I live in a small town with a handful of clothing stores.  That’s why I was thrilled when a local business owner announced she was hosting a clothing swap at her hip store Willow.  I gathered up a bag full of unwanted items from my closet, entered the date and time on my calendar, and sat back and waited only to learn that the event was rescheduled.

Although I wasn’t able to attend the clothing swap the following week, I continue to keep my eyes open for Facebook events and additional opportunities to trade clothes and accessories with my friends.  As a lover of all things thrift and bargain-priced, there’s nothing more enticing than a clothing swap.

For one thing, swapping saves you money.  It also gives you an excuse to finally clean out your closet and get rid of the things that you never wear.  Last but not least, clothing swaps are good for the environment.

So many useable items are discarded long before they’re worn out.  You can take the things that no longer fit or flatter and give them to someone that can use them.  With upcycling being so popular, even the dullest attire can be repurposed into other useable goods.

Here are some websites online that let you swap clothing, accessories, and other items:

• Rehashclothes.com – Although the name implies otherwise, this site allows you to swap books, housewares, and pet clothes along with gently used garments from your own closet.  Bid on the item of your choice by offering an item of your own in exchange.  You can also post a description of an item you’re looking for and see if anyone responds to it.  
• Dignswap.com – This easy-to-use website has two search options.  You can browse by category or by specific product names.  Although the site is free to join, each swap costs $1 plus shipping.
• Swapstyle.com – The global site allows its users to take pictures of the things they no longer want or need.  When they find something on the site that interests them, they offer a trade and see what transpires.  The other party has the option to choose anything you have listed in exchange for the item you want.  If you want access to clothing and accessories from other countries, this is a great place to look.
• Zwaggle.com – This site is the place to go for kids’ clothes and gear.  You earn Zoints every time you refer a friend or send items.  You can even donate your unused Zoints to charity.  How awesome is that?

You can also check out MeetUp.com to see if there is a local group in your area.  With 90,000 members on the site, there’s a good chance you can start your own clothing swap group and get a good turnout each time you meet.

Don’t let those clothes from last season stay in your closet any longer!  Take advantage of all the different swaps online and get some new clothing to wear this summer.  You never know how easy it is until you try it out yourself.

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate.  It’s a white solid that comes in powdered form.  It is used for cooking as well as medicinal purposes like treating aspirin overdose and uric acid renal stones.  Ancient Egyptians used it as a cleaning agent much like soap.

How Much Does a Box of the Miracle Stuff Cost?

I just picked up a few large boxes of baking soda at the Dollar Tree for 56 cents each.  You can often purchase the miracle stuff for even cheaper but it does require you to shop around.  I plan to stockpile several boxes a month until I have a good amount of baking soda around.  There is no end to its uses and it is a staple in my household because it has a long shelf life.

What Do You Do With It?

Here are twenty-five different uses for baking soda:

• Make your own toothpaste and mouthwash.  Here’s an exceptionally simple and cost-effective homemade toothpaste recipe.
• Exfoliate your face and body.
• Use it to ease a sour stomach.
• Remove shampoo residue by sprinkling a small amount in your hair.
• Clean your brushes and combs.
• Freshen stinky sponges.
• Polish silverware.
• Clean the oven.
• Clean the microwave.
• Clean coffee and teapots.
• Remove dirt and grime from tile floors.
• Give your laundry detergent a boost.
• Clean cloth diapers.
• Deodorize your fridge.
• Deodorize garbage disposals.
• Deodorize lunch boxes which retain odors.
• Deodorize and clean dishwashers.
• Neutralize pet smells including litter boxes.
• Deodorize smelly sneakers.
• Freshen linens and stuffed animals.
• Extinguish fires.
• Scrub fruits and vegetables naturally. 
• Clean batteries.
• Clean cars.
• Remove oil and grease stains.

Books on Using Baking Soda

The following books offer even more tips on using baking soda on a daily basis:

• Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You’ve Probably Never Thought Of by Vicki Lansky
• Baking Soda Bonanza, 2nd Edition by Peter A. Ciullo
• The Magic of Baking Soda by Emily Thacker

As you can see, baking soda is very beneficial.  The next time you find yourself shopping, make sure to pick up a box or two to take home with you.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how useful it really is.

