The Tightwad Gazette is a frugal classic for anyone interested in cutting expenses. Originally published as a newsletter in the ’90’s, it’s been complied into a fantastic book full of easy to read short articles, plus some tips and reader feedback. I first read it about a decade ago and recently picked it up again (Yes, some of the tips seem out dated now, but most are very relevant).

The author, Amy Dacyczyn, used to have a lot of haters who thought she was a miser and a fanatic. While she is much, much more frugal than I’m interested in being, I like reading about people on the fringes. (Making pot holders from old blue jeans? Yeah…all set on that!)

According to Amy, her family of 8 lived comfortably in rural Maine for less than $30,000 annually. They insisted on buying most items used, cooking simple meals from scratch, gardening, practicing cheap hobbies like reading and letter writing, and cut corners whenever possible.

Doing this enabled Amy to quit her job as a graphic designer and husband Jim retired from the Navy after 20 years of service. Having both parents home full-time allowed them extra time to devote to frugality.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Amy’s list of 10 Painless Ways to Save $100 This Year:

1. Purchase 10 articles of clothing at thrift shops and yard sales this year instead of paying department store prices.

I’m a big fan of clearance racks and buying off season. Most items I buy are marked down 50-75% and I find my best deals at the Outlets and Target. Thrift stores are a bit trickier and can be a huge time-waster. I shop them every few months. Yard sales have never worked for me (I’m a small Petite and have a very hard time finding my size), but can be great for kids clothes.
 
2. Hang four loads of laundry per week instead of using the dryer.

Ok, I never do this! I’m frugal, not a fanatic, and the dryer is way too convenient to pass up—especially during the winter.

3. Once a month make a pizza from scratch instead of having one delivered.

We don’t eat tons of pizza around here, so the few times we buy it out aren’t a large expense. I like some homemade pizza, but nothing compares to Uno’s deep dish!

4. Write a good letter instead of making a monthly long distance phone call.

I’m old enough to remember how expensive long distance used to be. (Growing up, we’d literally wait til 5:01PM when the rates changed.) Thankfully with email and cell phones, this tip is no longer needed. I love calling my sister in Florida anytime for a flat monthly fee.

5. Reduce your soda consumption by four cans per week.

A great suggestion and one that’s healthy. As an admitted Diet Coke addict, it’s hard, but I’m willing to try.

6. Bake one batch of bread per week.

Because I can buy it so cheaply, bread isn’t a big concern. Also, I don’t have a bread maker and rolling it out by hand takes a lot of time.

7. Save $50 each on two children’s birthday parties by making homemade decorations, cake, wrapping paper, and one present.

Love this tip! Very doable for most of us. I think kids parties are so over the top anyway. Other good ideas are skip the decorations, give the gift of time or a special outing, and bake a simple cake.

8. Reduce your smoking by three cigarettes per day (or give up smoking altogether and save even more).

Having lost my father to smoking-related heart disease at only 54 years old, I pray anyone reading this will quit smoking! Forget the money; the cost of your health is even greater and once gone can’t be fixed.

9. Reduce your whole milk consumption by two gallons per week, substituting dry milk in cooking, homemade cocoa mix, and in half-and-half for drinking.

I’ve never tried dry milk and we don’t use milk for drinking anyway. I’m an almond or cashew milk person, and it’s used sparingly. For everyone else, I look for marked down milk and it’s mainly for cereal.  
 
10. Pack four inexpensive lunches per week.

This works well, provided there’s time/energy to do it. The key is planning ahead, like with bulk cooking. If I wait until the last minute, it doesn’t get done.

 
Rather than focus on the extremes in The Tightwad Gazette, I think it’s the overall message that’s important. By saving when possible and making the most of our resources, we can live without the misery of crushing debt and being chained to job we hate, which is truly priceless.

It’s a shame Amy missed out on the blogging craze because her style and material would’ve been perfect for this medium. I’d love to see her come out of retirement and start writing again.