The Frugality Game!

**Shell** · 03-01-2005, 06:56 PM

It's all how you look at it! When watching my pennies I try not to think of all the things I am going without. When being frugal attitude really helps. Since my paycut, instead of feeling sorry for myself I try to make it a game.

I challenge myself to use less of something or re-using what I already have. Sometimes I play how long can I make this last. Just like a game it sometimes feels two steps forward and one step back but I keep plugging along playing the frugal game.

One way I have been playing lately is how can I get this even cheaper. For example, I love to read. I could go to the book store but I could save even more if I went to the used book store. Oh, if I wanted to save even more how about a garage sale or how about free? GO THE LIBRARY!

I also try the same game when buying clothes. How can I get this item cheaper? I could go to the mall. Or even cheaper a discount store. Hmmm or a second hand store. Oh wait, how about I have another look in my closet or that bag of hand-me-downs from Mom.

One game I also play is can I get our grocery bill lower this week or can I use up all the left-overs game!

How do you play the frugal game?

**Mamawolf** · 03-01-2005, 08:59 PM

I see if we can actually EAT all our leftovers before they spoil. Our problem is we like the fresh food. DH is getting good at using the leftovers though. I've been trying to use up my pantry stock now. Also bought one of the big meat packs from the meat guy, one each of beef chicken and pork to try and last six months... This will be the third month!

**thrifty gal** · 03-01-2005, 09:33 PM

I agree-attitude is everything! When dh doesn't work much overtime in a week, things are tighter around here. And, when the company he works for deducts the money from his check to pay for health insurance, it's really tight. Used to I'd be stressed out over these two things. Now, I don't stress-I do something about it. I make up a really frugal menu for the week, look over my shopping list for things we really don't need, and can do without for awhile longer, etc.

**MysticalRain** · 03-01-2005, 09:51 PM

Wow, thanks for the great idea, I am not the most frugal person when it comes to wanting something, I have to learn to tame that side of myself, your ideas and input will certainly help. Thanks for posting.

**Shell** · 03-01-2005, 10:00 PM

MysticalRain I find it easier just to take one or two ideas at a time. Baby steps! One thing that helped me was reading, "The Tightwad Gazette" and putting my credit cards away. Once I got my debt under control then I moved to saving some money monthly. Now I am trying to fine tune my frugality. Believe me I stumble once in a while!

**rebecca** · 03-02-2005, 02:46 AM

Shell even though I haven't had a pay cut we have not had a raise in the last two year due to where I work they decided they wanted to have a union where I work at. Until they both parties decide to agree to terms I am at the same pay I was at two years ago so I have been doing the same thing as you have. Even if I did get a pay raise I would still be see where I can cut and save. Uncle Sam takes enough from us and the more we all can be frugal the more is in our pocket instead of Uncle Sam's.

**JustMegan79** · 03-02-2005, 07:25 PM

Hi!

I always do the how can I get it cheaper, etc thing in my head also. Recently I've realized ( DUH!!) that stockpiling is saving me money. For instance I had 50 cent coupons for ALL laundry soap, it was on sale at Kroger which doubles....so I bought three. Same with Ajax dish soap a few weeks ago, I bought 6....SO thought I was nuts ( he's not quite on board the Frugal Train yet, but now when I run out I go under the sink and get a new bottle. I know this is old hat for you guys but you know, I'm catching up, LOL.

Shell, about books, I am an obsessive reader. I love mysteries and refuse to pay the price at the stores for a paperback it is crazy. Up until a few weeks ago I was thrilled with my 25 cents yard sale books....BUT NOW!......my library has 5 tall shelves called Paperback Traders. I can take as many as I want, read them, and bring them back, OR KEEP THEM. I can take all my already read ones and add them to the shelves. Great idea for everyone all around! You should see if your library would start one.

Megan

**guest2** · 03-02-2005, 07:44 PM

OK, now you know all this library talk is just doing this librarian heart of mine a world of good!

**Early Bird** · 03-03-2005, 11:48 AM

For me, it's groceries:

When we lived in the midwest, we had a splendid farmers market -- good stuff and CHEAP! I could almost fill my trunk and still get change back from a $20! We had an Aldi too.

Here in the Southwest, a lot of groceries are expensive. At the Farmers' Market, fresh spinach runs $2 -- for a QUARTER POUND! That's $8/lb, folks. I can usually get STEAK for less.

And we had Aldi in the Midwest.

So, I started by shopping the local grocery.
And going to a super WalMart once a month.
Then I started ordering through the SHARE co-op.
(www.sharecolorado.com for more info)
And we joined Sam's Club.

Now, I'm still on the lookout for lower grocery bills. When we go to the big city, I want to stop in at a bread outlet.

AND I hope to find some great stuff cheap at ethnic markets -- again, once we go to the city, which we really only do every 3 months or so.

**sunshine** · 03-03-2005, 01:24 PM

You are SOOO right when you say it's an attitude thing.

We try to have the attitude of it's a game, or we're better off then so much of the world's population.

Some of what we do:

Cut out TV, catelogs and magazines with lots of ads that feed into the MORE, MORE, attitude, or the I NEED that new fangled gadget.

We try to associate with like minded people, and avoid those who scorn our lifestyle choices.

We date producs when we open them, and then see how long we can make them last.

We visit with the elderly in our community and pick their memories for depression era stories; how to can, garden, sew, crochet, knit advise.

**PrairieRose** · 03-03-2005, 05:14 PM

This is a great thread Shell, glad you started it.

I so agree with the attitude is everything in doing anything that we might even consider a bit difficult. I like to pour over my checkbook records and receipts every now and again to see how much discretionary spending we can cut out. I'm doing that now in fact.

It makes it easier if you just don't allow yourself to think of it as hard or hard work. If you adopt a new life style to improve your standard of living now or in the future....it's not about deprivation is about making choices (sounds repetitive but so true).

**Shell** · 03-03-2005, 07:18 PM

Oh you're welcome Lisa.

**Tootsiebella** · 03-04-2005, 03:19 PM

What a great thread! It's very inspiring to read all your ideas, and I am really going to start doing some heavy duty planning on how to get our budgeting in better shape- thank you everyone!

**dmvezina** · 03-04-2005, 07:24 PM

For me it's groceries as well. Alot of items I will not buy unless it's on sale and/or I have a coupon to make it as "cheap" as possible.

Well, I guess there's a lot of areas that I play the game! lol
Laundry, meals, groceries, etc.

I take leftovers and if there is enough I package them up in individual servings & freeze. Every other Sat. we have a leftover night. Some of the leftovers, like veggies, broths, or small amounts go into a 5 lb bucket in the freezer. When the bucket is full, I make soup.