Name:
Sue from Washington
Forum Membername:
Foreverfrugal
Your Favorite Source for Bargains:
Garage sales. Where else can you find an All-Clad pan for $2 in pristine condition but retails for over $100 at a major department store? We keep a running list of items we need or are looking for and carry that list with us during garage sale season. I love to find vintage cookbooks and vintage cooking items for $1 or less. My favorite crockpot wsa bought new in the box for $10 at a garage sale, and that same weekend a friend bought the same one, but paid $49 for hers!! Besides it's fun, good exercise and you get to meet lots of interesting people.
Your Best Bargain of All Time:
It would have to be my office chair. I needed a new one but good ones go for huge amounts of money. We walked into Value Village one day and they had just set out this really nice, leather wingback, executive chair. There was no price so I asked, and the guy came back and said he couldn't let it go for under $5.99. Except for one scuff mark on the arm of the chair it was perfect. It has a solid oak wheel base, and it's so comfortable. We looked up the brand and priced one similar locally at an Office Supply Business. We couldn't touch it for under $1200.
Five years later, it's still as comfortable and good as new.
Your Best Money-Saving Tip:
Use your brain instead of your wallet to find a solution before buying new. Can it be fixed? Can you buy used? Can something else be substituted? Or do you really need it to begin with? It's just too easy to run to the store and grab something off the shelf when maybe you could save money by finding another solution instead.
The Worst Money-Saving Advice You've Ever Received:
Someone once told us that we could not possibly survive without a credit card, and said we should acquire some debt so we would have a credit rating. Good thing we never listened.
What You're Doing Right Now to Save:
Keeping a well stocked pantry. Cooking from scratch and making things that are usually bought, like bread, spice mixes, etc. Using the library and taking advantage of their free programs like lectures, book reviews, movies, etc. The free movie night even comes with popcorn. Staying local saves money, and finding things to do that are free or close to it makes us very appreciative of where we live.
Want to be the next Frugal Living Featured Reader? Just click here to complete your profile, and I'll choose a new reader each week.
