Top 10 Tips from the Frugalista

3 years ago award-winning journalist and blogger Natalie  McNealfound herself $20,000 in debt, with no savings and decided to get herself life financially in order but didn’t want to totally give up the life she had been living…she began blogging about her journey for the Miami Herald where she was a reporter…eventually the blog became a book about her first year of living frugally….and now has inspired others to follow her penny-wise living.Here are Natalie’s Top 10 Frugalista tips:1. Pamper your finances…put yourself on a non-spending month or week to see what is like not deducting from bank account

2. Make sure any free outings remain as free as possible…good advice, if you get a free or discounted meal, tip like you paid full price

3. If you have expense reports… be sure to fine your expense reports in a timely manner

4. Become a web star…before you buy anything, try if first if possible like goggling “yoga free”

5. Coupons are sexy..use social shopping sites like groupon.com or retailmenot.com

6. Don’t spend your time, invest it…should spend more of your time and $ on something that will increase your value

7. Devote at least one hour per week, preferably three per week on your finances.

8. Try something new at home—like home hair care…or try a new recipe/food at home

9. Sign up for sites…like freesamplefreak.com or thefrugalista.com

10. Green is the best color…Take a shuttle or bus or any public transportation if possible