It may surprise people to know that I buy the cheapest t-shirts and yet pay to have someone mow the lawn. But the shirt does the same job as the expensive ones, and my time is worth more to me than what I pay for mowing. That's getting the most for my money, and I sacrifice nothing for this kind of frugality. Of course, I get a good deal on the lawn work too. Here are three ways to spend less and still get what you want.

1. Look For Free Things

I once got free dental x-rays from the dental hygienist program at a local college. Other dental schools will x-ray your mouth for free or at a reduced charge, if you have the patience to sit there while the instructor coaches the student through the process. You then get your x-rays to take to the dentist, saving you the cost of that part of the visit anyhow.

One of the prettiest campgrounds my wife and I have stayed at was Williams Landing, on Lake Talquin in Florida – and it was free for up to ten days. There are free campgrounds scattered across the country. Woodall's campground directory lists most of the campgrounds in the country, including ones which don't charge.

I got my tires rotated for free a couple years ago. I don't recall the name of the chain of tire shops, but this is their normal policy. It is amazing how many things you can get for free if you keep your eyes open.

2. Take Advantage Of Promotions

We regularly use coupons for restaurants in our small town. Several of them have "Buy a meal, get the second one for half off" deals in the paper every week. We eat at these places anyhow, so it is a true savings when we use a coupon to save $5.

Speaking of coupons, if any of the stores in your area double them, here is how you take advantage of it: Suppose you have a 50-cent coupon for dish detergent. If the store is doubling it, you'll get a dollar off. Now, if you buy the 38-ounce size at $2.19, it will cost $1.19, or 3.1 cents per ounce. But if you buy the 18-ounce size at $1.19, it will cost you 19 cents, or a bit over a penny per ounce – a third of the cost. Buy small sizes when coupons are doubled.

Look for any other promotions you can take advantage of. If your favorite shampoo goes on sale, buy enough for the next six months. Stocking up on non-perishables during sales can cut the cost of your household supplies dramatically.

3. Find Alternatives

Often there are cheaper options that can replace what you think you need. Certainly this is true in the case of generic prescription drugs and store-brand foods. But even in area where you think you have no alternatives, look again. Let's use car insurance as an example.

You might have found the cheapest company to buy your insurance from, and so you think that is the best you can do. However, the various companies are not the only alternatives you have. You could still lower the premiums by raising the deductible, for example. After all, if you really can't afford the first $500 of an accident, maybe you should rearrange your financial life rather than pay for expensive ways to avoid the responsibility of setting aside a bit of money. If you pay cash for an older car, you can also decline collision coverage.

Frugality can mean being an opportunist too. This is especially true when looking for alternatives. For example, it almost certainly isn't true that only one specific place will suit you for a vacation, so why not look at the offers and plane fares for several destinations you would enjoy? Then pick the cheapest one. You may spend half as much, have twice the fun (who knows?) and have money left over for other important goals.

Again, frugality isn't about self-sacrifice and miserable "cheapness." It is about spending less, and when you do that, you can have even more of what you truly need and want. Every piece of used furniture we buy, which looks the same as a new piece but costs half as much, means we get the same comfort at home and money left over for another day of travel (you pick what's important to you).

Here are some highlights from the article:

1. Cook more meals at home. Cooking a simple meal isn’t that hard — you’ll eat healthier and spend way less cash.
2. Use the ads to your advantage. Careful stocking up on sale items and loss-leaders will really cut your grocery bill. Incorporate as many sale items into your weekly menu as possible.
3. Take time to plan. It only takes a few minutes to plan a week’s worth of dinner meals. Having a simple menu planned will minimize visits to the drive-thru lane, reduce trips to the grocery store, and save you a ton of time and money.
4. Avoid impulse buys. If you’re not using a shopping list you’re likely to pick up more items on impulse. Research shows that impulse buys count for almost 60 percent of the average shopper’s purchases.
5. Stay out of the store. The less often you go to the store, the more money you’ll save.

