3 Reasons Why Pinterest is Frugal

There’s a new obsession out there…Pinterest. For the longest time, I resisted. I really didn’t need something else to become a time-sucker for me. And really, Pinterest might be the biggest time-sucker of all time. Really. But then my sister got engaged. And then my sister said, “you can see that on my Pinterest board.” And then the madness began. I blame all of this on my sister. Shame on you, Jamey. ;-)

 

I’ve found some great ideas on Pinterest…some great recipes…some great decorating ideas. It really is a great place, but you have to set boundaries. A minute on Pinterest can quickly become hours.  You can even get a pinterest app, although you definitely don’t want to put it on your phone.  Just trust me. I like it because it’s a place I can put all the fun links that I find, and then I can go back later and find them easily. It’s a great resource if you know how to use it. Here’s a great Pinterest tutorial from Sorta Crunchy. If you’re confused, that will help you out…unless you’re confused about most things like I am, then that tutorial is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

If you need an invite to join Pinterest, just leave a comment and I’ll hook you up. ;-)

 

I’ve quickly found that using Pinterest can be frugal. Yes, I am very good at applying my method of frugality to just about anything. So, sit back and relax while I give you my three reasons that Pinterest can be frugal for you:

 

1. You can find ideas to use the things you already have. If you have a craft item, an ingredient, or even a piece of trash, Pinterest can tell you how to use it. Before you throw it out, check Pinterest. That nasty old ugly pillow can be transformed into something new. Before that cheese goes bad, make it into a breakfast casserole.

Now, hold the train here. Pinterest can also be VERY BAD FOR YOUR POCKETBOOK. You can find tons of ideas and run out to buy the stuff to make crafts and casseroles. That’s not frugal…that’s crazy. Again, here is somewhere you have to set boundaries. If you have no self-control, Pinterest is not the place for you. Amen.

 

2. It keeps you from buying magazines, craft books, or cookbooks. Really, no one needs to spend money on these things any more unless they want to. Pinterest is a myriad of ideas. You can find any recipe for chicken you need on there…any craft idea using Popsicle sticks or any way to spice up your curtains. If you’re buying magazines for crafting or other stuff, stop it…unless of course, you’ve budgeted in that money and you have it. ;-)

I have nothing against the magazine, craft book, or cookbook industries….I’m just trying to simplify my life. So less clutter laying around for me is a GOOD thing. Amen.

 

3. You can search for frugal things!  If you want to know how to make something instead of buying it, Pinterest is the place for you. There are budget ideas and budget templates.  If you have a budget and you’re trying to stick with it, Pinterest can help you by giving you ideas to make your budget stretch! If you’re on a beans-and-rice budget, Pinterest is going to give you about 5 million ways to make those beans and rice.

I just wanted you to know that I searched for frugal things on Pinterest just now and spent a lot of time there…I won’t tell you how long because Barry is reading this. Ahem. See…boundaries.

 

Now, you can follow me on Pinterest if you like.  :-D

What have YOU found on Pinterest that has helped you be more frugal?

 

*This post is linked at Think Pink Sunday on Flamingo Toes, at Works For Me Wednesday on We Are That Family, and at Frugal Days Sustainable Ways at Frugally Sustainable.

Disclosure: Some posts include links to sponsors or affiliates, which give me a small percentage of the sale. You are not obligated to use these links when you make a purchase, but when you do so it helps to support this site, so thank you!

About Stacy

Stacy is the author of Crock On: A Semi-Whole Foods Slow Cooker Cookbook and a stay-at-home mom to her two children, Annie (3) and Andy (newborn). After an “awakening” in March 2011, her family switched to a more natural, whole foods diet. She likes to blog about how to live on less than you make and how to eat good food while doing it. Her passion is teaching others how to save money and she tag teams with her husband in this endeavor. At Stacy Makes Cents you’ll find information on how to save money in the kitchen, how to have fun with your kids, and how to be thrifty in all areas of life. Her passion is teaching others how to live debt free. Make sure to follow her on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with her daily antics.

Comment Policy: I love hearing your thoughts and input on what I write. Since I write about what works at my house, what pleases my handsome hubby and darling children; I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes. In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, please only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

Speak Your Mind

*

CommentLuv badge

Comments

  1. Brandy :
    March 3, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Your creativity with frugality never ceases to amaze me. Still not joining pinterest. ;-)
    Brandy recently posted…A Quiet DayMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Marie :
    March 3, 2012 at 8:44 am

    Hi Stacy,

    I would love an invitation to check out Pinterest! Thank you :-)

    Marie

    Reply
  3. Lauren :
    March 3, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Interesting! I didn’t know you needed an invite to join Pinterest….but I’ll take one! :)

    Reply
  4. Julia :
    March 3, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I have never done pinterest, but would love to. I don’t have an invite however. If you could hook me up that would be wonderful. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Sara Shay :
    March 3, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Yes I saw your “help me” on FB the other day – boundaries are NECESSARY! I have loved being able to pin recipes and then SO easily find them.
    Sara Shay recently posted…My Little Man’s New Outfit {Review}My Profile

    Reply
  6. Kacy Bristol :
    March 3, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    I would love to have an invite to Pinterest! Thanks

    Reply
  7. Beccy Glass :
    March 3, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    Hi Stacy,
    Love your site, you are so fun! I’d like to do Pinterest.

    Thank you
    Beccy

    Reply
  8. Heather :) :) :) :
    March 3, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    I LOVE Pinterest…so many wonderful ideas!!!! Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)
    Heather :) :) :) recently posted…QUICK UPDATEMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Amy :
    March 3, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    I can’t wait until I get to sit down and use my Pinterest…lol..

