I'm Frugal, Not Cheap!

Do Homework before Moving is all I can Say..

2010-04-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

I have learned this the hard way as i have rented recently with no lease but a month to month arrangement with little protecti0on under the law and now find myself facing homelessness. I have had to spend or rather borrow $ 520. from my sick mom to boot to cover the costs of moving twice,renting trucks,paying people to help me move,rent a storage site,install phone,cable,pay for gas for trucks,etc.

From now I won't move in unless they take more than one pet and I have a lease. Unfortunately it is hard to be choosy when you are desperate,poor due to disability like me and encounter nothing but slumlords and bad housing as decent,safe housing is a dream when you are poor! What do you think? Avoid Greenville's June Wiltsie who manages a property on Wilt Wyck Lane,is all I have to say as she is a horror!

How to Live Rent-Free..

2010-02-13T08:24:00.001-08:00

in a tough economy is a great topic to discuss now and here I think. I think I have become the Master of living rent free. Infact it has been some time now since I paid the rent on a regular basis. No, I am not a dead beat tenant or creepy person who enjoys taking advantage of landlords. I infact am a very nice,moral individual but..I have had the misfortune of settling in Cairo,NY, the home town of the Slumlord. Yes, since I moved here over 2 years ago I have lived in 3 places with slumlords! Amazing? You bet but..

I have now decided to make this sad fact work for my advantage. I gave no rent this month as you may have previously read due to landlord not making necessary repairs and the fact that I deducted for this from the rent to the point that he deserved nothing. My last place I was evicted from, after not paying the rent there for three months, had no insulation and he rented it out year round. The previous place was infested with roaches and drug dealers as they never cleaned and then we had a fire there as place was poorly wired. Ugh..I withheld the rent til he got an exterminator in there which of course he didn't. He didn't even put us up after the fire. We had to stay in the place with no electricity in the dog days of August! No we are not crazy. We are just poor and had no choice as do many indigent people so we have few choices when it comes to affordable, decent housing. Town officials and the housing dept. don't seem to care about this issue as it cdoesn't effect them as they have a place to live so who cares? It seems to be a poor man's issue alone here in upstate NY apparently. Read More

All YOu Can EAt Italian Buffet At Village Pizza for $ 4.99..

2010-02-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

"A cynic knows the COST of everything and the VALUE of NOTHING!"

I ate chicken,eggplant,pasta,freshly made cheese pizza,salad and a chocolate brownie. I felt stuffed when I finished and it tasted YUM, yum,Good! Great bang for your buck. Especially when other pizza parlor Franks's charges $ 6.99 for a limited portion, spaghetti and meatball dinner with bread and salad..Also they are alot nicer to deal with than Frank. I suggest you check Village pizza out if you want a great meal for your buck!

The High Cost of Cheap...

2010-02-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Cheap is not always better. Read the book 'Cheap' and find out why. I am reading the book by Schell and am enjoying it. If you make hand made art and jewelry like me, then you can appreciate it when people will pay more for quality,durability and hand made versus factory line jewelry. Most unfortunately want a deal and cheap and thus trade beauty for ugly crap. What do you think?

Caulk it...if you have drafts..

2010-02-01T09:26:00.001-08:00

If you are like most people, you are concerned about saving money and especially heat at this time of the year. I know my propane bill has gone from $ 3.29/gallon and $ 329. for 100 gallons and $ 200 a month useage on the average to $ 3.99/gallon,$399./100 gallon tank and $ 270/month on the average,ugh!

Now you can caulk away your drafts in your windows, doors and keep some of your heat in,the cold out and your heating bill down. Yeh! Read more about it here.

SAve Big Money by Buying Ethanol Gas converting Kit..

2010-01-13T09:08:00.001-08:00

Apparently you can get away with putting some in the tank without the kit but kind of scares me so would suggest you buy the kit.

Bought a Fisher Price Interactive Learning Toy for Children Cheap...

2010-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

'Freaky Frugalite Pic from her blog'
at Walmart today in the clearance isle. It was originally $ 30 and was reduced for XMAS to $5 and is now $ 2.50! Great deal. Also saw children's electronic guitar/keyboard for $ 5.

I also saw many toys cheap at Family Dollar during XMAS season. Now they have the children's clothing reduced for $ 1-2. Anyone wiht kids knows how pricey toys and clothing can be.

Also bought Russel Stover candy in a nice gift box for me and my family for $ 2.99. It originally was $ 8.99 and then was reduced to $ 4.99 for the holiday and now is $ 2 off with coupon.

Bought a new color 3-in-1 color Printer at CVS for..

