New to this have some questions

[schellie69]

Hello
I am new to this board and have a few questions
1. Is there something that you are not frugal on buying
2. Where is a good place to start cutting corners I have been trying to cut everything at once and I am feeling overwelmed
3. How can I get the kids to help start saving
those are my 3 biggest questions for now I could make a whole list but those are the ones that I need help with most any ideas comments or suggestions would be grealy appricated.

Pam

[Julia Kimber]

Hi Pam, welcome to the village!

Julia

[homesteadmamma]

Welcome to the village.

1. I won't cut corners on quilting material nor on organic grain. I grind my own wheat and feel it is really important to get organic wheat and to get high quality too.

2. The first place I think to cut back is on groceries. I find everytime I re-do my budget, I can find ways to cut the grocery bills more. (garden, do OAMC if your into that, purchase loss leaders only, have a good stockpile)

3. Make a game with the kids. If they turn off the lights, if they cut back on the time they take a shower, if they don't ask for brand name jeans for a month, you'll take them out for a fun pizza night (this is just an example). Usually when kids see their parents being frugal and they know why (ie: goal to save for a new home, for a family vacation, etc.) they will jump in. It might take awhile, however I've seen it happen many times. We also have made a point of having our kids save 10% or more of any money they make or are given as a gift. The first place they head for now is the bank.

My kids also now check out everything we buy at the grocery store. They see if we can get something a bit cheaper. IN fact, its quite funny because ds#1 is quite loud (his voice) and he can often be heard saying "this costs less".

HTH and I'm sure others here will have great tips too.

[Michele Annette]

Hi Pam, welcome to the Village! It is a bit overwhelmong when you first start. So start with a few things you are comfortable with. As far as your specific questions:

1. Is there something that you are not frugal on buying

Yes, paper towels...still use them, but a cheaper brand. Quilting fabric for my quilts, Jif peanut butter for DH.

2. Where is a good place to start cutting corners I have been trying to cut everything at once and I am feeling overwelmed

Well when I first started I tried things like making my own laundry detergent and hanging laundry on the line, all meals and beverages made at home...cutting out daily take out coffee and foods., growing a small garden, sticking to your grocery list, making a budget for all expenses to see what you are spending., making Christmas gifts, etc.

3. How can I get the kids to help start saving

I don't have kids, but depending on how old your kids are a change jar is fun if they are little...to go toward a family trip, holiday gifts, themselves, etc. Can they do chores to earn a little bit of money?

if they are older are they doing chores to earn some money? If so have them start a savings account and learn to budget their money and balance their account. That's how my parents taught me and it worked out pretty good!

Keep checking out the boards. There is lots of info here! Remember to have fun with the challenge!

[Darlene]

Hi Pam
1. Gotta have my hellmans light mayo and try to buy it on sale but if I somehow run out I will pay full price,lol.

2.One thing that made a big diff in my spending at the market is buying marked down meat and veggies. If you don't know when your store does that, ask as it will save you bunches. I either use them right away or freeze for a later use.
Another is to not be afraid to try store or no name brands on some things. I buy no name mushrooms, eggnoodles, sweet pickles all kinds of things, but not my mayo.

3.When my kids were old enough to have allowances or had some money & wanted to buy gum or candy I would give them a coupon, usually a buy one get one free. They loved getting more for their money and as young adults they are seeking coupons & deals on their own.

[peanut]

Hi! and welcome to the board!

I'm frugal with everything...I think. Let's see...this is hard for me! If I'm in the middle of a project, I tend to throw frugality out the window when it comes to finishing it. So if I need supplies partway through, I'll just buy the first thing I find that I know will work. This is a problem with quilts. I tend to buy expensive batting and linings. It's a problem with rugs, because new wool fabric is $34/metre. So my goal is to plan things ahead of time and get all the supplies before I start.

