As you walk down the frugal path . . .

**Shell** · 07-13-2004, 12:25 AM

I was thinking about the frugal path I've been walking down the last few years and how I've s-l-o-w-l-y worked on being more frugal. I started by paying off my credit cards then PROMPTLY cutting most of them up. Once they were paid off it felt like I had a lot more money. I try to follow the rule don't buy anything new until the old stuff is all paid off.

I work on bringing my lunch to work and trying to buy second hand clothes and toys.

I try to use what I already have. Mend my clothes instead of buying new. Take care of what I have and make it last. I try to use less detergent, less soap, less of everything.

I try to stretch our food budget by using left-overs more creatively. It is really hard as dh hates left-overs.

At Christmas we now draw names . . . oh that one saves me $100's of dollars.

The last frugal thing it took me a long time to learn is "pay yourself first." I take money off of each pay cheque and put it in my emergency fund.

Next project? Frugal entertainment. I must make it to the library and the used book store.

Sometimes I fall. I wander off the path and go shopping at the mall. Sigh. Do I really need all those clothes?

How is your frugal path going? Have you fallen or had trouble staying on the path? (I've fallen and I can't get up! LOL!) What struggles have you had along the way?

**gkp1031** · 07-13-2004, 06:10 AM

My biggest struggle is staying out of the malls and little shops. I've always been a shopper. Being on the road all day, and always in different areas makes it hard to pass up a cute little shop. I'm slowly learning to just get in the car and drive to my destination and then come straight home. I've also been making lunch for me and Mike--we're saving a huge amount of money doing that. Another big hurdle is Christmas, certain future relatives expect us to buy the BIG ticket items (computers, bikes, etc.) for their daughters because we don't have kids or a house yet, so we have lots of money-according to them. We having been suggesting to them for a while that we draw names and set a $ limit for gifts for the girls, but they won't hear of that. I'm finally into the routine of paying myself first--yipee!

**simplemom** · 07-13-2004, 08:08 AM

My most difficult challenge is ordering in food or going out to the restaurant. It's never an expensive place, but I do it once a week

...sometimes twice....I get so tired of cooking....I really want to motivate myself to find other solutions....I know about OAMC but I have a hard time cooking all day....

Hang on Shell, don't feel bad. It happens to everyone.

**homesteadmamma** · 07-13-2004, 12:19 PM

I've fallen off the frugal path many times. The only thing that keeps me going often is the goals we've set and working to attain them as quickly as possible.

My downfall is eating out. I'm like Lucie, I get tired of cooking especially in the hot weather. I love eating out as a family. I love eating period.

But when I look at the cost of eating out, UGH!!!

Over the past year though we've been FORCED to be even more frugal because of employment, so its much easier NOT TO fall off the frugal wagon. For us, its was a whole lot easier falling off when we didn't have to be frugal, kwim.

btw - I think its okay to fall off the wagon every now and then, as long as we get back on and don't feel guilty about falling off. It happens and I think its probably a good thing. Because once you get back on, you usually realize how quickly you can fall off and where your weakness is.

**Shell** · 07-13-2004, 01:10 PM

Gina I can't believe someone would expect a computer as a gift!!!! You have got to be kidding!!!

**guest2** · 07-13-2004, 02:33 PM

We are working on paying off all our credit card debts and doing some much needed work on our home. Eating out or buying treats at the store are a huge temptation for me and for my family. It's so hard to have to say no most of the time but the saving do add up!

We've been blessed that my hubby has been able to get lots of our remodeling needs for free or at very low costs and he and I can do the work ourselves.

**PrairieRose** · 07-13-2004, 02:38 PM

I'd have to agree that eating out and not following a grocery budget are our biggest pitfalls. When we are careful with our food dollars we do much better. I like to eat out too, cooking gets really old at times.

I'm also learning to put off purchases too. I find that if I do that more, I tend to forget or lose the zest for certain things before I actually go out and buy them. That helps a lot.

**gkp1031** · 07-13-2004, 05:01 PM

Shell, I'm not kidding at all about them wanting and asking for a computer as a gift. And, they also expect us to upgrade it for them at no charge. I don't think so--we don't have a money tree out back.

**Shell** · 07-13-2004, 07:54 PM

I remember once my ex-sister-in-law wanted a electric blanket for Christmas. I went to the store and it was over $200.00

I had to gently explain to her if I spent over $200 on everyone at Christmas I would owe thousands of dollars and take over the year to pay it back. Imagine if you had to buy a computer for everyone????!!!

**gkp1031** · 07-13-2004, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by Shell
Imagine if you had to buy a computer for everyone????!!!

I'd be in debt up to my eyeballs, but at least they'd be happy

**beeba** · 07-13-2004, 11:25 PM

I'm good if I can keep the momentum going all month long. Sometimes it seems so easy to just call for a pizza instead of making my own. I have trouble fitting the unexpected expenses in. Dentist appt., car repairs, appliances. Things like that. But if I can get the mindset going I'm much better off.

**The Savvy Saver** · 07-14-2004, 10:26 AM

I agree with most of you that saving on eating out makes a really big difference, but I get tired of cooking inside too. It just gets too hot. I try to use coupons more and shop at different grocery stores. Anyway. I have watched my other shopping habits better and try to look for deals at stores or online. Summer is halfway over so they will probably start having end summer sales! Also, my kids have not been wanting this and that as much since they are more busy outdoors. I just wish I could save more on utility bills and my internet bill. Those take such a chunk out!

I am always on the lookout for any frugal tips.

**Michele Annette** · 07-19-2004, 01:25 PM

I was just complaining on another thread how I am angry with myself for straying on my frugal path!!!! The things that I have bought for myself in the past two months I have really needed or will need for Fall. I didn't buy a lot, but it made me feel guilty anyway because we are very strapped this month...we weren't forseeing the car breakdown on the 4th of July! We had to pull money out of the main savings for it and DH is doing ALL the work by himself.

BUT...we are healthy(knock on wood), all of our bills are paid and we have two weeks worth of food in the freezer, fridge and pantry and I spent a little extra on building up my stockpile...I feel blessed about that!

My biggest hurdle though is sticking to my budget at the grocery store!!

Gina, I can't believe your family would be so rude! If any of my family said that to me I think I would have to...well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty!

**sunshine** · 07-19-2004, 03:47 PM

Medical bills are our biggest deterrent from staying on our frugal path--- followed closely by eating out (generally after doctor visits

) and car repairs.

**AmyMCGS** · 07-19-2004, 05:47 PM

My biggest problem is that I always pick up extras at the store, whether it's WalMart or the grocery store. Impulse purchases. They're always little, costing a few dollars at most, but they really add up.

Our other big thing is fast food-- I love to cook, but some nights I'd rather have Taco Bell.

And Gina, those rude family members of yours must be related to my in-laws--- the people who think that since we can afford to build a house, we're rich. We're getting tired of the comments on when we're hiring a maid (sarcasm) and the constant "well, if you can afford a big house like that you can buy... XYZ for someone else" type of comments. Duh, the reason we can build the house is that we have SAVED and we don't spend money on anything else!