There are things that are simply an investment. Being frugal doesn't always mean "not spending"...I think it means "spending wisely". To me it makes no sense at all to spend $20 on a new shirt when a $2 shirt from the thrift store will serve exactly the same purpose and last just as long. But things that you'll be able to use for years and years to come? It pays to spend the money!
We did a Thrift store treasure hunt this afternoon. Came home with some awesome ideas for future projects, like getting a used shower pan to build our fodder growing system, and a couple of in-hand treasures. We picked up the bed liner from a small pickup for $10...it'll fit perfectly into the back of the van so we can put stuff in there and keep it contained and out of the carpet and such. We probably won't afford the trailer for a few months yet so in the meantime, this will be a great thing. Plus, after taking more measurements, DH thinks the hitch will fit on the car with no fiddling at all, so we may just put the hitch on it and leave the liner in the van.
The other score was some ceramic tiles. We found 4 of 'em...8" x 20" that will be perfect for the bunnies to lie on to cool their tummies in the heat of summer...they were a whopping 50 cents each and have never been used so we don't even have to scrape glue or grout off 'em. Yippee!
LOL...isn't it cool how such little things can make a body happy?
when we bought our freezer scratch and dent it just would not fit in the back of the durango. they also had a trailer there at sams in the clearance it was normally $799 and since someone bought it and used it to take stuff home and then brought it back they couldn't sell it as new and I stood there looking at that trailer knowing I had a trailer hitch on my baby and I looked at hubby and asked what price they were asking for it(the sign was missing) the manager said that they had wanted $579 for it and then looked at me and that big ol' chest freezer and told me if I wanted it I could have it for $500! so I brow beat hubby a bit and we came home with a trailer and freezer for $630! and we have used that trailer and my mother has and his family has and even a couple people from his work and one of my neighbors even asked if he could borrow it as it was a bear to get his broker lawn tractor into the back of his truck! We do not regret it one bit... even tho hubby still rolls his eyes behind my back when I tell folks it was so worth buying!! Like he doesn't know I KNOW that he is doing it!! lol 
