Keep Soap Away From the Water Stream

Using bars of soap is generally proven to be the more frugal option, as opposed to using more expensive body washes and other unnecessary items. Unfortunately, bars of soap are left out in the open, unlike the gel from a body wash. Certain shower set-ups have a designated ribbed area for soap to sit on when it is not in use by the person showering.

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Happy Earth Day!

Today Lowe's is having a nationwide campaign to hand out free trees in the spirit of Earth Day. Go grab a tree and plant it! You'll help the environment and add a touch to your yard, all while staying frugal!

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Buy Media Cables at a Reasonable Price

If you go into any major retailer such as BestBuy, Walmart, HHGregg, etc, you'll find that their sale of cables are ridiculously priced, whether you know it or not.

• If you are buying cables to transfer a digital signal, do not buy into the hype that gold plating or any "new" technology is going to improve the quality of the signal. Digital signal either makes it to the source or it doesn't. There is no in between, and certainly no degradation of quality. But companies such as Monster Cables will lead you to believe otherwise. You should not be paying hundreds of dollars for wires. Simply put, any additional additions to the wire such as gold plating and other things for a digital signal does nothing but drive up the price. A wire hanger could even be used to send a signal that sounds the same as high priced item.
  
  
• The biggest area of marking up prices is in the area of HDMI cables. Many people are unfamiliar with them in that they know that they need them, but do not know their purpose or relative price. Retailers know this and charge ludicrous prices, because they know the uneducated will pay these prices.
  
  
• Tip: If you see a cable and are completely outraged at the price, you are probably correct in that.
  HDMI wires should not cost 80-160 dollars for near 6-10 feet of wire. I've seen HH Gregg selling a 10 feet HDMI wire for $150. I have never returned.
  
  
• Use the website MonoPrice to buy your cables. They are reliable and sell cables, wires, etc, at prices you should be paying, rather than the retailers disgustingly overpriced wires.

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9 Expensive and Un-frugal Habits to Quit

Nearly all humans look for patterns and consistency in everyday life. When we grab onto these patterns and repeat them, it then becomes a habit. Habits often have a negative connotation of being bad, however we certainly do have positive habits in our daily life. We make it a habit to have good hygiene, right? Or eating well? Exercising? These are positive habits that reinforce a positive and healthy life. However, there are also exists a realm of negative habits. Habits that can not only have negative effects on your body and mind but also your wallet. If you have the following habits, trying and make an attempt to break such un-frugal behavior.

1. Smoking - While one should realize the main benefit of quitting smoking is for increased health benefits, the second most important factor in quitting smoking is the price. The average smoker will spend thousands of dollars on packs or cartons of cigarettes alone in a single year.  This can be much higher for those who smoke more frequently. This is only the cost upfront, however. Other costs include higher insurance rates since you are a riskier client, higher health bills from smoking causing a deterioration of physical and mental health, lowered re-sale value of property and physical assets due to smoke smell, as well as the discoloration and degradation of teeth, which can account for higher bills as well. This list is by no means exhaustive of the costly effects of smoking. Quit now, save now...and later.

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10 Quick and Immediate Tips to Save on Energy Bills

Energy is a very basic and important part of life, yet the way we receive and use certain sort of energy can be costly. There are a few tips and tricks that you can start doing immediately to save on energy bills with little to no cost.

1. Water Heater  - Turn the temperature down on your water heater if possible to around 125 but no lower. Our readers have pointed out that At temperatures below that, it is possible for Legionaire's Disease to grow within water heaters. To prevent that do lower your water heater, just not past 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Freezer/Fridge - Change the thermostat on the freezer and fridge if possible. Set the temperature to the lowest number possible while still keeping the food's integrity. 
3. Thermostat -Winter: Lower the thermostat while out of the house and sleeping. Having it higher is simply wasting energy. This especially helps if you have a programmable thermostat to automatically change temperatures a specific times. Summer: Utilize fans to circulate cooler air around the room. If you must use an air conditioner, keep the thermostat around 75. Any lower is unnecessary.

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25 Frugal Activities to Do With Little or No Money

Whether you're trying to save money, or you simply don't have much to spend in the first place, there's much to do in the way of fun and frugal activities. Keeping busy doesn't have to be expensive! Whether you are out with your family, friends, or significant other, we can all benefit from having fun while saving money. It is often the most simplest activities that become the most fun.

1.  Located near a college or university? Check out local listings for any upcoming free events. University campuses aren't only for enrolled students and offer many to do for those in the community, especially for a minimal or free cost. 
2. Stargaze - Stargazing is an incredible experience no matter what your age. Brush up on your knowledge of the stars and point out constellations and other interstellar beings. Who knows, maybe you can impress someone while you're at it. Try relaxing with some appropriate music while staring at the sky, it can really enhance your experience 

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Use Less Laundry Detergent

Washing our clothes is often a careful and delicate process. We like our bodies clean just as we like our clothes clean. The majority of those who wash their clothes with a detergent often follow the guidelines printed on the container. Unfortunately for you, the consumer, the manufacturer wants to make money. They are in business to do just that. Considering this fact, manufacturers will often exaggerate the amount of detergent is needed per load of laundry. We are often led to believe that if we fully fill the container's cap with detergent, we are adding an optimum level of detergent. However, often this isn't true and the amount needed to properly clean is much less. Experiment with different levels however about 1/3 to 1/2 of a cap should suffice often load of laundry, often even less than that. You can double the amount of available detergent for use and in that, save money.

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11 Ways To Immediately Start Being Frugal

Changing your lifestyle to becoming frugal can be confusing at first. Many people are confused as to where to even begin. You can begin at trying these 11 quick tips for becoming and being frugal.

1. Cut Wasted Electricity

 - Take a stroll through your home and begin unplugging everything that is not currently in use that does not need to be currently plugged in. Unplug printers, TV's, TV boxes, lamps, stereos, etc. The use of a surge strip could save time in unplugging things when not in use.

- Turn off lights when not in use and settle for a small lamp for lighting rather than a large fixture. Try lighting candles for relaxation. No electricity is used on candles! 

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