The Frugal Free Gal

Frugal Living, Money Saving Tips, Freebies, and More!

  • Budget Barbequing: How to Save Money When Grilling this Summer

    Budget barbequing

    If you’re like most Americans, you’ll be firing up the grill this week to celebrate the Fourth of July in true patriotic fashion. And why not? A little backyard barbeque is not only delicious, it can also be rather economical … especially if you follow these six tips.

    Spend a Little Extra on a Grill – How will spending more money on a grill help you save money? It’s simple. If you have a nice grill, you’ll be more likely to use it. And if you’re more likely to use your grill, you’re less likely to go out to eat (which can cost a lot more than grilling at home). You don’t have to buy a top-of-the-line grill, but don’t be afraid to spend $300-$400 to get a grill that gets the job done and won’t break down after six months of use.

    Don’t Go Overboard on Accessories – Now that you’ve got yourself a nice grill, you might be tempted to run out and spend $150 on a fancy 12-piece set of grilling accessories. Don’t do that! All you really need are a simple set of tongs and a spatula. Maybe a grilling fork, too. But guess what? If you’ve got all three of those things in your kitchen already, you don’t need to buy more just for your grill.

    Protect Your Grilling Investment – A nice grill will last seven to 10 years, but only if you take good care of it. That includes regular cleaning and keeping it covered and out of the weather when not in use.

    Don’t Go Overboard on Meat – You don’t need a bunch of fancy accessories and you also don’t need a bunch of fancy meat. For many backyard grillers, meat is the biggest part of any barbeque budget, but you can trim the fat by skipping the steak and fish and opting instead for staples like hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. If you really want steak, try some more affordable options. Even the cheaper cuts will taste great when cooked over an open flame.

    The Butcher is Your Friend – Want to save money on meat? Of course you do. The easiest way to do that is to talk with your grocery store butcher on a regular basis. He or she will tell you when certain meats might go on sale and be able to suggest cheaper options.

    Embrace Leftovers – Like any meal, making a little extra means more leftovers the next day. Sometimes that’s not cost effective, but barbeque leftovers taste great even three days later. Grilling extra is also a good idea because it allows you to get more from the fuel you’re burning (especially if you’ve got a charcoal grill). Check out deals on food storage containers.

  • Seven Free and Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

    summer activities

    Summer is right around the corner! How will your children spend their long summer days? While there is definitely a lot of value in unscheduled time running around outside in the backyard, you will want to have some fun activities to keep them occupied as well. Thankfully, fun doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are seven summer activities for kids that don’t cost much at all.

    1. Go to the Library

    Has it been a while since your kids have visited the library? If so, you might be surprised at just how many things they have. In addition to free books and movies, most libraries have a kids’ area with games, story time and even computers full of educational games. You can probably even find fun summer classes or programs.

    2. Have a Picnic at the Park

    You have to eat lunch anyways–why not make it fun? Grab a picnic blanket and head to the park with a picnic lunch. Bring some of your kids’ friends along too for double for the fun. Just be sure to grab a shady spot and bring plenty of drinks from home!

    3. Go Bowling

    If you are lucky enough to live in one of several select cities, your children can actually bowl free all summer long. You just have to buy shoes. (Tip: If you plan on going several times, just buy an extra pair of bowling shoes instead of paying each time.) Bowling is a great way to beat the heat and have some fun. Click here to see if Kids Bowl Free has a program in your area.

    4. Take in a Matinee Movie

    Alternately, you may be able to find movies for free or cheap, especially if you go in the afternoon when theaters are dead. You don’t have to live next to a dollar theatre either. Simply call your local movie theater and see if they offer any type of kids’ program or special discount. Many do.

    5. Visit the Animal Shelter or Pet Store

    Looking for a fun summer activity that also helps out your community? Why not visit the pets at the pet store or animal shelter? These poor penned up pups need lots of love, and if your kids love animals, they will love helping take care of them. Visit regularly and the workers might even allow your children to help with extra, fun responsibilities.

