for $20.00, and save tons of money on heating.

I know, from personal experience, that some people need help with this concept, so I suppose it is good they put it on the news. I have an otherwise frugal friend who keeps her heat at 74 degrees all winter. She wears a t-shirt in the house.

<~~Picture me shaking my head and sighing here.

Bananas are usually one of the cheapest fruits you can find at the grocery store. They are also really yummy, highly nutritious, and able to be used in many different foods (raw, baking, etc.) Unfortunately, bananas also go bad sitting on the counter rather quickly. There are ways to help.

First, purchase bananas that still have a little hint of green to them. My kids actually prefer eating them this way, but they will ripen at home fast enough for those who prefer a banana that is all yellow. Put the banana bunch in a sealed plastic bag. Bananas produce some gas that actually hastens ripening. The bag will help the bananas stay fresh for up to two weeks.

After your bananas are past peak ripeness, there are so many things you can do with them. I bet most frugal and simple living folk know about making banana bread or banana nut muffins. Bananas can also be frozen and used in smoothies or in making fruity “ice cream.” They can even be used to thicken some soups!