2010 and Frugal Is In!... Posted by karin on Jan 4th, 2010.

It's 2010 and Frugal Is In!!!!

Yup, that's our motto for the new year. It just means that we are all going to do our best to be frugal in anyway possible!

Need to find a way to save on your grocery bill? How the heck can you reduce your utility bill? Can I really save at the gas pump? Okay, I have a freezer full of vegetables, what do I do with them? Heck, I do not want throw out those itty bit scraps of fabric that I have been saving for ages, so what do I do with them? Can I really save $$$ by growing my own stuff?

More importantly, can I do all of this and still have fun? Yes you can!!! Granted we all have a lapse in our trek down the frugal road but that's what makes us so much fun, we support each other no matter what! Believe me, it's not any easy road and we all need a pat on the back or a big shoulder occasionally. That's what we are here for...frugality but fun while we're trying to achieve it!

If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/joinusand sign up today.You can even ask us questions at our Guest House

Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

What's Happening at FFF!... Posted by karin on Dec 22nd, 2009.

Happy Holidays to all!

Everyone has been so busy trying to get ready for the holiday season, myself included, which is the reason I have been so lax in getting an update out. I promise, my one resolution for the new year is to do a better job keeping the What's Happening At Frugal Friends up to date! Of course, that is a resolution and we sometimes break them so no wet noodles beating me up if I fail! lol

I asked some of our members to give me their thoughts on what to write this month and here are some of the result...

The Fractured Frugal Friends forum is bustling with activity to prepare for the holiday season and year end. Tis the season to be scouring the stores, thrift shops and your own gift closet for frugal gift ideas this holiday season, but it's also the time to be considering what last minute steps you can take to save on your taxes next year. We're also sharing recipes for Christmas goodies and continuing our efforts to simplify our lives. You'll find ideas galore for frugally creating the best possible life for you and your family!

Ring in the new year with us, as we continue work together to wring more out of our money! Our forums are full of resourceful, friendly folks who love to exchange ideas and encourage each other in our frugal journeys.

Looking for a group who share your ideas of saving money? Or a group who will congratulate you when your electric bill is lower this month than last month? Well, you have found that group! Here you will find a great family of people who is ready to congratulate you, urge you on and be that friend for you when needed!

Is your heating bill out of sight? We've got an entire forum dedicated to lowering your utility bills. Come and browse through the hundreds of posts for ideas. You're bound to find some great tips that will help you reduce your costs this winter.

My favorite spot is the Golden Needles & Silver Threads where all of us sewers get to talk about what we are sewing and share patterns. I love seeing the pictures of what everyone else is making. It's not stealing if the pattern is given to you by a friend.

We learned that this is the best time of the year to search through those seed catalogs. You are stuck inside during the winter months, so why not make the best of it and search for some new veggies to try this spring! We've got plenty of tried and true examples that our members have posted.

As you can see, we talk about a bunch of different subjects but they all come back to the same thing...saving money, time and energy! And, of course, living in a frugal way!

If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/joinus and sign up today.You can even ask us questions at our Guest House


Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

What's Happening at FFF!... Posted by karin on Sep 25th, 2009.

Summer is history and Fall is here! Did you have a garden this year? If you did, maybe you're trying to figure out what to do with the last of the harvest. Should you freeze those fruits and veggies or would canning be a better alternative? Our members share hints, tips and ideas so that you can get the most out of your garden. Just think how wonderful it will be when there is snow on the ground and you're enjoying your gardens green beans, corn or tomatoes! Yummmmm, it doesn't get any better than that.

Fall also means that the kids are back in school. Need some tips on how to pack a nourishing lunch that will keep some $$$ in your pocket? We're full of ideas! Heck, even big folks can enjoy some of their own packed lunches. It sure beats spending money each day when you get your lunch break at work!

With Winter heading our way we need to think about ways to help cut our heating bills. You can always put plastic on your windows, use drafter dodgers at the base of your doors but why not try something colorful, bright and snuggly to keep you warm. We're sharing our quilt ideas and we're even having a quilt block swap!

In case you haven't noticed, the stores seem to put holiday stuff out earlier and earlier each year. Christmas items are already in the stores!!! I guess that means we need to start thinking about those homemade holiday gift ideas. Our members beat the stores! They've been sharing ways to enjoy the holiday season for weeks and I can't believe the wonderful ideas for easy gifts that anyone would be thrilled to receive.

We're a fun and frugal bunch who enjoy sharing with each other. If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/joinusand sign up today.You can even ask us questions at our Guest HouseAA

Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

What's Happening at FFF!... Posted by karin on Jun 15th, 2009.

I have been so bad about updating our What's Going On At FFF page and I am so sorry. Real life has been hectic and I'm sure most of you can relate to that! Actually it's kinda scary! EEK! But with help from my friends at FFF I manage to survive...that's what family is all about! :)

For instance, I started selling at a new farmers market this year and volunteered to do a blog for them. I needed some help with recipes using blueberries and our members came to my rescue! Also learned some new ways to prepare the abundance of asparagus that we had. That, along with the fact that sugar snap peas freeze beautifully. Almost (not quite) makes me wish for winter so I can enjoy the goodies in my freezer!

Our members are all talking about the dreaded question every mom has once school ends! What the heck do we do to entertain the kids during the summer and still stay within our budget? I couldn't believe the hints and tips, almost made me want to be young again! And, how about those that had children (young adults) that graduated this year..how the heck do you afford to send them to college? Our members have shared resources for scholarships and other means of funding their education.

Anyone have any knowledge of how the heck to convert a church into a home? We have a member who is seriously considering buying a church and doing just that. It's been so much fun keeping up with the news and updates. I'm sure they (her hubby is a member too) would love some input.

I'm off to work in my garden, another love of many of our members, so stayed tuned for more updates after I wash the dirt off of my hands! :) If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/joinusand sign up today.You can even ask us questions at our Guest HouseAA







Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

Double Post (Sorry!)... Posted by karin on Jun 15th, 2009.

I have been so bad about updating our �What's Going On At FFF� page and I am so sorry. Real life has been hectic and I'm sure most of you can relate to that! Actually it's kinda scary! EEK! But with help from my friends at FFF I manage to survive...that's what �family� is all about! :)

For instance, I started selling at a new farmers market this year and volunteered to do a blog for them. I needed some help with recipes using blueberries and our members came to my rescue! Also learned some new ways to prepare the abundance of asparagus that we had. That, along with the sugar snap peas freeze beautifully. Almost (not quite) makes me wish for winter so I can enjoy the goodies in my freezer!

Our members are all talking about the dreaded question every mom has once school ends! What the heck do we do to entertain the kids during the summer and still stay within our budget? I couldn't believe the hints and tips, almost made me want to be young again! And, how about those that had children (young adults) that graduated this year..how the heck do you afford to send them to college? Our members has shared resources for scholarships and other means of funding their education.

Anyone have any knowledge of how the heck to convert a church into a home? We have a member who is seriously considering buying a church and doing just that. It's been so much fun keeping up with the news and updates. I'm sure they (her hubby is a member too) would love some input.

I'm off to work in my garden, another love of many of our members, so stayed tuned for more updates after I wash the dirt off of my hands! :) If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/joinusand sign up today.You can even ask us questions at our Guest HouseAA







Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!