Frugal or nothing: Mind-set

**tomishco** · 09-16-2008, 09:25 AM

Okay, I'm nuts but I'm trying to change my attitude. I have been 'frugaling' and studying frugality for years and years. It's like a hobby. However I am not always frugal. I get into the frugal 'mentality' and then out of it. I've never become a spendthrift though.
I feel like I should totally be like Amy Dacyczyn or not bother with frugality. I know that's nuts and it's all about BALANCE. When we start spending money (we're renovating our main bathroom) but we have the cash for it. Plus we've been eating out a couple of times a week (cheaply) while doing this. I get out of frugal-mode.
I guess I'm just blathering here. lol.
Does anyone else kind of go into and out of their frugal way of thinking and have to remind themselves it's all about balance and if you're on basically the right track you're fine? Make sense?

**The Muse** · 09-16-2008, 09:45 AM

My former spendthrift DH now says, "being cheap is a belief system". We spend money on home improvements and buy top of the line when we want to, but day to day, we don't have any trouble sticking with the frugal mindset. We were at the mall last night buying a birthday gift for my MIL and couldn't wait to get out of there, the marketing and consumerism was too much for us frugalites to stand.

**Bournecrazy** · 09-16-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by The Muse

...couldn't wait to get out of there, the marketing and consumerism was too much for us frugalites to stand.

i know pw you feel, i get that feeling now.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-16-2008, 04:59 PM

I definitely agree it's about balance... I'm really bad about taking it to extremes...and then Dh gets "not so happy" with the lifestyle...and I have to wrench it back to a "livable" level for him... I have trouble not going "all out" with anything I take on...bad habit.

**guest002** · 09-16-2008, 05:05 PM

I think a lot of us can have our non-frugal cycles. The main thing is to have the frugal cycles longer than the non-frugal ones. Also, treating yourself as long as it doesn't put yourself into a bind every now and then is okay in my book.

**JanieD** · 09-16-2008, 05:11 PM

I have my ups & downs when it comes to being frugal. I'm pretty much a saver, but I like treating myself to little goodies. These aren't things I need most of the time, but they're nice. I've struggled some recently as prices increase on needs, leaving me with less to spend on extras. If I skip all the extras I feel deprived, then I overspending. Most times I get back on track pretty quick. Its definitely a balance for me. I know I can't do everything I should to be frugal & that others do, but I'm ok with that.

**AmyBoz** · 09-16-2008, 05:41 PM

I think that most of us have our ups and downs when it comes to frugality. You can make yourself crazy if you never "cheat" and come to resent frugality.

I think balance is the key and that you are probably doing just fine.

**Starlight9803** · 09-16-2008, 05:47 PM

I have the ups and downs of frugality too. It seems like I'm hard-care frugal for awhile, then just breezing along for awhile. While I never go spending crazy or anything (I'm a bit frugal just by nature

), it is sometimes hard to find that balance.

**forHISglory** · 09-16-2008, 10:39 PM

Oh, yes. Ups and downs are norm. But really, it does get easier as you get older and have been in the frugal lifestyle for a while.

I know that there are some things that I will not be frugal on. For me, it is better to buy something that is more expensive but which will last longer, than something cheap that I have to replace several times. KWIM?

And part of it, for me, is knowing that I have the money there if I need to splurge on something. I have a friend who gets the urge to splurge, but she has no money. So she charges it and then regrets it, and runs on this guilt trip.

I'm rambling........ you're normal....... Just be careful...... Keep the balance.......

**tomishco** · 09-17-2008, 08:53 AM

[QUOTE=forHISglory;1002600]Oh, yes. Ups and downs are norm. But really, it does get easier as you get older and have been in the frugal lifestyle for a while.[/QUOTE

I'm 41 and I've been in the frugal lifestyle for a long time! lol

**cheles2kids** · 09-17-2008, 09:19 AM

I'm so glad to see this thread, so that I know I'm not the only one trying to find that balance.

But yeah, I do this too.

I think, as with anything else in life, balance is key.
But finding that balance and keeping it, is the harder thing to train ourselves to do.

**Cricketlegs** · 09-17-2008, 09:35 AM

I really feel like I think about every decision I make to look for the frugal option and to weigh the pros and cons of each situation. It has become the norm for me to do it that way.

For me, the way hasn't become frugal~frugal has become the way.

It is easier when it happens that way. One day it just clicks into place and it is what it is, your life.

**kittykatstrong** · 10-29-2008, 03:54 AM

For me balance is doing the frugal things that make sense for me
*using rags instead of paper towels
*having a budget
*using coupons

and dont make sense for me right now
*hang drying clothes
*making my own laundry soap

**mamamia** · 10-29-2008, 04:22 AM

For me it's frugal all the way. But I have to be frugal for someting of a reward. In the past we've gone on mini vacations, redid rooms, bought furniture, and went on small shopping sprees. This comes from my "food money" for the week and is made possible by using coupons w/sales and stockpiling. I can usualy feed all of us plust the kid's friends that come over alot for about $50 a week, No doublers here in Fl. So yeah, to me it's about balance too. "Too much work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, or in this case a dull girl". Definetely keeps my initiative going to keep up my shopping game LOL!!!

Theresa

**YarnTotingMama** · 10-29-2008, 10:28 AM

Some stuff has just become our way of life, like many power saving habits, replacing disposable paper products with cloth and doing away with toxic household cleaners and other such products - but those things were motivated by far more than just our strong desire to see our expenses go down and they were simple adjustments to make.

There are many other things that don't come so easily to me that I go back and forth on and although I desire to grow more frugal I also know I need to work on not losing sight of what is most important to me and that isn't supposed to be money, whether spending or saving, so at times I have to remind myself to give myself - and those I live with - a little breathing room.