by Karen Wilmot

Created on: March 13, 2011

Here are some frugal tips that are definitely worth adopting.  They won't make you a million but they will put a few dollars back in your pocket.

1. Use power strips

Have you ever heard of ghost electricity. When you turn on your television it comes on immediately. For this previlidge you pay for the electricity. It means that your electronics are constantly being powered even when they are powered off. When you utilize power strips for your electronics you eliminate a lot of the ghost electricity coming into your house. You plug in various electronic items to one strip then power the strip off when not in use. You are only having electricity powering the strip instead of multiple electronic units. I have to admit when I first heard this I thought "Right? There is no way this works." I am a convert. I have my media room on a strip and it has contributed to savings on my electric bill.

2. Use Atomic clocks

There are a few bonuses to using atomic clocks. One they run off batteries so they save you electricity but they also change themselves. Now many of you say, but batteries are expensive. So far the batteries on my atomic clocks are going into their third year of keeping time. So I would say that they may be a little more that first month but they last for ever. Just last year we switched to the atomic alarm clock so there aren't any electric clocks in our house any where. These also contribute to reducing our electric bill.

3. Coupons

Yes, I said the "c" word; coupons. Most people use the defense of "I don't get the newspaper to get the ads." Well you don't have to anymore. There are some great sites that you can visit weekly to get the most recent coupons. Try http://www.coupons.com and http://www.grocerycouponcart.com to get your coupons. You can chose what you will use and they have a wide variety of coupons. Just last month I printed off a coupon for up to sixty percent off prescription drugs. I have never seen a coupon like that in the Sunday paper. I'm a converted fan of coupons and their value. Word to the wise, print in gray scale to keep printing costs to a minimum.

4. Use your local library

Your local library is a free government service that is paid with your tax dollars. Did you know that most library's have DVD's and CD's that they lend you to enjoy? Yes, they have old DVD's but they also have plenty of new ones. If you have a little patience, you can eliminate paying for at home entertainment. Books, DVD's and CD's all for free at your local library all with online reservations and renewals. The most underused government agency is your local library. Be a trend setter and hit your library to save some entertainment dollars.

If you adopt these four small ways of living, you can reduce your impact on the global environment, your wallet and help marketing professionals keep their jobs. They are easy baby steps towards that set you on the path to ultimate frugality. Join me on this journey. You won't be sad about it!

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