What's Happening At FFF!... Posted by karin on May 6th, 2008.

Will you be receiving an economic stimulus check? If you are, what the heck are you going to do with it? Should you go out and stockpile dry goods for your pantry because groceries have gone sky high? Maybe you should pay down a credit card. Put it away in savings or add to your emergency fund? We've all been discussing what we are going to do with our windfall! What is good for one family might not be right for yours so we've been trying to help each other decide what will be best for our families. FFF members are like that...helpful!

It's time to help with those high grocery bills by planting a garden so you can freeze or can the harvest. So, what should you grow and how do you grow it? Our gardeners are full of ideas and our homesteading forum can sure help with the preserving part of it.

Okay, have you gone green yet or do you still get those plastic or paper bags at the grocery store? Try using a reuseable bag when you shop. Don't have one? Heck, they sure are easy to make using an old t-shirt! Our gals have some funny stories about making them out of larger size shirts and not being able to carry their goods out to the car! lol

With the warmer days ahead of us it's time to start utilizing that clothesline! Who wants a dryer heating up your home during the summer!!! Did you know that there are tricks to hanging your clothes? I sure didn't but when my dryer died a not so graceful death I had to learn. Do you hang a shirt from the bottom or from the top? And, what about sheets, is there a correct way to hang them? I'm learning with the help of my frugal friends. :)

Speaking of hanging laundry, I had better quit babbling for now and get my wash on the line! Stayed tuned for the next edition and get a glimpse of what our fun, friendly and frugal members are posting at Fractured Frugal Friends! 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 Mar 1st, 2008.

Whew, we've almost made it through winter! March brings springtime and hopefully warmer weather so we don't have to worry about heating our homes. March also means that it's time to start thinking about those spring and summer gardens. With the high price of food nowadays, it's time to really think about growing your own fruits and veggies. Our members have been discussing �tire gardening� and it sure seems like a great idea. The soil stays warmer so you can plant earlier, the amount of weeds are cut down so no more aching knees and back and just think, it's a great way to recycle! Come join us and find out the ins and outs of gardening in those round, black things that normally get thrown into the landfill.

The cold winter months always make the cook in your home think of dishes to warm you up. Who knew you could make soup with just about anything in your pantry or fridge! Need to add a little fiber to your diet? Well, our gals are sure telling us how they fix various beans so even folks who normally don't like them will never know that's what they've just enjoyed! And, how about other winter veggies like cabbage. It's amazing how many different ways you can prepare an inexpensive and good for you vegetable.

And, if you are going stir crazy waiting for the robins to return why not try a new craft! Scraps of material can become a cozy quilt or even a bib for that new arrival in your family. Your old spoons and forks can find new life as jewelry. I'll bet you still have all of the holiday photos sitting around just waiting to be put into albums. How about a wonderful scrapbook to share with family and friends. Our members are always willing to share their tips, hints and even their finished projects. Crafting can be fun for everyone and it doesn't have to cost much $$$!

Did you make a 2008 resolution to cut your budget, save a bit more this year or start an emergency fund? You probably did and by now you're wondering how to keep that resolution. We're here to support, give advice and tips on how to do it and still manage living day to day.

I believe that I have babbled enough for now! Stayed tuned for the next edition and get a glimpse of what our fun, friendly and frugal members are posting at Fractured Frugal Friends! 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 Feb 13th, 2008.

Holy mackerel, I can't believe that it is already the middle of February! The weather outside is telling me that it's still winter. So how can you help reduce your heat bills? You can't believe the ways that our members have reduced their energy bills. Everything from draft dodgers to bubble wrap on windows! Did you know that you can cut your bill by bunches if you just hang your laundry vs. drying it in the dryer. Yup, it can be done during the winter months and it will also help add some moisture to your otherwise dry home!

The winter months seem to make a bunch of us get creative. Guess that's because we are stuck inside and our brains start working on things to do. lol We've got some amazing craft discussions going on right now.

But, the biggest thing that we need to think about is DEBT reduction! If you are anything like me, you've let January go by without making any plans. Not a good thing. :( So, why not start new in February and get your spending habits on track. It's not an easy task but with support anyone can do it. You'll get helpful hints and tips, pats on the back for successes and ways to take your failures into the winner category! It's all about making changes and we're here to help make the transition a bit easier. Plus, we have fun while we're learning to be frugal or just add to our already frugal life! There are no rules that says frugality shouldn't be fun!I believe that I have babbled enough for now! Stayed tuned for the next edition and get a glimpse of what our fun, friendly and frugal members are posting at Fractured Frugal Friends! 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!

Wipe The Slate In 2008!... Posted by karin on Jan 2nd, 2008.

It's a new year and time for a new you, financially that is! This is the perfect time to start on your road to learning how to live with less without doing without! Sounds confusing doesn't it? Well, it's not and it is possible to enjoy life while still being frugal. Our members do it everyday! We help each other when we take a wrong turn on the �road.� We share suggestions and support each other in all areas of your financial life. A home baked chocolate cake tastes so much better than that one you purchased at the grocery store! Yes, you can make something useful out of that old CD! Ever tasted a fresh from your garden carrot? How about one member who plans on using a solar oven! Now, we all don't go that far but it sure does make us think about saving $$$. We're a friendly and frugal bunch, that's for sure.

I'm stepping out of bounds here and writing this all by myself instead of group thoughts. It's because I want to share my experience at FFF. I've needed good thoughts, prayers and many hugs while my hubby was in the hospital. Many of our other members have needed them too and there's always someone to give us a shoulder and suggest how the heck we pay the doctor bills and then save on the prescriptions afterwards. I've had hard times financially and the suggestions that I've received from members is way better than paying someone to tell me the same darn thing! I never felt like I didn't belong to this wonderful group of friends. Yes, we are friends in more ways than one. We care about each other and we're not afraid to show it. We're also not afraid to tell you when you blew it...I know, I've been there and done that. Lol It's okay, it made me stronger and I thank my friends for that.

So if you think that you could use a nudge, a kick in the you know what or even a hug while you start on your �wipe the slate in 2008� journey this is the place to be! I've known some of these folks for 10 years and I still have no idea what they look like but they are some of my best friends!

I believe that I have babbled enough for now! Stayed tuned for the next edition and get a glimpse of what our fun, friendly and frugal members are posting at Fractured Frugal Friends! 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!

It's 2008!... Posted by karin on Jan 2nd, 2008.


Happy New Year!


Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!