Consider this your guide to a fun and free Valentine’s Day. The following suggestions use the items you already have around the home to make gifts for your spouse and children. All that is needed is a few simple supplies and a bit of creativity. Who says you need to spend money on Valentine’s Day?

Here are some ideas that will make everyone around you feel loved:

• Candlelit Dinner. Make your significant other’s favorite meal. Follow it up with a delicious dessert created from a recipe that you found on AllRecipes.com. Light some candles. If you don’t have any lying around, create your own easy-to-make lantern using a small vessel like an oyster shell or saucer, olive oil, and a shoelace or piece of twine. You could also make one out of a lidded candy tin or glass canning jar. Here are a few tutorials that you will find helpful.
• Candy Kiss Roses. Do you have a jar full of candy kisses available? What about colored plastic wrap or tissue paper? If you answered “yes,” you can easily make roses for your loved one for a fraction of the cost of fresh flowers. Beautiful and edible, these roses look great and taste even better. Best of all, they won’t cost you anything extra because you already have the supplies for them in your home! Crafts Unleashed offers a simple tutorial at http://www.craftsunleashed.com/index.php/seasonal/crafting-candy-kiss-roses/.
• Handmade Cards. Gather up some old magazines, a pair of scissors, some paper, and a glue stick and create one-of-a-kind cards with special meaning. Create each card with its recipient in mind. You can also use these Vintage Valentine’s Day cards and make them your own or create your own Message in a Bottle.
• A Photo Montage. Arrange a heart shaped photo display on a wall for your spouse or children. Pay special attention to color. You want it to look as visually appealing as possible. It’s also best if you use double sided tape or mount the photos to posterboard. Martha Stewart has great tips on photo montages. You can read her suggestions by visiting her site.

A memorable Valentine’s Day is within your capabilities and you’ll have far less dead flowers, stuffed animals, and empty chocolate boxes to contend with! On behalf of Generation X Finance, we hope your holiday is both frugal and memorable!

One man, Mark Boyle, decided to conduct a yearlong experiment living without money. In his book, The Moneyless Man, he states, “I don’t see myself as a hugely spiritual person in the traditional sense. I try to practice what I call ‘applied spirituality’, in which I apply my beliefs in the physical world, rather than them being something abstract I talk about but rarely practice. The less discrepancy there is between the head, the heart, and the hands, the closer you are, I believe, to living honestly. To me, the spiritual and physical are two sides of the same coin.”

Mark’s strong beliefs about the world around him and desire to live a simpler lifestyle led him to conduct an experiment where working for and using money was strictly forbidden. He was able to acquire the things he needed by foraging, dumpster diving, and skillsharing. Although his modest dwelling wasn’t furnished with the latest flatscreen TV or gaming system, he did have access to a laptop computer and solar panel which he used to record his day-to-day experiences. This allowed him to share his experience with the world.

He notes just how long it takes to wash and dry clothes in the winter, to travel across Ireland by hitchhiking, and warming his modest dwelling using a rocket stove. He speaks highly about the people he encountered throughout his journey and the ways that they made an impression on him. Although Mark did without money, he certainly was rich in so many other ways. That’s what made me want to read his book in the first place. His head and his heart were in the right place throughout his year of moneyless living. There’s a lot to be learned from his experience, that’s for sure.

A year is a long time to do without money. Yet, millions of people live on less than the equivalent of one US dollar a day. Mark sums up the lessons in the last chapter of his book. Here are a few that I can appreciate:

• Don’t underestimate others. There are far more supportive people in the world than you can imagine.
• Communal-sufficiency is better than self-sufficiency. Small numbers of people who work interdependently are ideal because they have more to offer one another.
• You have to be prepared. Although Mark believed that things like carpentry and vegetable-growing were essential, he soon learned that “physical fitness, self-discipline, genuine care and respect for the planet and the species that live on it, and the ability to give and share, are the ‘primary skills’ for this way of living.”
• Community is security, money isn’t. Giving freely with no expectations of receiving strengthens faith.
• Money isn’t everything. Living without money allows you to take advantage of local goods and materials, makes you more aware of your community’s needs, and gives you a deeper appreciation for the things you do have.

