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What if being frugal made you feel like a million bucks? You’d live a rich and happy life–while saving more money than you ever imagined! If you’re frustrated with your finances, drowning in debt, or just wondering where your money goes each month, don’t despair. For in these pages lies the secret to financial peace and harmony: how to become a frugillionaire. Unlike millionaires and billionaires, frugillionaires aren’t defined by the number of zeroes in their net worth, or the haute couture in their closets. Quite the contrary: frugillionaires master the art of frugality–living richly while saving a fortune. They make the most of the money they have, and treasure those things that money can’t buy. Best of all, becoming a frugillionaire is easy! Just open this book, and you’ll find 500 fabulous savings techniques at your fingertips. Mix and match them into your personal formula for financial success!

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Becoming a single parent is stressful no matter what your life circumstances. The task of raising a child on your own and becomes even more difficult if you lack of quality education. Single parents can improve the circumstances of themselves and their children by improving their education levels. Learn how education can make your life better and increase the chances that your child will succeed in the future.

Single Parents: How Education Can Improve Your Circumstances

Education Improves Single Parent Circumstances – Finances
The most obvious way an education can improve a single parent’s circumstances, is by increasing the potential for making more money. Not only can an educated parent get a better job, their existing boss will be more willing to promote them and give them a raise.

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Review

“There are a lot of ideas you already know in this book, but at the price, even if you get just a couple of new hints, it could be helpful. Since we know how well our New Year’s resolutions about dieting are going to work out, we might as well resolve to watch our pennies and become more frugal in 2009.”  —Pasadena Star News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News

Frugality isn’t new. People throughout the ages have sought to live better while living within their means, and that’s really what it comes down to for many seniors today. They are looking for creative ways to save money, thereby reducing stress, enjoying a happier and richer life and, all the while, benefiting the environment. Are these seniors tightwads? Hardly. Frugal? Proudly!

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According to some sources, after weight loss and quitting smoking, money management and savings goals top the New Year’s resolution list.

There are some small yet significant changes you can make to make the new year better financially. In January, many companies allow you to change your 401k or retirement plans. Maximize your money by putting in as much as the company matches, or even more. Start a saving’s account and put money in it every paycheck before using money for anything else. Even if it is just $5.00 every two weeks, you will be ahead of the game.

More savings tips and tricks will always show up on this blog and the Save Money Frugal Tips website.

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From Publishers Weekly

Departing from the get rich mantra of many personal finance books, Yeager, once dubbed the Ultimate Cheapskate by NBC’s Today Show, instead advises readers to shift their priorities and live well on less in this sensible guide to frugal living. Yeager himself retired from a career as a nonprofit executive at age 46 by saving on expenses large (he and his wife renovated their home themselves and exercise and eat well to cut down on medical costs) and small (he soft-boils his eggs in the dishwasher during the wash cycle). Embedded in the sometimes juvenile humor and aw-shucks prose are some original ideas for conserving cash, such as trying a fiscal fast—going a full week or more without spending any money. Most of all, he urges readers to free themselves from the Money Step, the endless dance of having to earn more in order to spend more. By emphasizing the virtues and satisfactions of living cheaply, Yeager convincingly makes the case that fruga (more…)

Debt has become a reality of life in America. The average adult has thousands of dollars of debt, even without a mortgage. Car leases and loans, rent to own furniture and electronics, “no interest for 90 days” payment plans… All of these things contribute to the ever-increasing debt load most people are burdened with.
The first thing you have to do to free yourself financially is to make the decision to get rid of all debt. Once you make the decision, you should further commit yourself by stating that you will get rid of debt, no matter what it takes. It is tough to pay down debt, but you can, if you attack debt with everything you’ve got.

Paying Down Debt – Methods to Save the Most Money

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You?re young. You?ve used up the handful of decorating ideas you ever had and, frankly, it?s time to take down the tapestries and the pushpin-worn posters. You?re livin? in the real world now, sister. And, you?re broke. So what if your mom thinks you?re sassy and sophisticated?it?s high time you showed everyone else you truly are. In Chick Living, Kris Koederitz Melcher teaches us how to live frugally while oozing fabulousness. Melcher?s got your back with real-life lessons in necessity such as securing renter?s insurance, getting enough calcium in your diet, and when to take your car and yourself in for a routine checkup. We can all learn a lesson or two from Melcher who, in her first year out of college, paid every bill on time and had funds left over for starting a Grown-up Girl wardrobe and a savings account. What?s a Grown-up Girl Wardrobe, you ask? What?s a savings account? Never fear, oh sweet young dear. Help is on the way. It?s an expensive w (more…)

If you are a frugal gal, this task will be much easier for you. If great minds think alike, the same is true of frugal minds. Simply look within yourself. The frugal gal can get excited about the most ordinary items. For the rest of you, here’s a little help.