‘Cheapest’ mom shares tips for frugal family-feeding How do you put food on the table for a family with five kids and still manage to save any money? Annette Economides of "America's Cheapest Family" shares her secrets. Home – Homemaking – Frugality – Family – Parenting Read more on MSNBC

Too many people think that frugality is for those without money. I grew up in a fairly poor family and the idea of frugal living never really appealed to me. I like to spend money. I like to have what I want when I want it. I never thought I'd be a frugal person.

But somewhere along the way I realized that to have everything I want, I have to stop buying and using things I really don't want. That almost makes sense, doesn't it? Basically, I set some goals. And to fulfill your goals, you have to take action.

And I became hooked on living frugally.

Frugal living becomes a game you play against yourself. You are looking for ways to save. I started out simply looking to see if I could really lower our electric bill. And I did with very little effort. Then I looked to our heating costs. Hey, I did it again. Then I looked to our driving expenses.

Okay, you just get hooked. Now I'm working on cutting our food costs. I've been trying several methods, so we'll see what works. In fact, I've become so good at cutting costs, my husband is taking a lower paying job that will bring him more time at home with us.

Frugal living isn't something that is easy on a family when you take the attitude on that you must do it. It is like cleaning house. It is something that has to be done. You can either make it a good experience or a bad one. With the wrong attitude you will probably fail.

Consider frugal living as a challenge. And the best thing is that you are improving more than just your financial situation. I've heard many, many financial counselors and advisors say that when people gain control of their money, they gain control of their lives. That is because self-control bleeds over into other things. You simply begin to look at things differently.

Whether you are looking to a frugal life out of necessity or out of a wise money management plan, start by simply tackling one area of your expenses. Then move on to another. Over time, you will find that your attitude changes and you look at things differently. And you start seeing that you can save money (to spend on things that really matter) without much effort at all. And that's the best thing about the frugal challenge — you save money.

Using the cash economical system frugality places emphasis on economy since the money is employed to meet personal long-term goals, communal needs and familial.

In short, frugal is penny-pinchers that use thrifty tactics to save energy, money and the economy. Few of the chief tactics of frugal involve waste reduction. This process changes the common cost expenses or habits. A frugal will suppress spending for the purpose of achieving gratification instantly through means of self-restraining fiscal while striving toward efficiency.

A frugal avoids traps. These people defy expensive items that the common norm society focuses on. A frugal embraces free items, or gratis choices rather than focusing on materials.

Frugal does not have a problem bartering. The barter system is a process that involves many challenges, such as negotiation, bargaining, swapping, trading, exchanging and so on.

In summary, frugal that barters will swap one good in exchange for another item in which the party needs. Therefore, this person only focuses on necessities rather than material, which is a healthy quality.

A frugal will stay informed. These people seek information of current affairs, local situations, including product, service and market changes.

A frugal is a self-sufficient person that prefers to live the simple life. Often these people associate concepts of their frugality as philosophic. This often backs a deeply worried emotion or lack of trust. These people often gain professional knowledge that guides them to understand the commercial realm or the cultures in the corporate world. These people claims to understand economic changes, spiritual interests and materials best.

Various spiritual societies contemplate over the frugality of its virtue or else religious discipline. You can note examples of these people by understanding the Puritans or the RSF -”Religion Society of Friends.”

Common theories back these ideas, which include saving money to make cash more ready for other individuals. Environmentalists often follow the frugal structure in that these people places their virtues on bringing humanity closer. The purpose is to guide humanity back to its roots. This includes the forming into a group to bring things and people together.

It also includes needing and carrying of little and discovering the purpose of nature intentions rather than manmade religions. In short, frugal forms a pattern that attracts followers, supporters, or an audience by accumulating traditions and beliefs that fit the frugality profile.