If you’re overemployed or underemployed or unemployed, there is a lot you can learn from The Moneyless Man Mark Boyle. You can pick up a copy of his book on Amazon or better yet, see if your local library has it for you to borrow. Chances are, you’ll be like me and disappointed every time you have to set your copy down without finishing it.

It may seem ridiculous at first when you think about how cheaply these items can be acquired by shopping sales and using coupons but I’m more concerned about the impact my consumerism has on the environment.  For very little money, I control what goes into my cleaning products and it will allow me to reuse plastic bottles and tubs.  This eliminates the amount of waste I create and gives me a clearer conscience.

Creating a large supply and stockpiling it until it is needed also prevents me from burning gas and making unnecessary trips to the store.  Making these items by hand is therefore a win-win situation if you ask me.  For the extra time put into creating these concoctions in my own home, I get the satisfaction of knowing that my shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste is pure, cruelty-free, and cost effective.

Kelly and Erik offer their spin on Homemade Tooth Powder, Four Natural Shampoo Alternatives, Hair Rinses, and Deep Conditioners that use products commonly found in your pantry.  Items like baking soda, extra-virgin olive oil, and vinegar are all items that can be used on your body as well as in the foods you eat.  Rather than buy separate products for my hair and teeth, I can purchase the ingredients I need from the store and make up small batches of shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste to use whenever I need them.

Books like Making It are valuable resources because they stress a back-to-basics mentality that is both cost-efficient and environmentally sound.  Because I am trying to cut back on spending while trying to maintain my values, I find the less removed I am from the products I use on a day-to-day basis the better.  There is no doubt in my mind that the shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste I will be using will be better for me in every way imaginable.

Making It can be purchased on Amazon.com or through Rodale Books.  The 310 page book retails for $19.99 US and can also be found in the House & Home or Sustainable Living sections of your local bookstore.  The authors also wrote The Urban Homestead which was called “the contemporary bible on the subject” by the New York Times.

Congratulations! You’ve arrived to a place in your life where you’re ready to embrace positive changes regarding your finances. Some people never reach this point so you should be proud of yourself. You should not delve too deep into frugality without knowing a thing or two about it first.

Here are a few tips to living on the cheap without feeling the pangs of sacrifice. Feel free your own tips to the mix. Trial and error is the key to making frugality a lifestyle choice not a fleeting trend. Start slow and build your confidence as you go along. Making drastic changes right away can leave you feeling unhappy and deprived. You want your new habits to stick not go by the wayside.

Tips for Adopting a Simpler Lifestyle

Here is some of the best advice I have to give about adopting a simpler lifestyle. You may want to try one or two tips on for size before plunging headfirst into a frugality:

1. Remember that it takes up to thirty days to make a habit stick. For example, if you want to give up soda as a way of saving money, make sure that you gradually wean yourself off of it. Instead of drinking one a day, have one every other day. Then every third day until you no longer miss it.
2. Keep a positive attitude. Know that the changes that you’re making will benefit you in the long run. Your stick-to-itness will afford you more time and greater freedom. Remember this every time you start to question your motive.
3. Do not invest a lot of money into trying to be frugal. The idea is to save money not buy the most expensive lunch bag or reusable water bottle you can get your hands on. Find alternate ways to acquire the items that you need and you’ll be on your way to a simpler lifestyle in a matter of no time.
4. Enlist the help of family members, friends, and neighbors. Have them hold you accountable. Barter services and share with them as much as possible. This will give you more financial freedom and happiness.

The key to living a frugal lifestyle is to be flexible and willing to take things slowly. Change is often a necessary evil and although you may at first be reluctant to scaling down and cutting back, you’ll one day see that your life is better because of the choices you have made.

With such a big holiday comes big expenses.  Travel costs are the big expense for some families, but for others it’s the big dinner.  Thanksgiving dinners can cost a pretty penny but they don’t have to.  I’ve had the blessing of watching the frugal ways of my mom and the things she did to save money during Thanksgiving.

I wanted to pass on some of these tips so you can benefit from them.

Don’t Cook

Yes, don’t cook if you’re the host. Sounds odd, I know.  But if you’re hosting the event, see if everyone wants to bring their own dish.  This was a great money saving as well as time saving strategy for my Mom during Thanksgiving dinners.  It’s just flat out ridiculous to ask one person cook the entire meal if you ask me.  Instead of coming off as lazy, turn it into a fun event and make sure to mention that you’re excited to taste dishes from other family members.

