The Frugalista Files

WELCOME VISITORS! We're glad you came! This is the original Frugalista Files, established May 23, 2006 (we've been together, under different names, since the mid-1990s). We are an international community of old and new friends with common interests in frugality, debt reduction, personal finance, simplicity and simple living. We also welcome posts on related subjects, including recipes and homemaking, do-it-yourself, travel, kids, pets, homesteading and gardening. Anyone may read this forum, but only members (individuals who have joined the Registered Users group) may post messages. Click on Post a Message and follow the instructions to become a member. Applicants using proxy servers will be automatically rejected. When posting a lengthy URL within a message, please convert the link to a TinyURL. This helps limit the width of the viewing page. For TinyURL information and instructions, click on the link at the top of this page to go to the Archives.

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My sale was last night view thread - Penny in Florida on Nov 7, 2009, 3:43 PM

Wonderful! - CC on Nov 7, 2009, 5:03 PM

Congratulations on your FIRST ANNUAL successful sale! - Maxine on Nov 7, 2009, 5:14 PM

terrific! - Sandy in MI on Nov 7, 2009, 5:46 PM

Congratulations! - Tnetter on Nov 7, 2009, 6:28 PM

Fantastic! - Polly on Nov 7, 2009, 10:47 PM

Where would you buy replacement curtain rod brackets? view thread - Tnetter on Nov 7, 2009, 8:08 PM

a home decorating store - Carolyn in TX on Nov 7, 2009, 9:43 PM

Try Home Depot, Lowe's or Penney's (nt) - Maxine on Nov 7, 2009, 9:46 PM

I'm sick... view thread - Sheila on Nov 7, 2009, 5:47 AM

AmyD - glenda on Nov 7, 2009, 6:13 AM

We make The Cure - Kim on Nov 7, 2009, 8:00 AM

thumbs up for The Cure - Sandy in MI on Nov 7, 2009, 5:49 PM

What DD and I do at the first hint - Polly on Nov 7, 2009, 9:18 AM

I'm sorry your sick - CC on Nov 7, 2009, 9:21 AM

Rest... - PBinNY on Nov 7, 2009, 9:26 AM

That's what I do too - Tnetter on Nov 7, 2009, 8:07 PM

Elerberry elixir type - Trina on Nov 7, 2009, 10:06 AM

flu here too - Sandy in MI on Nov 7, 2009, 12:31 PM

Sorry you're sick - Penny in Florida on Nov 7, 2009, 3:44 PM

Mucinex never helps me - Miranda on Nov 7, 2009, 7:51 PM

Dinner tonight? view thread - Sheila on Nov 7, 2009, 4:52 AM

I am being pampered - glenda on Nov 7, 2009, 5:04 AM

Chinese stir fry type of thing - Polly on Nov 7, 2009, 5:43 AM

I saved the best of the OAMC for last - Maxine on Nov 7, 2009, 7:18 AM

Whole grains and vegetables... - Kim on Nov 7, 2009, 7:55 AM

No idea - Penny in Florida on Nov 7, 2009, 3:57 PM

7 weeks till Christmas, how are we doing? view thread - sheila on Nov 6, 2009, 6:04 AM

I've actually started... - KarenPA on Nov 6, 2009, 6:45 AM

relaxed here - Sandy in MI on Nov 6, 2009, 6:54 AM

No, you can never have too many legos, lol... - KarenPA on Nov 6, 2009, 7:05 AM

models - Sandy in MI on Nov 6, 2009, 7:57 AM

Christmas - 2catsmom on Nov 6, 2009, 7:18 AM

Sheila, I think 3 is enough - Maxine on Nov 6, 2009, 8:19 AM

Another teacher gift idea -- - Penny in OH on Nov 6, 2009, 9:03 AM

At Dollar Tree - Tnetter on Nov 6, 2009, 4:03 PM

antibacterial lotion.... - CC on Nov 7, 2009, 9:08 AM

I'm hoping to get my house clean by then! - mj on Nov 6, 2009, 10:47 AM

I am almost done - Lori in MA on Nov 6, 2009, 1:02 PM

I'm not passed the thinking stage - CC on Nov 7, 2009, 9:10 AM

Nearly finished - Penny in Florida on Nov 7, 2009, 3:56 PM

Make a gift challenge view thread - CC on Nov 7, 2009, 9:16 AM

Count me in... - PBinNY on Nov 7, 2009, 9:31 AM

ohh count me in too - Trina on Nov 7, 2009, 10:16 AM

first days of substituting view thread - Carolyn in TX on Nov 6, 2009, 7:39 PM

How was it? - Tnetter on Nov 6, 2009, 8:08 PM

The worse part is my feet hurt - Carolyn in TX on Nov 6, 2009, 9:15 PM

My 5th grade teacher taught school in 4 inch spike heels - Maxine on Nov 7, 2009, 7:22 AM

