Hello!
My name is Michelle @ Frugal and Free.
The purpose of this site is to spread the Good News of living frugal and getting things free.
But, also for myself, living a life of frugality and faith sets me free. Kind of a double entendre there.
For a long while, I was getting dishwasher soap, shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste, toilet paper and many other items for mere pennies, sometimes only tax on the dollar. How? By collecting coupons for the items you use, organizing them and then pay attention to the grocery ads and things on sale. Matching up coupons with sales = many items free or nearly free. You don’t have to be at the mercy of the stores. Buy a lot when on sale–enough to last until it goes on sale again. See how this works?
I am sure you’ve heard the expression “Give someone a fish and you’ve given them dinner. Teach them to fish and you’ve fed them for life!” Well, that is very much how I feel about my life of frugality, couponing and the knowledge I have gained over the years. Donating the things I get from couponing, sale finds, etc is wonderful! But, it’s so much better to teach someone how to do this lifestyle for themselves and then, sister, get out of the way and watch them work! It’s such a wonderful feeling. Then, that person shows someone else and then…well, you get the picture!
Another form of frugality is making the most of what you have. Finding cheaper ways of doing things. Cheaper does not mean a lack of quality. You can make ANYTHING at home to save getting BLINDSIDED at the store. Sometimes, though, you will find such a great price on something, it makes more sense to get it at the store rather than making it from scratch. It’s truly a balancing act but you can do it. It’s for a good cause. Your FAMILY and YOU and anyone you can help survive.
Back when I started FrugalandFree.com I was actively couponing, buying in bulk, getting most things for free or very cheap…and had a coupon clipping service. All while working 40 hours a week in a call center. I used to shop 3-4 times a week, had 2 chest freezers full and an extra fridge with a wide variety of markdown dairy products and drinks. Whenever my husband and I met someone at work who was having a rough time, we would invite them over and let them “shop” out of the freezers and fridge…they usually left with about 3-4 bags of groceries, household items.
I LOVED doing that for people. It was my way of giving back for all that had been done for us in the past. But, that was about 4-5 years ago and a lot has changed. My husband and I have suffered many physical ailments/conditions and neither of us can work. Couple that with the economy taking a nosedive…well…let’s just say that things are A LOT different. You will be reading about everything in our lives. Well, almost everything. LOL How to save money, getting things for free, recipes, pics of my baked creations, my photography, etc.
I am just an email away… michelle AT FrugalandFree DOT com
Until Next Time…
Michelle
