Archives of Shel Horowitz's Monthly Frugal Fun Tips

Every month since May, 1997, Shel Horowitz sends out a quick tip on how to have fun cheaply. Topics include travel, dining, entertainment, romance, and much more. Shel also has tons more information on this subject in his 280-page e-book, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook

Monthly Frugal Fun Tipsheet Back Issues (by Shel Horowitz, author of The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook and FrugalFun.com webmaster)

Frugal Fun Tips by Category

  • Frugal Fun Philosophy
  • Travel / Vacations
  • Food
  • Recreation
  • Music, Theater, Film, Culture, Etc.
  • Romance
  • Holidays / Entertaining
  • Shopping and Stuff
  • With the Kids
  • Chronological Order
  • FRUGAL FUN PHILOSOPHY

    Play Millionaire: A Fabulous Day of Romantic Fun (May, 1997)

    Help Celebrate International Frugal Fun Day (May, 1999)

    Abundance vs. Prosperity (February, 2001)

    Special Issue--Reader Responses (February, 2001)

    Frugality is NOT Deprivation (January, 2002)

    Valuing Your Time: When *Not* To Pinch Pennies (January, 2004)

    Ethical Buying (February, 2005)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    TRAVEL/VACATIONS

    Make the Most of Your Travel By Using Homestays (July, 1997)

    Airfare Bargains on the Net (January, 1998)

    Cheap Hotels in NYC (May, 1998)

    Do Your Summer Travel NOW--or In September (June, 1998)

    Frugal Phone Card Tips (August, 1998)

    Receive Cheap Airfare Bulletins Every Week (February, 1999)

    Cheap Vacations in Expensive Tourist Resorts (July, 1999)

    Tips on Getting Bumped for Free Flights (September, 1999)

    Another Great Bargain Air Travel Resource: "Fly Cheap" (March, 2000)

    Just Off-Season Vacations (June, 2000)

    A Frugal Fun Postcard from Greece (June, 2000)
    A Week in Greece...$23.85 Per Day For Transportation, Lodging, and Food

    Cottage and Cabin Vacations (July, 2000)

    Frugal on the Road...In San Francisco (April, 2001)

    10 Cheap Airfare Tips (July, 2001)

    Driving Vacations (August, 2001)

    10 Reasons Why I Love Homestays (October, 2001)

    Car Rental Tips (November, 2001)

    Five Tips for Tourists in Strange Cities (November, 2002)

    A Semi-Frugal Fun Postcard From Europe, Part 1 (September, 2003)

    A Semi-Frugal Fun Postcard From Europe, Part 2 (November, 2003)

    Packing Tips (June, 2005)

    Creative Carpooling and Other Driving Savings (September, 2007)

    Things You Might Forget to Pack (November, 2007)

    A Frugal Fun Postcard from Las Vegas (December, 2007)

    Museum and School Reciprocity (March, 2009)

    Fare Trackers Can Save a Bundle on Airfare (May, 2009)

    A Few of My Favorite Travel Logistics Tips (July, 2009)

    The Beach? When it's Too Cold to Swim? (September, 2009)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    FOOD

    Turn a Picnic Into a Work of Art (August, 1997)

    Use That Leftover Pumpkin! (November, 1997)

    Cater Your Own Party--For $1-$2 Per Person (July, 1998)

    In-Home Gourmet Meals for Pennies (March, 1999)

    That Strange Stuff in the Corners of Your Kitchen Could Become a Feast (November, 1999)

    A Quick & Easy Gourmet Winter Pick-Me-Up (February, 2000)

    Summer Produce (August, 2000)

    The NEW Kind of Farmer's Market (September, 2000)

    Modular Cooking: How to Be a Gourmet (for Pennies) and Still Have Your Kids Enjoy Dinner (March, 2001)

    Cheap and Interesting Summer Beverages (June, 2001)

    Community-Supported Agriculture (September, 2001)

    Preserve the Harvest (September, 2002)