Yes, Yes, YES! - Maxine on Nov 6, 2009, 8:45 PM

Yeah! - Sheila on Nov 7, 2009, 5:43 AM

Great News! (nt) - CC on Nov 7, 2009, 9:05 AM

gracious - Myra on Nov 7, 2009, 9:57 AM

Amazon is having a sale day today view thread - Tnetter on Nov 7, 2009, 9:30 AM

If you don't get any sale flyers. view thread - Kera on Jan 18, 2009, 12:10 PM

Thank you! (nt) - Maxine on Jan 18, 2009, 9:45 PM

Thank you, Kera! - BethannM on Jan 19, 2009, 3:50 AM

And, if you don't get any coupon inserts - BethannM on Jan 19, 2009, 4:11 AM

I do that - PaulaF in CO on Jan 19, 2009, 9:56 AM

one of the best sites for ads - TX2 on Jan 19, 2009, 10:23 AM

I use - cariokie on Jan 19, 2009, 11:07 AM

that is a really good one too - TX2 on Jan 19, 2009, 11:26 AM

Yes, that is useful! - cariokie on Jan 19, 2009, 11:35 AM

I use - TX2 on Jan 19, 2009, 12:10 PM

nt sorry - TX2 on Jan 19, 2009, 12:10 PM

Thought I would bump this old sale flyer link - Kera on Nov 7, 2009, 9:19 AM

WalGreen's Photo's 4x6 10 cents each NOW - Saturday view thread - glenda on Nov 7, 2009, 5:02 AM

me and my digital camera - Sheila on Nov 7, 2009, 5:42 AM

You can download - glenda on Nov 7, 2009, 6:11 AM

Can this watch be saved? view thread - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 6:14 PM

That's weird. Never heard of that - Tnetter on Nov 5, 2009, 6:29 PM

Take it to WalMart. - Kera on Nov 5, 2009, 8:17 PM

electronic components failing - Carolyn in TX on Nov 6, 2009, 7:32 PM

That's kind of what I thought - Maxine on Nov 6, 2009, 8:46 PM

How often do you use a crockpot? view thread - Penny in Florida on Oct 30, 2009, 8:43 PM

a couple of times a month when I worked - Carolyn in TX on Oct 30, 2009, 9:02 PM

Not that often - Tnetter on Oct 30, 2009, 9:06 PM

Not so much as I thought I would - Polly on Oct 31, 2009, 12:04 AM

Once or twice a week.... - CC on Oct 31, 2009, 1:50 AM

lots! - Sheila on Oct 31, 2009, 5:14 AM

in fits and starts - patsy on Oct 31, 2009, 7:36 AM

I'd like to use it more. - Monica on Oct 31, 2009, 7:49 AM

I forgot to post my own favorite recipe - Penny in Florida on Oct 31, 2009, 10:43 AM

green chili stew - Carolyn in TX on Oct 31, 2009, 2:17 PM

Question - ccmarie on Nov 3, 2009, 8:26 AM

Often.... - PBinNY on Oct 31, 2009, 3:14 PM

I try to use it often - Tammy L on Nov 3, 2009, 7:38 AM

how did you like your stew? n/t - mj on Nov 5, 2009, 6:09 AM

It was o.k. - Tammy L on Nov 6, 2009, 6:01 AM

about once or twice a month - Sandy in MI on Nov 3, 2009, 8:08 AM

I used to use it a lot - Stacey on Nov 3, 2009, 11:09 AM

twice a month- simple ham recipe - mj on Nov 5, 2009, 6:14 AM

Have you seen the new crockpots - Lori in MA on Nov 6, 2009, 1:04 PM

I know what you mean - Tnetter on Nov 6, 2009, 4:02 PM

Got this in an email today - what a catalog! view thread - Tnetter on Nov 4, 2009, 8:25 AM

Hehe, that was awesome! nt - Penny in Florida on Nov 4, 2009, 9:19 AM

Yeah, it was awesome - Lori in MA on Nov 6, 2009, 1:06 PM

Have you slept on a comfortable air mattress? view thread - Tnetter on Oct 29, 2009, 1:46 PM

