We heart saving money! 401k /Flickr

If you haven’t already heard, we are celebrating BargainBabe.com’s third anniversary by giving away 35 prizes! Julia asked you to share your favorite way to save money and the giveaway post was flooded with comments. Get inspiration from fellow BargainBabe.com readers!

The most popular way our readers like to save money is…

Using coupons.

Reader Kat said:

My favorite way to save money is by using coupons – in every form! Paper, electronic, downloadable, printable, codes, you name it. I’ve only been couponing since March of last year, and I’ve already saved thousands of dollars.

Want to save money like Kat? Search our Coupon Database to find all sorts of coupons. Just print and redeem! If you’re new to couponing, learn how to shrink your grocery bill with Grocery University.

Eating out less and cooking at home.

Marie said:

Favorite way to save money is cooking at home. Healthier too!

Need inspiration? Go through our recipes to find one that suites your taste. If you like dining out, watch Bargain Babe reveal secrets to getting restaurant discounts.

Swapping. Shopping secondhand stores and garage sales.

Sarah says:

My favorite way to save is to never buy clothing full-priced and to use the local goodwill prices as my standard for a very good deal ie $4 for most items and $7 for dresses and jeans.

Bobbi said it a while back, friends don’t let friends pay retail. We share deals, sales, and coupon codes in our daily coupon and freebie post to save you a bundle on items you need.

Sticking to a budget.

Jen Y said:

My favorite way to save is keep a budget – really, I can do all the extras like couponing, shopping thrift stores, ect but without knowing what is coming in, what’s going out & why I don’t save money.

If you don’t have a budget, here are three ways to budget. Find out which one works for you and stick with it!

Nixing frivolous expenses like cable.

Elizabeth says:

I think a thrifty attitude is the best way to save money – being constantly aware of your spending! For me, though, getting rid of cable has been one of the best things I’ve done to save a bit of cash.

Keep up the thrifty attitude by dropping anything that is not necessary. I’ve never had cable and I haven’t missed out. Check out these site to watch TV for free.

Using daily deals.

Jaqueline says:

I once got a $40 meal at a local BBQ place for $5 thanks to a Groupon and a $5 off email deal that I received from Groupon.

A reader recently asked what daily deal sites she should be monitoring. See what advice she received from the Bargain Babe community.

Using Swagbucks.

Pam says:

My favorite way to save money is Swagbucks. I get so much with my Amazon Gift Cards.

Get the low down on Swagbucks and become a member to score freebies. This is how BB and I get our Starbucks gift cards!

Lowering the heating bill.

T says:

I save $$ by keeping thermostat on 62 in winter and 74 in summer.

Bobbi recently shared how to save money on your heating bill. Check out her suggestions.

Hitting the library and second-run movie theaters for cheap flicks.

Sue says:

I always try to have a coupon for everything. Also we always get our movies from the library.

Catch the latest film, with these twelve ways to save money on movie tickets.

Following BargainBabe.com!

Allisha says:

This blog has given me so many ideas, tips, and tricks on how to save money and live life fully. I don’t remember how I managed to find this blog site but, I am so glad I did!

Aw, shucks! Many thanks to all the readers who love saving money with Bargain Babe. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for exclusive coupons and deals. Let the freebies, coupons, and inspiration come to you. Sign up for our freebie and deal email.

BargainBabe.com turns 3!

We’re celebrating BargainBabe.com’s third anniversary this month!!! Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for three years (plus 1.5 years at the Los Angeles Daily News). And even harder to believe that some of you have been reading me the entire way. Thank you!

To celebrate, we’re giving away a bunch of cool prizes.

• 1 GRAND PRIZE: $100 Amazon gift card
• 10 BIG WINNERS: $25 Restaurant.com gift card
• 25 WINNERS: “I brake for bargains” bumper sticker

There are six ways to enter to win. Do as many as you like!

• Comment on this post with your favorite way to save money
• “Like” BargainBabe.com on Facebook
• Share the contest on Facebook with a link to http://bit.ly/yRdRXn
• Follow BargainBabe.com on Twitter
• Tweet about the contest: “I want to win one of 36 giveaways to celebrate the third anniversary of @bargainbabe http://bit.ly/yRdRXn“
• Join our freebie and deal email

Leave a comment for each entry so we can keep track. The contest ends Monday, Jan 16, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Lisa Boosin/Racked LA

I should have the finished Frugal Festival video to share with you in a few days. Exciting!

If you missed photos of the massive Frugal Fest clothing swap, go here. Racked LA posted a review of the event yesterday, with a picture of my Mom! Yes, that is her in the black and white Led Zepellin T-shirt. Racked LA editor Lisa Boosin also got a shot of me, above, with my new rabbit scarf-boa thingy!

Better Homes & Gardens, July 2010

My Mother called me last night to tell me I have nice legs.

“Your Aunt Sarah and I were talking and we both agreed you should wear skirts more often.”

Thanks, Mom. They were discussing my two-page photo spread and interview in the July issue of Better Homes & Gardens, which is on newsstands.

My Mom also told me that my two 5-year-old nephews refused to accept that the beautiful gal on page 125 and 126 is me.

“Luc and Nico denied that was you,” she emailed me. “They said the pictures were not the same person because the outfits were different and that it wasn’t you because your hair isn’t that curly! What they will learn…”

Better Homes & Gardens, July 2010

My slightly older nephew, who is eight, realized the pictures were of me but wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“It’s just weird,” he told my Mom. “That’s not her hair. Her hair is black.”

HA!

Okay, I’m done tooting my own horn. Back to work on the Frugal Festival this Saturday.

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