How often do you think of frugality and ways to save?

**homesteadmamma** · 12-04-2002, 10:48 PM

With dh out of work since Oct. 31st, every day I'm looking at ways to save money and how to cut back. Although it is a challenge and rewarding, there are days when I wish I didn't have to spend so much time thinking about it.

It is hard work being radical about frugality. There is hardly anything that I do that I don't have to stop and think about whether I can cut costs.

How about you? Thoughts!!

**Karla** · 12-04-2002, 10:58 PM

For me its daily, I'm a SAHM to a 16 y/o and its real tough living on one income. I wasn't as far out of debt when I quit work as I wanted to be but my ds is #1 priority in our life right now as to keep him on the right path I did what had to be...no regrets there... but since we've still got a lot of debt, I look at any way I can to save..or stretch that dime to a quarter.
I will also honestly admit that some times I'd like to spend some and not think about it...I try to challenge myself to make the meals cost as little as I can, same with gas and utilites...I only go to town once a week to keep from buying as much gas. I dry clothes on my drying rack or hangers inside to save on power...I figure right now I'd rather have that money in my pocket than there's

**TheCottageRose** · 12-05-2002, 12:48 AM

I feel the same way....it would be nice to not Have to think about it constantly.

When I work I spend the money to lighten the work load....when I don't work I actually come out ahead through the Frugal choices I make.

I am inclined to pay more attention to the wastes of others, to seriously count my blessings, and to not forget how easy it is to look 'up' at those who have excellent double incomes.

But, we need to also look 'down' the income scale to see what we would rather not, and that is that there are a whole lot of people who live on less than we do.

That helps, looking at BOTH sides of the coin when I begin to compare what has become my lot in life.

Also, years ago I met a tightwad who read Amy D and managed to save $20,000 in three years with 3 kids in a two bedroom duplex with her hubby making $28K per year. Her kids were young and grew up frugal and with gifts from garage sales....it is MUCH harder when you didn't raise your kids frugally and they have to adjust.

She didn't share a lot because I lacked interest, it was so foriegn to me. She did tell me different things, like no potato chips, etc, and if the car needed something it came out of grocery budget. I did think she was a bit extreme, but when she came up wiht the money to buy her 5 bedroom home, that got my attention!

I had managed to get $20K in debt and she had managed to stay out of debt AND save for the new house I would love ot have had.

I think of Susan everytime I get in the dumps about things.

**KathiS** · 12-05-2002, 03:07 AM

I try to think about it each day. I try to think, "Do I really need this?" I also try really hard not to buy things that are not on sale, aren't the store brand or that I don't have a coupon for. Doesn't always work out but, I try! I have purchased so much used that I just can't believe what new stuff costs. I just freak out at the prices of new clothes! I think you just have to have a frugal mindset.

**babynurse** · 12-05-2002, 04:52 PM

I used to think about frugality every second of the day, especially when I was trying to get out of debt! Now, it is just a daily thing, LOL! I am almost debt free, Yeah!, but now I am only working PART time as opposed to full time with living expenses. So now I have to think about how to save for my own apartment (I am renting a room now and I am going crazy!), how to save for those weeks that I am not getting hours at work and how to maybe enjoy a few things here and there. My problem is that because I share a kitchen with my (ahem weird) landlady and I am itching to get out of my ROOM, I spend way too much money eating out, vending machines...out of boredom!

**captclearance** · 12-05-2002, 08:53 PM

I don't even think about it....I have become such a frugal gal it just happens..........

**justjenn** · 12-05-2002, 09:34 PM

Not nearly as much as I should. I used to think of ways to save money a lot more than I do now. I really need to get back to that mindset, especially with dh out of work.

**summercat** · 12-06-2002, 02:30 AM

Even though my oldest DD moved on her own & it is just me I always think of ways to make my money stretch.
I make less then $600.00 a month so I try to use coupons as much as possible {which hasn't been easy lately since there hasn't been many good ones out there that I'm looking for} & I try to shop when things are on sale.
I moved 3 months ago to a smaller place that is warmer then the "disaster" we were living in & my rent has gone WAY down & I am almost out of debt I should be completely debt free around March

**rebecca** · 11-24-2004, 03:36 AM

Always. With the way prices are going up I have to. The other day I called my insurance company and asked them if my car insurance was trying to catch up with my house insurance. Did get the car insurance down $3.00 a month. Cancelled one of my life insurance through work. Right now if I should die the girls will be okay. Can sell house and I have another insurance policy. Don't want to sound morbid, but my goodness they can work like I do and save money. Going to call satellite and bring down my bill. Don't watch half of the channels anyway. Girls can have fits for awhile. They'll live. Going to check on insurance that I bought through Aflack. If not that good as I thought it was it's going. Every penny counts these days. Not tossing anything away if it can be reused. Not to the point of clutter. Hate clutter. If I don't need it or it's not a necessity it's not coming in my house. Renee

**QuilterMom** · 11-24-2004, 11:48 AM

It's constantly going through my mind........ how can I improve upon this, how can I cut corners here even more, how can I reuse this, etc.

**Mom23boys** · 11-24-2004, 01:59 PM

Daily. With DH's hours being cut, I am always thinking of more and more ways to save and cut costs. I wish I didn't have to always have that running through my head. I would like to just fall asleep and not think about what I am going to do to save tomorrow.

**ScrapMama** · 11-24-2004, 02:08 PM

I'm constantly thinking of ways to save money, but it's because I'm restarting.

**forestdale** · 11-24-2004, 02:31 PM

I don't think about being frugal much when I'm at home. I have my routines in place now that ensure I save as much as I can on food, my pets, electricity and gas. I've never been a worrier. I always think that things will work out for the best, so unless I'm out shopping I rarely think about it other than it's my lifestyle choice.

**pqb52** · 11-24-2004, 02:39 PM

Always in the back of my mind.

**slowtypinwoman** · 11-24-2004, 04:04 PM

I must admit lately I feel tapped in the" thinking up new ways to be frugal" department. I try to do all the things I have been doing loyaly and stay with them. I did manage to pay off about $5000. worth of C.C. debt in a year. Something that I am infanetly proud of myself for doing.