For many people, penny-pinching strategies aren't noticeable. However, if you're frugal, you have an eagle's eye. If you visited a fellow frugalista's home, you could spot their frugal ways.

KITCHEN DRAWER: You might see saved rubber bands, free samples, pencil nubs, bread twist ties, folded aluminum foil, used birthday candles, washed plastic baggies or saved bread bags to use for pet care.

FREEZER: You'll see baggies filled with overripe bananas, frozen pesto, broth, make-ahead meals, vegetables and leftovers. You'll see meat bought in bulk and divided into smaller meal-sized portions, too.

CUPBOARDS: One reader, Polly in Pennsylvania, shares: "Homemade mixes line my pantry along with dried beans, rice, a 50-pound bag of potatoes and pecks of apples stored for winter. There's a flyer on our icebox telling of the butcher's latest chicken specials. It's what you don't see that's more pronounced. No soda, no chips, no store-bought snack foods, no takeout containers, no bottled water, etc."

REFRIGERATOR: You would see reconstituted powdered milk, iced tea, water, block cheese to shred, bagged apples versus individual and leftovers ready for lunch the following day. You would see a few cartons of eggs bought on sale, homemade condiments, bulk yeast and some chilling cookie dough.

SINK AND COUNTER AREA: You might see a spray bottle of dish liquid diluted with water to spritz dishes, a toothbrush for scrubbing, dishrags, knitted or crocheted pot scrubbers or dishcloths, microfiber cloths or washcloths versus paper towels. Coffee drinkers will have a thermos or carafe to keep coffee hot throughout the day.

LAUNDRY ROOM: You would see the washing-machine water set to cold. You would see a drying rack or retractable clothesline and a laundry loot jar, too.

Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com.