I’ve been reading Leah Ingram’s Suddenly Frugal blog since it started (even before she changed the blog’s name to Suddenly Frugal). It began when she and her husband bought a bigger, more expensive house, and needed to cut back in order to afford it.
I was a bit skeptical when I agreed to review the book for Frisco Kids, that I wouldn’t have learned anything new from the book. After all, I read her advice, and I’m naturally a frugal person already. I keep the thermostat low and wash my clothes using cold water. I clip coupons and read the grocery store circulars. I buy/sell things on Craigslist. I get my movies from Redbox and my books almost always come from the library.
I figured Leah would be proud of me for the frugal way I obtained her book – I got a free review copy from the publisher. My husband joked (at least I think he was joking) that you (my Frisco Kids’ readers) could save ten bucks by not buying the book. But then, of course, you miss out on frugal tips that could help you save much more.
While the book is aimed at newer frugalistas, there were still plenty of tips to help me. For example, we’re going to get a second refrigerator (the beer fridge) and planned to put it in the garage. It turns out in some parts of the country, that’s not such a wise move. The difference in temperature between the refrigerator and outside air temperature could be extreme enough that the fridge doesn’t work properly, or even shuts off completely. So now on to a new plan. (Of course we’re still waiting on my neighbor to hand over his used fridge).
Leah also mentions Radio Shack’s trade-in program, that gives a credit for electronics you give them, in exchange for a gift card to the store. And Staples’ ink cartridge credit – bring in your cartridge and get a $3 credit.
And those Swiffer cloths that aren’t cheap to buy? Use a washable microfiber cloth instead.
She talks about home maintenance and inspired me to go check some things around the house – like the fridge coils and the water heater. I need to get a blanket for it, to keep the heat from escaping.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks in the new year, check out Suddenly Frugal. You won’t look like the neighborhood tight-wad with most of her suggestions and you may even free up enough cash to do something exciting – like invest in your kids’ college fund or take a great vacation!
I was a bit skeptical when I agreed to review the book for Frisco Kids, that I wouldn’t have learned anything new from the book. After all, I read her advice, and I’m naturally a frugal person already. I keep the thermostat low and wash my clothes using cold water. I clip coupons and read the grocery store circulars. I buy/sell things on Craigslist. I get my movies from Redbox and my books almost always come from the library.
I figured Leah would be proud of me for the frugal way I obtained her book – I got a free review copy from the publisher. My husband joked (at least I think he was joking) that you (my Frisco Kids’ readers) could save ten bucks by not buying the book. But then, of course, you miss out on frugal tips that could help you save much more.
While the book is aimed at newer frugalistas, there were still plenty of tips to help me. For example, we’re going to get a second refrigerator (the beer fridge) and planned to put it in the garage. It turns out in some parts of the country, that’s not such a wise move. The difference in temperature between the refrigerator and outside air temperature could be extreme enough that the fridge doesn’t work properly, or even shuts off completely. So now on to a new plan. (Of course we’re still waiting on my neighbor to hand over his used fridge).
Leah also mentions Radio Shack’s trade-in program, that gives a credit for electronics you give them, in exchange for a gift card to the store. And Staples’ ink cartridge credit – bring in your cartridge and get a $3 credit.
And those Swiffer cloths that aren’t cheap to buy? Use a washable microfiber cloth instead.
She talks about home maintenance and inspired me to go check some things around the house – like the fridge coils and the water heater. I need to get a blanket for it, to keep the heat from escaping.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks in the new year, check out Suddenly Frugal. You won’t look like the neighborhood tight-wad with most of her suggestions and you may even free up enough cash to do something exciting – like invest in your kids’ college fund or take a great vacation!
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Thanks for the great review, Debbie. I'm glad I could teach an old (as in long-time) frugalista some new tricks!
ReplyDeleteLeah