    6. Be a Tourist in Your Hometown

    Do you live in a city that has a rich heritage? If so, take an afternoon and learn more. Visit your local tourist center in your city to find out what little-known highlights your city has to offer and then spend the afternoon exploring them. This is a great way to make history really come to life!

    7. Tour a Museum

    Do you have any fun museums in your area? If so, call and see what kind of discounts or special programs they offer. Many kid-friendly museums have special exhibits, events or discount rates for kids. Your kids will love wandering around, you’ll love the educational value, and you’ll all love the air conditioning!

    This summer, don’t spend an arm and a leg to keep your children occupied all summer. Check out these seven free and cheap summer activities for kids to have a blast without paying a fortune.

    What do you and your children love to do in the summer? Do you have any additional inexpensive activities to add?

  • 3 Ways We Are Saving for Our Future

    I started blogging in 2008, and at first, it was just a hobby. I loved sharing money saving tips with others, and I also enjoyed using coupons to get deep discounts on everyday items to save money for my family.

    It wasn’t until 2014 when I gained the confidence to turn my blog into a business. At first, I was fearful. I wasn’t really sure how to go about turning my blogs into a business, but I took the first steps necessary to make it a reality. BSC Media, LLC was formed and my business is very successful today! My confidence in starting my own business has spilled over into other areas of my life, especially with our finances. A few years ago, my husband and I didn’t even give our finances much thought, time, or attention, but that has all changed. It needed to.

    Eight months ago, my husband and I worked together to come up with our very first budget. We had never budgeted before. Even though we carry no consumer debt, we still have one big debt to pay off – a rental home in North Carolina. Additionally, we have three children, and our financial future and our children’s financial future is important to us.  We have put several steps in place to save big over the next few years!

    3 Ways We Are Saving for Our Future

    1. Budget, budget, budget.

    Without a budget, we can easily lose track of where our money is going.  At first we just started tracking our spending, and then we realized that we could be spending money more wisely.  A budget allows us to plan for events that we know are on the horizon.  Car care is just one example.  We recently made a cross country trip to visit relatives.  Before we left in our minivan, my husband made an appointment at our local repair shop for new tires, brakes, and alignment.  We knew that this would be a big expense, so we saved appropriately and we weren’t surprised when we had to pay a large bill.

    2. Investing.

    We contribute about 15% of my husband’s paycheck toward investing for the future. We are contributing to our Roth IRA’s and our kid’s college accounts.  As I mentioned earlier, we had to save for vehicle repair for a few months, but that is short term saving and budgeting.  It’s necessary to keep both eyes on the near term and long term goals.  Investing for the retired you and your kid’s college is not something that should be a surprise when the time arrives.  The good news is that consistency with investing really is quality investing! Sometimes, we are able to contribute more in some months versus others.  However, we make sure that we do contribute some toward these accounts each month.

    3. Paying off our only debt.

    100% of my earnings are going towards paying off our rental home in North Carolina. We also dip into some of my husband’s income to help pay down the mortgage quicker.  Our goal is to pay the house off and use the passive income for more savings. Eventually, the rental home will pay for our forever home after my husband retires from the military. With a plan in place, we feel like we will be able to meet our financial goals in 2-3 years. Then, we will be able to reassess our financial situation and come up with new goals once our final debt is paid off.

    With these three tips above, you can save a lot of money!

    What kinds of tips do you have for saving money for your future?

  • How to Get FREEBIES in Your Mailbox + Photos: My February Mailbox Freebies

    Here are the mailbox freebies that I received during February! It was a great month for freebies. Simply click each link to see if the freebies are still available. Keep reading below to find out how YOU can receive freebies in your mailbox each month! You’ll find out why I request free samples and what I do with my samples as well. Follow along daily to request freebies.

