Halloween

Every year I say I'm going to skip Halloween because I don't know what to wear. Then every year, the parties sound too fun and I end up wanting to go. This leaves me searching for a costume at the last moment. Due to my lack of planning, my costume will have limitations. No elaborately sewn costumes. However, I do not want to run out to the costume shop and shell out too much money! Time to devise something more than a sheet over my head, but without spending much. I found some good websites with creative and easy costumes:

http://justshootmenow.wordpress.com/2008/10/11/easy-and-frugal-halloween-costume-and-makeup-ideas/

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/971001a.cfm

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf176315.tip.html

Just as I was sorting through my closet and craft supplies, I had friends to the rescue. A friend suggested costume swapping. Brilliant! Now I have a great costume for free! Gotta love frugal friends :)

Gift giving

Giving gifts for weddings, birthdays and holidays is a challenge. What to give that will be liked, but won't break the budget? This weekend we went to a house warming party and I needed a gift to bring. This couple moved in a month ago and their house was already full. Their yard was a different story. A brand new subdivision where they clear out all things green before building (a huge pet peeve of mine). So I went to my garden and got some chocolate mint- super easy to grow, yummy in teas and desserts and pretty purple flowers. An all round great plant for those that are new to growing. I potted up some mint in a ceramic pot, tied a ribbon around it and made a cute label with how to plant and use. A nice, simple gift that was well received and cost pennies (next time I'll take a photo).

A More Frugal Way...

I'm the most frugal person I know, but my goal is to save more and still enjoy life :) I will be posting the normal things I do to save money that will hopefully help other people and explore new ways to be frugal. I highly recommend Mint.com to anyone that wants to track your spending habitats. I have been doing this for over a year now, so I know that I spend approximately $7,000 a year. I know this seems ridiculously low to most people. You may be wondering how I can possibly spend less... but that is my goal and challenge. How do I live on $7,000? The number one way is living with someone in a small space. My boyfriend and I live in a 900 square foot house. When living separately we were each spending about $500 a month on rent, so combined we could have gotten a bigger place for a grand. But why? A small space means less stuff and less energy for heating and cooling. This is a good way to spend less and make a smaller impact on the environment. So share living expenses with someone- rent, utilities and groceries- that will make a huge difference in how much you spend!