ASHLAND — Americans on average used to save 4.2 percent of their incomes. But this has gotten harder to do.

What are some strategies we can use to get our savings back on track? Become a super saver! How? If we are living paycheck to paycheck, how can you possibly save money?

If you spend less than you earn, you will have extra money. It’s that simple. This is living frugally. Some people live on as little as $500 a month to keep their savings. Here are some tips that they are using:

‰Don’t shop unless you have a need. If you go to the mall, you will spend money.

‰Use the library more. There are free books and DVD checkouts.

‰Big savers don’t use expensive cellphones; they have pay-per-minute card phones. Don’t text. Just keep the phone for calls you must make.

‰Sell your clutter. Use Tri-State Pickers, eBay or a consignment store. Have a garage sale.

‰Buy a drying rack and rake in big savings by not using your electric dryer as much.

‰Cook ahead. If you have a day to devote to cooking, make batches in large amounts and freeze in dinner-size portions.

‰Use a cosmetology school for haircuts and all things salon. We can save big by going to the beautiful, new cosmetology school at 1897 Oakview Road, Ashland.

Ashland Community and Technical College students, active-duty military personnel and veterans receive free haircuts. Everyone else can get a cut or shampoo and style for $5. Coloring starts at $16; highlights and lowlights with foil start at $20. Permanent waves start at $20, and pedicures are $10.

Work is performed by students and supervised by experienced instructors. Appointments or walk-ins are accepted. For more information, call (606) 326-0565.

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Frugal living is about getting the most from what you already have.

By planning before you go to the store, you can easily save 30 percent to 50 percent. Check store ads and match coupons to sale items. It’s a game of mix and match.

Stores throw out seed deals to get you into their businesses each week. These are the deals we work with to feed our families and stock our pantries. The deals correspond to the coupons that are out. Normally, if a coupon comes out on Sunday, the store will have a sale that week or sometime that month on that item. It will be at a greatly reduced price to get you to try it. This is how the company gets its product into your hand, and you get a great deal for trying it.

There’s a new product from Purex called Purex Crystals for Baby. It’s in a pink bottle, with a $1 coupon. Watch for a deal to get you to try it.

Comet wants you to try its product for free. A coupon is in the new All You magazine. Comet is banking on if you try it, you will like it well enough to always buy it.

NOTE: Many coupons expire today.

Free or nearly

free items

WALMART

Yakisoba Noodles: 78 cents; coupon 50⁄1; pay 28 cents.

Hormel Meatball Sandwich Makers: $1.97 coupon; $1/1; pay 97 cents.

Colgate: 94 cents; 50⁄1 coupon; pay 44 cents.

Serenity Tena Ultra Thin Pads, 30 count: $5.24; use “Save $7 on Tena Pads” at tenatwist.com; free.

Planters Sunflower Kernals, 7.25 ounces: $1.58; use $1/1; pay 58 cents.

Glade Plug Ins 1 ct.: $1.38; use $1/1 coupon from network.com; pay 38 cents.

DOLLAR TREE

Olay Bar Soap 1 ct.: $1; use $1/1; free.

Scotch Brite Non Scratch Sponge 1 ct.: $1; use $1/1; limit one per day; free.

Maybelline Expert Eye Shadow: $1; use $1/1; free.

Loreal Nail Color: $1; use $3/2 coupon; free if you buy two.

Loreal Lip Glosses: $1; use $3/2; free if you buy two.

Cepacol Sore Throat Products: $1; use $1/1; free.

Advil PM 4 ct.: $1; use $1/1 coupon.

CVS

Brookside Dark Chocolate 0.8 oz.: 67 cents; ExtraBucks 67 cents; free; limit one.

Folgers Coffee: $7.99; $1 at Coupon Center; use $1 Folgers coupon (you can “stack” at this store); pay $5.99.

CVS is the only store that still allows “stacking.”

$10 EB when you buy $30 on any Gillette shaving item. Limit-one deal means it’s a good one.

I would use the buy-one-get-one-free coupon on Gillette Custom Plus 3, then use a $2 manufacturer’s coupon on the free one. There are BOG1 free coupons on Gillette Shave Gels. Use a $1 manufacturer’s coupon on the free can.

Tampax or Always: two for $6 minus $2 EB minus $1 coupon. Use two limit one deals.

Stress Free

Breakfast: Vanilla French Toast

Butter an electric griddle and heat to 350 degrees.

In bowl, combine 3 eggs, 1⁄2 cup milk, 1 tsp. vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Whisk together.

Dip four slices of white bread in the egg mixture to coat. Gently lift the slices out and put on the hot griddle. Cook about 2 minutes.

Sprinkle each slice with confectioners sugar. Serve with maple syrup and feed the children a hot breakfast that costs about 50 cents.