    1. Kand Red Nail Polish

    2. Persil Pro Clean

    3. Southern Marsh Stickers

    4. Emergen-C Drink Mixes

    5. NikWax Cotton Proof

    6. eb5 Vitamin C Serum

    1. Reassure Pads and Cleansing Cloth

    2. U by Kotex Pads and Liners

    3. Astroglide Gel

    1. Women’s Health Magazine

    2. Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

    3. Focus on the Family Magazine

    4. Amazing Me Book

    5. Revolution in World Missions Book

    1. DeLallo 2017 Calendar

    2. Williamsburg 2017 Calendar

    Check out my mailbox freebies from the past! You’ll be amazed at all of the things you can sign up for!

    Why free samples?

    Who doesn’t love freebies, right? I started this website in 2008. One of the many reasons I started this website was because I loved freebies. I loved receiving FREE stuff in the mail! On a daily basis, I could find several free samples on the web that were available for anyone to sign up for if they wanted to try them out! First, I’m a BIG fan of trying new products. In fact, I have received several samples in the mail and instantly became a fan, still purchasing those items today. Great marketing and advertising, right? Send something FREE to someone and they *just* might become a fan!

    It’s FUN to receive FREE stuff in my mailbox!

    Trying products isn’t the only reason I love freebies. Receiving items in the mail packaged in envelopes and boxes is fun. Let’s face it. Checking the mail can be BORING. Many times you’ll find stacks of bills and junk mail, but when you open your mailbox and receive a FREEBIE, that’s fun. After 8 years of signing up for and receiving freebies (the same ones we post here on thefrugalfreegal.com), I’ve started to save them up each month in a pile/stack and then I allow my girls to open them up. They love it! It’s like Christmas to them. Then, I’m able to take a picture of all of the freebies I’ve received and share them with you here. Keep in mind that everything you see pictured are items that YOU can sign up for, too. All you have to do is follow my website daily and watch for new free sample posts!

    What do I do with my free samples?

    I place most of my free samples in a small box designated for freebies. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed the samples sent to me. For example, if I run out of toothpaste or even things like shampoo and conditioner, I know I can go to my freebie box and find freebies stashed in there. One time I ran out of k-cups and was desperate for my morning coffee, so I went to my sample box and sure enough, I had a k-cup or two in there. And, once, my cat Candie ran out of food (my fault). I even had packages of cat food stored away and running out wasn’t a huge issue.

    Freebies are GREAT for traveling.

    Whenever we travel, I head to my sample box and pack up all of the things that would come in handy for a trip. These things usually include the travel size toothpastes, samples of shampoo and conditioner (my hair is REALLY thick and I usually need way more shampoo and conditioner than what the hotels give), packages of facial moisturizer so that I don’t have to carry my ginormous container of moisturizer, lotions, etc. Many of the free samples I receive are the PERFECT travel size.

    Freebies are GREAT for storing in your purse, gym bag, or diaper bag.

    As mentioned above, you can store a lot of the free samples you receive in your purse, gym bag, or diaper bag. I usually stash the free wipes, floss, lotions, etc. in my purse or diaper bag.

    Freebies are GREAT for care packages!

    Create a care package with freebies and give it to someone in need. This can be someone at the hospital, military, college student, etc. Share any freebies that you don’t need with friends and family that can get use out of them.

    Freebies can help you SAVE MONEY!

    Over time, your free sample stash can help you save a lot of money, especially if you keep a stash of items that you usually use on a regular basis. Plus, most of the freebies come with high value coupons, so if you end up needing that item in the future, you can save money on it by using the coupon.

    What kinds of freebies are out there?

    There’s a HUGE variety of different freebies that you can sign up for. You can sign up for freebies such as food, coffee, beverages, pet food, baby stuff, lotions, shampoo and conditioner, feminine products, moisturizer, calendars, k-cups, toothpaste, etc. We find so many different freebies available to sign up for.

    How many samples are posted daily?

    We try to post at least one freebie a day, but we try to post as many as we can find. There are many times when there just aren’t many available to post for you. But, when we do find freebies, we try to post them right away so that you can request them. Quantities are very limited with some free samples and you have to act fast at times.

    Will I receive the freebies? How long do they take to arrive? 

