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By Frugillionaire, on February 8th, 2010
 Would you like to have a stylish wardrobe, without spending a fortune? Frugal fashionistas swear by the following techniques:
1. Wait for sales. Never pay full price for department store clothing; it’s almost guaranteed to be on sale sometime in the near future.
2. Shop out of season. If you’re willing to buy a winter coat in June, or a bikini in October, you’ll be rewarded with big savings!
3. Buy vintage. Consignment shops and vintage clothing stores are a treasure trove of finely-tailored, classic clothing.
4. Shop eBay. Online auctions are a great source of gently-used, brand name clothing—at rock bottom prices.
5. Swap with friends. Trade clothing, handbags, and accessories with frugal friends. It’s a great way to double (or triple!) your wardrobe.
6. Swap online. Websites like Bigwardrobe.com help you trade clothes you’re not wearing for something “new.”
7. Shop your closet. Before you buy anything new, take a peek into the dark recesses of your closet. You may discover something you can bring back into regular rotation.
By Frugillionaire, on February 4th, 2010
 Property taxes are a significant part of a homeowner’s monthly budget. Challenge your assessment, and you may be able to save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars each year.
To be successful, you’ll have to show that your home has been overvalued. Take the time to research public property records. If comparable houses in your neighborhood have lower assessments, you have a strong case.
You may also be able to use a falling housing market to your advantage. Enlist the help of a real estate agent to prove that market values in your area have declined in recent months.
Finally, check if the assessor has made any errors in evaluating your property. If they’ve overstated the square footage, or number of bedrooms or bathrooms, you may qualify for a rate reduction.
For further insight into the appeals process, and advice on how to proceed, check out the following articles:
How to Reduce Your Property Taxes | BusinessWeek.com
Challenge Your Property Tax Assessment | The Motley Fool
How to Fight Your Ballooning Property Tax | MSN Money
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By Frugillionaire, on February 1st, 2010
 Save a fortune on your grocery bill with these ten frugal shopping strategies:
1. Shop solo. The less family members who tag along, the fewer items that end up in your cart.
2. Shop less often. The fewer times you visit the supermarket, the less likely you’ll be to splurge on impulse items and convenience foods.
3. Make a menu. Plan your meals before you go shopping, to prevent overbuying and waste.
4. Shop with a list. Supermarkets are designed to promote impulse buying—shopping with a list is the best way to avoid it.
5. Don’t shop hungry. Go to the grocery store after a meal or snack; when your stomach is growling, everything looks appetizing!
6. Shop by unit price. Don’t assume that bigger means cheaper; check the unit price (read the price label, or do the math) to determine which size is the best bargain.
7. Cut out the convenience foods. Don’t pay a premium for things like frozen dinners, flavored noodles, or prepackaged peanut butter and jelly.
8. Cut out the candy. Don’t waste hard-earned dollars on empty calories.
9. Buy generic. Don’t pay a premium for a brand name or fancy packaging—the food inside is often identical to the generic version.
10. Use coupons wisely. Don’t let them tempt you to buy brand names or convenience foods; use them only for items you would have bought anyway.
By Frugillionaire, on January 28th, 2010
 One of the best strategies to save money on travel is to avoid the crowds (as a bonus, it can also make the experience much more pleasant!).
Here’s a few examples of how you can slash your expenses:
* Travel in the off-season. You’ll pay peak rates during holidays and summer breaks. Instead, travel during the less expensive “shoulder” seasons (September-October, and March-April).
* Visit cities on the weekends. Hotels in major cities usually cater to business travelers, and are most expensive during the week.
* Visit resorts during the week. Popular weekend destinations are often much cheaper mid-week.
* Book unpopular flight times. You’ll find cheaper fares when nobody else wants to fly—like late weekday nights, or early Saturday morning.
* Visit tourist attractions early or late. Many museums and tourist sites offer discounts for early morning or late afternoon admission.
By Frugillionaire, on January 25th, 2010
 If you’re just starting a garden, you may lack some of the basic implements. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay big bucks for them at the local garden center!