I haven't found one I liked yet.. - Traze on Oct 29, 2009, 4:03 PM

Which one is it? - Tnetter on Oct 29, 2009, 4:30 PM

Got it from JCP.. - Traze on Oct 29, 2009, 4:35 PM

Yeah, the twin we have has fuzzy on it too - Tnetter on Oct 29, 2009, 7:39 PM

The more we pump ours up... - Mirnada on Nov 2, 2009, 7:19 AM

yeah but it is NOT cheap - Myra on Oct 29, 2009, 6:21 PM

How expensive is not cheap? - Tnetter on Oct 29, 2009, 7:35 PM

he says about 250 - Myra on Oct 31, 2009, 2:09 PM

Eeek! I like having company, but..... - Tnetter on Oct 31, 2009, 2:15 PM

yeah it is a bit pricey - Myra on Oct 31, 2009, 7:34 PM

Yeah, I wish I could find a comfy cheap one - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 12:45 AM

I've been thinking. wonder if I could make a pvc frame? - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 12:59 PM

On second thought, that probably wouldn't work - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 4:55 PM

We just bought 2 futons... - KarenPA on Oct 30, 2009, 3:43 AM

I want something that can fold up and store in the closet - Tnetter on Oct 30, 2009, 7:57 AM

my mom has a love seat size - Myra on Nov 2, 2009, 6:30 AM

Not really - Tnetter on Nov 2, 2009, 7:57 AM

Aerobeds are great, but they are not cheap - LisaCNC on Oct 30, 2009, 6:02 AM

After all that this weekend - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 9:26 AM

Sleep on the sidewalk? - Stacey on Nov 1, 2009, 10:28 AM

Concert - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 12:58 PM

yep - RR on Nov 4, 2009, 12:49 PM

Do you know what brand it is? - Tnetter on Nov 4, 2009, 1:16 PM

it's almost the same height - RR on Nov 5, 2009, 8:01 AM

Yes! we have one - Sandy in MI on Nov 6, 2009, 6:33 AM

Free House Cleaning for Chemo Patients... view thread - Pam(TX) on Nov 5, 2009, 9:22 PM

Thanks Pam - Tammy L on Nov 6, 2009, 5:58 AM

Working on my to-do list view thread - Kim on Nov 5, 2009, 8:31 AM

I need to get started on mine - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 9:06 AM

What do you wash your wall with? nt - Tnetter on Nov 5, 2009, 9:33 AM

What I use... - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 2:11 PM

I fixed my soaker hose today - Tnetter on Nov 5, 2009, 11:15 AM

Mine has been.... - CC on Nov 5, 2009, 2:51 PM

How about... - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 3:17 PM

We have the same ideas. - CC on Nov 5, 2009, 3:32 PM

cheap, thick fleece? - sheila on Nov 6, 2009, 5:49 AM

Sewers, what do you do with old patterns? (and note to Snick) view thread - Tnetter on Nov 4, 2009, 6:02 PM

the senior center was thrilled to get them! n/t - richinng on Nov 4, 2009, 7:10 PM

A variety - Polly on Nov 5, 2009, 12:49 AM

Yeah, I think that's why I've kept these - Tnetter on Nov 5, 2009, 7:01 AM

What I did - CC on Nov 5, 2009, 12:54 PM

I have seen older ones on ebay for good prices - Tnetter on Nov 5, 2009, 6:33 PM

I freecycled mine - sheila on Nov 6, 2009, 5:47 AM

Can chain be repaired? view thread - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 3:14 PM

Sounds like you need a heavier duty chain - Stacey on Nov 5, 2009, 3:48 PM

This was a heavy towing chain - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 4:30 PM

Hah! - Stacey on Nov 5, 2009, 7:07 PM

this might work - richinny on Nov 6, 2009, 3:33 AM

October was insurance plan time view thread - Tnetter on Nov 3, 2009, 10:51 AM

That stinks - Stacey on Nov 3, 2009, 11:06 AM

We just went through... - CC on Nov 3, 2009, 1:59 PM

I just started looking at ours - Stacey on Nov 3, 2009, 2:21 PM

I hate dealing with insurance! - glenda on Nov 3, 2009, 2:12 PM

You reminded me.... - CC on Nov 3, 2009, 2:19 PM

Since - glenda on Nov 3, 2009, 2:27 PM

Insurance benefits time here too.. - Penny in OH on Nov 4, 2009, 4:22 AM

Bad news for us - Maxine on Nov 4, 2009, 12:50 PM

That is bad. - Tnetter on Nov 4, 2009, 1:15 PM

Have them - missy on Nov 5, 2009, 8:39 AM

Wow that is rough - CC on Nov 4, 2009, 1:50 PM

Is there a problem with AARP? Mom just signed up - mj on Nov 5, 2009, 5:53 AM

No, but... - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 9:02 AM

AARP - lili in CO on Nov 5, 2009, 11:26 AM

My FIL doesn't like them either. - Monica on Nov 5, 2009, 11:50 AM

Maxine, a yahoo groups question view thread - Tnetter on Nov 2, 2009, 10:35 AM

Looks like it's a break-even - Maxine on Nov 2, 2009, 6:48 PM

I thought you must be out - Tnetter on Nov 2, 2009, 7:09 PM

I just spent $86.39 on 950 minutes. - BethannM on Nov 3, 2009, 5:41 AM

I'd forgotten about the 450 minute cards - Maxine on Nov 3, 2009, 6:34 AM

Here I thought I was bad to have time thru Oct 2012, lol.... - KarenPA on Nov 3, 2009, 3:52 PM

