​What can you buy for a dollar these days? It turns out, plenty of things that are sometimes better (and of course cheaper) than at the big box discount stores! One can save a lot of money without compromising quality. I've organized a couple of parties with items purchased mostly at dollar stores!

Visit your neighborhood dollar stores ... such as Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, 99cent Only, Dollar General, Dollar King, etc.. to find great dollar values!

Here are my Top 10 Frugal Finds at various Dollar stores:

1. Stationery Supplies - notebooks, envelopes, pens, glue, tape.
2. Kitchen - utensils, sponges, sandwich bags, trash bags, foil, seasonings.
3. Cards - greeting cards for every occasion and holiday.
4. Snacks - chocolate bars, candy, cookies, chips.
5. Party Supplies - balloons, gift bags, paper cups, paper plates, decorations.
6. Cleaning Supplies - glass cleaner, cleanser, sponges, mops, brooms.
7. Personal Care - toothbrushes, cotton balls, hair accessories, facial tissues.
8. Storage - great assortment of baskets, bins, containers, boxes.
9. Household Items - batteries, trash bags, glassware, mugs.
10. Kids Stuff - toys, coloring books, seasonal costumes, crafts.

     

      

     

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! What are you doing this long Labor Day weekend? This weekend is the unofficial end of summer (boo!). However, it's a great time to get some shopping done or book some last minute travel plans.

If you have been thinking about buying some new clothing, electronics, or back-to-school items - there are some great Labor Day deals and discounts to take advantage of. 

Here are 10 of my favorite deals from SavvySugar.com.

1. Target: Up to 60 percent off Summer clearance. Save up to 20 percent on select clothing and up to 20 percent when you spend $150 on select furniture.

2. Old Navy: Save 25 percent on online order with code ONTAKE25. Ends Aug. 28. 

3. Macy's: 20 percent off with free shipping on a $99 purchase using the code LUCKYU. 

4. Pier 1: Big savings, including 25 percent off outdoor pillows and cushions, discounts on outdoor furniture, 20 percent off drink dispensers, and 20 percent off lanterns. 

5. Lowe's: Discounts include 10 percent off major appliances, 20 percent off grills, and more. 

6. Best Buy: Save up to 30 percent on major appliances, save $50 on iPhone 4S and 5, and other discounts on TVs and other electronics. 

7. Travelocity: 50 percent off select hotels. Save an extra 10 percent using the promo code 10SUMMER. 

8. Southwest: One-way flights as low as $69. Book by Aug. 29.

9. Virgin America: Great affordable flights from $79 each way.

10. Hotels.com: Extra 12 percent off for 12 days only with the code 12FOR12. Offer ends Sept. 1. 

Happy Frugal Friday! Can you believe it's time for kids to go back to school? Some might already be back in school in some areas.

Whether it's back to school or back to campus (for college kids) you can save a bundle by getting essential stuff at your neighborhood dollar stores ... such as Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, 99cent Only, Dollar General, Dollar King, etc..

Here's the top 10 checklist of back to school supplies you can buy for just $1.00 each at dollar stores!

Here's the top 5 categories of back to campus essentials you can find for just $1.00 each at dollar stores!

    

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! I want to share some money saving tips when it comes to staging a home to sell. When my boyfriend Jim and I bought a house to flip a few years back, I not only wanted to save money on "staging" or furnishing the tiny cottage, but I wanted to spend practically zero money! 

As we got closer to furnishing the house, I was telling Jim... wouldn't it be nice if I could "find" a couch, table, desk, etc.. to save money. Well, wouldn't you know it - the very next day, someone left a perfectly good couch and side table right outside on the curb! Can you believe how the universe was working in my favor!! 

Most of the furniture were generously donated from friends or "found treasures" curbside. They just had to be refinished or painted for a brand new look. You can view the before and after photos on facebook.

Here are my frugal tips on how I saved money (or spent no money at all) on this house flip:

    

Happy Frugal Friday! Today is officially the first day of summer. Summer is the best time to spend time outdoors, preferably doing enjoyable activities that cost next to nothing. Check out my previous post on Fun and Free Things To Do This Summer. 

Another way to spend a great summer day outdoors plus make some extra money is to have a yard sale! This accomplishes many things for me... I get to purge stuff I don't need or use any more, I get to work on my tan and I make some extra bucks! 

Our neighborhood in Adams Hill is having a huge garage sale Saturday, June 22. If you are in the area, come check our sale. 


Here are some tips and tricks for a fun and profitable yard sale.

Timing Is Everything - pick Saturdays and/or Sundays for your sale, most people do yard sale shopping on the weekends. Open early starting at 7:00 am or 8:00 am and be prepared for early bird shoppers.