Here are seven ways you can save money on garden tools:
1. Buy used tools. Look for them at thrift stores, and garage or estate sales.
2. Browse Craigslist.com and Freecycle.org. Many people give away yard and garden supplies when they move.
3. Drive around your neighborhood on trash day, and look for freebies on the curbside.
4. Borrow seldom-used tools from other gardeners.
5. Organize a tool share in your neighborhood.
6. Shop end-of-season sales. You can get deep discounts on garden supplies when retailers clear out seasonal stock.
7. Care for your tools. With good maintenance, you may never need to buy replacements.
By Frugillionaire, on January 21st, 2010
 Looking for some frugal entertainment? Check out your local library. You’ll be amazed at all the resources available, absolutely free of charge:
1. Free books. You have access to all the titles at your local branch, plus the more extensive county network.
2. Free CDs. A great opportunity to listen to your favorites, or explore other genres, at no cost.
3. Free movies. Why pay for Blockbuster or Netflix when you can borrow DVDs for free?
4. Free magazines. Curl up in a comfy chair and catch up on your favorite periodicals—without the cost of a subscription.
5. Free internet access. Check your email and surf the web without service fees.
6. Free exhibits. Many libraries stage exhibits of art, rare books, and historical documents.
7. Free workshops. Check your local branch’s bulletin board, or website, for free classes and workshops on a variety of subjects.
8. Free story hours. A wonderful way to entertain your kids, and introduce them to the joy of books.
9. Interlibrary Loan. Fill out a request to obtain materials unavailable in your county system.
10. Online catalogs. Browse from home, and click to request what you’d like to borrow; it’ll be held at your local branch for pick-up.
By Frugillionaire, on January 18th, 2010
 Bad driving habits can cost you dearly. Not only do they increase your chance of getting a ticket; they also decrease your fuel efficiency, forcing you to fill the tank more often.
Cultivate the following good habits, to maximize your miles-per-gallon and save money on gas:
* Lose the lead foot. Stick to the speed limit—fuel economy drops significantly at higher speeds.
* Drive at a constant speed. Quick acceleration and hard braking increase wear and tear on your car, and decrease fuel economy.
* Check your tire pressure. Keeping your tires properly inflated will extend their life, and improve your gas mileage.
* Lighten your load. The more junk in your trunk, the more gas it’ll take to get where you’re going.
* Change your air filter. When the filter is clogged, the engine must work harder, and fuel-efficiency is decreased.
By Frugillionaire, on January 14th, 2010
 Furnishing your house doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are some frugal ways to have a stylish home without breaking the bank:
1. Buy secondhand. Pre-owned pieces are terrific bargains. Try thrift shops, consignment stores, garage sales; and online sources like Craigslist.com and Freecycle.org.
2. Buy showroom samples. If you don’t mind a few dings or scratches, you can get almost-new pieces at deep discounts.
3. Be creative. Repurpose other pieces to meet your needs. For example, use an old trunk as a coffee table, make a door into a unique desk, or use milk crates for shelving or end tables.
4. Get the word out. Alert friends and family to your furniture needs—many people have an item or two they’d be happy to pass along.
5. Go minimalist. Embrace a “less is more” philosophy. The less furniture you buy, the more money you’ll save!
By Frugillionaire, on January 11th, 2010
 An article of clothing is a good investment only if you wear it often. Otherwise, it sits in your closet, giving you no benefit—reminding you of the wasted money that could have been put to better use.
Therefore, resist the temptation to buy “wish” clothes—those items that are more appropriate for your fantasy self than your real one.
Fancy dresses, for example, won’t jump-start your social calendar. Wait to buy the ballgown until the black tie invitation’s in hand.
Exercise wear won’t make you an athlete. Refrain from splurging on sport-specific apparel until you’re actually involved in the sport.
And finally, by all means, don’t shop for the you who’s ten pounds thinner. Skinny clothes won’t help you lose the weight; they’ll just remind you that you haven’t. Purchase clothes in the size you wear now, and reward yourself with something new after you’ve shed the pounds!
By Frugillionaire, on January 7th, 2010
 You can save big money on your water bill by taking some simple steps to reduce your usage. Here’s five easy ways to stop your money from going down the drain:
1. Don’t let the water run. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving; turn on again only to rinse. This simple change in routine can make a big difference over time!
2. Get a low-flow toilet. Most pre-1994 toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Low-flow models, on the other hand, use just 1.6 gallons or less!
3. Install a low-flow showerhead. While traditional showerheads use 5 to 8 gallons per minute, low-flow versions use 2.5 or less.
4. Shorten your shower. Try to cut your shower down to five minutes or less. If it helps, set a kitchen timer, or play a single song on a CD, and try to finish before it’s over.
5. Equip faucets with low-flow aerators. Choose one that reduces water flow to 1 gallon per minute or less, and you’ll waste much less water washing hands and dishes.
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