I wanted to add... - KarenPA on Nov 3, 2009, 4:00 PM

Landline - Maxine on Nov 3, 2009, 9:42 PM

Karen, about Trac - Maxine on Nov 4, 2009, 8:13 AM

I'm not sure I understand... - KarenPA on Nov 4, 2009, 9:35 AM

Trac doesn't really want you to activate Verizon... - Maxine on Nov 4, 2009, 11:02 AM

Seems like too much effort for me, lol - KarenPA on Nov 4, 2009, 11:45 AM

trac fone carriers - mj on Nov 5, 2009, 6:07 AM

Yes, he can - Maxine on Nov 5, 2009, 9:08 AM

Did I miss something? - Missy on Nov 3, 2009, 8:14 AM

tracfone yahoo groups board - BethannM on Nov 3, 2009, 9:12 AM

Thanks - Missy on Nov 3, 2009, 1:08 PM

Fun things in life view thread - glenda on Nov 3, 2009, 4:45 AM

ain't nothin' like it! - BethannM on Nov 3, 2009, 5:33 AM

that's terrific! - Sandy in MI on Nov 3, 2009, 6:18 AM

reading specialist - Carolyn in TX on Nov 3, 2009, 7:58 AM

My grandmother - glenda on Nov 3, 2009, 2:17 PM

I'm so glad you have so much time with your grands - Tnetter on Nov 3, 2009, 10:44 AM

Librarians - I need ideas - glenda on Nov 3, 2009, 2:21 PM

not a librarian, but... - Sandy in MI on Nov 3, 2009, 4:38 PM

My son loves... - Penny in OH on Nov 4, 2009, 4:25 AM

Books for kids - Sharon on Nov 3, 2009, 11:50 PM

Max, where's the doggy devil? view thread - Sandy in MI on Nov 3, 2009, 4:40 PM

It's coming, it's coming! - Maxine on Nov 3, 2009, 9:32 PM

High yield checking account interest rates view thread - KarenPA on Jul 23, 2009, 3:40 PM

Thanks for posting this - Lori in MA on Jul 24, 2009, 6:14 AM

Thanks Karen - Tnetter on Nov 3, 2009, 3:55 PM

Oh yeah - the lady there told me about a new scam too - Tnetter on Nov 3, 2009, 3:59 PM

That happened to a friend of mine... - KarenPA on Nov 3, 2009, 4:04 PM

I think I saw that on tv - Tnetter on Nov 3, 2009, 4:26 PM

Great!! - KarenPA on Nov 3, 2009, 4:08 PM

I wish I could have gone with a bank with better interest - Tnetter on Nov 3, 2009, 4:26 PM

Yeah, I lucked out... - KarenPA on Nov 3, 2009, 4:45 PM

Adjusting Allowances (fed) view thread - Stacey on Nov 2, 2009, 8:55 PM

I've currently taking a tax course... - KarenPA on Nov 3, 2009, 3:34 AM

I don't think - glenda on Nov 3, 2009, 4:42 AM

Cake decorating and the cost of making Birthday cake view thread - sheila on Oct 24, 2009, 11:13 AM

If I had kids the age of yours... - Maxine on Oct 24, 2009, 11:24 AM

go buy some tips and a couple of jars of cake dec. food coloring... - Trina on Oct 24, 2009, 4:12 PM

yup- I have some paste food color - sheila on Oct 25, 2009, 5:23 AM

A pastry bag isn't expensive - Kim on Oct 24, 2009, 4:41 PM

oh and I have a Michaels coupon - sheila on Oct 25, 2009, 5:23 AM

Ditto to what others have said - glenda on Oct 24, 2009, 5:34 PM

ditto! - Draggy on Oct 25, 2009, 7:41 AM

I always make homemade frosting - Maxine on Oct 25, 2009, 7:56 AM

My mom - Kim on Oct 25, 2009, 8:17 AM

Another thing... - Maxine on Oct 25, 2009, 9:03 AM

Not original question but... - Traze on Oct 25, 2009, 9:12 AM

Tracy! So good to see you here! (nt) - Maxine on Oct 25, 2009, 9:14 AM

It is easy to decorate a cake - Tammy L on Oct 27, 2009, 2:22 PM

Those bags do have a life span, but it is several years at least - Tnetter on Oct 27, 2009, 3:06 PM

