How do you stay on the frugal track?

**CountryMom** · 03-07-2002, 08:57 PM

How do you talk yourself out of things that may derail your frugal accomplishments?

The biggie at my house is take out. We have enough food in the house to feed a small army, but we still manage to eat out a couple of times a week. This wrecks havoc on our budget. I try to plan meals ahead, this works some of the time.

Confession time now. I cooked a pork roast today and we still went out to eat.

The roast is in the refrigerator for tomorrow. Burger King just sounded better. lol

How do you keep yourself on track?

**Michelle** · 03-07-2002, 09:35 PM

I can't help ya with this one really

I had sausages in the fridge today to cook, and I somehow convinced dh to take me out to dinner. I had a bad day with the kids and wanted OUT of the house.

Seriously though, I stay frugal most of the time because I have to. There is no option for slacking off even a little bit usually. I loosened the reigns a little this week because dh told me that he is finally getting a raise (after 2 yrs of not getting one) on April 1st. Hopefully it will be a decent one.

**aylasmommy** · 03-07-2002, 10:19 PM

For us, dh is the one that wants to eat out the most, but I have my tricks to get him out of eating at red lobster,(like saying we'll go once a month, and then cutting it down to just holidays or special occasions and then 'forgetting' to go; his meal alone is 50$ after tax tip and drinks!) but I do let him have a round table pizza once in a while, and chinese on the weekends. ..i do my best to persuade him with something else we have in the fridge..and remind him of the ravioli or corn dogs we have in the freezer. He'll say " oh we have that!" and decided to not eat out.

I can't stop him though once he comes home and brings in a bunch of stuff he just bought just because he had to have it. EVEN though he DIDN'T have to have it..it makes me so upset that he COULD have waited till after rent and bills were paid to buy his stuff. Were talking STUPID stuff that he doesn't even need..and he hasn't even used! But I think I do an ok job balancing it out somehow since were not broke yet.

**MicheleMomof3** · 03-08-2002, 06:59 AM

I get off my frugal track when there is alot of extra money to be had. When this happens I reward Dh & the kids. And I feel bad afterwards. I know I shouldnt but I guess Im a spoiler by nature. We recently went from 30% of Dh check into savings to 35% to cut me back on this kinda of stuff. Now mind you what I buy isnt horrible ( Disney movies for the kids, Dh some addias, the baby every toy imaginable LOL), its just it wasnt needed.
~Michele~

**Kimmomo3** · 03-08-2002, 08:03 AM

We use the envelope system for our money and if there is money in the dining envelope I don't feel guilty.

**wahida1** · 03-08-2002, 04:46 PM

I have to say my DH is the one who doesn't like to eat out

so that helps a lot...
I also like to cook and freeze..this way if we are having a busy day we don't eat out...honestly I think in my case we eat out only on special occassions..its kind a nice though because we seem to apreciate it more. But as the one who has to cook in the house, it really helps when I plan for the meals and cook more than one dish when am in the mood..for the times when am not..it sure come in handy

**Jerseygirl** · 03-08-2002, 04:55 PM

I try really hard not to buy anything that is full price. I have had my eye on these great big baskets at Bed Bath and Beyond. They were almost $30 each and I need 2, so I have waited since Christmas (when I saw them) to see if they would be marked down or I would at least get coupons. This week coupons came and I had 2, so I saved $12, still expensive, but better than the original--I have also been looking for other ones I would like better, have not found though. Also I love to eat out at the more expensive restaurants. I don't do fast food (maybe twice a year, really) so I figure by not doing those regular trips for pricey burgers, we can splurge every 6 weeks or so. I also like better wines, so again if we only do 2-3 nice bottles per month, which I might buy by the case or on a special sale, I still feel like I am treating myself, and having iced tea or water doesn't feel like I am depriving myself the rest of the month. We very rarely drink soda, so I figure it all evens out in the end.

**Megareader** · 03-10-2002, 07:53 PM

Dh will retire in a few years so we have to be frugal. We pay extra on the mortgage so it will be paid off before retirement and we do not use the c.cards, the mortgage is our only debt. Retirement is a big incentive to be frugal!

**Ilovesewing** · 03-16-2002, 01:03 PM

I agree with retirement being a big incentive. We're trying to payoff our mortgage before then as well. Got a looooooong way to go!

My biggest help for staying on track is the on-line support. I found if I try to do it alone I slip quickly. But if I can come to sites such as this one and see that everybody else is doing the same as me I am much more apt to stick with it. I don't really know anybody that tries to be frugal other than my mom, but she lives about 40 minutes away.