Although you may question some items on the list, remember, the frugal gal enjoys frugal things! She looks to get the best value for her money and this IS what makes her happy! It just makes sense that providing a practical frugal gift that may also save money, will make her happy. Isn’t that what great gifts should do? So here’s to happiness and the pursuit of the frugal lifestyle! Happy holidays, happy birthdays, happy Mother’s day, etc. etc. etc…

Frugal Gift Basket Ideas

Some of these unique gift baskets might seem odd or unusual to the average person. If you’re a frugal gal, you’ll completely understand. The rest of you will just have to trust me

THE LAUNDRY GIFT BASKET

For the frugal gal who holds onto things until they fall apart (or even after they fall apart).

This is the gal who has a laundry basket held together with duct tape, tied together with string or rope, or repaired several times with other various ingenuis methods. Probability is, she may not even have a laundry basket. I have several produce boxes (they are extremely strong, especially banana boxes) that make wonderful laundry carriers! And, they are free.

Fill a sturdy laundry basket with one or two boxes each:

*Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
*20 Mule Team Borax
*A few bars of Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap

I say “sturdy” basket because it will inevitably be put to the test by a frugal gal! If your frugal gal doesn’t need a new laundry basket, you can give these gifts in an appropriate size traditional gift basket or just gift bag ‘em.

This is a great gift for anyone who doesn’t mind saving money. And, I don’t know anyone who minds! I would mix up one batch and put in a tightly sealed container. (You can make a decorative container yourself i.e. – a quart mason jar and some decorative fabric banded over the top. Tie with pretty ribbon.) Place with the laundry detergent ingredients to get them to try it and started down the right path. Include the following Laundry Detergent Recipe with the Laundry Basket Gift.

Powdered Laundry Detergent

*1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
*1/2 Cup Washing Soda
*1/2 Cup Borax
~ For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.

Options:
1. If budget allows, throw in some cloth napkins, utility towels, bath towels, hand towels, or washcloths.

2. Make a little book with a variety of laundry tips, tricks, and homemade recipes. This is great for a new bride.

THE CLEANING GIFT BASKET

The frugal gal makes her own cleaning solutions and is always looking for cleaning and organizing tips. The cleaning basket might include such items as, a couple of spray bottles, steel wool, a pumice stone, cream of tartar, vinegar, baking soda, gloves, scrub brushes, utility towels or cleaning rags, dusters, cloth diapers (make great cleaning rags), household cleaning and organizing tips book or recycling tips.

Top with a personalized cleaning shirt or apron or any other little cleaning gadgets you think your frugal gal might find handy. Throw in a coupon for a coffee break date, with you, at your home, her home, or a local coffee shop! Your treat of course.

THE KITCHEN GIFT BASKET

The kitchen basket contents is limited only to your imagination! This is a great gift for anyone who loves to cook. Frugal gals know the importance of saving through cooking. If you’re a frugal gal you can reflect on your own needs and frequent uses to spark some ideas. By the way, the “basket” doesn’t have to be a basket. Did that make sense? You’ll see what I mean. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Baker’s Basket: Fill a large mixing bowl or basket [she'll probably get more use out of the bowl ] with baking tools and/or supplies as much as will suit your budget. i.e. – Wire whisks of various sizes, wooden spoons, measuring spoons and cups, a sifter, cookie cutters, rubber spatulas (you know, those things you use to scrape every last bit of batter out of the bowl. My husband and I still argue about what these are called), a bag of bulk yeast, can of baking powder, various spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, etc.), vanilla extract, or anything else you know your frugal gal or cook will use or needs.

Top it all off with a personalized apron. Make or buy an apron and write the person’s name or a personal message, poem, or saying on it, using a fabric paint pen or paints. Other contents might include a cookbook, some of your own favorite recipes printed neatly on a recipe card or made into a mini cookbook, a recipe file, cookbook stand, well I could go on and on.