2010-01-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

$ 39.99. WAs originally $ 89.99 but was on sale and t hen Ihad a coupon based on my shopping history. All I did was scan it and I received some coupons toward my new purchases! Fun!! The printer is a scanner and copy machine as well. There is no fasx or phone but..I stillhave my old printer for that if I choose to connect it but won't as I have no phone where I live at the moment. (Had had a problem connecting it as Verizon came out three times already! ugh..)

You can also save if you recycle your ink cartridges at Staples and also at the Lexmark web site. Lexmark has a better deal than Staples which offers a few dollars off on your next cartridge. They give you a FREE cartridge if you return 5.

Save your Coca Cola Bottle Caps Guys and Get a FREE Gift..

2010-01-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

Met a gal at the local library who was on the Coca Cola web site and was entering all the codes off the bottles so show could get a FREE gift from the company. Smart!

Smoke em if you Got em..

2009-12-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

If you don't then I suggest you got butting..What?! Well..you can get your old butts out of your ash tray or the ones you dumped on the ground or any hanging outside of businesses and use the tobacco to make your own cigarettes. My friend is doing this. He dries it for several minutes in the microwave before reusing!

We also went to the dump and hit the gold mine in that we found several beer cases left there full of beer bottles and caps. It totalled $ 13.60 so we were able to do our laundry and my friend the smoker was able to buy a pack of cigs. Not a bad day's work and it took but an hour. We plan on going back weekly on the week end when the dump is closed to get more...Helps as is hard to get any paid employment when you are on disability like us as noone wants us and we really needed the money especially this month what with the holiday and the fact that a check bounced causing 6 checks to bounce incurring bank fees. The beer bottle caps I use for my jewelry as like many artists who are broke but need material to make art so they use old product.

I think it is amazing and quite admirable how we are really using everything and not wasting nowadays. Don't you?!

Winter Walk in Hudson,NY is a must this weekend if..

2009-12-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

you are looking for something fun to do especially for the whole family. To top it off it is FREE! For more info go here.

Went to Apple Fest in Cairo,NY..

2009-10-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

It was nothing to write home about and many of the items were way overpriced so didn't buy any aple pies for $ 10. or the sausage and peppers sandwiches for $ 7.! Nuts..To top it off,later ifn the day they were asking $ 2. to get in..I bought some books to support the library at a great price. They were $ 1 a book and the large books for a coffee table were $ 3. i bought a pair of opalite earrings from a vendor and some apple cidar donuts for $ 1. and ate som chili for $3 with a piece of tastey corn bread to stay warm. Later I went back and tried some dry pulled pork on an unappeizing hot dog oll for $2. Thy had live entertainment such as a 50's band named 'Dusk ot Dawn'. Gus is why they were asking money to get in to cover the cost of the band. I can hear it fromm my home as i live right near the park so i didn't pay anything. It was cold out so didn't stay long.Today i will have my yeard sale to hopefully get rid of some stuff to lighten my load to move and make some moving money.

Cheap oops..I mean..frugal dating,lol..

2009-08-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Should we go dutch on a date, or does the man pay or only he pays if he asked you out or what?!?!? Read more at 'Love em or Leave Em 'Blog now!

New York Traveler

2009-08-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

New York Traveler

SAVE BIG with Mama...

2009-07-27T07:16:00.001-07:00

'old food crate label that is now considered vintage art. Go figure! But..they are pretty.'

Yes.. this woman from 'Mama's Cafe' blog, is very much like me in that she enjoys canning and of course saving a buck! I too have purchased mason jars and lids to preserve the goodies from my garden. guess what? It's fun too. She has some good recipes and also can tell you how to get the jars real cheap. I got mine at a yard sale for .25 a jar..Read more

Watch a movie FREE on me..

2009-06-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

and HULU..good if you have no cable like me and are clueless as to how to use the converter box. 'Jailbait'..

FREE Ice cream at Walmart May 30th every where..

2009-05-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

check em out! Comes in 4 flavors. Read more. 11 AM-4PM. go get some and save big!

Apple Cidar vinegar kills parasites fine so..

2009-05-10T14:53:00.001-07:00

no need to pay for expensive cures. REad more on my blog, 'Closer to SAne!' and read under parastites post.

SAVE $ on accessories ..

2009-04-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

make them yourself. you don't even have to pay for the material as there are plenty of things about that can be recycled. I made these earrings out of bottle caps from beer!

Where the Bargains are ..NOW

2009-04-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

my 'Green Art',recycled,reused metal earrings made from tuna cans! I added gem stones and beads to make it 'shabby chic' style. What do you think?
click link to se what yo can save on now if you want to be a frugal,smart,persisitant shopper. (hint) you don't need ot go to Lands End store or outlet to get shoes. try 'Label chopper' for the same thing for $ 15.! Accessories too are down. i know i make jewelry. I sold earrings of sterling silver and gem stone for $ 15, to a hair salon store owner, that normally costs $ 22! no, the cost of silver and shipping it did not go down folks. I simply want to sell what I have as is overstock.

