Craigslist Freebie - Double Sided Desk

This double sided desk is massive and will take two people to move it.  But it's in great condition.  Wooden furniture like this will last forever and eventually, if you take good care of it, will be an antique.

Use some wood polish on a piece like this and people will be amazed to learn you got it for free. Of course, you might not tell anyone.

Live frugally by accepting other people's freebies.

Another Craigslist Freebie - Coffee Maker

A bit of bleach and vinegar is enough to make this coffee maker like new.  It's functional and free.  Live green, live frugal, and live cheap by accepting free stuff that is in great condition.

What is the secret formula for cleaning a coffee maker?  Fill the water tank with 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water.  Turn the coffee maker on and let the mixture seep through.  (Caution: This will smell.)

Vinegar is cheap and water is free.  Nothing is better than that.

Freebies from Craigslist - Armoire

A piece of furniture like this is versatile and can be used to store anything from a television to clothing.  You might need two or more people to move it and likely that is why the owner is willing to get rid of it for no cost.

Living frugally means accepting other people's discarded furniture.  You may have to work for it.  This is the cheapest way to live and there is an unlimited supply of goods, if you aren't picky.

Video: Consider Doing a Fiscal Fast for One Week

Interested in saving money?  Want to make your life more efficient?  Jeff Yeager, the ultimate cheapskate has some tips on how to start a fiscal fast.  Use up food from the cupboard, avoid spending money on entertainment, conserve fuel by carpooling, and change other habits.

It's amazing how much food is wasted every year, as it spoils and has to be thrown away. Many food banks will take food that is past the sell by date and distribute it, but why not use it up yourself.  Food banks will distribute some canned goods ten years after the sell-by date.  So, it is definitely safe to eat canned goods many years after the date printed on the can.  (Instead, give cash to the food bank and they can use that more efficiently than old canned goods.)  

Don't know how to combine some ingredients from your cupboard?  Try a Google search with the items and the word recipe.  It may turn up no results, but you could also find some very imaginative food combinations.

Watch "Ultimate Cheapskate: Fiscal Fast" on YouTube

Another Freebie from Craigslist - Soccer Clock

The author of the post says that the clock runs fine and just needs batteries.  If you frequently check sites like Craigslist, you might stumble across something that would make a great gift for a child or friend.

Living frugally is about doing things that others might find odd.  Free is the cheapest price.

Just Say No to Credit Card Checks

The credit card companies have figured you out.  They know that you can increase your balance and bring them more fees with a simple piece of paper.  It's called a balance transfer check.  Read the fine print and you'll discover that these checks come with transfer fees, usually around 3.0%.  It's just enough to generate a nice fee, but not enough to scare you away.  The real money maker is from debts that are too large to pay off before the end of the term.  And then of course, if you miss a payment, the original contract will be voided and you'll get stuck with a normal APR closer to 20%.  If you use the credit card for normal purchases, you'll end up building a high interest balance on top of the large balance you are paying down.

Just say no to these checks.  Resist temptation and destroy them as soon as they arrive.  If you simply throw them out, some thief could get a copy, endorse it and make it out to cash.  So, make sure it is clear that they cannot be used.

Here's a great video about credit card balance transfers.

Video: The Debt Snowball: Erik and Lalani's Story

The Debt Snowball: Erik and Lalani's Story by thatjustinguy After the economic downturn, Erik and Lalani found themselves spending more than they earned. They knew they had to make a change in the way they handled their money. Now, three years later, Erik and Lalani have paid off most of their debts and have a sense of hope and peace about their finances.

Snowballing your debt may not the most logical choice, but many would argue that it is the best choice.  Logic would tell you to pay off the highest interest rate loans first. However, in practice many people find it is easier to pay off the smallest balance first.  The administrative burden of carrying the debt, watching it, and remembering to pay on time is eliminated more quickly by paying off the smallest balance first.  This also begins to free up your cash flow more quickly with the smaller balance loans.