Ever get tired of those credit cards applications that say you have been pre-approved and all you have to do is reply promptly? Here's what to do. Take the credit card application, remove any identifying information, tear it in half, and mail it back in the postage paid envelope. You replied and the credit card company will be paying postage for nothing.

I heard this tip from Mary Hunt, financial advisor, when she was a guest on one of the talk shows. Visit her website for more money saving tips.

Here are my favorite money saving tips.

Home Office Tips For Saving Money:

• Envelopes are expensive to buy. So, I have learned to take used manila envelopes and take them apart by either using a knife or by running my finger down the seam.  Turn them inside out, and using clear postage tape, tape them back together.  You have a brand new envelope.  (I have been involved in several exchanges in which I have to mail other exchangers ornaments, quilt blocks, etc.  This really helps out.)
• Used manila folders:  Turn them inside out so you have a clean tab to write name for folder. 

Holiday Tips For Saving Money: 

• When Christmas is over I take the Christmas cards I received and use the inside part that has the greeting on it to make Christmas gift tags.  Fold it so that the greeting is on top.  Use a pencil to run over the edge to get a good, sharp edge.  Cut right at the bottom of the greeting through front and back. Now, you have Christmas gift tags ready for next year. (A friend of mine thought these would also make good place cards for a dinner party.  Place one for each guest at the dinner table.)

General Household Tips for Saving Money:

• Make a list as you run out of things and only go shopping when you have 5 items or more. Go in and purchase only those items you have on your list.

• Buy everything in bulk. I buy at least two of everything. Eddy will not go shopping with me when I buy toilet tissue. He's afraid someone will think we have a problem at our house. Doesn't everyone use toilet tissue??
• When your bar of soap gets down to a little "sliver", don't throw it away. Instead, get a new bar of soap, wet both the "sliver" of soap and the new bar of soap. Then, press the two together, set aside, and let dry. Next time you shower, the two bars of soap will be melted together as one.
• When the tube of toothpaste seems all used up, it's really not. If you will cut open the tube and run your toothbrush around the inside of the tube, you will get enough toothpaste to brush your teeth one more time, maybe two.
• Click here for a recipe for "Handy Wet Wipes".
• Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves or fourths.

CELL PHONES:

• ALL cell phones are now being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls -- YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.  To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone; 888-382-1222.  It is a National DO NOT CALL list.  It will only take a minute of your time.  It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked.  You cannot call from a different phone number.

Frugal Living Tips

Have a money saving tip you would like to share? Contact me and I will add it to this page along with your email address.

Household Hints

Money Saver Tips Page Updated 3/20/09