Welcome to Frugal Families

First, I want to welcome REDBOOK magazine readers to Frugal Families!  Thank you for taking the time to come and see how we can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars!  Jen Drake, who was one of the women featured in the article, "Living Well on Less" is a member of the Frugal Family forums.

 I was a member of those same forums long before I bought the site and my forum membership (THEN $20/year and NOW only $10/year) was THE BEST investment I ever made in my frugal journey.  I have saved thousands with all that I have learned from my frugal family.  Sharing your frugal journey with other like-minded members makes it more fun and much easier.  So please, consider joining the forums.  We'd love to have you!

I've found a few more great articles and added them to the site. 

• Fruit Pizza-A fun and tasty way to get more fruit into your kids.
• How to afford a big family-A mom of 9 shares tips that work for any family, big OR small.
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter!!!  Great frugal tips, helpful hints, new articles and information!  If you missed any previous newsletters, you can catch up here.
• The Frugal Environmentalist

Mother's Day is here.  Personally, as a mom, I can tell you that it's not how much is spent on me, but the feelings behind the thoughts.  It's also about the little things like someone getting up before me to turn on the coffee pot for me, just once a year.  It would be nice if the fellas drew a hot bath for me, put a few candles in the bathroom and let me bathe in peace for a whole hour.  It's not about the money they spend on me.  Really!  Here is a great article on making new Mother's Day traditions:

•   New Mother's Day Traditions
• Tribute to Magnificent Women
• Recipe for a Perfect Mother's Day

We don't want to forget Father's Day in June!  I know my husband would be happy if he could spend the entire day golfing.  Yes, it's not the most frugal sport but he enjoys it and to be honest, he doesn't get out nearly as much as he used to.  I also know that my husband would LOVE new handprint art and pictures of the boys for his office.  One of my favorite ideas is to print up "Happy Father's Day" on three separate pages (HAPPY on one page, FATHER'S on the second, etc) and have each boy hold one card and take a picture.  The picture marks the occasion with the printed cards AND dad can smile with the warm words each time he looks at the picture. 

 

If this is your first time here:

• Does your paycheck seem smaller, thanks to the rising costs of food, gas, heating, healthcare expenses and such?
• Do you dream of becoming a single-income household, in what appears to be a two-income society?
• Have you decided to get debt-free, but now you need to find a way to do it?
• Do you feel alone in your determination to lead a more frugal, simple life?

Whatever the reason you had for seeking out frugality on the web, you have come to the right place!!!

Frugal Families consists of two sections. Our public areas are chock full of helpful information to help you stretch your paycheck. The other area is the paid community or private forums. The forums are an invaluable source of knowledge and frugal support.

• Ask questions, GET answers!
• Take frugality to a whole new level in forums such as Beginning Frugality, Frugal Shopper, Energy Savings and Freebies and Good Deals.
• Learn about crafts, family fun and home schooling on a budget.
• Find support and friendship in our community with forums such as single parents, marriage and faith.

Mom22kids says, "Being a member has benefited not just me but all of my family. One way is that I don't have to work harder to make more money but to make the money we have, work harder for us. Staying home with my kids as long as possible was my goal and I was able to work part time and able to stay home during the day with them up until the present day because of what I learned on Frugal Families. I'm still able to learn things everyday by being on this site . A few things were to:1.) To check out mortgage companies for the best rate. 2.) Saving $50 by calling the telephone and cable company to rework your plans with them. I would have never known that I could do either of those if I didn't belong to this site! I learn something new every day and have saved thousands by subscribing to Frugal Families."

Bunnytracks says, "The best thing about being a part of Frugal Families is being part of a family. Everyone is so helpful. If they don't know the answer they help you figure it out. They circle you with love and support when the going gets tough and help you get back on the wagon if you fall. No matter how different we are, we all love and respect each other and remember our common ground is frugality. On a personal note it has encouraged me to cook more from scratch, stretch me grocery budget, do pantry meals. All the challenges that happen here help me grow to be more frugal and with a family of 6 that means a lot.