The best place to start cutting back is groceries, imho. Buy sale foods and create menus from those. Gradually build a stockpile of sale items and plan menus from your stockpile. Cook double or triple batches, eat one and freeze the others for later. That cuts down on your electric use...and time. Use the microwave, crockpot and BBQ over the stove, to save energy. In fact, I'd concentrate on the kitchen area to save the most money initially.

I used to fine the kids a nickel for every light they left on. I would also hold the holiday fund as a carrot in front of them. I'd get them to help plan the trip, then figure out the costs. Then we'd post the goal we were working towards. They'd do almost anything to get that holiday!

When they are older, we tell them the more frugal they are, the less rent we charge them. They're over 18.

[schellie69]

thank you for all the ideas the 1st question was because i refuse to buy cheap razors for my self and was wondering if any one else did something like this but thanks again for all the advice going to try some of these

Pam

[jlxian]

1. Is there something that you are not frugal on buying?

I still buy Bounty paper towels, but I get the Select a Size version so I use the smallest piece for a job.

2. Where is a good place to start cutting corners?

Here are few ideas
Clothing --- go to second hand stores or yard sales
Food -- shop at Aldis if it is in your area
Utilities --- hang out the laundry, turn off the lights, heat with wood if you have a fireplace/woodstove

3. How can I get the kids to help start saving?
I like the ideas mentioned above. For my own kids, I tell them an amount I am willing to pay for an item --- say a new notebook for school --- and if they want something more expensive they use their own money for the difference. They don't like having to do that so usually opt for the cheaper version of whatever it is they want. And I nag nag nag about lights. And as I've mentioned in other posts, we limit their showers to 10 minutes to save on the hot water costs.

[alabamagirl]

Welcome Pam!

My biggest savings is less meals out. Last year I managed to cut the beauty supplies and the books and this year working on the meals out. I find the discipline to eat at home much harder but I am making progress on that.

I'd also suggest reading the back threads for lots of good ideas.

[forestdale]

Welcome to the village, Pam.

I think most people would have something they aren't frugal with. I still have cable TV and I buy sewing supplies willy nilly. Don't beat yourself up over what you can't do, just celebrate your victories.

When I started, I made little goals for myself - come to think of it, I still do this. I decided to slice $50 from my grocery bill, when I did that I sliced off another $50. I was surprised how easy it was and it showed me how much I wasted when I was much more careful with what I spent.

Cut down on what you use. The kids can help with this. Less butter on bread, less toothpaste, shorter showers etc Every little thing adds up. Remember that it's never too small to do, it always makes a difference.

Stop buying lunches or drinks when you go out. Remind everyone to take a drink bottle with them and if you'll be out for a long period, take something to eat. This really adds up.

I found the most difficult thing when I started was to change my attitude to spending. When I did that, when I REALLY GOT IT, it was easier for me to cut back. So read as much as you can in the forums here and I'm sure you be inspired.

[canadian gardener]

HI PAM!!!!

1. Is there something that you are not frugal on buying
yep, I've been a REALLY bad girl lately, buying books, getting the hairdresser to cut my hair instead of me, and Benjamin Moore paints, but hey, I'm good in other places so it evens out and makes life worth living.

2. Where is a good place to start cutting corners I have been trying to cut everything at once and I am feeling overwelmed
AHA! you answered your own question there, it's easy to be overwhelmed if you try to do it all at once. Go easy on yourself. Figure out your worst money leaks and deal with the worst first. Go after the small stuff later if you have the strength left over.


3. How can I get the kids to help start saving
those are my 3 biggest questions for now I could make a whole list but those are the ones that I need help with most any ideas comments or suggestions would be grealy appricated.

Allowances for everyone. It will help keep all of you from being deprived, but also it will help the kids to understand that when they spend it it's gone. Make sure they know that the allowance is for their fun stuff and that you won't be picking up the slack anymore so if they want to blow it all on bubblegum, they can't buy chips next week. A few times round with that and they'll begin to learn but you need to be strong and not cave to demands.

and welcome

[Mom23boys]

Hello Pam!


