Some of the most unique frugal tips we received at the Frugal Fe$tival were from repeat tipsters! Iggy, Pauline, Michele and Julie shared some really fantastic ways to save money!
“Used nylons are great for gardens. Tie plants up, use over ripening fruit to keep squirrels from eating, sling under a melon so it doesn’t rest on the ground.” – Iggy
“I make my own laundry soap – inexpensive and really cleans clothes.” – Pauline
“I use the plastic disposable container for fruits we buy in grocery stores as plant holders. The water doesn’t spill on the floor.” – Marie
“Save the water from washing a fish tank for plants. The plants love the extra nutrients.” – Iggy
“I make a game out of getting something for a better price by setting a “price point” that I’m willing to pay. Then I’ll hunt for the item and “keep an eye out” until I find it for that price. (i.e. I wanted a yoga mat but decided my price point was $10, so I waited until I found one where for that price.” – Julie
“My kids cut out the Sunday coupons and place them in groups by food and non-food. They get great cutting and organizing skills.” – Jessica
“Use the material from broken umbrellas to patch holes in clothes and jeans.” – Iggy
“Hungry? Go to a “fast food” Mexican restaurant such as La Sala or Baja Fresh. Do not order off the menu! Look for the low prices of the side dishes. You can eat very well by ordering a couple side dishes and enjoying all the fixings at the salsa bar!! All for less than $4!! For ex., a plate of beans and rice, a side of tortillas. Ask for a cup for water and add lime.” – Sheryl
“Don’t be afraid to cut your own hair! I cut my bangs and my husband trims the back. If the average woman’s cut is $50, I’ve saved at least $600 a year!” – Michele
“I save coffee cups from Starbucks, but instead of using them for coffee, I use them to bring a (large) glass of wine with me when I go out with friends! No bar has ever stopped me from bringing in a cup of “coffee.” – Julie
“Have a kid in college? Check out the online textbooks sites that compare prices before emptying your bank account at the college stores.” – Michele
“Save toilet paper roll for children’s projects.” – anonymous
“We use paper towel rollers for bedding for hamsters. We shred it and it turns out to be their bedding.” – Marie
“Hang old CDs in the fruit trees to scare away the birds.” – anonymous
Have you used any of these ideas? Many are new to me. Thank for contributing, folks!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
We decided to try a little water conservation. We put a plastic tub in the sink to catch the gray water from rinsing out coffee cups, etc. When the tub fills we transfer it a 5-gal pail and use it to water our container plants and other garden plants. Surprisingly, we are getting two and three FULL pails a day! Water that we had previously wasted down the drain.
OMG! The tip about the Starbucks cup is simple genius! Never thought of that.
For the people who like flea markets, they can go to Roadium (http://www.roadium.com) in Redondo Beach. On Saturday and Sundays. Lots of people selling closeout clothes and electronics from the big dept stores. I’ve scored some really good deals, but you have to dig around.
I think the Starbucks thing is going a little too far… crossing the frugal line and moving on to CHEAP. if you don’t want to pay to drink at the bar, have friends over instead.
I also think it’s just flat out rude.
taking your own wine into a bar is TOO cheap!!! they are in busi8ness to make money AND can get in trouble with the licensing board and lose their license
A friend of mine brought in an actual cup of Starbucks coffee to a restaurant and they made him take it out. I guess you never know if it will work or not.
I work in a restaurant and it is very rude and uncool to bring in your own cup of anything, soda, food, etc. You should at least leave the server a tip when you do this. I mean, you’re taking advantage of the atmosphere, enjoying the ambiance, people have to clean the place, electricity, music, etc and you’re taking up space. It may be frugal, but it’s really CHEAP!
I agree, the Starbucks cup of wine is really cheap, not frugal. And if she is transporting that cup in a vehicle that would be considered an open container of alcohol- illegal.
Just save your self the hassle, and use the change at the bottom of your purse or your car and buy the glass of wine!
Yes, the Starbucks cup thing just shocked me when I read that, and I was glad to see that other people agree.
About a year and 1/2 ago when I was having some financial issues, along with a few friends, we stopped going to our local wine bar on Fridays for happy hour, and instead hung out at my house…we drank great (cheap!) wine from Trader Joe’s, and ended up re-creating all the yummy appetizers we used to order, all from Trader Joe’s, and now we prefer that over the wine bar, anyway!
Seriously, though, if you can’t afford a couple drinks out with friends, please come up with an affordable alternative. Bringing wine in a coffee cup is REALLY cheap & very tacky. Not to mention rude to your paying friends.
I’m surprised you posted the tip about wine in a Starbucks cup. As everyone has pointed out, it is past frugal plus breaking the open container laws. Drink water if you can’t afford (or don’t want to spend the $) the glass of wine. These days no one thinks about someone passing on the alcohol (assumption is that person is the designated driver). The rest of the tips were useful.
I got a kick out of the Starbuck’s coffee cup idea only because it reminded me of what high school kids will try to pull. They used to try bringing their own soda bottles to school. Right. Soda.
I, too, was disturbed by the “Starbucks” tip. As everyone has pointed out, transporting alcohol in open containers is illegal. It won’t be so frugal when you have to pay a fine or get arrested! Find a cheaper place to go for happy hour, drink soda, or invite your friends to your home instead.
I like the one about hanging CD’s in ur tree to scare birds away. I thought it was funny, but i’m not so sure it would just scare them, but wouldn’t it also blind the poor buggers? lol
Julia, a while back i sent you some really cool around the house frugal tips. I’m not on my computer, but when I get home, I will look to see if i saved it, and I will post it. Otherwise, feel free to post it, if you have it. Thanks!
I would like to know how Pauline makes her own laundry soap. Are you willing to share your secret Pauline?
Yes it would be great for me to know about creating
own laundry soap. I pay big bucks for a laundry
soap that doesn’t make me itch. Have beyond
sensitive skin. No Tide for me!
As for taking wine in cup. Hey don’t be so
judgmental. drinks out are expensive and
maybe can’t get people to come over or such
like. Maybe people from work not close friends.
But warning about open container should be
listened to. I have made my own popcorn
at home in microwave then put in small plastic
bags in big roomy purse. Cost of popcorn
at movies is more than any other things at
counter! you could go broke getting a medium
bucket of popcorn! I have no problem with
my conscience with that.
Buying textbooks online has saved me hundreds of dollars throughout my college career. Students should look for older editions of their books on Amazon or half.com. They’re very similar, if not identical, to the newest edition and they’re WAY cheaper.
My wife purchased the Bring It Home Beauty DVDs for 20.00 and is able to fully cut my hair and the kids. Her and her sister have learned to do each others hair highlighting with the foils from the DVD. We have saved a bunch of money there. She also did a fancy hair-do for her niece for prom. Its a great buy.