This article is bang on with its comment on how much we spend and waste in trying to be more green. It details how one gardener used frugal living to build and keep her garden.

"Tamara Mitchell doesn't think it has to be that way.Many of the plants in her West Akron yard were end-of-season markdowns or freebies that either sprouted from seeds deposited by birds or were propagated from other plants. The trellises she constructed to support her pole beans and cucumbers were fashioned from the posts of an old chain-link fence and inexpensive wire mesh for reinforcing concrete. The path leading to an outdoor faucet was made from pieces of slate salvaged from a friend's foyer."

"That kind of frugality has been overshadowed by the big business of gardening, which beckons us to spend on specialized containers, trendy tools and the instant gratification of good-size plants. And now that organic gardening has become mainstream, a product's environmental friendliness is being used as a marketing tool, said Maureen Gilmer, a champion of thrifty gardening who lives in Palm Springs, Calif."

Frugal garden reaps savings

Read more on Akron Beacon Journal

Think about some of the things that you use everyday and then ask yourself if you can make your own. You will be on your way to living a more frugal life like me.

55 Frugal Grocery Shopping Ideas

1. Buy bulk quantities of non-perishables.

2. Get the big sale items that are advertised in fliers. You might have to do some extra driving, but if you can buy large quantities of the big sale items, it's worth the trip.

3. If you have a local food co-op available, check out what they have to offer.

4. Use fliers to compare prices before you go shopping

5. Buy more milk and freeze it. It will save trips to the store. Empty a bit out before you freeze it if you buy your milk in jugs.

6. To prevent unneeded grocery purchases, plan your meals before you go shopping and buy only what you need.

7. Get your meat from the “reduced” section and use it right away, or freeze it.

8. Go vegetarian. Or at least consider cutting back on meat. Meat is one of the most expensive grocery items in the store.

9. Check out your local farmer's market. They often offer great prices for fresh, local produce.

10. Grow your own food. Growing your own vegetable garden is a fun project and can save you quite a bit of money.

11. Buy a month of groceries at a time. You can do this by planning your meals one month at a time. This will save trips to the store.

12. Don't by separate cuts of chicken meat. Buy whole chickens instead.

13. Make your own fruit water. Just add some fruit to a container full of water and let it sit in the fridge for a while. The fruit will flavor the water.

14. Use regular oatmeal instead of the instant, flavored kind. It's cheaper and healthier.

15. Cook with rice. If you buy it in large bags it is very cheap. Use brown rice for a healthier option.

16. Cook with potatoes. Potatoes are another low cost, healthy food.

17. Buy frozen vegetables instead of fresh.

18. Make soup out of those leftover meat bones.

19. Make soup out of those leftover vegetables that are wilting in your fridge.

20. A freezer is helpful for stocking up on sale items.

21. Consider reducing or giving up junk food. It costs a lot of money for no nutritional value.

22. Drink water. This is another one of my favorite frugal grocery shopping tips. You can save a lot of money by eliminating pop and juice from your shopping list.

23. Don't buy frozen prepared meals, Make your own meals instead.

24. Eat out less, and at home more.

25. Take your own coffee when you go on trips instead of buying it.

26. Pack your own meals when you travel instead of eating out.

27. Brown bag your lunch for work instead of buying.

28. Substitute veggies for a portion of the meat in your recipes.

29. Don't throw out your leftovers. Eat them later, or freeze them for a quick meal on another night.

30. You will eat less if you maintain a healthy weight.

31. Sometimes you can use cheaper substitutes. For example, artificial vanilla tastes very similar to real vanilla extract, and it's a fraction of the price.

32. Stop buying herbs from the store. You can grow your own in a herb box for your kitchen window.

33. Try making your own tomato sauces and jams instead of buying them.

34. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. They're usually cheaper, fresher, and more nutritious.