1. Is there something that you are not frugal on buying

I try to be frugal with everything I buy.
I won't buy generic ketchup. It has to be Hunt's or Heinz.
DH likes to buy the boys sporting equipment...more than they need.

2. Where is a good place to start cutting corners

I started with my groceries. I started making a menu, making a grocery list and only buying what was on the list. I also use coupons and rebate often, but start slow. Don't use a coupon on an item you normally wouldn't buy. That wouldn't be saving you money.

3. How can I get the kids to help start saving

I let them know that they have a certain amount of money to spend or give them the amount and when it is gone...it is really gone! Don't come asking me for more because you won't get it. I find they would rather save their money for something special instead of blowing $1 here and there.

[PrairieRose]

Originally posted by jlxian
3. How can I get the kids to help start saving?
I like the ideas mentioned above. For my own kids, I tell them an amount I am willing to pay for an item --- say a new notebook for school --- and if they want something more expensive they use their own money for the difference. They don't like having to do that so usually opt for the cheaper version of whatever it is they want.

And I nag nag nag about lights. And as I've mentioned in other posts, we limit their showers to 10 minutes to save on the hot water costs.

We soooo did this as well. It really really helped on things like name brand, trendy things like expensive tennis shoes and jeans, etc. .

Also we work on our grocery spending first and most. It's always a good place to start and you can make a huge difference by eating well planned meals at home, by shopping the sales. I'm not *perfectly* frugal but I'm pretty darned frugal and really enjoy the challenge of having the lifestyle I want and not feel as if I'm being extravagant all the time. I work hard to make a game out of it. That's probably my biggest secret.

[Jerseygirl]

I don't buy cheap clothes, shoes or purses for myself. I work full time as a supervisor and am plus sized so I need to be presentable.
When we decided to buy our house I went all out on the frugality to achieve a certain goal on a certain time line. I made a game out of it, trying to see how little we could possibly spend and still not make it effect our life too much. I found cutting a lot of little things made a huge difference that added up so quickly. Cutting out eating lunch out 1-2 days, bagels and coffee and snacks at work and substituting chinese takeout for going out for dinner (which then added a more substantial tip, gas, wine, dessert etc) could save us $50 each week. Add to that significantly cutting back on paper products (using grocery bags for trash, rags for cleaning instead of paper towels etc) Making my own rice dishes instead of buying premade, buying chicken thighs instead of breast, yesterday's bread etc would save another $15 per week. I didn't feel deprived because I saw it as a challenge. Keeping the goal in mind helped. See what you can take advantage of by thinking outside the box a bit. When we lived in our apt. we didn't pay for heat, hot water. It was always extremely hot there so I found that if I hand washed laundry before work in the a.m. and hung it on the kitchen chairs and from the curtain rods, it would be dry by the time I got home. I did laundry for free on a regular basis for a year!
As far as getting the kids to pitch in, I think much of that is early training and finding a way to get them to appreciate things not for their monetary worth. Very difficult dilemma there. Good luck!

[Rachel Barratt]

Hello Pam.

I'm also new to this and frequently fall off the bandwagon.
I found last week I reduced my shopping bill by planning my week's menu and making a shopping list and trying hard to stick to it.
I try and hang as much washing on the line to dry as I can and use less of the tumble drier.
I've dusted down the breadmaker and started to make my own bread. Don't know how much this saves as I don't know how much electricity a breadmaker uses.
I only go into town when I have to - so I'm not tempted by the shops.
I try and walk everywhere.
Keep a record of everything you spend money no matter how small. I found this is quite an eye opener when I realised the amount of money I wasted.
Didn't give up if you fall off the bandwagon. I've found that I'm falling off less now than when I started in August.
As for the kids I'm still working on that one but I think I'm getting through as I took my eldest shopping the other day and she was insistent we only bought what we needed and all shop own brands.
Oh I've also found www.freecycle.org useful for items that I need. I was given a couple of stairgates recently by a member.
Good luck.
Rachel.