Wilton web site has tons of ideas - Carolyn in TX on Oct 27, 2009, 9:49 PM

Sorry I'm late to this - but instead of a pastry "bag" - ccmarie on Nov 2, 2009, 4:03 PM

using wax paper - Carolyn in TX on Nov 2, 2009, 9:10 PM

One of the best birthday cakes - Tammy L on Nov 3, 2009, 4:22 AM

What adventures are happening in your life? view thread - Carolyn in TX on Oct 31, 2009, 8:16 PM

Well, I'm excited for you! - Maxine on Oct 31, 2009, 9:22 PM

I was wondering how the land deal was going... - Carolyn in TX on Nov 1, 2009, 10:54 AM

Mystery shopping - sheila on Nov 1, 2009, 5:05 AM

sounds like fun - Carolyn in TX on Nov 1, 2009, 10:56 AM

Good luck to everyone on their adventures! - CC on Nov 1, 2009, 11:38 AM

A couple of things - Penny in Florida on Nov 1, 2009, 10:03 PM

flophouse... - Carolyn in TX on Nov 2, 2009, 7:44 AM

Flophouse, lol - Tnetter on Nov 2, 2009, 7:55 AM

Penny, wishing you huge success! - 2catsmom on Nov 2, 2009, 4:39 PM

Last week I finished - Lori in MA on Nov 2, 2009, 9:13 AM

You have been busy - Carolyn in TX on Nov 2, 2009, 12:23 PM

Does anyone have a down comforter? view thread - Tnetter on Oct 29, 2009, 10:21 AM

i own down comforters - patsy on Oct 29, 2009, 10:35 AM

I have owned - glenda on Oct 29, 2009, 12:34 PM

Re: the smell of down - Miranda on Nov 2, 2009, 1:31 PM

I have one - Stacey on Nov 2, 2009, 4:05 PM

Thanks. Maybe the smell will air out. - Tnetter on Nov 2, 2009, 4:13 PM

Not a single trick-or-treater! view thread - Maxine on Oct 31, 2009, 8:57 PM

No dogs, but we had 5 lots last night - Polly on Nov 1, 2009, 12:24 AM

How cute! I wouldn't know what to do if a dog came to the door - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 12:43 AM

Maybe 20 kids - sheila on Nov 1, 2009, 5:03 AM

None at my house either - Carolyn in TX on Nov 1, 2009, 10:58 AM

We had around 150 I would say. - Monica on Nov 1, 2009, 11:01 AM

used to take my pony - Myra on Nov 2, 2009, 12:49 PM

Let's talk "nicely packaged gifts" view thread - Maxine on Oct 30, 2009, 2:35 PM

nice baskets n/t - Myra on Oct 30, 2009, 3:36 PM

Bandanas - Tracy on Oct 30, 2009, 4:27 PM

A couple of ideas - glenda on Oct 30, 2009, 7:05 PM

Could you post of picture of that sometime? - Tnetter on Oct 30, 2009, 8:34 PM

Ditto, I'm not picturing this clearly in my head. nt - Penny in Florida on Oct 30, 2009, 8:36 PM

No pics, at least not right now - glenda on Nov 1, 2009, 2:53 PM

By extra wrapping, do you mean the points of the corners? - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 3:16 PM

The bottom of the basket - glenda on Nov 1, 2009, 5:53 PM

Not really for Christmas but - Polly on Oct 31, 2009, 1:48 AM

Plain paper - CC on Oct 31, 2009, 2:17 AM

Blue jeans - Sheila on Oct 31, 2009, 5:11 AM

As much as I love a beautifully wrapped package - Tnetter on Oct 31, 2009, 8:07 AM

I have never heard of this....(m) - LeShea on Nov 2, 2009, 5:54 AM

Thanks, I should have posted that link. - Tnetter on Nov 2, 2009, 8:00 AM

Halloween photos view thread - Sandy in MI on Nov 1, 2009, 4:27 PM

Cute!!! - Monica on Nov 1, 2009, 4:42 PM

How cute! - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 4:53 PM

the tux - Sandy in MI on Nov 1, 2009, 5:03 PM

You did great! - Tnetter on Nov 1, 2009, 9:31 PM

So cute!!! - Penny in Florida on Nov 1, 2009, 9:39 PM

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