DROP,drop,Drop..

2009-04-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

'what's that noise?' drop..drop..

'oh it's just me man, dropping on entrecards.'

'Entrecard, what's that?'

'it's just a thing i do daily to get some traffic or hits to my blogs'

'why don't you write something interesting so people would read you anyway/'

'hmm..well taht is a good idea but..people still need to find me so I think I'll keep droppng as i can't afford advertising as am poor and aint got no job,lol.."

drop!

entrecarders 'dropping' and running to your blog now! 'Graham from 'Entrecard"

SAVE 30% on weatherization,Obama style!

2009-03-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

How to make $$ from home...

2009-03-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

Need money?! Maybe you can make it from h0me. Read my ehow article.',

Want FREE magazines,newspapers,books?

2009-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Save money by going to your local recycling plant and bring home lots of good stuff FREE! Today I brought home 2 bags of shredded paper to mix in with my cat litter to extend it. I also didn't get the sunday newspaper so I looked at it at the library and got 2 packets of coupons instead at the plant. I also got magazines. Two days ago I got a book and some other magazines. It saddened me to see books being thrown away as I know someone took the time to put their soul into what they wrote.

Today, I saved $64 at the supermarket,almost the amount I spend a week on food!

Am enjoying my FREE new mini Laptop..

2009-02-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

well not exactly Free but..close as was upgraded for free as my previous desktop was damaged due to faulty electrical wiring and I am deducted the costs for a new computer from my rent! It would have costed $70 to diagnose the problem,$100 for a new hard drive,the problem being old one was fried,$100 for repair plus tax so..since my old pc was about 2 1/2 years old and I wanted a laptop so I wouldn't have to sit in my unweatherized,freezing,dark home office..I just got what I wanted,lol..I come out ahead in the long run but fwas inconvenienced as had to use the computer at the library for the past 3 weeks! ugh...but, I am smiling NOW! The Dell mini laptop Intel Atom costed $ 270 with tax and free Fed Ex shipping! A real sTEAL!

Plugged in my Magic Jack for internet phone but all I get is dial tone and can't make a call so I need to get some help with this! ugh..I will delay my review of Magic Jack for another day.,

SAVE $$ on Gas..

2009-02-25T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yeh the price of gasoline is going up again so go Read this if $$ and saving it matters to YOU!!

Visit your local library and save..

2009-02-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

by not buying books,magazines,cd's,dvd's and renting them instead!

Save money on your rent! How? Screen your landlord! Then what? If he's a jerk who you think might be a slum lord who doesn't like to fix things,like his properties,then move in! Sound nuts? Not really! Why not? Well, when you move in,make it as livable as possible and then when you demand he fix things and he of course doesn't, then withhold the rent! Legal,Heck yes! Just remember to deposit it in a separate bank account and tell him in case he decides to evict you and take you to court! What to do til then?! Sit back and wait,like a spider,weaving his thread. Don't forget to laugh and thank God for your good fortune.

I find myself in a similar set of circumstances once again..First he has to give me an eviction letter. It may be arriving tomorrow. I predict after the 30 days,he won't get a court date til at least 5/6, that means April rent will be free as who pays someone when he is evicting you?!
He plays right into my hands...He is so predictable. He claims he doesn't have the money for the repairs. Then why is he renting the place out? It should just be a little summer cottage. What a jerk!

Get FREE Advertising from Merchant Circle..

2009-02-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Entrecard,Blogupp,Linkreferral,Easy Hits 4U,blogcatalog,blogger and other social marketing networks! If you want people to find your blog or web page, now that you have designed something really great, then this may be an interesting read. Writing articles on Squidoo and Hubpages,trading links with good sites and blogs and commenting on each other's posts is also another way to get perhaps more and cheap traffic also and is a lot easier. Just my experience mind you!Read more

SAVE $ on laptop at Tiger Direct

2009-02-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

and save the environment too by recycling. You get money back on recycling your old computer. Plus a computer laptop only costs $399! It includes a web cam built in it.

Use Eco-Canteen Bottles and SAVE Big$$!

2009-02-20T08:56:00.000-08:00

by not buying drinks but just filling up the bottle with cool water or some healthy juice from the frig! Is good for your pet too as yo can carry the bottle on you when yo walk the dog and hydrate Fido too! REad more

Entrecard

2009-02-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

lost the widget here temporarily. ugh.

Buy a dog bed at Walgreens for $10!

2009-02-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

This little cutie needs a home! Go to Petsmart site to learn more.

