anyone want to be super crazy frugal for a while with me?

toile · 09-08-2008, 09:05 PM

There are times in my life where I need to be extremely super crazy frugal for a set amount of time.
In the past it was buying a home, then lastly was our adoption.

Well I have 2 kids needing braces and all estimates are coming in at 11k. My ins will only pay $1,500......

They are 2 years needing these and I simply can't put it off any longer.
My hubbies work is a bit slow and it was exactly the amount needed to make the payments...

So.... I need to be extreme for a while.
Anyone want to do it with me so we can not feel bad for being extreme?

When I camped on my last vacation...
I got so sick of people telling me that vacation was the time to relax and not sweat $$$.
I felt like saying HELLO we don't own credit cards.
Just how is one to "relax" on $ for vacations?
To me.... you spend what you budgeted for?
By the way, my kids have the time of their life when we camp at that particular beach shady campground.
It truly is nice.

Anyways, any takers?
If so where do we post and hang out at here?

**voodidit** · 09-08-2008, 09:12 PM

I'm definitely on the frugal train with you right now!

**itsahumanzoo** · 09-08-2008, 09:31 PM

Already doin' it!

**peanut** · 09-08-2008, 09:43 PM

Hmmm...I need to save $2000 for DD#2's second semester, and $4000 for a trip to Costa Rica in February. I'm with you on this.

I also want to save some money to have some stitchwork laced in preparation for framing. I'll be doing it out of my allowance. So no treating myself from my allowance. I'll allow one treat every two weeks where I treat DH as well as myself, and that's it. Next time it's his turn to treat anyway.

Jean

**danimarie0820** · 09-08-2008, 09:54 PM

I'm in! I need some help with this too! I don't know where to chat and hang out though...maybe in the challenge area?? Any other suggestions?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-09-2008, 03:14 AM

I'm in!

I just started a personal challenge to myself in the "Frugal Living Challenges" section.

**missmanny** · 09-09-2008, 03:59 AM

toile, there is nothing like a pending emergency to make you buckle down.

Good luck - you can do it

**nodmicks** · 09-09-2008, 07:33 AM

I'm in as I'm building the ef higher anticipating dh's slow time at work soon.

On the braces~ see if your provider offers a discount for paying your part up front. Ours did. Only 5% but it all helps!

**danimarie0820** · 09-09-2008, 07:44 AM

I'm ready to start this crazy frugal stuff.

Our water heater is starting to die on us and I have no idea how much that will cost yet and we have to have our tanks filled this month because somehow they are empty already...$500!!! Our tanks are small too!

For now I'm going to have to use up the stock pile. I'm going to try to not grocery shop except for the obvious milk, eggs, etc. I really need to build up my EF also!

**joyofsix** · 09-09-2008, 07:55 AM

Yep! I'm already doing it to pay off some medical bills, I might as well have company.

**BeachBaby** · 09-09-2008, 07:58 AM

I also am already doing it, and would love company on this journey

toile · 09-09-2008, 08:30 AM

Ok so what do you think about us ~crazy~ extreme~ frugal~ just post right here and keep this thread going?
Is that against any rules here?

I'm so thrilled to not be alone

I never feel totally comfy posting because when you do it there is always someone to say thats "too extreme"...
I remember Amy Dacyzyn took that sort of criticism and even today often when I mention that book, people will say "oh thats too extreme".....

So do we be honest and share deep frugal here or just post the traditional stuff?

~Heres my frugal tip for the day~
If your anti-bug control via chemicals please click away now.
If you think poisonous spiders should stay alive then click away now please.
If you think black carpenter ants that eat your home should stay alive please click away.
If you think subterranean termites should be allowed to eat your home and avoid chemicals on them please click away. Warning over

If your state legally allows this you can shop at "do it yourself pest control stores".
I have had bug men here tell me that there is no way I have certain chemicals so I then show it to them. They can never believe that some housewife knows the chemicals and uses them LOL.
The upfront costs seems high but they are highly concentrated.
Here's a bug man secret.
One chemical can only legally be used twice a year in my state. You must document for yourself when you used it last.
This is the main chemical that protects you.
But then monthly or less you go back with a different one.
It leaves microscopic balls everywhere. Every critter that walks by the ball gets it stuck to their body, then they take the ball home.
The balls have no smell or taste.
Not to be gross but when you first put this down outside, you find critters that came up to the surface.
This is in places you had no idea you had bugs even like under your deck.
It's quite alarming to see perfect specimen poisonous black widows up on top of your deck each morning.
They are dead but its creepy to see what came up.
This lasts about a week.
Then you will see no bugs inside and not around the main area surrounding your home.
If you want yard coverage you can spray that but it must be diluted more % wise.

Here's my frugal goal for today/tonight.
I'm creating a list for the 3 kids of current winter clothes that fit.
One child is for sure short on clothes, another child became a health nut last year and his clothes are falling off. So he will need all new jeans.
I am sad that we are not going out of town for our week fall break but will instead I will make this fun by getting their fall clothes, dollar movies and cheap lunch.
If I dont have a list I might buy the wrong stuff

What are you doing super extreme frugal today?

**nodmicks** · 09-09-2008, 08:43 AM

Good plan! My plan for the day is bulk cooking. 6 lbs of chilli, 3 meat loafs, 3 lbs taco meat, 6 lb pre grilled burgers, 3 lbs cooked crumbled burger for hotdish etc. That should help with the I'm too tired to cook thing

toile · 09-09-2008, 08:46 AM

Nod, this braces things has left me with no extra funds, but I still would love to learn bulk cooking from you or anyone doing that

**tomishco** · 09-09-2008, 09:20 AM

I will join you. We are re-doing our main bathroom and DH is starting to worry about the cost even though we had $3,000.00 in the bank for it and his Dad and Dad's buddy are doing it for us. My type 1 diabetic DS is starting on an insulin pump and our share is $1,000. Mom is loaning us the $ but we are paying her back. DS decided to stay homeschooled this year (considered public HS) so back to Huntington Learning Center for tutoring and hour and a half for math (did wonders the last 2 years) and that's an unexpected weekly bill. I'm sure there's more. I will do this extreme frugal until things are 'back to normal' and then go back to my regularly scheduled frugaling. lol.