I've found out that it's easier to be frugal when you have money. As crazy as it sounds, when you can pay the bills and keep the cars and appliances maintained you don't have to worry about overlimit charges and having to make repairs on things that break down.

I started visiting this sight a couple of months ago and really got encouraged about saving and buying habits.

My husband and I always were paycheck-paycheck. Actually had more obligations than we did income.

Whether it was a good idea or not, I'm not questioning. We got a second mortgage, paid off some credit cards, medical and other things just hanging over our heads (reminding us how bad things were).

Now I have a couple of thousand in savings, money in my shoe box (change challenge . . . which I haven't reported lately), got an income tax refund for the first time in like 4-5 years; have started tithing (my paycheck anyway) and am paying the bills on time . . . which feels great!

The point is, I have a little cushion in my checking account . . . I don't have to worry about "floating checks" before payday and the phone isn't ringing!

That's great! Glad to hear you are doing so much better!

I think you're right about the overall idea: If you've got money, you have the flexibility to use it wisely.

For example, pretend that food ONLY comes in single serving packages ($1/each) or 100 serving packages for $50. If you don't have the extra money to buy in bulk, you pay a premium.

I understand your point however I think frugality is more of a mindset. To me, it is an attitude of how can I fix this item instead of having to replace it. How can I use up every last little bit of food that I have prepared instead of throwing it out. How can I re-use scraps of material or clothing. How can I reduce the amount I am spending for items that are actually unneeded and probably unwanted in the long run. I find that since I have begun attempting to work on my frugality, I can resist the urge of gotta have it! It is something new so I just have to own it. And I find that I am beginning to question more what I bring into my home. Do I have time to take care of it? Do I want to clean it? Where am I going to put it? Do I really, really need it? The big difference to me is that when you have enough money to pay the basic bills and necessities it is more of a choice than a necessity. It is done from a position of strength and free will with no fear in the process. i still have a long, long way to go in debt reduction and frugality but am getting better every day! Sorry to ramble. JMHO

I think one of the differences is going from a feeling of stress (worrying about the bills hanging over your head and what would happen the next crisis) to the feeling of freedom that you get when you know you don't have to worry about paying the bills as the money is there.

I am not exactly sure what you mean here. But I was thinking myself about that cushion.

My thought went like this;
If something drastic happened or I needed to save for say.. tires for my car... I just need to cut back on spending for a week or two. I'll have the money.

But what does a person do, if they are already at rock bottom- already cutting costs- being frugal - because they have to, their income dictates that. Or, they choose to be a SAHM and have sacrificed for the benefit. What does that person do in order to cut back some more?
The rising fuel costs this winter made me wonder; if a family is just making ends meet being at rock bottom- how can one possibly make ends meet when that unexpected large heating bill comes in? How can one cut back on a $100/mo food bill?- for instance.

It just saddens me that being a SAHM means you have to cut something more. It's such an important job and the economy is not helping.

You know I agree to an extent .... I agree for the fact that now that I have cut costs and we still have a little extra left over every week, I feel that I am worrying less about paying bills and stuff like that.

I also agree with FrugalFanny about how does one go about making ends meet if they are already cutting back on so much?

I am not saying I have tons of money but I dont have the spending habits I use to, I shop at Thrift Shops, I buy in bulk and I cut down drasticaly on buying food, this month so far I've only spent $30-$35 which is great because I have a stocked pantry and even tons of snacks for the kids, spaghetti and sauce and stuff to last us 2 months if need be.

One thing I lastly want to cut is cable atleast down to basic cable from $53 a month to $20 a month! That's an extra $33 I can put towards debt or save it.

Believe me I've looked at ways to cut back too. I've listened to Suze and she says if you can't reduce your outgo; increase your income. Being a county government employee we have not had a cost of living increase in 4 years. We get no bonuses or overtime. My husband used to could get some overtime; but usually when he worked over 40 hours one week, his employer would make them go home early the next week . . . no overime. I've recently taken a part-time job (cleaning my church on Saturdays for pay) but then I'm away from my family for that 1/2 day and when I come home, I'm beat!

We've seen those days where if you had to get tires or pay an usually high electric bill you just had to borrow from Peter to pay Paul. It's a vicious cycle! Once you get in, it's very hard to dig out again.

You know, I am the total opposite. I am more frugal when we have money left over. It's really werid, actually. lol For some reason when we are broke, it's like I give up and have that "I don't care attitude". :toothy:

Thrifty gal, I'm with you. When my husband was working full time and bringing in tons of money, I had no problem with shopping at thrift stores and there were certain things (groceries, mostly) that I would NOT buy, unless they were on a really good sale. Now, he's starting his own business and we have very little income and NOW I feel like I NEEd all this stuff I never would have had any interest in when I had the money. How weird is that?

It's like when I have no money and I want everything I see in a store, but then if I get a gift card to that same store, I can't find ANYTHING I want to buy! :confused:

Amy

That sounds so familiar, No money I want and think I have to have everything, when I have money I am so picky and just don't want to give it up.

That cushion of money is very importand for your piece of mind. My cushion was spent yesterday at the dentist $417.00, but at least it was there ! Time to start over.