Answer for question 4560.

[siglinde99]

[Error: unknown template qotd]I'm always frugal so that I can afford my real priorities (university for one kid, sports and arts activities for everyone). Best tips for saving: 1) buy second-hand clothes. By keeping a careful eye out, I can usually find good quality things I need for less than I would pay for poor quality new items. 2) cook everything from scratch and avoid eating out or take-out. It may seem intimidating at first, but it's easy when you get into the rhythm; I can make a fresh lasagne faster than I can thaw and cook one of those disgusting frozen lasagnes. You get the added benefit of better nutrition, and it can be a social, fun activity. 3) bring your lunch to work instead of buying it. This helps use up leftovers, because food is a terrible thing to waste. 4) Make your own coffee. I invested in a French press for the office, and I get hot and fresh, delicious shade-grown, organic fair trade coffee for about 1/5 the price of a Starbucks coffee. The whole set-up paid for itself in a week.
The best bargain I have ever gotten was a funky antique kitchen cupboard unit. I picked it up for $10 and it's now worth several thousand. It has been in constant use since university, and I still love it.