    First Harvests (April, 2003)

    Peel Appeal (May, 2004)

    Dining at Trade Shows (June, 2004)

    Convenience Foods--Yea or Nay? (January, 2005)

    Splurge Restaurants, Shel-Style--$15 to $20 per Person (July, 2005)

    Preserving the Harvest, Round 2 (October, 2005)

    The Cheese Stands Alone (April, 2006)

    Authentic Ethnic Restaurants (May, 2006)

    ?Savory Sixteen? a Frugal Birthday Alternative (November, 2008)

    Enjoy the First Harvest (April, 2009)

    Grow Your Own... Even in Apartments (June, 2009)

    Coping With Zucchini Overload (August, 2009)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    RECREATION

    Play Millionaire: A Fabulous Day of Romantic Fun (May, 1997)

    Slash the Cost of Recreation (September, 1997)

    Save Money on Winter Recreation (October, 1998)

    Still Not Too Late for a Frugal Outdoor Date (November, 1998)

    Frugal Fun Tips Goes Outdoors for Spring (April, 1999)

    Pedal Power--And Free Trees (May, 2000)

    Own Your Own Winter Sports Gear (December, 2000)

    Springtime Fun (May, 2001)

    Winter Fun (December, 2001)

    Seasonal Fun in March (March, 2003)

    Theater Improv Games, part 1 of 2 (May, 2003)

    Theater Improv Games, part 2 of 2 (June, 2003)

    Great Fall Fun Frolics Outdoors (October, 2003)

    Saving on Snowboarding and Skiing: Five Frugal Tips (December, 2003)

    Fabulous Flowers (March, 2004)

    Bike-and-Ride (July, 2004)

    Campus Entertainment (March, 2005)

    How to Buy Used Books at Yard Sales (May, 2005)

    Walking on Bridges and Promenades (September, 2005)

    Don't Let the Cold Scare You Off (January, 2007)

    Own Your Own Winter Sports Equipment (January, 2008)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    MUSIC, THEATER, FILM, CULTURE, ETC.

    See the Superstars of Tomorrow (August, 1999)

    Sometimes a Bargain Isn't a Bargain: Arena Concerts (December, 1999)

    Saturate Yourself With Free/Cheap Entertainment for the Next Two Months (April, 2000)

    Cultural Memberships: One per Year (October, 2000)

    You Don't Have to be a Kid to Enjoy Children's Literature (November, 2000)

    "Try Before You Buy" for Museums (January, 2001)

    See Top-Name Concerts and Plays for Free as an Usher (February, 2002)

    Be a Field Trip Chaperone (March, 2002)

    See Concerts, Plays, Movies or Sports Events for Free as a Reviewer (January, 2003)

    How to Find Great Museums That Don't Charge (February, 2003)

    Improve Your Mood With Music (July, 2003)

    My Manic Week of Ushering (April, 2004)

    How I Made My Own Nearly-Costless Music Festival (August, 2005)

    Why I Read (February, 2007)

    How to Buy Art Inexpensively (October, 2007)

    Art Masterworks... for Pennies a Picture—Part 1 (February, 2008)

    Art for Pennies a Picture, Part Two: How to Get Art Books Affordably (March, 2008)

    Rotate Your Collections (January, 2009)

    Can the World be Your Library? (February, 2009)

    Museum and School Reciprocity (March, 2009)

    Master Classes (November, 2009)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    ROMANCE

    Play Millionaire: A Fabulous Day of Romantic Fun (May, 1997)

    Frugal Valentine Ideas (February, 1998)

    How to Make Something Special Out of Not Much More Than Air: A Romantic Evening in an Empty House (September, 1998)

    Still Not Too Late for a Frugal Outdoor Date (November, 1998)

    Resurrect Romance Week (August, 1999)

    Frugal Romance in the Winter (January, 2000)

    Sizzling Sexy Summer Sparks (July, 2002)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    HOLIDAYS/ENTERTAINING

    Cheap Halloween Costumes (October, 1997)

