Penny Pincher

I was once told by one of my free-wheeling, frivolous friends that I was "tighter'n bark on a tree" when it came to spending money.  I considered it a compliment.

This economy has all of us (my friend included) rethinking our spending habits.  We consider a little longer before making a purchase, and try to find ways to save some green.  Our family is quite used to a fairly frugal lifestyle, but there is still lots of room for improvement.  

Today's Small Thing is to pinch a few pennies!  If living on the cheap has you down in the dumps today, earning some points for being a tightwad ought to make the even the scroogiest of us smile.

I realize that not everyone will be out shopping or spending money today, so I'm going to stretch this Small Thing out through Friday.  That means you'll have through Friday to complete the task.

You can utilize any or all of these saving techniques this week, and see what a difference it will make to your budget.

1. Re-use or re-purpose something.  Rather than throwing something away, can you find another purpose for it that can save having to buy something else?
2. Clip coupons.  I admit I don't clip coupons, but I'm beginning to see the folly of my ways when local stores offer double and triple coupons. 
3. Use the sales sheets in the paper.  Again, I have my favorite store and I sorta glance at what's on special, but I usually don't make my menu based on what's on sale.  Big money mistake. 
4. Buy something pre-owned.  I'm looking for some furniture on Craigslist and at garage sales because I don't want to pay retail.

Do you have a favorite money-saving or dollar-stretching technique?  Please share it with the rest of us!  While the world's leaders try to figure out how to save the universe from an economic meltdown, we can work on our own little worlds to make ends meet!

POINTS: 40 for pinching pennies this week

BONUS POINTS: 20 if you share a tip today OR share ideas on Friday for Company Girl Coffee!