    Reply
  10. delloraine :
    March 3, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    please send me an invite to pinterest. I enjoy you and Barry, thanks.

    Reply
  11. Angie :
    March 3, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    I tried Pinterest for a split second and then got freaked out with people following me and deleted my account. After reading your post, I think I’m ready to try again:). Please send me an invite. Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Sharon Taylor :
    March 3, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    Please send me an invite. Everyone I know does it. Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Tina :
    March 3, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    Would love an invitation….
    Thanks :)

    Reply
  14. Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy :
    March 3, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    I loooooooooooooovvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee Pinterest. I find so many awesome ideas for re-purposing things I would otherwise get rid of, so I think it’s very frugal:) At least with money, if not time, lol.
    Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted…Your Grocery Budget ToolboxMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Teresa :
    March 3, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    Thank you for posting this. I’ve been curious about Pinterest but haven’t had the opportunity or invitation to check it out. Please hook me up too.

    Reply
  16. Christina :
    March 4, 2012 at 12:48 am

    I’m totally addicted to Pinterest, thankfully with a newborn, I don’t have hours to waste on it. =)

    I have found a few crafts that I’ve already made, one that I gave as a gift for a baby shower just today. And I had most or all of the things needed for them all, so I didn’t spend much.

    The most frugal thing I’ve done is find gluten-free recipes to make for a friend that are MUCH cheaper than the prepared cake mixes or even the special flours.

    It gave me lots of ideas for baby pictures for my newborn also, without spending a lot of money on a professional photographer.

    Reply
  17. Jill :
    March 4, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    Hi Stacy,

    Luv your blog and would like to try Pinterest myself. Thanks for the invite!

    Reply
  18. Chris G. :
    March 5, 2012 at 7:40 am

    I used to use Pinterest all the time, but was then told by a friend to check out all the potential legal problems being associated with it could incur…copyright infringement is a HUGE issue there. So, after reading quite a bit about it, decided to be safe and delete my account. I have been using juxtapost.com, which is VERY similar to Pinterest but has one major difference – it allows you to keep your pins private. I keep all of my stuff private to avoid any future legal issues. Afterall, I’m keeping the stuff for myself anyway, not for the whole internet to see! Just be careful out there, and if you don’t believe me…google it.

    Reply
    • Stacy :
      March 5, 2012 at 7:43 am

      :-) I read about it. I feel pretty safe. I think most people are worried about picture copyright. If I pin something, I pin directly to someone else’s article and I make sure to tell them in the comments that I’ve pinned their post. I don’t just pin pretty photos.

      Reply
  19. Rebekah :
    March 5, 2012 at 9:26 am

    Stacy,

    I would love an invite! (I didn’t understand how to “get in” until now)! Thank you so much.

    Reply
  20. Angela :
    March 5, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I would love an invite. Thanks, Stacy.

    Reply
  21. Susan :
    March 6, 2012 at 10:04 am

    All I wanted was your recipe for hamburger buns. Now I think I have a new addiction with Pinterest. Thanks Stacy! :0) (So many ideas on your site and others and so little time….)

    Reply
  22. Lesa Morrison :
    March 8, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    Can you invite me to Pinterest? Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Marilou Kanis :
    March 9, 2012 at 2:28 am

    Stacy, I would love an invite, thanks!

    Reply
  24. Marilou Kanis :
    March 9, 2012 at 2:31 am

    Really want an invite, but do not have a website. I didn’t know I needed one to be on Pinterest. HELP pls!!

    Thx

    Reply
    • Stacy :
      March 9, 2012 at 7:45 am

      You don’t need a website for Pinterest! :-) Check out the tutorial I linked in the article and you’ll see how it works. I’ll send you an invite right now. :-)

      Reply
  25. Rissy :
    March 11, 2012 at 11:13 am

    Hi Stacy,

    Thank you for all of the wonderful information that you have here, each time I come to Stacy Makes Cents I find such useful ideas delivered in such a fun and refreshing way, what a blessing! Thank you for the link to the tutorial and for the invite to Pinterest in advanced :D

    Reply
    • Stacy :
      March 11, 2012 at 11:27 am

      Can I just tell you something? Your comment was sent from the Lord. Just this morning I had someone tell me that my website wasn’t very relevant and didn’t have good content. It’s bothered me all morning, and now I come home from church to see this comment. So, thank you. I greatly appreciate it. :-)
      Your invite is on the way!

      Reply
      • Rissy :
        March 12, 2012 at 12:36 am

        Oh Stacy, I’m so glad that He used me to minister to you when you needed it!!.. He truly is such a good Daddy, to bring us people at that perfect time to speak encouragement to us when the enemy comes to bring discouragement. Be at peace, be encouraged and strengthened- I meant every word and I know there are SO many others who feel the same way….and keep it coming girl!! ;)

        Reply
  26. Sheri :
    April 7, 2012 at 9:15 am

    Would you please send me an invite to pinterest – I’ve never tried it but it looks like fun!
    Thanks <

    Reply
  27. Mary Beth Floyd :
    May 23, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I love PInterest! I’ve found inspiration, great recipes, decorating ideas, and tons of cheap and creative activities to do with the grandkids over the summer. I do like you ~ I pin things into a folder to go back to later when I need them. It’s a great tool for storing ideas. I have to limit the amount of time I spend on it also. About 30 minutes and I’m outta there!

    Reply
  28. Mary :
    December 31, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    I want one too please. thank you

    Reply
  29. Bev Devries :
    March 20, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    Pleeeese invite me. I’m so inspired by your website and I only discovered it yesterday! Blessings to you!

    Reply