I tried this, but I haven't heard anything.  Has anyone else had success and how long did it take?

I know what you mean.  And when you have a plan to meet that dream it makes saving that 50 cents worth the effort.

Have you thought about renting costumes?  The prices can be reasonable and it could open up a world of opportunities. 

Also, check with friends or co workers or watch yard sales.

It's terrible, but it's a blessing to be able to do it - if that makes sense.

Things that you can do are always better than things that you have to do even if they are the same things.

You shouldn't buy your jeans online.  I was just watching an Oprah segment about jeans and she was showing how important it is for everyone to try on and try on and try on until they find the one perfect pair.

See, we never bought anything with a label or name brand for the boys.  Mostly we bought "thinking toys" like lincoln logs and legos and knex that we could add to for birthdays and Christmas.

Also, we set a budget before they got old enough for buying for.  $25 for each year of their lives.  So my nine year old will be $225 this year.  And we give three gifts each (plus stocking stuffers).  Two medium and one large - if the money works out that way.  Sometimes it's a couple of small and one large.

I'm truly blessed.  My frugality (is that a word) has come from a desire to be a good steward, not from necessity.

Also check on reciprical programs in your area.  If we join the science museum in one town, we get in the other science museums in the area for free.  Same with the botanical gardens and zoos.  It makes the family membership more than worth the money. 

Oh, and when someone (like parents or grandparents) ask you what you want for Christmas, suggest they get you a family membership to an area attraction.

We make our Christmas cards and give them as gifts to lots of family.  I say we, but I mean me.  I usually paint them, write a verse in them, and then write a note to the family.  They go over better than any gifts.

I was always one to shop for a bargin.  At 14, my mom felt comfortable giving me her credit card to go to the mall for school shopping (it never seemed to concern her that I could sign her name as well as she could ).

I've gotten better as the money has gotten smaller and my own family has grown bigger.

I figure that if I buy thrift store for now, when I get in ship shape condition I can splurge on some quality clothes.  Last time I thought that, I ended up getting pregnant before I got there - but I'm determined to be consistant and commited this time.

I won't give up my orange juice.  I absolutely love Florida's Natural and I can tell the difference.

SHOP EARLY!!!!!
If you can start in Jan during the after Christmas sales, that's best.

And don't buy something just to give something.  Buy things that the other person can really use or actually wants.  Otherwise, go with something edible and homemade is always best.

I haven't run across that flavor yet.  Sound, um, interesting?

For 48 cans for $5, I have a hard time complaining!  And we recycly the cans so that's almost free.

Wow $1.  That's a bargin (free is the only thing better).  It's a matter of finding the time and space to sew for me.  I've got the machine and patterns, but I don't get much farther than that.