Eating out for less

Going out to eat is not normally considered an especially frugal activity. And you know what? It isn't.  The (usually American) hobby of going out to eat at McDonald's twice a week because nobody in the house could be bothered to cook, or frequent ordering of a latte and a sandwich on your lunch break at the café near your work, can be a huge and unnecessary financial drain (even if said café is Cofix. Those 5-Shekel coffees really add up over time!). And that's without even mentioning the negative health ramifications of eating fast food on a regular basis.

However, there is definitely a time and place for eating out even for frugal people, assuming you're not currently in serious financial dire straits. Meeting up with friends from out of town occasionally, celebrating a family member's birthday or your wedding anniversary - all those are great reasons to dine out in a nice restaurant, enjoying the food and the ambiance. Doing it at at a discount ? Even better.

Frugal sense (and scents)

Frugality is in style these days, especially in the English-speaking world. With a simple Google search, you can find oodles of recipes on a variety of for food staples, cleaning or other household supplies you'd normally buy - soap, washing powder, scented sprays...you name it. I've tried my hand at more than a few of these, and while the experience has undoubtedly enriched my life (not to mention my knowledge base), I've come away somewhat skeptical of the frugality of some of these solutions, both moneywise and in "real life price".