Welcome to my saving money tips blog.  Before I go any further, I’d like to explain why this series will be different from all the other frugality-oriented sites and books out there.  With all the information that’s been offered and published in the last couple of decades, I wondered if I really had something useful to share with you. Then I realized, I do have a unique perspective to offer in the ways of frugal living.

My friends and I have been working on an effort to build neighborly community ties for many years. By developing this little “community,” we help our friends when they need us, and vice versa.    We have learned that by trading our skills with each other, there’s so much more added value to our lives than if we tried to get by on our own.

This blog is about so much more than just exploring saving money tips. It’s also about living with a sense of community.  Get to know your neighbors.  Just like neighbors did in American colonial times, you’ll learn to reach out and help each other again.

I’m writing to help you find ways to survive, and even to prosper, when there’s a shortage of money in your life.  Being ‘prosperous’ is not the same thing as having money.  To prosper …is to do and have the things necessary to live in a meaningful and fulfilling way.  This can more readily occur when you do away with the unnecessary distractions and material things that keep you from realizing your real purpose in life.

I must confess, I have been completely destitute many times over the past three decades, and often at times when it seemed like other people were becoming incredibly rich …with their fancy cars and big houses.  I learned some precious lessons about how to keep my sanity intact in those precarious times.  I learned to develop a high sense of self esteem by eventually realizing that there are many ways to provide what’s necessary in my life without having much money.  A lot of those techniques involve trading or bartering work for necessities.

This world is going through some very abrupt changes right now. The best thing we can do is adapt to these changes as quickly as possible.  People are losing jobs and homes right and left.  I know what it’s like to lose a house because I lost one a few years ago. I’ve experienced that same sinking feeling that you might be feeling right now, if you’re in a similar situation.

I’m going to try to offer one or more Saving Money Tips with each blog post.  Here’s this week’s tip:

Visit a small, locally owned produce store.  Often these types of stores are located in ethnic areas, like Hispanic or Chinese neighborhoods, that are off the beaten track.  Perhaps you’ve driven past them before and never noticed.  At times the produce may not look as glamorous as it does in the major food markets, but at a third of the price, it’s worth it.  It’s nice to walk out with a couple of bags of stuff for seven dollars or less as opposed to paying over thirty dollars at the supermarket.

I hope these ‘saving money tips‘ are helpful.  In the coming months, I’ll be sharing many similar tips, as well as various stories about my experiences and the lessons I learned from them.  Till next time…

Hal