All you need do is email out the list of dishes that are needed and you can manage responses and who is bringing what.  It can be a fun, family bonding experience.

Cheap Wine Rules

Don’t go out and buy the most expensive wine this Thanksgiving.  Unless your family is some sort of connoisseur group, ditch the expensive stuff and grab some bottles at the end of the aisles.  It’s going to be mixed with so many flavors and foods it won’t really matter what the wine taste like as long as it’s drinkable.  If you really want to go cheap, go with some off-brand boxed wine for $15 or $20. Surprisingly, many box wines are pretty good.

Store Purchased Decorations Are Overrated

Stores make such a big push to get your business for ornaments and decorations for a single day.  Avoid the temptation this Thanksgiving.  In fact, why don’t you use a combination of decorations you’ve used in the past?  Or better yet, grab some flowers and greens from your back yard.  These are easy solutions for Thanksgiving decorations. There’s no reason to spend a hundred dollars decorating your home with a bunch of trinkets.

Cheap Entertainment Is Key

Avoid the “big box” entertainment like movie theaters and football games.  I know these are fun events, but is it really worth the money?  Why not stay in and play some games?  Using existing, free entertainment is something I grew up doing and plan to do the same with my family.  Stay inside this Thanksgiving and avoid the crowds and your wallet will smile while building those bonds with family.

Don’t Have A Dinner

This option is pretty bold but can be a change from previous years.  Why not do something that will shock your family?  You could skip the dinner altogether and go serve downtown and volunteer for the day.  Do you know how many homeless people there are these days?  I’ll be honest, I haven’t done this yet, but I’m planning to.  Another option would be to get the whole family to join you.  It could be a fun bonding time while serving your local community.  The sky’s the limit.

See, Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be expensive.  All you need to do is think outside of the box a little bit and you can save big this year. And above all, remember, it’s a time to spend with family.  Who knows, you may find that these frugal ideas are actually more fun than what you’ve done in the past.  Don’t wait to find out, act on these tips.

READERS:  Do you have any other tips that you’ve incorporated into your family gatherings over Thanksgiving?  Share your thoughts below!

You’re going to need supplies and the only real way to acquire necessities is by bartering for them or buying them. It is neither cheap nor is it free to move off grid. According to The Everything Guide to Living Off the Grid: A Back-To-Basics Manual For Independent Living by Terri Reid, “The reality is, even if you are totally self-sufficient, there is no escaping expenses like property taxes.” With that said, let’s examine some of the author’s suggestions for generating income off the grid.

Depending on your needs, the type of property you choose to live in, and the nature of side projects you decide to take on, living off-grid can be very expensive. There will equipment to buy and livestock to acquire. You may want to install solar panels to replace traditional electricity sources or purchase rain barrels to collect water. These expenses add up. Without a steady stream of income coming in, it may be impossible to make your dreams of self-sufficiency come true.

Reid suggests first speaking to your current employer to see if you can telecommute. If your boss isn’t keen on you working from home, you’ll want to do a self-assessment and consider the different skills you possess that others will find marketable. Do you know how to design websites? Create custom newsletters? Write product reviews? If you do, you’ll find a treasure trove of opportunities through Craigslist.

If you possess carpentry, painting, remodeling or plumbing skills, chances are you’ll get a lot of referrals through family members and friends. Advertise through your local newspaper or create your own free WordPress blog and Twitter accounts. Both are free and allow you to customize messages. They serve as virtually free advertising.

Here are a few other ideas for you to consider whenever you’re planning to move off-grid. Reid lists the following as legitimate ways to acquire what you and your family needs:

• Bartering and Dealing �’ Why pay cash for something you can acquire by trading goods or services? “The key to successful bartering is to be sure that you offer equal value for whatever you are bartering for,” says Reid.
• Farmers’ Markets �’ If you have excess produce and herbs from your garden or farm, this is the perfect place to get rid of it and make a profit. Making sure that your bounty is fresh, clean, and visually appealing will help you sell it.
• Craft Sales �’ High-quality artisanal work is in demand. Whether it’s beautiful quilts that you create or mixed media art pieces, one thing is certain. There is a market for these items. It’s up to you to find it.
• Online Stores like Etsy.com �’ Having your own website is the norm these days. Make sure that yours is professional and easy-to-navigate. If it’s cluttered or unattractive, people will be hesitant to buy from you.