Advertise For Free - don't spend a dime promoting your upcoming yard sale. I often post ads on Craigslist a 3 days before and the day before the sale. If possible, include photos of larger ticket items in your ad to entice shoppers to check out your sale. Spread the word about your sale on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. You can also post flyers on bulletin boards at neighborhood markets or coffee shops.

Have Refreshments - offer complementary drinks, such as water or lemonade in small cups. This is a nice treat for shoppers especially during the summer. 

Organize Your Stuff - instead of just tossing items in a big heaping pile, organize them by like items or category. Make it easy for shoppers to see every item you have for sale. Try to avoid making anyone have to dig through a pile of stuff.

Display Best Items In Front - you want to put your best stuff out near the street when you have "drive-bys" checking out whether it's worth their time to stop. Display items out front such as furniture and other attractive merchandise.

No Need To Price Everything - unless it's one of your big ticket item that your price is firm on, avoid pricing every little item. Your prices should be priced low or negotiable. Let shoppers know if they buy more, you'll give them a great deal.

Have Small Bills - make sure you have enough change and small bills, go to the bank ahead of time and get change for larger bills. Most shoppers have exact change, but there are some that only have larger bills.

Everything Must Go - if you truly want most every item to sell, at the end of the day you can let shoppers know that anything they can stuff in a bag is only $5 (or whatever amount you decide). If there are still items left over at the end of your successful yard sale, pack it all up and donate it to your local thrift store, the items you donate are tax deductible.

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! This past weekend I went to one of my favorite places for great vintage frugal finds - the vintage swap meet at the Glendale Community College. So I guess you could say I had a... Happy Swap Meet Sunday! This is one of the smaller swap meets in Southern California. It's not as big as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, you can shop all the dealers & vendors in a couple of hours! I found great deals on collectible cameras for my antique boutique.  My next shopping trip destination... Paris Flea Markets!!

Even if you are not on the hunt for vintage items and just want basic essential stuff for everyday living, you can find it at a swap meet or flea market.  Take your time and shop around, sometimes another vendor might sell something similar for a lower price. Don't be afraid to negotiate, most dealers would rather make a sale than have to bring the item back home with them.

Here are some basic items you can find at flea meets and swap markets in your local community:

ARTWORK - if you are looking for that one-of-a-kind unique framed print for whatever room in your house, you will most likely find it and for a bargain price!

BASKETS - I use baskets for everything, such as organizing, decorating as well as for gifts!  Baskets are so versatile and have so many uses. I even organize the items in my refrigerator with baskets.

CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES - you can get awesome deals on clothing, purses, shoes, sunglasses, etc... from vendors selling "previously worn" as well as new items. Often times you can negotiate down the total price if you are buying several items.

CHAIRS - if you are like me, I have chairs in every room of my house! It doesn't all have to match, in fact it's more interesting. Score great deals on chairs from vendors who sell mis-matched pairs. Chairs can also function as a spot for books, magazines, etc.. 

DISHES - some vendors sell an entire set of china while others sell dishes by the piece. Whatever your needs are, consider this option before shelling out a lot of money at department stores or home stores.

FURNITURE - I've found super great deals on furniture at flea markets and swap meets. I bought a 6-drawer tall boy dresser for only $25. It simply needed to be sanded and repainted white. Again, you can negotiate a lower but fair price with the vendor.

GIFTS - If you are looking for one-a-kind unique gifts, you will probably find something at the flea market. If the recipient is a collector, look for items he or she collects. Plus, buy a basket there to put the gift in.

JEWELRY - there are several jewelry dealers who sell at swap meets and flea markets on the weekends. You can find great costume jewelry even silver and gold pieces! 

   

Happy Frugal Friday! Although I've haven't been to Paris or anywhere in France yet, I love all things french!

For the past 5 years I've kept my eye out for frugal Parisian items for the home. I've also been researching quaint apartments to stay in when we finally do make it to Paris, which I hope is within the next couple of years.  I was considering an apartment in the Latin Quarter. I welcome suggestions and recommendations on which is the best, most centrally located arrondissement for the money. Please send me your recommendations here.

In the meantime, I satisfy my french dreams by surrounding myself with beautiful french inspirations. My best friend Jeanine treated me to a delicious birthday lunch at Paris in a Cup Tea Salon in old towne Orange. To top off our great afternoon tea sandwiches, we split a scrumptious petite chocolate truffle cake (see photo).

Below are a couple of areas in my home where I did french-inspired yet frugal display vignettes that j'aime! 

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Saving money requires some ingenuity and innovation. Shrewd spending habits take time to acquire, but they can be accomplished with practice. Believe it or not, some of the richest people have the strictest budgets. That is one of the ways they got to be rich. They learned self-discipline and how to cut corners.

