photo by Cindy Funk

Spending money to enhance frugal living might seem like backward thinking, but there are items that can help you save money. Consider them smart spending. If you have a favorite item you’ve bought that helps you save money or makes you money, let me know.

Here are some items my frugal readers rave about.

DO-IT-YOURSELF CLEANING: My steam cleaner cleans everything: floors, counters, tile, fixtures, etc. I asked for it as a present. I am also asking for a drying rack for my birthday this year. — Marie78, New York

STOCK UP: Chest freezers and food vacuum sealers save food, and we use chain saws to cut our own firewood. — Jessica, Washington

CONSERVE ENERGY: We use fans. Also, a programmable thermostat, CFL bulbs, shelves for a pantry in the closet, strip power cords, dry-cleaner kits to use in the dryer, blankets for windows (hung nicely in windows) and food-storage containers. — shoiji, forums

SAVE ON HEATING COSTS: Wood stove. Our wood stove paid for itself in two months, and we live on acreage with trees, so it has saved us thousands of dollars over the years. Tools. My husband bought a table saw at a yard sale for $40, and we used it to build our house and do other projects. His many other tools have helped us with vehicle repairs and house repairs. — forHisglory, forums

BUDGET BEAUTY: I love pedicures, and having a foot bath lets me do these at home. It’s cheaper than $30 in the salon. I can make huge batches of food for dinner with my wok, too. — Sarah, Massachusetts

SAVE LEFTOVERS: Bowl covers. They look like shower caps for bowls. They have saved me from buying plastic wrap and foil for a very long time. Dryer Balls (look like blue nubby balls) save me from buying fabric softener. Also, reusable containers for my daughter’s lunch. — Andrea, e-mail

EAT AT HOME: Roaster oven. George Foreman grill, rotisserie, bread machine and food slicer. Most bought secondhand. Also, a clothesline, hot-water timer, thrift-store clothes and my latest purchase was a hair trimmer. I’ve been cutting my own hair for about two or three months now. — c.love, Alabama

AVOID COSTLY DRINKS: Drink container. It’s reusable, and I use it for lunches. — Cherie, Indiana

SAVE GAS: Tire-pressure gauge. Cars suck gas when the pressure is off. Ceiling fans and herb and veggie seeds. — Buc-o-mama, Florida

FRUGAL FITNESS: Bike. I started commuting on it rather than driving or even taking transit. Saves me money, eco-friendly and I get my exercise, so it saves me time, as well! — prairiegirl, Canada

PRESERVE FOODS: Water-bath canner and pressure canner. They are gifts from my mom and let me put up fruits, veggies and meats. And our little farmette. We have an orchard, huge garden space, nut trees, various other fruits, chickens, rabbits, etc. We have room for outdoor clotheslines, a soccer/football field and a basketball hoop. So no need to spend money on entertainment. All the kids come here to hang out. Plus, I know where my kids are and what they are doing. — Denise, Illinois

SAVE LOOSE CHANGE: Piggy banks. They were given by friends and help me remember to store my change, and when the change is out of sight, it’s also out of mind! A paper shredder was a gift from my mother-in-law. While it doesn’t save money, I think it will save us the headaches if someone ever went through our trash! — aspiringtobefrugal, forums

COOK FROM SCRATCH: A stand mixer. Allows me to make all my bread, cakes and other items for my kids quickly. My compost bin I use for fertilizer, and my garden rain barrel to water my backyard plants. It saves money on my water bill. — Alice, e-mail

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