Cheaper Greener Coffee!

I stumbled across a post today at Tree Hugging Family about permanent coffee filters!  This seems to me like a great way to help the environment, and eventually save some money.  There are plastic and mesh ones, as well as ones made of hemp!  Check out the post here .

Katharine

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Response of One Femme Frugal to the Inauguration Address

First off, I just have to say that I was just blown-away by President Obama’s inaugural speech. Not only was it eloquent and well-delivered, but it managed to be sophisticated while also revealing of our new president’s outlook and approach for his administration. I think what we, as a country, are looking at really coincides with what the Femmes Frugal and our readers have been thinking and acting on for quite some time.


There is no escaping the fact that President Obama hit the nail on the head when he said, “The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.” Living a frugal lifestyle represents stepping back from the consumer stereotype to a position where we can provide for ourselves and others. This isn’t a website where we advocate just scraping by, or spending all your money because there’s a good deal, or hoarding the things you get from these deals we’re all sharing. As we’ve gone along, I hope you’ve found inspiration in the things we’ve mentioned doing, whether it’s giving some of your freebies/cheapies away, sending things to a college student or grandparent, or just contributing to your local food bank.


Obama also espoused the need for our country to respond to the crises we face by “begin[ning] again the work of remaking America.” His plan includes creating jobs, especially through green energy expansion. Lately, this has been a topic that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention around here. This has really provided the inspiration from which I do hope, and plan, to revisit the topic of frugal environmentalism at least once a month in tribute to our personal goal to help our readers live greenly. Be on the look out for an article next month on starting your herb garden!


I hope this post didn’t come across as political, I tried to keep it as neutral as possible. And I want to alert readers to something that combines the enlightened self-interest philosophy of the inaugural address with the joy of freebies: Starbucks is offering a free tall brewed coffee, January 21st-25th to anyone who will pledge 5 hours of volunteer work to his/her community!

Ali


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Frugal Holiday Wrap-up

Wow, it seems like the holidays this year lasted such a long time! This holiday season there have been some exciting new developments due in large part to my frugal adventures—some past, some on-going. This week’s article is also going to be an important post-holiday update about gift giving!



I know what you’re thinking, that this is going to be about re-gifting? Wrong-o, as the Grinch would say! Of course, its a possibility that we won't turn up our noses at, but I'm talking about being more creative. This is about using your frugal femme knowledge to get people presents that a) they want and b) won’t break your budget. Now I’ve got the perfect example: my dad. His birthday is right after Christmas and he can always name about half a dozen different things he’s had his eye on that he thinks would make great gifts. Unfortunately, they usually cost way more than the family budgets for, so what to do? Keep notes on people. No, take it one step further, stalk them! Haha, not really, but maybe a little. Remember when they point at something or mention something, write it down even. That movie he wanted to go see? Guess what—that’s part of his present. And surprises aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I just ask a lot of the time. Hey, my budget is this, what would you like? And it works, as long as you do it far enough in advance that its not rude- or desperate-sounding.

Besides buying presents, remember to make upcoming holidays and birthdays special by doing little things! Baking something special or knitting something yourself, like a scarf, doesn’t have to cost a whole lot. A bag of pretzel rods and some chocolate to melt and dip them in? $5 max. A large skein of yarn to knit a scarf? Under $5. Just be creative! Last year I made Easter baskets for people--this was before I started couponing--and even though there wasn't a live bunny in the baskets, my family still really appreciated that I was thinking of them and did something to make the holiday special.

Ali
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Free Suave - Today Only

Fill out this form (today only) to get a coupon for a free bottle of Suave!

Katharine
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