If you were to teach a class on frugality, what would your....

**homesteadmamma** · 01-08-2006, 10:33 PM

First lesson be?

Mine would be on learning how to take "baby-steps".

**canadian gardener** · 01-09-2006, 12:04 AM

I agree with that.

I think one of the things I'd stress is picking just one thing to concentrate on and working on it. Like reducing the cost of the groceries.

Or staying out of the stores as much as possible.

And applying that freed up cash to one of the debts in a snowball debt reduction.

**dwallyfam** · 01-09-2006, 07:09 AM

To let them know exactly what it is. That it is not depriving yourself, but freeing.

Kellie

**AmyBoz** · 01-09-2006, 07:11 AM

Well, CJ...I'm glad you asked. In April, I AM, in fact, teaching a course of frugality. Unfortunately, my course is only two nights, so I don't have much time.

I'm actually going to be posting looking for tips, hints, and ideas from our members to enhance the presentation.

I'll be starting by having them look at where little tiny things can add up to huge leaks. People are always saying "I have no idea where my money went!" I'm going to show them how easily it can slip through their fingers.

**rebecca** · 01-09-2006, 09:17 AM

Pay yourself first.

**sunshine** · 01-09-2006, 10:26 AM

The very first thing I'd teach-- TRACK YOUR SPENDING.

You can't know where to cut, unless you know where you're spending/over spending.

It is so eye opening to see how those "little" expenses add up over time.

**Shell** · 01-09-2006, 10:32 AM

How being frugal is a wise and positive thing and not negative and stingy--the way society is trying to make us think. Being good with your money is something to be admired. Making things last is good for your environment.

Next, I would move onto tracking your spending and really looking at where all your money is really going.

**Jeanna** · 01-09-2006, 10:38 AM

I think I would show them that although there are somethings that the can save big money on, it is the little things that make the big difference overall. I also would show them as Shell said that being frugal is not bad.

**sunshine** · 01-09-2006, 10:39 AM

My 2nd class would be on the power of compound interest. . . either working for you in savings accounts, retirement accounts, CD's etc.

or working against you in interest charges on credit cards, loans, etc.

**midwestgal** · 01-10-2006, 11:32 PM

I think that I would say be sure to give some away too! Even frugalites can be generous by donating coupon purchased groceries to the food shelf or donating used baby clothes or just plain cash that you have saved by being so frugal!

**cheapgeek** · 01-11-2006, 10:28 AM

I'll be starting by having them look at where little tiny things can add up to huge leaks. People are always saying "I have no idea where my money went!" I'm going to show them how easily it can slip through their fingers.

My second lesson would be a bit of history, sociology and environmental science, and get people to look at their life through the lens of hyper-consumerism.

**Deborah_Kate** · 01-11-2006, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by AmyBoz
Well, CJ...I'm glad you asked. In April, I AM, in fact, teaching a course of frugality. Unfortunately, my course is only two nights, so I don't have much time.

I'm actually going to be posting looking for tips, hints, and ideas from our members to enhance the presentation.

I'll be starting by having them look at where little tiny things can add up to huge leaks. People are always saying "I have no idea where my money went!" I'm going to show them how easily it can slip through their fingers.

Hey Amy,

Can you send me copies of your lessons? I just finally sat down with all our debt last night and it's about a half million dollars between the two of us. I cried. We make a little over 90,000 together and the debt is way more than I originally thought. In the Chicago suburbs that amount is far from enough. And we haver a $5,000+ property tax bill that is going to come out this year.

I don't know how we are going to keep the house AND still eat at the same time. Brian does NOT want to work on anything jointly so the debts aside from the mortgage and the HELOC in my signature are mine alone plus I buy the groceries and pay the electric ($108 a month on budget plan), gas (135 a month on budget plan), water (usually 125+ every two months) and take care of all the doctor bills because I carry the insurance.

Deb