2. Cooks Basket: Fill a large stock pot or basket with a variety of cooking utensils or supplies. i.e. – Most of the above items could be considered as well as, ladles, cutlery, small strainer/s, tongs, special seasonings, cooking spices (Italian seasoning, cumin, onion powder, garlic, oregano, thyme, etc) and again, top it off with a pretty apron! Throw in a cookbook if your budget allows and/or toss in some homemade recipes for taco seasoning, chicken bake coating, stuffing, whatever you can find to replace higher priced store bought mixes. A good idea might be to actually make the mixes and give them already mixed in a tightly sealed container or jar along with the recipe. How to save money on groceries tips or book.

THE FOOD GIFT BASKET

1. Frugal Food Basket: Mix up some master baking mix, pancake mix, cookie mix, or muffin mix. Pick and choose or give them all in tightly sealed containers or jars and attach recipes for using and the mix recipe. Decorate accordingly of course. Specialty rice and rice mixes, bean mixes, bean and rice mixes, oatmeal and couscous. A pack of herb seeds or starter plants for indoor herb gardening. Top it off with an apron, or a gift card from your local grocery store.

2. Treat Gift Basket: Now this one is great to give the frugal gal food items that her budget, or frugal mind, just won’t allow. Even frugal gals have favorite gourmet items that they love but rarely treat themselves to. For instance, I love Macadamia nuts. But they are very expensive, making them cost prohibitive for my financial goals right now. If you don’t already know, ask a spouse or close relative what items the recipient enjoys. Fill a basket or other creative container with those foods and other various specialty foods, snacks, nuts, and/or cheeses. Remember to take into consideration any diet restrictions and select your contents accordingly.

3. Coffee or Tea Gift Basket: I’m a true coffee lover. But, as a frugal gal, I know that a common brand will get me through the day just as well as a gourmet brand. That doesn’t change the fact that I enjoy a good cup of gourmet or specialty coffee once in a while. But, with my current financial goals, the treat comes few and far between. The coffee basket will definitely be appreciate by the frugal gal who loves a good cup of joe! Pack that basket with several different brands of gourmet or specialty coffee or a lot of the one brand you know she loves. Include a permanent coffee filter to fit the brand of coffeemaker she uses to show you haven’t forgotten her practical side! You can easily adapt the contents to fit the tea lover instead. Top it off with a nice coffee cup.

THE GARDENER’S BASKET

The gardener’s basket is simple a collection of any supplies a home gardener might need; A garden knee pad, gardening tools, seeds, (starter plants if it’s the right time of year) Gardening books and tips. Starter pots. Containers for the container gardener. Gloves and a hat.

SEWING GIFT BASKET

Fill a basket or sewing box with a variety of sewing notions. Include some decorative fabric or a collection of scrap fabrics; Sewing patterns or instructions for home decorating sewing tasks or sewing level appropriate apparel patterns. In other words, keep it real. Not everyone is a seamstress but, most frugal gals can make a curtain or pillow cover given simple instructions. Your frugal gal might be a mender or a seamstress. Choose your gift basket contents accordingly. Include such novelties as velcro, snaps, hemming tape (or fusion tape), iron on patches, as these will be handy for most frugal gals.

Now don’t worry frugal gals, I’ve got your back! I wouldn’t want your friends and family to think you will be offended if they give you a non-frugal gift. So here’s my last thought…

Although the frugal gal will love and appreciate the practical, useful, gift like no one else can, she is indeed a woman. So, if the notion strikes, you may certainly reward her with a luxury gift. The frugal gal will enjoy a luxurious treat that she would not normally consider for herself. For example, a trip to the salon for a professional manicure, pedicure, or hair style.

If you know your frugal gal has had her eye on an outfit, or other item, that she’s convinced she doesn’t need but secretly admires and wants, of course (if your budget allows) Get It For Her! Odds are she won’t buy it for herself and she will surely be happy to receive it as a gift. She’ll get to have something she wants but doesn’t actually need, and still remain faithful to her lifestyle or financial commitments.

I hope these ideas help you create beautiful gifts for anyone in your life. Choosing a basket theme to suit the recipients interests or needs is always a winning gift. Personalized gifts are more appreciated and keep on giving. Each time the recipient uses the item/s they are reminded of the thoughtfulness of the giver.

Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four helping herself and others become, and remain, debt free. Publisher of http://www.SimpleDebtFreeLiving.com – A self-help plan, ideas, and resources for household budgeting, debt elimination, and frugal living. Find more low cost gifts and tips to save money.

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VHS recording of presentations made at Fourth Annual National Catholic Family Conference by Scott and Kimberly Hahn — as new VHS in clamshell case

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