Frugal 101 Part I

There are some simple things that you can do around the house to save money. We all know changing to the low energy light bulbs, Oh and yes turn off those light switches when not in the room!  There are hundreds if not thousands of Blogs that give tips and I want to share some I have tired and use on a regular basis.  One thing is know your prices.  Warehouse stores can save you money but you have to know your prices.  Somethings I can buy on sale cheaper than at the warehouse.  I keep a small notebook in my purse with per oz. prices on staple pantry items.  Then with my little calculator I can figure out good buys.  We have a store called "Just $2"  they buy over stock items.  Yesterday I bought water repellent spray for fabric, leather etc. for $2 a can.  Now I will have it for tents, raincoats, fabric purses, umbrellas etc...    And, yes there is a difference between hoarding and stockpiling.  To me hoarding is buying 10 umbrellas, stockpiling is buying 10 cans of water repellent @ $2.  When say a pantry item is on sale at a good price i.e. sugar I will buy 25 - 50 lbs.  I put it in a food grade bucket (empty bags into bucket).  Some things like flour, corn meal etc... you will need to freeze for a couple of days to kill any pantry moths or eggs in it.  Yes, those bags can have those in it and will infest everything not sealed in pantry.  I use gallon glass jars like the ones pickles come in for the things I'm using out of daily.  I put bay leaves in the jars (buy in bulk at farmers type grocery) they don't effect the food and will deter bugs (Mother Earth News tip).