    Frugal Gift Ideas, Part 1 (December, 1997)

    Frugal Valentine Ideas (February, 1998)

    Cater Your Own Party--For $1-$2 Per Person (July, 1998)

    Frugal Gift Ideas, Part 2 (December, 1998)

    Help Celebrate International Frugal Fun Day (May, 1999)

    A Brand New Halloween Treat Idea: No Cavities, Guaranteed (October, 1999)

    Easy and Cheap Holiday Decorating Ideas (December, 2002)

    Theater Improv Games, part 1 of 2 (May, 2003)

    Theater Improv Games, part 2 of 2 (June, 2003)

    5 Alternatives to Material Gifts (December, 2004)

    Alternative Gifts (December, 2006)

    Party Planning, Part II--Checklist (June, 2007)

    ?Savory Sixteen? a Frugal Birthday Alternative (November, 2008)

    Five Frugal Gift Ideas (December, 2008)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    SHOPPING AND STUFF

    How to Work a Trade Show for the Freebies (June, 1997)

    Frugal Gift Ideas, Part 1 (December, 1997)

    Win Prizes on the Radio (March, 1998)

    Buy Next Winter's Clothes Now, Cheaply (April, 1998)

    Frugal Phone Card Tips (August, 1998)

    Frugal Gift Ideas, Part 2 (December, 1998)

    January is for Shoppers (January, 1999)

    Find Fabulous Frugal Bargains at Yard Sales (June, 1999)

    How Buying Used Helps the Environment and My Quality of Life (August, 2002)

    New Car Buying Strategies (November, 2004)

    How to Restore/Revive Yard Sale and Thrift Shop Clothing (July, 2007)

    Five Frugal Gift Ideas (December, 2008)

    This Might Be the Cheapest Way to Stock Your Closet/Bookshelf/CD Collection (October, 2009)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    WITH THE KIDS

    Cheap Halloween Costumes (October, 1997)

    A Brand New Halloween Treat Idea: No Cavities, Guaranteed (October, 1999)

    You Don't Have to be a Kid to Enjoy Children's Literature (November, 2000)

    Hike With Your Kids (April, 2002)

    How to Bike in Traffic (May, 2002)

    Creative Summer Fun With Kids (June, 2002)

    Great Fall Fun Frolics Outdoors (October, 2003)

    Treasures of the Library (February, 2004)

    Enjoy Evenings Out--Set Up a Child Care Co-op (September, 2004)

    "Savory Sixteen" a Frugal Birthday Alternative (November, 2008)

    Museum and School Reciprocity (March, 2009)

    [ Back to the Contents ]

    CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

    Play Millionaire: A Fabulous Day of Romantic Fun (May, 1997)

    How to Work a Trade Show for the Freebies (June, 1997)

    Make the Most of Your Travel By Using Homestays (July, 1997)

    Turn a Picnic Into a Work of Art (August, 1997)

    Slash the Cost of Recreation (September, 1997)

    Cheap Halloween Costumes (October, 1997)

    Use That Leftover Pumpkin! (November, 1997)

    Frugal Gift Ideas, Part 1 (December, 1997)

    Airfare Bargains on the Net (January, 1998)

    Frugal Valentine Ideas (February, 1998)

    Win Prizes on the Radio (March, 1998)

    Buy Next Winter's Clothes Now, Cheaply (April, 1998)

    Cheap Hotels in NYC (May, 1998)

    Do Your Summer Travel NOW--or In September (June, 1998)

    Cater Your Own Party--For $1-$2 Per Person (July, 1998)

    Frugal Phone Card Tips (August, 1998)

    How to Make Something Special Out of Not Much More Than Air: A Romantic Evening in an Empty House (September , 1998)

    Save Money on Winter Recreation (October, 1998)

    Still Not Too Late for a Frugal Outdoor Date (November, 1998)

    Frugal Gift Ideas, Part 2 (December, 1998)

    January is for Shoppers (January, 1999)

