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Frugal Fran's Practical Ways to Save Money

I am excited to share my best kept secrets and practical ways to save money, whether you're a veteran thrifter, or are just testing the waters of frugal living,  Saving money on a budget is not just a lifestyle...it can become a really fun hobby, as well as an addiction!  

Maybe you've seen the seizure-inducing studies that show how much money it takes to raise a child.  Well, wad that study up and throw it away immediately!  With Fran on your team, you'll save money on baby, raise frugal and fashionable kids, and discover all sorts of practical ways to save money!

Click on a piggy bank below to access these great money saving articles.  

Adelaide shares lots of handmade baby gift ideas here.  Be sure to check out all of the free crafts and patterns...making things yourself is one of the most practical ways to save money.
Click the link above to check out Addie's article on sewing for beginners.  

 Please check back soon, as we are adding new content all the time!
Now let's get down to business and start saving!

 Tips for Frugal Living


Do Cloth Diapers Save Money?
One of the biggest expenses with a baby is diapering.  After hearing some positive reports of modern cloth diapering, I began doing lots of research.  I  had lots of questions when my I was toying with the idea of trying cloth diapers.  Of course I wanted to know 'Do they save money?' and 'How much?'  As well as other important questions like: 'Do they leak?' or 'Do you have to change a diaper every 45 minutes?'   I needed to know if this qualified as one of the practical ways to save money, or is it more trouble than it's worth.  After lots of thorough research, I became frustrated because the articles and discussions that I found were all written by committed cloth diaper advocates and were full of confusing abbreviations and lingo.    I was having trouble finding real numbers or data as far as estimated savings.  So Addie and I decided to conducted some hands-on research of our own.  We've come up with some real numbers that might shock you!   George even came up with an equation to help you figure out your own savings based on your own costs and the type of disposables that you use.  Find out for yourself: is it worth it...or are there more practical ways to save money.

Save Money Budget WardrobeCloth Diaper Primer
What are the different kinds of cloth diapers?  What features and options are out there?  What's essential, and what's not?  How do you know how many diapers to start with?  I'll share my must haves list, and crack the code of basic cloth diaper lingo.  

Save Money Budget WardrobeDo Cloth Diapers Save Money?
Find out what my monthly savings is, and input your own numbers into our equation...can cloth diapers save you money? 


frugal living thrift storeMy Cloth Diaper Journal
Read all about our hands-on experiment with going from disposables to cloth...cold turkey!  I dish on my criteria for the perfect diaper.  Can cloth compare to my favorite cuddly disposable brand?  Find out what works, what doesn't and which brand we L-O-V-E.  And see our ultimate leak test...not for the faint of heart.   I'll share the best and the worst, and you can see for yourself: are there more practical ways to save money on baby.




Save Money Budget WardrobeThe Thrift Store: My best Strategy to Save Money!
Think of a Thrift Store as a department store that got lost in time.  You'll find clothing, all kinds of household items, furniture, and more.  It's mostly used merchandise, but just pretend that it came out of Grandma's garage, and go treasure hunting!  In this article, I explore the best and the worst things about thrift shopping.  More articles are below.

frugal living thrift storeHow a Thrift Store works
Don't be intimidated to try of one of the best kept secret strategies to save money!  Join me for this guided tour and learn all about how thrift stores work.

frugal living thrift storeFinding a Good Thrift Store in Your Area
Are you ready to thrift?  Find a pal, and track down the best thrift stores in your area.


strategies to save money sewing

Strategies to Save Money on Sewing

All my best sewing tips!  I'll tell you how to find the best sewing machine for a great deal, and how to save big on fabric.  

If you don't know how to sew yet, it's a great skill that not only helps you to save money on a budget, but it allows you the freedom to be creative.  For tips on getting started, check out this article by Addie "Sewing for Beginners."  You can create clothing, curtains, quilts, gifts, re-upholster furniture, make pillows, repair stuff around the house, and so much more.   And the things that you make can reflect your personal sense of style.  Sewing has even become a nice income stream for many work from home parents!  Learning to sew does require some initial investments in tools and a good machine, but it is one of my favorite practical ways to save money.



strategies to save money sewingShopping on Circuit: Save on baby, gifts, clothing...and more!
This is a really easy way to save money.  Circuit shopping at retail and thrift stores is the best way to find the absolute best prices on clothing, gifts, and even to save money on baby supplies and furnishings!  


Frugal Living in the Closet

frugal living clothesSave Money on Clothes by Building a Basic Wardrobe of Classic Clothing
When you hear 'classic' clothing, do you  think 'frumpy'?  Oh, no my friend!  Classic clothing is the best kept secret of the fashion world, and one of my favorite practical ways to save money.  Basic pieces become chameleons, pairing with elegant evening wear, or keeping step with your funkiest finds.  Classic clothing styles are your best friend when it comes to building a long term wardrobe for adults.  And you can save money on kids clothes big time with this strategy as well.  Learn more in this great article!

frugal living thrift storeClassics, the Style That Works With Every Style  
If you're envisioning school uniforms, then think again!  I'll help you find a classic style that works with your taste and lifestyle.

frugal living thrift storeCounting the Costs
It's quality and versatility that count when choosing classic clothing, but this investment doesn't have to break the bank or bust the budget...and it doesn't entail only buying name                  brands or shirts with logos on them.  Find out practical ways to save money when buying                    classic clothing styles.  

frugal living thrift storeClassics for Children
The basic strategy with a twist.  See how classic styles can extend the clothing budget and save money.  This technique will create a wardrobe that can be passed down from one child              to the next, and still hold it's value for resale!   This is one of my tried and true practical ways              to save money.

frugal living thrift storeClassic for Women
Your style still shines through when you create a wardrobe based on basic pieces.  It's a practical way to save money that works with every budget and taste in clothing.  Take a                      peek inside my closet, and see how a classic wardrobe can be one of your best long term                strategies for saving money and looking great!

frugal living thrift storeBuilding an outfit with Classic Clothing
Learn my secret guideline for putting together outfits and accessories that are striking, but never over the top.

frugal living clothesShoe Size Chart
 Kid's feet seem to grow several sizes overnight.  Stay ahead of the game with this printable children's shoe size chart.  This is a great tool that you can laminate and keep in the closet, or take with you when shopping for shoes.  I like to mark my kids shoe sizes in permanent ink (one color for each child) and write in their age and date.  It's fun                      to compare how fast they grow!   It also helps me take advantage of out of season                              sales, as I can pretty accurately estimate what size to buy for the next year.