I’m speaking tonight at Preston Trail Community Church, in the Financial Peace University class, about the “no retail” shopping challenge. I didn’t start this to save money, but it did turn out to be a nice benefit. Here’s a recap of the posts from the last 200 days that have to do with saving money and thinking differently. Enjoy & save!!
Basic & small money saving tips
A money lesson from Barbie. [day 198] – You can learn a lot for a dummy, I mean a Barbie. This has tips on teaching your kids about money, and even though it’s Barbie, it’s good for boys or girls.
Saving electricity [day 191] – It’s a small thing, but these add up, as my last utility bill was $52.01 on a 100% renewable energy plan, 1,780 square foot house with huge vaulted ceilings and 16 year old appliances.
White elephant gifts [trashogram] – Give it away or trade it.
Junk drawer [trashogram] – You know there’s money there and also in your couch cushions. It’s not collecting interest, that’s dust.
Made in China [day 176] – Know the difference between cheap and frugal.
To buy or not to buy? [day 167] – Kids spending money and get a small loan, because your going to the movies and buying popcorn.
Ask the chickens [day 162] – Expiration dates and tips on not being wasteful.
Fine! Dress me up like a fairy princess! [day 161] – Tips on thrift store clothing shopping.
Shopping tips [day 160] – We’ve been subconsciously trained by little yellow tags. Buyer beware.
I was Targeted [day 154] – Holiday junk. Do you need it?
Shopping at the mall [day 152] – Funny products and shopping tips.
Who is Lee M. Cardholder [day 149] – Credit and debt has a Facebook identity.
Are you a woman or a metro-sexual man? [day 147] – You don’t need a new outfit.
Challenging the challenge [day 144] – A retail store experience and avoiding impulse buys.
Waiting pays off [day 132] – Thrift store shopping, how to find what you’re looking for.
Slurpeevader [day 122] – Holiday fun without financially supporting the retail economy.
I have that color [day 116] – Using what you have without buying new stuff.
Flashback [day 106] – I spend money more like a man than a woman…
Lessons learned 1/4 way into the challenge. [day 91] – Many lessons.
No shopping for a kid’s perspective [day 51] – They have more money too.
Good buy, bad buy [day 44] – A $5 short story.
Odd impulse buys [day 29] – How to keep your kids from making impulse buys.
Uh-oh, birthday party [day 11] – Need a birthday gift?
Borrowing & community [day 8] – Borrowing instead of buying.
Moderate money saving tips
Got broken stuff? [day 196] – If you do, can you repurpose it or fix it? This will get you thinking about that thing you have sitting around that you keep meaning to fix.
Stocking stuffers [day 189] – When shopping this year for stocking stuffers and small gifts, here’s a few things to think about.
Read the fine print [day 188] – There’s a reason fine print exists, it’s a good ideas to read it. You wouldn’t believe this stuff from black friday. One store actually is selling used parts in new stuff.
Play with your toys, or someone else’s [day 179] – Not using something? Trade stuff with people you know. It’s like getting new stuff for free. This also has my financial history… and it’s not pretty!
Buying shoes [day 142] – Buying shoes, retail or thrift?
Gee, that will look great in my garage [day 140] – Stop impulse shopping and retail therapy.
Ounce for ounce, drugs might be cheaper [day 130] – Kids birthday parties and gifts.
I bought a bunch of stuff [day 127] – More thrift store shopping tips.
Bad design. [day 126] – Information on buying off-brands. Is it good or bad? Does it save money?
How did I not know about this? [day 124] – What costly things are hiding in your house?
iPad or Xbox? [day 119] – Good shopping habits for young kids.
Second Hand [day 107] – Second hand stores.
Insomnia. Infomercials. Insanity [day 104] – Late night money savings.
Online shopping [day 101] – Online shopping tips.
You can’t eat all that! [day 97] – Tips on eating out, getting more for your money.
What is it? [day 78] – Do you want it it or need it?
Back to school [day 58] – No retail shopping school supplies.
Boutiques [day 43] – Do your cost analysis homework.
An eyePEACE for free [short story] – Making something versus buying it.
Talking about it works! [day 24] – Kids will learn, and here’s an example.
High dollar money saving tips
To Infiniti and beyond! [day 175] – A cost analysis on how your old car is saving you money, even if you need repairs.
Insurance and a Dumas [day 172] – 911! Do you have the proper insurance to cover your emergency? Also a little story about Dumas, the icon of stuff you don’t need.
Oil leak [day 171] – Should you fix it? You may not need to…
I saved $53,000 in 20 minutes [day 137] – See how… 5 other people saved a lot of money after reading this. Don’t worry, there’s no fine print. 😉
what is that smell? [day 102] – Everything pictured was less than $4.
Sign of the times [day 92] – Living within your means.
Green and clean [day 77] – Choosing a power provider.
Homegrown [day 59] – Grow your own food. Yes, even in Frisco in our tiny yards.
Should you buy new, used or not at all? [day 33] – A great guide for buying anything you want or need, new or used, or maybe not at all.
$4 until payday [day 26, 27 & 28] – What do you do?
Is it coffee or an investment? [iembracechaos.com] – This is a cost analysis I did a while back on my other blog. If you like coffee, this is a must read.
Extreme (I’ll do pretty much anything) money saving tips
Dumpster diving. [day 199] – Learn the basics about dumpster diving. Where and when to do it and what you can find. You will be amazed!
Black friday [day 185] – Black friday deals can be found any day of the year, if you’re willing to spend some research time. This is a video of the chaos and some interesting observations from 4am until sunrise…
Dumpster diving tips, black friday style [day 170] – Black friday tips applied to a much better shopping source, dumpster diving.
Crazy? Maybe. [day 136] – Inexpensive and fun home remodeling. Swap stuff with your neighbors.
Pulling food out of the trash [day 120] – Yes, that’s what I said. I ate it too. Also some good tips on leftovers.
What is nobody bought new stuff? [day 56] – Read about Awful Inevitable Radical Economy Deflation (AIRED)
Dumpster diving… at church [day 32] – Yep, I did and got something great!
trashsociety.com 
Enjoyed your talk! Your blog is amazing:)