    Receive Cheap Airfare Bulletins Every Week (February, 1999)

    In-Home Gourmet Meals for Pennies (March, 1999)

    Frugal Fun Tips Goes Outdoors for Spring (April, 1999)

    Help Celebrate International Frugal Fun Day (May, 1999)

    Find Fabulous Frugal Bargains at Yard Sales (June, 1999)

    Cheap Vacations in Expensive Tourist Resorts (July, 1999)

    See the Superstars of Tomorrow/Resurrect Romance Week (August, 1999, Special Double Issue)

    Tips on Getting Bumped for Free Flights (September, 1999)

    A Brand New Halloween Treat Idea: No Cavities, Guaranteed (October, 1999)

    That Strange Stuff in the Corners of Your Kitchen Could Become a Feast (November, 1999)

    Sometimes a Bargain Isn't a Bargain: Arena Concerts (December, 1999)

    Frugal Romance in the Winter (January, 2000)

    A Quick & Easy Gourmet Winter Pick-Me-Up (February, 2000)

    Another Great Bargain Air Travel Resource: "Fly Cheap" (March, 2000)

    Saturate Yourself With Free/Cheap Entertainment for the Next Two Months (April, 2000)

    Pedal Power--And Free Trees (May, 2000)

    Just Off-Season Vacations (June, 2000)

    A Frugal Fun Postcard from Greece (June, 2000)
    A Week in Greece...$23.85 Per Day For Transportation, Lodging, and Food

    Cottage and Cabin Vacations (July, 2000)

    Summer Produce (August, 2000)

    The NEW Kind of Farmer's Market (September, 2000)

    Cultural Memberships: One per Year (October, 2000)

    You Don't Have to be a Kid to Enjoy Children's Literature (November, 2000)

    Own Your Own Winter Sports Gear (December, 2000)

    "Try Before You Buy" for Museums (January, 2001)

    Abundance vs. Prosperity (February, 2001)

    Special Issue--Reader Responses (February, 2001)

    Modular Cooking: How to Be a Gourmet (for Pennies) and Still Have Your Kids Enjoy Dinner (March, 2001)

    Frugal on the Road...In San Francisco (April, 2001)

    Springtime Fun (May, 2001)

    Cheap and Interesting Summer Beverages (June, 2001)

    10 Cheap Airfare Tips (July, 2001)

    Driving Vacations (August, 2001)

    Community-Supported Agriculture (September, 2001)

    10 Reasons Why I Love Homestays (October, 2001)

    Car Rental Tips (November, 2001)

    Winter Fun (December, 2001)

    Frugality is NOT Deprivation (January, 2002)

    See Top-Name Concerts and Plays for Free as an Usher (February, 2002)

    Be a Field Trip Chaperone (March, 2002)

    Hike With Your Kids (April, 2002)

    How to Bike in Traffic (May, 2002)

    Creative Summer Fun With Kids (June, 2002)

    Sizzling Sexy Summer Sparks (July, 2002)

    How Buying Used Helps the Environment and My Quality of Life (August, 2002)

    Preserve the Harvest (September, 2002)

    Five Tips for Tourists in Strange Cities (November, 2002)

    Easy and Cheap Holiday Decorating Ideas (December, 2002)

    See Concerts, Plays, Movies or Sports Events for Free as a Reviewer (January, 2003)

    How to Find Great Museums That Don't Charge (February, 2003)

    Seasonal Fun in March (March, 2003)

    First Harvests (April, 2003)

    Theater Improv Games, part 1 of 2 (May, 2003)

    Theater Improv Games, part 2 of 2 (June, 2003)

    Improve Your Mood With Music (July, 2003)

    A Semi-Frugal Fun Postcard From Europe, Part 1 (September, 2003)

    Great Fall Fun Frolics Outdoors (October, 2003)

    A Semi-Frugal Fun Postcard From Europe, Part 2 (November, 2003)

    Saving on Snowboarding and Skiing: Five Frugal Tips (December, 2003)

