Spring has sprung!... Posted by karin on Mar 27th, 2012.

Spring has sprung and now we need to get things done! But what things are the most important? Take my word for it, those winter windows will survive another week or two. The curtains and blinds would really be nice if they were freshly washed but I think there are more important things to deal with right now. What you ask?

How about getting your garden ready for planting. Spring crops need to go into the ground as soon as you can work the soil. Take my word for it, you do not want to miss out on spring peas, lettuce or onions...the fresh flavor is worth the dirty windows! Lol Besides, just feeling the clean dirt on your hands makes you almost forget about the cold winter months.

Spring is like a new start! If you have never had a garden, now is the time to start. If you have never tried to find the crafty side hiding within you, now is the time to find it! Need to start an exercise plan...spring is the perfect time to get that regime going! Winter foods seem to be heavy and spring foods seem to be so light...try a new recipe!

Once you finish starting all of the frugal, fun, new things that our members share, you can wash those dirty winter windows! We have fun while trying to help each other be frugal. That means that we offer advice, share personal experiences, give hugs when need and a swat when necessary! Most of all, we just have fun sharing being frugal. If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/join us and sign up today. You can even ask us questions at our Guest House!



Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

Spring is right around the corner!... Posted by Guest author Ms.MarieH on Feb 23rd, 2012.

Well winter is finally starting to wind down and our frugal forum is humming with ideas to prepare for spring and find new ways to bring more frugality to our daily living.

Some of us are discussing what seeds we are starting and our plans for our gardens. This time of year is often the gardener's favorite, as there are no weeds, nor bugs, nor hot muggy days to deter our perfect vision of our gardens. The air is ripe with potential for the most prolific plants and best flavored fruits and vegetables to grow without flaw for us.

Others are participating in some of the many challenges we post regularly. From living a frugal life via a monthly debt reduction challenge or a weekly no spend challenge to finding new ways to be make being frugal fun, we always look for ways to improve our efforts. This month we are finishing up a special make your own condiment challenge, but it's not too late to jump in with us. 

We have recently been sharing tips on how to make your own curtains, fix the gasket on your refrigerator door, make cheese, utilize solar lights during a power outage, and live a healthier life. We've shared links for freebies from free pizza to household products and more. Our menu planning threads and recipe forum will keep your family eating well and frugally for years to come.

We're a friendly group that takes time to learn about each other's lives, celebrate our family and personal milestones, share our successes, mourn our losses, and support each other through the tough and lean times. We are here for each other every single day and truly have built a family within our safe community.

If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/join us and sign up today. You can even ask us questions at our Guest House!

Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

Tis the Season!... Posted by karin on Dec 17th, 2011.

Tis the season! Maybe you're hoping for a Merry Christmas visit from Santa on the 25th! You might be getting ready for an eight day celebration during Hanukkah! Or. maybe you are preparing for the week long celebration of Kwanzaa! It really doesn't matter what you celebrate during December, it just seems like everyone smiles a bit more, shops like mad and shares wonderful times with family and friends. December is a celebrating kinda month!

But, what happens when the new year rolls around and you have to pay those credit card bills...remember, you did celebrate in December just like most folks. I guess the holiday spirit takes over our usual frugal brains and some of us become shopping fools! I will confess to buying some really great smelling stuff that I can add to my laundry...I did have a coupon! I know, laugh at me all that you want. I do not have any family close by so Christmas is not a decorate, buy presents, cook a huge meal holiday for me. It's a time for me to remind myself how many blessings have been bestowed on me during the year. I smile more than anyone can ever imagine. :)

I have my friends to thank for that...my FFF buddies! They encourage me, keep me on track, cry with me, hug me when I need it and they also are right there to give me a good old fashioned kick in the butt too! Lol I sometimes think that I am weird because I spill my guts out to people that I have never met in person. Somehow I feel more comfortable with them than members of my family...sorry sis. I hope you can understand what I am trying to convey. Fractured Frugal Friends (FFF) is a group of guys and gals that feel like they belong no matter what their lifestyle...some make a bunch of $$$, some are broke, some are just eeking out a living, some are worried about their future...we all share, no matter what our circumstances are. We are a fun and frugal bunch that enjoy knowing someone is always there, no matter what!


We have fun while trying to help each other be frugal. That means that we offer advice, share personal experiences, give hugs when need and a swat when necessary! Most of all, we just have fun sharing being frugal. If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/join us and sign up today. You can even ask us questions at our Guest House!

Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

The Holidays are almost here!... Posted by karin on Nov 19th, 2011.

The holiday season is almost here! In most homes that means EEEEEEK! The Thanksgiving feast with family just sort of sneaks up on you and then the shopping frenzy begins followed by decorating for the December holidays and then we finally get to make resolutions for the new year...usually not to let this same turmoil happen the following year! Lol Stop right now, take a deep breath and relax for a moment. It will come together with some help...help from friends that is. :)

Our frugal friends have been posting up a storm about ways to create cost effective meals, something new and different or maybe a great way to use those coupons to your holiday food shopping advantage. And, don't forget gift giving is supposed to come from the heart and not necessarily from the wallet! Even folks who are not exactly what you would call crafty, can create something special for a loved one with the tips and hints that our members are sharing. Yes, you too can have a festive holiday season without breaking the bank or...using those credit cards!!!! And, if you do use them, you'll need some support for getting back on track. That would be Fractured Frugal Friends! :)


We have fun while trying to help each other be frugal. That means that we offer advice, share personal experiences, give hugs when need and a swat when necessary! Most of all, we just have fun sharing being frugal. If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/join us and sign up today. You can even ask us questions at our Guest House!


Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!

Fall is here!... Posted by karin on Oct 3rd, 2011.

How come the warm summer weather passes so quickly? It seems like we just started eating out of our gardens and now we are worrying about frost! EEK!!!

The kids are back in school so that means fixing lunch for them to take...what do you fix? Our moms have all sorts of great ideas. Fall also means it's time to can and freeze for winter...do you put up anything special? I was really amazed at the different recipes and ideas that our canners and freezers shared this season. :)

Need some ideas for Halloween or fall? WOW, our members are full of great, cheap and spooky ideas for all sorts of things from food to decorating!

As much as I hate to mention it, do you do anything to help with your heating bill during the winter months? It could be as simple as stuffing a rug under a door that doesn't fit tight. Or, maybe covering your windows with plastic or heavy drapes. I can hardly wait to see what our frugal folks come up with this year. A few years back we even had a member who used bubble wrap on her farm house windows!!! She has moved since then but now she lives in a drafty big Victorian home...wonder what she'll do to help heat this year!

The cooler months also mean that I spend more time indoors like most folks. I don't know about the rest of you, but I love to create in my kitchen during the cold winter months. I'm already looking for new recipes to try and our members are giving me all sorts of new ideas.

Most of all we have fun while trying too help each other be frugal. That means that we offer advice, share personal experiences, give hugs when need and a swat when necessary! Most of all, we just have fun sharing being frugal. If you would like to join our wonderful group just head to www.fractured.net/join us and sign up today.You can even ask us questions at our Guest House!



Come discuss this on our forums by clicking THIS LINK!