Frugal and Fabulous!

There is one thing that I hate (and I mean REALLY hate) about being frugal...and that's the word itself:  FRUGAL

Is it me, or is that word just a snail's eyebrow away from being "frumpy"?

And so many people, especially women, seem to think that being frugal means that they can "let themselves go".  They can't afford to spend time or money on themselves....they have money to save!

Ladies, let me tell you something:  if being frugal means being frumpy, then I will gladly start swiping my credit card again!

So what are some ways that you can remain frugal and fabulous?

1.  Go for the classic style: being a slave to fashion means always paying retail.  Khaki's, jeans, classically-styled shirts and jackets never go out of style and frequently go on clearance.  Of course, you can always buy a few pieces to update your wardrobe, but sticking with the classics allows you to score some better deals. (And NEVER buy Crocs, even if they are practically giving them away.  No woman can call herself fabulous - forget the whole frugal thing - if she wears Crocs)

2.  Do your own nails:  I used to get bi-monthly pedicures and bi-weekly manicures.  Now that I have learned to do it myself, I go in a just a few times a year to have it professionally done as a treat.  Oh - and if you have a problem with dry-cracking skin, especially on your feet?  Buy a PedEggand start using it at least every few days.  Most of those "As Seen On TV" things are worthless, but this one is a gem! (and I bought it at CVS using ECBs that I got from being a CVS Advisor, so it was a freebie!)

3.  Host a jewelry swap party:  Note - I DID NOT say a "jewelry sales party".  We all have that drawer of costume jewelry that we no longer wear because we are bored with the pieces or we are now too skinny to fit in to the outfit we bought to match the jewelry (hey - one can hope, right?).  Invite a few friends over, make some munchies (or have everyone bring a dish), pour the wine (or soda/juice/coffee/vodka) and start trading jewelry!  It makes for a fun Ladies Night Out!

4.  Find the good Thrift/Consignment Shops:  this one requires a bit of searching, because your area may not have very many or the pickings might be very slim.  I've found Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek and Chicos clothes (my 3 favorite brands) on a semi-regular basis at the Thrift Shops near me (and near my mother's house).  If you are worried about the "ick factor" of buying used clothes...one trip to the dry cleaner should get rid of any ick!

5.  Scout out garage sales:  when I was bugging Brad for an elliptical he kept putting me off because the one I wanted was $600.  Then we had our neighborhood garage sale and in the course of me looking for Pokemon videos for my boys, I found someone selling the exact elliptical that I wanted (although 2 years older) for only $50.  They say that it will help me lose weight.  I keep staring at it, but so far it hasn't happened (maybe I should try using it?)

6.  Color your own hair:  I only advise this if your hair is reasonably healthy and not considered "difficult", because the last thing you want to do is "fry" your hair.  I have friends who pay upwards of $100 every 8 weeks to color their hair.  Me?  I spend $6 every 6 weeks!  My best tip for coloring your own hair?  Always do it the day before or the morning of your haircut.  That way any damage done to the ends can just be snipped off by your hairdresser!

What are some of your tips?