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?

In today’s economy, the ability to stretch a dollar is a necessity not something to hold you over between paychecks. That’s why I felt it was appropriate to write a primer for my fellow deal seeking dudes and divas. Here’s how a beginner can get started scoring free stuff:

1. Set up an email address specifically for the purpose of signing up for freebies. You can do this through AOL, Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail. Note that this address will need to be cleaned out from time to time to eliminate junk mail. You will also know about exclusive offers by reading the email that is sent to you by your favorite companies and freebie sites.
2. Visit websites that offer nothing but free samples and money saving offers. A few of my favorite include Your Daily Freebies (http://www.freesamplesite.com) and Absurdly Cool Freebie Finder (http://www.absurdlycool.com). Walmart.com (http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples.aspx) is also another great resource for free samples of shampoo, contact lens solution, and snack foods.
3. Watch Facebook like a hawk. Your favorite companies offer all sorts of giveaways online. Simply “Like” their page and gain access to special offers and free samples. I have received coupons for free haircare products, a NetiPot, and even t-shirts by filling out forms with my information on Facebook. There’s one word to describe a mailbox full of freebies—awesome!
4. Pair up your coupons with store deals. The key to successfully using coupons is pairing them up with advertised sales. For example, your favorite grocer is running a special on deodorant and it is on sale for $1. You have a couple of coupons for .50 cents off. The grocer doubles your coupon to a $1 and voila, your deodorant is free. That’s why it pays to study your weekly circulars.
5. Be willing to write a review. If you have a blog, chances are companies will send products to you free of charge in exchange for a review. This is a great way to build a relationship with companies of all sizes. I have reviewed everything from books to movies to eco-friendly products and musical instruments.

You don’t have to spend hours upon hours scouring the internet to get the best free stuff around. Just follow the suggestions that I have listed here and prepare to have your inbox and mailbox flooded with freebies. Have your own suggestions? Please share them below!

How about trying one of these fun and free ideas on for size.  You don’t need to open your wallet to take part in one of these five awe-inspiring classes, workshops or projects. And even better, you’ll more than likely be trying something new and may even meet new friends.

1. Art House Co-op’s The Pockets Project

Visit Art House Co-op to sign the pledge.  Find sealable bags to put your specimens in.  (These bags should be no larger than 1 gallon.)  Empty your pockets or purse.  Place one item in each bag.  Label the bags according to the different categories that each item falls under (this info is found on the site) with a Sharpie.  Mail the sealed bags to the collection.  The address is:

Brooklyn Art Library
c/o Pockets Project
201 Richards St #16
Brooklyn, NY 11231

The items collected will be turned into a large art installation and displayed for others to see.

2. ABC Creativity’s Discover Your Creative Genius Online Course

Sign up for the Creative Adventure Email List and get access to the course materials.  Not only will you be able to get past your creative blocks, you’ll also learn how to harness that positive energy once your creative juices start flowing.

You can sign up for this free course on creativity by going to ABC Creativity.

3. Go Letterboxing and Find a World of Adventure

Letterboxing is a fun activity for the whole family.  Think of it as a modern day treasure hunt. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes containing a log book, a rubber stamp, and an ink pad in publicly-accessible places.  They then post clues to finding the box online. Once a box is found, individuals and groups stamp the log book with their own stamp and their log book with the stamp included in the letterbox.

There are about 20,000 letterboxes hidden in North America alone.  The most serious Letterboxers create their own stamps to use in the log books.  You can easily do this with an eraser.

Get started with letterboxing today.

4. Commit to Making Something Every Day for a Year

Need inspiration for your Do-It-Yourself projects?  Why not check out Noah Scalin’s blog and see how you can create 365 photos, works of arts, drawings or craft items in 2011.  There are some really great blog posts on the site featuring creative people from all over the world.  Imagine writing 365 short stories, taking 365 nature photographs or creating 365 rabbit inspired craft projects.

[Jeremy's note: This is something I've taken on in 2011 and have started a 365 photo project. To check it out or follow along please feel free to check out my project.]

5. Do a Card Drop and Inspire Someone Else

We all get our inspiration somewhere.  Why not help a stranger reunite themselves with that spark?  Head on over to Kind Over Matter and print out the awesome quotes.  Glue them to some card stock and leave them in place where others will find them.  If you want to be really creative, take a few pictures before you leave.  That’s what the members of this website do.