Yeh I bought a nice dog bed today for my dog Brandy at a steal, for $ 10. She seems to adopt my pillow leaving me with nothing to use to pt my head on so I got this to remedy the situation,fast!

yesterday i bought 16 pounds of Nutro Max cat food at Petsmart for $ 19.50. Is good stuff as has no biproduct and is preserved naturally. I gave to Petsmart's charity too. Link above.

Save Money this VAlentines day and don't go broke for LOVE!

2009-02-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

More ways to SAVE BIG!

2009-02-13T09:12:00.001-08:00

OVer 1,000 ways to save $$$!

Frugal Dutchess

2009-02-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

40 ways to save money!

2009-02-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

Save with SaLES,coupons,rebates...

2009-02-13T07:58:00.001-08:00

At Michael's, the craft store, there is 40% coupon for one item til Valentines day. Peebles, who normally has sales up to 70%..as is getting rid of their old stock, has coupons for an extra 20% for President's day. Petco has a $5. pet product coupon. Macy's has big sales throughout the store as is hurting because of the economy. Am sure there are othere stores but I can't think of them off hand.

I also have a 10 % coupon for Dell, if anyone is interested. I had to get a laptop as power outages damaged my hard drive and the room in the back that is my office is too cold to use anyway so now I can take the laptop anywhere and use it! I got it for a great price through Dell, for $ 260, which included tax and shipping.I also have coupons I get from the newspaper like on diapers that I don't need. You can alos get coupons at the store circular, like I just saved on a gallon of milk for $ 1.99 You can also use the machine as you enter the store if you put your store card in it at Price chopper, to generate more coupons. You can also get them online.

You can also save on your phone bill with Magic Jack. It is like an online phone. Only this one costs $ 40 for the year and then you pay $ 20 a month after that but still is less than Vonage! You can also save on tv by watching reruns like the Bachelor and the Housewives of OC, a week later, and catching the recaps at their web sites, on the computer!

I just got an antennae for my converter box so hope to be able to watch tv, without having to pay cable,soon.

I also got help through HEAP with my electric and propane bill so I didn't have to pay for propane this year and will pay less on the electric. DOH will pay towards the bill as I am in a program for people with disabilities.

You can also get a scholarship if you are poor, to enjoy the Y's pool and workout and places like the HOH, Hudson opera house, teach art and writing for free if you qualify.

SBDC has classes in topics like copyrighting and the law, and one is coming up for FREE on how to write a good business plan.

If you know some good places to get something cheap or Free, please let us know by posting here! Thanks!

Too Cheap to buy Furniture Polish?!

2009-02-08T08:16:00.001-08:00

Make your own! REad moreDid someone say oranges?!

SAve BIG on your healing and cooling bills with Mylar!

2009-02-08T06:04:00.001-08:00

"I'm just trying to stay warm in this house as my owner don't give no heat, damn it!"

Yeh I mean the space plastic wrap used to save your life when you go camping or hiking! REad more

mORE ABOUT cHEAP OR fRUGAL

2009-02-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

GREAT LINKS ON SAVING MONEY HERE!

fRUGAL,cHEAP..CLARIFIED!

2009-02-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

E HOw tells you how to be Frugal,not Cheap!

2009-02-07T06:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.moolanomy.com/558/frugal-or-cheap-heres-a-test/

2009-02-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Another cheap or frugal test

Style..I got it but do YOU?!

2009-02-05T18:26:00.001-08:00

If you don't get some here!

Cheap,Frugal..What's the difference?!

2009-02-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

Being frugal, means you like a bargain and rather save your money than waste IT frivolously. You can be quite generous however in many other ways like with your time and giving of yourself. being cheap means that your back hurts from stooping to pick up pennies as you walk down the street! Cheapness isn't a matter of practicality but rather is like a disease. When you rather freeze than put on some heat even when your 85 year old grand mother is visiting, That aint being frugal but just good old wrong!

Take the quiz to find out if you're frugal or just plain CHEAP!

Quiz

1. Do you walk or take public transportation rather than drive even though you own a vehicle?!

2. Do you carpool to work even though your job is across the street?!

3. Do you own a television but instead watch your neighbor's, through their window?!

4. Is your idea of a good time, cutting coupons?!

5. Do you wear your husbands donated clothes?!

6. Is your idea of eating out, going to McDonald's for a dollar value meal?!

7. Do you not own a book case or a book because you won't buy a book when you can get it free at the library?!

8. Do you heat your home with solar panels you made yourself out of last night's tv dinners?!

9. Do you conserve water by taking a bath or shower once a week and use baby wipes to clean yourself instead?!

10. Last but not least..(good grief!) is your idea of a vacation, going to your local park?!

If you answered yes to more than one of these telling questions, you are not frugal but a tight wad!