Work on a Budget

The only way you will ever get ahead of the game is to know exactly how much money you really have to spend. Housing, utilities, taxes and other necessities are essentials for which you must plan. Go over your bills and see what you generally average on a monthly basis. See where you can cut back. The amount you spend on utilities can be lowered by shutting off lights, running efficient appliances and light bulbs. Installing high-efficiency windows, turning down the thermostat in the winter and winterizing your home will also save you money. Make a list of the areas where you can make these improvements. Keep track of what you are spending for your utilities and see where you can trim your expenses.

Figure out all of your expenses and make a weekly budget. Stick to the budget as closely as you can. Set a reasonable amount that is workable and don’t exceed it when you go out shopping. Whenever possible, use cash not credit. Monthly interest rates will eat up whatever you may have saved when you go on a shopping spree financed by a credit card.

There is a Difference Between Needs and Wants

Impulse spending is probably one of the biggest reasons people spend too much when they go to the store. Grocery shopping when you are hungry is also another big no-no. Set a food budget and look for the deals. Buy in bulk when you can and clip coupons. Don’t buy anything that you do not need. Stock up on the necessities you will use through the year. Buy them when they are on sale. Try to save 50% on sale items if you can. Anything at or above 50% is considered an excellent deal.

Look through your pantry and freezer to see what you absolutely need in your larder. See what clothes you have and what clothes need to be replaced. Look for coupons on clothing items. Make a list and don’t deviate from that. Shop for Christmas gifts ahead of time. Buy gifts right after Christmas for next year’s giving. You will be amazed at how much you will save.

Don’t Be Afraid of Thrift Stores

Some of the neatest clothes, accessories and other items can be found at a thrift store. Yes, these are usually used items. You would be amazed how many barely used clothes are donated to a thrift store like the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Sometimes, overstock items from local stores are donated. This merchandise is brand new and priced way below normal retail.

Shop the local garage sales. These are fun ways to get to know your neighbors while saving big bucks! If you have never done it, you will be amazed at the clothes, toys and collectibles you can find at a garage sale. These are virtual treasure troves, with prices that will make you salivate. Sometimes you even find antiques you can make money on by reselling them at a better price.

Coupons are a Saving Grace

Newspaper, magazine and Internet coupon clippings are the lifeblood of a frugal shopper. You will find a wealth of them in your local Sunday paper. Many times they are delivered in mailers by the postal service. If there is a product brand you like, check out the company website for the newest promotions and coupons. Look for websites that distribute printable coupons. Print them and take them with you. One good resource is CouponClaim.com. They offer coupons for groceries, clothing, jewelry, home improvement, electronics and even travel from major companies and retailers.

It will take time to play the discount game. With practice you will learn all the tricks of the trade and become a very wise and thrifty shopper. You will become an expert coupon clipper and amaze yourself on how much you really have saved. Good luck and happy shopping!

About The Writer:
Cynthia Waverly works as a writer for several online websites. She embraces a frugal lifestyle of sack lunches, recycled Tupperware, and daily coupon clippings. She enjoys saving money for her and her family.

I found some great frugal bargains in a recent Real Simple magazine issue that I would like to highlight. For more frugal tips and ideas, check out the Tips page.

RECYCLE REWARDS

• Staples: Go go apple.com/recycling to find out if your Mac or PC is worth anything. If it is, you’ll get that dollar amount applied toward an Apple gift card.
• MAC Cosmetics: Customers who return six used MAC product containers receive a free lipstick.
• Staples: Bring any used ink or toner cartridge to a store and receive $2 in Staples Rewards for a future purchase.

AAA MEMBERSHIP DEALS

• Best Western Hotels: Up to 20 percent off room rates
• Hard Rock Cafe: 10 percent off
• Lenscrafters and Pearle Vision: 30 percent off eye exams, eyewear, sunglasses and accessories.
• Hilton Worldwide hotels: At least 5 percent off room rates
• Hyatt Hotels: 10 percent off room rates
• Target.com: 10 percent off online purchases (via AAA.com)
• Starwood hotels: 5 to 15 percent off room rates
• El Torito restaurants: 10 percent off, up to 4 adult entrees

PAY LESS FOR COFFEE

• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Coffee in your personal mug costs just $1 – that’s 40% off regular price
• Peet’s Coffee & Tea: 10 cents off with a refillable cup
• Starbucks: Save 10 cents when you bring a mug. Bonus: Free refills with a Gold card.

STUDENT OR TEACHER ID PERKS

• Apple: Students, teachers and school administrators receive $50 to $450 off computers.
• Club Monaco: 20 percent off for college students and professors.
• J. Crew: 15 percent off for college students and professors.
• Topshop: 10 percent off with a valid high school or college ID