    Valuing Your Time: When *Not* To Pinch Pennies (January, 2004)

    Treasures of the Library (February, 2004)

    Fabulous Flowers (March, 2004)

    My Manic Week of Ushering (April, 2004)

    Peel Appeal (May, 2004)

    Dining at Trade Shows (June, 2004)

    Bike-and-Ride (July, 2004)

    Enjoy Evenings Out--Set Up a Child Care Co-op (September, 2004)

    Trash-To-Treasure Co-ops Go Online (October, 2004)

    New Car Buying Strategies (November, 2004)

    5 Alternatives to Material Gifts (December, 2004)

    Convenience Foods--Yea or Nay? (January, 2005)

    Ethical Buying (February, 2005)

    Campus Entertainment (March, 2005)

    Finding No-Cost Art (April, 2005)

    How to Buy Used Books at Yard Sales (May, 2005)

    Packing Tips (June, 2005)

    Splurge Restaurants, Shel-Style--$15 to $20 per Person (July, 2005)

    How I Made My Own Nearly-Costless Music Festival (August, 2005)

    Walking on Bridges and Promenades (September, 2005)

    Preserving the Harvest, Round 2 (October, 2005)

    Six Reasons to Shop Local (December, 2005)

    Seize the Moment (January, 2006)

    8 Reasons to Visit Art Galleries (February, 2006)

    Those Sneaky Sneakers: Tweens and Consumerism (March, 2006)

    The Cheese Stands Alone (April, 2006)

    Authentic Ethnic Restaurants (May, 2006)

    Non-Touristy Adventures in Tourist Cities (June, 2006)

    U -Pick (July, 2006)

    Make Exercise Fun (August, 2006)

    Lower the Cost of Computing--Part 1 (September, 2006)

    Lower the Cost of Computing--Part II: Software (October, 2006)

    Craft Fairs and Open Studios (November, 2006)

    Alternative Gifts (December, 2006)

    Don't Let the Cold Scare You Off (January, 2007)

    Why I Read (February, 2007)

    Fun with Books (March, 2007)

    Party Planning, Part 1 (April, 2007)

    Shel's Favorite Tipsheets (May, 2007)

    Party Planning, Part II--Checklist (June, 2007)

    How to Restore/Revive Yard Sale and Thrift Shop Clothing (July, 2007)

    Creative Carpooling and Other Driving Savings (September, 2007)

    How to Buy Art Inexpensively (October, 2007)

    Things You Might Forget to Pack (November, 2007)

    A Frugal Fun Postcard from Las Vegas (December, 2007)

    Own Your Own Winter Sports Equipment (January, 2008)

    Art Masterworks...for Pennies a Picture—Part 1 (February, 2008)

    Art for Pennies a Picture, Part Two: How to Get Art Books Affordably (March, 2008)

    Nature Classes (April, 2008)

    Fresh Herbs—Even For Apartment Dwellers (May, 2008)

    What's That You're Drinking? (June, 2008)

    10 Ways to Make Driving Vacations Affordable (August, 2008)

    Weird Word Books (September, 2008)

    Get Out of Town (October, 2008)

    ?Savory Sixteen? a Frugal Birthday Alternative (November, 2008)

    Five Frugal Gift Ideas (December, 2008)

    Rotate Your Collections (January, 2009)

    Can the World be Your Library? (February, 2009)

    Museum and School Reciprocity (March, 2009)

    Enjoy the First Harvest (April, 2009)

    Fare Trackers Can Save a Bundle on Airfare (May, 2009)

    Grow Your Own... Even in Apartments (June, 2009)

    A Few of My Favorite Travel Logistics Tips (July, 2009)

    Coping With Zucchini Overload (August, 2009)

    The Beach? When it's Too Cold to Swim? (September, 2009)

    This Might Be the Cheapest Way to Stock Your Closet/Bookshelf/CD Collection (October, 2009)

    Master Classes (November, 2009)

    [ Back to the Contents ]