Learn more about living off the grid by picking up Reid’s book. In it, she addresses the different types of shelters you can live in, the buzz about beekeeping, the importance of herbs, and dealing with rodents, critters, and pests of all kinds.

Thrift stores, consignment shops, and yard sales are all great places to buy gently worn clothing and accessories. If you’re really fortunate, you will find your fair share of brand new items with the tags still on them. There are some things that you should be aware of when shopping for used clothing for you and your children. In fact, here are five things to look for when making your purchases:

1. Inventory you and your children’s current wardrobe. Determine what items are an absolute necessity, which items need repair, and which items can benefit someone else. Write out a list of sizes for each person in the family. Don’t forget to include shoe sizes because that is often what children grow out of the quickest.
2. Set a budget for each person in the family and stick to it. Based on clothing needs, determine how much you will spend on each person. Carry a calculator with you so you can have a running total of how much you have spent prior to getting to the register. This will allow you to put stuff back that you thought you had a use for but really don’t need.
3. Examine each article of clothing carefully. Look for loose threads, stains, and holes. If an items has any of these flaws, reconsider buying it. Although some secondhand clothing gets revived after a good wash in the washing machine, that isn’t always the case. If building a new wardrobe is imperative because your children have nothing else to wear, don’t take a chance.
4. Try everything on before leaving the store. Sizes and brands vary and fit differently. To avoid going home with something that you or your kids cannot wear, make sure that everything gets tried on beforehand. This is extremely important when buying used clothing because many places won’t let you return them.
5. Take your time. If you don’t find what you’re looking for right away, be patient. Return to the store the following week. Try to buy one season ahead of time so that you’re never in dire straits when it comes to clothing yourself or your children. Watch for sales. Even thrift stores and consignment shops have clearance racks and advertised bargains.

By taking the time to determine exactly what articles of clothing each member of the family could use , you reduce overspending and you give yourself more time to search for secondhand clothes. Knowing what to look for in terms of quality and price can help you make the best decision and one that fits your needs and budget.

A few years ago, I got my hands on a book written by John Hoffman called The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving.  It literally changed my life.  In the past, I was very secretive about my dumpster diving.  Now, I am more apt to share my finds with other people, especially if they’re something worth talking about.

I have reclaimed furniture, clothing, books, jewelry, knick knacks, and even a brand new laptop bag.  When I worked at the mall, I was known to rescue bags of good from an untimely demise.  I gave away or donated what I couldn’t use.  I couldn’t stand the idea of perfectly good items being taken to the landfill.  I still can’t.

Although I haven’t dived in awhile, I can honestly say that a good amount of my home was decorated with dumpstered items.  From the new black bar stools I have in my kitchen right down to the table I eat my meals at, I have had my fair share of free items.  The only thing I haven’t done is eat dumpstered food.  That’s out of my comfort zone although I hear it is perfectly acceptable for some people.

I believe wholeheartedly in reducing, reusing, and recycling.  In fact, I try to buy things secondhand before I ever consider buying them in a store.  I find dumpstering them even more gratifying.  I bought a new laptop and needed a bag to carry it in.  The next day, I found one sitting next to my apartment complex dumpster with the tags still on it.  It was almost as if it was sitting there waiting for me.  If you wait long enough, everything you ever wanted will eventually be discarded by someone.  It’ll only be a matter of time before you pull back the lid and find a treasure trove of items waiting for you.

If you’re squeamish, wear a good pair of work gloves.  You can also bring a stick to push things aside so you can see into the dumpster better.  Leave everything in better condition than you found it.  This is how you keep the authorities away and prevent businesses from locking their bins at night.  The key is to be courteous and use what you take.  Going through the bags of donations left at the thrift store is wrong.  Rummaging through discards on someone’s curb is not.  That is, if you don’t leave behind a mess in the process.

Dumpster diving is a great way to get the things you need for free.  If you’re not patient enough to wait for things to be thrown away, consider registering for an account on Freecycle.  You can request items through the site at no cost to you.  That’s awesome if you ask me.  Who wants to pay when people are offering you stuff for free?