35. Buy store brands instead of name brands.

36. Use coupons.

37. Take advantage of mail in rebates.

38. Buy items before you run out. That way you can get them on sale.

39. Double check your pantry before you go shopping. You may already have what you need somewhere in the back.

40. Larger stores often offer lower prices.

41. Shop alone. If you take others with you, they may convince you to buy items that aren't on your list.

42. Shopping while you're hungry can lead to impulse buys. Have a snack before you head to the store.

43. Check the top and bottom shelves for better prices. More expensive brands are usually at eye level.

44. If something is on sale, it still may not be the best price available. Get to know your prices.

45. Join points programs for groceries if you can.

46. Check for things you need in the clearance racks before you buy them from the regular aisles.

47. If a sale item is out of stock, ask for a rain check.

48. Staples like cheese, bread and milk are usually at the back of the building. This is done on purpose so that you have to walk through the other aisles on your way to pick up what you need. Focus on what you need, and avoid browsing along the way.

49. Corner and convenience stores are expensive. Avoid them if possible.

50. Make a list and stick to it.

51. Use the per unit pricing listed on the price tags to figure out what the better deal is.

52. If you are buying soda, get it by the bottle instead of individual cans.

53. Avoid being charged for plastic bags. Bring your own shopping bags along.

54. Keep an eye on the scanner when you're at the checkout counter. Watch for mistakes.

55. You can stop buying plastic wrap and baggies if you use plastic or glass containers to store your foods and pack your lunches.

1. I am surprised how many people that I know who make use of their Local Library. It's a sign of the time but you can get free movies to rent from the Library. I have no idea how current they are but I am sure you can find something to keep the kids occupied without breaking the bank at the video store or the movies.

2. There are plenty of snow or winter activities at your disposal like tubing or tobogganing or outdoor skating. Skating is a great way to get exercise and a great free way to get the family together for an afternoon.

3. Check your local public free newspapers or websites for freebie activities. For example, our local zoo has a free outdoor movie night during the summer or free plays. There are more free activities going on out there than you would think.

4. Get together with your friends, other couples or family and have a pot luck kind of night. You can have a great night out without spending a fortune on food and drinks.

5. You can still have fun playing board games believe it or not. We still play monopoly and it kills the day and keeps everyone occupied.

6. Get the family together and do a Christmas Light tour.  Take a walk or drive around your place and check out the houses all lit up for Christmas or your local park or city attraction.

7. Do some baking, the girls in my house make a day out of baking cookies and muffins.

Those are just a few frugal free activities you can do with your friends, family or other half. You just have to look a little harder.

1. Eating Out – Having gimmicks with friends on a Friday night is fine if you do it once in a while. But this can be expensive if you add them up at the end of the month.

2. Clothing – Naturally, if you are the kind of person who adores signature and designer clothes, do not expect that there will be something left of your take home pay. Instead of being trendy, wear clothes that can easily be matched with your other clothes.

3. Own Home – If you are planning to move out and find a place to settle, do not be overwhelmed by the excitement, instead be practical. As a start, buy a smaller house or try other ways like rent-to-own, do-it-yourself arrangements, and owner financing.

4. Buying Your Own Car – Shy away from sports cars or SUVs. Just stick to your purpose of buying a car which is to transport you anywhere you need to go. Check out also program cars like a new car warranty. Maybe this is not just the best time to replace your car with a new one.

5. Shopping for Groceries – As much as possible do not go with items that are branded. Choose non-brands and try looking for items on the highest or lowest shelves for best prices. Grab the opportunity and shop during sales or use coupons.

6. Family Out – There are inexpensive ways to bond with your family and be entertained like going to libraries, local parks, malling, picnics, visit friends and local church.

7. Buying School Supplies – Stock school supplies at home and do not buy anything fancy.

8. Be contented with what you have and try to live within what you earn.

9. Plan your Child’s College Education – Teach them the ways to be independent and self-supporting by encouraging them to apply for scholarships and “on campus jobs”.

10. Be Aware of your Financial Limitations