The Complete Tightwad Gazette

Topics Covered in The Complete Tightwad Gazette

Since it was originally published as a monthly newsletter, The Complete Tightwad Gazette covers an eclectic array of topics. There are a number of recipes for frugal cooking, as well as suggestions for dealing with picky teens who insist on designer clothes and spouses who are less than supportive of your tightwad ambitions. Most of the ideas come from Dacyczyn herself, although there are plenty of suggestions from her readers as well.

Whether you’re trying to save a few extra dollars to pay down old credit card debt or you’re committed to a complete overall of your spendthrift lifestyle, you’ll find plenty of money-saving tips in this helpful resource.

Money Saving Tactics for Beginners

If you’re looking for a few easy ways to save money, The Complete Tightwad Gazette offers the following ideas:

• Buy food in bulk.
• Reduce or eliminate your meat consumption.
• Create a price book so you’re always getting the best deal on your groceries.
• Walk, bike, or take public transportation when ever possible.
• Frame pretty greeting cards or calendar pages to create inexpensive wall art.
• Develop a used-clothing filing system to make it easier to share clothes among siblings.
• Cut home energy costs by replacing your regular incandescent light bulbs with florescent lights.

Taking Frugality to the Next Level

Once you’ve mastered a few basic money-saving tips, it’s time to take your frugality to the next level. Some suggestions from The Complete Tightwad Gazette include:

• Instead of spending your free time watching television, learn a new money-saving skill such as gardening, sewing, carpentry, or basic car repair.
• Melt together old crayons to make new multi-colored art supplies for your children.
• Instead of cleaning your house with commercially-prepared products, make your own cleaning supplies.
• Socialize with friends and save money by organizing a “swap” to trade old clothes or other household items.
• Use the juice left over from canned fruit to make homemade popsicles.
• When repairing old clothes, scavenge zippers, buttons, and patches from similar garments instead of buying them new.

Not for the Faint of Heart

According to Dacyczyn, nothing is too bizarre if it helps you save some cash. Some of the more unusual suggestions from The Complete Tightwad Gazette include:

• Wash and reuse plastic sandwich bags or other “disposable” kitchen items.
• Furnish your house with items obtained from dumpster diving and trash picking.
• Look for Christmas and birthday gifts at garage sales.
• Instead of a fancy catered meal, have a potluck wedding reception.
• Throw a cheap birthday party that includes party hats made from brown paper bags, streamers made from reused aluminum foil, presents wrapped with newspaper and duct tape, and a cake decorated with assorted used candles.