    MOST of the freebies do arrive and that’s why I post pictures of them for you to see. There are some freebies that do not arrive. This could mean that the company ran out of product, information was incorrect when submitting the request, etc. When you submit your requests, the company usually gives you an idea on how long to wait to expect to receive product. Some freebies are shipped within a week and some freebies take anywhere from 4-6 weeks or longer.

    How can YOU start receiving freebies, too?!

    Great question! Here’s how you can start receiving freebies.

    1. Visit my website daily to find freebie posts. Simply follow the instructions in each post to claim your freebies. I do not personally send the freebies! The company advertised in each post sends the freebies. If you give me your address to send free samples, you *may* receive a Christmas card from me (lol), but I do NOT send the samples. I could create an entire address book full of addresses that readers leave for me. 😉

    2. Follow me via social media to get updates when freebies are posted:

    • Subscribe via Email – the most popular way to receive freebie notifications daily
    • Facebook – FB doesn’t always show posts to readers, so make sure you check to receive notifications. Engage with posts to see more.
    • Twitter
    • Google +

  • Saving Money on Clothes – 5 Tips to Maximize Your Money

    saving money on clothes

    Saving money on clothing is a big deal. It’s not like clothes are something we can go without – at least not without getting arrested. With that in mind, we have to figure out how we can make saving money on clothes something that is attainable without making us LOOK like we’re trying to save money on clothes.

    Saving Money on Clothes is Totally Doable

    It’s not that difficult to be beautiful on a budget for you and your family. Of course, any time you implement a budget you’ll have to make sacrifices, but those sacrifices don’t have to be monumental changes that totally strip you of your style.

    Related: How to Create a Budget that Really Works

    Lose the Name Brands

    Everyone wants the “swoosh” or the “fox” or some other name brand logo. The thing to remember is that you do not need them. You can be just as stylish in a trendy look put together at Old Navy as you can in the same look put together at some store that sells shirts for 3 times as much because they have an embroidered logo on them.

    Shop for Sales

    Like all stores, clothing stores have sales. Watch for those sales, and swoop in when there’s  a really good one. A good sale on clothes can save you an obscene amount of money when the store is trying to clear out seasonal inventory.

    Use Those Gift Cards

    If you have gift cards, stockpile them for the sales I just mentioned. You can stretch those little plastic wonders so far when you hit on a really good sale.

    Use a Store Credit Card

    This is a great options for saving money on clothes if you have a large family. Using a store’s credit card can help you earn points towards future purchases at that store. For example, with an Old Navy card, every purchase – not just at their store – nets you points for use at Old Navy stores or online. When you combine those points with sales, you can save tons and tons of money.

    The Thrift Shop

    It’s not just a Mackelmore song folks. You can find some unique, funk-tacular pieces at your local thrift shop, and you can find them for dirt cheap. If you already like the eclectic look, the thrift shop is ground zero for saving money on clothing. Because sometimes, you really do look incredible when you wear your grandpa’s clothes. 😉

    Saving Money on Clothes Doesn’t Mean Sacrificing Style

    You don’t have to look like you haven’t been in style since the late 90s when you’re on a saving money mission. Looking for deals and saving money on clothing are not synonymous with being out of style. All you need to do is make smart decisions and wait for your moment. And if you’re already into that eclectic look, hit the thrift shop. Hey, you never know what you’ll find!

    Related: 100+ Ways to Save Money

    Do you have any tips on saving money on clothes?

  • Mailbox Freebies: How to Get Freebies in Your Mailbox!

    freebies

    Do you want freebies like k-cups, mouthwash, feminine products, body wash, cat food, coupons for FREE products and much more to arrive in your own mailbox at home?

    How about FREE Kindle Books to download?

    First, you’ll want to check out:

    Next, follow me via email and social media to get updates when freebies are posted:

    How to Get Mailbox Freebies:

    FREEBIES from the Past: 

    Check out my mailbox freebies from the past I paid $0.00 for everything you see pictured. I simply signed up for the freebies as we posted them here and most of them did arrive!

    mailbox freebies