I use those notebooks Walmart has every year for a dime and keep lists, thoughts, half baked ideas, patterns I dream up and so on, in them, but they're not organized so I have to sort through them every time I want something. They're kind of interesting after some time has passed, though...

One thing I guess we didn't really cover was buying things in season, but I suppose everyone knows that. For instance, buying enough corn on the cob for a year when it's at a low price in the mid to late summer. It takes too long to can for it to be a good dollar stretching idea, but it freezes perfectly.

I have a stack of those collected idea books too. It's finding a specific idea when I need it that is hard, lol. 

Brandy:

I have a stack of those collected idea books too. It's finding a specific idea when I need it that is hard, lol. 

 

Exactly. :)  

My savings and stock so far:

Funds

• $150 in a savings account
• 4,674 My Points to cash in for a $25 gift certificate
• 1,020 My Points for my husband, no GC value yet

$175 in funds and future GCs

Food 

• 2 weeks of canned veggies
• 1 month of canned fruit
• 1 month of powdered milk
• 1 month of pasta 
• 6 months of dried beans
• 1 month of frozen veggies
• 1 month of meats
• 3 months of staple items

Household items  

• 3 years of deodorant
• 1 year of soap
• 6 months of shampoo and conditioner
• 1 year of cleaners
• 1 month of laundry detergent
• 1 month of paper products
• 4 months of dish liquid

This is not a complete list but what I can remember without looking. I won't post a full list again in the near future but I will post when I add to my stock.

A bit off the topic of food but well worth reading:

Stock Your Bathroom on the Cheap 

Brandy:

A bit off the topic of food but well worth reading:

Stock Your Bathroom on the Cheap 

 

Those are great ideas. I do all of them but the trading. I don't usually have anything to trade!

 I love the idea of trading!  Excellent food for thought, we have a small group of fruGals that meet each morning via email. I might propose a Christmas Swap....hmmmmm.  : )

 I haven't done actual trading but Mom and I are in habit of passing each other unwanted items.