My Frugal Life - Tips from a Single Mom

I am a single mother of three and a teacher at Head Start. We don't make much money (think fast food restaurants) and we get laid off for the summer so I must live frugally throughout the year. I haven't bought clothes at full price in two years. When I did, it was because I had an income tax refund. I receive clothing from friends and family and I "shop" at a free church in town. No one even imagines that I get my wardrobe for free!

I had a baby four months ago and while I was pregnant, I took classes at a pregnancy intervention center. They gave me mommy money in exchange for a class about parenting one hour each week. With the money, I bought a baby bouncy seat, clothes, a baby gate, maternity clothes, nursing clothes, bottles, and much more. When I finished the program, they gave me a brand new bassinet.

I only buy baby products at Kroger because I get "points" for each dollar I spend on baby items. I use my WIC (Women, Infants and Children - http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/) there and get points for that. Kroger brand items count double so I buy them as often as possible. Also, with coupons, I can buy some name brand items cheaper than the generic.

I receive food stamps and try to be as frugal as possible with them. I shop at Kroger for my regular groceries and Winn-Dixie for my meat because they always have meat buy 1 get 1 free. I also buy food from Angel Food Ministries. I can get a weeks worth of groceries for a family of four for $25. Visit http://www.angelfoodministries.com for more info.

I have a $20/month telephone and I am accidentally paying AOL for internet (I forgot to cancel my free trial in time). We NEVER rent movies. For the price of rentals, I buy DVDs at WalMart and secondhand stores. I bought some great kids movies at Wal Mart for $1 each. For entertainment, we go to the library, park, a track near our hospital has Canada Geese around all the time so we go there to feed the geese. I also look for free events in our town.

I always look for something free with items I buy. I once got a free Dragon Tales DVD with a box of training pants, WIC honors BOGO, so I can get 2 lb. of cheese if it's on sale BOGO, I buy the WIC cereal with free toys inside for the kids. I check out any sale bin, etc., that I pass.

I only live frugally enough that I don't owe any bills to anyone. I never want to be without electricity or a home. I do want my kids to look nice and clean and we always dress as nice as possible. We always have food around and I try to help others as much as they help me. I have recently found even more ways to save money through bartering with other moms, freecycle, and paperback swapping. I hope to have fun with these new "techniques". I love to save money, it gives me a high, LOL.

Scruggle from Dublin, GA

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