Identity theft hits close to home for me. It was only a few years ago that a family member’s social security number was used by someone in a respected profession to obtain a credit card.  Fortunately, this issue was caught pretty quickly, thanks to the credit card company’s rule of activating the credit card only from the applicant’s phone.

It is disturbing that our identity and social security information has to be so carefully guarded, but even more upsetting is how someone can damage our credit if they obtain our personal information.  According to PC Magazine, we are can make ourselves vunerable through the …read more

We’ve had some beautiful weather lately and the yard sales are starting.  I love the thrill of a bargain and finding great stuff for a great price.
Saturday we were on our way out of town and I spotted a yard sale.  Trust me, it wasn’t because of their signs.  Anyway, they had books, toys, children’s clothes, and more.
I was able to get Alligator girl four pairs for $1 each and she needed the pants.  I also picked up a Mrs. Spider’s Sunny Patch cd for $1, a Dora dvd for $2, some magnetic alphabet letters for $.50, and a few …read more

We had a bunch of stuff sitting in our “to donate” pile this week. Before I headed out to drop them off at our local thrift shop, I did a quick check to be sure we really wanted to donate it all. It only took a few seconds to riffle through the pile and it was well worth it. I found:

Shoes that weren’t in primo condition but had good laces. I took out the laces, folded them neatly and saved them for later. Boys and guys always seem to snap their laces and end up needing new ones. …read more

Public libraries tend to try really hard to keep up with the needs of their patrons, so it is pretty likely that your public library system will currently have some great thrifty programs for you to attend. My library system is offering the following free programs this month:
Avoiding Foreclosure
Frugal Living to Accomplish Your Goals
Introduction to Microsoft
Word Introduction to Computers
There is also a Recession Resources page on the library website and additional help from a local human resources specialist who takes sign ups at the library from people who need help with job searches and …read more

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So, that poll on the sidebar was looking a little tired. A little bored with life at Simply Thrifty. We’re letting it retire and bringing you a new poll with new questions!
For some reason everything seems more exciting than it actually is today. Maybe because I pulled down boxes of decorations and have been doing my before Christmas deep clean? Hence the exclamation point use in a new poll announcement. Anyway, on with the poll:

{democracy:6}

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Did you know that ordinary folks aren’t the only ones concerned about living a thrifty lifestyle? Many celebrities have been living frugally for years. They’ve seen other movie stars blow through their money and end up on the streets or they’re simply sick of a life of excess.
Angelina Jolie is one movie star who wants to be frugal. However, her desire to spend less and to raise her kids so they don’t become obsessed with money is causing a problem many frugal people with less thrifty spouses have. According to the gossip zines, Brad Pitt is …read more

This week, I thought I’d do a round up post of some of the great places you can find printable coupons for grocery and health and beauty items. Usually, you’ll need to install a coupon printer software program the first time you use the sites.
* Quick tip: Some sites have a way for you to get a coupon in the mail if you are having trouble printing. Look for a help or printer problem link to see if this option is available before giving up on a good coupon offer completely.

Coupons.com – This site usually has a good variety …read more

I talked about the ethics of couponing a few weeks ago, but I have something new to add to the discussion – dealing with internet coupons. A lot of people seem to feel that it is okay to print unlimited numbers of internet coupons if there is no technology in place to stop them. They say it is similar to buying three or four copies of the Sunday paper and the manufacturer should know better than to issue a coupon as a pdf, etc.
My feeling is that just because I can do something it doesn’t make it right and I …read more

I don’t subscribe to many magazines that aren’t free, but All You is an exception, since the number of good coupons in the magazine more than covers the cost of the subscription. (And the articles aren’t bad, either.) If you have a school age child doing a magazine fundraiser, take a close look at the list of available magazines. All You should be one of them. You can get a discount on the subscription price and support your child’s school at the same time!
We aren’t having this fundraiser this year at our school, so I’m going to check with co-workers …read more

As I’m talking to friends who are feeling the full force of Ike, I’m thankful that all I’m dealing with from this storm are heavy rains hundreds of miles away. However, for my friends, the situation is a lot more serious and some of them are going to be in financial distress even if they don’t lose homes or belongings. Planning ahead for emergencies, especially if you live in a place prone to specific disasters, like hurricanes, just makes financial sense.
Take plywood, for example. It’s expensive even when there isn’t a run on it at the local hardware store. So, …read more