Op Shopping Fantastica

I LOVE op shopping (thrifting). It's frugal, it's green and the chase is thrilling.

Many people think op shopping is "dirty and gross" but everything can be cleaned in some manner and re-used. There is always so much to go through to find your gems, but there is a lot out there and many wonderfully unique pieces too. Once you start op shopping regularly you will find you get used to running your eyes along the racks quickly and finding the good stuff.

I love being able to purchase items on a small budget and feel guilt free too. I see my purchase as saving stuff from landfill and preventing the over production of new stuff.

I op shop not only because it's frugal and green, but also because I'm Rubenesque meaning clothing shops with my size are ridiculously over priced and very limiting in range. So I'm very lucky I have Op Shops around me and even though I'm in a small town I still find many gems.

So don't be shy, go and browse your local op shop. My hints are; take cash as some op shops don't use cards, take a shoulder bag to keep you arms free for the items you want to check out, look carefully for stains and holes and have fun. 

Here is what I purchased in the past 2 weeks: TOTAL PRICE $14, all items in pics below.

• Novels in French for my partner: $2.50 for two.
• Professional development book for myself .50cents.
• A really cute leather headband for myself, $1.00.
• A book I really wanted last month but refused to fork out $45 for, and there is was... Urban Eco Chic only $3.00!!! I was so EXCITED... it's a beautiful book.

Books and Headband = $7.00

My Gorgeous Book!!! = $3.00

• Cooper Street dress with a teeny weeny burn. $2.00, purchased for sewing projects. (New Cooper Street dresses start at $159. The fabric is luxurious.)

Cooper Street Dress = $2.00

• A white wool beret for an up coming trip to France $1.00.
• Trial size make-up from Mary Kay $1.00 for a whole lot.
• Sewing hooks & eyes I needed for a sewing project, Lucky me! .50 cents.
• Salt and Pepper shaker by an Italian company $2.00.
• Maori doll for my daughter .50 cents.

Beret, Make-up, Doll, Salt & Pepper Shakers and Eyes & Hooks = $5.00

Do you Op Shop? What have you found lately?

Fun And Free

We love to go out and do things in a social and fun environment. Before we new what frugality meant we went to the movies, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, concerts, shows and other fun places A LOT. We had a great time but it cost us our pay-packet week by week leaving us nothing to save.

We still hunger for entertainment but we have changed how we do it, so that we can enjoy fun times without the disappearing pay-packet. There are so many activities available in the community for free that are great fun.

In the past few weeks we have been to:

• Swimming pool & water slides. (Great relief on these balmy days.)
• Fathers day breakfast in the park with a jumping castle, balloons & face painting.
• Different playgrounds in various neighbouring suburbs.
• Fun Bus, with lots of various kids activities; play-doh, painting, water play & more.
• Story time at the library.
• Reading of The Wonky Donkey by the author/songwriter.
• Fishing & a fishing meet up.
• Museum.
• Dance displays and workshops.
• Face painting and balloons at a hardware store.
• French movie under the stars.

All of these activities and events were FREE. We usually also attend lots of other more adult themed free events including interesting forums and uni talks, however lately they have been mostly child focused.

Free French Movie Under The Stars.

People often ask me how I know about all these activities and community events. I see them on the internet, public noticeboards, newsletters, newspaper, flyers, banners and from word of mouth. The trick is I don't disregard any of them. Instead I keep my eye and ear open and jot them down in my diary as I learn about them. As the day approaches we decide if it's something any of us would like to attend and plan it in.

We still go out and pay to see the circus, theatre and concerts as we enjoy these activities and believe artists should be paid fairly for their work and skills. However these are now special family events and not regular outings.

What entertainment do you enjoy? Is it costly, inexpensive of e Freebie?

Stephanie @ Frugal Down Under.

Savvy Haircutting in Our Home.

Once upon a time The Rambling Expat went to the hairdressers every 4 or so weeks for a clipper cut. After a few years of this we realised that clippers cost about $30 and a haircut cost $30. The hairdressers haircut only lasted 4 weeks, while clippers lasted 2 years. So we bought clippers and now cut at home.

Cheap clippers do the deed.

The Rambling Expat's bill was roughly $720 over the 2 years, now it's $30 plus a little $ for power (lets make it $5). This equates to a savings of $685. A huge amount of money which was just slipping through our fingers. And time wise it takes only 5 minutes. As I clip, all the hair goes into newspaper and then into the compost. It's inexpensive, green, local and time efficient.

Of course clipper cuts need to suit you. I think my partner looks great with his hair clipped. And if you're thinning on top why fight it?

Before cut and shower; looking worn out.

After cut and shower; looking younger and refreshed.

I also clip my neighbour, Mr T's hair. He starts it off and pops over for me to tidy it up. He earns well as a white collar manager however he is $$$ savvy, saving for a life of luxury when he retires young. 

Do you cut your family or friend's hair? Any tips or views to share? Is a visit to the hairdressers a luxury or necessity? Why are women's cuts so more expensive compared to men's? I would be interested in your comments and thoughts.

Snip Snip,

Stephanie @ Frugal Down Under.

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New Passion for Frugality

Since having our child nearly 4 years ago, I have made many small frugal changes due to inspiration from Bloggers, Frugal / Eco websites and Books.

I live a chaotic and messy life but am trying to get this under control. I believe if I have made great changes in my spending and savings habits, then changes in how I manage my clutter, mess, aspirations and future can also be done.

To me being frugal means not spending all my earnings, but instead being careful and putting aside for emergencies, our future and our daughters future too. It also means living a more simple / greener life, being debt free (we do have a mortgage), taking advantage of community activities, purchasing 2nd hand most of the time, budgeting, menu planning and shopping carefully. We try to recycle, re-use, reduce or do without. We live below our means by choice and we do it happily as we have bigger goals to aim for.

I love being frugal and thinking of new ways to do things. So I will share what I do and I hope readers will share their knowledge and skills too. By no means am I saying that I am always on track or perfect. I'm far far far from it, sometimes I fall off the wagon and spend on new junk, toys, food, clothing and other unnecessary items that give me happiness for a very short time. But most of the time I try to stick by my personal ethics of being frugalistic and eco too.